India Avoids Safeguard Duty on China Methyl Acetoacetate

On August 10, India's Ministry of Finance made final rulings for Indian safeguard against importing Methyl Acetoacetate (MAA), which are mainly from China and the USA:

(1) Contrasted with 2011-2012, the MAA import to India increased to some extent rather than soared in 2012-2013;

(2) The imported MAA did not pose serious injury threat to Indian domestic industry;

(3) The domestic industry failed to prove the unpredictability in the market expansion of the imported MAA.

(4) The domestic industry cannot clarify that it is in the public interest to levy a 4-year safeguard duty on the imported MAA.

Based on the above rulings, the Indian Ministry disapproves of levying the safeguard duty on the imported MAA under HS Code 29183040.

For the case, four Chinese enterprises responded to the suits, including Nantong Acetic Acid Chemical Co Ltd, China PR; Xinhua Pharmaceuticals (Shouguang) Co Ltd China PR; Jiangsu Tiancheng Biochemical Products Co Ltd, China PR; Qingdao Double-Peach Speciality Chemical (Group) Co Ltd.

This June, India started the probe for the safeguard.