India enforces 5 year anti-dumping duties on Aluminium Foil, Pretilachlor, Acetonitrile

The Indian government has imposed five-year anti-dumping duties on imports of aluminium foil, Pretilachlor, and Acetonitrile from China, Taiwan, and Russia. The decision follows findings by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which confirmed that these products were being dumped at unfairly low prices, causing material injury to domestic industries.

In a decisive move to protect domestic manufacturers from unfair foreign competition, the Government of India on Thursday announced five-year anti-dumping duties on the import of aluminium foil, Pretilachlor, and Acetonitrile from China, Taiwan, and Russia. The action follows a detailed investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which found that these imports were being dumped into the Indian market at prices significantly lower than their normal value, causing material injury to local industries.

One of the key measures includes the imposition of anti-dumping duties on aluminium foil imports from China, specifically those with a thickness ranging between 5.5 to 80 microns. Aluminium foil is widely used in packaging, pharmaceuticals, and food industries. The duty, which was initially imposed for a temporary six-month period, has now been extended for five years. This move is seen as crucial for stabilizing the Indian aluminium industry, which has been struggling due to an influx of low-priced Chinese imports undermining the competitiveness of local producers.

The government has also targeted the import of Pretilachlor, a herbicide extensively used in rice and paddy cultivation. Imported primarily from China, the chemical has been entering the Indian market at dumped prices, threatening the viability of indigenous chemical manufacturers. By imposing anti-dumping duties on Pretilachlor for a period of five years, the Centre aims to restore fair competition and ensure that domestic agrochemical producers are not pushed out of the market.

In another significant development, anti-dumping duties have been imposed on Acetonitrile imported from China, Taiwan, and Russia. Acetonitrile is a vital solvent used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, agrochemical processing, and laboratory applications. The DGTR found clear evidence of dumping practices by exporters from all three countries, which led to price suppression and injury to Indian manufacturers. The imposition of the duty is expected to provide relief to the domestic chemical industry, especially those catering to the fast-growing pharmaceutical sector.

Findings and Implications

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, concluded in its investigation that the dumping of these three products had resulted in financial losses, reduced market share, and capacity underutilization for Indian manufacturers. The duties are not aimed at blocking trade but at restoring a level playing field, allowing Indian producers to compete fairly in the domestic market.

This latest move underscores the government’s commitment to protecting strategic sectors from predatory pricing and reinforcing the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. As global trade dynamics become increasingly competitive, the imposition of anti-dumping duties sends a clear message that India will not tolerate trade practices that undermine its industrial growth and economic self-reliance.