April 20, 2018 - 14:18 BJT (06:18 GMT)   MOFCOM

In accordance with the Anti-dumping Regulations of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Anti-dumping Regulations"), on August 30, 2017, the Ministry of Commerce (hereinafter referred to as the "Investigation Authority") issued Announcement No.45 of 2017, deciding to carry out anti-dumping investigation against imports of halogenated butyl rubber (hereinafter referred to as the "Products under Investigation") originating in the United States, the EU and Singapore.

The Investigation Authority has investigated into the existence of dumping and dumping margin, the existence of damage to China's domestic industry of halogenated butyl rubber caused by the Products under Investigation and the extent of such damage, as well as the causal relationship between the dumping and the damage. The Investigation Authority has made a preliminary ruling (See the Annex) according to the investigation findings and Article 24 of the Anti-dumping Regulations. Relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:

I. Preliminary ruling

The Investigation Authority preliminarily ruled that there was dumping of halogenated butyl rubber originating in the United States, the EU and Singapore and the domestic industry of halogenated butyl rubber was substantially damaged, and there was causal relationship between the dumping and the substantive damage.

II. Levying of margin

The investigation authority decides to carry out interim anti-dumping measures by levying margin according to Article 28 and Article 29 of the Anti-dumping Regulations. As of April 20, 2018, import operators shall pay relevant margin to the Customs of the People's Republic of China at the rate determined by this ruling for each company when importing the Products under Investigation.

Details of the Products under Investigation are as follows:

Scope of investigation: imports of halogenated butyl rubber originating in the United States, the EU and Singapore.

The Product under Investigation is 卤化丁基橡胶 or 卤代丁基橡胶 mentioned in the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China.

English names: Halogenated Butyl Rubber (Chlorobutyl Rubber, Bromobutyl Rubber)
Molecular structure:

X is Br or Cl

Physical and chemical characteristics: Halogenated butyl rubber is a product of the reaction of butyl rubber with a halogenating agent and is an improved product of ordinary butyl rubber. Halogenation reactions include chlorination and bromination. Therefore, halogenated butyl rubber can be classified into chlorinated butyl rubber and brominated butyl rubber. Halogenated butyl rubber products are in the form of white to light amber plastic blocks. Halogenated butyl rubber has the characteristics of fast vulcanization, good compatibility with other unsaturated rubbers, high self-adhesion and high mutual viscosity.

Main purposes: Halogenated butyl rubber is mainly used for tubeless inner liners, heat-resistant inner tubes, heat-resistant hoses and conveyor belts, medical stoppers, shock pads, adhesives, and sealing materials.

The product is listed under tariff numbers of 40023910 and 40023990 in the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China.

Rates of margin imposed on companies are as follows:

Companies of the United States:

1. Exxon Mobil Corporation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　66.5%
2. All others　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　66.5%

EU companies:

1. ExxonMobil Chemical Limited　　　　　　　　　　　　63.7%
2. ARLANXEO Belgium NV　　　　　　　　　　　　　　30.9%
3. All others　　　　　　　　　　　　　63.7%

Companies of Singapore:

1. ARLANXEO SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.　　　　　　　　　　　26.0%
2. All others　　　　　　　　　　66.5%

III. Methods on levying of margin

As of April 20, 2018, import operators shall pay relevant margin to the Customs of the People's Republic of China according to the dumping margin determined by this ruling for each company when importing halogenated butyl rubber originating in the United States, the EU and Singapore. The margin is levied by means of ad valorem on the basis of dutiable value authorized by China Customs, and the formula is: margin = (dutiable value authorized by the Customs * levying rate)* (1+ import value-added tax rate).

IV. Comments

An interested party may submit written comments to the investigation authority within 10 days from the promulgation date hereof.

Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China
April 19, 2018