TRA proposes new measure to tackle dumping of SPVC from the US

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today (Tuesday 19 November) recommended putting a new trade remedy measure in place to protect the UK’s Suspension Poly(vinyl chloride) (SPVC) industry from harm caused by low-priced imports from the US.

During the period of investigation, the TRA found that imports of US-made SPVC were undercutting the UK market by an average of 26.79%. As a result of this undercutting, the UK industry is facing downward price pressure from dumped US SPVC, forcing it to reduce prices to levels that it claims are unsustainable for its business operations.

The TRA also found that an anti-dumping measure on imports of SPVC from the US would allow the UK industry to compete fairly, enable it to  operate closer to its full capacity and potentially increase its productivity.

In its Statement of Essential Facts (SEF), the TRA has therefore concluded that the UK industry was and continues to be injured by imports of US-made SPVC and that an anti-dumping measure should be put in place to provide protection. The provisional proposed duty amount is 38.43%-56.01%, with the cooperating US exporter that submitted relevant data receiving lower rates than other exporters that did not cooperate.

TRA Chief Executive Oliver Griffiths said:

“Our provisional finding is that SPVC from the US is being dumped in the UK and that this is injuring domestic producers. Our publication today demonstrates how interested parties that cooperate in our investigations by sharing key data can receive a lower duty compared with those that do not.”   

SPVC is used to create a range of products including water pipes, window frames, food packaging and in medical products such as blood storage bags. In 2022, the UK used around 440,000-480,000 metric tonnes of SPVC with the UK market being worth around £660-£700m.

Interested parties now have until 3 December 2024 to comment on the SEF and can do so through the TRA’s public file.

Background information

• The TRA opened this investigation in response to an application from INOVYN ChlorVinyls Ltd.
• The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports. 
• The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business & Trade. 
• UK industries concerned about imports can submit applications to the TRA for a new trade remedy measure.
• Anti-dumping remedies address imported goods which are being dumped in the UK at prices below what they would be sold for in their home country.