BEIJING, Feb. 17 -- China's Ministry of Commerce announced Monday in a preliminary ruling that the European Union and the United States have dumped perchlorethylene on the Chinese market.

The ruling said perchlorethylene imports from the two regions have caused substantial damage to the domestic industry.

Importers of the product must place deposits with Chinese customs starting on Tuesday, depending on the dumping margin as determined by the ministry.

China initiated anti-dumping probes on imports from the two regions last year in response to applications from domestic companies.

Perchlorethylene is a chlorinated solvent and used extensively by dry cleaning plants. Other applications include vapor degreasing and use as a chemical intermediate and processing solvent.