Anti-dumping tariff on Chinese pea protein 2026: costs and impact for importers

Key data

European importers of pea protein from China face a mandatory review of their import costs. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/916, which established provisional anti-dumping duties on this product on 28 April 2026, contains errors in the tariff rates that are now corrected by this erratum published on 24 June 2026.

The correction is not a policy change: it is a technical rectification of the values that should have been applied from the outset. This means that companies that have settled imports between 28 April and the date of publication of this correction must verify whether the rates they applied match those now corrected.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/916 established provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of pea protein originating from the People's Republic of China. Anti-dumping duties are applied when the European Commission determines that a product is imported at artificially low prices (below the cost of production or the market price in the country of origin), harming European producers in the same sector.

This correction of errors — published under the reference OJ:L_202690513 — rectifies the specific tariff rates contained in the original regulation. The erratum has retroactive effect to 28 April 2026, the date of entry into force of the corrected regulation.

It is essential to emphasize that the provisional nature of the anti-dumping duty means that the European Commission may modify it or make it definitive after completing the full investigation. Companies must monitor the progress of the case.

Economic and operational impact

The economic impact of this correction occurs on two simultaneous levels:

• Importers of Chinese pea protein: must recalculate the actual cost of their imports by applying the corrected rates. If the corrected rates are higher than those originally applied, they could face additional customs duty settlements. If they are lower, they would be entitled to a refund.
• European pea protein manufacturers: the correction strengthens the tariff protection granted to them by the regulation, by ensuring that the rates applied are those correctly calculated to neutralize the detected dumping.

The alternative food and plant-based protein sector is experiencing rapid growth in Europe. Pea protein is one of the most in-demand ingredients in plant-based products, sports supplements and functional foods. An increase in the import costs of Chinese raw materials directly impacts the margins of food manufacturers, distributors and sports nutrition brands that depend on this ingredient.

Who does it affect?

• Direct importers of pea protein originating from the People's Republic of China, regardless of their size.
• European plant-based protein manufacturers that compete with the Chinese product and benefit from anti-dumping protection.
• Food sector companies that use pea protein as an ingredient: plant-based product manufacturers, nutritional supplements, functional foods and animal feed.
• Customs agents and logistics operators that manage import declarations for this product and must apply the correct rates.
• Traders and distributors that act as intermediaries in the supply chain for plant-based proteins of Chinese origin.

Practical example

A Spanish plant-based beverage manufacturer regularly imports pea protein from China. Since 28 April 2026, it has applied the anti-dumping duties of Regulation (EU) 2026/916 in its import declarations. However, the rates it applied correspond to the original version of the regulation, which contained errors.

Following the publication of this correction on 24 June 2026, the foreign trade department must:

1. Identify all imports of Chinese pea protein made between 28 April and 24 June 2026.
2. Compare the anti-dumping tariff rates applied with the corrected rates published in OJ:L_202690513.
3. If there is a difference, contact its customs agent to determine whether a supplementary declaration or a refund request to the Tax Agency (AEAT) is appropriate.

This process is particularly relevant for companies with high import volumes, where small differences in the tariff rate translate into significant amounts of customs duties.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the corrected rates: Access the full text of the correction published in the EU Official Journal (OJ:L_202690513) and identify the anti-dumping tariff rates definitively applicable to Chinese pea protein.
2. Audit imports since 28 April 2026: Review all customs declarations submitted since the entry into force of the original regulation to verify that the rates applied are correct.
3. Coordinate with the customs agent: If differences are detected between the original and corrected rates, the customs agent should assess the need to file supplementary declarations or refund requests.
4. Update cost models: Recalculate the import cost price of Chinese pea protein with the corrected rates to make correct purchasing and pricing decisions.
5. Monitor the anti-dumping case: The duty is provisional. The European Commission may modify the rates or make them definitive. Set up alerts on the progress of the case to anticipate new changes in the cost structure.

Official source

View complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202690513