How can a Colombian manufacturer challenge anti-dumping duties imposed by another country?

In Colombia
Last Updated: Nov 1, 2025
Colombian manufacturer is facing anti-dumping duties on its exports to a foreign market. I want to understand what steps exist to challenge or renegotiate these duties under international trade law and WTO rules. Is it necessary to hire a trade attorney to prepare the defense, gather data, and pursue remedies like revisions, quotas, or price undertakings?

Lawyer Answers

Grupo Devoument Abogados

Grupo Devoument Abogados

Nov 5, 2025
Best Answer
How can a Colombian manufacturer challenge anti-dumping duties imposed by another country? A Colombian company that faces anti-dumping duties abroad has four legal avenues, depending on where the measure was imposed. First, domestic appeal in the importing country. Every country with anti-dumping laws must provide a domestic review or appeal mechanism. The manufacturer can request an Administrative Review. They should show that prices, costs, or export volumes changed. They should present audited financial records, cost structures, invoices, and trade data. They should request recalculation of the anti-dumping margin. Second, judicial review. If the administrative authority denies relief, the company can sue before a trade court, an economic appeals tribunal, or the administrative court of that country. Examples: United States – U.S. Court of International Trade; European Union – European General Court. Third, WTO Dispute Settlement (Estado vs. Estado). A private Colombian company cannot sue at the WTO, but Colombia (the State) can request consultations if the investigation violated WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement rules, or there was lack of transparency, biased calculation, or no injury to domestic industry. Steps include: request consultations at the WTO. If no resolution, a WTO dispute panel may be established, with possible appeal to the Appellate Body. If Colombia wins, the importing country must remove or modify the duty. This requires diplomatic and legal coordination with MinCIT (Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo), Dirección de Comercio Exterior, and the embassy in the country denounced. Fourth, bilateral or regional trade agreement mechanisms. If duties were imposed by a country with a treaty with Colombia (TLC, FTA, CAN, Mercosur, etc.), the company can ask the Colombian government to activate the dispute resolution chapter, joint committee consultations, or technical panels. Often these are faster and less political than a full WTO case. Fifth, price undertakings (Compromiso de precios). The exporter can negotiate directly with the foreign authority to adjust minimum export price, modify distribution structure, or change commercial terms. If accepted, duties can be suspended or eliminated without litigation. Final conclusion. Legally: You can file defenses and data without an attorney. Practically: Companies almost always need one to avoid mistakes, negotiate, and get duties reduced or eliminated.
Grupo Devoument Abogados

Grupo Devoument Abogados

Nov 5, 2025
How can a Colombian manufacturer challenge anti-dumping duties imposed by another country?
A Colombian company that faces anti-dumping duties abroad has four legal avenues, depending on where the measure was imposed:
1. Domestic appeal in the importing country. Every country with anti-dumping laws must provide a domestic review or appeal mechanism. The manufacturer can request: Administrative Review. Show that prices, costs, or export volumes changed. Present audited financial records, cost structures, invoices, and trade data. Request recalculation of the anti-dumping margin. Judicial Review. If the administrative authority denies relief, the company can sue before: A trade court. An economic appeals tribunal Or the administrative court of that country. Example: United States → U.S. Court of International Trade European Union → European General Court
2. WTO Dispute Settlement (Estado vs. Estado). A private Colombian company cannot sue at the WTO, but Colombia (the State) can request consultations if: The investigation violated WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement rules There was lack of transparency, biased calculation, or no injury to domestic industry. Steps: Request consultations at the WTO. If no resolution → WTO dispute panel Possible appeal to the Appellate Body If Colombia wins → the importing country must remove or modify the duty. This requires diplomatic and legal coordination with: MinCIT (Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo) Dirección de Comercio Exterior Embajada en el país denunciado.
3. Bilateral or regional trade agreement mechanisms. If duties were imposed by a country with a treaty with Colombia (TLC, FTA, CAN, Mercosur, etc.), the company can ask the Colombian government to activate: Dispute resolution chapter, Joint committee consultations, Technical panels. Often these are faster and less political than a full WTO case.
4. Price Undertakings (“Compromiso de precios”). The exporter can negotiate directly with the foreign authority: Adjust minimum export price, Modify distribution structure, Change commercial terms. If accepted, duties can be suspended or eliminated without litigation. Final conclusion. Legally: You can file defenses and data without an attorney. Practically: Companies almost always need one to avoid mistakes, negotiate, and get duties reduced or eliminated.
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