On August 24, 2026, Australia's Anti-Dumping Commission issued Notice No. 2026/122, announcing a further delay in the release of the Statement of Essential Facts and final report on the anti-circumvention investigation into 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) imported from China.

Under the updated timeline, the Commission expects to complete the Statement of Essential Facts no later than November 25, 2026, and to submit the final report to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science no later than February 5, 2027. This is the second delay in the release of these reports, following a previous postponement announced on April 27, 2026.

The case originated from an application submitted in December 2025 by an Australian domestic agrochemical company, alleging that Chinese-origin products may be exported to Australia via Malaysia to circumvent existing anti-dumping measures. On January 7, 2026, the Commission officially initiated the anti-circumvention investigation, with the investigation period covering from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2025.

The products under investigation are 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and its related formulations, with Australian Customs codes including 2918.99.00.43, 2918.99.00.44, 2918.99.00.48, 3808.93.00.61, 3808.93.00.71, and 3808.93.00.79.

The anti-circumvention investigation primarily examines two alleged circumvention patterns: first, Chinese 2,4-D raw materials exported to Malaysia, where they are processed into formulations locally before being sold to Australia; and second, Chinese products first exported to Malaysia and then re-exported to Australia through transshipment trade, in order to circumvent country-of-origin determinations.

Looking back at the case history, Australia's anti-dumping measures on Chinese 2,4-D have been in place for over two decades. On April 2, 2002, Australia initiated an anti-dumping investigation into 2,4-D imported from China, and on March 24, 2003, issued a final affirmative determination, imposing anti-dumping duties ranging from 5% to 10% on the subject Chinese products. Since then, Australia has conducted four sunset reviews of the anti-dumping duties on Chinese 2,4-D, in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022, all resulting in affirmative determinations with continued duties. 

The current delay is a procedural adjustment and does not imply any substantive judgment on the case. The final determination remains pending until the Commission concludes its investigation within the updated timeframe. (Source: Agro News)