Synopsis

Indian paper manufacturers seek anti-dumping duties on Indonesian paperboard imports. Cheap imports caused significant losses to local producers, the association stated. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies recommended remedial duties after an investigation. Urgency increases as an interim import price measure expires soon. Immediate action is needed to protect domestic industry from further injury.

IPMA has urged the government to impose anti-dumping duty on certain paperboard imports from Indonesia, citing Rs 242 crore in losses to domestic manufacturers.

New Delhi: Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) has urged the government to immediately impose anti-dumping duty on imports of certain paperboard products from Indonesia, claiming that cheap imports have caused losses of Rs 242 crore to the local manufacturers.

The IPMA, in a statement on Wednesday, said that the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has already established dumping and recommended remedial duties, while calling for immediate roll-out of anti-dumping duties on Virgin Multi-Layer Paperboard from Indonesia.

"The urgency has increased with the Minimum Import Price (MIP), imposed as an interim measure against low-priced imports, set to expire on September 30, 2026," the IPMA said.

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The association has said that the MIP cannot substitute for the definitive trade-remedial measure recommended following a detailed investigation by DGTR.

In a representation to the Union Finance Minister, the IPMA pointed out that India's Virgin Paperboard Industry suffered material injury estimated at Rs 242 crore in FY2024-25 alone due to indiscriminate dumping by Indonesian manufacturers.

"The investigation has been completed after a detailed, transparent and quasi-judicial process and the injury to the domestic industry has been clearly established. With the DGTR having recommended Anti-Dumping Duty, there is an urgent need to translate the recommendation into remedial action. Every further delay means continued injury to domestic manufacturers," said Pawan Agarwal, President, IPMA.

According to the IPMA, following its investigation covering April 2024 to March 2025, DGTR recommended imposition of Anti-Dumping Duty on the dumped imports from Indonesia through its notification dated June 25, 2026.

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DGTR found that the domestic industry had suffered material deterioration, incurred financial losses and recorded negative return on capital employed following the sharp increase in imports.

The IPMA stated that imports of Virgin Multi-Layer Paperboard from Indonesia surged from a negligible 296 tonnes in FY2021-22 to 62,935 tonnes in FY2024-25. At the same time, CIF import prices declined by 25 per cent. DGTR found that these imports were priced materially below the selling price and even the cost of sales of the Indian industry, forcing domestic manufacturers to reduce prices and sell at losses to compete.