The UK has imposed tariffs of up to 53% on Chinese imports of glass containers following a recommendation from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).

The decision, which came into effect from yesterday, applies to glass containers such as bottles, flasks, jars, pots and phials, used to preserve and protect goods such as food, jam, cosmetics and perfumes.

The TRA has found on a preliminary basis that the goods concerned have been or are being “dumped” into the UK at prices lower than they are sold in their home country and that this has caused or is causing injury to the UK industry.

The TRA says it has found evidence of undercutting and price suppression during the period of investigation.

In a joint statement, TRA chief executives Jessica Blakely and Carmen Suarez said: “Glass containers are a staple item used in consumer goods ranging from food to fragrance. The manufacture of these containers is not only key for UK supply chains but also supports thousands of jobs.

“Our ongoing investigation has uncovered preliminary evidence that glass containers from China are being dumped into the UK market, causing injury to UK producers.

“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.”

Affected importers will be notified that they must provide a guarantee to pay the anti-dumping duty when importing the relevant goods into the UK.

Interested parties and contributors to the investigation are invited to respond to the TRA’s provisional recommendations on the public case file.