Initiation of Anti-dumping Investigation: Basic and Non-Basic Refractories from China

On September 30^th, 2025, the publication of SECEX Ordinance nº 75/2025, initiated an anti-dumping investigation on Brazilian imports of basic and non-basic refractories originating from China. The product is usually classified under subheadings 6815.91.10, 6815.91.90, 6815.99.19, 6815.99.90, 6902.10.18, 6902.10.19, 6902.10.90, 6902.20.10, 6902.20.91, 6902.20.99 and 6902.90.90 of the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM).

The opening of the investigation was motivated by a petition filed on January 30^th, 2025, by Associação Brasileira de Fabricantes de Refratários (ABRAFAR). After a preliminary analysis, the Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX), through the Department of Trade Remedies (DECOM), found sufficient evidence of dumping, injury to the domestic industry, and a causal link between them.

The main information regarding the investigation is summarized below:

• Petitioner: Associação Brasileira de Fabricantes de Refratários (ABRAFAR).

• Origin: China.

For the purposes of initiating the investigation, DECOM considered that market economy conditions of the similar product subject to this investigation do not prevail in the Chinese production sector.

• Period of investigation:

Dumping: October 2023 to September 2024; and

Injury: October 2019 to September 2024.

• Product under investigation:

Classification: usually classified in subheadings 6815.91.10, 6815.91.90, 6815.99.90, 6815.99.19, 6902.10.18, 6902.10.19, 6902.10.90, 6902.20.10, 6902.20.91, 6902.20.99 and 6902.90.90 of the NCM; and

Description: molded/shaped refractory bricks, both basic and non-basic, fired or unfired.

• Dumping margins for initiation purposes:

Absolute dumping margin: US$ 655,56/kg; and

Relative dumping margin: 63,3%.

The participation of interested parties — including domestic producers, importers, exporters and governments of the countries under investigation — must necessarily be carried out through petitions in the Electronic Information System (SEI) of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC).

Questionnaires will be sent to the identified interested parties, who will have 30 days from the date of the notification to send their responses. Parties not initially identified at the beginning of the proceeding, but whoever considers themselves interested, may request to be admitted to the case by October 20^th, 2025.

During the investigation, provisional antidumping measures may be applied if sufficient evidence of unfair trade practices is found and if it is understood that such measures are necessary to prevent injury to the domestic industry during the investigation.

The investigation must be completed within 10 months, extendable for up to 8 additional months. If the initial claims are confirmed, definitive antidumping measures may be applied for a period of up to 5 years.