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Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1732 of 13 August 2025 imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of candles, tapers and the like originating in the People’s Republic of China

Type Implementing Regulation

Publication 2025-08-14

State In force

Text As published

Department European Commission, TRADE

Source EUR-Lex

articles 4

This is the act as published. Later amendments are not folded into the text below: each one is a separate act in this repository and an entry in this law's history.

Reform history JSON API

(320) In accordance with Article 7(2c) of the basic Regulation, for the purpose of establishing the target profit, the Commission took into account the following factors: the level of profitability before the increase of imports from the country under investigation, the level of profitability needed to cover full costs and investments, research and development (R&D) and innovation, and the level of profitability to be expected under normal conditions of competition. Such profit margin should not be lower than 6 %.

(321) As a first step, the Commission established a basic profit covering full costs under normal conditions of competition. The basic profit was established based on the historical profitability of the Union industry from 2019 to 2020, prior to the period considered and possible disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Such profit margin was established at 12 %.

(322) The EU Industry provided evidence that its level of investments, research and development (R&D) and innovation during the period considered would have been higher under normal conditions of competition. The Commission verified the company’s internal records related to investment plans, management decisions and financial statements and found the claims warranted. To reflect this in the target profit, the Commission calculated the difference between investments, R&D and innovation (‘IRI’) expenses under normal conditions of competition as provided by the Union industry and verified by the Commission with actual IRI expenses over the period considered. Such difference, expressed as a percentage of turnover, was between 0,33 % and 0,36 % for each of the sampled companies.

(323) Such percentage was added to the basic profit of 12 % mentioned in the recital 308, leading to a target profit of 12,33 % to 12,36 %.

(324) In accordance with article 7(2d) of the basic Regulation, as a final step, the Commission assessed the future costs resulting from Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and protocols thereunder, to which the Union is a party, and of ILO Conventions listed in Annex Ia that the Union industry will incur during the period of the application of the measure pursuant to Article 11(2). Based on the evidence available, the Commission established an additional cost ranging from EUR 62 782 and 900 299 per tonne for each of the sampled companies. From this, it deducted the actual cost of compliance with the relevant conventions during the IP which ranged from EUR 21 922 to EUR 865 022 per tonne for each of the sampled companies This resulted in a net difference of EUR 0,66 to EUR 2,05 per tonne for each of the sampled companies. This difference was added to the non-injurious price.

(325) On this basis, the Commission calculated a non-injurious price for the like product of the Union industry by applying the above-mentioned target profit margin to the cost of production of the sampled Union producers during the investigation period and then adding the adjustments under Article 7(2d) on a type-by-type basis.

(326) The Commission then determined the underselling margin level on the basis of a comparison of the weighted average import price of the sampled cooperating exporting producers in China, as established for the price undercutting calculations, with the weighted average non-injurious price of the like product sold by the sampled Union producers on the Union market during the investigation period. Any difference resulting from this comparison was expressed as a percentage of the weighted average import CIF value.

(327) The underselling margin for ‘other cooperating companies’ and for ‘all other imports originating in country concerned’ is defined in the same manner as the dumping margin for these companies and imports.

Company	Dumping margin (%)	Underselling margin (%)
Ningbo Kwung’s Home Interior & Gift Co. Ltd.	10,6	33,0
Ningbo Kwung’s Wisdom Art & Design Co., Ltd.	70,9	1,3
Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co., Ltd,	57,5	29,1
Other cooperating companies	55,5	22,1
All other imports originating in country concerned	70,9	33,0

6.2. Examination of the margin adequate to remove the injury to the Union industry

(328) As explained in the Notice of Initiation, the complainant provided the Commission sufficient evidence that there are raw material distortions in the country concerned regarding the product under investigation. Therefore, in accordance with Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation, this investigation examined the alleged distortions to assess whether, if relevant, a duty lower than the margin of dumping would be sufficient to remove injury.

6.3. Raw material distortions

(329) The complainant has provided sufficient evidence in the complaint that there are raw material distortions within the meaning of Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation in China with regard to the product concerned. According to the evidence in the complaint, paraffin wax, accounting for more than 20 % of the cost of production of the product concerned, is subject to an export restriction in the form of no refund of the export VAT in China.

(330) Therefore, as announced in the Notice of Initiation, in accordance with Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation, the Commission examined the alleged distortion, and any other distortions covered by Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation in China.

(331) The Commission first identified the main raw materials used in the production of the product concerned by each of the sampled exporting producers. As main raw materials were considered those raw materials which are likely to represent at least 17 % of the cost of production of the product concerned.

(332) The Commission established that all sampled exporting producers used paraffin wax, which in all cases accounted for more than 17 % of their costs of production.

