India Extends Anti-Dumping Duties on Aniline Imported from China for Five Years

On July 18, the Ministry of Finance of India issued Customs Notification No. 25/2025, deciding to continue imposing anti-dumping duties on aniline originating in or exported from China, effective immediately for a period of five years. This decision is based on the results of a sunset review conducted by the designated investigation agency of India and is made in accordance with Section 9A(5) of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, and relevant anti-dumping rules.

The investigation report believes that Chinese aniline products continue to be exported to the Indian market at low prices. If the current tax measures are lifted, it may put pressure on the local Indian industry. However, some industry viewpoints point out that the export behavior of Chinese companies is largely based on market competitiveness and economies of scale, and should not be simply equated with "dumping." The decision to extend the anti-dumping duty may reflect India's policy considerations aimed at protecting its domestic industry.

According to the notification, the tax rate will vary depending on the manufacturing company and export channel: Aniline produced by China Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. will be subject to a rate of USD 36.90 per ton, while aniline produced or exported by other Chinese companies will be subject to a rate of USD 121.79 per ton. Additionally, all aniline products exported from China, regardless of origin, will be subject to the same tax rate. The tax will be levied in Indian rupees, with the exchange rate referencing the official rate notified by the Indian government under Section 14 of the Customs Act, 1962. This notification replaces Customs (ADD) Notification No. 08/2021 dated February 19, 2021, and is another trade measure by India to protect the local industry in the global market context.

According to Volza data, in the 2023–2024 fiscal year, India imported approximately 1,819 batches of aniline, mainly from countries such as China (which accounted for the largest share), the United States, and the United Kingdom. The total number of batches increased by 13% compared to the previous year. World Bank statistics show that in 2023, India imported about 120,000 tons of aniline, valued at around 200 million US dollars, with nearly 30% of the imports coming from China.

According to the Chemanalyst report, the size of the Indian aniline market in the fiscal year 2023 is approximately 150,000 tons. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% by 2032, reaching 220,000 tons. Currently, only a few local companies in India produce aniline, and domestic supply still struggles to meet the rapidly growing downstream demand, resulting in a strong short-term dependence on imports.

Aniline is a key raw material for dyes, coatings, MDI, rubber additives, pharmaceutical intermediates, and other products. India's downstream industries are extremely cost-sensitive, and the rapid development of sectors such as architectural coatings and rubber chemicals has further amplified the transmission effect of price changes to the end-market. While institutional taxation by the Indian government can temporarily alleviate the price shock experienced by local enterprises, experts point out that such protective measures may also lead to supply shortages and increased costs. Against the backdrop of rising import costs, downstream industries including coatings and rubber may face passive pressure, affecting the price competitiveness of their products in the international market.