China to Extend Anti-dumping Duties on Catechol Imports

China will extend anti-dumping measures against catechol imports from the United States and Japan for another five years, effective on May 22, 2012, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on May 21, 2012.

The anti-dumping duties imposed on catechol imports, a chemical can be used as a photographic-developing agent, had expired on May 22, 2011. China has decided to extend the tariffs after a year-long review, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

"If such measures cease to be implemented, the dumping of imported catechol from the U.S. and Japan may continue to occur in China and cause damage to the domestic catechol industry," the MOC explained in a statement on its website.

China imposed five-year anti-dumping duties of 4 percent to 46.81 percent on catechol imports from the two countries on May 22, 2006.