Already before the start of the war in Ukraine and following a thorough investigation, the EU imposed duties of up to 15.8% on Russian birch plywood to protect European markets from imports of cheap Russian products. However, immediately after their imposition in November 2021, it became clear that Russian manufacturers were attempting to circumvent these duties by selling their products via third countries. According to the Woodstock Consortium, neither Kazakhstan nor Turkey were ever known as a significant exporter of this type of plywood up until recently.
Following extensive on-site inspections in Kazakhstan and Turkey, the European Commission found proof of circumvention, which made it necessary to extend anti-dumping duties to all imports from these two countries in order to rectify market imbalances.
The present findings will form the basis for a Regulation that will be effective immediately. It will involve the retroactive extension of the anti-dumping duties to imports from Kazakhstan and Turkey, and will also maintain them going forward. All imported plywood from these two countries now faces the same 15.8% duties as Russia, with arrears plus VAT to be collected with retroactive effect since August 2023.
Woodstock Consortium
Formed in 2019, the Woodstock Consortium comprises the vast majority of all birch plywood producers throughout the EU, including leading players, such as Poland’s Paged Group and Latvian group Latvijas Finieris and Finnish company UPM Plywood. The Consortium’s work is also supported by the main EU industry associations in the sector. The Consortium is committed to promoting a level global playing field as well as fairness and sustainability in the timber industry using international trade regulations.
