Fish and Fish Products

• Trade and Tariffs
• Tariff Elimination

Trade and Tariffs

This sector is defined by the Uruguay Round sectoral initiative on fish. The fish sector includes processed and unprocessed fish products contained in Chapters 3 and 16 of the Harmonized Tariff System. The United States did not export fish to Oman in 2003.

Oman applies a 5 percent tariff to all fish products that enter the country.

In 2003, the U.S. imports of fish from Oman totaled $14 million, or approximately 3.5 percent of total U.S. non-textile industrial imports. Lobsters and shrimps are the main U.S. imports from Oman in this sector.

The United States imposes tariffs on fish ranging from 0 to 35 percent, with an average of 2 percent for the sector. The highest tariffs are applied to processed tuna.

Tariff Elimination

The U.S.-Oman FTA will eliminate all industrial tariffs in the United States and Oman within 10 years of implementation. Tariffs will be phased out according to three tariff elimination categories: 1) immediate elimination, 2) equal cuts over 5 years, and 3) equal cuts over 10 years.

Currently, the United States provides duty-free treatment on nearly 70 percent of fish products from Oman. Upon implementation of the agreement, the remaining 29.9 percent will receive duty-free treatment immediately. Leaving only the tariff on sardines in airtight containers to be phased out equally over ten years.

Oman currently provides duty-free treatment on 38 percent of fish products. Upon implementation of the agreement, Oman will grant immediate duty free treatment to approximately 94 percent of fish products imported from the United States. Products in extended staging include lobsters, shrimps, flat fish, cod fish, hamoor, shei’ri. Five years after implementation over 99 percent of all fish products from the United States will enter Oman duty free. Leaving only the tariff on sardines in airtight containers to be phased out equally over ten years.

International Trade Administration
Manufacturing and Services
Office of Trade Policy Analysis