A shock 58.8% "anti-dumping" tax on Chinese ceramics imported to the EU

As a business owner from day to day I have been forced to take the decision to increase prices, which unfortunately can undermine the stability of our common business.

Now, The European Union published on 15 November 2012 a Commission Regulation imposing provisional anti-dumping duty of 58.8% on imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating in China.

The measure comes into force on 16 November for a period of 6 months.    
In practice, this means an increase in the import of exactly 42%, which is just ridiculous.

The Commission’s decision came after an investigation into claims by an anonymous European manufacturers that Chinese producers set artificially low prices. It is almost obvious the duty will not benefit European producers since they lack the capacity to produce crockery cheaply enough, instead forcing member states to turn to other low-cost Asian countries for affordable ceramics. The levy, which will apply to every cargo of ceramic tableware and ovenware arriving in the EU from China, will be reviewed in May.

Unfortunately, the uniqueness of the situation has been forced us to raise prices.

Increase in our prices will be up to 25% and the new prices will be valid starting from 17 December 2012.   

This means that every order placed from this day will be settled at the new sales prices.
The new prices will be updated both in the calculator as well as in excel file available after logging on our web site.  

However, taking into consideration your commitment to customers and that we want to be a solid and reliable company:     
- 25% of the increase will not compensate anti-dumping duties   

- We give you two weeks to inform the customer of this fact and to prepare for this change in terms of IT.      
- from 14 November to 16 December, that is, for more than one month we will sell ceramic and porcelain products at prices absolutely unprofitable for us

As a reminder, from November 20th until December 16th 2012 a new pricing applies for goods purchased without printing, 

I hope that the anti-dumping duty will apply only temporarily and our decision (forced) meet with your acceptance and understanding.      

 Sincerely            

Zbigniew Kaczor        
  the Owner