UK plans anti-dumping duties on Chinese biodiesel imports

The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has published its Statement of Material Facts (SEF) on its anti-dumping investigation into Chinese biodiesel imports, proposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese fuel.

The investigation found that Chinese biodiesel was being dumped into the UK, causing significant harm to UK producers. TRA also concluded that it would be in the UK’s economic interest to take anti-dumping measures.

TRA proposed anti-dumping duties of 15.68% on Zhuoyue Group and its associated exporters, and 54.64% on all other exporters.

The products covered by the investigation include biodiesel, specifically fatty acid monoalkyl esters (FAME) and hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), used neat or in blends and typically supplied for use as road transport fuel in the UK.

The organisation says that if tariffs are not imposed, some UK biofuel producers could leave the market. It says interested parties can comment or provide further evidence by 22 September, before a final recommendation is made.

The EU has previously imposed similar tariffs on Chinese biofuels, following a near-doubling of biodiesel and HVO imports from China into the EU. The sharp rise in imports (to 1.5 million tonnes in December 2023) was out of step with the moderate growth in EU consumption over the same period. China’s market share increased from 5.4% in 2022 to 8% during 2024, while the EU’s domestic industry lost around 10% of its market share.

Tags: UK, restrictions, China