UK proposes safeguard tariff quota on imported PET resin

The UK Trade Remedies Authority issued a provisional affirmative determination on 23 October 2026 in a safeguard case brought by Alpek Polyester. It found that a 68% rise in PET resin imports between 2021 and 2025 caused serious injury to UK producers. It proposes a provisional tariff-rate quota of 192,963.17 tonnes from 1 December 2026 to 31 May 2027, allocated 77.6% to the EU, 5.4% to Mexico, 3.7% to Indonesia and 3.1% to Vietnam, with a 65% additional duty on volumes above quota.

Why this mattersPET bought outside the EU faces a 65% duty once small country quotas fill, steering UK bottle-grade resin sourcing towards EU suppliers.

• TRA published a provisional affirmative determination on 23 October 2026 in safeguard case SG0094, opened on 5 August 2026 at Alpek Polyester's request.
• Investigation covers virgin PET (viscosity 74 ml/g or above) and recycled PET under HS codes 3907.61 and 3907.69.
• UK PET imports rose 68% over 2021-2025 while domestic output fell continuously.
• Proposed tariff-rate quota of 192,963.17 tonnes runs from 1 December 2026 to 31 May 2027.
• Quota shares: EU 77.6%, Mexico 5.4%, Indonesia 3.7%, Vietnam 3.1%, other sources 10.2%.
• Imports above quota face a proposed additional safeguard duty of 65%; the provisional measure lasts at most 200 days.

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