The scope of the investigation will include lemon juice, with or without addition of preservatives, sugar or other sweeteners, regardless of the GPL (grams per liter of citric acid) level of concentration, brix level, brix/acid ratio, pulp content, clarity, grade, horticulture method (e.g., organic or not), processed form (e.g., frozen or not-from-concentrate), FDA standard of identity, the size of the container in which packed or method of packing or end use. Lemon juice is generally brought in under HTS subheadings 2009.39.6020, 2009.31.6020, 2009.31.4000, 3009.31.6040 and 2009.39.6040.

Members handling this product from Mexico and Argentina should immediately contact their suppliers to ensure they are aware of the petition and to stress the importance of full cooperation with the U.S. government on this issue. The importer of record pays any additional duties and punitive duties are placed on product from exporters who don’t cooperate with an antidumping duty investigation.

If this issue involves several AFI members, we can put together an AFI effort to help members comply with what will be required of them. Members in the group would split the legal fees involved but will pay far less than doing something on their own. We can include non-members in a group effort, though those companies must pay all anticipated fees up front. A follow-up notice will be sent to all those expressing interest in this issue.

Please contact AFI if you are interested in participating in a group effort on this matter.