The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) announced on October 7 a preliminary recommendation to impose anti-dumping duties of up to 63.66% on imports of rutile titanium dioxide from China, following an investigation into alleged dumping and its impact on British manufacturers. The proposed measures would combine percentage-based duties with minimum charges reaching £876 per metric ton and remain in place for five years. The TRA concluded that Chinese rutile TiO₂ imports were being dumped into the UK market and posed an imminent threat of injury to domestic production.
Under the proposed duty structure, cooperating sampled and non-sampled exporters would face an ad valorem duty of 48.29%, subject to a minimum charge of £665 per metric ton. All other exporters would face a higher rate of 63.66%, with a minimum duty of £876 per metric ton. The applicable duty would be determined using whichever calculation produces the higher amount, ensuring that the minimum charge applies even when the percentage-based duty falls below the specified threshold.
The investigation identified a substantial increase in Chinese imports. According to the TRA, the volume of titanium dioxide imported from China in May 2026 exceeded 299% of the level recorded in May 2025. The authority attributed the increase partly to expanding Chinese production capacity and trade restrictions introduced by other major importing markets. The European Union, Brazil, India and Saudi Arabia have implemented trade remedy measures affecting Chinese titanium dioxide, reducing access to those markets and increasing the attractiveness of the UK as an alternative destination.
The proposed duties would affect trade in a chemical product widely used across the coatings, plastics and paper industries. The TRA stated that the UK's domestic titanium dioxide production industry supports more than 570 jobs and supplies hundreds of downstream British businesses. Its preliminary findings identified an imminent threat of injury arising from the growing volume of dumped imports, particularly as Chinese exporters face restrictions in several other markets.
Interested parties have until October 26 to submit comments on the preliminary findings. Following the consultation period, the TRA will prepare its final recommendation for the UK government. The investigation covers January 1 through December 31, 2025, while the proposed duty rates and five-year duration remain subject to the final decision.
