China announced Tuesday it would continue charging anti-dumping duties on imported chloroform, a solvent used in refrigerants, purchased from the European Union, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), following a one-year review.

The tax will last four years and begin on Tuesday, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC).

China began to levy tariffs of 32 to 96 percent on chloroform imported in the three regions on Nov 30, 2004 after finding the imports caused essential damages to domestic industry.

On Nov 29, 2009, one day before the measures were due to end, China launched a review of the anti-dumping measures against the three locations after having received applications for reviewing the measures from two Chinese chemical enterprises representing Chinese chloroform producers.

During the review, the duties remained in place before a conclusion was reached.

Chloroform imported from the three places would continue to impair the interests of the domestic sectors if the anti-dumping measures were discontinued, noted the MOC verdict.

(Xinhua Nwes Agency December 1, 2010)