Iraq Imposes 40% Additional Customs Duty on Imported PET Rolls

By John Lee.

Iraq's Council of Ministers has approved a 40% additional customs duty on imported PET rolls made from polyethylene granules, used in the production of single-use water cups, food containers, and transparent storage products.

The measure will be in effect for four years without reduction, with market conditions under review.

Key Measures:

• Customs Duty Implementation - The General Authority of Customs will apply the additional duty and report periodically on import volumes, collected fees, country of origin, and importers.
• Market Assessment - The Ministry of Industry and Minerals will:
  • Analyze import trends over the past three years to detect unjustified surges.
  • Ensure local manufacturers can meet market demand without excessive price inflation.
  • Evaluate the economic benefits of protective measures.
• Regulatory Oversight - Agencies will monitor the impact of customs protection on local production.
• Implementation Timeline - The decision takes effect 120 days after issuance.

(Source: PMO)