UK duties on biodiesel imports from Indonesia to remain in place

The U.K. Trade Remedies Authority announced July 2 that the secretary of state for the Department for Business and Trade has accepted the 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 U.K.

The TRA started its review Dec. 6, 2024.

The review looked at whether the duties were still needed and whether the product definition should change.

As part of its review, TRA proposed removing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) 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-alkyl esters or paraffinic gasoils obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment of nonfossil origin in pure form or as included in a blend, excluding SAF, in pure form or as included in a blend.

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

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

Several EU measures of interest to U.K. producers were carried across into U.K. law when the U.K. left the EU, and TRA has been reviewing each one to assess whether they are suitable for U.K. needs.

TRA is an arm’s-length body of the Department for Business and Trade.