Guidance

Factsheet: Where the TRA sits in the wider UK trade world

Published 7 February 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/where-the-tra-sits-in-the-wider-uk-trade-world/factsheet-where-the-tra-sits-in-the-wider-uk-trade-world

Where the TRA Sits in the Wider UK Trade World

Factsheet Highlights

  • TRA and DIT
  • TRA and HMRC
  • TRA and BEIS
  • TRA and Secretary of State

TRA and DIT

When the UK left the EU, the UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) was created to investigate unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports and determine if measures are required to address the impact of these.

The TRA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for International Trade (DIT) but operating independently.

TRA and HMRC

Where the TRA investigates cases and if it deems a trade remedy necessary, HMRC will monitor imports and collect duties connected with trade measures. The TRA also directs HMRC to make refunds where approved.

TRA and BEIS

The TRA works closely with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to understand the impact of the measures, raise awareness of trade remedies within industry and provide a streamlined process for industry when encountering unfair trade practices.

TRA and Secretary of State

The TRA makes recommendations to the Secretary of State for International Trade (the SoS) as to whether measures should be put in place.

The SoS may direct transition review investigations where they consider it is needed. The call-in power only applies to transition reviews and reconsiderations of transition reviews, and does not apply to new investigations. Where the call-in power is exercised, the Secretary of State for International Trade will set out their reasons for doing so in a statement to the House of Commons.

  • Introduction to the TRA
  • What are Trade Remedies
Back to top