The UK took new trade defence action against China today, with a measure requiring the registration of imports of track-laying excavators coming into force. This move immediately follows the expiry of a previous anti-dumping duty on the same products, which we noted in yesterday's briefing. Separately, a series of seasonal tariff changes for fresh cherries also took effect, adjusting the duty rates for various origins including Lebanon.
The themes
Today’s activity was defined by two distinct events: a significant trade defence development and a set of routine agricultural tariff adjustments. The headline was a new measure targeting machinery from China (Chapter 84), confirming the UK’s continued focus on trade remedies. This occurred alongside seasonal changes for fruit and nuts (Chapter 08), where tariff quotas ending yesterday were replaced by new duty rates taking effect today. While today’s published update contained only 37 back-dated records, the 16 measures that came into force today carry significant policy implications.
Headline item: New action on Chinese excavators
The most significant development was a new trade defence measure targeting track-laying excavators (HS 8429521000) from China. Effective today, a new regulation requires the registration of these imports. This action, detailed in “Trade remedies notice 2026/20”, directly follows the expiry of a previous anti-dumping duty on these goods, providing clarity on the UK’s regulatory posture after the transition.
This is not a liberalisation but a continuation of scrutiny, with the registration requirement often being a precursor to the potential application of new or renewed anti-dumping duties.
Coming into force
Several measures became effective today, including the key trade defence action and seasonal agricultural duties:
- Chinese Excavators: As noted above, the requirement to register imports of track-laying excavators from China is now in effect.
- Seasonal Cherry Tariffs: A series of new duty rates for fresh cherries (HS 0809290000) took effect today, following the end of the previous seasonal tariff quotas on 15 July. The new rates include a general customs duty of 12% and a preferential rate of 4.8% for imports from Lebanon.
What to watch
The registration requirement for Chinese excavators is the key development to monitor. This signals an active investigation by UK authorities. Importers of these goods should anticipate further announcements, as registration is typically followed by a decision on whether to impose definitive anti-dumping duties.