Brussels registers Chinese glass bead imports to enable retroactive anti-dumping duties

The European Commission has ordered customs authorities to register imports of solid glass microspheres from China, a step that allows anti-dumping duties to be levied retroactively if the ongoing investigation confirms dumping. The decision is set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2162 of 29 September 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, L series, on 30 September 2026.

The regulation was adopted under Article 14(5) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, the EU’s basic anti-dumping instrument, and was signed in Brussels by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It enters into force on the day following publication, and the registration itself expires nine months later.

A complaint from nine European producers

The registration follows an anti-dumping proceeding opened by the Commission on 16 July 2026, announced through a notice published in the Official Journal (C/2026/3713). The investigation was triggered by a complaint lodged on 24 June 2026 on behalf of the Union industry.

The complainants, who represent more than 25% of total Union production of solid glass microspheres, are:

• M. Swarovski GmbH
• Swarco Vestglas GmbH
• Swarco Schönborn GmbH
• Sovitec Belgium
• Potters Ballotini SASZ
• Sovitec France
• Potters Ballotini GmbH
• Intermiglass SP. Z O.O.
• Sovitec Iberica SAU

The product under scrutiny

The product concerned is solid glass microspheres, commercially known as “glass beads”, not exceeding 2 mm in diameter, with a coated or uncoated surface, irrespective of intended use or production process. They currently fall within CN codes ex 7002 10 00, ex 7018 10 90, ex 7018 20 00 and ex 7018 90 90, with TARIC codes 7002 10 00 20, 7018 10 90 10, 7018 20 00 10 and 7018 90 90 10.

The Commission excluded from the scope products defined as “glass beads” in the form of small pierced balls, classified under CN codes 7018 10 11 and 7018 10 19. It also clarified that glass spheres meeting the product definition remain within scope regardless of their customs classification.

Registration and possible liability

Registration is intended to ensure that any anti-dumping duties can be collected retroactively on imports made during the investigation, provided the legal conditions are met. The Commission acted on its own initiative, and the conditions for retroactive collection will be assessed in the regulation imposing definitive duties, if any.

The complaint’s calculations estimate a dumping margin of 77.48% and an injury elimination level of 125% for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025. Any future liability would normally be set at the lower of the two, but the Commission states it cannot yet estimate the amount and that the complaint’s figures are for information only.

Personal data collected in the context of the registration will be handled in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.

For European producers such as Swarovski, Sovitec and Potters, the registration is the first concrete step towards protection against allegedly dumped Chinese imports. For importers and buyers of glass beads, it means that shipments entering the Union from now on carry a potential retroactive duty bill, adding uncertainty to pricing and supply contracts until the investigation concludes.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, L 2026/2162, 30 September 2026 (official reference: CELEX 32026R2162).