Commission fights circumvention of tariffs on imports of graphite electrode systems

Graphite is a critical material for helping the EU to achieve its digital and green technology transitions. 

The level of duty to be applied on imports of artificial graphite from China is 74.9%. 

The application of the anti-dumping measures is being extended following a Commission investigation, which found that the measures applied to graphite electrode systems (GES) from China were being circumvented by imports of artificial graphite – the main input material – from China into the EU. The artificial graphite was then further processed into GES. Little economic justification was found for this practice other than the avoidance of anti-dumping duties on imports of GES from China. 

The extension only applies to artificial graphite that is used to produce GES. Hard blocks and cylinders are the textures and forms of artificial graphite used to produce GES. Artificial graphite in powder or paste forms used in other applications, including in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and in consumer electronics such as smartphones and PCs, will not be subject to the extended measures. 

Annual EU consumption of GES is estimated at around 128,000 tonnes. This includes GES produced and sold in the EU (excluding exports but including imports from non-EU countries). The EU GES market is estimated to be worth around €500 million. EU-based producers of GES employ some 1,100 people in the EU. 

For more information 

Anti-Dumping Measures on imports of GES from China 

EU Trade Defence Policy