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India’s Toner Tariffs Are Too Weak — Here’s Why They Won’t Stop China
By Tonernews.com. October 9, 2025. India has finally taken a step toward protecting its domestic imaging industry by slapping anti-dumping duties on Chinese black toner cartridges. But there’s just one problem: the duties are so small, they’re practically an invitation to keep dumping.The tariffs — ranging from a mere $0.65 to $1.28 per cartridge — are hardly a serious deterrent in a market flooded with ultra-cheap, China-made toner products. These are cartridges that often retail for $10 to $15 in India. A tariff of under $1? That’s not a trade barrier. That’s a rounding error. Let’s not kid ourselves. The Chinese manufacturers, many of whom benefit from massive scale, state support, and deep logistics networks, will have no trouble absorbing or bypassing these minimal duties. Some will simply tweak pricing. Others will reroute shipments through intermediary countries or make minor modifications to qualify for exclusions. And the biggest players? They’ll treat the tariffs as the cost of doing business in a growing market like India.
This Isn’t Protection — It’s Posturing
India’s domestic toner industry has been crying foul for years, watching helplessly as its market share shrinks under the pressure of cheap imports. The government’s recent move is a signal that it’s listening — but not acting decisively. If we’re serious about building a strong, self-sustaining domestic imaging industry — and not just issuing press releases — then these token tariffs won’t cut it. What India needs is a real firewall against dumping: a 100% duty on all Chinese-compatible toner cartridges, at a minimum. Yes, you read that right. A 100% duty. If the price is artificially low, double it. That’s what it takes to level the playing field. Anything less is just optics.
China Plays Hardball — India Must Too
Let’s not forget: China knows how to play the long game. It underprices, floods markets, kills competition — and once it dominates, prices go back up. That’s how industries are captured. Countries around the world — from the U.S. to the EU — are waking up to this reality and hitting Chinese exports with real tariffs. India, too, must stop pulling its punches. Especially in a sector where we have the capability, talent, and demand to support a strong local manufacturing base. But that won’t happen if we allow $1 tariffs to masquerade as policy. That’s not protectionism. That’s surrender.
The Bottom Line
India’s current anti-dumping duty on Chinese toner cartridges is a symbolic gesture — not a serious strategy. If we truly want to reclaim our market, protect jobs, and build a resilient imaging industry, it’s time to stop tiptoeing. 100% duties — or nothing will change. India must wake up before it prints away another opportunity.
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