To safeguard its domestic industries, India has imposed anti-dumping duties on plastic processing machines imported from China and Taiwan. The imposed duties will remain in effect for five years. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) recommended this action after an investigation.
The investigation period for the alleged dumping was from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023. The injury investigation period covered 2020 until the end of the dumping investigation period. According to reports, the value of imports increased significantly from Rs 69 crore in the base year to Rs 371 crore during the investigation period. The import prices were found to be below the selling prices of domestic industries, leading to price undercutting.
The product under consideration includes plastic processing machines, specifically injection molding machines, with a clamping force between 40 and 1500 tonnes. These machines can be fully assembled, semi-knocked down (SKD), complete knocked down (CKD), or a combination of SKD and CKD. However, the duties exclude blow molding machines, vertical injection molding machines, all-electric injection molding machines, multi-color/multi-mold machinery for footwear, rotary injection molding machinery for footwear, and second-hand machines.
The Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Association of India (PMMAI) initially requested the investigation, alleging that machines from China and Taiwan were being sold at dumped prices, causing injury to the Indian domestic industry. Data from Electronica Plastic Machines Limited, Milacron India Private Limited, Shibaura Machine India Private Limited, and Windsor Machines Limited was also considered in the investigation.
The imposition of these duties reflects India's commitment to protecting its domestic manufacturing sector from unfair trade practices. It is expected to create a more level playing field for Indian manufacturers of plastic processing machines.