(333) The Commission then examined whether any of the main raw materials used in the production of the product concerned is distorted by one of the measures listed in Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation: dual pricing schemes, export taxes, export surtax, export quota, export prohibition, fiscal tax on exports, licensing requirements, minimum export price, value added tax (VAT) refund reduction or withdrawal, restriction on customs clearance point for exporters, qualified exporters list, domestic market obligation, captive mining.

(334) The Commission established that there was no refund of VAT when exporting paraffin wax, which created an incentive not to export paraffin wax, which in turn distorted the domestic market price-setting mechanisms.

(335) Next the Commission compared the price of paraffin wax paid by the sampled exporting producers to prices in the representative international market(s). In this regard, it was found that the unit price of paraffin wax in the PRC, as reported by the sampled exporting producers, was between 25 % and 60 % lower than the unit price in Türkiye ¹⁰¹, which was considered an appropriate representative country. Such difference was also confirmed when comparing the price paid by the sampled exporting producers with the information contained in the complaint to support the claim of raw material distortions within the meaning of Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation. Considering the extent of such difference, domestic prices were considered to be significantly lower than prices in representative international markets.

(336) Finally, the Commission examined if the paraffine wax accounted individually for at least 17 % of the cost of production of the product concerned. For the purpose of this calculation, an undistorted price of the raw material as established in Table 1 was used. The Commission established that paraffin wax accounted for at least 17 % of the cost of production of the product under investigation.

(337) The Commission concluded that paraffin wax is subject to a distortion within the meaning of Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation.

6.3.1. Union interest under Article 7(2b) of the basic Regulation

(338) In accordance with Article 7(2b) of the basic Regulation, the Commission examined whether it could clearly conclude that it was in the Union interest to determine the amount of provisional duties in accordance with Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation. The determination of the Union interest was based on an appreciation of all pertinent information to this investigation, including the spare capacities in the exporting country, competition for raw materials and the effect on supply chains for Union companies.

6.3.1.1. Spare capacities in the exporting country

(339) The complaint indicates that China has significant spare capacity in the production of candles, which appears to be structural in nature. This overcapacity is largely driven by China’s position as the world’s largest candle producer, responsible for an estimated 50 % of global output. Industry reports ¹⁰² estimate China’s annual production at a minimum of 16 million tonnes, with capacity continuing to expand.

(340) In contrast to its extensive production capabilities, the complaint indicates China’s domestic candle market is estimated to be relatively small. As a result, the Chinese candle industry is structurally export-oriented and heavily reliant on foreign markets to absorb its excess production. The Union market is highly attractive due to its size and consistently high demand for candles. This is reflected in the fact that the majority of leading Chinese candle producers export between 70 % and 90 % of their output, and China alone accounts for 24 % of global candle exports ¹⁰³.

(341) In light of these factors, the Commission considers that China’s substantial spare capacity, combined with its limited domestic demand and export-oriented production model, poses a significant risk to the Union industry.

6.3.1.2. Competition for raw materials

(342) In China, access to raw materials used in candle production, particularly paraffin wax, is significantly influenced by domestic pricing policies and export-related distortions. Chinese candle producers benefit from access to paraffin wax at prices below international market levels, giving them a substantial cost advantage ¹⁰⁴.

(343) In contrast, Union producers purchase paraffin wax on the open market, where prices are subject to global supply and demand dynamics, energy costs, and geopolitical factors. Unlike their Chinese counterparts, Union producers do not benefit from domestic subsidies, preferential pricing, or export restrictions that could protect them from price volatility. As a result, they face higher and more unpredictable costs, which directly impact their competitiveness.

(344) Moreover, the export-related distortions in China, further exacerbate the situation. These distortive raw material measures allow Chinese producers to access abundant and cheaper raw materials, while limiting availability and raising prices for non-Chinese producers. This artificially lowers production costs for Chinese candle manufacturers and creates an uneven playing field. The resulting cost asymmetry undermines the economic sustainability of the Union candle industry.

6.3.1.3. Effect on supply chains for Union companies

(345) The imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese candle imports into the Union is expected to have a limited impact on the supply chain. The Union industry has sufficient production capacity to meet domestic demand, ensuring a stable supply even if imports from China are reduced. Furthermore, other third countries can still export to the Union at fair, undistorted prices.

(346) The ability of the Union industry to meet the demand is based on its existing production capacities, which are currently underutilised due to the effects of dumped imports. Union producers are currently operating at 45 % of their production capacity and are able to increase their output to fill any potential supply gaps. This ensures that the imposition of duties will not result in shortages or disruption for consumers.

(347) While anti-dumping duties may lead to a moderate increase in candle prices, this impact, as per the complainant, is expected to be absorbed by large retailers, who act as the primary price setters in the consumer market.

(348) The lack of cooperation of the retailers suggests that they do not anticipate substantial disruptions resulting from the imposition of duties.

