EU Launches Anti-Dumping Investigation Into Chinese Plywood Imports

The European Union is launching an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese plywood imports, Timberbiz reported (10-16-24). Producers in the EU are citing a surge in cheap hardwood plywood which they say is coming from China, but they believe originates in Russia.

The Greenwood Consortium, which represents forest owners, loggers, and suppliers, initiated the complaint against China in late August, stating that Chinese imports are being sold at very low prices, undercutting European companies, and coming from conflict timber areas. EU member states such as Poland, Finland, the Baltic States, and France produce plywood.

There has been a significant increase in Chinese plywood imports into the EU. Russia is said to be exporting hardwood into China which is being used in the production of the plywood. Russian timber is banned in the EU. Tariffs are already in place on birch plywood imports from Kazakhstan and Turkey as they included Russian content.

The EU Commission will examine if pricing misrepresentations have resulted in damage to the EU producers who claim declining sales are hurting the industry. The investigation is likely to take more than 12 months. However, all Chinese plywood imports will be registered at EU borders so that future tariffs may be imposed retroactively.

Other countries such as Morocco, the US, and South Korea have tariffs on Chinese wood imports.