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Core Purpose

This notification initiates an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Ethyl Chloroformates (ECF) in any concentration" originating in or exported from China PR.

Detailed Summary

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce), initiated an anti-dumping investigation (Case No. AD(OI)/03/2026, SETU Case ID – AD/OI/004/2026) on 17th March, 2026, regarding imports of "Ethyl Chloroformates (ECF) in any concentration" (product under consideration or PUC). The investigation was prompted by an application from M/s. Paushak Limited, which is recognized as the sole domestic producer, accounting for 100% of India's total production, and satisfies Rule 2(b) and Rule 5(3) of the Anti-dumping Rules, 1995. The probe focuses exclusively on imports from China PR, as initial consideration of Hong Kong was dropped due to a lack of observed imports during the injury period and Period of Investigation (POI). M/s. Paushak Limited alleges that dumped imports of ECF from China PR are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The POI is from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025 (12 months), while the injury investigation period covers 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023, 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, and the POI. The Designated Authority found prima facie evidence of dumping, injury, and a causal link, justifying the initiation under Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, read with Rule 5 of the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti-dumping duty on Dumped Articles for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995. Interested parties must register on the SETU Portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) and submit both confidential and non-confidential versions of information within 37 days from the circulation of the non-confidential application, as per Rule 6(4) and Rule 7(2) of the AD Rules, 1995. Comments on the scope of PUC/PCN methodology are also due within 15 days, concurrently.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-18032026-271039 EXTRAORDINARY PART I-Section 1 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 57] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026/PHALGUNA 26, 1947 1924 GI/2025 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I-SEC.1] MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (Department of Commerce) (Directorate General of Trade Remedies) INITIATION NOTIFICATION New Delhi, 17th March, 2026 Case No. AD(OI)/03/2026 SETU Case ID – AD/ΟΙ/004/2026 Subject: Initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of “Ethyl Chloroformates (ECF) in any concentration" originating in or exported from China PR. 1. F. No. 6/03/2026-DGTR.—Having regard to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 as amended from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”) and the Customs Tariff (Identification, Assessment and Collection of Anti- dumping duty on Dumped Articles for Determination of Injury) Rules, 1995 as amended from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules" or the “Anti-dumping Rules”), M/s. Paushak Limited (hereinafter also referred to as the “applicant” ) has filed an application before the Designated Authority (hereinafter referred to as the "Authority"), for initiation of an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of "Ethyl Chloroformate” (hereinafter referred to as "subject goods" or "product under consideration” or “PUC”). 2. The present Application sought anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of the subject goods originating in or exported from China PR and Hong Kong. However, upon examination of the data received from the DG Systems, no presence of imports of the subject goods have been observed from Hong Kong during both Injury Period and POI. Hence, the Authority has considered China PR as the subject country in the present investigation. 3. The applicant has alleged that dumped imports of the subject goods from the subject country are causing material injury and has requested the imposition of anti-dumping duty on the imports of the subject goods from the subject country. A. PRODUCT UNDER CONSIDERATION 4. The product under consideration in the present application is "Ethyl Chloroformate (ECF) in any concentration. " THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I-SEC.1] 5. ECF is an organic chemical compound. It is a colourless, volatile liquid with a pungent odour. Ethyl Chloroformate is widely used as an intermediate in organic chemical intermediate in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. It belongs to the class of chloroformates and contains both an ester and a chloro functional group, making it highly reactive. Due to its corrosive and toxic nature, ethyl chloroformate is classified as hazardous, posing risks through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact. Unit of measurement 6. The prescribed unit of measurement for the product under consideration is Metric Tons (MT) or Kilogram (Kg). Tariff classification 7. The Applicant has informed that the product under consideration (PUC) does not have a dedicated HS code. The product is presently imported under various tariff headings under Chapter 29 of the Customs Tariff Act specially under the sub-headings 2915 12 90. The applicant has also alleged that the product under consideration is also imported under the code 2915 13 00, and 2915 90 99. However, the customs classification is indicative only and not binding on the scope of the product under consideration. 