The Impact and Coping Strategies of EU Anti - dumping Duties

Overview and background of EU anti-dumping duties

EU anti-dumping duties are a trade protection measure taken by the EU to protect its own industries against dumping practices by other countries. When goods from other countries enter the EU market at prices below their normal value, causing or threatening material injury to the relevant EU industries, the EU will initiate an anti-dumping investigation and impose anti-dumping duties after determining that dumping has occurred. Its purpose is to restore a level playing field in the market and protect the interests of EU domestic industries.

Recent EU anti-dumping duty cases

1. Antidumping investigation on Chinese copper pipesOn March 12, 2026, the European Commission announced an anti-dumping investigation into copper pipes originating from China, Mexico, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. The applicant for the investigation is the EU's copper pipe industry association, the product in question is under tariff code 7411 10 90, and the investigation period is from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. This investigation reflects the EU's protective stance on the copper pipe market. If dumping is ultimately found, copper pipes exported from the relevant countries to the EU will face high anti-dumping duties, which will increase export costs and reduce the competitiveness of the products in the EU market.
2. Final ruling in the mid-term review of antidumping duties on Chinese ceramic tableware and kitchenwareOn February 6, 2026, the European Commission issued a notice announcing its final determination in the mid-term review of the anti-dumping investigation into ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating from China, deciding to impose a 79.0% anti-dumping duty on all Chinese producers/exporters. The EU CN codes for the products involved are ex 6911 10 00 and ex 6912 00 21, among others. Previously, the EU initiated an anti-dumping investigation into ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating from China on February 16, 2012, and issued an affirmative final determination on May 15, 2013. Subsequently, it initiated two sunset reviews, both of which also resulted in affirmative final determinations. This 79% anti-dumping duty significantly increases the cost for Chinese ceramic products to enter the EU market, posing a significant challenge to relevant exporting companies.
3. Final Antidumping Ruling on Headless Screws from ChinaOn October 23, 2025, the European Commission announced the imposition of final anti-dumping duties on headless screws originating from China, with rates ranging from 54.7% to 72.3%. Headless screws mainly include threaded shanks, anchor bolts, and U-bolts, and are widely used in various industries such as automotive, renewable energy, home appliances, agriculture, and construction. The EU market for these products is approximately €500 million, with domestic industries primarily located in ten member states, including Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and Italy. The EU's imposition of these anti-dumping duties aims to rebuild a level playing field in the EU market and ensure equal competition between domestic headless screw manufacturers and imported products from China.

Impact of EU anti-dumping duties on exporting companies in relevant countries

1. Increased costsTaking Chinese ceramic tableware and kitchenware as an example, the original tariffs were approximately 13%-36%, but have now been uniformly increased to 79%. If the production cost of a batch of ceramic tableware is $100, the tax burden after the products arrive in Europe may approach $80. In a highly competitive market, such a significant increase in costs is difficult for customers to accept, leading to a compression of corporate profit margins.
2. Orders decreasedHigh anti-dumping duties make product prices uncompetitive, causing customers to turn to suppliers in other countries, resulting in a decrease in orders for exporting companies. For example, Chinese ceramic companies are facing order losses in the EU market, affecting their production and sales scale.
3. Market share declineDue to rising costs and declining orders, the market share of products from these countries in the EU will gradually decrease. In the long run, this could affect the reputation and standing of companies in the international market, hindering their sustainable development.

Strategies for companies to deal with EU anti-dumping duties

1. Adjust product structureThe EU's tariffs on ceramic products primarily target ceramic tableware and kitchenware. Some companies are attempting to shift their focus to ceramic decorative items, art ceramics, and specific kitchenware products, hoping to circumvent the anti-dumping measures. However, this approach often requires redeveloping the market and cannot completely replace existing business in the short term. It necessitates significant time and financial investment in market research, product development, and promotion.
2. Overseas investment and factory constructionSome large ceramic enterprises are beginning to consider setting up factories overseas, such as establishing production bases in Southeast Asia, allowing products to be manufactured locally and obtain local country of origin status before being exported to the EU. This approach has a high degree of compliance, but it also involves huge investment costs, long construction periods, and complex operation and management, making it difficult for small and medium-sized export enterprises to implement.
3. Third-country entrepot tradeMore and more companies are beginning to study third-country entrepot trade. The core idea is to produce in China → transit through a third country → re-export to the EU. The basic process includes: first-leg transportation, where goods are declared and exported normally from Chinese ports to transit countries such as Malaysia, during which companies can still apply for export tax refunds; transit operations, where goods arrive at the bonded zone of the transit country and undergo container transfer, document processing, and apply for a certificate of origin issued locally; and second-leg transportation, where goods are exported to the EU as products from a third country, thus avoiding the high anti-dumping duties corresponding to products originating in China.

The impact of EU anti-dumping duties on the international trade landscape

1. Rise of trade protectionismThe EU's frequent imposition of anti-dumping duties is a manifestation of trade protectionism, which could prompt other countries to follow suit, leading to a rise in global trade protectionism. Trade frictions between countries will continue to increase, hindering the process of global trade liberalization.
2. Supply chain adjustmentIn response to EU anti-dumping duties, companies in affected countries will adjust their supply chains, such as by investing in overseas factories or using transshipment trade through third countries. This will lead to changes in the global supply chain layout, with some industries potentially shifting from their original production locations to other regions, impacting the industrial structure and economic development of the affected countries.
3. The multilateral trading system is under challenge.The implementation of anti-dumping duties by the European Union may pose a challenge to the multilateral trading system, including the World Trade Organization (WTO). If countries adopt trade protection measures, the rules and order of the multilateral trading system will be undermined, which is detrimental to the stability and development of global trade.

Future Trends and Outlook

1. Trade frictions may continueAs the global economy develops and competition intensifies, the EU may continue to implement trade protection measures such as anti-dumping to safeguard its domestic industries. Therefore, trade frictions faced by exporting companies in these countries may persist, requiring long-term preparedness.
2. Enterprises need to enhance their competitivenessFaced with trade barriers such as EU anti-dumping duties, enterprises need to continuously improve their competitiveness, including enhancing product quality, strengthening technological innovation, and optimizing production processes. Only in this way can they remain invincible in the fierce international market competition.
3. Strengthen international cooperation and communicationGovernments and businesses should strengthen international cooperation and communication to resolve trade disputes through dialogue and consultation. At the same time, they should actively promote the reform and improvement of the multilateral trading system to safeguard the fairness and freedom of global trade.