Britain’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned a 10% UK import tariff on new trucks will stall economic recovery.
The British government has announced its new UK Global Tariff (UKGT), which will impose levies on imports from 1 January, 2021.
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RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett says the levies will make it harder for firms to invest in new, cleaner vehicles to move the goods to drive economic recovery.
“The government says it’s confident of securing a free trade agreement with the EU but if it fails to do so this truck tariff will be a crippling blow for hauliers – putting GBP10,000 (US$12,200) on the price of a new lorry,” said Burnett.
“At a time when they are struggling with coronavirus, clean air zones and Direct Vision Standard during a likely recession, this is another very unwelcome cost for our industry.”
The UKGT replaces the EU’s Common External Tariff on 1 January, 2021 at the end of the transition period.
Changes from EU Common External Tariff:
- Rigid Lorries – EU Common Tariff 22%, UKGT 10%
- Tractor Units for Articulated Lorries – EU Common Tariff 16%, UKGT 10%
- Trailers – EU Common Tariff 2.7%, UKGT 0%
All lorries supplied from the EU attract zero tariffs until the end of the transition period.
