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REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-23032026-271194
EXTRAORDINARY
PART I-Section 1
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 77]
NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026/PHALGUNA 29, 1947
2050 GI/2026
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(Department of Commerce)
(DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRADE REMEDIES)
INITIATION NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 20th March, 2026
Case No. AD (SSR)-05/2026
Subject: Initiation of sunset review investigation of anti-dumping duty on imports of "Untreated Fumed Silica"
originating in or exported from China PR.
1. F. No. 07/09/2026-DGTR - Having regard 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 thereof, as amended
from time to time (hereinafter also referred to as the “Rules” or “AD Rules"), Cabot Sanmar Limited
(hereinafter referred to as the "applicant" or "domestic industry") has filed an application before the
Designated Authority (hereinafter referred to as the "Authority") for initiation of sunset review investigation
concerning imports of "Untreated Fumed Silica” (hereinafter referred to as the "subject goods" or "product
under consideration") from China PR (hereinafter referred to as the "subject country").
2. In terms of Section 9A (5) of the Act, the anti-dumping duty imposed shall, unless revoked earlier, cease to
have effect on expiry of five years from the date of such imposition and the Authority is required to review
whether the expiry of duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury. In accordance
with the same, the Authority is required to review, on the basis of a duly substantiated request made by or on
behalf of the domestic industry as to whether the expiry of duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of
dumping and injury.
A. Background of previous investigation.
3. The original anti-dumping investigation into imports of product under consideration from China and Korea RP
was initiated on 22nd September 2020 and vide Final Finding Notification No. 6/40/2020-DGTR dated 20th
September 2021, anti-dumping duty were recommended for a period of 5 years. The measures were imposed
on the subject goods vide Customs Notification 66/2021- Customs (ADD) dated 11th November 2021.
4. Thereafter, an anti-absorption investigation was initiated vide Notification No. 7/05/2025- DGTR dated 11th
August 2025 against China. The quantum of duty was modified, and the measures were imposed by the
Ministry of Finance vide Customs Notification No. 30/2025- Customs (ADD) dated 27th October 2025. The
current anti-dumping duties will expire on 10th November 2026.
B. Product under Consideration.
5. The product under consideration in the present investigation is same as that defined in the original investigation
which is as follows:
"The product under consideration in the application is "untreated fumed silica". Synthetic silica
manufactured from a vapour phase flame hydrolysis of a silane compound, is popularly known as fumed
silica. This type of synthetic silica is different from other silica by its functionality and manufacturing
process and the raw materials needed. While other synthetic silicas are made from silicate solution in a
liquid phase, fumed silica is manufactured in a gas phase at a very high temperature.
Fumed silica is classified as untreated fumed silica and treated fumed silica. Untreated Fumed silica is
made by the flame hydrolysis of Chlorosilane feedstock in an oxygen hydrogen flame at temperatures of
1800 deg C. This process allows production of the silica with unique structure comprising of chain like
aggregates and agglomerates.
6. The subject goods are classified under Chapter 28 of the Customs Tariff Act under the subheading 28112200.
The customs classification is only indicative and is not binding on the scope of the product under
consideration.
7. Since the present application is for sunset review, the scope of the product under consideration remains the
same as defined in the previous finding.
8. The applicant has not proposed a PCN methodology at this stage.
9. The interested parties in the subject investigation may provide their comments on the PCN methodology, if
any, within 15 days from the date of initiation of this investigation.
C. Like article.
10. The applicant has submitted that there are no significant differences in the product produced by the applicant
and those imported from the subject country, and both are like articles. The product produced by the applicant
and those imported from the subject countries are comparable in terms of essential product characteristics such
as physical and chemical characteristics, manufacturing process & technology, functions & usage, product
specifications, pricing, distribution & marketing and tariff classification of the goods. Consumers can use and
have been using the two interchangeably. The two are technically and commercially substitutable, and hence,
should be treated as 'like article' under the Rules. The issue of like article has already been examined by the
Authority in the original investigation as well. The product produced by the domestic industry is like article to
the product under consideration produced and imported from the subject country.
D. Domestic industry and standing.
11. The application has been filed by Cabot Sanmar Limited. The applicant is the sole producer of the subject
product in India.
12. Based on the information provided, it is seen that the applicant constitutes 'domestic industry' within the
meaning of Rule 2(b) of the Rules, and the application satisfies the criteria of standing in terms of Rule 5(3) of
the Rules.
