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Plastic Packaging Tax on Imports: HMRC Enforcement
17 October 2023
Lead MP
Nigel Mills
Amber Valley
Con
Responding Minister
Not recorded
Tags
TaxationBusiness & Trade
Word Count: 1372
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Nigel Mills raised concerns about plastic packaging tax on imports: hmrc enforcement in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key Requests to Government:
We need robust processes to make sure that the claims people are making have some basis and they are following the rules. We should beef up HMRC guidance, provide a list of territories where there could be a lower risk approach and those with a higher risk approach if buying film sourced from there, and assume that the plastic packaging tax applies.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
There is real concern in the industry about illegal imports which claim to have a sufficient amount of recycled plastic content, when that is not the case. The industry has met with HMRC and was informed that enforcement was not its job. There are no tests that can be done on stretch film to verify the claims made by importers. The tax was enforced for about 18 months but there is very little enforcement to ensure compliance.
Mark Pawsey
Con
Rugby
My hon. Friend agrees that the introduction of the plastic packaging tax was positive but highlights a significant concern regarding imports without verification, potentially undermining UK manufacturers who adhere to higher standards. He questions why it cannot be assumed that imported products do not contain 30% recycled material, especially when documentation from overseas is unreliable.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.