Tire prices expected to rise due to new import duties on Chinese products

Drivers in Latvia and the broader EU may face higher costs for winter tires due to new trade duties on imports from China and other non-EU countries. An anti-dumping duty has been in effect since July 8, applying rates of 24.4% for manufacturers that cooperated with the European Commission and 45.3% for those that did not.

Further price pressure is expected starting December 9 with the introduction of anti-subsidy payments. Industry experts note that these additional costs could potentially apply retroactively by up to 90 days, affecting tires imported since September.

The impact will be most significant in the budget segment, which accounts for approximately 60% of the Latvian tire market. Gundars Liekne of Inter Cars Latvija warns that while prices have already risen due to production and logistics costs, these new duties will specifically target affordable options, potentially leading to reduced availability of certain models suitable for winter conditions.