Global Trade Alert

On 17 April 2010, the European Commission issued a notice of initiation of countervailing duty concerning the imports of coated fine paper from China. The products subject to investigation are classified under the following HS codes: 4810.13.20.20, 4810.13.80.20, 4810.14.80.20, 4810.19.10.20, 4810.19.90.20, 4810.22.10.20, 4810.22.90.20, 4810.29.30.20, 4810.29.80.20, 4810.92.10.00, 4810.92.30.00, 4810.92.90.00, 4810.99.10.20, 4810.99.30.20 and 4810.99.90.20. The proceedings were initiated by a complaint lodged on 4 March 2010 by CEPIFINE (the European association of fine paper manufacturers), which represents 25 % of the producers in the European Union. An anti-dumping investigation was launched in February on imports of the same products from China, see related measure.
 
On 15 May 2011, the European Commission imposed a definitive countervailing duty on coated fine paper from China. The rate of duty is 4% or 12% of the net free-at-Union-frontier price depending on the company.
 
On 13 May 2016, the European Commission initiated a sunset review of the countervailing duty imposed on imports of the above products from China (Notice No. 2016/C 172/07). This follows the request lodged on 12 February 2016 by Arctic Paper Grycksbo AB, Burgo Group SpA, Fedrigoni SpA, Lecta Group and Sappi Europe SA on behalf of producers representing more than 25% of the total EU production of the subject goods.

On 5 July 2017, the European Commission extended the definitive countervailing duty imposed on imports of subject good from China following the conclusion of the above sunset review. The rate of duty is 8% or 12%.