Anti-Dumping Investigation concerning imports of 'Decor Paper' originating in or exported from China PR

To be published in Part-I Section I of the Gazette of India - Extraordinary

F. No. 7/13/2026-DGTR Government of India Ministry of Commerce & Industry Department of Commerce Directorate General of Trade Remedies 4th Floor, Jeevan Tara Building, 5, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 11001

Dated: 23rd June, 2026

INITIATION NOTIFICATION

Case No. AD(SSR)-09/2026

SETU Case ID: AD/SSR010/2026

Subject: Initiation of sunset review of anti-dumping duty on imports of Decor

Paper originating in or exported from China PR.

F. No. 7/13/2026-DGTR: ITC Limited (hereinafter also referred to as the “applicant”), has filed an application before the Designated Authority, in accordance with the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as amended from time to time (hereinafter also referred to as the “Act”) and the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995 as amended from time to time (hereinafter also referred to as the "Rules"), for initiation of sunset review of anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of Decor Paper (hereinafter also referred to as the “subject goods” or the “product under consideration”) originating in or exported from China PR (hereinafter also referred to as the “subject country”).

The applicant has alleged that dumping has continued in India despite imposition of anti-dumping duty, and the domestic industry has suffered continued injury. It has also been alleged that there is likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and consequent intensified injury to the domestic industry, and has requested for review and continuation of the anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of the subject goods from the subject country.

A. BACKGROUND OF PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION

1. The original anti-dumping investigation into imports of subject goods from the subject country was initiated vide initiation notification dated 30th September

ROUND OF PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION

1. The original anti-dumping investigation into imports of subject goods from the subject country was initiated vide initiation notification dated 30th September
2. Post detailed investigation, the Authority vide final findings F. No. 6/38/2020-DGTR dated 28th September 2021, recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports of subject goods from the subject country. Such recommendations were given effect by Ministry of Finance vide Notification No. 77/2021 – Customs (ADD) dated 27th December 2021.
3. Thereafter, a producer of the subject goods from China namely, Hangzhou Huawang New Material Technology Co. Ltd. and an Indian importer, namely, 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

Fakirsons Papchem Private Limited filed a Special Civil Application (“SCA”) No. 16555 of 2021 on 18th October 2021 before the Hon’ble High Court of Gujarat challenging the final findings on the grounds that the exporter was unfairly treated as non-cooperative. Consequently, the Hon’ble High Court issued an order dated 11th January 2022, directing the Authority to consider the submissions by the said exporter. 3. Based on the Order issued by the Hon’ble High Court, the Authority issued addendum final findings dated 10th April 2022, which were given effect by the Ministry of Finance vide Notification No. 15/2022-Customs (ADD) dated 24th May 2022. 4. Subsequently, the Designated Authority received two applications.

th April 2022, which were given effect by the Ministry of Finance vide Notification No. 15/2022-Customs (ADD) dated 24th May 2022. 4. Subsequently, the Designated Authority received two applications. One on behalf of Hangzhou Huawang New Material Technology Co., Ltd and Fakirsons Papchem Private Limited, requesting re-quantification of margins, and another from Indian Laminates Manufacturers' Association on behalf of its members Century Plyboards (India) Limited, Merino Industries Limited, JKS Decor Paper LLP and Thansau Decors Private Limited requesting clarification on the scope of product under consideration. On the basis of these applications, the Authority initiated a mid-term review of the anti- dumping duty imposed on the imports of Decor Paper from China. The Authority issued final findings F.No. 7/15/2023-DGTR dated 25 th March 2025, which was given effect by the Ministry of Finance vide notification No. 19/2025 – Customs (ADD) dated 24th June 2025. The existing anti-dumping duties are presently in force till 26th December 2026. B. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION 5.

istry of Finance vide notification No. 19/2025 – Customs (ADD) dated 24th June 2025. The existing anti-dumping duties are presently in force till 26th December 2026. B. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION 5. The product under consideration in the present investigation is uncoated paper in reel form of 40-130 GSM, having klemm absorbency of at least 12mm per 10 minutes, wet tensile strength of 6-12 N/15 mm, and gurley porosity of 10-40 sec / 100ml, containing titanium dioxide or pigments as filler. It is a base paper for high pressure (HPL) or low-pressure (LPL) decorative laminates, also known as decorative base paper, decorative paper for high- pressure or low-pressure laminates, coating base paper and print base paper, but excluding printed decor paper classifiable under 4811. 6. The product under consideration includes various types of decor paper, such as surfacing paper (white/off-white), liner (white / off-white), barrier paper, shuttering base, overlay paper and print base paper (color / white) but excludes printed decor paper classifiable under 4811. It may be imported as base paper for vaxing, coating and impregnation; base paper for printing; base paper for use in decorative industry and barrier paper, and may come in various sizes such as 95 cm, 96 cm, 102 cm, 123 cm, 123.5 cm, 124 cm, 124.5 cm, 125 cm, 131 cm, 132 cm, 183 cm, 184 cm and 185 cm. 7. The present investigation being a sunset review, the scope of the product under consideration remains the same as defined in the previously conducted investigations. 8.

