The European Union has imposed anti-dumping duties on titanium dioxide imported from China following a trade investigation prompted by European producers. For buyers, the practical question is not the politics but the landed cost, the paperwork and the alternatives.
What anti-dumping duties actually do
An anti-dumping duty is an additional import charge applied to specific goods from a specific origin, usually at producer-specific rates. It is levied on top of normal customs duty and applies at the point of import into the EU, regardless of who sells the material.
Rates depend on the producing company, and the measures can be reviewed, extended or amended. Because rates are producer-specific and subject to change, always confirm the current position for the exact producer and grade with your customs broker before contracting.
What it means for EU buyers
- Landed cost, not FOB price, is the only meaningful comparison.
- The producer identity on the documents matters, because rates are producer-specific.
- Correct commodity classification and origin documentation become critical.
- Some formulators are qualifying a second grade or origin to keep supply flexible.
What it means outside the EU
Buyers in the UK, Middle East, Africa, South and Southeast Asia and Latin America are not subject to EU measures. Trade flows tend to redirect toward those markets when duties land, which can improve availability and terms.
How to keep supply stable
- Ask suppliers for producer-level detail, not just a grade name.
- Quote and compare on a delivered, duty-paid basis.
- Qualify an alternative grade before you need it, not during a shortage.
- Review contract length and price mechanism while trade policy is in flux.
We can talk through origin, documentation and grade alternatives for your destination market. Send us an enquiry or browse the grade catalogue.