January 29, 2008
BANGKOK - Thailand is ready to discuss its pricing policy for alcohol imports from the EU, but rejected a European complaint that its system was "arbitrary," a top customs official said Monday.
The European Union has made the first step with the World Trade Organisation towards a formal complaint over Thailand's pricing for EU alcohol imports, accusing the kingdom of ignoring the declared value of the products, according to AFP.
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said in a statement that the policy was "arbitrary and damaging for EU companies seeking to do business in Thailand."
Natina Santiyanont, head of Thailand's Customs Procedures and Valuation Directorate, said the kingdom was ready to meet with the Europeans to explain their policy.
She said that values on products were only changed if companies failed to prove that their pricing was accurate.
"We have standards to maintain and to facilitate importers that are honest and comply with rules and regulations," she added.
"Our pricing policy is based on the transaction value of the imported goods... That is in line with the WTO and recognised by Thai laws," she said.
Natina said the Customs Department would meet with EU representatives within a few days.
