The Government of India May Impose Anti-dumping Duty on Gypsum Plaster Boards

India may impose anti-dumping duty of up to $73.8 per cubic metre on imports of gypsum plaster boards, except certain varieties like fire boards, from China, Indonesia, Thailand and UAE to protect domestic players.

The gypsum plaster boards are mainly used in interior construction in suspended ceiling and partition applications.

In its final findings, the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has recommended imposition of the duty on 'Plain Gypsum Plaster Boards' originating in or exported from China, Indonesia, Thailand and UAE, the Commerce Ministry said in a notification.

The DGAD's recommendation comes on the basis of its findings that increased imports have caused "material injury" to the domestic industry, it said.

Mumbai-based Saint-Gobain Gyproc India Ltd had filed a petition for imposing anti-dumping duty on behalf of the domestic industry.

The directorate has recommended different set of duties that ranged between $12.3 per cubic meter and $73.8 per cubic meter, the notification said.

The DGAD, which is under the Commerce Ministry, in its recommendations said that the boards have been exported to India below its normal value from these nations.

"...the Authority is of the view that imposition of definitive Anti-dumping duty is required to offset dumping and injury," it added.

The restrictive duty is recommended by the Commerce Ministry, while the Finance Ministry imposes the same.

However, it said that fire heat boards, impact boards, gypsum ceiling boards with moisture barrier, heat boards, anti-mold boards, thermal boards, gypsum ceiling boards with aluminium edges sealed in white film and ceiling tiles may escape the restrictive duty.

The country has already imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of fabric, yarn, nylon tyre cord and several chemicals.

Unlike safeguard duties, which are levied in a uniform way, anti-dumping duties vary from product to product and from country to country.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if domestic industry has been hurt because of a surge in below-cost imports.

As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime.