WORLD TRADE WT/DS53/1
G/L/105
9September 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3469)
Original: English
MEXICO -CUSTOMS VALUATION OFIMPORTS
Request forConsultations bytheEuropean Communities
Thefollowing communication, dated 27August 1996, fromthePermanent Delegation ofthe
European Commission tothePermanent Mission ofMexico andtheDispute Settlement Body, is
circulated inaccordance withArticle 4.4oftheDSU.
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Onbehalf oftheEuropean Community, Ihereby request consultations withMexico pursuant
toArticle XXII:1 oftheGeneral Agreement onTariffs andTrade 1994 (GATT 1994) andArticle 4
oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures Governing theSettlement ofDisputes (DSU) concerning
theMexican Customs Law(LeyAduanera), andtheResolution establishing thegeneral rulesgoverning
theapplication ofthecustoms provisions oftheNorth American FreeTrade Agreement (Resolución
queestablece lasreglas decarácter general relatívas alaaplicación delasdisposiciones enmateria
aduanera delTratado deLibre Comercio deAmérica deNorte -Titulo III:Procedimientos Aduaneros-
Artículo 14). On29December 1993, Mexico amended itsCustoms Lawtoapply CIFvalue asthe
basisofcustoms valuation ofimports originating innon-NAFTA countries, andFOBvalue forimports
originating inNAFTA countries. Prior tothisamendment, Mexico applied FOBvalue forallimports.
TheEuropean Community wishes toexpress itsconcern withitsapparent lackofconformity
oftheMexican customs valuation system withtheobligations ofMexico under GATT 1994. In
particular, butnotnecessarily exclusively, theEuropean Community considers thatMexico 'sCustoms
Lawmayconstitute abreach ofArticle XXIV:5(b) ofGATT 1994.
Ilookforward toreceiving yourreply tothisrequest from theEuropean Community andto
setting amutually convenient dateforthese consultations.