The Government has rushed to imposed anti-dumping duty on imports of atleast four various items from across the border with effect from October 21, 2015 on the basis of the recommendations of the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties.

In recent weeks, it has been forced to take defensive measures, such as the safeguard duty on some steel products, and revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia went to the extent of publicly stating that industry should explore protection through these measures in stead of rushing to the government seeking an increase in import duty. Anti-dumping and safeguard duties are imposed following an enquiry by independent directorates. Based on the findings of the Directorate General of Anti dumping and Allied Duties, the finance ministry notified anti-dumping duty on the four products from Wednesday

Although India is among the most prominent users of the anti-dumping tool -allowed by the WTO as a check against a flood of cheap imports that hurt the domestic industry - it is not very common that the government notifies levies on four pro ducts on the same day.

The items include Plain Medium Density Fibre Board of thickness 6 mm and above, Front Axle Beam and Steering Knuckles meant for heavy and medium commercial vehicles, Hexamine and all Fully Drawn or Fully Oriented Yarn/Spin Drawn Yarn/Flat Yarn of Polyester (non-textured and non-POY), an official press release said.

According to the release, the details of the measures are:

1) Definitive anti-dumping duty has been levied on imports of “Plain Medium Density Fibre Board of thickness 6 mm and above”, falling under heading 4411 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), originating in, or exported from, the Peoples' Republic of China, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka for a period of five years. [Notification No. 48/2015-Customs (ADD), dated 21.10.2015].

2) Definitive anti-dumping duty has been levied on imports of “Front Axle Beam and Steering Knuckles meant for heavy and medium commercial vehicles”, falling under tariff items 7326 19 10, 7326 19 90, 7326 90 99, 8708 50 00 & 8708 99 00 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), originating in, or exported from, the Peoples' Republic of China” for a period of five years. [Notification No. 49/2015-Customs (ADD), dated 21.10.2015].

3) Definitive anti-dumping duty has been levied on imports of “Hexamine”, falling under tariff item 2921 29 10 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), originating in, or exported from, the Peoples' Republic of China and UAE for a period of five years. [Notification No. 50/2015-Customs (ADD), dated 21.10.2015].

4) Definitive anti-dumping duty has been levied on imports of “All Fully Drawn or Fully Oriented Yarn/Spin Drawn Yarn/Flat Yarn of Polyester (non-textured and non-POY)”, falling under heading 5402 of the First Schedule to the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (51 of 1975), originating in, or exported from, the Peoples' Republic of China and Thailand for a period of five years. [Notification No. 51/2015-Customs (ADD), dated 21.10.2015].