Imports of ASEAN Paper into India Jump 14% in H1 FY26, Raising Dumping Concerns: IPMA

India’s paper and paperboard imports from ASEAN countries rose 14% year-on-year to 2.07 lakh tonnes in April–September FY26, up from 1.82 lakh tonnes in the same period last year, according to Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA) analysis of official trade data. ASEAN now accounts for over 20% of India’s total paper and paperboard imports, which stood at more than 2 million tonnes in FY25. IPMA President Pawan Agarwal warned that over Rs 30,000 crore invested by the domestic industry in modernising capacity, clean technologies, quality and agroforestry is being undermined by what he termed “predatory” low-priced imports from export-driven economies such as Indonesia and China. The pressure is intensified by trade pacts: imports under the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement face zero duty, while Chinese paper gets a 30% concession under APTA, effectively turning India into a dumping ground for surplus volumes.