China on Monday launched a 150 percent special export tariff on nitrogenous fertilizer and synthetic ammonia, a move to satisfy domestic demand, according to the customs tariff commission (CTC) of the State Council.

The commission said the special tariff on the two products would last through the end of this year. The previous tariff for the two fertilizers was 100 percent.

The commission also said the 100 percent special export tariff on other fertilizers has been extended to the end of this year.

On April 20, the country started collecting a 100-percent special tariff (a tariff yet again levied on export fertilizers in addition to the common tariff rate) on all fertilizer exports and some fertilizer-related raw materials through September 30, a period of high domestic demand.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2008)