Imposition of the duty is recommended by the Directorate General of Antidumping and Allied Duties (DGAD), an investigation arm of the commerce ministry, with a view to guard domestic players from cheap imports.

In its findings, the DGAD has concluded that dumping of Styrene Butadiene Rubber of 1,500 and 1,700 series from these three regions are "suppressing the prices of the domestic industry, impacting profitability".

The DGAD in a notification has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

The suggested duty ranges between USD 26.58 per tonne to USD 266 per tonne.

While DGAD recommends the duty, finance ministry imposes it.

The Indian Synthetic Rubber Pvt Ltd and Reliance Industries Ltd have filed the application for the dumping investigations.

Imports of this rubber from these three regions have increased to 1,48,732 tonnes during the period of investigations (October 2014 - September 2015) from 1,18,468 tonnes in 2012-13.

Countries impose anti-dumping duties to guard domestic industry from surge in below-cost imports.

India has also imposed similar duties on several other products including steel, fabrics and chemicals being exported by different countries here like China.

Anti-dumping steps are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry.

They are not a measure to restrict import or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.