Govt may extend antidumping duty on Chinese chemical

New Delhi: Government may re-impose anti- dumping duty of up to USD 144 per tonne on import of a chemical from China that is used in several sectors including pottery and ceramics so as to safeguard domestic industry from below cost in-bound shipments.

In its 'sunset review' of anti-dumping duties imposed on import of "Barium Carbonate" from China, the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has concluded that there is "continued dumping" of the product and was causing injury to the domestic industry.

DGAD has suggested two duties within the range of USD 96.94 per tonne and USD 144.82 per tonne on these imports.

The authority "considers it necessary to recommend continued imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty on imports," the DGAD said in a notification.

First time, the restrictive duty was imposed by the government in 2011. The duty of up to USD 236 per tonne was imposed for five years.

After that the Small Scale Barium Manufacturers Welfare Association have filed an application on behalf of the domestic producers requesting for review, continuation and enhancement of the anti-dumping duties, imposed on the imports.

Imports of the chemical from the country increased to 7,923 tonne during April 2013 to September 2014 (18 months) from 6,683 tonne in 2010-11.

Countries initiate an anti-dumping probe to determine whether their domestic industries have been hurt because of surge in cheap import of any product. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of the WTO.

The duty is aimed at ensuring fair trading practices and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers vis-a-vis foreign producers and exporters resorting to dumping of goods at below-cost rates.