On 07 August 2026, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) initiated an investigation into the alleged dumping of boards, sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles of plaster or of compositions based on plaster, not ornamented, faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only (gypsum plasterboard), classifiable under tariff subheading 6809.11, originating in or imported from the People's Republic of China (China) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on which comment is due by 14 September 2026.
The application was lodged by Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Saint-Gobain) and supported by Etex South Africa Building (Pty) Ltd (Etex) and the Namibian Gypsum Industries (NGI). Saint-Gobain is the major producer of the subject product in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Saint-Gobain submitted prima facie evidence to indicate that the product originating in or imported from China and Saudi Arabia was imported into the SACU industry at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury to the SACU industry.
The allegation of dumping is based on comparing normal values for the respective countries of origin with the export prices of the subject products when exported to SACU.
Normal value for China was based on a quotation obtained by Saint-Gobain from the domestic manufacturer and seller of the subject product in China.
The normal value for Saudi Arabia was determined based on a quotation obtained by Saint-Gobain from the domestic manufacturer and seller of the subject product in Saudi Arabia.
The export values were determined on official import statistics obtained from the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Saint-Gobain submitted evidence to show that there was price suppression. Saint-Gobain's information indicated declines in sales, production profit, productivity and cash flow, along with a decrease in return on investment and market share, and an increase in inventory.
Cumulative assessment:
Two countries are involved in this investigation. The information shows that the imported products from China and Saudi Arabia satisfy the criteria for cumulative assessment, as the margins of dumping for each country exceed 2%. The volume of each is above negligible levels. The imported products compete with each other and also compete with the SACU-like product.
On this basis, ITAC decided to cumulatively assess the and/or impact of the alleged dumped imports on the issue of material injury to the SACU industry.
On this basis, ITAC found that there was prima facie proof of material injury.
The allegation of threat of material injury
Saint-Gobain submitted information indicating that there is unrestricted disposal of the exporters in China and Saudi Arabia, a significant increase in allegedly dumped imports into the SACU market, which is substantially increased importation, and that the subject product is entering the SACU market at prices which will have a suppressing effect on SACU prices and are likely to increase demand for further imports.
On this basis, ITAC found prima facie evidence of a threat of material injury to the SACU industry.
Causal link
On this basis, ITAC found prima facie proof of material injury to the SACU industry and a causal link between the alleged dumping and that injury.
Period of investigation
The period of investigation for the purpose of determining the dumping margin is from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. The period of investigation for purposes of determining the material injury is from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2025.