Updates

DGTR Initiation of Anti-dumping Investigation concerning imports of “Persulphates” originating in or exported from China PR and USA (28.09.2020)

Product description – The product under consideration (PUC) is “Peroxosulphates” commonly known as “Persulphates”. Persulphates are a group of closely related compounds. These are produced as Alkali Metal salts which include:

  1. Ammonium Persulphates (APS);
  2. Potassium Persulphates (PPS); and
  3. Sodium Persulphates (SPS).

The Chemical Formula of these Persulphates are, respectively, (NH4)2S2O8, K2S2O8, Na2S2O8. All three salts are one and same product.

HS Codes – The product is classified under Chapter 28 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 under subheading 283340 and under subheading 28344000. The customs classification is indicative only and in no way binding on the scope of the present investigation.

Uses – The three types of Persulphates have the same end-uses as an initiator and oxidizing agent in the textile and chemical industries and one can be substituted for another.

Countries involved – China PR and USA

Applicants – M/s Calibre Chemicals Pvt and M/s VR Persulphates

Period of investigation – April 2019 – March 2020

Injury period – 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20

Past investigations involving the product – Anti-dumping investigations were earlier conducted in respect of imports of Persulphates from China PR and Japan and another one from Taiwan, Turkey and US. The duties were levied in the first investigation concerning China and Japan vide Notification No. 96/2007 – Customs dated 29th March 2007, and extended vide Notification No. 11/2013 – Customs (ADD) dated 16th May 2013. The duties were levied in the second investigation concerning Taiwan, Turkey and USA vide Customs Notification No. 22/2014-Customs (ADD) dated 16th May 2014 and the same were in force against USA and Taiwan till 15th May 2019.

Facts of the present case – The present application was filed pursuant to a significant increase in imports of Persulphates from China PR and USA. The application was filed against imports from Japan, China PR and USA. Imports from Japan declined in the period Jan-March 2020. Thus, imports from Japan in the POI (2019-20) became below de minimis. Hence, the application was withdrawn with respect to Japan. The applicants demonstrated that the imports had suppressed the prices of the domestic industry and were undercutting its prices. This had adversely impacted the performance of the domestic industry in terms of its profits, sales, market share, Inventories and return on investment. The applicants have alleged material injury and threat of material injury due to dumped imports from the subject countries. The DGTR has found sufficient prima facie evidence of dumping, injury and causal link, warranting initiation of investigation.

Consumer sector – The consumers of the product would primarily be Textile and Chemical industries