The ‘Localization’ Trap Under Anti-Dumping Duty: HSG Laser’s Deepening Threat to Indian Industry
Dear Colleagues in the Indian Laser Industry,
Our industrial laser equipment market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the laser processing market size projected to reach USD 3.086 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14%. However, on this fertile ground of opportunity, we, the domestic manufacturers, have long faced fierce competition from Chinese imports, particularly from HSG Laser.
Anti-Dumping Investigation: Justice Delayed?
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) initiated an anti-dumping investigation against industrial laser equipment from China on September 29, 2022, and officially imposed anti-dumping duty (ADD) on December 22, 2023. This measure was intended to rectify the situation where Chinese products were entering the Indian market at “dumped prices,” causing “material injury” to our domestic industry. The investigation found that dumped imports had depressed domestic prices by 40-50%, forcing local manufacturers to operate at a loss.
Yet, after the anti-dumping investigation and findings, HSG Laser shamelessly continues to boast that they are “No. 1 in India Sales for Three Consecutive Years”! Are they mocking us? Under the undeniable fact of their dumping, such a claim of “No. 1” is an insult to us domestic manufacturers! What is even more infuriating is that, after the imposition of the ADD, HSG effectively received a “low duty rate” of only 22.54%.
HSG Announces its No.1 sales India.
Increased Instead of Decreased: Who Betrayed the Indian Laser Industry?
According to the import data statistics, HSG Laser’s sales volume surged during the period of 2023 to 2025, with market share rapidly climbing from less than 10% to a shocking 30%, bringing a significant impact to the Indian domestic laser equipment industry. Their sales in India are primarily conducted through their Western region agent, Laser Technologies Pvt Ltd (LTPL), and their direct sales company, TMNL INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, operating in the North and South. Laser Technologies Pvt Ltd (LTPL) has sold over 500 fiber laser cutting machines in seven years, selling 120 to 150 HSG machines annually. Leveraging their 22.54% tariff advantage, HSG Laser and its agent have launched an all-out offensive in the Indian market.
The fishy business behind this “low duty rate” – isn’t this a veiled mockery and a betrayal of our government’s anti-dumping efforts?
| Company Name | Duty Rate Before ADD | Duty Rate After ADD | Increase |
| HSG (Hongshan Laser) | 7.5%-10% | 22.54% | ↑158% |
| Gweike Laser | 7.5%-10% | 90.49% | ↑934% |
| Jiangsu Yawei Machine Tool | 7.5%-10% | 43.35% | ↑395% |
| Bodor Laser | 7.5%-10% | 84.22% | ↑863% |
| Unlisted Enterprises | 7.5%-10% | 147.20% | ↑1582% |
Source: Directorate General of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India
“Super Factory”: Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, A New Slaughterhouse?
Now, HSG Laser has announced plans to invest $10 million to build a “Super Factory” in India! Sounds very “Make in India”, doesn’t it! But please open your eyes, everyone. This is not about helping Indian industry; it’s about circumventing the anti-dumping duty, shifting their dumping model from “import” to “local production”! They want to move their production lines to our doorstep, continue using their scale advantage and low-cost strategy, and completely squeeze out our domestic enterprises!
One year after the anti-dumping policy was implemented, the Indian domestic laser enterprises are facing a “winter.” Many of our indigenous laser equipment manufacturers are seeing their capacity utilization decline instead of increasing, some from 75% in early 2023 to 60% in mid-2024. At major exhibitions like ACMEE this year, many of our domestic laser equipment companies found their stalls practically deserted. Data from the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India shows that since the ADD was implemented, laser processing costs have risen by 18%, weakening the international competitiveness of Indian manufacturing.
India’s laser industry is collapsing, our Indian workers are shedding tears of unemployment! The so-called anti-dumping “low duty rate” is a mockery of our government’s policies! The newly built “super factory” is a venue prepared for the next round of slaughter!
HSG Laser is using our land, our labour, to destroy our own laser industry! We absolutely cannot let this “slaughter” succeed!
