China Takes Anti-dumping Measures on Imported Photographic Paper

China has decided to impose temporary duties on photographic paper and paper-board imported from the European Union (EU), the United States and Japan for anti-dumping purposes. Starting from August 10, importers of those products have been required to pay a cash deposit at Chinese customs.

The Ministry of Commerce’s initial anti-dumping investigation results, released with its Announcement No.45 on August 10, draw the primary conclusion that companies from the EU, the United States and Japan – including Kodak Limited and Fujifilm – have been dumping photographic paper and paper-board in the Chinese market, and importers buying products from these companies shall provide cash deposits ranging from between 17.6 percent and 28.8 percent at Chinese customs. All Japanese companies are subject to the 28.8 percent duties.

In its ruling report on the dumping case first announced on December 23 last year, China believes photographic paper companies in the three involved regions – from which China imports 99 percent of its photographic paper – have done substantial harm to the domestic industry. It points out that as imports from these regions increased, prices, sales, and market share of related goods produced by Chinese companies have all kept a downward tendency since 2007. During the same time, prices of the imported goods dropped in general despite the increasing raw material costs, and it is believed such low import prices have suppressed domestic companies’ profit margins.

China has been trading dumping accusations with the United States and the EU in recent months. Earlier in May, the United States imposed up to nearly 83 percent of duties on over US$100 million of Chinese wooden flooring based on a dumping claim.

Only one week ago, the EU also announced they would place trade barriers on bicycles and ceramic tiles from China.

---