Russia Annuls Import Duty On Primary Aluminum

A Russian government commission on duties decided to annul the 10% import duty on primary aluminum, but postponed a decision on introducing a seasonal import duty on sugar, the Economic Development Ministry announced.

The decision on aluminum had been expected, having been one of the recommendations from the Federal Anti- Monopoly Service when it approved the merger of ZAO Rusal and Sual Group to form United Co. Rusal earlier this year.

The commission also decided to cut to 10% from 20% for nine months the import duty on aluminum alloy roll used for the production of aluminum cans.

A duty of $250 a metric ton on the import of raw sugar has been proposed for January-May, 2008, compared with the current import duty of $140 a ton.