Safeguard probe against imports of ceramic tiles hits consultation stage

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is seeking comment from the ceramic tile industry on whether safeguard measures on imported ceramic tiles are warranted.

“The DTI invites the interested parties, particularly the exporters and importers, to submit their comment and position on the matter, including their views on whether the imposition of a safeguard measure is in the public interest,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

A safeguard measure is a temporary charge levied on imports deemed to have done serious injury to a domestic industry.

Republic Act No. 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act, authorizes such measures to provide relief to domestic industries affected by increased imports.

Earlier this month, the DTI informed the World Trade Organization that it has launched a probe into imported ceramic tiles from various countries.

“Based on the initial findings, there is substantial evidence indicating that increased imports of ceramic tiles have caused serious injury to the domestic industry,” the DTI said.

It noted a sharp increase in the volume of ceramic tile imports from 2020 to 2024, with import growth surging 81% from 2020 and 2023. In 2024, they remained higher than 2020 levels.

As a result, domestic industry market share steadily dropped from 31% in 2020 to 23% in 2024.

“Moreover, the industry seriously suffered as reflected by the declined domestic sales, production, utilization rate, reduction in labor productivity, increased inventory, and overall, incurred losses in the recent period,” the DTI said.

The investigation was based on a petition filed by the Ceramic Manufacturers’ Association, Inc.

This covers imported ceramic tiles classified under Harmonized System Codes 2017/2022, subheadings 6907.22 and 6907.23, from 2020 until the first quarter of 2025.

During the period of investigation, China accounted for 71% of the imported ceramic tiles, followed by Indonesia and Vietnam. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz