India has reimposed anti-dumping duties ranging from $460 to $681 per metric tonne on specified titanium dioxide imports from China, following a fresh investigation that concluded dumped imports caused material injury to domestic manufacturers. The Finance Ministry notified the five-year levy, which applies to shipments originating in or exported from China, according to The Economic Times. The policy shift directly impacts major paint makers and industrial buyers dependent on the white pigment, altering procurement costs across the domestic market.
Chronology of Legal Challenges and Trade Investigations
The duty revival stems from a protracted legal dispute initiated by the Indian Paint Association. In May 2025, initial duties were imposed, but a subsequent legal challenge prompted the Calcutta High Court to order authorities to reconsider the measure. Following that directive, the Directorate General of Trade Remedies completed a fresh investigation, issuing its final findings on August 3, 2026. The DGTR concluded that Chinese producers were selling titanium dioxide at dumped prices, causing material harm and a sustained threat of further injury to domestic producers. The Finance Ministry formally accepted these findings and notified the revised levy.
Government Sets Anti-Dumping Duties by Producer Category
Under the government notification, the anti-dumping duties vary by producer category and require strict documentation for enforcement. Specified producers, including LB Group companies, face a duty of $460 per tonne. Listed non-sampled cooperative producers incur a $510 levy. Other manufacturers, such as Shandong Jinhai Titanium Resources Technology Co. Ltd. and Shandong Xianghai Titanium Co. Ltd., are subject to $563 per tonne. Anhui Gold Star Titanium Dioxide (Group) Co. Ltd. faces a rate of $609 per tonne, while all other covered producers must pay $681 per tonne.
Importers can only secure these specific individual rates by presenting a valid commercial invoice containing a formal declaration that identifies the manufacturer and verifies the accuracy of the shipment details. If an importer fails to produce the required invoice, the maximum rate of $681 per tonne applies. The levy is payable in Indian currency and remains in force for five years from its publication date unless modified earlier.
Global Regulatory Actions Across International Markets
India is not alone in targeting Chinese titanium dioxide shipments. In the United Kingdom, the Trade Remedies Authority proposed anti-dumping duties of up to 63.66% on Chinese rutile titanium dioxide to safeguard domestic jobs from a 299% surge in imports, as reported by European Coatings. The UK Trade Remedies Authority noted that trade defense measures in India, the European Union, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia have restricted Chinese market access elsewhere, channeling excess supply toward unrestricted regions.
Meanwhile, in Japan, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry launched an anti-dumping investigation on October 16, 2026, following a petition filed by the Japan Titanium Dioxide Industry Association, according to MLex. The Japanese industry association claims that dumping margins reach 50% to 60%, forcing local manufacturers to abandon price increases meant to offset rising manufacturing expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Titanium Dioxide Levy
What is titanium dioxide and why is it heavily regulated?
Titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a white pigment that provides opacity, brightness, and whiteness to paints, coatings, plastics, and paper. Governments regulate its import pricing through anti-dumping duties when foreign manufacturers sell the chemical below fair market value, protecting domestic producers from unfair competition.
Which industrial applications are exempt from the Indian duty?
The government notification exempts specific grades of titanium dioxide used in food additives, pharmaceutical tablet coatings, cosmetics, sunscreens, and textile fiber production. Nano or ultrafine titanium dioxide with particle sizes below 100 nanometres for specified uses is also excluded from the levy.
Related reading