The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has opened a preliminary safeguard measures investigation into imported ceramic tiles, saying there is a prima facie case that surging imports may be harming local manufacturers.
In a notice dated February 3 and signed by Trade Secretary Roque, the DTI said it found sufficient basis to formally initiate the probe under Section 6 of Republic Act No. 8800, or the Safeguard Measures Act. The investigation will cover ceramic tiles classified under HS Codes 6907.22 and 6907.23, based on both the 2017 and 2022 tariff nomenclatures.
The period of investigation spans from 2020 up to the first quarter of 2025, a timeframe the department said is necessary to assess trends in import volumes, pricing, and their impact on the domestic industry.
The DTI stressed that the finding of a prima facie case does not automatically translate into the imposition of safeguard duties. Instead, it allows the government to proceed with a full investigation to determine whether increased imports have caused, or threaten to cause, serious injury to local ceramic tile producers.
Public interest considerations will play a central role in the process. Citing Section 5 of RA 8800 and Rule 5.2 of its implementing rules and regulations, the department noted that the Trade Secretary must weigh broader economic and social factors. These include whether provisional safeguard measures could trigger political or economic disruption, as well as the risk of creating supply shortages in the domestic market.
The DTI also opened the door for stakeholder participation. Importers, exporters, domestic producers, and other interested parties are invited to submit comments and position papers to the Bureau of Import Services within five days from the publication of the notice.
The outcome of the probe could shape the competitive landscape of the local tile industry, as well as future trade policy decisions in the construction materials sector.
