Ceramic export haze and many countries frequently anti-dumping actions

Recently, a number of ceramic enterprises in Foshan have received relevant information in succession. Argentina and Brazil will launch anti-dumping measures on Chinese ceramics export products. Among them, Argentina has already informed China and should apply in writing from Argentina’s domestic industry to request the initiation of a Anti-dumping investigations were carried out on glazed floor tiles and facing tile products. Although Brazil did not explicitly propose anti-dumping investigations, the entry barriers for polished tiles, microcrystalline stones, and antique tiles have been raised.

Brazil raises the threshold for ceramic products exported to the country

"I received a message early this morning that Brazil will impose anti-dumping measures against China within ten days. The Ministry of Commerce may come to tell us about the progress of the case next week because the Argentine government has already informed the Chinese Ministry of Commerce of anti-dumping."26 On the first day, the reporter met with the person in charge of the anti-dumping department of Xinzhongyuan and she disclosed the latest information to reporters.

According to its introduction, a few years ago, Brazil had intended to carry out anti-dumping on Chinese ceramic products, but it has not been implemented so far. Although there was news that anti-dumping would be initiated against China, the final and definitive news was not issued. “Anti-dumping Brazil may not be able to initiate it, but they are taking some measures. Brazil’s Ceramic Industry Federation has initiated a proposal for the Ministry of Foreign Trade Industry Development to request an increase in import tariffs on 6907 products.” This is the responsibility of Xin Zhong Yuan Ceramics. According to people, currently imported products to Brazil require an import license, but previously, as long as companies with import qualifications can directly import products without this document, “this actually raises the threshold for imported products”.

"6907" is a product category number exported to the Brazilian market, which includes such products as polished tiles, microcrystalline stones, and antique tiles. The main reason for increasing barriers to entry for various types of products is to protect domestic companies.

The reporter saw in the relevant documents provided by Xinzhongyuan Company that “Since July 25, Brazil implemented new regulations for products under the Customs Tariff No. 6907.90.00, and based on statistical data needs, such products are no longer Obtaining the right to import automatic licenses before the shipment of international cargo requires authorization from the Brazilian Foreign Trade Management Department to the Brazilian Bank."

In 2010, after China’s ceramic products suffered anti-dumping from the European Union, the Latin American market gradually became the “new favorite” of China’s ceramic export market. “As far as I know, there are several companies in Foshan exporting to the Latin American market, accounting for more than half of the total export volume. Of course, Brazil's share is also very high.” Wu Mingang, general manager of the International Business Division of New Pearl Ceramics Group, said that Brazil is One of the world's major ceramic producing countries, after a large number of Chinese products enter the country, will certainly have a huge impact on its own ceramic industry. “The retail price of products produced in Brazil is more than three times higher than the price of Chinese products.”

Complex legal procedures increase the difficulty of responding to Chinese companies

On the 28th, the reporter interviewed Tang Congrong, a lawyer of Beijing Zhonglun Wende Law Firm, who specifically dealt with anti-dumping cases. She briefed the reporters on the issues concerning anti-dumping filings and procedures. It is understood that from the initiation of anti-dumping statements to the filing of a case, it takes ten days in the meantime, “so it will be filed soon.”

However, since the laws and regulations of Latin American countries are more complex than other countries, this will increase the difficulty of responding to enterprises. “Argentina is more special in three aspects. One is to double certification of the power of attorney, the other is to translate the corresponding complaint material, and the third is not to recognize our neutral state.” According to Tang Congrong, dual authentication is The certification of a foreign-related certification authority in the local area, and the signing of a translation requires the signature of a translation agency designated by their country. It cannot be freely chosen. It must be designated by the country. “It has a relatively high setting and a long time.” In terms of the questionnaire, there is no specific questionnaire, so there is no direction for responding. “I don’t know from which aspect to respond.” It is also for this reason that the success rate of responding in Latin America is very low.

In addition to the factors mentioned above by Tang Congrong, companies in the ceramics industry did not unite and actively respond to the case. This was a reason. In an interview with reporters, Wu Mingang repeatedly talked about this issue. “Governments and associations should act and represent the interests of the industry, and companies in the industry should also unite and respond actively.”

In addition, according to Tang Junrong, the Ministry of Commerce has also been very concerned about Latin American events in this area since the beginning of this year, so it is generally expected that the final result will be better than before. In March this year, Zhou Wen, the deputy secretary-general of the Foshan Municipal Government, visited Brazil. This kind of communication will also help the handling of current trade frictions.

“After the case is filed, the questionnaire will be submitted within 45 days. Arbitration will be initiated 60 days later. The longest arbitration time is one year. There are special circumstances that can be extended for half a year, that is, one and a half years.” For anti-dumping against Argentina that will be launched against China, Don Calmly inferred the relevant time from legal process.

After the EU imposed punitive tariffs on China, China's ceramic exports faced anti-dumping in the Latin American market, which may be coming soon. It is understood that earlier, South Korea, Thailand and other countries have all carried out anti-dumping on Chinese ceramics. Under the four-embarrassing export environment, increasing product prices and increasing product competitiveness are ways for Chinese ceramics to expand into overseas markets.