The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Friday that based on its recommendation, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council has decided to impose anti-dumping duties on imports of halogenated butyl rubber originating from Japan and Canada, effective from March 14. The investigation found that there is dumping involved in these imports, which has caused harm to the domestic industry.

The anti-dumping duty rate imposed on Japan Butyl Co is 15.0 percent, while for other Japanese companies it will be 30.1 percent. The rate for ARLANXEO Canada Inc and other Canadian firms will be 13.8 percent, according to MOFCOM.

MOFCOM started its anti-dumping investigation into imports of halogenated butyl rubber from Japan, Canada and India on September 14, 2024. On August 12, 2025, the ministry released its preliminary ruling, saying that imports from Japan and Canada involved dumping, and that a causal link existed between the dumping and damage done to the domestic industry. The investigation into imports from India was terminated.

According to the final determination announced by MOFCOM on Friday, any security deposits paid by importers to the Chinese Customs in accordance with the preliminary ruling announcement from August 14, 2025 to December 13, 2025 shall be converted into anti-dumping duties based on the scope of products subject to anti-dumping duties as determined in the final ruling and the applicable anti-dumping duty rates, with import value-added tax (VAT) to be levied at the corresponding rate. 

"The anti-dumping investigation process demonstrates a high degree of prudence and seriousness. From initiating the investigation to the preliminary and final determinations, the entire process spanned a relatively long period, with broad and detailed scope, and the methods employed were fair and impartial," Li Yong, an executive council member of the China Society for WTO Studies, told the Global Times on Friday.

Li noted that this decision was made based on a petition submitted by the domestic industry, following comprehensive verification of the dumping, the extent of injury, and the causal link between them. It was conducted in accordance with the law and regulations, and is consistent with the relevant provisions of the WTO.

According to the ministry, for any portion of the security deposits provided during this period that exceeds the anti-dumping duties, as well as any over-collected import VAT arising therefrom, the customs shall refund such amounts; any under-collected portion shall not be further collected. Regarding the security deposits provided by the relevant import operators to the Chinese customs in accordance with the preliminary ruling announcement from December 14, 2025 to March 13, 2026, the customs shall refund them in full.

In addition, anti-dumping duties shall not be retroactively imposed on imports of halogenated butyl rubber from Japan and Canada that entered China before the date of implementation of the provisional anti-dumping measures, said the ministry.

Halogenated butyl rubber is mainly used in the airtight layers of tubeless tires, heat-resistant inner tubes, heat-resistant hoses and conveyor belts, pharmaceutical bottle stoppers, shock-absorbing pads, adhesives, and sealing materials.

For new exporting operators from Japan and Canada that did not export the investigated product to China during the period of investigation and that meet the relevant conditions, they may submit a written application for a new review, said the ministry. During the period of imposition of anti-dumping duties, relevant interested parties may submit a written application to the investigating authority for an interim review.

If any party is dissatisfied with the final determination of this case or the decision to impose anti-dumping duties, it may apply for administrative reconsideration in accordance with the law or file a lawsuit, said the ministry.

Li said that this reflects China's commitment to safeguarding the legitimate interests and appeals of all parties involved, by providing diverse channels to address respective issues. "In the current global context of rising unilateralism, such an approach is particularly valuable and commendable," he noted.