The government may impose anti- dumping duty of up to USD 922 per tonne on Chinese graphite electrodes, used for steel melting, to protect domestic players from cheap imports.

In its final findings, the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) has said the electrodes have been entered into the Indian market from China at prices less than their normal values.

The application for the investigation was collectively filed by HEG Ltd and Graphite India Ltd.

"...The Authority is of the opinion that definitive measure is required to be imposed to offset dumping and injury being caused to the domestic industry. Accordingly, the Authority recommends imposition of definitive anti-dumping duty," a Commerce Ministry notification said.

The recommended anti-dumping duty ranges between USD 278.19 per tonne and USD 922.03 per tonne.

Anti-dumping duty is recommended by the Commerce Ministry, while the Finance Ministry imposes it.

The DGAD has also concluded that due to dumping of the product, the domestic industry has suffered material injury.

Imports of graphite electrodes from China increased to 13,135 tonnes in 2011-12 from 4,903 tonnes in 2009-10.

Unlike safeguard duties, which are levied in a uniform way, anti-dumping duties vary from product to product and from country to country.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if domestic industry has been hurt because of a surge in below- cost imports. As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime.

Source:- business-standard.com