24 May 2016

European Commission investigation on the expiry of duty on Chinese coated fine paper imports

Five European paper producers (Arctic Paper Grycksbo, Burgo, Fedrigoni, Lecta and Sappi) have lodged a request for review of the expiry of the anti-subsidy and anti-dumping duties applicable to imports of coated fine paper from China.

European paper producers consider that the expiry of the duties will result in the continuation of subsidisation of Chinese paper producers and in the recurrence of injury due to the existence of unused capacity in China.

The European Commission officially launched the investigation on 13 May 2016, and is opening it to all concerned parties. INTERGRAF and the BPIF have been contacted to ensure that European printers importing coated fine paper from China are being consulted.

Note that both the deadlines and procedures are very strict!

The duty was set to expire on 15 May 2016 but has been extended until a final decision on the expiry review is made.

Printing companies using coated fine paper wishing to influence the investigation should get directly in contact with the European Commission to provide contact details and turnover/volumes  in the following way:

1. Do you import coated fine paper from China?

Importers have a major interest in participating in the investigation as the duty has a direct impact on the paper price they import.

Procedure to follow:

Importers - please fill in the basic application form below (Anti subsidy 2016 C172 07) , this will allow you to participate in the investigation. You will receive a more detailed questionnaire at a later stage.

The forms should be sent to [email protected] by 30 May 2016 close of business quoting “2016/C172/07 (anti-subsidy and anti-dumping)” in the subject of the email.

Please also email [email protected] to indicate that you are following this procedure.

2. Do you use any coated fine papers, including coated fine papers sourced from Europe?

Users of coated fine paper are also entitled to participate in the investigation. The price of all coated fine papers on the European market is impacted by the duty. All users, including users of European coated fine paper, have therefore also a significant interest in participating in the investigation.

Procedure to follow:

Users should send an email stating that they are a user of coated fine paper and would like to participate in the investigation. You will then receive a questionnaire directly from the European Commission.

The email should be sent to [email protected] by 30 May 2016 close of business quoting “2016/C172/07 (anti-subsidy and anti-dumping)” in the subject of the email.

Please also email [email protected] to indicate that you are following this procedure.

3. Other interested parties, including national and European associations

Representative organisations of users and importers can participate in the investigation. No questionnaire will be provided, comments should be submitted in a free format. To provide comments, associations should first make themselves known to the Commission by email.

Procedure to follow:

Associations should send an email stating their interest in participating in the investigation. The email should be sent to [email protected] by 30 May 2016 close of business quoting “2016/C172/07 (anti-subsidy and anti-dumping)” in the subject of the email.

The comments should be sent in a free format to the European Commission by 21 June 2016 close of business.

The full case history is available to view on the European Commission website using the web link below.