EU Countervailing Duties on Chinese Truck & Bus Tyres
Quick answer
The European Union imposes definitive countervailing duties on certain truck and bus tyres originating from China to counteract subsidised imports. These duties apply to new or retreaded pneumatic tyres with a load index exceeding 121, imported under specific CN and TARIC codes. EU importers must ensure compliance with these duties, which vary by producer and are enforced by the relevant Member State customs authorities [1][2][3].
Key takeaways
- EU countervailing duty tyres apply to certain truck and bus tyres from China with a load index above 121.
- Duties are definitive and vary by Chinese producer, ranging from approximately €3.75 to €57.28 per tyre.
- The duties are imposed under Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2018/1690, 2023/738, and 2025/61, which remain in force as of 24 June 2026.
- Importers must declare these duties in customs declarations using specific TARIC codes and additional codes.
- The measures result from investigations into subsidisation and injury to the EU tyre industry.
- Exemptions and specific company lists apply; importers should verify if their suppliers are subject to duties.
- The duties are distinct from anti-dumping duties, though both can apply concurrently.
Affected Products and Origin
The EU countervailing duties target certain pneumatic tyres, new or retreaded, made of rubber, specifically designed for buses or lorries (trucks) with a load index exceeding 121. These tyres fall under CN codes 4011 20 90 and ex 4012 12 00, with the applicable TARIC code being 4012120010 or 4012120010 depending on the specific Regulation [2:1][3:1].
The origin of these products must be the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The duties apply exclusively to imports originating from China and do not extend to tyres manufactured or imported from other countries [1:1][3:2].
Who is Subject to the Duties?
The countervailing duties apply to imports of the described tyres produced by specific Chinese companies identified in the relevant Commission Implementing Regulations. These companies include, but are not limited to:
- GITI Tire group companies (Anhui, Fujian, Hualin, Yinchuan)
- Chongqing Hankook Tire Co., Ltd and Jiangsu Hankook Tire Co., Ltd
- Aeolus Tyre Co., Ltd and related entities
- Qingdao Yellow Sea Rubber Co., Ltd
- Pirelli Tyre Co., Ltd
- Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd
- Weifang Yuelong Rubber Co., Ltd
- Hefei Wanli Tire Co., Ltd
- Xingyuan Tire Group Ltd, Co.
- Guangrao Xinhongyuan Tyre Co., Ltd
Other companies cooperating in the investigations or listed in annexes of the relevant regulations may also be subject to duties. Importers must verify whether their supplier is listed to determine the applicable duty rate [2:2][3:3].
Applicable Duty Rates and TARIC Codes
The countervailing duty rates vary significantly by producer, reflecting the level of subsidisation found during the investigation. The definitive duties, expressed in euros per tyre, include:
- GITI Tire companies: €11.07 (TARIC additional code C332)
- Chongqing Hankook Tire Co., Ltd and Jiangsu Hankook Tire Co., Ltd: €3.75 (C334)
- Aeolus Tyre group and Qingdao Yellow Sea Rubber Co., Ltd, Pirelli Tyre Co., Ltd: €39.77 (C877)
- Zhongce Rubber Group Co., Ltd: €57.28 (C379)
- Weifang Yuelong Rubber Co., Ltd: €57.28 (C875)
- Hefei Wanli Tire Co., Ltd: €57.28 (C876)
- Xingyuan Tire Group Ltd, Co. and Guangrao Xinhongyuan Tyre Co., Ltd: €57.28 (C331)
- Other cooperating companies: €27.69 or €57.28 depending on cooperation status (various TARIC codes)
For companies not cooperating or not listed, the highest duty rate of €57.28 per tyre applies (TARIC code C999) [2:3][3:4].
Importers must use the correct TARIC additional codes in customs declarations to ensure proper duty application and collection [2:4][3:5].
Key Regulatory Changes and Deadlines
The EU countervailing duties on Chinese truck and bus tyres have evolved through several key regulations:
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2018: Initial provisional and definitive duties were imposed by Regulations (EU) 2018/683, 2018/1579 (anti-dumping), and 2018/1690 (countervailing duties) following investigations initiated in 2017 [1:2][4].
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2023: Regulation (EU) 2023/738 re-imposed definitive countervailing duties following judgments of the General Court in cases T-30/19 and T-72/19, ensuring the continuation of duties as of 4 April 2023 [1:3][2:5][5].
