China to Raise LCD-Panel Import Duties from April

According to panel-display industrialists, China authorities have decided to raise import duties on LCD panels in 2012, those of panels no less than 32 inches to increase from 3% to 5%.

At present, China imposes 5% duties on import panels below 32 inches and 3% duties on those above 32 inches. The 3% rate aims to reduce the costs of complete-machine enterprises.

Some color-TV industrialists say that the rates, early expected to increase to 8%-12%, are raised temporarily by small margins to minimize the injury to complete-TV makers and will be adjusted again in the future.