Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-03102025-266607
EXTRAORDINARY
PART I—Section 1
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 274]
NEW DELHI, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2025/ASVINA 5, 1947
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Directorate General of Trade Remedies)
INITIATION NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 27th September, 2025
Case No. AD (OI) – 42/2024
Subject: Initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Wallpapers” originating
in or exported from China PR.
F. No. 6/45/2024-DGTR.-
1. Having regards to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as amended from time to time (hereinafter also referred to as
the "Act") and the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping Duty on Dumped
Articles and for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995, as amended from time to time (hereinafter also referred
to as the "Rules" or the "Anti-Dumping Rules"), Eximus Wallpapers Private Limited (hereinafter also referred to
as the "applicant" or "domestic industry") has filed a petition before the Designated Authority (hereinafter also
referred to as the "Authority") seeking imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports of "Wallpapers"
(hereinafter referred to as the "product under consideration” or the “PUC” or the "subject goods") originating
in or exported from China PR (hereinafter referred to as the "subject country").
2. The applicant has alleged that the subject goods are being imported into India from the subject country at dumped
prices and causing material injury and has materially retarded the establishment of the domestic industry.
Accordingly, the applicant has requested imposition of anti-dumping duty on the import of the subject goods
originating in or exported from the subject country.
A. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION
3. The product under consideration for the present investigation is Wallpapers, limited to Polyvinyl Chloride
("PVC") Wallpapers and Non-Woven Wallpapers.
4. PVC Wallpaper is a type of wall covering made by printing designs on PVC coated paper. The PVC Coating
makes the paper easy to clean, making it suitable for areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. It is usually
embossed after being heated up, which gives it depth and a tactile and decorative quality.
5. Non-woven wallpaper is a type of wall covering made by printing designs on non-woven paper. Non-woven
wallpaper is breathable, tear-resistant, and more durable. Non-woven wallpaper is known for being easy to install
and remove, as it doesn't expand when wet and doesn't tear when dry, allowing it to be peeled off in strips without
damaging the wall beneath. It is also more environmentally friendly than traditional wallpaper.
6. The scope of the PUC covers Polyvinyl Chloride Wallpapers and Non-Woven Wallpapers only, and it excludes
the following:
i. Digital Customized Wallpapers: Digital Customized Wallpaper is a type of wall covering that is
personalized with high-resolution digital images or designs, tailored to fit specific spaces. It is usually made
for unique, made-to-order prints, including photos, artwork, or patterns, offering limitless design
possibilities. There are numerous dealers in India, who either import the raw material i.e., the base paper or
source
it
through
an
importer of base paper and print the designs on the base paper using a digital printer. The digital printer
used has a much slower and lower ink deposition rate compared to rotogravure technology used by the
applicant.
ii. Natural Wallpapers: Natural Wallpaper is made by pasting naturally occurring substances on top of non-
woven paper. The most commonly found materials are cork, mica, veneer etc. They are a luxurious product
and enjoy a niche market. Since naturally occurring substances are unique, they make every space they are
applied to look unique.
iii. Fabric-backed Wallpapers: Fabric-backed wallpapers are durable wall coverings that consist of a surface
layer bonded to a fabric backing, usually made of polyester or cotton. This construction makes it highly
resilient, tear-resistant, and ideal for high-traffic or commercial spaces. The surface is easy to clean,
moisture-resistant, and washable, while the fabric backing adds strength and flexibility, allowing it to
withstand wear and tear. Fabric-backed wallpaper is often used in areas like offices, hotels, or hallways,
where durability and easy maintenance are important.
7. The applicant has submitted that the Polyvinyl Chloride Wallpapers and Non-Woven Wallpapers are used for
decorative purposes in houses and commercial buildings.
8. The subject goods are generally imported into India under tariff item 4814 20 00 and 4814 90 00 of Schedule I of
the Act. The customs classification of the product is only indicative and is not binding on the scope of the product.
Product Control Numbers ("PCN")
9. The applicant has proposed the following product control numbers (PCN) for fair comparison:
+-------+-----------+---------------------+-----------+
| S. No.| Parameter | Type | PCN Code |
+-------+-----------+---------------------+-----------+
| 1 | | PVC wallpaper | PVC |
| | Type of | | |
| | Wallpaper | | |
| 2 | | Non-woven wallpaper | NW |
+-------+-----------+---------------------+-----------+
10. The parties to the present investigation may provide their comments on the product under consideration and
propose PCNs, if any, within 15 days of circulation of the receipt of intimation of initiation of the investigation.
