BEIJING -- Chinese importers of nonyl phenol (NP) will have to pay anti-dumping duties from March 29 to offset damage caused by NP producers in India and Taiwan.

NP, an organic chemical, is widely used to make antioxidants in producing pesticide and paint.

This follows a conclusion reached by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) that NP imports from India and Taiwan have constituted dumping and inflicted losses to local manufacturers.

The anti-dumping duties range from 4.08 percent to 20.38 percent and last for five years, the MOC said without giving further details.

China started the anti-dumping investigation into imported NP on December 29, 2005.