Imports into and exports from the United States.
At least two commercial types of polystyrene resins are produced abroad. Both are made in Germany and marketed under the trade names Resoglas and Trolitul. Resoglas is a water-white, transparent thermoplastic resin softening at about 150° C. Its water absorption is low, it is nonoxidizing, and does not discolor on weathering and baking. Appreciable quantities are produced in Germany and the sales price there was reported to have been 40 cents per pound during 1936.
Molded Polystyrene Resins.
Source: Bakelite Corporation, 247 Park Avenue, New York, N. Y.
Small quantities of Resoglas and Trolitul have been imported from Germany in recent years. Table [9] shows the quantities imported in recent years.
Table 9.—Resoglas and Trolitul: United States imports for consumption, 1933-37
| Year | Resoglas (polystyrol) | Trolitul | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Value | Unit value | Quantity | Value | Unit value | |
| Pounds | Pounds | |||||
| 1933 | 771 | (1) | 672 | (1) | ||
| 1934 | 991 | (1) | 200 | (1) | ||
| 1935 | 110 | $97 | $0.88 | 4,608 | $3,782 | $0.82 |
| 1936 | 2,220 | 1,901 | .86 | 4,671 | 3,641 | .78 |
| 19372 | None | None | 6,788 | 4,077 | .60 | |
1 Not available.
2 Preliminary.
Source: Analyses of invoices of paragraph 28, act of 1930—U. S. Tariff Commission.
With the more advanced development of polystyrol resins in Germany prior to 1938, evidenced by larger commercial production, by wider application, by the marketing of a water-white product at a considerably lower price, it might be expected that imports into the United States would have been in considerably larger amount than shown in table [9]. That they were small was probably due to the high rate of duty which made them expensive as compared with other synthetic resins in the United States and thus limited their market to uses in which the others were less satisfactory. Resoglas was reported to have been selling for 40 cents per pound in Germany. The imported resin is assessed for duty under the provisions of paragraph 28 of the Tariff Act of 1930 at 45 percent ad valorem based on American selling price (as a competitive product) and 7 cents per pound. The American selling price of the resin made in the United States until late in 1937, as determined by the Bureau of Customs, Treasury Department, was $1.85 per pound. The duty was therefore 90 cents per pound. Imports of Trolitul were valued at 75 cents per pound, giving a cost of $1.75 per pound laid down, duty paid, in domestic markets. With the present American selling price of 72 cents per pound, the duty would be approximately 36 cents per pound.