PET Resin Dumping and Subsidy Probe

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency has opened investigations under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged dumping of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and alleged subsidizing from China. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will carry out a preliminary inquiry to decide quickly whether there is a reasonable indication of injury to Canadian industry.

What it does#

• On March 19, 2025 the CBSA started investigations into alleged injurious dumping (China and Pakistan) and alleged injurious subsidizing (China) of PET resin.
• The product under review is PET resin with an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.70 but not more than 0.88 deciliters per gram. The description includes some blends of virgin and recycled PET and additives, but excludes 100% recycled PET.
• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) will conduct a preliminary injury inquiry and must decide within 60 days of the CBSA’s initiation whether the evidence shows a reasonable indication of injury.
• Interested parties may send written submissions to the CBSA; the CBSA must receive them by July 25, 2025 to be considered.
• For the CITT inquiry, parties wishing to participate must file required notices by April 1, 2025. Submissions from parties opposed to the complaint are due by April 17, 2025 (noon ET). The complainant and supporting parties may reply by April 25, 2025 (noon ET).
• The CBSA will publish a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after the CITT decision.

Who's affected#

• Canadian PET resin manufacturers and processors — they are the named domestic industry that may claim injury.
• Importers, distributors and Canadian businesses that buy PET resin (for bottles, packaging, fibres, etc.) — possible changes to import costs or supply if duties are imposed.
• Exporters or producers of PET resin in China and Pakistan — they are the subject countries in the investigations.
• Customs brokers and companies that handle classification and import compliance.
• Recycling sector participants may be interested because some blends are included while 100% recycled PET is excluded.

Why it matters#

• If the investigations find dumping or subsidizing that injures Canadian industry, anti-dumping or countervailing duties could be applied. That can raise import costs and ripple through industries that use PET resin.
• The inquiry is at an early, time-limited stage. This is not a finding of wrongdoing or a duty order yet — it’s a step to decide whether there’s enough evidence to continue.
• Deadlines in April and July are the key windows for affected businesses and other stakeholders to make their case or provide evidence.