India queries dumping of PS from six countries

India has started a probe into the alleged dumping of polystyrene (PS) from six countries including the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, UAE and Iran following complaints by domestic companies.

The complaints were filed by Vadodara-based Ineos Styrolution India as well as Supreme Petrochem Ltd from Mumbai.

The companies had made an application to India’s Commerce Ministry’s investigation arm Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) for imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports of ‘Polystyrene of all types except Expandable Polystyrene’ from certain companies of these countries.

DGTR has started the investigation after finding sufficient evidence of dumping of the polymer from the countries.

DGTR said, “The authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping, and consequent injury to the domestic industry.”

In the probe, DGTR will determine the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping and recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry, it added.

The period of investigation is from January 2018 to December 2018 (12 months).

However, for the purpose of probing into the injury caused to domestic players, data from 2015-18 will also be looked into.

If it is established in the probe that dumping has caused material injury to domestic players, DGTR will recommend anti-dumping duties to protect the interest of the local industry.

The probe is a quasi-judicial process and is allowed under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

India is a member of WTO, which frames laws for global exports and imports, and all the six countries under investigation are also members of WTO.

During April 2018 to March 2019, DGTR initiated 24 anti-dumping (both fresh and review) investigations, and issued final findings in 50 such cases, according to reports.

Anti-dumping duties are levied to provide a level playing field to the local industry by guarding against cheap below-cost imports.