E. Subject country.
13. The subject country for the present anti-dumping investigation is China PR. Investigation is not being initiated
against Korea RP as there is no duly substantiated application with regards to likelihood of continuation or
recurrence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry in the event of cessation of anti-dumping duty from
Korea RP.
F. Period of investigation.
14. The applicant had proposed 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025 as the period of investigation. The
Authority has considered the period proposed by the applicant for the purpose of the investigation. The injury
investigation period will cover the period of 2022 –2023, 2023-2024, 2024–2025 and the period of
investigation.
G. Basis of alleged dumping.
Normal value
15. The applicant has cited and relied upon Article 15(a) (i) of China's Accession Protocol and has claimed that
China PR should be treated as a non-market economy and that 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 product under consideration. Unless the producers from China PR show that such market economy
conditions prevail, their normal value should be determined in accordance with Para 7 and 8 of Annexure-I to
the Anti-Dumping Rules, 1995.
16. The applicant has submitted that data relating to cost and price in market economy third country is not
available. The applicant has claimed normal value for China based on the import price from Japan adjusted to
arrive at ex-factory level. A similar methodology was adopted in the previous investigation. For the purpose of
initiation, the normal value has been determined based the import price from Japan adjusted to arrive at net ex-
factory level.
17. The interested parties are advised to offer their comments and make duly substantiated claims with regard to
methodology to be adopted for determination of normal value.
Export price
18. 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 Systems data. Adjustments have been claimed for ocean freight,
marine insurance, port handling expense, credit costs and inventory carrying cost.
Dumping margin
19. The normal value and the export price have been compared at the ex-factory level. It is prima facie seen that
the dumping margin is positive. This prima facie establishes that product under consideration is continued to be
dumped in the domestic market of India by the exporters from the subject country.
H. Injury and likelihood of recurrence of dumping and injury.
20. The applicant has provided prima facie evidence with respect to increase in the volume of imports from the
subject country in absolute as well as relative terms. The applicant has also provided information for likelihood
of injury including information on continued dumping, likely suppressing/depressing effect in event of expiry
of measures, capacity expansion in the subject country, low in demand in the subject country in comparison to
capacities and export orientation as the basis to establish the likelihood of injury.
21. The information provided by the applicant, prima facie, shows likelihood of continuation of dumping from the
subject country and the consequent injury to the domestic industry in case of cessation of the anti-dumping
duties.
I. Initiation of sunset review investigation.
22. On the basis of the duly substantiated application of the applicant, and having satisfied itself on the basis of the
prima facie evidence submitted by the applicant, substantiating the likelihood of continuation/ recurrence of
dumping and injury, and in accordance with Section 9A(5) of the Act read with Rule 23 (1B) of the Rules, the
Authority hereby initiates a sunset review investigation to review the need for continued imposition of the
duties in force in respect of the subject goods, originating in or exported from the subject country and to
examine whether the expiry of such duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury
to the domestic industry.
J. Procedure.
23. Principles, as given in Rule 6 of the Rules, will be followed for the present investigation.
K. Submission of information.
24. 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 case ID: AD/SSR/005/2026. 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.
25. The known producers/exporters in the subject country, the government of the subject country through its
embassy in India, and the importers and users in India known to be concerned with the subject goods are being
informed separately to enable them to file all the relevant information in the form and manner prescribed
within the time limit set out below.
26. 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. 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. 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.
27. 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 methodology, PCN discussion/meeting schedule, notice of oral hearing, corrigendum, amendment
notifications, and other such information.
L. Time limit.
28. 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/SSR/005/2026. 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 of receipt of the notice calling for
any information 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.
29. 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.
30. 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 28 above of this initiation notification.
31. 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.
32. Any request for an extension must be submitted by the concerned parties through the SETU portal at least one
day before the original deadline. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered.
M. Submission of information on a confidential basis.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. The non-confidential version of the information filed by the interested parties should 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.
38. 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.
39. The interested parties can offer their comments on the issues of confidentiality within 7 days from the date of
submission of the non-confidential version of the documents by other parties.
40. 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.
41. 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.
N. Inspection of public file.
42. 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.
O. Non-cooperation.
43. In case any interested party refuses access to and otherwise does not provide necessary information within a
reasonable period, or significantly impedes the investigation, the Authority may declare such interested party as
non-cooperative and record its findings based on the facts available to it and make such recommendations to
the Central Government as deemed fit.
AMITABH KUMAR, Designated Authority
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