India Introduces Anti-Dumping Duty on Thai, Chinese Tyres

The Indian government has put provisional anti-dumping duty (ADD) on tyres imported from China and Thailand, with effect from 9 October the Business Standard reported. According to the newspaper, 300,000 imported tyres brought in mainly from China for the commercial vehicle (CV) segment are sold in India annually. Domestic manufacturers sell over 10 million tyres.

The Ministry of Finance has introduced a levy duty valid for six months and set at the reference price of $99.10 for a complete tyre set comprising a tyre, tube and rubber flap — having a rim diameter over 16 inches. The earlier reference price on which duties were imposed on imported tyres was around $39. The imported tyres invite 37.1 per cent multiple import duties, including 16 per cent countervailing duties (CVD).

However, S P Singh, convener, All India Tyre Dealers’ Federation, told Business Standard: “We are contesting this ADD with the Directorate General of Anti Dumping and Allied Duties (DGADAD). We, along with some tyre importers and China-based exporters, will file a rejoinder on 17 October saying that the levy of provisional duty should be reversed by the government and customers be given the choice of a free market.”

As the current price differential is around 30 per cent, there is not expected to be any dramatic changes in the market after the ADD is introduced.