On May 17, 2018, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce published Decree No. 41154-MAG-MEIC-COMEX in the Official Gazette,  “La Gaceta”, announcing the suspension of compensatory measures granted on imports of husked (or hulled) rice from the Argentine Republic and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

Under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Safeguards, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce issued resolution DM-001-2015 on January 5, 2015, which established safeguards for imports of husked (or hulled) rice classified as 1006.30.90.91 and 1006.30.90.99 under the Central American Tariff System (SAC).

The compensatory measures established an annual quota, which allowed rice from Argentina and Uruguay to be imported outside of the safeguards.

Due to an administrative appeal, the safeguards for rice have been temporarily suspended by a Costa Rican court. As the safeguards are currently suspended, it is no longer necessary for importers to process imports of rice from Argentina and Costa Rica under the annual quota program. The most-favored-nation tariff for these rice sub-items is 35% until the appeal filed before the Courts is resolved.

Additional information may be found at:

www.imprentanacional.go.cr/pub/2018/05/17/COMP_17_05_2018.pdf