EU registers Chinese glass bead imports for possible retroactive duties

Customs authorities across the EU must register imports of solid glass microspheres originating in ChinaEuropa from 1 October 2026Europa. Registration lasts nine months and preserves the possibility of levying definitive anti-dumping duties retroactively on the registered imports if the ongoing investigation ends with duties and the legal conditions for retroactive collection are met.Europa

The product concerned is solid glass microspheres, commercially known as glass beads, not exceeding 2 mm in diameterEuropa, with a coated or uncoated surface, irrespective of intended use or production process. It currently falls within CN codes ex 7002 10 00, ex 7018 10 90, ex 7018 20 00 and ex 7018 90 90 (TARIC codes 7002 10 00 20, 7018 10 90 10, 7018 20 00 10 and 7018 90 90 10).Europa Glass spheres meeting that specification fall within the investigation's scope however classified under those codes.Europa Small pierced balls defined as glass beads under CN codes 7018 10 11 and 7018 10 19 are excluded.Europa

Registration follows the anti-dumping proceeding the Commission opened on 16 July 2026Europa (OJ C, C/2026/3713) after a complaint lodged on 24 June 2026 by M. Swarovski GmbH, Swarco Vestglas GmbH, Swarco Schönborn GmbH, Sovitec Belgium, Potters Ballotini SASZ, Sovitec France, Potters Ballotini GmbH, Intermiglass SP. Z O.O. and Sovitec Iberica SAU on behalf of Union producers accounting for more than 25 % of total Union production. The Commission imposed registration on its own initiative under Article 14(5) of the basic anti-dumping Regulation; whether duties can be collected retroactively will be assessed in any regulation imposing definitive duties.

No duty is imposed yet, and no amount of future liability can be estimated at this stage. The complaint calculated a dumping margin of 77,48 % and an injury elimination level of 125 % for 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025; any future liability would normally be set at the lower of dumping or injury under Article 9(4), but those figures are for information only and create no expectation as to the investigation's outcome. If the investigation finds raw material distortions within the meaning of Article 7(2a), liability could instead be set at the dumping-margin level under Article 7(2b) where a lower duty would not remove the injury to Union industry.

Registration expires nine months after entry into force, on 1 July 2027Europa. Personal data collected in the context of registration is treated under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. Legal basis: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2162, Articles 1 and 2, under Article 14(5) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036.