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New tax on Chinese imports

17 May 2013

New legislation has been introduced by the European Union today placing import duties on tableware coming in from China.

These duties range from 13.1to 23.4% for around 400 Chinese producers or groups who cooperated with the investigation and represent over 60% of Chinese exports to the EU. A duty of 36.1% has been imposed on non-cooperating companies.

Kevin Oakes Chief Executive of Steelite International said: “Steelite International is delighted to see this legislation and has lobbied strongly for the imposition of the duty.  Quite simply we have been seeking a level playing field in which to do business.

“Following an investigation by the European Union it was revealed that producers in China are operating at an unfair advantage which enables them to sell into the European and UK markets at artificially low prices. It was discovered that factories do not pay full price for assets, raw materials and fuels, which are being subsidised by their Government and do not operate their business in accordance with international trading laws.

“This means producers across the world cannot compete on price, and a tax levy will go some way towards allowing us to compete on equal terms.”