Key data
| Regulation | Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925 — CELEX:32026R1925R(01) |
|---|---|
| Publication | September 4, 2026 (OJ L, 2026/1925) |
| Entry into force | August 7, 2026 |
| Affected parties | European importers, distributors and manufacturers of open mesh fiberglass fabrics |
| Countries investigated | Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia |
| Original antidumping rule | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/357 (measures on imports originating from China) |
| Category | European Regulation — Antidumping measures and foreign trade |
| Immediate obligation | Mandatory customs registration of affected imports during the investigation |
European importers of open mesh fiberglass fabrics face a new problem: any merchandise from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia or Serbia is now under the radar of the European Commission. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925, published on August 7, 2026 and now subject to a corrigendum published on September 4, 2026, formally opens an investigation into possible circumvention of antidumping duties.
The suspicion is clear: that these four countries are acting as transit platforms to re-export fiberglass fabrics originally manufactured in China to Europe, thereby circumventing the antidumping duties established by Regulation (EU) 2024/357. While the investigation lasts, all such imports are subject to mandatory registration, which opens the door to retroactive settlement of duties.
What does this regulation establish?
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925 opens an anti-circumvention investigation into open mesh fiberglass fabrics. The regulation affects imports from four specific countries and establishes two immediate effects:
- Mandatory customs registration of all imports of open mesh fiberglass fabrics from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia, regardless of whether they are declared as originating from those countries.
- Active investigation into whether such imports constitute a circumvention of the antidumping measures in force against China, established by Regulation (EU) 2024/357.
The corrigendum published on September 4, 2026 (CELEX:32026R1925R(01)) affects the text of the original regulation but does not modify its scope or the registration obligations already in force since August 7, 2026.
| Country of origin investigated | Situation during investigation | Risk for importer |
|---|---|---|
| Kosovo | Imports subject to mandatory registration | Possible retroactive application of antidumping duties |
| Moldova | Imports subject to mandatory registration | Possible retroactive application of antidumping duties |
| North Macedonia | Imports subject to mandatory registration | Possible retroactive application of antidumping duties |
| Serbia | Imports subject to mandatory registration | Possible retroactive application of antidumping duties |
Economic and operational impact
The most immediate impact is operational: greater friction at customs for each shipment from the four countries under investigation. But the underlying financial risk is more serious.
If the investigation concludes that circumvention exists, the European Commission may extend the original antidumping duties—those established against China by Regulation (EU) 2024/357—to imports from these four countries. And it can do so with retroactive effect on all imports registered since August 7, 2026.
This means that an importer who has brought merchandise from Serbia or Moldova during the months the investigation lasts could receive a settlement of antidumping duties on those already closed operations. The amount would depend on the volume imported and the type of duty ultimately established, data that the investigation has not yet determined.
At the operational level, mandatory registration implies:
- Longer customs clearance time for each import.
- Need for more exhaustive and verifiable documentation of origin.
- Review of contracts with suppliers from the four countries to include origin guarantee clauses.
- Possible review of purchase prices to absorb contingent tariff risk.
Who does it affect?
- European importers who purchase open mesh fiberglass fabrics from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia or Serbia.
- Distributors who market these products in Europe regardless of whether they know the final manufacturing origin.
- European manufacturers who use these fabrics as raw materials or semi-finished products in their production processes (construction, insulation, reinforcement of composite materials).
- Traders and foreign trade agents who act as intermediaries in import operations of these products from the countries under investigation.
- Purchasing and supply chain departments of industrial companies that have suppliers in the four affected countries.
Practical example
A Spanish company manufacturing thermal insulation systems regularly purchases open mesh fiberglass fabrics from a supplier established in Serbia. From August 7, 2026, each shipment from this supplier is automatically registered at customs under Regulation (EU) 2026/1925.
If the Commission's investigation concludes that the Serbian supplier actually re-exports fabrics manufactured in China—without substantial transformation that justifies Serbian origin—the Spanish company could receive a settlement of antidumping duties on all shipments received since August 2026. The amount would depend on the accumulated volume and the type of duty extended.
To protect itself, this company should request detailed documentation from its Serbian supplier of the local manufacturing process: invoices for raw materials, production records and origin certificates with manufacturer's declaration. If the supplier cannot prove substantial transformation in Serbia, the company should consider changing suppliers or provisioning the tariff risk.
What should companies do now?
- Identify all active suppliers in Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia of open mesh fiberglass fabrics. If you don't have this list updated, this is the first step.
- Request reinforced origin documentation from each supplier: origin certificates with manufacturer's declaration, invoices for local raw materials and production records that prove substantial transformation in the country of dispatch.
- Review supply contracts to include clauses that transfer to the supplier the responsibility for incorrect origin declarations and resulting tariff costs.
- Provision the tariff risk in accounting for imports made from August 7, 2026 while the investigation lasts, especially if origin documentation is not solid.
- Consult with your customs agent the registration procedure applicable to each import and ensure that clearances are being processed correctly under the new framework.
- Evaluate alternative supply sources in non-investigated countries if the purchase volume is significant and the retroactive tariff risk is unacceptable for the business.
Frequently asked questions
What fiberglass fabric imports are subject to mandatory registration in 2026?
Imports of open mesh fiberglass fabrics from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia, whether or not declared as originating from those countries, are subject to mandatory customs registration from August 7, 2026, pursuant to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925.
Why is the EU investigating fiberglass fabric imports from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Serbia?
The European Commission suspects that these four countries are being used as transit countries to circumvent the antidumping measures imposed by Regulation (EU) 2024/357 on imports of open mesh fiberglass fabrics originating from the People's Republic of China.
What does it mean that imports are subject to registration during the investigation?
Mandatory customs registration implies greater border control and, most importantly for importers, the possible retroactive application of antidumping duties if the investigation confirms circumvention. Imports made during the investigation could be subject to duties once the investigation is concluded.
When did this regulation enter into force and when was the corrigendum published?
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1925 entered into force on August 7, 2026 (original publication date in the Official Journal). The corrigendum affecting it was published on September 4, 2026 with reference CELEX:32026R1925R(01).
What should European importers do to protect themselves during the investigation?
Importers should exercise extreme care with documentation on the actual origin of goods: obtain detailed origin certificates, review the supply chain to detect possible triangulation from China, and retain all customs documentation that proves the genuine origin of products from Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia or Serbia.
Official source
Consult 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=CELEX:32026R1925R(01)
