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The Government of India has extended the anti-dumping duty on imports of black toner in powder form from China, Taiwan, and Malaysia for five more years, effective from August 11, 2025, till August 10, 2030. The move aims to counteract unfair pricing practices that have been materially injuring domestic manufacturers, especially the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in the toner manufacturing segment.
Key Highlights of the Anti-Dumping Duty Extension
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) conducted a sunset review initiated in September 2024 under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, which concluded that dumping from the subject countries continues and is likely to cause injury if the duty is discontinued.
The duty levels remain unchanged from previous notifications, ranging between USD 1,167 and USD 1,568 per metric tonne depending on the exporter country and producer.
The anti-dumping measures specifically target bulk black toner powder used mainly in laser printers and photocopiers, excluding color toner, MICR toner, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) toner, toner in cartridges, and liquid toner.
The Indian government has taken this measure to sustain investment, capacity utilization, and export growth of the domestic industry, warning that removal of duties could lead to factory closures and loss of investments.
The duties are payable in Indian currency, following the relevant Customs exchange rates.
Background and Industry Context
The original anti-dumping duty was imposed in August 2020 following investigations exposing deep discounts and dumping by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Malaysian exporters.
Post-imposition, India witnessed increased scrutiny of import declarations, mislabelling, and enforcement to ensure compliance and efficacy of the duties.
Indian Toners & Developers Ltd., a key industry player, welcomed the extension as it strengthens their competitive position against cheaper imports and safeguards domestic manufacturing viability.
The toner production industry in India is largely driven by MSMEs that require trade remedies against dumping practices to maintain profitability and expand their businesses.
Implications for Trade and Industry
By extending anti-dumping duties, India signals strong resolve toward protecting its industrial base from predatory pricing and unfair trade.
The tariff extension supports domestic employment, fosters technology upgrades, and encourages product development in the toner sector.
It also sends a clear message to global exporters about India’s readiness to leverage trade remedies to maintain a fair playing field.
Sustained protection is crucial to maintain India's growing export footprint while meeting domestic demand with high-quality, competitively priced products.
Technical Details and Notifications
The official notification regarding the extension is Ministry of Finance’s Notification No. 26/2025-Customs (ADD), dated August 4, 2025.
The product under consideration falls under tariff heading 3707 of the Customs Tariff Act.
The duty applies to imports originating from or exported by China PR, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Certain variants of toner, like color toners and those pre-loaded in cartridges, remain exempt to avoid unnecessary trade restrictions.
Future Outlook and Review
The five-year extension ensures stability and predictability for domestic manufacturers, allowing them time to increase capacity utilization and explore export markets.
Continuous monitoring by DGTR will ensure that dumping does not resume, and the duty may be reviewed or revoked earlier if evidence supports such action.
Indian Toners and associated industries plan to leverage this safeguard to innovate, scale up production, and enhance quality to compete globally.
Conclusion
India’s decision to extend anti-dumping duties on black toner imports till 2030 strengthens the country’s domestic industrial sector against unfair trade practices by specific foreign exporters. This move helps ensure Indian manufacturers can sustain and grow their businesses with a fair competitive advantage. It reaffirms the government’s commitment to protecting MSMEs and building a self-reliant industrial ecosystem amid increasingly complex global trade dynamics.
Sources: The Recycler, TaxGuru, Economic Times
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