India amends anti-dumping scope for aluminium flat rolled products

• Amendment follows Delhi High Court ruling
• Lithograde aluminium coils excluded from duties

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), has revised the scope of India’s anti-dumping framework governing imports of certain aluminium flat rolled products from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The amendment, dated 10 December 2025, carries legal and commercial implications for manufacturers of and industries using lithograde aluminium coils.

Revised scope

The key change introduced by the amendment is the exclusion of lithograde aluminium coils of width above 1,150 mm from the scope of the PUC. This exclusion has been formally added to the note below Paragraph 129 of the final findings. With this revision, lithograde aluminium coils join other products already excluded from the anti-dumping scope, such as can-body stock (including can end stock used for aluminium cans) and aluminium foil up to 80 microns.

From a commercial perspective, the amendment provides greater clarity to importers and customs authorities when determining the applicability of anti-dumping duties. Industries that use lithograde aluminium coils, particularly in printing and packaging, are expected to benefit from reduced compliance and cost pressures. At the same time, domestic producers continue to receive protection on aluminium flat rolled products that remain within the scope of the duties.

Background

The notification traces its origin to the anti-dumping investigation conducted by the DGTR into imports of “Certain Flat Rolled Products of Aluminium” from China PR. The investigation concluded with the issuance of Final Findings Notification No. 6/27/2020-DGTR dated 7 September 2021, under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 and the Customs Tariff (Anti-Dumping) Rules, 1995. These findings defined the Product Under Consideration (PUC) and formed the legal basis for imposing anti-dumping duties on specified aluminium products.

Subsequent judicial proceedings reshaped the scope of those findings. A customs appeal decided by the Delhi High Court through its final order dated 7 July 2025 resulted in the earlier CESTAT Final Order No. 50471/2023 dated 13 April 2023 attaining finality. To align its determination with these binding judicial outcomes, the DGTR issued a corrigendum notification amending the earlier final findings. This step highlights the role of judicial oversight in India’s trade remedy framework.