Paper Trail: IPMA calls for urgent action on cheap imports

The Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) has raised serious concerns over a flood of low-cost paper imports, urging the government to step in with immediate policy measures. As global trade dynamics shift, particularly following new tariffs by the United States, IPMA warns that India risks becoming a dumping ground for poor-quality paper unless swift action is taken to shield the domestic industry.

In an exclusive statement, IPMA Secretary General Rohit Pandit emphasised the need for urgent regulatory steps. “The issuance of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) and mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) marking across paper grades is critical,” he stated. “This will not only ensure Indian consumers get quality products but also help prevent the influx of inferior imports.”

Pandit also called for a complete ban on stocklot imports—rejected or substandard paper materials—and urged the government to promptly impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties based on findings from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR).

India’s paper sector, producing around 22-million tonnes annually and supporting over 20 lakh jobs, is under pressure from imports arriving duty-free under trade agreements with countries like China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

“Export-driven nations with subsidised production are diverting their excess stock to India, taking advantage of our zero-duty arrangements,” Pandit warned. He called for paper and paperboard to be placed in the exclusion list of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement to protect local businesses.

With the sector poised to reach a market size of USD 19.1-billion by 2033, industry leaders stress that immediate policy intervention is essential to secure its future.