GCC Probes Uncoated Paper Imports From Three Nations
Importers of uncoated paper from India, China, and Thailand should prepare for possible anti-dumping duties in GCC markets.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in International Trade
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The Gulf Cooperation Council's Permanent Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade has launched an anti-dumping investigation into uncoated paper imports from India, China, and Thailand. Importers and suppliers of uncoated writing, printing, and graphic paper in GCC markets should watch for possible duties on these origins.
Why it matters
The investigation follows a preliminary report from the Technical Secretariat Office and is carried out under the GCC Unified Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Law and its executive regulations. It is also framed as consistent with the relevant World Trade Organization agreement, meaning the process is built to give all interested parties a chance to defend their position.
The investigation was announced in official bulletin issue 59 on November 2, 2026, and covers uncoated paper in rolls or rectangular and square sheets from three exporting countries: India, China, and Thailand. No trade volumes or dumping margins were disclosed in the announcement.
The players
Permanent Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade
The Gulf Cooperation Council body that launches and oversees anti-dumping and related trade-remedy investigations across member states.
Technical Secretariat Office
The GCC technical office that prepared the preliminary report and published the investigation details in its official bulletin.
The details
The probe targets uncoated paper used for writing, printing, or graphic purposes, regardless of whether it arrives in rolls or in rectangular and square sheets. Under anti-dumping rules, an investigation examines whether goods are sold into a market below their normal value, and if injury to domestic producers is found, duties can be applied to offset the price gap. For importers and distributors, the practical exposure is that landed costs could change once any determination is made, and the announcement opens the process for interested parties to submit their case.
Timeline
November 2, 2026: Investigation announced in official bulletin issue 59.
Market Landscape
The probe applies the GCC Unified Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Law and its executive regulations, which align with the relevant World Trade Organization agreement. It places uncoated paper from India, China, and Thailand within the same regional trade-remedy framework used for other imported goods.
Importers and distributors of uncoated paper from India, China, and Thailand should review current supplier contracts and landed-cost assumptions. Procurement teams should track the investigation's progress through the Secretariat General's website and consult qualified trade counsel before changing sourcing plans.
The takeaway
Operators who buy uncoated paper from the three named origins should model a range of possible duty outcomes rather than assuming current prices will hold. Watch for the preliminary determination and check the Secretariat General's website for filings, and consult qualified trade counsel on contract exposure.
Further reading
For the broader rules behind such cases, see International Trade coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ajel.
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