India Imposes Countervailing Duty on Digital Offset Printing Plate

The Government of India has imposed a countervailing duty (CVD) on Digital Offset Printing Plates imported from China PR and Taiwan. The decision is notified through the notification issued by the Ministry of Finance dated June 27, 2025. Digital Offset Printing Plates are printing plates used in the printing industry for transferring digital images onto paper or other media. The central government has decided to impose this duty on Digital Offset Printing Plates after it was found that these products were entering the Indian market at subsidized prices, harming the local industry.

The plates on which the countervailing duty is imposed fall under tariff items, including 8442 50, 3701 30 00, 3704 00 90, 3705 00 00, 7606 11 90 and 7606 92 90.

The countervailing duty will be in effect for five years unless it is changed or cancelled. The amount is payable in Indian rupees, and the exchange rate will be based on official notifications under the Customs Act, 1962 on the date of filing the bill of entry.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), in its final findings, vide notification No. 06/25/2023-DGTR, dated March 28, 2025, concluded the following things:

• These printing plates were being exported at subsidized prices by Chinese and Taiwanese producers. Subsidized prices refer to prices that are lowered because the government of the exporting country is giving financial support to the producers or exporters.
• The subsidized imports have caused a serious threat of injury to Indian manufacturers due to the cheap imports.

Therefore, to protect the local manufacturers in india, the government has imposed the Countervailing Duty (CVD). This will promote fair competition in trade and prevent unfair trade practices. Additionally, this will also protect the domestic manufacturers from losing their jobs.

Refer to the official notification for more information.