India probes alleged dumping of steel, polymers and 4 other products by China

India has initiated anti-dumping investigation on six products, including steel and polymers, imported from China, to save domestic manufacturers from dumping of cheap and substandard products.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the commerce ministry started the formal investigation following a preliminary investigation into complaints filed by a batch of Indian companies.

The DGTR also issued six separate notifications specifying the companies and the nature of the complaints filed by each. Al of these companies have sought anti-dumping duties on import of these products as the domestic industry is suffering due to the influx of cheap products. The complainants include:

POSCO Maharashtra Steel and CSCI Steel Corporation India, which have sought a probe into imports of cold-rolled electrical steel from China;

Apcotex Industries Ltd that has sought a probe into imports of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber from China, the EU, South Korea, and Russia as this product finds wide use in automobiles and the oil and gas sector because of its resistance to extreme temperatures;

SRF Ltd filed a plea for an anti-dumping probe into imports of R-134A, or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, a high-temperature refrigerant in automobile air conditioners;

Indrayani Sales has sought a probe into imports of black toner powder cartridges from China;

Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd has sought a probe into the dumping of polytetrafluoroethylene, which is used in electronics, mechanical, and chemical industries; while

Vinati Organics Ltd has sought an anti-dumping probe into imports of certain antioxidants from China and Singapore, which are primarily used by petrochemical companies producing plastics.

DGTR initiated the probe on the basis of prima facie evidence submitted by the aggrieved domestic companies. Depending on the findings of the final probe, import of these products may attract anti-dumping duties.