B. LIKE ARTICLE
11. The applicant has claimed that the goods produced by the domestic industry are like articles to the subject goods
originating in or exported from the subject country. It has been stated that there are no known differences in the
subject goods produced by the applicant and those exported from the subject country. The subject goods produced
by the domestic industry are comparable to the goods imported from the subject country in terms of technical
specifications, manufacturing process & technology, functions & uses, and tariff classification. The applicant has
claimed that the two are technically and commercially substitutable. For the purpose of the-present investigation,
the subject goods produced by the domestic industry are treated as “like article" to the subject goods imported
from the subject country.
C. SUBJECT COUNTRY
12. The subject country in the present petition is China PR.
D. PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION (POI)
13. The Authority has considered 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 (period of 12 months) as the period of investigation
("POI"). The period of injury covers the periods from 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022, 1st April 2022 to 31st
March 2023, 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 and the POI.
E. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND STANDING
14. The application has been filed by Eximus Wallpapers Private Limited. It has been submitted in the petition that
the applicant is the sole producer of the subject goods in India. Thus, as per the evidence available on record, the
production of the applicant constitutes 100% of the Indian domestic production. The applicant has also stated in
the application that it has neither imported the subject goods from subject country nor related to any
producer/exporter of subject goods in the subject country or importers of the subject goods in India.
15. On the basis of the information available on record, the Authority is prima facie satisfied that the applicant i.e.
Eximus Wallpapers Private Limited constitutes 100% of the total Indian production of PUC and therefore,
constitutes 'domestic industry' within the meaning of Rule 2(b) of the AD Rules. Further, the application also
satisfies the requirements of standing in terms of Rule 5(3) of the Rules.
F. BASIS OF ALLEGED DUMPING
a. Normal Value
16. The applicant has claimed that that China PR should be treated as a non-market economy and the producers from
China PR should be directed to demonstrate that market economy conditions prevail in the industry with regard
to the production and sales of the PUC. Unless the producers from China PR show that such market economy
conditions prevail, their normal value should be determined in accordance with Para 7 of Annexure I to AD Rules.
17. The applicant has submitted that data relating to cost and price in market economy third country is not available
in the public domain and therefore, it has claimed normal value based on best estimates of the cost of production
in India duly adjusted with selling, general and administrative expenses, along with a reasonable profit margin.
The normal value methodology claimed by the applicant has been considered for the purpose of initiation.
b. Export price
18. The Authority has considered import price based on DG System data and the price adjustments have been made
on account of ocean freight, marine insurance, commission, bank charges, port expenses, inland freight, loading
and unloading charges as claimed by the applicant.
c. Dumping margin
19. The normal value and the export price have been compared at the ex-factory level, which prima facie establishes
that the dumping margin is above the minimis level with respect to the product under consideration imported from
the subject country. Thus, there is sufficient prima facie evidence that the product under consideration from the
subject country is being dumped in India by the exporters from the subject country.
G. INJURY AND CAUSAL LINK
20. Information furnished by the applicant has been considered for assessment of injury to the domestic industry. The
applicant has claimed that dumping of the PUC has caused both material injury and material retardation of its
establishment. The applicant has claimed that the volume of dumped imports from the subject country has
increased in absolute terms over the injury period, with only a marginal decline during the POI, and has remained
significant in relative terms throughout the injury period primarily in the POI. The subject imports are significantly
undercutting the prices of the domestic industry. The domestic industry has not been able to utilize its capacity to
an optimum level and is operating at very low-capacity utilization. The profits of the domestic industry have been
significantly low due to dumped imports and losses incurred in the POI.
21. For the purpose of initiation, the Authority has considered the actual performance of the applicant for the purpose
of examining material injury to the domestic industry from the alleged dumped imports. The Authority notes that
there is sufficient prima facie evidence of material injury to the domestic industry in India on account of dumped
imports from the subject country thereby justifying initiation of the present anti-dumping investigation.
H. INITIATION OF THE ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION
22. On the basis of the duly substantiated written application by or on behalf of the domestic industry, and having
satisfied itself, on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted, about the dumping of the subject goods
originating in or exported from the subject country, injury to the domestic industry and causal link between such
alleged dumping and injury, and in accordance with Section 9A of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Rules, the
Authority, hereby, initiates an investigation to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged dumping
in respect of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject country and to recommend the amount
of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry.
I. PROCEDURE
23. The provisions stipulated in Rule 6 of the Anti-Dumping Rules shall be followed in this investigation.
J. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION
24. All communication should be sent to the Designated Authority via email at email addresses- adv13-dgtr@gov.in,
dd16-dgtr@gov.in, dd12-dgtr@gov.in and consulatant-dgtr@govcontractor.in. It must be ensured that the
narrative part of the submission is in searchable PDF/MS-Word format and data files are in MS-Excel format.
25. The known producers/exporters in the subject country, the governments of the subject country through its embassy
in India, the importers and users in India who are known to be associated with the subject goods are being informed
separately to enable them to file all the relevant information within the time limits mentioned in this initiation
notification. All such information must be filed in the form and manner as prescribed by this initiation notification,
the AD Rules, 1995 and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority.
