EU registers Chinese alkaline battery imports for retroactive anti-dumping duties

The European Commission has made imports of primary cells and primary batteries of alkaline manganese dioxide originating in the People’s Republic of China subject to registration, a step that allows anti-dumping duties to be levied retroactively on those imports. The measure is set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2049 of 14 September 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series) on 15 September 2026.

The registration is adopted under Article 14(5) of Regulation (EU) 2016/1036, the basic anti-dumping Regulation, and is designed to ensure that any duties imposed at the end of the investigation can be collected on imports registered during the proceeding. The regulation, signed in Brussels by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, enters into force the day after its publication.

Background of the investigation

The registration follows the initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding announced by the Commission on 2 July 2026 through a notice published in the Official Journal (OJ C/2026/3479). That initiation came after a complaint lodged on 18 May 2026 by VARTA Consumer Batteries GmbH & Co. KGaA on behalf of producers representing more than 25% of total Union production of the batteries concerned.

The product subject to registration is defined as primary cells and primary batteries of alkaline manganese dioxide in the form of cylindrical cells, not rechargeable, not spent, and not waste or scrap, excluding parts. It is currently classified under CN code 8506 10 11.

Estimated margins and possible liability

The complaint’s calculations estimate dumping margins for the product between 20% and 219% and an injury elimination level between 9% and 134% for the period from January to December 2025. Under Article 9(4) of the basic Regulation, any future liability would normally be set at the lower of the dumping or injury level.

• Dumping margins estimated between 20% and 219%.
• Injury elimination level estimated between 9% and 134%.
• If evidence of raw material distortions is found under Article 7(2a), liability could be set at the level of the dumping margin.

The Commission stresses that, at this stage, it is not in a position to estimate the amount of possible future liability, and that the figures in the complaint are for information only and create no expectations as to the actual level of duties.

Registration mechanics and data protection

Customs authorities are directed to take the appropriate steps to register the imports concerned. Registration expires nine months following the date of entry into force of the regulation. Any personal data collected in the context of the registration will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 on the protection of natural persons.

For EU battery importers and distributors, the measure means that shipments of Chinese alkaline manganese dioxide batteries entering the Union during the registration period may become subject to retroactive duties if the investigation concludes that dumping and injury occurred. The registration is a clear signal that the Commission is preparing the ground for possible definitive anti-dumping measures in a sector where the Union industry has alleged significant price undercutting.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, L series, 15.9.2026, Section I (official reference: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2049, CELEX L_202602049).