The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its initial findings that a countervailing measure on imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from India be maintained for a further five years. 

The proposal, published in a Statement of Essential Facts follows an assessment that subsidised imports are likely to recur if the measure was no longer applied and that injury to UK industry would also be likely to recur. The TRA also found that maintaining the measure is in the economic interest of the UK. 

The TRA found that while Indian imports of PET during the investigation period were low (just 24 tonnes in 2023), the subsidy programmes identified in the original EU measure still exist and are likely to continue. The investigation also concluded that UK industry remains vulnerable to injury, with falling sales, reduced production capacity, and evidence of underutilisation among domestic producers. 

The intended recommendation is to maintain existing countervailing duty rates, ranging from 0% to 13.8%, until August 2029. 

Interested parties now have until 13 June 2025 to comment on the SEF. Responses will be considered before the TRA makes its final recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 

The SEF and public file for this case can be accessed here

Notes to editors:

• The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports. 

• The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade. 

• The period of investigation for this transition review was 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023. The injury period was 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2023. 

• This review forms part of the UK’s ongoing assessment of trade remedy measures transitioned from the European Union. 

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic commonly used in food and beverage packaging, including bottles and containers. 

• Countervailing (anti-subsidy) duties are one of three trade remedy tools used to address goods that are being unfairly subsidised by overseas governments and causing injury to UK industry.