(349) In light of these factors, applying anti-dumping duties at the full level, without applying the lesser duty rule, is justified and proportionate. This will help to restore fair competition, support the viability of the Union candle industry and ensure a stable and resilient supply chain, while minimising the impact on downstream retailers and consumers.

6.3.2. Conclusion on Union interest under Article 7(2b) of the basic Regulation

(350) Having assessed all pertinent information to this investigation, the Commission concluded that it is in the Union interest to determine the amount of provisional duties in accordance with Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation.

6.4. Conclusion on the level of measures

(351) Following the above assessment, provisional anti-dumping duties should be set as below in accordance with Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation:

Company	Provisional dumping margin (%)
Ningbo Kwung’s Home Interior & Gift Co	10,6
Ningbo Kwung’s Wisdom Art & Design Co., Ltd. Anhui Fenyuan Aromatic Technology Co., Ltd.	70,9
Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co Ltd,	57,5
Other cooperating companies	55,5
All other imports originating in country concerned	70,9

7. UNION INTEREST

(352) The Commission examined whether it could clearly conclude that it was not in the Union interest to adopt measures in this case, despite the determination of injurious dumping, in accordance with Article 21 of the basic Regulation. The determination of the Union interest was based on an appreciation of all the various interests involved, including those of the Union industry, importers, retailers, users and consumers.

7.1. Interest of the Union industry

(353) The Union industry comprises more than 80 companies, geographically distributed across Europe, employing approximately 9 597 workers directly. A big part of these Union producers expressed support for the complaint, and none opposed the initiation of the investigation.

(354) Current levels of profitability are unsustainable. The imposition of measures is expected to allow the Union industry to recover parts of the lost market share, and to set prices at levels that allow to reach a sustainable level of profitability.

(355) The absence of measures is likely to have a significant negative effect on the Union industry in terms of further price suppression and a further reduction of sales, thus translating into losses and likely closure of production facilities, dismissals and ultimately, the shutdown of entire businesses.

(356) The Commission therefore concluded that the imposition of provisional measures is in the interest of the Union industry.

7.2. Interest of unrelated importers and traders, users, consumers or suppliers

(357) No unrelated importers or users participated in the sampling process or submitted responses to the questionnaire. As such, no data concerning importers or users were provided and no specific concerns were raised that could suggest significant adverse effects from the possible imposition of measures.

(358) In the absence of cooperation, the likely effect of measures on users was assessed on the basis of reasonable assumptions. Candles generally represent a small cost item within the decorative segment of traders and retailers, who typically manage a wide range of products. For consumers, candles are also considered a minor consumable expense. As such, any potential price increase resulting from the imposition of anti-dumping duties is unlikely to have a significant impact on the operational costs of businesses. The relatively low unit cost of candles, compared to the overall product portfolio of traders and retailers, suggests that such increase would have a negligible effect on their economic activities. Similarly, for consumers, the cost increase is not expected to alter purchasing behaviour significantly.

(359) In view of the above, the imposition of measures is not expected to harm users, trader or consumers. It is therefore concluded that the imposition of anti-dumping measures is not contrary to the interest of importers, retailers, users and consumers.

7.3. Conclusion on Union interest

(360) On the basis of the above, the Commission concluded that there were no compelling reasons that it was not in the Union interest to impose measures on imports of product concerned originating in country concerned at this stage of the investigation.

8. PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES

(361) On the basis of the conclusions reached by the Commission on dumping, injury, causation, level of measures and Union interest, provisional measures should be imposed to prevent further injury being caused to the Union industry by the dumped imports.

(362) Provisional anti-dumping measures should be imposed on imports of candles, tapers and the like originating in the People’s Republic of China, in accordance Article 7(2a) of the basic Regulation. The Commission concluded in section 6.4 that the appropriate level to remove injury should be the dumping margin.

(363) On the basis of the above, the provisional anti-dumping duty rates, expressed on the CIF Union border price, customs duty unpaid, should be as follows:

Country	Company	Provisional anti-dumping duty (%)
China	Ningbo Kwung’s Home Interior & Gift Co	10,6
China	Ningbo Kwung’s Wisdom Art & Design Co., Ltd. Anhui Fenyuan Aromatic Technology Co., Ltd.	70,9
China	Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co Ltd,	57,5
China	Other cooperating companies	55,5
China	All other imports originating in country concerned	70,9

(364) The individual company anti-dumping duty rates specified in this Regulation were established on the basis of the findings of this investigation. Therefore, they reflect the situation found during this investigation with respect to these companies. These duty rates are exclusively applicable to imports of the product concerned originating in the country concerned and produced by the named legal entities. Imports of the product concerned produced by any other company not specifically mentioned in the operative part of this Regulation, including entities related to those specifically mentioned, should be subject to the duty rate applicable to ‘all other imports originating in country concerned’. They should not be subject to any of the individual anti-dumping duty rates.

