03.11.2026 Regulation #EU #China #Import #Duties

EU imposes 39.8–48.1% anti-dumping duties on Chinese PET spunbond

The European Commission has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on PET spunbond, a non-woven needle-punched polyester filament fabric, from China. The rates run from 39.8% to 48.1%. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2393 was adopted on 29 October, published on 30 October 2026 and entered into force the following day, 31 October. According to the Commission's announcement, the measures run for five years.

Scope and duty rates

The duty covers non-woven needle-punched sheets of polyester filaments, whether or not reinforced with glass fibres, weighing more than 70 g/m², with a thickness above 0.5 mm and up to 1.8 mm, impregnated with binders, containing less than 30% glass fibres by weight and not coated. The CN codes are ex 5603 13 90, 5603 14 20 and ex 5603 14 80 (heading 5603); the TARIC codes are 5603 13 90 70 and 5603 14 80 70. The goods must originate in China.

The rates apply to the net, free-at-Union-frontier price before duty:

What importers will need

Individual rates apply only if a valid commercial invoice is presented to the customs authorities of the Member State. The invoice must carry the producer's declaration in the form set out in Article 1(3). Until such an invoice is presented, the rate for all other imports, 48.1%, applies. Customs may still request additional documents.

Amounts secured under the provisional duties imposed by Regulation (EU) 2026/1063 are definitively collected; amounts above the definitive rates are released. By comparison, the provisional rates were 45.6–50%, in force since May 2026.

Why no duties are collected for the period before provisional measures

This concerns the registration period before provisional duties took effect on 14 May 2026; amounts secured by the provisional duty are still collected. The Commission tested the conditions of Article 10(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036 and found them unmet: average monthly imports from October 2025 to April 2026 were below 1,000 tonnes, against 1,467–1,792 tonnes a month in the investigation period. The complainants' request for retroactive collection was rejected: they had relied on data for three CN codes, whereas the registration covered only CN code 5603 14 20 and TARIC codes 5603 13 90 70 and 5603 14 80 70.

Findings behind the measures

The investigation was initiated on 15 September 2025. The Commission noted that the Chinese share of the Union market rose from 6% in 2022 to 26% in 2024. Over the period considered (1 January 2022 to 30 June 2025), the Union industry's average sales price fell by 21%. EU producers are located in Germany, Italy and France, and the EU market for the product is worth €200m. The product is mainly used as a carrier for waterproofing materials, such as roofing. The Commission did not accept Italian users' request for a shorter duration, finding five years appropriate.

How new exporters can request the cooperating-company rate

A Chinese producer that did not export the product to the EU during the investigation period (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025) may request the non-sampled cooperating-company rate (47.1%) if it is not related to an exporter or producer subject to the measures that could have cooperated in the original investigation, and has, after the investigation period, exported the goods or entered into an irrevocable obligation to export a significant quantity to the EU.

Primary sources

Mentioned codes

5603

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.