BEIJING - The Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that it will impose anti-subsidy duties on distiller's dried grain (DDG) from the United States by requiring importers to pay a cash deposit on purchases.

As of Friday, importers of the product must place deposits with Chinese customs ranging from 10-10.7 percent, according to the ministry.

The move comes after the ministry imposed anti-dumping duties on DDG from the United States last week. Starting last Friday, importers of DDG were required to set aside deposits at 33.8 percent of the import value.

The domestic industry has been "substantially" harmed by the dumping and subsidies of DDG, the ministry said in a preliminary ruling following an investigation launched earlier this year.

DDG is the nutrient rich byproduct of dry-milled ethanol production, which is used in animal feed. China is the world's biggest buyer of DDG, with most imports coming from the United States.