On February 11, 2025, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officially announced the initiation of a preliminary safeguard investigation (Case No. SG01-2025) on imported corrugating medium paper from various countries under AHTN codes 4805.19.10, 4805.19.90, and 4805.12.00, as classified in the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN).
The investigation is based on a petition filed by the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (PPMAP), alleging that the surge of imported corrugating medium has caused serious injury to the domestic paper industry.
The investigation period covers 2019–2023.
1. Legal Basis and Scope
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The case was initiated under the authority of Section 6 of the Safeguard Measures Act (Republic Act No. 8800).
The DTI stated that preliminary evidence indicates a significant increase in the volume of imported corrugating medium, adversely affecting the local production and market share of the Philippine domestic industry.
The safeguard investigation aims to determine whether the increase in imports has caused or threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry and whether the application of a temporary safeguard duty is warranted.
2. Vietnam Among Major Exporting Countries
According to the DTI’s initiation report, imports of corrugating medium from Vietnam accounted for:
| Year | Vietnam’s Share of Total Imports (%) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4.17 |
| 2020 | 5.76 |
| 2021 | 19.03 |
| 2022 | 11.48 |
| 2023 | 12.79 |
Vietnam, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia were identified as the four largest exporters of corrugating medium to the Philippines during the review period.
Notably, two Vietnamese companies were listed among the top 10 exporters of corrugating medium paper to the Philippine market.
3. Documents Released by the Philippine DTI
Businesses and stakeholders can access the official documents related to this safeguard investigation through the following files (attached in the original notice):
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DTI Notice of Initiation – SG Corrugating Medium.pdf
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DTI Initiation Report on Corrugating Medium (Non-Confidential).pdf
4. Implications for Vietnamese Exporters
This preliminary investigation signals a potential trade remedy risk for Vietnamese paper exporters.
Enterprises involved should:
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Closely monitor updates from the Philippine DTI and WTO notifications;
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Consider cooperating with the investigation authority to ensure their interests are protected;
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Evaluate export volumes and pricing strategies to the Philippine market during the review period.