On March 6, 2025, the European Commission officially initiated an anti-dumping proceeding against softwood plywood originating in Brazil. The move follows a complaint filed by the Softwood Plywood Consortium back in January 2025. This measure aims to investigate unfair trade practices and, if necessary, take countermeasures to protect the European market.
The plywood concerned consists entirely of veneers no thicker than 6 mm and has outer layers of softwood, which may also be laminated. This specific product is categorized under CN code 4412 39 00. It is important to note that it is exclusively plywood which is not made of bamboo.
The complaint of the Softwood Plywood Consortium was lodged on behalf of the industry concerned, which means that it is supported by a representative group within the industry. The European Commission examined the complaint in detail and found that it met the formal requirements and therefore warranted the initiation of an investigation.
Anti-dumping measures are an important instrument of trade regulation, primarily designed to minimize trade distortions. Companies in the European Union that manufacture products similar to the product concerned can be put on the defensive by unfair pricing practices by foreign competitors. These procedures provide a platform to combat such unequal conditions within the market.
In recent years, the European economy has been increasingly confronted with the challenge of defending its industries from cheap imports from third countries that could fuel unfair competition through their pricing policies. The softwood sector is not alone in this; other industries have also reported similar trade problems. However, it is up to the sectors concerned to make the appropriate applications and provide the authorities with sound data and evidence of dumping practices.
A successful anti-dumping case often results in the imposition of duties or other trade defense measures designed to take price pressure off domestic companies and ensure fairer market conditions.
For now, those trading this plywood in the EU need to keep a close eye on developments. The outcome of the proceedings could have a significant impact on their import and trading practices. The duration of such proceedings is usually several months, during which investigations and analyses are carried out to determine whether dumping is actually taking place and what measures could be taken.
