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Provisional duty imposed on caustic soda

K.R. Srivats

NEW DELHI, Jan. 4

THE Finance Ministry has imposed provisional anti-dumping duty on all imports of sodium hydroxide, commonly known as caustic soda, from the US, France, Iran, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

Based on the recommendations of the designated authority in the Commerce Ministry in its preliminary findings, the Revenue Department has imposed a provisional anti-dumping equivalent to the difference between $345.44 per tonne and ``landed value'' of so dium hydroxide per tonne on all imports of this product from Dow Chemical Co, US.

In the case of all other exporters from the US, the provisional anti-dumping duty would be equivalent to the difference between $345.44 per tonne and the ``landed value'' of sodium hydroxide per tonne.

Further, a provisional anti-dumping duty equivalent to the difference between $307 per tonne and ``landed value'' of sodium hydroxide per tonne has been imposed on all imports of this product from France.

All caustic soda produced by Saudi Petro Chemical Co (SADAF), Saudi Arabia, and exported by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) would now attract a provisional anti-dumping duty equivalent to the difference between $270.68 per tonne and the ``land ed value'' of caustic soda per tonne.

In the case of all other exporters/producers from Saudi Arabia, the provisional anti-dumping duty would be equivalent to the difference between $256.38 per tonne and the ``landed value'' of caustic soda per tonne.

A provisional anti-dumping duty equivalent to the difference between $269.75 per tonne and the ``landed value'' of imported sodium hydroxide per tonne has been imposed on all imports of caustic soda from Iran.

In the case of all Japanese exporters/producers, a provisional anti-dumping duty equivalent to the difference between $347.11 per tonne and the ``landed value'' of caustic soda per tonne has been imposed.

The petition seeking anti-dumping investigations concerning imports of sodium hydroxide from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan, the US and France (subject countries) had been filed by the Alkali Manufacturers' Association of India (AMAI) on behalf of the domesti c industry. There are about 42 domestic manufacturers of caustic soda.

The total production by the domestic industry during the period of investigation (annualised) stood at 7,60,513 tonnes. Absolute values of imports during the period of investigation (annualised) from the ``subject countries'' stood at 76,350 tonnes. The period of investigation was from April 1998 to September 1999.