Plastics exporters to benefit from EU-Canada trade deal

Keith Nuthall December 04, 2013

European Union and Canadian plastics exporters are to benefit from a new free trade deal. Once the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been ratified (probably in 2015), it will lead to all existing non-food duties imposed on good traded between the parties being scrapped. This will mean an end to 6.5% duties levied by the EU and Canada on imports of each others plastic tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings; plastic floor coverings; lavatory seats and covers; plastic sacks and bags; and tableware, kitchenware and other household articles. Also being scrapped is the 2%-6.5% levy charged by Canada on EU plastic self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes; and the 6.3% duties charged by the EU on these products when made in Canada. And the 3% duties charged by Canada on EU exports of melamine resins, and the 6.5% duties charged by the EU on Canadian exports of the same, will go. European Commission president Jos Manuel Barroso said: This agreement will provide significant new opportunities for companies in the EU and in Canada by increasing market access for goods and services. The EU already sells substantial volumes of plastics to Canada. In 2012 it exported $49.4m (30.4m) worth of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip and $45.2m (27.8m) worth of plastic tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings. It also sold $7.2m (4.4m) worth of plastic tableware and kitchenware. As for Canadian exporters, in 2012 they sold $33.1m (20.4m) worth of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to the EU, $8.9m (5.4m) worth of plastic tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings and $2.1m (1.3m) worth of tableware and kitchenware, for instance. Entire contents copyright 2013 by Crain Communications Inc. All rights reserved.