26. Any other interested party may also make submission relevant to the present investigation in the form and manner
as prescribed by this initiation notification, the AD Rules, 1995 and the applicable trade notices issued by the
Authority within the time limits mentioned in this initiation notification.
27. Any other interested party may also make its submissions relevant to the investigation in the form and manner
prescribed within the time-limit set out below on the email addresses mentioned above.
28. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a non- confidential version
of the same available to the other parties.
29. The interested parties are further advised to keep a regular watch on the official website of the Directorate General
of Trade Remedies (https://www.dgtr.gov.in/) for any updated information with respect to this investigation.
Interested parties are directed to regularly visit the website of DGTR (https://www.dgtr.gov.in/) to stay apprised
with the further developments in the subject investigation and remain informed regarding notices that may be
issued from time to time regarding questionnaire formats, PCN methodology, PCN discussion/meeting schedule,
notice of oral hearing, corrigendum, amendment notifications, and other such information.
K. TIME-LIMIT
30. Any information relating to the present investigation should be sent to the Designated Authority via email at the
email addresses adv13-dgtr@gov.in, dd16-dgtr@gov.in, dd12-dgtr@gov.in, and consulatant-
dgtr@govcontractor.in, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice as per Rule 6(4) of the Anti-Dumping
Rules. It may, however, be noted that in terms of explanation of the said Rule, the notice calling for information
and other documents shall be deemed to have been received within one week from the date on which it was sent
by the Designated Authority or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country.
If no information is received within the prescribed time-limit or the information received is incomplete, the
Authority may record its findings on the basis of the facts available on record in accordance with the Rules.
31. All the interested parties are hereby advised to intimate their interest (including the nature of interest) in the instant
matter and file their questionnaire responses within the above time limit.
L. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON A CONFIDENTIAL BASIS
32. Any party making any confidential submission or providing information on a confidential basis before the
Authority, is required to simultaneously submit a non- confidential version of the same in terms of Rule 7(2) of
the Rules and the Trade Notices issued in this regard. Failure to adhere to the above may lead to rejection of the
response/submissions.
33. The parties making any submission (including Appendices/Annexes attached thereto), before the Authority
including questionnaire response, are required to file confidential and nonconfidential versions separately.
34. The "confidential" or "non-confidential" submissions must be clearly marked as "confidential" or "non-
confidential" at the top of each page. Any submission made without such marking shall be treated as
nonconfidential by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow the other interested parties to
inspect such submissions.
35. The confidential version shall contain all information that is by nature confidential and/or other information which
the supplier of such information claims as confidential. For information that is claimed to be confidential by nature
or the information on which confidentiality is claimed because of other reasons, the supplier of the information is
required to provide a good cause statement along with the supplied information as to why such information cannot
be disclosed.
36. The non-confidential version is required to be a replica of the confidential version with the confidential
information preferably indexed or blanked out (in case indexation is not feasible) and summarized depending
upon the information on which confidentiality is claimed. The non-confidential summary must be in sufficient
detail to permit a reasonable understanding of the substance of the information furnished on confidential basis.
However, in exceptional circumstances, the party submitting the confidential information may indicate that such
information is not susceptible to summary, and a statement of reasons why summarization is not possible must be
provided to the satisfaction of the Authority.
37. The interested parties can offer their comments on the issues of confidentiality claimed by the other interested
parties within 7 days from the date of circulation of the non-confidential version of the documents.
38. The Authority may accept or reject the request for confidentiality on examination of the nature of the information
submitted. If the Authority is satisfied that the request for confidentiality is not warranted or if the supplier of the
information is either unwilling to make the information public or to authorize its disclosure in generalized or
summary form, it may disregard such information.
39. Any submission made without a meaningful non-confidential version thereof or without a good cause statement
on the confidentiality claim shall not be taken on record by the Authority.
M. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC FILE
40. A list of registered interested parties will be uploaded on the DGTR's website along with the request therein to all
of them to email the non-confidential version of their submissions/response/information to all other interested
parties. Failure to circulate non-confidential version of submissions/response/information might lead to
consideration of an interested party as non-cooperative.
N. NON-COOPERATION
41. In case where an interested party refuses access to, or otherwise does not provide necessary information within
time stipulated by the Authority in this initiation notification or significantly impedes the investigation, the
Authority may declare such interested party as non-cooperative and record its findings on the basis of the facts
available to it and make such recommendations to the Central Government as it deems fit.
SIDDHARTH MAHAJAN, Designated Authority
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
GORAKHA NATH
YADAVA
Digitally signed by GORAKHA
NATH YADAVA
Date: 2025.10.03 12:17:03 +05'30'