India has imposed anti-dumping duties on five Chinese imports, including sulphur black and thermoplastic polyurethane, to shield domestic industries from cheap imports. Effective for five years, the duties cover isopropyl alcohol, sulphur black, cellophane transparent film, thermoplastic polyurethane, and unframed glass mirrors. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs issued separate notifications confirming the duties.
Sulphur black, commonly used in textile dyeing, leather, and paper, now faces up to $389 per tonne in duty, as total imports of this product reached $4.3 million in 2023-24. Duties have also been applied to products like cellophane transparent film, used in packaging, with a tariff of $1.34 per kg on imports worth approximately $60 million last fiscal year.
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), India's investigative arm, recommended these measures, finding Chinese imports underpriced and damaging to local players. Following further probes, the DGTR has initiated investigations into additional Chinese imports, including acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and cold-rolled electrical steel, based on concerns from domestic firms.
India’s anti-dumping measures align with World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines, promoting fair competition and supporting the domestic textile sector. China remains India’s second-largest trade partner, yet India’s trade deficit with China hit $85 billion in 2023-24. The duties aim to balance this gap, leveling the field for Indian manufacturers against low-cost imports from China.