(365) To minimise the risks of circumvention due to the difference in duty rates, special measures are needed to ensure the application of the individual anti-dumping duties. The application of individual anti-dumping duties is only applicable upon presentation of a valid commercial invoice to the customs authorities of the Member States. The invoice must conform to the requirements set out in Article 1(3) of this regulation. Until such invoice is presented, imports should be subject to the anti-dumping duty applicable to ‘all other imports originating in country concerned’.

(366) While presentation of this invoice is necessary for the customs authorities of the Member States to apply the individual rates of anti-dumping duty to imports, it is not the only element to be taken into account by the customs authorities. Indeed, even if presented with an invoice meeting all the requirements set out in Article 1(3) of this regulation, the customs authorities of Member States must carry out their usual checks and may, like in all other cases, require additional documents (shipping documents, etc.) for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of the particulars contained in the declaration and ensure that the subsequent application of the lower rate of duty is justified, in compliance with customs law.

(367) Should the exports by one of the companies benefiting from lower individual duty rates increase significantly in volume after the imposition of the measures concerned, a percentage may be introduced, depending on the case, although not advisable such an increase in volume could be considered as constituting in itself a change in the pattern of trade due to the imposition of measures within the meaning of Article 13(1) of the basic Regulation. In such circumstances and provided the conditions are met, an anti-circumvention investigation may be initiated. This investigation may, inter alia, examine the need for the removal of individual duty rate(s) and the consequent imposition of a country-wide duty.

9. REGISTRATION

(368) As mentioned in recital 3, the Commission made imports of the product concerned subject to registration. Registration took place with a view to possibly collecting duties retroactively under Article 10(4) of the basic Regulation.

(369) In view of the findings at provisional stage, the registration of imports should be discontinued

(370) No decision on a possible retroactive application of anti-dumping measures has been taken/can be taken at this stage of the proceeding.

10. INFORMATION AT PROVISIONAL STAGE

(371) In accordance with Article 19a of the basic Regulation, the Commission informed interested parties about the planned imposition of provisional duties. This information was also made available to the general public via DG TRADE's website. Interested parties were given three working days to provide comments on the accuracy of the calculations specifically disclosed to them.

(372) Comments were received from Qingdao Kingking and Ningbo Kwung’s Wisdom Art & Design Co. The comments mainly concerned other issues than the accuracy of the calculations, such as sources of benchmarks, profit margins, SG&A and injury margin calculation and will be therefore considered in the definitive stage of the investigation.

(373) Ningbo Kwung’s Wisdom Art & Design Co. submitted in addition two comments concerning the accuracy of the calculations It identified an error in the packing expenses reported in the export sales listing and an incorrect conversion factor applied to the paper carton price. Both errors were corrected, and the dumping margin for the company was adjusted accordingly.

(374) Company 5 reported an error in its IRI calculations. The Commission verified the calculation and confirmed that this error does not have an impact on the level of the injury margin of the company.

11. FINAL PROVISIONS

(375) In the interests of sound administration, the Commission will invite the interested parties to submit written comments and/or to request a hearing with the Commission and/or the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings within a fixed deadline.

(376) The findings concerning the imposition of provisional duties are provisional and may be amended at the definitive stage of the investigation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

A provisional anti-dumping duty is imposed on imports of candles, tapers and the like, currently falling under CN code 3406 00 00 and originating in the People’s Republic of China.

The rates of the provisional anti-dumping duty applicable to the net, free-at-Union-frontier price, before duty, of the product described in paragraph 1 and produced by the companies listed below shall be as follows:

Country of origin	Company	Provisional anti-dumping duty (%)	TARIC additional code
China	Ningbo Kwung’s Home Interior & Gift Co., Ltd.	10,6	89UK
China	Ningbo Kwung's Wisdom Art & Design Co., Ltd. Anhui Fenyuan Aromatic Technology Co., Ltd.	70,9	89UI
China	Qingdao Kingking Applied Chemistry Co., Ltd.	57,5	89UJ
China	Other cooperating companies listed in Annex	55,5	See Annex
China	All other imports originating in country concerned	70,9	8999

The application of the individual duty rates specified for the companies mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be conditional upon presentation to the Member States’ customs authorities of a valid commercial invoice, on which shall appear a declaration dated and signed by an official of the entity issuing such invoice, identified by his/her name and function, drafted as follows: ‘I, the undersigned, certify that the (volume in unit we are using) of (product concerned) sold for export to the European Union covered by this invoice was manufactured by (company name and address) (TARIC additional code) in country concerned. I declare that the information provided in this invoice is complete and correct.’ Until such invoice is presented, the duty applicable to all other imports originating in country concerned shall apply.