183 cm, 184 cm and 185 cm. 7. The present investigation being a sunset review, the scope of the product under consideration remains the same as defined in the previously conducted investigations. 8. The subject goods are classified under Chapter 48 of Schedule I to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 under the classification 4805 91 00 and are also imported under HS Code 4802 20 90. 9. The domestic industry has proposed the following PCN methodology:

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S.N. Characteristics Code Description Code Sign

1. GSM Less than 50 GSM From 50 GSM to less than 70 GSM 70 GSM and above “1” “2” “3”

2. Colour Coloured decor paper Uncoloured decor paper “C” “U”

3. Application Decor paper for liner / surfacing application Decor paper for other applications “1” “2”

4. The interested parties in the present investigation may provide their comments on the scope of product under consideration and the proposed PCN methodology, if any, within 15 days of receipt of intimation of initiation of the investigation. C. LIKE ARTICLE

5. There is no known difference between the subject goods produced by the domestic industry and the product under consideration imported from the subject country. The subject goods produced by the domestic industry are comparable to the product under consideration imported from the subject country in all terms including, characteristics such as physical & chemical characteristics, manufacturing process & technology, functions & uses, product specifications, pricing, distribution & marketing and tariff classification.

eristics such as physical & chemical characteristics, manufacturing process & technology, functions & uses, product specifications, pricing, distribution & marketing and tariff classification. Both products are technically and commercially substitutable and the consumers use them interchangeably. Therefore, for the purpose of the present investigation, the subject goods produced by the domestic industry are being treated as “like article” to the subject goods imported from the subject country. D. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND STANDING 12. The application has been filed by ITC Limited. Apart from the applicant, there are two other producers of the subject goods namely, Pudumjee Paper Products and Shree Krishna Papers. The applicant has not imported the subject goods from the subject country in the period of investigation. Further, the applicant is not related to any exporter of the subject goods in the subject country or any importer in India. 13. Pudumjee Paper Products Limited has filed a support letter and requested for initiation of the present investigation and continuation of anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods from the subject country. 14.

oducts Limited has filed a support letter and requested for initiation of the present investigation and continuation of anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods from the subject country. 14. In view of the above and after examination of the application filed by the applicant, the Authority prima facie notes that the applicant along with the supporter accounts for a major proportion of the total Indian production during the period of investigation, and applicant constitutes domestic industry as defined under Rule 2(b) and the application satisfies the requirements of standing in terms of Rule 5(3) of the Rules. E. SUBJECT COUNTRY 15. The subject country for the purpose of the present review is China PR. 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

F. PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION 16. The applicant has proposed period from 1st April 2025 – 31st December 2025 as the period of investigation. However, the Authority has considered the period of investigation for the present investigation as 1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026. The injury investigation period shall cover the periods 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and the period of investigation. G. BASIS FOR LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUATION OR RECURRENCE OF DUMPING i. Normal Value 17. The applicant has claimed that China PR should be treated as a non-market economy and therefore, the Chinese producers should be called upon to show that market economy conditions prevail in the industry producing the like product with regard to the production and sale of the product under consideration.

se producers should be called upon to show that market economy conditions prevail in the industry producing the like product with regard to the production and sale of the product under consideration. Unless the Chinese producers show that such market economy conditions prevail, their normal value should be determined in accordance with Para 7 of Annexure I to the Anti-Dumping Rules. Under Para 7, normal value for a non-market economy country is required to be determined on the basis of prices of the subject goods in market economy third country or price from such third country to other countries, including India, or on some other reasonable basis including price paid or payable in India. 18. The normal value, for the purpose of initiation of the present investigation, has been constructed based on price payable in India. The normal value has been constructed based on the cost of production of the domestic industry of the subject goods duly adjusted for the selling, general and administrative expenses and reasonable profits. ii. Export price 19. The export price of the subject goods has been computed based on the CIF price of the subject goods, as reported in DG Systems data. Price adjustments have been made on account of ocean freight, marine insurance, commission, bank charges, port expenses, inland freight and credit cost to determine the ex-factory export price. iii. Dumping margin 20.

