In the Sunset Review anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Uncoated Copier Paper” originating in or exported from Indonesia and Singapore, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), in its Final Findings dated November 26, 2021 has recommended continuation of existing definitive anti-dumping duty for further period of two years.
November 29, 2021
An anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of uncoated copier paper originating – in or exported from Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, was initiated by the Designated Authority. The Authority notified the final findings on 30th October 2018 recommending definitive anti-dumping duty on the imports of the subject goods from the subject countries. The definitive anti-dumping duty on the subject goods imported from the subject countries was imposed for a period of three years.
According to the published report – the Authority notes that the sunset review was initiated and notified to all the interested parties and adequate opportunity was given to the domestic industry, exporters, importers/users and the other interested parties to provide information on the aspects of dumping, injury and causal link and the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury.
Having initiated and conducted the sunset review into dumping, injury and causal link and the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury in terms of the provisions laid down under the rules, the Authority is of the view that continued imposition of anti-dumping duty is required on the subject goods from the subject countries.
Under these circumstances, the Authority, thus, considers it necessary to recommend continuation of existing definitive anti-dumping duty imposed vide Notification no. 56/2018-Customs dated 4th December 2018 for further period of two years from the date of notification to be issued in this regard by the Central Government.
DGTR has recommended the duty after establishing in its probe that the dumping of uncoated paper (A4, A3 & FS Legal Size under heading number 4802) from Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore are having an impact on domestic players. Further, DGTR has recommended anti-dumping of difference between the landed value of the product and USD 855 per tonne as mentioned in the report.
As per the report – the product under consideration continues to be exported to India at prices below normal value resulting in continued dumping. The volume of imports has declined because of anti-dumping duty. However, the volume of import is likely to increase significantly, considering the dumped and injurious price at which goods have been exported from Indonesia to third countries, high export orientation, significant surplus capacities in Indonesia. It is evident that the dumping of the product is likely to continue and the volume of imports is likely to increase significantly in the event of cessation of anti-dumping duties.
The report further states that in the event of expiry of anti-dumping duty, there is clear possibility of dumping in significant volumes and consequent injury to the domestic industry. Indonesia is one of the largest producers of the subject goods. There are significant unutilized capacities in Indonesia, sufficient to cater to entire Indian demand. Significant exports to third countries have been made by the producers at prices below the level of selling price, non-injurious price of the domestic industry and third country prices. It is also seen that various countries have imposed trade remedial measures on subject goods from Indonesia.
Also Read: India Begins Sunset Review Probe on Uncoated Copier Paper Imports From Indonesia and Singapore.
Further, the Authority notes that fair competition in the Indian market will not be reduced by the continuation of the anti-dumping measures. On the contrary, continuation of anti-dumping measures would remove the unfair advantages gained by dumping practices and prevent the decline of the domestic industry and help maintain availability of wider choice to the consumers of the subject goods.
The purpose of anti- dumping duties, in general, is to eliminate injury caused to the domestic industry by the unfair trade practices of dumping so as to re-establish a situation of open and fair competition in the Indian market, which is in the general interest of the country. From the information submitted by the domestic industry, it is noted that the imposition of duties has benefitted the producers of the subject goods.
