India Revises Anti-Dumping Duty on Decor Paper Imports from China [Read Notification]

The Ministry of Finance issued Notification No. 19/2025-Customs (ADD) dated June 24, 2025, announcing the revision of anti-dumping duties on decor paper imported from the People’s Republic of China. This decision follows the final findings of a mid-term review conducted by the Directorate General of TradeRemedies (DGTR).

The revised duties are a modification of the earlier levy imposed under Notification No. 77/2021-Customs (ADD), dated December 27, 2021, which was aimed at countering the dumping of low-cost decor paper from China into the Indian market. The DGTR initiated a review of the existing duties on March 28, 2024, to reassess their continued relevance and impact. After thorough evaluation, a final recommendation was issued on March 25, 2025, suggesting changes in the duty structure.

The new notification replaces the previous duty table with revised duty rates for specific Chinese manufacturers and exporters of decor paper. The updated rates are as follows:

• USD 110 per metric tonne for products from Shandong Boxing Ouhua Special Paper Co. Ltd. and Zibo OU-MU Special Paper Co. Ltd.
• USD 297 per metric tonne for products from Hangzhou Huawang New Material Technology Co. Ltd.
• USD 542 per metric tonne for all other producers/exporters from China not specifically mentioned.
• The same highest rate of USD 542 per metric tonne applies to exports of decor paper originating from countries other than China but exported from China.

Decor paper, as described in the notification, refers to uncoated base paper in reel form with a weight of 40–130 GSM, used in high-pressure and low-pressure decorative laminates. The product must meet technical specifications related to absorbency, tensile strength, and porosity, and typically contains titanium dioxide or pigments. It includes types such as surfacing paper, barrier paper, shuttering base, overlay paper, and print base paper, but excludes printed decor paper classified under tariff heading 4811.

The purpose of this anti-dumping duty is to protect domestic manufacturers from unfair pricing practices and ensure a level playing field in the market. The Central Government exercised its powers under Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, read with relevant rules of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty) Rules, 1995 to enforce this change.

This revision is expected to align import duties with current trade realities and discourage the dumping of low-cost paper products that could harm India’s domestic industry. The notification is now in force and replaces the earlier duty structure laid out in the 2021 notification, as last amended by Notification No. 15/2022-Customs (ADD) dated May 24, 2022.

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