TRA opens exemption review of UK bike importer

The Trade Remedies Authority has today (17 October 2022) begun reviewing an application from a UK importer, The Martlet Group, to be exempted from an anti-dumping duty on certain bicycle parts from China.

The Martlet Group, which sells bikes in the UK under the Orro brand, submitted the application for exemption on the basis that it has not circumvented the UK trade remedies measure.

As the TRA has accepted the application for review, it will recommend that the Secretary of State for International Trade implements a temporary suspension of the duty for The Martlet Group’s goods until the review is complete. Once the TRA has completed its review it will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State either to exempt the goods from the duty or for the duty to be applied for the length of the measure.

The anti-dumping measure on certain bicycle parts from China was transitioned when the UK left the EU. The TRA is required to initiate a Transition Review on this anti-dumping measure before 30 August 2024.

Notes to editors:

• 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 current UK trade remedies measure covers two categories of goods. Category 1 (bicycles) which The Martlet Group pays 48.5% on imports from China and 7 other countries. Category 2 (certain bicycle parts) which Martlet pays 48.5% on imports from China only, when importing parts in quantities of 300 or more per month (per unit). It is the Category 2 goods Martlet are applying to be exempt from.

• View the full notice of initiation.

• Dumping occurs when goods are imported into a country and sold at a price that is below their normal value in their country of export.