EU Anti-dumping Tariffs 2026: What PET Fabric Importers from China Pay

Key data

European importers of non-woven spun PET fabrics from China face an immediate increase in their purchase costs. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1063, published on 13 May 2026 and in force since 12 May, establishes provisional anti-dumping duties on this material after detecting that China was exporting it at artificially low prices, causing harm to the European industry.

The measure is provisional: the European Commission will complete its investigation and may modify the amounts or confirm them in the definitive decision. In the meantime, any company importing this product from China is already subject to the new tariff.

What does this regulation establish?

The regulation responds to an investigation by the European Commission that detected dumping practices by Chinese exporters of non-woven spun PET fabrics: they were selling the product in the EU below its actual production cost, which distorted competition and harmed European manufacturers of the same material.

In response, the Commission establishes a provisional anti-dumping duty that applies at the time of import, in addition to the ordinary customs tariffs already in place. This type of measure is common within the EU's trade policy framework and is regulated by the EU basic anti-dumping regulation.

The provisional nature implies that importers must prepare for a scenario in which the definitive tariff may be equal to, higher than or lower than the current one. Uncertainty is a risk factor that must be managed in contracts and purchase planning.

Economic and operational impact

The impact varies depending on each company's role in the value chain:

• Importers and distributors of PET fabrics: direct and immediate impact. The acquisition cost increases by the percentage set by the provisional tariff. If they cannot pass on this additional cost to the customer, the margin is compressed.
• European manufacturers of PET fabrics: benefit. The measure reduces unfair competition from Chinese products and allows them to compete on more level terms.
• Companies using PET fabrics as raw material (construction, hygiene, automotive, agriculture): indirect but real impact. If their PET fabric suppliers pass on the additional cost, their production costs increase.

The chain effect is the most relevant risk for industrial sectors that consume this material: although they do not import directly from China, their suppliers may do so, and that additional cost will eventually be passed downstream.

Who does it affect?

• Direct importers of non-woven spun PET fabrics of Chinese origin in the EU
• Distributors marketing this material in the European market
• Manufacturers in the construction sector using PET fabrics in geotextiles, membranes or insulation
• Manufacturers in the hygiene sector using PET fabrics in diapers, masks, disposable sanitary products
• Manufacturers in the automotive sector using PET fabrics in interior components, filters or reinforcements
• Manufacturers in the agricultural sector using PET fabrics in covers, meshes or crop protection systems
• Procurement and supply chain managers of any company with PET fabrics in its supply chain
• CFOs and financial directors who must review the impact on margins and production budgets

Practical example

A hygiene product manufacturer (diapers or masks) that imports monthly 50 tonnes of non-woven PET fabric from China faces the following situation:

Before the regulation, it paid the purchase price plus the ordinary customs tariff. As of 12 May 2026, it must add the provisional anti-dumping duty to the customs value of each import. If that provisional tariff represents, for example, an increase in acquisition cost, the company has three options: absorb the additional cost (margin reduction), pass it on to the customer (risk of loss of competitiveness) or seek alternative suppliers outside China.

Given that the regulation is provisional, this company must also consider that the definitive tariff — to be published after the complete investigation — may be different. Signing long-term supply contracts with fixed prices at this time involves a risk of mismatch if the definitive tariff is higher.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify if you import PET fabrics from China, directly or through intermediate suppliers. If your supply chain includes this material, the impact may reach you even if you are not the direct importer.
2. Review current supply contracts to check if they include price revision clauses for tariff changes. If they do not, negotiate with your suppliers before the definitive tariff is published.
3. Recalculate the real cost of import by adding the provisional anti-dumping duty to the purchase price and ordinary tariffs. Update your product cost sheets.
4. Explore alternative suppliers in countries not affected by the measure (outside China) to reduce dependence and have negotiation options.
5. Monitor the European Commission's definitive investigation process. The provisional tariff may change: if it rises, the impact will be greater; if it falls, you can recover margin. Monitor the EU Official Journal.
6. Inform management and the CFO of the potential impact on margins and purchase budgets, especially if PET fabrics represent a significant percentage of production cost.