Paper industry seeks immediate anti-dumping duty on Indonesian paperboard imports
IPMA has urged the government to impose anti-dumping duties on Indonesian virgin multi-layer paperboard after a DGTR finding of dumping, saying domestic producers suffered an estimated Rs 242 crore injury in FY25. The request comes ahead of the current minimum import price regime expiring on September 30, 2026.
What happened
Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) · IPMA urged immediate anti-dumping duties on Indonesian virgin multi-layer paperboard after DGTR found dumping
Key facts
- Rs 242 crore estimated industry injury in FY2024-25
- MIP expires September 30, 2026
- DGTR investigation period: April 2024 to March 2025
- DGTR recommendation dated June 25, 2026
- Imports rose from 296 tonnes in FY2021-22 to 62,935 tonnes in FY2024-25
- CIF import prices declined 25%
Why this matters
Paper and packaging companies may find opportunities in domestic capacity expansion, supply partnerships, or acquisitions as trade protection shifts demand toward Indian producers.
What to watch
- Finance Ministry decision on definitive or provisional anti-dumping duty after the DGTR finding.
- Whether the minimum import price regime is extended, allowed to lapse, or replaced ahead of September 30, 2026.
- Monthly Indonesian paperboard import volumes, declared CIF prices, and evidence of pre-duty inventory building.
- Domestic mill price announcements for virgin multi-layer paperboard and converter surcharge notices.
- Packaging-cost commentary from FMCG, consumer durables, apparel, e-commerce, and quick-commerce companies.
- Trade diversion into India from alternative origins or through reclassification into adjacent paperboard grades.
- Large retailers, FMCG brands, and packaging converters will seek to lock in paperboard supply and negotiate longer-duration contracts before any duty announcement.
- Procurement teams will test substitutions toward recycled board, lighter-weight specifications, flexible packaging, and domestic grades where product performance permits.
- Domestic paperboard mills will attempt price increases, capacity-utilization gains, and preferential supply agreements with large converters.
- Importers may accelerate shipments before a duty notification or before the September 30, 2026 MIP expiry deadline.
- Consumer-goods companies may defer broad retail price increases but reduce promotional pack complexity, secondary packaging, and premium carton usage if board costs rise materially.