On December 5, 2025, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance issued a final ruling imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on particle board imported from Thailand. The measures took effect immediately and will remain in force for five years.
Duty Rates and Scope
The duties apply differently to various Thai producers and exporters:
- Rates have been set at 13.03%, 13.67%, and 15.18% for specific, named Thai manufacturing/exporting groups.
- All other Thai producers and exporters are subject to a residual duty rate of 14.28%.
The ruling covers particle board classified under the Korean tariff code 4410.11.1000. However, the measures explicitly exclude surface-coated particle board products.
Context and Implications
This decision follows an investigation into alleged dumping practices by Thai producers, where products were claimed to have been sold in the South Korean market at prices below fair value, thereby causing or threatening material injury to the domestic particle board industry.
The imposition of these tariffs will likely raise the landed cost of Thai particle board in South Korea, potentially altering the competitive landscape for construction materials, furniture components, and other downstream sectors reliant on this input. Domestic Korean producers are expected to benefit from reduced price competition, while importers and end-users may face higher costs.
