On 1 September 2017, the Japanese Government published provisional measures1 to impose anti-dumping duties ranging from 39.8% to 53% on polyethylene terephthalate with a high degree of polymerization (HP-PET) originating in China (not including Hong Kong and Macau).

The provisional measures below will be applied to HP-PET imported from 2 September 2017 to 1 January 2018. Importers will be required to either pay the anti-dumping duties or post collateral. If the definitive anti-dumping duty rates, expected to be announced by the end of the year, are lower than the provisional rates, the difference will be refunded.

Imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties could result in significant cost increases for Japanese companies importing HP-PET originating in China and companies purchasing products manufactured in Japan using HP-PET originating in China, and would likely be a significant consideration in sourcing decisions going forward.

It would also be prudent for companies that import HP-PET from other countries to be prepared for questions regarding the origin of the material.

Future developments

The current measures are provisional, and the investigation will continue. A definitive determination on the imposition of anti-dumping duties is expected to be made by the end of this year. If anti-dumping duties are levied as a result, they would generally be imposed for five years.

Source: Polyester Times