8. The Applicant has not proposed any product control numbers (PCN) methodology in its application. The parties to the present investigation may provide their comments on the scope of PUC and propose product control numbers (PCN) methodology, if any, within 15 days of circulation of the receipt of intimation of initiation of the investigation. B. LIKE ARTICLE 9. The applicant has stated that there are no significant differences in the article produced by the applicant and exported from the subject country. The article produced by the applicant and that imported from the subject country is comparable in terms of physical and chemical characteristics, manufacturing process and technology, functions and uses, product specifications, pricing, distribution and marketing, and tariff classification of the subject goods. The subject goods and the article manufactured by the applicant are technically and commercially substitutable. The applicant has claimed that the consumers of the product under consideration are using the subject goods and the article manufactured by the applicant interchangeably. Thus, for the purposes of initiation of the present investigation, the article produced by the applicant has been prima facie considered as like article to the product being imported from the subject country. C. SUBJECT COUNTRY 10. The subject country in the present investigation is China PR. D. PERIOD OF INVESTIGATION (POI) 11. The Authority has considered the period from 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025 (12 months) as the period of investigation (POI) for the present investigation (hereinafter referred to as "POI"). The injury investigation period shall cover the period 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023, 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025 and the period of investigation. E. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND STANDING 12. The application has been filed by M/s. Paushak Limited. The applicant has submitted that they have not imported the subject goods from the subject country and is not related to producers and exporters from the subject country. The applicant has submitted that they are the sole domestic producer and accounts for 100% of the total production of the subject goods in India. Therefore, the applicant constitutes domestic industry within the meaning of Rule 2(b) of the ADD Rules, 1995 and the application satisfies the requirements of standing under Rule 5(3) of the AD Rules, 1995 F. BASIS OF ALLEGED DUMPING a) Normal Value for China 13. The applicant has claimed that China PR should be treated as a non-market economy and the normal value should be determined in terms of Rule- 7 of Annexure I of the Rules. The applicant has cited Para 8(2) of Annexure I of the Rules and has stated that the Chinese producers should be directed to demonstrate that market economy conditions prevail in the industry producing the subject goods in terms of Para 8(3) of Annexure I of the Rules. The applicant has claimed that for China PR, normal value should be determined in accordance with Para 7 and 8 of Annexure I of the Rules. 14. The applicant has submitted that efforts were made to determine normal value on the basis of price or constructed value in a market economy third country. However, the applicant could not get reliable information regarding the information on price or cost in market economy in a third country. Therefore, the normal value has been constructed based on cost of production of the applicant, duly adjusted for selling, general and THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY [PART I-SEC.1] administrative expenses, with reasonable profit. The same has been considered for the purpose of initiation of the investigation. b) Export Price 15. The export price of the product under consideration has been determined by considering the CIF price of the product under consideration as reported in DG System data. Adjustments have been made for ocean freight, inland freight, marine insurance, handling charges, port expenses and dealers commission, bank charges. c) Dumping Margin 16. The normal value and the export price have been compared at ex-factory level, which prima facie shows that the dumping margin is above the de-minimis level and is significant with respect to the product under consideration exported from the subject country. Thus, there is prima facie evidence that the product under consideration from the subject country is being dumped in the Indian market by the exporters from the subject country. G. EVIDENCE OF INJURY AND CAUSAL LINK 17. The applicant has provided prima facie evidence with respect to the injury suffered by the domestic industry due to the dumped imports. The volume of the subject imports from the subject country has increased in both absolute as well as relative terms. There is evidence of price suppression and depression due to imports. The subject imports have had an adverse impact on the profitability parameters of the domestic industry. 18. From the foregoing, the Authority prima facie finds sufficient evidence of dumping of the subject goods originating in or exported from the subject country, injury to the domestic industry and causal link between the alleged dumping and injury exist to justify initiation of an anti-dumping investigation in terms of Rule 5 of the Rules, to determine the existence, degree, and effect of alleged dumping and to recommend the amount of anti- dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove injury to the domestic industry. H. INITIATION OF ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION 19. On the basis of the duly substantiated written application submitted by the applicant and having reached satisfaction based on the prima facie evidence submitted by the applicant concerning the dumping of the product under consideration originating in or exported from the subject country, the consequential injury to the domestic industry as a result of the alleged dumping of the product under consideration and the causal link between such injury and the dumped imports, and in accordance with Section 9A of the Act read with Rule 5 of the AD Rules, the Authority, hereby, initiates an anti-dumping investigation to determine the existence, degree, and effect of the dumping with respect to the product under consideration originating in or exported from the subject country and to recommend the appropriate amount of anti-dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry. I. PROCEDURE 20. The provisions stipulated in Rule 6 of the Anti-Dumping Rules shall be followed in this investigation. J. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION 21. All the interested parties are required to register themselves on SETU Portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in). All communications and submissions from the interested parties shall be uploaded on the SETU portal under their registered name and corresponding SETU Case ID no. AD/OI/004/2026. It should be ensured that the narrative part of the submission is in searchable PDF/MS-Word format and data files are in MS-Excel format. 