Mica Pearl Pigment Anti Dumping Duty: DGTR Backs 5-Year Extension

The mica pearl pigment anti dumping duty on imports from China is set to stay for five more years. India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has finished its sunset review and, in final findings gazetted on 22 October 2026, recommended that the duty continue. If you buy pearlescent pigments for paints, printing inks, plastics or automotive finishes, this affects your landed cost and your sourcing plan for 2027. Here is what was decided, what it means for buyers, and what to do now.

What DGTR decided on mica pearl pigments

The product under review is “Natural Mica based Pearl Industrial Pigments excluding Cosmetic Grade” originating in or exported from China PR. The DGTR case page lists the final findings dated 21 October 2026, under the same case where the sunset review was started on 5 March 2026.

The recommended duty, in US dollars per metric tonne, is:

• Fujian Kuncai Material Technology Co. Ltd. (China): US$299 per MT, subject to a specific declaration on the invoice.
• All other Chinese producers: US$3,144 per MT.
• Any producer, goods from another country but exported from China: US$3,144 per MT.

DGTR has recommended that the duty continue for five years from the date the Central Government issues a fresh customs notification. The findings alone do not start the new duty period.

Background: how this duty has changed since 2020

This is not a new duty. It has been in place since 2021 and has been reviewed twice. The key dates, as listed in the findings summary, are:

• 9 May 2020: original anti-dumping investigation started.
• 26 August 2021: duty first imposed.
• 22 November 2023: duty modified after a mid-term review (Notification No. 13/2023-Customs (ADD)).
• 5 March 2026: sunset review started (case AD (SSR)-15/2025).
• 21 August 2026: existing duty extended up to 25 February 2027 (Notification No. 21/2026-Customs (ADD)) while the review was completed.
• 22 October 2026: sunset review final findings published.

According to TPM’s note on the review, the application was filed by Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited. The period of investigation was October 2024 to September 2025.

Which products are covered by the mica pearl pigment anti dumping duty?

Scope matters, because many buyers mix different effect pigments in one formula.

Covered

• Natural mica-based pearl pigments for industrial use – paints and coatings, printing inks, plastics and applicable automotive finishes.
• TPM notes the original case covered sub-heading 3206 11, and the mid-term review extended it to codes such as 3206 49 90, 3206 19 00, 3204 17 xx and 3207 10 40. Your customs broker should match your exact product to the notification.

Not covered

• Cosmetic-grade pearl pigments.
• Synthetic mica pearl pigments. However, note that a separate countervailing duty on certain Chinese pearlescent pigments applies under Notification No. 04/2025-Customs (CVD) dated 26 June 2025, so do not assume synthetic grades are duty-free.

Will the Finance Ministry accept the recommendation?

DGTR only recommends. The Ministry of Finance decides whether to impose the duty through a customs notification. This step is not automatic. A PTI report in Outlook Business (June 2026) said the rejection ratio of DGTR recommendations reportedly rose to 81% between November 2025 and April 2026, and that the Finance Ministry usually does not give reasons.

So there are two possible outcomes:

• Finance Ministry notifies the duty: the new five-year period starts from that notification.
• No notification: the current duty runs until 25 February 2027 under the existing extension, after which it would lapse.

Until a decision comes, plan on the current duty staying at least until February 2027.

What it means for paint, ink and plastic buyers

• Landed cost stays high for most Chinese grades. At US$3,144 per MT for most Chinese producers, the duty is a large share of the price of many industrial pearl grades.
• Supplier name on the invoice matters. The low US$299 rate applies only to one named producer and only with the required invoice declaration. A trader’s invoice that does not show this correctly can attract the higher rate.
• Re-routing will not help. Chinese-origin material shipped via another country is covered at US$3,144 per MT.
• Domestic supply gets a longer runway. Indian producers of mica pearl pigments keep protection, which supports local availability and pricing stability.

Practical steps for buyers right now

1. Check your HS code and grade. Confirm whether your pigment is natural mica, synthetic mica or cosmetic grade. The duty treatment is different for each.
2. Ask for origin and producer details. Request the manufacturer name, country of origin and test certificate with every lot.
3. Compare landed cost, not ex-works price. Add duty, freight, clearing and GST before comparing an imported offer with a domestic one.
4. Lock contracts carefully past February 2027. Add a clause on duty changes for any supply that runs beyond 25 February 2027.
5. Trial an alternative grade early. If a formula depends on one Chinese grade, test a domestic or non-Chinese equivalent now so you are not forced to switch in a hurry.
6. Watch the official notification. Track the Finance Ministry’s customs (ADD) notifications over the coming weeks.

How Neelgiri Chemicals can help

Neelgiri Chemicals supplies pigments and raw materials to paint, ink, coating and plastic manufacturers across India. We can help you compare grades, check landed cost and plan supply around the duty timeline.

• Pearlescent pigments: Micas Blue Pigment and Micas Orange Pigment
• Full colour range: Pigments
• Base white for pearl and effect finishes: Rutile Titanium Dioxide
• Industry solutions: Paint Industry, Ink & Coating Industry and Plastic Compounds & Masterbatches

Also read our earlier update on the titanium dioxide anti-dumping duty in India, which affects many of the same formulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mica pearl pigment anti dumping duty rate in India?

In its October 2026 sunset review findings, DGTR recommended US$3,144 per metric tonne for most Chinese producers and US$299 per metric tonne for Fujian Kuncai Material Technology, subject to an invoice declaration.

Are synthetic mica or cosmetic-grade pearl pigments covered?

No. This anti-dumping duty covers natural mica-based industrial pearl pigments only. Cosmetic grade and synthetic mica pigments are excluded, but a separate countervailing duty applies to certain Chinese pearlescent pigments.

Until when does the current duty apply?

The existing duty has been extended up to 25 February 2027. If the Finance Ministry accepts DGTR’s recommendation, a new five-year period will start from the date of its notification.

How can I reduce the impact on my costs?

Compare landed costs, verify the producer and origin on every invoice, and trial domestic or non-Chinese equivalent grades. Neelgiri Chemicals can help you compare options.

Get a quote for pigments today

Need help with pearlescent pigments, TiO2 or other raw materials? Talk to our team for current availability and pricing.

• WhatsApp: Chat with us on WhatsApp
• Phone: +91 87961 61378
• Enquiry form: Contact Neelgiri Chemicals

Sources: Corpseed, DGTR, TPM, Outlook Business/PTI. This article is for general information only and is not legal or customs advice. Please confirm duty rates and HS codes with the official customs notification or your customs broker before importing.