Chinese cherry picker imports face duties of up to 71.74%

The UK government has imposed new duties ranging from 16.25%-71.74% on imports of boom lifts – also known as cherry pickers – from China.

The machinery is used across the construction sector and also plays a vital role in repairing, maintaining and upgrading sport stadiums – for fixing lighting and for filming and broadcasting games.

The government’s decision, which came into effect today (20 August), was made following a recommendation by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).

TRA chief executives Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez said: “In line with the TRA’s mission to defend UK economic interests and our ambition to be more agile, assertive, and accessible, we have acted swiftly to protect UK producers from unfair trade competition.

“Boom lifts play a key role across the country in construction of all types, including in maintaining football stadiums.”

The new duties are provisional and will last for a period of up to six months, during which the TRA will make a permanent decision on duties for this import.

In the mean time, importers of boom lifts will be required to give a guarantee to cover the estimated duty applicable to their imports in the form of a bank guarantee, bond or cash.