The European Commission has ordered EU customs authorities to register imports of lightweight thermal paper originating in the People’s Republic of China while it conducts an anti-subsidy investigation it initiated on 7 November 2025, a step that can allow any countervailing duties to apply retroactively to registered shipments under certain conditions, according to the Official Journal of the European Union.
The regulation defines the product as thermal paper with a basis weight of 65 g/m2 or less, sold on rolls 20 cm or more in width, weighing 50 kg or more, including paper, with a diameter of 40 cm or more, described as “jumbo rolls.” It covers paper with or without base coat on one or both sides, with a physical or chemical thermo-sensitive layer on one or both sides, and with or without top coat.
The measure applies to goods currently classified under CN codes ex 4809 90 00, ex 4811 90 00, ex 4816 90 00 and ex 4823 90 85.
The Commission says it cannot estimate the amount of subsidisation at this stage, and it cites calculations in the complaint that estimate an injury elimination level of between 10 % and 25 % for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
The regulation says registration will expire nine months after the date of entry into force, and it enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
