EU Registers Cellulose Ether Imports From China And South Korea

The European Commission has directed customs authorities to register imports of specified cellulose ethers originating in China and South Korea. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2391 took effect on 31 October 2026, the day after its publication in the Official Journal.

Registration enables anti-dumping duties to be collected retrospectively if the applicable legal conditions are later met. The regulation does not itself impose an anti-dumping duty or establish a final duty rate.

Products Covered

Article 1 covers methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and methyl ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, regardless of colour, physical form or grade.

The products fall under CN ex 3912 39 85, with the TARIC subdivisions specified in Article 1. Both the product description and Chinese or South Korean origin form part of the registration scope; the measure does not cover every cellulose derivative from every country.

Investigation Began In September

The regulation records that the Commission opened the anti-dumping proceeding on 24 September 2026, following a complaint lodged on 10 August by Ashland Industries Nederland BV, Ashland Specialties Belgium BV and SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG.

It also records that subsequent changes to the TARIC codes were made for monitoring and did not change the investigation’s product scope.

Registration Period And Possible Liability

Registration expires nine months after entry into force. The Commission says the conditions for retrospective collection would be assessed in a regulation imposing definitive duties.

Although the complaint contains estimated dumping and injury margins, the Commission states that it cannot yet estimate possible future liability. Those complaint figures do not establish the eventual duty level.