Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has ordered HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to begin registering imports of suspension poly(vinyl chloride) from the United States, after agreeing to a request from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).
In a notice published under paragraph 29 of Schedule 4 to the Taxation (Cross Border Trade) Act 2018, and available HERE, he explained that the goods will continue to be registered until he publishes a public notice instructing HMRC to stop doing so.
The registration took effect from 26 July 2024 with the goods concerned being imported under the commodity codes 3904100015 and 3904100080. The intention is to facilitate an investigation into the importation of suspension poly(vinyl chloride) (SPVC).
The Trade Secretary explained that, under regulations 91 and 92 of the Trade Remedies (Dumping and Subsidisation) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, when a definitive remedy is implemented, duties may be payable up to 90 days preceding the implementation of a provisional measure.
The level of duties charged will be determined by the definitive remedy that is implemented.
SPVC is used to create a range of medical products including blood storage bags as well as water pipes, window frames, food packaging, bottles and cable insulation. In 2022, the UK used around 440,000 metric tonnes of SPVC with the UK market being worth between £660 million and £700 million.