have been made on account of ocean freight, marine insurance, commission, bank charges, port expenses, inland freight and credit cost to determine the ex-factory export price. iii. Dumping margin 20. The normal value and the export prices have been compared at the ex- factory level, which prima facie establishes that the dumping margin is above the de-minimis level with respect to the subject goods imported from the subject country. Thus, there is sufficient prima facie evidence that the product under consideration from the subject country is being dumped in India H. LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUATION OR RECURRENCE OF INJURY AND CAUSAL LINK 21. The present investigation being a sunset review, the Authority is required to examine whether the cessation or revocation of the duty in force would lead to a likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury. 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

22. The applicant has provided prima facie evidence establishing that the subject imports have continued to cause injury to the domestic industry. The volume of subject imports has increased over the injury period. The subject imports have continued to undercut the prices of the domestic industry and have caused price suppression and depression. Further, the continued presence of the dumped imports of the subject goods from the subject country has resulted in decline in profits, cash profits, and return on investment of the domestic industry.

urther, the continued presence of the dumped imports of the subject goods from the subject country has resulted in decline in profits, cash profits, and return on investment of the domestic industry. Further, there is likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury as India is a crucial market for Chinese producers as dumping has continued in India. Chinese producers have excess capacities and they are dumping in third country and have lost market due to imposition of anti-dumping duty in other jurisdiction. The Authority notes that there is sufficient prima facie evidence demonstrating likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and consequent injury to the domestic industry in the event of cessation of current anti-dumping duties on imports of the subject goods from the subject country. I. INITIATION OF SUNSET REVEW INVESTIGATION 23. On the basis of the duly substantiated application filed by the applicant, and having satisfied itself, on the basis of the prima facie evidence substantiating the likelihood of continuation/ recurrence of dumping and consequent injury to the domestic industry in case of cessation of anti-dumping duty on imports of the subject goods from the subject country, and in accordance with Section 9A(5) of the Act, read with Rule 23 (1B) of the Rules, the Authority hereby initiates a sunset review to examine whether the expiry of existing anti- dumping duty on imports of subject goods from the subject country is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. J. PROCEDURE 24.

ry of existing anti- dumping duty on imports of subject goods from the subject country is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. J. PROCEDURE 24. The sunset review will cover all aspects of the final findings published vide Notification F. No. 6/38/2020-DGTR dated 28 th September 2021 and final findings published vide Notification F. No. 7/15/2023-DGTR dated 25 th March 2025, recommending imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of subject goods originating in or exported from the subject country. 25. The provisions of Rules 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 of the Rules shall be mutatis mutandis applicable in this review. K. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION 26. All the interested parties are required to register themselves on SETU Portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in). All communications and submissions from the interested parties shall be uploaded on the SETU portal under their registered name and corresponding case ID. It should be ensured that the narrative part of the submission is in searchable PDF/MS-Word format and data files are in MS-Excel format. 27. The known producers/exporters in subject country, the government of the subject country through its Embassy in India, and the importers and users in India who are known to be associated with the product under consideration are being informed separately to enable them to file all the relevant 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

he importers and users in India who are known to be associated with the product under consideration are being informed separately to enable them to file all the relevant 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

information within the time limits mentioned in this initiation notification. All such information must be filed in the form and manner as prescribed by this initiation notification, the Rules, and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority. 28. Any other interested party may also make a submission relevant to the present investigation in the form and manner as prescribed by this initiation notification, the Rules, and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority within the time limits mentioned in this initiation notification. 29. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a nonconfidential version of the same available to the other interested parties. 30. The interested parties are further advised to keep a regular watch on the official website of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies at www.dgtr.gov.in and SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) for any updated information with respect to this investigation.

atch on the official website of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies at www.dgtr.gov.in and SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) for any updated information with respect to this investigation. Interested parties are directed to regularly visit the website of DGTR (https://www.dgtr.gov.in/) to stay apprised with the further developments in the subject investigation and remain informed regarding notices that may be issued from time to time regarding questionnaire formats, PCN methodology, PCN discussion/meeting schedule, notice of oral hearing, corrigendum, amendment notifications, and other such information. L. TIME LIMIT 31. Any information relating to the present investigation should be uploaded on the SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) under their registered name and corresponding case ID AD/SSR/010/2026. Both versions of each submission, the confidential version (CV) and the non-confidential version (NCV) must be uploaded in the respective designated columns within 37 days from the date on which the non-confidential version of the application filed by the domestic industry would be circulated by the Authority or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country as per Rule 6(4) of the Rules. If no information is received within the stipulated time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record its findings based on the facts available on record and in accordance with the Rules. 32.

