TRA Investigation on US HVO Biodiesel - Negative Determination

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Published March 12th, 2026

Detected March 12th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has completed its investigation into US HVO biodiesel and proposes a final negative determination, meaning no countervailing measure will be imposed. The TRA concluded that the Blenders Tax Credit subsidy programme no longer offers subsidisation to US exporters.

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What changed

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has issued a notice of its intent to make a final negative determination in its anti-subsidy investigation into US Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biodiesel. The TRA's investigation, which covered the period of January 1 to December 31, 2024, initially found that UK biodiesel producers were suffering injury due to subsidised HVO imports from the US. However, upon reviewing industry comments and additional information, the TRA concluded that the Blenders Tax Credit subsidy programme effectively ended before October 15, 2025, and no longer provides subsidisation to US exporters. Consequently, the TRA is unable to recommend the imposition of countervailing measures and will submit a final negative determination to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

This decision means that no countervailing duties will be imposed on US HVO biodiesel imports into the UK. Interested parties who may have further evidence regarding this matter can contact the TRA via its public file or by emailing AS0067@traderemedies.gov.uk by April 9, 2026. While this specific investigation has concluded without measures, businesses involved in international trade, particularly in the energy and agricultural sectors, should remain aware of the TRA's ongoing role in investigating unfair trade practices and the potential for future investigations or changes in subsidy programmes.

What to do next

Review TRA's final determination on US HVO biodiesel.
Submit further evidence to TRA by April 9, 2026, if applicable.
Monitor TRA's public file for case details.

Source document (simplified)

News story

TRA completes investigation on US HVO biodiesel

The TRA proposes to make a final negative determination in its investigation into US HVO biodiesel, with no countervailing measure imposed.

From: Trade Remedies Authority Published 12 March 2026

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today (12 March 2026) issued a notice of its intent to make a final negative determination in its anti-subsidy investigation of US Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biodiesel.

Having considered comments submitted by interested parties in response to its Statement of Essential Facts (SEF), as well as additional information now publicly available, the TRA has concluded that the Blenders Tax Credit (BTC) subsidy programme no longer offers subsidisation to US exporters.

Industry comments on the TRA’s interim findings

The TRA published its interim findings in its Statement of Essential Facts in November 2025, finding that UK fatty-acid mono-alkyl esters FAME biodiesel producers were suffering injury due to the subsidised HVO goods from the US.

However, after considering comments on these findings, the TRA found that the Blenders Tax Credit effectively ended before 15 October 2025 and no longer offers subsidisation to the US exporters. Based on the evidence, the TRA is therefore unable to recommend a countervailing measure and intends to submit a final negative determination to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade which does not recommend measures.

Any businesses which may have further evidence to submit on this can contact the TRA via its public file or by emailing AS0067@traderemedies.gov.uk by 9 April 2026.

Background information

This case has an investigation period of 1 January to 31 December 2024 and an injury period of 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2024.
The investigation, launched on 17 March 2025, covers hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biodiesel—also known as renewable or green diesel.
HVO is a renewable fuel that can replace mineral diesel.
The product covered in the investigations includes biodiesel (or paraffinic diesel fuel / gasoil) obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment of oils and fats of non-fossil origin, in pure form or as included in a blend, originating in the United States of America (US). This biodiesel is also commonly known as renewable diesel or green diesel. Synthetic paraffinic kerosene (also known as sustainable aviation fuel) is excluded from this description of biodiesel.
The UK has an established (FAME) biodiesel production industry, but does not have dedicated HVO production (production is via co-processing).
Countervailing duties are one of three trade remedy tools used to address goods that are being unfairly subsidised by overseas governments and causing injury to UK industry.
Full case details are available on the TRA’s public file.