TRA proposes to lower import tariff rates for Chinese e-bike manufacturers
TRA proposes to lower import tariff rates for Chinese e-bike manufacturers
Posted on 25 Aug 2022
The Trade Remedies Authority, the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports, has proposed that two e-bike manufacturers from China, who are new to the UK market should be allowed to move to a lower import tariff rate.
The measures aim to address imported goods which are being dumped in the UK at prices below what they would be sold for in their home country. They would otherwise pay the much higher rate for exporters who did not cooperate with the original trade remedy investigation.
The UK e-bike market was worth £280 million in sales in 2020 and this is expected to triple by 2024. The change in tariff rate would help meet demand in this growing market by making it possible for these new exporters to export to the UK and by providing a wider range of options to UK consumers.
The proposal is contained in a Statement of Essential Facts, which is now open for comment by interested parties. The TRA will consider any comments before making a final recommendation to the Secretary of State later this year.
The TRA assesses applications for new investigations and reviews and conducts them rigorously, fairly and consistently with statutory guidance and timescales.
The TRA opened a new exporter review into electric bicycles from China in June, following a request from two exporters. As they are new to the market, the two firms currently pay the same anti-dumping tariff rate as exporters who did not cooperate with the original EU anti-dumping measure in 2019.
The applicants for the review were Jinhua Otmar Technology Co Limited, PRC and Jinhua Seno Technology Co Limited, PRC.