Colombia has issued a preliminary determination in its anti-dumping investigation into dioctyl phthalate (DOP) imports originating from China, deciding not to impose provisional anti-dumping duties at this stage. The investigation will continue.
On August 26, 2026, Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MINCIT) published Resolution No. 616 of 2026 in the Official Gazette, setting out the preliminary determination in the anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) from China.
The authority decided not to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on the product at the preliminary stage. The investigation therefore remains open, and a final determination has not yet been issued.
The product concerned is classified under Colombian tariff subheading 2917.32.00.00, with China identified as the country of origin. The case is registered under D-215-76-145.
Investigation Began in June 2026
The current proceeding dates back to June 2026.
On June 16, 2026, Colombia's Directorate of Foreign Trade issued Resolution No. 300, ordering the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation into imports of DOP originating from China. The resolution was subsequently published in the Official Gazette No. 53,530 on June 22, 2026.
The investigation was initiated to determine whether Chinese DOP imports were being sold in Colombia at dumped prices and, if so, whether such imports were causing injury to the domestic industry.
The investigation was requested by CARBOQUIMICA S.A.S., a Colombian producer.
The product under investigation is identified as Ortoftalato de Dioctilo (DOP) in Spanish and Dioctyl Phthalate in English. The applicable tariff classification is 2917.32.00.00.
Dumping Investigation Period
According to the questionnaire issued by MINCIT for Chinese producers and exporters, the period used to analyze the dumping margin runs from:
April 10, 2025 to April 9, 2026.
This 12-month period was selected as the basis for examining the export prices and normal value used in the dumping analysis. Chinese producers and exporters were requested to provide detailed information on their domestic sales, exports to Colombia, prices and related commercial conditions during the investigation period.
The questionnaire specifically requires information on DOP classified under tariff subheading 2917.32.00.00 and exported from China to Colombia during the above period.
What Did the Preliminary Determination Decide?
The latest development came in August.
MINCIT issued Resolution No. 616 on August 24, 2026, and the resolution was published in Official Gazette No. 53,603 on August 26, 2026.
At this preliminary stage, Colombia determined that no provisional anti-dumping duty would be imposed on Chinese DOP imports.
This does not mean that the investigation has been terminated or that Colombia has made a final finding that dumping did not occur.
Instead, the decision means that Chinese DOP imports will not be subject to a provisional anti-dumping measure while the investigation proceeds.
MINCIT's official case page continues to list the proceeding as "investigación en curso" (investigation ongoing).
Timeline of the Case
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| June 16, 2026 | MINCIT issued Resolution No. 300 ordering the initiation of the anti-dumping investigation. |
| June 22, 2026 | Resolution No. 300 was published in the Official Gazette, formally opening the proceeding. |
| June 25, 2026 | The notice inviting interested parties to participate was published. |
| April 10, 2025 – April 9, 2026 | Dumping analysis period specified by MINCIT. |
| August 24, 2026 | MINCIT issued Resolution No. 616 containing the preliminary determination. |
| August 26, 2026 | Resolution No. 616 was published in the Official Gazette. No provisional anti-dumping duty was imposed. |
| Current status | The anti-dumping investigation remains ongoing. |
The official MINCIT case file also provides questionnaires and supporting documents for importers, producers and exporters, together with import price information and other materials used in the investigation.
What Does the Preliminary Ruling Mean for Chinese DOP Exporters?
For Chinese producers and exporters, the most immediate point is that no provisional anti-dumping duty has been imposed at this stage.
This means the August preliminary ruling does not introduce an additional provisional duty specifically as a result of this investigation.
However, exporters should not interpret the decision as the end of the case. The investigation remains active, and the Colombian authority may continue reviewing evidence before reaching a final determination.
Companies involved in the investigation may therefore need to continue monitoring the case and responding to information requests or other procedural requirements.
For exporters not directly involved in the proceeding, the case is also worth watching because a future final determination could affect the treatment of Chinese-origin DOP imports into Colombia.
Product Scope and Trade Classification
The product covered by the investigation is Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP), also known as Dioctyl Orthophthalate or Ortoftalato de Dioctilo.
The Colombian tariff subheading identified by MINCIT is:
HS Code: 2917.32.00.00
DOP is widely used as a plasticizer, particularly in PVC-related applications. Its commercial uses include flexible plastics, cables, films, coatings and synthetic leather.
The product should not be confused with other phthalate or non-phthalate plasticizers simply because they may have similar downstream applications. For companies involved in the Colombian market, accurate product identification and tariff classification remain important when assessing whether a shipment falls within the scope of the investigation.
Why the Case Matters？
The Colombian investigation is relevant to China's DOP supply chain because Colombia is reviewing the pricing and potential impact of Chinese-origin imports on its domestic industry.
The decision not to impose provisional duties provides some short-term certainty for Chinese exporters and Colombian importers. At the same time, the continuation of the investigation means that the market cannot yet be considered fully settled.
For companies trading DOP between China and Colombia, several issues deserve continued attention:
- Future preliminary or final measures: the current decision does not rule out a possible final anti-dumping measure.
- Origin documentation: companies should maintain clear records demonstrating the origin of goods.
- Product classification: shipments should be reviewed against the tariff code and product scope specified in the investigation.
- Export pricing: companies involved in the proceeding should ensure that sales and pricing information is consistent and properly documented.
- Regulatory updates: any subsequent resolution from MINCIT could change the treatment of Chinese-origin DOP imports.
What Happens Next?
The most important point at this stage is that Colombia's DOP anti-dumping investigation is still underway.
The August 26 publication represents a preliminary step rather than a final conclusion. MINCIT will continue the proceeding before determining whether the alleged dumping, injury and causal relationship meet the requirements for a final anti-dumping measure.
Chinese DOP manufacturers, exporters, Colombian importers and other interested parties should therefore continue to follow official announcements from MINCIT.
For the chemical trading industry, the case is another example of why anti-dumping investigations can have a direct impact on international chemical supply chains. Even before a definitive duty is imposed, changes in trade policy can influence purchasing decisions, pricing negotiations and sourcing strategies.
