TRA Announces Findings in Boom Lift Import Investigation
On Monday, 5 October, the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) released its intended final determination and recommended remedies following its anti-dumping investigation into boom lifts imported from China. These aerial work platforms, commonly referred to as cherry pickers, play a crucial role in various sectors across the UK, facilitating tasks such as construction, maintenance, and installation by elevating people, equipment, or materials to significant heights.
The TRA’s Statement of Essential Facts (SEF) indicates that imports of boom lifts from China are being sold at unfairly low prices in the UK market, a practice known as dumping, which has resulted in harm to the domestic industry. The authority’s initial findings suggest the imposition of anti-dumping duties of up to 82.89% on these imports.
This investigation commenced on 19 December 2025. Through a comprehensive analysis of import volumes, production costs, pricing trends, and the resulting impact on the industry, the TRA has determined that the prices of Chinese boom lifts are undercutting UK producers by over 25%.
Evaluating Economic Interests
As part of its investigative process, the TRA performs an Economic Interest Test (EIT) to evaluate both the positive and negative economic consequences of implementing a trade remedy measure. Following this thorough assessment, the TRA concluded that introducing anti-dumping measures would serve the economic interests of the UK, prompting the authority to recommend this course of action to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
UK manufacturers initially received support on 20 August 2026, when the UK Government enacted provisional anti-dumping measures against imports of boom lifts from China, acting upon the TRA’s recommendation. This step aims to protect domestic producers from the adverse effects of unfair competition.
Next Steps for Affected Businesses
<pBusinesses that may be impacted by these developments are encouraged to voice their opinions by submitting comments through the TRA’s public file by 20 October 2026. Following this deadline, the TRA will review any additional evidence provided before finalising its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
For those seeking further information regarding the investigation, the public file is available online for access.
Understanding the Role of the TRA
The Trade Remedies Authority operates as an independent entity within the UK, tasked with assessing the necessity of new trade remedy measures to combat unfair import practices and unexpected surges in imports. As an arm’s length body of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the TRA plays a vital role in ensuring a fair trading environment.
Anti-dumping duties are designed to enable a country or trade union to take action against goods sold at prices below their normal value, which is defined as the price for similar goods in the exporter’s home market. The period of investigation (POI) for this case spans from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, while the injury assessment period covers 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2025.