The Director-General (Safeguards) has recommended imposition of specific safeguard duty on carbon black imports into the country.
In the first year, the rate of safeguard duty should be 30 per cent ad-valorem less anti-dumping duty payable, if any, it has been recommended.
For the second year, the safeguard duty recommended is 25 per cent ad-valorem less anti-dumping duty payable, if any.
In the third year, a safeguard duty of 20 per cent ad-valorem less anti-dumping duty payable, if any, has been recommended.
The petition seeking safeguard duty on carbon black imports from China was filed by the Association of Carbon Black Manufacturers along with two of its member companies — Phillips Carbon Black Ltd and Hi Tech Carbon.
These two companies account for more than 80 per cent of carbon black production in the country.
Carbon black is an inorganic chemical used in production/processing of rubber (including tyres), as reinforcing filler. It is also known as acetylene black.
Only carbon black used in rubber applications (including tyres) are under the scope of the present investigation.
Carbon black used in non-rubber applications such as inks in copiers and computer printer cartridges, paints, crayons and polishes are not within the scope of the present investigation.