received within the stipulated time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record its findings based on the facts available on record and in accordance with the Rules. 32. All the interested parties are hereby advised to intimate their interest (including the nature of interest) in the instant matter and file their questionnaire responses within the above time limit as stipulated in this notification through SETU portal only. The prescribed time limit to file comments on the scope of the PUC/ PCN Methodology shall run concurrently with the time limit mentioned in this Initiation Notification. 33. Extension due to Modification of PUC/PCN: An extension of time by 15 days shall be granted if the Authority, through a subsequent notice, modifies the PUC, and PCN that was not previously proposed or is different from the initiation notification. This extension of 15 days shall be granted from date of such notification of modified PUC and PCN. Extension of time by 15 days stated in this paragraph is not applicable in instances where there is no change in the PUC, and PCN methodology after initiation of investigation. Requests for a further extension of time, beyond the 15-day extension (if granted), will ordinarily not be considered except in case of exceptional circumstances, in line with the Rule 6(4) of the AD Rules. 34. Any request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

ered except in case of exceptional circumstances, in line with the Rule 6(4) of the AD Rules. 34. Any request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

through the SETU portal at least one day before the original deadline. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered. M. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON CONFIDENTIAL BASIS 35. Where any party to the present investigation makes confidential submissions or provides information on a confidential basis before the Authority, such party is required to simultaneously submit a non-confidential version of such information in terms of Rule 7(2) of the Rules and in accordance with the relevant trade notices issued by the Authority in this regard. Failure to adhere to the above may lead to rejection of the response/submissions. 36. The parties making any submission (including Appendices/ Annexures attached thereto), before the Authority including questionnaire responses, are required to file confidential and non-confidential versions separately. 37. Such submissions must be clearly marked as ‘confidential’ or ‘non- confidential’ at the top of each page. Any submission that has been made to the Authority without such markings shall be treated as ‘non-confidential’ information by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow other interested parties to inspect such submissions. 38. The confidential version shall contain all information which is, by nature, confidential, and/or other information, which the supplier of such information claims as confidential.

uch submissions. 38. The confidential version shall contain all information which is, by nature, confidential, and/or other information, which the supplier of such information claims as confidential. For the information which is claimed to be confidential by nature, or the information on which confidentiality is claimed because of other reasons, the supplier of the information is required to provide a good cause statement along with the supplied information as to why such information cannot be disclosed. 39. The non-confidential version of the information filed by the interested parties is required to be a replica of the confidential version with the confidential information preferably indexed or blanked out (where indexation is not possible) and such information must be appropriately and adequately summarized depending upon the information on which confidentiality is claimed. 40. The non-confidential summary must be in sufficient detail to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information furnished on a confidential basis. However, in exceptional circumstances, the party submitting the confidential information may indicate that such information is not susceptible to summary, and a statement of reasons containing a sufficient and adequate explanation as to why such summarization is not possible, must be provided to the satisfaction of the Authority. 41. The interested parties can offer their comments on the issues of confidentiality within 7 days from the date of circulation of the non-confidential version of the documents.

ion of the Authority. 41. The interested parties can offer their comments on the issues of confidentiality within 7 days from the date of circulation of the non-confidential version of the documents. The Authority may accept or reject the request for confidentiality on examination of the nature of the information submitted. If the Authority is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or if the supplier of the information is either unwilling to make the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or summary form, it may disregard such information. 42. Any submission made without a meaningful non-confidential version thereof or a sufficient and adequate cause statement in terms of Rule 7 of the Rules, and appropriate trade notices issued by the Authority, on the confidentiality claim shall not be taken on record by the Authority. 7/13/2026-DGTR I/131708/2026

N. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC FILE 43. All non-confidential versions of submissions made by any interested party will be accessible to other interested parties through their respective login on the SETU portal. O. NON-COOPERATION 44.

43. All non-confidential versions of submissions made by any interested party will be accessible to other interested parties through their respective login on the SETU portal. O. NON-COOPERATION
44. In case any interested party refuses access to and otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period, or within the time stipulated by the Authority in this initiation notification or subsequently time period provided through separate communication, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may declare such interested party as non- cooperative, record its findings based on the facts available and make such recommendations to the Central government as it deems fit.

(Amitabh Kumar) Designated Authority

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