Duties on biodiesel imports to remain in place

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade in the UK has accepted the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)’s recommendation to maintain current duties on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia.

Biodiesel is commonly supplied for use as road transport fuel in the country.

The TRA started its review on 6 December 2024. The review looked at whether the duties were still needed and whether the product definition should change.

As part of its review, the TRA proposed removing sustainable aviation fuel from the product definition. This was due to a number of factors including differing production processes, raw materials, customer base and limited interchangeability.

The updated definition covers fatty-acid mono-alkylesters or paraffinic gasoils obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment of non-fossil origin in pure form or as included in a blend, excluding sustainable aviation fuel, in pure form or as included in a blend.

The duties, which range from 8% to 18%, will remain in place for five years.

Trade remedies investigations were carried out by the European Union Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU.

Several EU measures of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA has been reviewing each one to assess whether they are suitable for UK needs. This review is one of the last transition reviews to be completed.