China imposes duties on phenol imports

China will impose anti-dumping duties on phenol imported from the United States, the European Union, South Korea, Japan and Thailand starting on Sept 6, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

Phenols are widely used in household products and as intermediates for industrial synthesis to produce plastics and related materials.

In a statement, the ministry said that those countries and regions' dumping of phenols caused "substantial damage" to China's domestic industry. The tariffs, ranging from 10.6 percent to 287.2 percent, will last for five years, according to the statement.