Govt imposes anti-dumping duty on kitchenware products

New Delhi, Dec 6: Finance Ministry has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to USD 1,732.11 per tonne on import of 'melamine tableware and kitchenware products' like dinner sets and mugs from China, Thailand and Vietnam with an aim to protect domestic industry from cheap shipments.

The anti-dumping duty in the range of USD 582.85 - 1732.11 per tonne will remain in effect for five years, a Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) notification said.

The CBEC in the Finance Ministry imposed the duty after considering the final findings of the Directorate General of Anti Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) in the Commerce Ministry.

Earlier, acting on complaint of Hamilton Housewares, the DGAD conducted a probe into imports and made the case for the duty.

The DGAD had said that levy was "required to offset dumping and injury" to domestic producers.

It recommended imposition of "definitive" anti-dumping duty "so as to remove the injury to the domestic industry".

Melamine tableware and kitchenware products come in a number of different dimension and shapes called by different names such as dinner set, plates, bowls, tray, mugs, spoon, coaster, cup and saucer.

Imports of the melamine products from the three countries taken together increased from 361 tonne in 2010-11 to 1,050 tonne in 2013-14.

Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to check if their domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in cheap imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties within the multilateral regime of the WTO.

Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level playing field to domestic industry. It is not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in the cost of products.

PTI