The release for free circulation in the Union of the product referred to in paragraph 1 shall be subject to the provision of a security deposit equivalent to the amount of the provisional duty.

Unless otherwise specified, the provisions in force concerning customs duties shall apply.

Article 2

Interested parties shall submit their written comments on this regulation to the Commission within 15 calendar days of the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

Interested parties wishing to request a hearing with the Commission shall do so within 5 calendar days of the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

Interested parties wishing to request a hearing with the Hearing Officer in trade proceedings are invited to do so within 5 calendar days of the date of entry into force of this Regulation. The Hearing Officer may examine requests submitted outside this time limit and may decide whether to accept to such requests if appropriate.

Article 3

Customs authorities are hereby directed to discontinue the registration of imports established in accordance with Article 1 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/511.

Data collected regarding products which entered the European Union for consumption not more than 90 days prior to the date of the entry into force of this Regulation shall be kept until the entry into force of possible definitive measures, or the termination of this proceeding.

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 August 2025.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN

OJ L 176, 30.6.2016, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/1036/oj.

Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of candles, tapers and the like originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ C, C/2024/7459, 19.12.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/7459/oj).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/511 of 20 March 2025 making imports of candles, tapers and the like originating in the People’s Republic of China subject to registration (OJ L, 2025/511, 21.3.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/511/oj).

AD726 Candles_Note to the file_Provisional sample_EU producers of 19/12/2024; t24.011572

AD726 Note for the file - definitive sample of EU producers of 17/01/2025; 25.001025.

AD726 Note for the file - Change definitive sample of EU producer of 24/02/2025; t25.002394.

TRON t25.000237 of 6 January 2025.

TRON t25.000574 of 10 January 2025.

https://tron.trade.ec.europa.eu/investigations/case-view?caseId=2771.

Company 1 and Company 5 are part of the complainant, who submitted the request under the condition that each producer be granted anonymous treatment, citing a genuine risk of commercial retaliation from their Union customers, who are also customers of the Chinese exporting producers. The Commission considered the request for anonymity to be duly warranted and granted it accordingly.

Commission Staff Working Document on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the People’s Republic of China for the purposes of Trade Defence Investigations, 10 April 2024, SWD(2024) 91 final, available at: https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=SWD(2024)91&lang=en.

Such as the 14th FYP for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035 (‘14th FYP’), available at: t0284_14th_Five_Year_Plan_EN (accessed on 3 June 2025).

Xinhua News Agency, ‘SASAC: The State-owned economy should maintain absolute control over seven industries’, available at: https://www.gov.cn/ztzl/2006-12/18/content_472256.htm (accessed on 6 June 2025).

Usha C. V. Haley and George T. Haley, ‘Through the Looking Glass: Subsidies to China’s Glass Industry’ in Subsidies to Chinese Industry: State Capitalism, Business Strategy, and Trade Policy, (OUP, 23 May 2013), available at: https://academic.oup.com/book/11363/chapter/160011767 (accessed on 3 June 2025).

List of China’s WTO notifications, available at: https://notifications.wto.org/en/status-by-member/china (accessed on 3 June 2025).

Report – Chapter 2, p. 8.

Report – Chapter 2, p. 7.

See at: http://www.npc.gov.cn/zgrdw/englishnpc/Constitution/node_2825.htm (accessed on 3 June 2025).

Report – Chapter 2, p. 20-21.

Report – Chapter 2, p. 20.

Report – Chapter 4, p. 75.

Report – Chapter 4. p. 99.

Report – Chapter 18, p. 538.

Report – Chapter 8, p. 242.

Report – Chapter 12, p. 328.

See at: http://www.kwungs.com/ (accessed on 26 May 2025).

See at: http://www.kwungshome.com/ (accessed on 26 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chinakingking.com/ (accessed on 26 May 2025).

See at: https://m.chinabgao.com/top/brand/88643.html#:~:text=%E8%BF%99%E4%BA%9B%E5%93%81%E7%89%8C%E5%9C%A8%E7%9F%B3%E8%9C%A1%E7%9A%84,%E6%B4%8B%E5%8F%91%E5%B1%95%E3%80%81%E7%9B%9B%E4%BA%9ASASIA%E3%80%82 (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.cnpc.com.cn/en/index.shtml (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: http://www.sinopec.com/listco/en/ (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: http://www.syhg.chemchina.com/ (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: http://www.sasac.gov.cn/n2588045/n27271785/n27271792/c14159097/content.html (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chinalco.com.cn/xwzx/ (accessed on 4 June 2025).

Art. 33 of the CCP Constitution, Article 19 of the Chinese Company Law or General Office of CCP Central Committee’s Guidelines on stepping up the United Front work in the private sector for the new era (see below for full reference).

