Prix des minéraux cadre de détermination des prix de transfert

This guide, published by the IISD and OECD, provides a framework for tax administrations in developing countries to determine the arm's length price of minerals sold between related parties. It focuses on the application of the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to prevent tax base erosion and profit shifting in the mining sector.

• The mining sector presents a high risk of tax revenue loss due to transfer pricing non-compliance, as multinational enterprises may sell minerals to foreign related entities at prices below the arm's length value to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions.
• The Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method is generally the most appropriate and reliable way to implement the arm's length principle for commodities like minerals, and should be preferred over other transfer pricing methods when applicable.
• To apply the CUP method reliably, tax administrations must identify and adjust for three primary categories of economically relevant factors: product characteristics (physical properties and quality), economic circumstances at the time of the contract, and specific contractual terms (quantities, transport, payment, and refining costs).
• The document identifies specific transfer pricing risks across the mining value chain: technical services and equipment leasing during exploration; intercompany financing (loans, derivatives, streaming) and management services during development; and price manipulation or excessive marketing fees during production and processing.
• Tax administrations can implement simplified administrative approaches to reduce the burden of control, such as publishing guidelines for taxpayers on recommended methodologies or establishing 'safe harbor' regimes.
• The Republic of Guinea implemented a safe harbor regime in July 2022 specifically for bauxite prices in related-party transactions to combat the frequent under-valuation of its primary export.
• Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) can provide tax certainty and avoid costly litigation, but for minerals, they should utilize variable prices based on market indices rather than fixed prices due to high commodity volatility.

APA

Viola, A., Lassourd, T., & Readhead, A. (2023). Prix des minéraux cadre de détermination des prix de transfert. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/determining-the-price-of-minerals-framework-fr.pdf

Chicago

Viola, Andrew, Thomas Lassourd, and Alexandra Readhead. Prix des minéraux cadre de détermination des prix de transfert. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2023. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/determining-the-price-of-minerals-framework-fr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Viola |first1=Andrew |last2=Lassourd |first2=Thomas |last3=Readhead |first3=Alexandra |title=Prix des minéraux cadre de détermination des prix de transfert |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2023 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/determining-the-price-of-minerals-framework-fr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{viola2023prix, author = {Viola, Andrew and Lassourd, Thomas and Readhead, Alexandra}, title = {{Prix des minéraux cadre de détermination des prix de transfert}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2023}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2023-11/determining-the-price-of-minerals-framework-fr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }