Copper Wire and Tube Industry Alleges Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam Continue to Subsidise Export Demands Continuation of Anti-subsidy Duty for Another Five Years

Ø DGTR Initiates Sunset Review of CVD on Copper Tube and Pipe from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam on Ram Ratna Wires and MetTube Copper Complaint

Ø Notification 02/2022-Customs (CVD) dated 28.04.2022 to Expire on 27 April 2027

[DGTR Initiation Notification Case No. CVD (SSR) 001/2026 dated 28 September, 2026]

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an initiation notification dated 28 September, 2026 for a sunset review regarding countervailing duties on imports:

Core Investigation Details

· Subject Matter: Sunset review of anti-subsidy investigations concerning "Copper Tubes and Pipes".

· Target Countries: Imports originating in or exported from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

· The Applicants: M/s Ram Ratna Wires Limited and MetTube Copper India Private Limited, representing the domestic industry alongside 8 supporting local producers.

· Timeline Parameters: The Period of Investigation (POI) is set from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026 (12 months). The injury investigation period will cover fiscal years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

Product & Background Context

· Product Scope: Cylindrical profiles (circular, rectangular, square, etc.) made of refined copper or copper alloys primarily used in air-conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) systems. Internally grooved copper tubes (IGT) are excluded.

· Past Actions: Definitive countervailing duties were originally implemented on 28.04.2022 for a five-year stretch and remain active until 27.04.2027.

· Purpose of Review: To evaluate if expiring these active duties would cause a continuation or recurrence of distortive subsidisation and injury to Indian domestic manufacturers.

Key Stakeholder Responses

· Government Arguments: Representatives from Thailand and Vietnam contested the review, claiming domestic industry growth and declining import surges.

· Lack of Counter-Evidence: DGTR noted that neither government proved the absolute discontinuation of their countervailed subsidy schemes. Malaysia did not respond to consultation invites.

· Subsidies Under Review: The investigation highlights numerous active programs in the exporter nations, covering tax incentives, import duty exemptions, grants, and discounted utility/land costs.

Submission Protocol

· Portal Mandatory: All participating interested parties must register and file documents exclusively through the SETU Portal.

· Deadlines: Submissions must be uploaded within 37 days from the date the non-confidential application is circulated. Comments on the product control number (PCN) methodology must be filed within 15 days.