New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) The government has imposed an anti-dumping duty of up to Rs.20 per kilogram of imported carbon black.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), in a notification, said the duty ranged between Rs.4 to Rs.20 per kilogram and would be effective for five years.

The CBEC said carbon black from Thailand, China, Russia and Australia was being sold to Indian companies below their normal value.

The CBEC functions under the finance ministry and formulates policies concerning levy and collection of customs and central excise duties and service tax.

The government had imposed anti-dumping duties on various products including chemicals, yarns and certain aluminium items to prevent cheap imports that hurt domestic producers.