See Art. 5 of the Law on Promoting the Private Sector, available at: https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202504/content_7022018.htm (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See Art. 3 of the CPCIF Articles of Association, available at: http://www.cpcif.org.cn/detail/40288043661e27fb01661e386a3f0001?e=1 (accessed on 27 May 2025).

Ibid.

See Art. 36 of the CPCIF Articles of Association, available at: http://www.cpcif.org.cn/detail/40288043661e27fb01661e386a3f0001?e=1 (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: http://www.cpcif.org.cn/list/40288043661dc14701661ddbe0980010 (accessed on 12 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chcia.org.cn/sy (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See Art.2 of the CHCIA Articles of Association, available at: https://www.chcia.org.cn/fh (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See Art. 3 of the CHCIA Articles of Association, available at: https://www.chcia.org.cn/xhzc (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See Art.36 of the CHCIA Articles of Association, available at: https://www.chcia.org.cn/xhzc (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chcia.org.cn/lsh (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.cnfa.net.cn/index.aspx (accessed on 4 June 2025).

See at: https://www.cnfa.net.cn/about/1546.aspx (accessed on 4 June 2025).

Ibid.

See at: http://www.cnagi.org.cn/djgz (accessed on 4 June 2025).

See at: http://www.cnagi.org.cn/newsinfo/8098191.html (accessed on 4 June 2025).

Ibid.

Report – Chapter 5, p. 100-104.

Report – Chapter 5, p. 126.

See for example: Blanchette, J. – Xi’s Gamble: The Race to Consolidate Power and Stave off Disaster; Foreign Affairs, vol. 100, no. 4, July/August 2021, pp. 10-19.

Report – Chapter 2, p. 19-26.

See at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-congress-companies-idUSKCN1B40JU (accessed on 27 May 2025).

General Office of CCP Central Committee’s Guidelines on stepping up the United Front work in the private sector for the new era, available at: www.gov.cn/zhengce/2020-09/15/content_5543685.htm (accessed on 27 May 2025).

Financial Times (2020) - Chinese Communist Party asserts greater control over private enterprise: https://on.ft.com/3mYxP4j (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%B1%9F%E6%98%8E%E5%AD%98/62615366#reference-1 (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chinakingking.com/party_building/detail/1.html (accessed on 27 May 2025.).

See at: http://www.sinopecgroup.com/group/000/000/041/41878.shtml (accessed on 27 May 2025).

See at: https://www.chinalco.com.cn/dqjs/dqjs_djdt/202404/t20240422_126423.html (accessed on 5 June 2025).

Report – Chapters 6, pp. 134-138.

Report – Chapter 8, p. 243.

See Art.16 of the Law on Promoting the Private Sector.

14th FYP on raw materials, available at: https://www.miit.gov.cn/zwgk/zcwj/wjfb/tz/art/2021/art_2960538d19e34c66a5eb8d01b74cbb20.html (accessed on 28 May 2025).

Ibid.

See at: https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2022-04/08/content_5683972.htm (accessed on 28 May 2025).

https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202308/content_6900274.htm (accessed on 28 May 2025).

See at: https://www.ln.gov.cn/web/qmzx/lnsqmzxxtpsnxd/lnzxd/bm/2024061709101833774/index.shtml (accessed on 28 May 2025).

Ibid.

See at: https://www.sohu.com/a/494828794_433256 (accessed on 28 May 2025).

See at: https://www.ningjin.gov.cn/xxgk/content/26103.html (accessed on 28 May 2025).

Report – Chapter 14, p. 315.

Report – Chapter 8, p. 242.

Report – Chapter 9, p. 260.

Report – Chapter 9, p. 262.

Report – Chapter 13, p. 361.

Report – Chapter 13, p. 332.

Report – Chapter 13, p. 370-373.

Report – Chapter 5, p. 107.

Report – Chapter 5, p. 126.

Report – Chapter 6, p. 149.

Report – Chapter 10, p. 272.

See official policy document of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission of 28 August 2020: Three-year action plan for improving corporate governance of the banking and insurance sectors (2020-2022), available at: http://www.cbirc.gov.cn/cn/view/pages/ItemDetail.html?docId=925393&itemId=928 (accessed on 28 May 2025). The Plan instructs to ‘further implement the spirit embodied in General Secretary Xi Jinping’s keynote speech on advancing the reform of corporate governance of the financial sector’. Moreover, the Plan’s section II aims at promoting the organic integration of the Party’s leadership into corporate governance: ‘we shall make the integration of the Party’s leadership into corporate governance more systematic, standardised and procedure-based […] Major operational and management issues must have been discussed by the Party Committee before being decided upon by the Board of Directors or the senior management.’

See CBIRC’s Notice on the Commercial banks performance evaluation method, issued on 15 December 2020: http://jrs.mof.gov.cn/gongzuotongzhi/202101/t20210104_3638904.htm (accessed on 28 May 2025).