22. The known producers/exporters in subject country, the government of subject country through its Embassy in India, and the importers and users in India who are known to be associated with the product under consideration 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 Rules, and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority. 23. Any other interested party may also make a submission relevant to the present investigation in the form and manner as prescribed by this initiation notification, the Rules, and the applicable trade notices issued by the Authority within the time limits mentioned in this initiation notification. 24. Any party making any confidential submission before the Authority is required to make a non-confidential version of the same available to the other interested parties. 25. The interested parties are further advised to keep a regular watch on the official website of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies at www.dgtr.gov.in and SETU portal (https://setu.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 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I-SEC.1] methodology, PCN discussion/meeting schedule, notice of oral hearing, corrigendum, amendment notifications, and other such information. K. TIME LIMIT 26. Any information relating to the present investigation should be uploaded on the SETU portal (https://setu.dgtr.gov.in) under their registered name and corresponding case ID – AD/OI/ 004/2026. 27. Both versions of each submission, the confidential version (CV) and the non-confidential version (NCV) must be uploaded in the respective designated columns within 37 days from the date on which the nonconfidential version of the application filed by the domestic industry would be circulated by the Authority or transmitted to the appropriate diplomatic representative of the exporting country as per Rule 6(4) of the AD Rules, 1995. If no information is received within the stipulated time limit or the information received is incomplete, the Authority may record its findings based on the facts available on record and in accordance with the AD Rules, 1995. 28. 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 as stipulated in this notification through SETU portal only. 29. The 15-day period to file comments on the scope of the PUC/PCN Methodology shall run concurrently with the time limit mentioned in para 27 above of this Initiation Notification. 30. Extension due to Modification of PUC/PCN: An extension of time by 15 days shall be granted if the Authority, through a subsequent notice, modifies the PUC, and PCN that was not previously proposed or is different from the initiation notification. This extension of 15 days shall be granted from date of such notification of modified PUC and PCN. Extension of time by 15 days stated in this paragraph is not applicable in instances where there is no change in the PUC, and PCN methodology after initiation of investigation. Requests for a further extension of time, beyond the 15-day extension (if granted), will ordinarily not be considered except in case of exceptional circumstances, in line with the Rule 6(4) of the AD Rules. 31. Any request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties through the SETU portal at least one day before the original deadline specified above. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered. L. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ON CONFIDENTIAL BASIS 32. Where any party to the present investigation makes confidential submissions or provides information on a confidential basis before the Authority, such party is required to simultaneously submit a non-confidential version of such information in terms of Rule 7(2) of the Rules and in accordance with the relevant trade notices issued by the Authority 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/ Annexures attached thereto), before the Authority including questionnaire responses, are required to file confidential and non-confidential versions separately. 34. Such submissions must be clearly marked as 'confidential' or 'non-confidential' at the top of each page. Any submission that has been made to the Authority without such markings shall be treated as 'non-confidential' information by the Authority, and the Authority shall be at liberty to allow other interested parties to inspect such submissions. 35. The confidential version shall contain all information which is, by nature, confidential, and/or other information, which the supplier of such information claims as confidential. For the information which 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 of the information filed by the interested parties is required to be a replica of the confidential version with the confidential information preferably indexed or blanked out (where indexation is not possible) and such information must be appropriately and adequately 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 a 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 containing a sufficient and adequate explanation as to why such 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 within 7 days from the date of circulation of the non-confidential version of the documents. THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART I-SEC.1] 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 a sufficient and adequate cause statement in terms of Rule 7 of the Rules, and appropriate trade notices issued by the Authority, on the confidentiality claim shall not be taken on record by the Authority. M. INSPECTION OF PUBLIC FILE 40. All non-confidential versions of submissions made by any interested party will be accessible to other interested parties through their respective login on the SETU portal. N. NON-COOPERATION 41. In case any interested party refuses access to and otherwise does not provide necessary information within a reasonable period or within the 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 based on the facts available and make such recommendations to the Central Government as it deems fit. AMITABH KUMAR, 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 Digitally signed by GORAKHA NATH YADAVA NATH YADAVA Date: 2026.03.18 16:32:26 +05'30'

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