Anti-dumping duty likely on Chinese 'textured tempered glass'

NEW DELHI: Government has started a probe into alleged dumping of a particular variety of glass from China to protect the domestic industry from cheap imports.

The DGAD "prima facie finds sufficient evidence of dumping" of the glass from China.

Gujarat Borosil Ltd has filed a petition before the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of " textured tempered glass whether coated or uncoated" from China.

This glass is used as a component in solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal applications. Other firms that make similar products include Asahi India Glass.

DGAD, in a notification, said: "The authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping, and consequent injury to the domestic industry...to determine the existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping and to recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry."

The period of investigation covers entire 2015. The injury investigation period will also cover the period between 2012 and 2015.

Countries start anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt due to surge in below-cost imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of WTO.

The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters.

India has already imposed anti-dumping duty on several products to tackle cheap imports from some countries including China.

According to a WTO report, India, the US and Brazil were the leading initiators of anti-dumping investigations in 2015.