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2025: Regulation (EU) 2025/61 imposed definitive countervailing duties following an expiry review pursuant to Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037, confirming the continuation of duties as of 15 January 2025 [3:6][6].
These regulations remain in force as of 24 June 2026 unless amended or repealed. Importers should monitor updates and expiry reviews to maintain compliance [3:7].
Obligations for EU Importers
EU importers of truck and bus tyres originating from China must comply with the following obligations to ensure conformity with EU countervailing duty rules:
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Customs Declaration: Declare the correct product codes (CN and TARIC) and specify the applicable TARIC additional codes corresponding to the producer of the tyres.
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Duty Payment: Pay the definitive countervailing duties at the rates specified for the producer or apply the highest rate if the producer is not cooperating or not listed.
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Verification of Origin and Producer: Confirm that the tyres originate from China and identify the producer accurately to apply the correct duty rate.
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Record Keeping: Maintain documentation supporting the origin, classification, and producer of the tyres for customs audits.
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Consultation with National Authorities: Engage with the relevant national competent authority in the Member State of import for guidance on registration, duty collection, and any procedural requirements.
Failure to comply may result in customs penalties, denial of release, or retrospective duty claims [2:6][3:8].
Background: The Journey of the Duties
The EU countervailing duties on Chinese truck and bus tyres originate from investigations launched by the European Commission following a complaint by the Coalition against unfair tyres imports in August 2017. The complaint alleged subsidisation of Chinese tyre producers and injury to the EU tyre industry, which represents over 25% of Union production of such tyres [4:1].
The Commission initiated an anti-subsidy investigation under Regulation (EU) 2016/1037, resulting in provisional duties in May 2018 and definitive duties in November 2018. These measures were complemented by anti-dumping duties addressing unfair pricing practices [1:4][4:2].
Subsequent legal challenges led to judgments by the General Court, prompting the re-imposition of duties under Regulation (EU) 2023/738. An expiry review conducted under Article 18 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1037 confirmed the continuation of duties in 2025 [1:5][2:7][3:9].
These countervailing duties form part of the EU’s trade defence instruments designed to protect the internal market from unfair trade practices, ensuring a level playing field for EU producers [7].
FAQ
What tyres are exempt from EU countervailing duties?
The duties apply specifically to pneumatic tyres, new or retreaded, used for buses or lorries with a load index exceeding 121 originating in China. Tyres not meeting these criteria, including those with a lower load index or originating outside China, are generally exempt. Additionally, tyres from Chinese producers not listed in the regulations may be subject to the highest duty rate unless exempted by other measures [2:8][3:10].
What is the EU tyre investigation?
The EU tyre investigation refers to the anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations initiated by the European Commission in 2017 into imports of certain truck and bus tyres from China. The investigations assessed whether Chinese producers received unfair subsidies or engaged in dumping, causing injury to the EU tyre industry, leading to the imposition of countervailing and anti-dumping duties [4:3].
What are the countervailing duty rates for Chinese truck and bus tyres?
Countervailing duty rates vary by producer, ranging from €3.75 to €57.28 per tyre. For example, GITI Tire companies face €11.07, Chongqing Hankook Tire companies €3.75, Aeolus Tyre and Pirelli €39.77, and Zhongce Rubber Group and others €57.28. Importers must apply the correct rate based on the producer’s listing in the relevant regulations [2:9][3:11].
How do I identify if my tyre imports are subject to EU countervailing duties?
Importers should verify that the tyres are new or retreaded pneumatic tyres for buses or lorries with a load index exceeding 121 and that they originate from China. They must also check whether the Chinese producer is listed in the Commission Implementing Regulations imposing countervailing duties. Correct classification under CN and TARIC codes and consultation with customs authorities are essential [2:10][3:12].
What is the difference between anti-dumping and countervailing duties?
Anti-dumping duties counteract imports sold below normal value or cost, harming the EU industry, while countervailing duties address imports benefiting from unfair subsidies by foreign governments. Both can apply simultaneously if imports are both dumped and subsidised, as is the case with certain Chinese truck and bus tyres [1:6][4:4].
When did the EU countervailing duties on Chinese tyres come into effect?
The definitive countervailing duties initially came into effect on 13 November 2018 following the Commission’s investigation and were re-imposed on 4 April 2023 after a General Court judgment. They were confirmed to continue after the expiry review on 15 January 2025 and remain in force as of 24 June 2026 [2:11][3:13][5:1].
