DGTR Recommends Five More Years of Anti-Dumping Duty on Aluminium Foil from China and Three Others

India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended continuing anti-dumping duty for another five years on imports of aluminium foil of 80 micron and below from China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The recommendation, in a sunset-review finding dated 23 September 2026, keeps the duty in the range of about US$93.53 to US$976.99 per tonne. It is a recommendation, not yet a final measure — the Finance Ministry (Department of Revenue) makes the binding decision. Importers of aluminium foil and downstream packaging and FMCG users should plan for the duty to continue.

What Happened

DGTR conducted a sunset review of the anti-dumping duty first imposed in September 2021 on aluminium foil up to 80 micron. In its finding, the authority concluded that dumped imports continue to enter India despite the existing duty and that removing the measure would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. It therefore recommended that definitive anti-dumping duties continue for a period of five years, retaining the existing duty band of roughly US$93.53–976.99 per tonne (rates vary by exporter and country).

The petition for continuation was filed by six domestic producers: Hindalco Industries, LSKB Aluminium Foils, Raviraj Foils, Shree Venkateshwara Electrocast, Shyam Sel and Power, and SRF Altech.

Why It Matters / Background

Anti-dumping duty is a trade-remedy levy, distinct from basic customs duty, imposed to offset the injury caused by goods sold into India below their normal value. A duty has a fixed term (typically five years); as it nears expiry, DGTR can run a sunset review to decide whether to let it lapse or extend it. Here, DGTR has recommended extension.

For the china-to-india corridor and the other three origins, the practical effect is that thin aluminium foil — a key input for flexible packaging, pharmaceutical blister packs, food containers and FMCG laminates — would remain more expensive to import from these sources than it would be without the duty. That protects domestic foil makers but raises input costs for Indian converters and packagers who rely on imported foil.

Who's Affected

• Importers of aluminium foil (≤80 micron) from China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia — continued duty exposure.
• Flexible-packaging, pharma-packaging and FMCG converters that use imported foil as an input.
• Domestic foil producers (the applicants and peers), who benefit from continued protection.
• CHAs and forwarders handling foil consignments, who must ensure correct classification and duty computation at clearance.

What Importers and CHAs Should Do Now

• Confirm the product scope: the measure targets aluminium foil of 80 micron and below — check whether your specific grade, alloy and thickness fall within the reviewed product description.
• Watch for the customs notification: DGTR's recommendation becomes enforceable only when the Department of Revenue issues a customs notification. Track it before assuming the exact continuing rates.
• Reconcile classification: aluminium foil is typically classified under HS heading 7607 — verify your tariff item and the applicable exporter-specific duty rate.
• Re-price and re-source: model landed cost with the duty continuing, and evaluate non-subject origins or domestic supply where viable.
• Review contracts and LCs for shipments in transit or under negotiation, so the duty cost is allocated correctly between buyer and seller.
• Keep documentation tight — producer/exporter details drive the exporter-specific rate, so accurate mill and origin paperwork matters.

The Bigger Picture

This continuation fits a broader pattern of active Indian trade-remedy enforcement on metals and chemical inputs from China and Southeast Asia, alongside ongoing investigations on products such as cold-rolled stainless steel and CPVC. For import-dependent converters, the message is consistent: build trade-remedy duty into sourcing decisions as a standing cost, and monitor DGTR's calendar of reviews and new initiations so a duty change never catches a shipment by surprise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil already extended? DGTR has recommended a five-year continuation on 23 September 2026. The duty becomes enforceable only when the Finance Ministry issues the corresponding customs notification.

Which products and countries are covered? Aluminium foil of 80 micron and below from China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, per the reviewed product scope.

What are the duty rates? The reviewed band is about US$93.53 to US$976.99 per tonne, varying by country and exporter. Confirm the exact rate in the final notification.

Does this affect basic customs duty? No. Anti-dumping duty is separate from and in addition to basic customs duty and other applicable levies.

Conclusion

DGTR's recommendation signals that duty on thin aluminium foil from these four origins is set to continue for five more years — pending the Finance Ministry's notification. Importers and converters should assume the cost persists, verify their product scope and classification, and re-run landed-cost and sourcing math now rather than after the notification lands.

This article is for general guidance only. For the authoritative position, refer to DGTR's final findings at dgtr.gov.in and the operative anti-dumping customs notification issued by CBIC / Department of Revenue.