New Delhi, October 26, 2026: The Ministry of Finance has imposed an anti-dumping duty of between USD 460 and USD 681 per metric tonne on imports of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) originating in or exported from China, for a period of five years. The duty, now in force, was notified on October 24 through Notification No. 26/2026-Customs (ADD), G.S.R. 916(E), published in the Gazette of India.
The move directly affects India’s paints and coatings industry, for which titanium dioxide is the most important white pigment and a major input cost.
Background: Duty Follows Calcutta High Court Remand
The fresh levy is based on the final findings of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) dated August 3, 2026 (F. No. 6/03/2024-DGTR). These findings were issued in remand proceedings ordered by the Calcutta High Court in its judgment of September 22, 2025, in Indian Paint Association v. Union of India & Ors. (WPO No. 148 of 2025).
DGTR concluded that TiO2 from China was exported to India at dumped prices, that the dumping margin was significant, and that the dumped imports caused material injury to the domestic industry and posed a threat of further injury.
Through a separate notification issued the same day (No. 25/2026-Customs (ADD)), the government rescinded its earlier Notification No. 12/2025-Customs (ADD) dated May 10, 2025, which was issued under the same CBIC file reference.
Producer-Wise Duty Rates
| Producer (China) | Duty (USD/MT) |
|---|---|
| Anhui Gold Star Titanium Dioxide (Group) Co., Ltd. (via Anhui Gold Star Titanium Dioxide Trading Co., Ltd.) | 609 |
| Shandong Jinhai Titanium Resources Technology Co., Ltd. (via Shandong Xianghai Titanium Co., Ltd.) | 563 |
| LB Group entities – LB Xiangyang, LB Sichuan, LB Lufeng Titanium Industry and LB Group Co., Ltd. – and Henan Billions Advanced Material Co., Ltd. | 460 |
| 12 non-sampled cooperative producers (list below) | 510 |
| All other Chinese producers | 681 |
| Chinese-origin TiO2 exported via any other country | 681 |
Non-sampled cooperative producers (USD 510/MT): Yibin Tianyuan Haifeng Hetai Co., Ltd.; Chongqing Titanium Industry Co. Ltd. of Pangang Group; Pangang Group Titanium Industry Co. Ltd.; Jiangxi Tikon Titanium Products Co. Ltd. (a Tronox company); Kunming Donghao Titanium Co. Ltd.; Inter-China Chemical Co. Ltd.; Anhui Annada Titanium Industry Co. Ltd.; Shandong Doguide Group Co. Ltd.; Qiangjiang Fangyuan Titanium Industry Co. Ltd.; Jinan Yuxing Chemical Co. Ltd.; Ningbo Xinfu Titanium Dioxide Co. Ltd.; and Shandong Dawn Titanium Industry Co. Ltd.
The duty covers goods falling under tariff items 2823 00 10, 3206 11 10 and 3206 11 90, though the notification clarifies that the customs classification is only indicative and the duty will apply as per the product description.
Grades Kept Outside the Duty
The notification excludes six categories of TiO2:
- Food grade – used in food additives such as food colouring
- Pharma grade – used in tablet film coatings
- Skin-care grade – used in cosmetics and sunscreens
- Textile grade – used in making textiles and fibres for self-cleaning, UV protection and delustering. TiO2 used as a pigment for printing on fabric is not excluded
- Fibre grade – used to deluster artificial fibre, including rutile grade for décor paper used at the fibre/pulp stage
- Nano or ultrafine – particle size below 100 nm, used in the textile and paint industries
Regular pigment-grade TiO2 used by paint and coatings manufacturers remains within the scope of the duty.
Compliance Requirements for Importers
To claim a producer-specific rate, importers must present a commercial invoice carrying a signed and dated declaration from the exporting entity, certifying the quantity and the name and address of the Chinese manufacturer. Without this declaration, the residual rate of USD 681/MT will apply.
The duty is payable in Indian rupees, with the exchange rate taken as the CBIC-notified rate on the date the bill of entry is filed. It will remain in force for five years from October 24, 2026, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier.
What It Means for the Industry
For paint, coatings, ink, plastics masterbatch and paper manufacturers that rely on Chinese TiO2, the duty adds a significant per-tonne cost to imports and is likely to push buyers to reassess sourcing between Chinese suppliers, other import origins and domestic producers. Companies importing from China should verify their suppliers’ producer names against the notified list and ensure invoices carry the required declaration to avoid being charged the highest rate.
Source: Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), No. 844, dated October 24, 2026 – Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notifications No. 25/2026 and 26/2026-Customs (ADD), F. No. CBIC-190349/3/2025-TRU.
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