Investigations into PET resin dumping

Summary#

The Canada Border Services Agency started investigations on March 19, 2025 under the Special Import Measures Act into alleged injurious dumping of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and alleged injurious subsidizing of PET resin from China. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold a preliminary inquiry and must decide whether there is a reasonable indication of injury within 60 days.

What it does#

• Opens CBSA investigations into alleged injurious dumping of PET resin originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and alleged injurious subsidizing of PET resin from China.
• Covers goods normally imported under these tariff lines: 3907.61.00.00, 3907.69.00.10, 3907.69.00.80, 3907.69.00.90 (note: these may include some non-subject goods, and subject goods may also fall under other tariff numbers).
• Directs the Canadian International Trade Tribunal to conduct a preliminary inquiry into injury; the Tribunal must issue a decision within 60 days of the initiation.
• Promises a Statement of Reasons within 15 days after the Tribunal’s decision; that statement will be posted on the CBSA website.
• Invites written submissions from “interested persons.” To be considered, the CBSA must receive submissions electronically by July 25, 2025 (send to simaregistry@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
• Notes that submitted information will be public unless clearly marked confidential; confidential submissions must be accompanied by a non-confidential edited version.

Who's affected#

• Canadian companies that import PET resin (raw material for bottles, containers, fibres and other products).
• Canadian producers and processors of PET resin and businesses that use PET in manufacturing or packaging.
• Exporters, manufacturers and traders in the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan whose shipments could be examined.
• Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and trade lawyers or consultants who handle PET resin shipments or will prepare submissions to the CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
• Others with an interest in trade remedy cases (the notice uses the broad term “interested persons,” so the exact affected list could be wider).

Why it matters#

• PET resin is a common industrial input. These investigations could affect the cost, availability, or customs treatment of imported PET resin in Canada if later action follows from these inquiries.
• Companies that import, sell, or use PET resin should pay attention because they may need to provide information or adjust sourcing and pricing plans.
• The process is on a fixed schedule: the Tribunal’s preliminary decision comes within 60 days, and written submissions must arrive by July 25, 2025, so affected parties have a short window to act.