India Recommends Anti-Dumping Duty On Solar Glass Imports From China, Vietnam

New Delhi, Feb 14 (KNN) India's trade defense watchdog has recommended implementing anti-dumping duties on textured tempered glass imports from China and Vietnam, a crucial component used in solar panel manufacturing. 

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) proposed a five-year duty structure following an investigation that began in February 2023.

In a departure from conventional approaches, the DGTR has established a reference rate system for the landed value of solar glass imports. 

Under this mechanism, duties will only be applied when import prices fall below the reference rate, with the duty amount equaling the difference between the actual landed value and the reference threshold.

The investigation, initiated after a complaint from domestic manufacturers led by Borosil Renewables, revealed a dramatic surge in imports. 

Total solar glass imports escalated from 29,980 metric tonnes in 2020-21 to 779,017 metric tonnes during the investigation period. Chinese imports rose significantly from 29,324 to 659,732 metric tonnes, while Vietnamese imports increased from 656 to 119,285 metric tonnes. 

Notably, imports from other countries declined substantially, dropping from 128,819 to 16,537 metric tonnes during the same timeframe.

The DGTR's findings highlighted that despite the substantial rise in imports, domestic sales volumes maintained relative stability over the initial three-year period. 

While the trade regulatory body has made its recommendations, the final decision on implementing these duties lies with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs under the finance ministry.

This measure aims to protect domestic manufacturers, with Borosil Renewables being the largest among five Indian producers serving the renewable energy sector. 

The proposed duty structure represents a strategic approach to balancing trade protection with market dynamics in India's growing solar energy industry.

(KNN Bureau)