Govt imposes antidumping duty on paracetamol imports

Govt imposes antidumping duty on paracetamol imports

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government has imposed antidumping duties on all imports of
paracetamol from China and the U.S. effective as of Oct. 25, the
Ministry of Finance said.

"The duties have been imposed to protect the local industry,"
the ministry said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"The Indonesian Antidumping Committee has found evidence (of
dumping from China and the U.S.) through investigations conducted
since Sept. 2003."

The duty is valid for five years, but can be reviewed after
one year.

The duty imposed on paracetamol imported from the U.S. is
18.23 percent, while the duty imposed on the analgesic imported
from China varies according to the producers.

Paracetamol made by Hengshui Jiheng Pharmacy Co. Ltd., Rhodia
Wuxi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Zhejian Kang Le Pharmaceutical Co.
Ltd., Huzhou Konch Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and Changshu Huagang
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. are exempt from the duty, while
paracetamol produced by Unqiu Lu'an Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. is
subject to 3.76 percent tax.

Paracetamol from all other Chinese producers are subject to
18.62 percent duty.

Paracetamol is a popular analgesic and antipyretic used to
help relieve fever, headaches and other minor aches and pains.
Also known as acetaminophen, it is a major ingredient in numerous
cold and flu medications, and many prescription painkillers.

Indonesia's pharmaceutical market is currently valued at some
US$350 million. Imported products make up more than 50 percent of
the market, with a large portion coming from the U.S., Germany,
Switzerland and Japan.

Foreign companies importing finished products or raw materials
into Indonesia are required to obtain an import license from the
Ministry of Health.