Pakistan’s National Tariff Commission (NTC) has implemented anti-dumping duties of up to 21% on Chinese polystyrene imports following an investigation into unfair pricing practices. The move aims to shield local manufacturers from harmful undercutting and stabilize the domestic market.

This decisive action followed formal complaints from local textile firms alleging that Chinese exports were priced below fair market value, causing significant damage to domestic operations. The NTC concluded that the imports were indeed dumped and causing material injury, resulting in a five-year definitive duty starting from November 2024.

Importers have expressed concern over this sudden increase in trade barriers, pointing out the contradiction between the government’s broader objective to reduce tariffs and the NTC’s stricter stance on protecting local industries. They have initiated legal challenges and urged the Commerce Ministry to reconsider the decision.

The imposed duties are expected to generate approximately Rs 40 billion over five years, offering substantial revenue while setting a precedent for how Pakistan protects its domestic manufacturing base.