Temporary duties imposed on engine oils and hydraulic fluids

The Government  has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to impose provisional duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the UAE.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has on 16/04/2025 accepted the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA)’s recommendation to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of engine oils and hydraulic fluids from Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following evidence of dumping that has caused injury to UK industry. These measures will be in effect for a period of up to six months.

A Provisional Affirmative Determination (PAD) allows temporary duties to be imposed while a full investigation is completed.

The investigation, which was initiated in June 2024, found on a preliminary basis that UK producers were being undercut by an average of 37% of UK sales prices, causing material injury to domestic industry. The TRA’s investigation followed an application from UK manufacturer Aztec Oils Ltd.

The investigation covers certain engine oils and hydraulic fluids, including passenger car motor oils, heavy-duty commercial vehicle oils, and hydraulic oils.

In its Provisional Affirmative Determination, the TRA has recommended provisional duties ranging from 11.60% to 24.95% for individual participating companies and countrywide rates of 49.59% for Lithuania and 59.40% for the UAE.

UK producers are expected to benefit from these measures by between £5 million and £55 million, depending on their ability to adjust prices in response to the duties.

The TRA will continue its full investigation while these provisional measures are in place.

Notes:

• The Trade Remedies Authority is the independent UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
• The TRA is an arm’s length body of the Department for Business and Trade.
• Anti-dumping duties allow a country or union to act against goods which are being sold at less than their normal value – this is defined as the price for ‘like goods’ sold in the exporter’s home market.
• The period of investigation is from 1 April 2023 to 21 March 2024.

source: GOV