The Common Customs Tariff (CCT) implies, effective January 1, 2010, introduction of zero import duty rates on freon-resistant
polystyrene (FEACC code – 3903190001) and other polystyrene (3903190009). Zero import duty on
expanded polystyrene
(3903110000) has been valid since March 2009. The duty on various
styrene copolymers did not change and remained at the level of 10%.
Polystyrene imports exceeded USD 200 million in 2009, according to MRC analysts. More than 18 kt of
HIPS and about 14 kt of GPPS were imported over the course of the eleven months of 2009 (see Picture). During 2009 the share of
HIPS and
GPPS
was at the level of 14% in overall imports. The share of HIPS exceeded
70% in the domestic production structure. Imports of both high-impact
polystyrene and general-purpose polystyrene are likely to increase in
2010.