The UK government has decided to retain existing trade duties on biodiesel imports from Indonesia for another five years following the completion of a transition review of measures inherited from the European Union.
The decision, announced after a review by the UK’s trade authorities, keeps import duties ranging from 8% to 18% in place while narrowing the scope of the measures by excluding sustainable aviation fuel from the affected products, Traders Union reported.
The transition review, which began on December 6, 2024, examined whether the tariffs remained necessary and whether the product definition should be updated. Biodiesel covered under the measures is primarily used as road transport fuel in the UK.
Following the review, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted the recommendation of the Trade Remedies Authority to maintain the existing tariff regime.
Under the revised definition, the measures apply to fatty-acid mono-alkylesters and paraffinic gasoils produced through synthesis or hydrotreatment from non-fossil sources, whether sold in pure form or blended with other fuels. Sustainable aviation fuel has been excluded from the scope.
The Trade Remedies Authority said sustainable aviation fuel was removed from the product definition because it differs from biodiesel in terms of production methods, raw materials, customer base and its limited interchangeability with biodiesel.
The review forms part of the UK’s ongoing assessment of trade remedy measures that were originally introduced by the European Commission before Brexit and later retained under UK law to protect domestic industries where considered necessary.
The biodiesel case is among the final transition reviews of EU-era trade protection measures to be completed by the UK.
