Duty-free import takes a toll on paper industry

According to data available with Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), import of coated paper, which was 45,492 tonnes in February this year, dramatically increased to 73,792 tonnes in July. In the same period, import of uncoated paper has gone up from 13,347 tonnes to 32,887 tonnes.

Speaking to a leading daily, Rohit Pandit, secretary general, IPMA said,“ Import of paper and paperboard has been steadily on the rise for the last six years.”

“Import of these items from ASEAN countries have grown almost 43% in volume in the last six years. Imports from South Korea alone have risen 58%,” he added.

According to Pandit, ‘there has been no import duty on paper and paperboard from ASEAN countries since 2014. Under the India-Korea CEPA, the basic customs duty also has been reduced gradually with a 0% target by January.

Indian Agro & Recycled Paper Mills’ Association in a statement said that, ‘The domestic industry in India has started feeling the impact and the government should increase import duty on paper and paperboard to 20%.’