After levy of an anti-dumping duty on vitrified tiles imported from China and UAE, the ceramic industry is now hoping that a similar anti-dumping duty be levied on glazed wall and floor tiles.  

The reason is that Chinese and UAE glazed tiles are being dumped in big quantities here, in India. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Nenshi L. Shah, Chairman, ICCTAS (Indian Council of Ceramics Tiles and amp; Sanitaryware) said, "Owing to dumping to the tune of Rs 500 crore last year alone, there was an overall 15 per cent fall in prices of domestic products. It is only due to the anti-dumping duty levied on vitrified tiles that the domestic manufacturers have survived." The Indian Council of Ceramic Tiles and amp; Sanitary ware (ICCTAS) is the apex body of the Indian ceramic tile industry.  
 
Shah added that currently, the glazed floor and wall tiles imported from China are available at prices 20 to 30 per cent lower than the domestic products, thereby posing a big threat to those dependent on the domestic base. The total industry size including vitrified tiles as well as glazed tiles is Rs 8000 crore. Shah said that initial talks have taken place with the Revenue secretary and after presenting industry data in the next 10 days, the industry hopes for an anti-dumping duty levy in the next one month. According to him, the issue closely concerns about 300 plus factories in India involved in the tile business.  
 
Ashok Kajaria, chairman of Kajaria Ceramics, said, "China produces 36 per cent of the global tile production, while India's share is just 4.3 per cent. They dump their products (glazed tiles) at much cheaper prices. Moreover the dealers also get higher margins on imports which adds to the woes."