UK imposes anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel imports

The UK government imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imports from China effective November 25 after the Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted the recommendation of the Consumer Protection Agency, the agency announced on November 24.

The new measures impose ad valorem tariffs of 14.79% on the Zhuoyue Group and its cooperating exporters who failed to qualify, and 54.64% on all other Chinese suppliers. The duties apply to biodiesel fuel, including monoalkyl esters of fatty acids and hydrotreated vegetable oil, both pure and blended, but do not apply to clean jet fuel, oilworld.ru reports, citing .

According to the public notice, the anti-dumping duty will remain in effect for five years, until November 25, 2030, unless reviewed. Importers seeking tariff reductions for a specific company must submit valid commercial invoices with the required declarations; otherwise, a residual rate of 54.64% applies.

This decision places the UK in line with other jurisdictions, such as the EU, which in February imposed anti-dumping duties of 35.6% on biodiesel and renewable diesel from China. The TRA stated that these measures are aimed at restoring “fair competition” in the renewable fuels market.

The new tariffs came into effect on November 25.

European biodiesel prices were mixed on November 25, with one producer citing weak market activity for FAME 0 and UCOME, as well as volatility in related fossil fuel markets. Monthly gasoil futures on the Intercontinental Exchange fell $17.75 per metric ton overnight to $683.25 per ton.

Platts, a member of S&P Global Energy, assessed FAME 0 premiums at $591 per ton, up $23, while RME premiums remained unchanged at $740 per ton. Second-generation UCOME premiums fell $3 to $778 per ton on November 25.

The Asian feedstock and biodiesel market remained stable on November 25, with limited market activity.

On November 25, Platts assessed UCO FOB Straits at $1,075 per ton, also unchanged on the day.

On November 25, Platts assessed UCO FOB North China at $1,099 per tonne, also unchanged on the day.

Premiums in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region rose across the board on November 26, with traders pointing to low liquidity in waste vegetable oil markets and ample demand for rapeseed methyl ester.

ICE LSGO M1 continued to decline for the sixth consecutive session, falling $15.75 to $667.50 per tonne.

Platts premiums for cooking vegetable oil methyl ester were $789.25 per tonne, up $11.25.

Platts FAME 0 premiums were $593/t, up $2, with no FAME 0 trades recorded on the day. Elsewhere, Platts RME premiums were valued at $750/t, up $10 from the previous day.

Tags: UK, restrictions, biofuel, China