Chinese and Korean cellulose ethers could face backdated EU anti-dumping duty

Cellulose ethers sent to the EU from China and Korea could later face a backdated anti-dumping duty. EU customs now keep a record of these imports, so a future duty could reach goods landing today.

Cellulose ethers are chemicals made from cellulose. The rule covers methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose. Colour, form and grade do not matter. The EU code is ex 3912 39 85.

The European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2391 on 29 October 2026. It was published on 30 October and took effect the next day. The regulation says: "The purpose of registration is to ensure that anti-dumping duties, if any, can be levied retroactively on the imports subject to registration in accordance with the applicable legal provisions, if the necessary conditions are met."

The case opened on 24 September 2026 after a complaint by Ashland Industries Nederland BV, Ashland Specialties Belgium BV and SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG. The complaint estimated dumping margins of 120% to 130% for China and 45% to 55% for Korea. The Commission says these figures are for information only. No duty has been set.

Who is affected

EU importers and users of these cellulose ethers, and producers in China and Korea that sell to the EU.

What happens next

Registration ends nine months after the rule took effect. Whether any duty is charged on registered goods will be decided in a final duty regulation, if there is one. The regulation does not say when that will be.

What to check

• Is your product one of the six cellulose ethers named?
• Was it made in China or Korea?
• Who would pay a backdated duty under your contract?