The European Commission has ordered the registration of imports of lysine originating in China to enable, where appropriate, the retroactive collection of anti-dumping duties.
The measure is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1824 of 28 July 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 29 July. The registration applies from 1 August 2026 and is particularly relevant for importers, feed manufacturers, animal nutrition companies and other operators using lysine as a nutritional additive.
Registration of imports of lysine originating in China
The customs authorities of the Member States must register certain imports of lysine and related products originating in the People’s Republic of China.
The registration does not in itself impose new anti-dumping duties. Its purpose is to preserve the necessary information so that, if the Commission’s investigation concludes that higher duties are justified, they may be applied retroactively to the registered imports.
Companies importing Chinese lysine should therefore assess, from 1 August 2026, the potential financial impact of a future adjustment of anti-dumping duties.
Lysine products subject to customs registration
The registration requirement applies to imports of:
- Lysine and its esters.
- Salts of lysine.
- L-lysine hydrochloride.
- Aqueous solutions of lysine.
- Lysine sulphate.
- Certain feed additives containing L-lysine sulphate.
For feed additives, the measure covers products containing, on a dry weight basis, 68% or more, but not more than 80%, of L-lysine sulphate, and not more than 32% of other components, such as carbohydrates and other amino acids.
The CAS Registry Numbers commonly associated with the products concerned are:
- 657-27-2 for L-lysine hydrochloride.
- 56-87-1 for aqueous solutions of lysine.
- 60343-69-3 and 94195-18-3 for lysine sulphate.
CN and TARIC codes concerned
The products are currently classified under the following Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes:
- CN ex 2309 90 31.
- CN ex 2309 90 96.
- CN 2922 41 00.
For the products classified under the headings preceded by the indication “ex”, the scope of the measure is defined by the following TARIC codes:
- 2309 90 31 51.
- 2309 90 31 59.
- 2309 90 31 61.
- 2309 90 31 69.
- 2309 90 96 51.
- 2309 90 96 59.
- 2309 90 96 61.
- 2309 90 96 69.
The indication “ex” means that not all goods classified under those CN headings are necessarily covered. The applicability of the measure depends on the product description, composition and origin.
Possible retroactive application of anti-dumping duties
On 30 April 2026, the European Commission reopened the anti-dumping investigation concerning Chinese lysine to determine whether the definitive measures imposed in 2025 had been absorbed.
An absorption investigation examines whether, following the imposition of anti-dumping duties, export prices have decreased or resale prices within the Union have not increased sufficiently. Such circumstances may indicate that the anti-dumping duties have not achieved their intended price effect.
The registration allows any increase in duties resulting from the investigation to be collected retroactively on the registered imports, within the limits established by EU legislation.
Estimated evolution of the dumping margins
According to the calculations included in the request to reopen the investigation, the estimated dumping margin increased:
- From 53.1% during the original investigation period, covering 1 January to 31 December 2023.
- To 88.4% during the absorption investigation period, covering 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
These percentages are provided for information purposes only and do not determine the amount of any future customs liability.
Furthermore, any anti-dumping duty imposed following the absorption investigation may not exceed twice the amount of the anti-dumping duty originally imposed.
Impact on the animal feed and agricultural sectors
Lysine is widely used as an amino acid in the manufacture of animal feed and other animal nutrition products. As a result, the registration may affect several operators throughout the supply chain, including:
- Importers of lysine and feed additives.
- Compound feed manufacturers.
- Animal nutrition companies.
- Amino acid distributors.
- Agricultural cooperatives and grain traders.
- Logistics operators and customs representatives.
Although registration does not trigger an immediate payment obligation, companies should consider the possibility that imports released for free circulation from 1 August 2026 may subsequently become subject to additional anti-dumping duties.
Recommendations for importers of Chinese lysine
Companies importing the affected products should review:
- The non-preferential origin of the goods.
- The tariff classification and TARIC code.
- The exact composition of the product.
- The percentage of L-lysine sulphate.
- The declared CAS Registry Number.
- The Chinese manufacturer and exporter.
- The applicable anti-dumping duty.
- The date of acceptance of the customs declaration.
- Contractual provisions covering potential retroactive duties.
It is also advisable to retain technical data sheets, certificates of analysis, invoices, contracts and other commercial documentation supporting the characteristics of the imported goods.
Customs advisory services for lysine imports
The registration of imports increases the financial risk associated with purchasing lysine originating in China, as it may result in an additional customs debt after the goods have already been cleared.
Arola’s Customs Department can assist companies in reviewing tariff classification, origin, TARIC codes and the possible application of anti-dumping duties to imports of lysine and animal feed additives.