See IMF Working Paper ‘Resolving China’s Corporate Debt Problem’, by Wojciech Maliszewski, Serkan Arslanalp, John Caparusso, José Garrido, Si Guo, Joong Shik Kang, W. Raphael Lam, T. Daniel Law, Wei Liao, Nadia Rendak, Philippe Wingender, Jiangyan Yu, Longmei Zhang, October 2016, WP/16/203.

Report – Chapter 10, p. 272.

OECD (2019), OECD Economic Surveys: China 2019, OECD Publishing, Paris. p. 29, available at:

https://doi.org/10.1787/eco_surveys-chn-2019-en (accessed on 28 May 2025).

http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2020-04/20/content_5504241.htm (accessed on 28 May 2025).

World Bank Open Data – Upper Middle Income, https://data.worldbank.org/income-level/upper-middle-income.

https://connect.spglobal.com/

https://www.macmap.org/

(https://app.bot.or.th/BTWS_STAT/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=636&language=ENG)

https://www.mea.or.th/en/our-services/mea-service/e-service/electric-monthly-calculate/type4.

Regulation (EU) 2015/755 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 on common rules for imports from certain third countries (OJ L 123, 19.5.2015, p. 33, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2015/755/oj). Article 2(7) of the basic Regulation considers that domestic prices in those countries cannot be used for the purpose of determining normal value.

(https://app.bot.or.th/BTWS_STAT/statistics/BOTWEBSTAT.aspx?reportID=636&language=ENG)

https://www.boi.go.th/index.php?page=utility_costs and https://www.mea.or.th/en/our-services/tariff-calculation/latestft.

Council Regulation (EC) No 393/2009 of 11 May 2009 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on imports of certain candles, tapers and the like originating in the People’s Republic of China (OJ L 119, 14.5.2009, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/393/oj).

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1361 of 6 August 2015 repealing the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed on imports of certain candles, tapers and the like originating in the People's Republic of China, following an expiry review pursuant to Article 11(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 (OJ L 210, 7.8.2015, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2015/1361/oj).

100

Chinese exports to the rest of the world are substantial in volume and at prices lower than those to the Union (source: Global Trade Atlas).

101

The Commission also searched for an international benchmark, but no such benchmark was readily available. Furthermore, the Commission observed that world prices are influenced by imports from China and its pricing. As the major exporter of paraffin wax, China impacts the import prices of the rest of the world. In addition, in all other potential representative countries analysed, the share of Chinese imports and their impact on the average price was significant. The only exception, in addition to Türkiye, was the Philippines which had 33 % share of imports from China. The price of the non-Chinese imports was even higher than in Türkiye, that is 18 CNY/kg.

102

https://uniway-sourcing.com/china/candle-manufacturers-suppliers-in-china/

103

https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/candles.

104

This is supported by evidence comparing the prices paid by the Complainant for paraffin imported from China (Annex 5.8 of the Complaint) with the prevailing market prices within China (Annex 5.7 of the Complaint), which clearly show a disparity in favour of Chinese producers.

