Product description – “Measuring Tapes”, its parts and components etc., all type of steel measuring and fibre glass tapes and their parts or components.

HS Codes – The product is classified under Chapter 90 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 under sub-heading 9017.

Uses – It is generally used for measuring the length, breadth etc. of an object. They are used for: –

a. high precision professional jobs;

b. measuring depth, width, or length of an object;

c. contraction and surveys.

Countries involved – Singapore and Cambodia.

Applicants – M/s. FMI Limited.

Period of investigation – 2019-20

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

Past investigations involving the product – The fourth SRR was recently concluded against China, with recommendation of extension of duty vide Notification No.7/24/2019-DGAD dated 18th June 2020. The duties were imposed by Ministry of Finance vide Notification No. 17/2020-Customs (ADD) dated 8th February 2020, and these measures are being circumvented. Antidumping duties were also imposed on imports of Measuring Tapes from Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam vide Notification No. 16/2016-Customs (ADD) dated 2nd May, 2016.

Facts of the present case – The present application was filed pursuant to a significant increase in imports of Measuring Tapes from Singapore and Cambodia and decline in imports from China. The applicant submitted evidence that showed non-existence of any known producers of Measuring Tapes in Singapore and Cambodia, undertaking full-fledged production activities. The applicant also demonstrated that the imports had undercut prices of the domestic industry and are also being dumped. The DGTR has found sufficient prima facie evidence of the imports from Singapore and Cambodia undermining the remedial effects, warranting initiation of investigation.

Consumer sector – Measuring Tapes are used by foremen, masons, carpenters, forestry departments and tailors etc. Essentially, as the name suggests, measuring tapes are used to “measure” dimensions and they can be found wherever measurement is required to be taken.