Oman imposes anti-dumping duties on ceramic tiles from China and India
Muscat – Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP) has announced that anti-dumping duties will be enforced at all customs ports across the sultanate on imports of ceramic and porcelain tiles originating in, or exported from, China and India, effective from May 29.
The decision falls within the framework of the Unified Law on Anti-Dumping, Countervailing and Safeguard Measures of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Nasra bint Sultan al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at MOCIIP and a member of the GCC's Permanent Committee for Combating Harmful Practices in International Trade, explained that the decision follows complaints from the Gulf's ceramic and porcelain tile industry regarding alleged dumping of such products from China and India into GCC markets.
In a statement to Oman News Agency, she stated that the GCC General Secretariat, through its designated technical office, initiated a comprehensive investigation into the complaint, involving all relevant parties. 'The investigation and its associated procedures continued for over 12 months, from the announcement of its commencement to the communication with competent authorities for implementation. The investigation findings and technical reports were submitted to the Permanent Committee and the Industrial Cooperation Committee, which issued the final decision to impose anti-dumping duties for a period of five years.'
Ahmed bin Salem al Rasbi, Director General of the Competition and Anti-Monopoly Centre at MOCIIP, said that the decision by the GCC's Permanent Committee, based on the Unified Gulf Law, represents a strategic step towards fostering a fair and competitive trading environment across GCC markets, and ensuring the protection of national industries from injurious dumping practices.
He emphasised that imposing anti-dumping duties on ceramic and porcelain tile imports from China and India is essential to protecting the local market from price distortions caused by products entering at unfair prices that do not reflect true production costs. He noted that the decision would enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers, improve product quality, and expand production capacity, thereby positively impacting industrial performance and employment, while contributing to a balanced pricing structure between domestic and imported goods.
He added that these measures also offer long-term benefits to consumers by encouraging local investment and mitigating the risk of monopolies that could arise from the decline of domestic industries. The decision, he said, represents an integrated approach to protecting both the market and the consumer.
Khalid bin Issa al Amri, Director General of the Directorate General of Consumer Services and Market Control at the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, confirmed that the Authority is actively monitoring the implementation of the anti-dumping duties on ceramic and porcelain tile imports from China and India.
He said the Authority is operating under a clear plan to track and survey the prices of imported tiles from the two countries and has intensified periodic inspection campaigns at stores specialising in these products, to ensure price stability in local markets.
He stressed that the Authority will not hesitate to take legal action against violators and will address any infringements in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. He also urged suppliers to comply with all relevant legislation and called on consumers to report any improper commercial practices.
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