ANNEX

People’s republic of China’s cooperating exporting producers not sampled

Country	Name	TARIC additional code
People’s Republic of China	Aromasong Home Products Co.,Ltd.	89UL
People’s Republic of China	BEIJING CANDLEMAN CANDLE CO., LTD.	89UM
People’s Republic of China	BOYE HONGMING CANDLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.	89UN
People’s Republic of China	Changlexian Yuhuiguorui arts and crafts Co.,Ltd.	89UO
People’s Republic of China	ChangZhou JinTan Man Tin Fang Gifts Co.,ltd	89UP
People’s Republic of China	Changzhou Jintan Xingta Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd.	89UQ
People’s Republic of China	Colourful Home Decoration(NanTong) Co.,Ltd.	89UR
People’s Republic of China	DALIAN ALL BRIGHT ARTS AND CRAFTS CO.,LTD	89US
People’s Republic of China	Dalian Bolaite Candle Industry Co., Ltd	89UT
People’s Republic of China	Dalian Talent Gift Co., Ltd.	89UU
People’s Republic of China	DANDONG ETON ART CANDLE CO.,LTD	89UV
People’s Republic of China	DANDONG HONGDE CANDLE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.	89UW
People’s Republic of China	Dandong Jiaxin Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.	89UX
People’s Republic of China	Dandong Joy Gift And Craft Co., Ltd.	89UY
People’s Republic of China	Dehua Baililian Candle Craft Products Factory	89UZ
People’s Republic of China	Donggang tianbao wax Industry Co., Ltd.	89VA
People’s Republic of China	FUSHUN PINGTIAN WAX PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.	89VB
People’s Republic of China	Fushun Shuanghui Petrochemical Co., Ltd.	89VC
People’s Republic of China	FUTURE INTERNATIONAL (GIFT) CO., LTD.	89VD
People’s Republic of China	Greenbay Craft (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.	89VE
People’s Republic of China	Hangzhou Aroma Huicheng Technology Co.,Ltd.	89VF
People’s Republic of China	HANGZHOU NINFE HOME CO., LTD.	89VG
People’s Republic of China	Hebei Huaming Laye Co.Ltd	89VH
People’s Republic of China	Hebei Ruitou Imp&Exp Co.,Ltd	89VI
People’s Republic of China	Hefei Weisi Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.	89VJ
People’s Republic of China	Jiangxi Tongda Candle Co.,Ltd	89VK
People’s Republic of China	Jiashan Jiahua Candle Arts & crafts Co. Ltd	89VL
People’s Republic of China	JIAXING FEIYA HANDICRAFT ARTICLE CO.,LTD	89VM
People’s Republic of China	Jinan Jinming Tool Manufacturing Co. Ltd	89VN
People’s Republic of China	Jinhua Jushi Technology Co.,Ltd	89VO
People’s Republic of China	LITBRIGHT CANDLE (SHIJIAZHUANG) CO., LTD	89VP
People’s Republic of China	M&SENSE (SUZHOU) ARTS & CRAFTS CO., LTD.	89VQ
People’s Republic of China	M.X. Candles and Gifts (Taicang) Co., Ltd.	89VR
People’s Republic of China	MINQUAN VALUEVOLUTION ARTS & CRAFTS CO., LTD.	89VS
People’s Republic of China	Ningbo Haishu Haihong Crafts Factory	89VT
People’s Republic of China	Ningbo Junee Gifts Designers and Manufacturers Co., Ltd.	89VU
People’s Republic of China	Ninghai Grand Houseware Co.,Ltd.	89VV
People’s Republic of China	Ninghai Kaihui Houseware Co., Ltd	89VW
People’s Republic of China	QIDONG SHENLE ART&CRAFT CO.,LTD	89VX
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Allite RadianceCandle Co, Ltd	89VY
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Golden Sanda Craftworks co., Ltd	89VZ
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Kinglight Craft Co.,Ltd	89WA
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Lishengyuan Industry Products Co., Ltd	89WB
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Locke Art and Craft Co.,Ltd	89WC
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Shuailei Arts&crafts Co.,Ltd	89WD
People’s Republic of China	QINGDAO SILVARTS CO., LTD.	89WF
People’s Republic of China	Qingdao Xinkangmeiyuan Wax Industry Co.,Ltd	89WE
People’s Republic of China	Qingyun Super Light Candle Technology Co., Ltd.	89WG
People’s Republic of China	SHAANXI JIALONG HOUSEWARE CO., LTD.	89WH
People’s Republic of China	Shanghai Aqua Gifts Manufacture Co.,LTD	89WI
People’s Republic of China	Shanghai Dream Candle Factory	89WJ
People’s Republic of China	Shanghai Sizu Biotechnology Co., Ltd.	89WK
People’s Republic of China	SHAOXING HIKING CANDLE GIFTS CO.,LTD	89WL
People’s Republic of China	Shijiazhuang Tabo Candles Sales Co.,Ltd	89XD
People’s Republic of China	Shaoxing Shangyu Ruisheng Wax Industry Co., Ltd	89WM
People’s Republic of China	shenyang shengjie candle co., ltd	89WN
People’s Republic of China	Taizhou Bomall housewear Co., LTD	89WO
People’s Republic of China	Taizhou Huangyan King Well Art & Craft Co. Ltd.	89WP
People’s Republic of China	TIANJIN HUATAI CANDLE CO., LTD	89WQ
People’s Republic of China	TIANJIN PERMANENT HOME INTERNATIONAL TRADE CO.,LTD.	89WR
People’s Republic of China	TongLu ChunJiang Candle Products CO., LTD.	89WS
People’s Republic of China	Tongxiang Apollo Craftwork Co.,Ltd.	89WT
People’s Republic of China	Wuhe Ranran Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.	89WU
People’s Republic of China	XUANCHENG ZHIWEN HANDICRAFT CO., LTD.	89WV
People’s Republic of China	YANGZHOU JINGTENG ART&CRAFT CO.,LTD	89WW
People’s Republic of China	Yiwu Jialuofu Handicraft Co., Ltd.	89WX
People’s Republic of China	Yixinyuan (Hubei) Household Products Co., Ltd	89WY
People’s Republic of China	Zhejiang Neeo Home Decoration Co., LTD	89WZ
People’s Republic of China	Zhejiang Talent Fareast Home Gifts Co., Ltd	89XA
People’s Republic of China	Zhongshan South Star Arts & Crafts Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	89XB
People’s Republic of China	Zibo Jialong Wax Industry Co.,Ltd	89XC

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1732/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)

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