UK imposes countervailing duty on rainbow trout from Turkey
The UK Department for Business and Trade has published a notice on countervailing duty applied to rainbow trout imports from Turkey. Countervailing duties are levied to offset subsidies granted by the exporting country's government. This action follows the UK's independent trade-remedies investigation and affects all shipments of rainbow trout (HS 0305) originating in Turkey.
Photo: Mohan Nannapaneni / Pexels# UK Imposes Countervailing Duty on Rainbow Trout from Turkey
The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has issued a notice establishing countervailing duty on rainbow trout imported from Turkey, effective 21 May 2026. The measure is designed to counteract subsidies provided by the Turkish government to its aquaculture sector.
Who Is Affected
This countervailing duty applies to all rainbow trout (HS Chapter 03, specifically farmed rainbow trout typically classified under HS 0305) originating from Turkey. UK importers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers handling Turkish aquaculture products must immediately adjust their cost calculations and duty-settlement processes.
Turkish exporters shipping rainbow trout to the UK will face additional import duties at the UK border. The duty is applied in addition to any existing tariffs and must be paid before goods are released from customs control.
Trade Remedies Framework
Countervailing duties (CVDs) are a core instrument under the UK's independent trade-remedies regime, which came into effect following the country's departure from the European Union. The UK Trade Remedies Authority investigates alleged unfair trading practices—including subsidies, dumping, and safeguard measures—and makes binding recommendations to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
Under this notice, the DBT has confirmed the finding that Turkish producers of rainbow trout benefit from government subsidies that distort competition and harm UK producers. The duty rate and detailed product scope are contained in the official trade-remedies notice published by the DBT.
What This Means for Shippers
All importers of Turkish rainbow trout must immediately recalculate landed costs to include the countervailing duty. File updated commodity classifications and subsidy-rate documentation with your customs broker before the next shipment clears the border. Failure to account for CVDs risks duty underpayment penalties and cargo holds. Review your supplier agreements now—you may need to renegotiate terms or switch sourcing to duty-free origins. Check the full notice for the exact duty rate and product scope.
