India extends anti-dumping duty on Chinese decor paper till March 2027
Synopsis
India has quietly extended three separate anti-dumping duties in a single day — on Chinese decor paper, Plaster of Paris from Gulf countries, and Chinese pearl pigments. The move reflects New Delhi's sustained use of trade-remedy tools to shield domestic manufacturers from below-cost imports, with the decor paper duty now running until March 2027 following a DGTR recommendation.
Key Takeaways
India extended the anti-dumping duty on decor paper from China till 26 March 2027 , originally set to expire on 26 December 2026 .
The duty, imposed in December 2021 , ranges from $110 per tonne to $542 per tonne .
Extension follows a recommendation by the Directorate General for Trade Remedies (DGTR) .
Duty on Calcined Gypsum Powder (Plaster of Paris) from Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and UAE extended till 16 March 2027 .
Duty on Natural Mica-based Pearl Industrial Pigments from China extended till 25 February 2027 .
A DGTR sunset review before March 2027 will decide whether the decor paper duty is maintained or withdrawn.
India has extended the anti-dumping duty on decor paper imported from China until 26 March 2027, the Finance Ministry announced on 23 September 2026, in a move aimed at shielding domestic manufacturers from cheap Chinese imports that have been undercutting local prices and displacing jobs in the furniture and interior-decoration sector.
What the Extension Covers
The Finance Ministry issued a formal notification amending an earlier order to extend the levy of anti-dumping duty on imports of decor paper originating in or exported from the People's Republic of China. The duty had previously been scheduled to lapse on 26 December 2026 but will now remain in force through 26 March 2027. The duty was originally imposed in December 2021 by the Department of Revenue, set in the range of $110 per tonne to $542 per tonne for five years.
DGTR Recommendation Behind the Move
The extension follows a formal recommendation by the Commerce Ministry's Directorate General for Trade Remedies (DGTR), the statutory body responsible for investigating dumping and recommending remedies. Anti-dumping duties are a globally recognised trade-remedy instrument under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, intended specifically to neutralise the price impact of dumped imports rather than serve as a blanket restriction on trade.
Two Other Duties Extended Simultaneously
In separate notifications issued on the same date, the Department of Revenue also extended anti-dumping duties on two other product categories. The duty on imports of Calcined Gypsum Powder — commonly known as Plaster of Paris, used in construction and pharmaceuticals — exported from Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been extended till 16 March 2027. Additionally, the duty on Natural Mica-based Pearl Industrial Pigments from China has been extended till 25 February 2027.
Why Decor Paper Matters to Domestic Industry
Decor paper is a specialised substrate widely used in the manufacture of decorative laminates and surface coverings for furniture, cabinets, flooring, and other interior applications. The domestic decor paper segment has argued that Chinese exporters have been supplying the product at prices significantly below production costs, creating a glut that depresses market rates and squeezes margins for Indian mills. This extension reflects a broader pattern of India deploying trade-remedy tools to protect labour-intensive manufacturing sectors from low-cost Chinese competition — a trend that has accelerated since 2020 across dozens of product categories.
What Happens Next
The DGTR is expected to complete a full sunset review before the extended deadline in March 2027, which will determine whether the duty should be maintained, modified, or withdrawn. Domestic manufacturers will likely file evidence of continued injury during the review period, while importers and user industries — including furniture makers — may contest the measure, arguing it raises their input costs.
Point of View
But the furniture and laminate industry employs a significant workforce in states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — making these duties as much about jobs as about trade law. The real question is whether India's sunset-review machinery, often stretched thin at DGTR, can deliver rigorous evidence-based assessments before the March 2027 deadline, or whether these duties become semi-permanent by default rather than by verified need.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has India extended the anti-dumping duty on decor paper from China?
India extended the duty to protect domestic manufacturers from Chinese decor paper being sold in India at prices below production cost, which creates a market glut and displaces local jobs. The extension, valid till 26 March 2027, was approved on the recommendation of the Directorate General for Trade Remedies (DGTR).
What is the rate of anti-dumping duty on decor paper from China?
The duty ranges from $110 per tonne to $542 per tonne, as originally imposed in December 2021 by the Department of Revenue for a five-year period. The extended notification maintains this rate structure.
What is decor paper and where is it used?
Decor paper is a specialised paper substrate used in the furniture and interior-decoration industry. It is applied in decorative laminates and surfaces for products such as furniture, cabinets, flooring, and other interior applications.
Which other products had their anti-dumping duties extended at the same time?
The Department of Revenue simultaneously extended duties on Calcined Gypsum Powder (Plaster of Paris) imported from Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE till 16 March 2027, and on Natural Mica-based Pearl Industrial Pigments from China till 25 February 2027.
What happens after the extended duty period ends in March 2027?
The DGTR is expected to conduct a sunset review before the March 2027 deadline to determine whether the injury caused by dumped imports continues to exist. Based on that review, the duty may be maintained, revised, or withdrawn.
