The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has proposed new anti-dumping duties on biodiesel imports from China following an investigation that found these products were being sold into the UK at unfairly low prices. The TRA concluded that such practices were causing material injury to the UK’s domestic biodiesel industry, undermining its ability to compete and invest.
Under the proposal, duties of 15.68% would apply to certain cooperating Chinese exporters. All other exporters would face a much higher rate of 54.64%.
The TRA emphasized that these measures are intended to safeguard the UK’s renewable fuel producers. Doing so would help to ensure that the energy transition is supported by fair and sustainable trade practices.
Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposal until 22 September 2025, after which the Secretary of State for Business and Trade will decide whether to implement the duties in full.
As the UK moves toward a greener future, the resilience of its renewable fuel sector is now under the microscope. Trade policy has continued to see the spotlight as a critical aspect of this transition.
The TRA determined that Chinese biodiesel, including both FAME (fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters) and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oils), has been dumped on the UK market at unfairly low prices, inflicting material injury on domestic producers.
This is not just a tariff, it’s a strategic shield. In a post-Brexit landscape where trade norms are being rapidly rewritten, the UK is signaling that renewable innovation can’t be undercut by unfair practices.
Implementing anti-dumping tariffs is a high-stakes move. However, it is a necessary response for multiple reasons:
The proposal reflects a nuanced balancing act. The lower 15.68% rate applies to exporters who cooperated in the investigation, including the Zhuoyue Group, rewarding transparency and compliance. Conversely, the 54.64% duty targets those who did not engage. The move sends a strong message that non-cooperation carries significant consequences.
It’s also notable that the proposal explicitly excludes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), recognizing its distinct role in the UK’s decarbonization agenda.
Although this announcement is a major one, the story isn’t over yet. The TRA has invited stakeholders like industry bodies, importers, and environmental groups to submit feedback by September 22, 2025. This window offers an opportunity for players across the renewable ecosystem to shape how markets evolve.
The TRA’s proposal isn’t just a tariff. It’s a strategic policy instrument, steering the UK toward a more sustainable, competitive, and self-reliant future in renewable fuels. As the industry recalibrates, one clear message resonates: fair trade is foundational to the green transition.
On September 4, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. EDT (1:00 P.M. UTC), join Mat Stone, VP of Low Carbon Fuels at ResourceWise, for a live webinar designed to help you navigate the shifting biofuels landscape with confidence.
Global market dynamics driving biofuel and feedstock availability
Policy shifts and new incentives reshaping the low-carbon fuels ecosystem
Rising decarbonization targets and the fresh demand opportunities they create
Trade flow disruptions and their impact on feedstock sourcing strategies
Prima CarbonZero’s upstream outlook for staying ahead of these trends
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