Anti-Dumping Duty on Mica-Based Pearl Pigments from China PR Extended Until 25 February 2027

Overview

The Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, has issued Notification No. 21/2026-Customs (ADD) dated 21st August 2026, bringing into effect a further extension of the anti-dumping duty applicable to imports of Natural Mica Based Pearl Industrial Pigments (excluding cosmetic grade) that originate in or are exported from China PR. This amendment formally postpones the sunset of the duty regime, ensuring continued protection for India's domestic industry against injurious dumping practices from the said country.

Background: The Principal Notification

The foundational levy was established through Notification No. 47/2021-Customs (ADD) dated 26th August 2021, which was gazetted vide G.S.R. 590(E) in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i). The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), after conducting a formal investigation, concluded the following:

  • Dumping of Natural Mica Based Pearl Industrial Pigments from China PR was taking place at prices below normal value
  • The domestic Indian industry was suffering material injury as a direct consequence of such dumped imports
  • A clear causal link existed between the dumped imports and the injury caused to the domestic producers

Based on these findings, anti-dumping duties were imposed on the subject goods falling under tariff sub-heading 3206 11 of the Customs Tariff. The duties prescribed under the principal notification are producer-specific, with rates ranging from a minimum of USD 214 per Metric Tonne to a maximum of USD 5,529 per Metric Tonne, depending upon the exporting producer and the country of origin or export.

The Central Government has exercised its powers under sub-sections (1) and (5) of Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), read in conjunction with Rules 18 and 23 of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, to carry out this amendment.

These provisions collectively empower the Central Government to impose, continue, revise, or extend anti-dumping duties where the prescribed procedural and substantive conditions are fulfilled.

What the Amendment Does

Substitution of Expiry Date in Paragraph 3

The operative change effected by Notification No. 21/2026-Customs (ADD) is confined to paragraph 3 of the principal notification. Specifically, the existing expiry date of "25th November, 2026" has been replaced with "25th February, 2027".

This extension of approximately three months ensures that the anti-dumping duty continues to remain in force without any gap or lapse, while the government or DGTR may undertake further review or sunset review proceedings as may be required under the applicable rules.