Recent notices published in the Government Gazette on 12 June 2026 highlight important developments affecting South Africa’s steel and manufacturing sectors.
Safeguard duties on corrosion-resistant steel products
Following an investigation conducted by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), safeguard duties have been implemented on certain corrosion-resistant flat-rolled steel products. The measures apply to products classified under tariff subheadings 7210.61.20, 7210.61.30, 7225.92.25 and 7225.92.35 and impose a safeguard duty of 52.34% from 12 June 2026 until 11 June 2027.
As part of the progressive liberalisation of the safeguard measure, the duty will be reduced to 37.34% from 12 June 2027 until 11 June 2028. The reduced safeguard duty applies to the same tariff subheadings and continues to exclude imports originating in a specified list of developing countries, consistent with the original safeguard measure.
A further scheduled reduction will apply from 12 June 2028 until 11 June 2029, when the safeguard duty will decrease to 22.34% on the same tariff lines, completing the phased liberalisation of the measure.
The safeguard duties remain applicable only to imports from countries covered by the measure, while the listed developing country exemptions continue to apply throughout the implementation period.
New rebate provision for aluminium profiles
In a separate notice published on 12 June 2026, a new rebate provision was introduced under rebate item 460.15 for certain aluminium-copper-magnesium-zinc alloy profiles classifiable under tariff heading 7604.29.
The rebate applies to specified aluminium profiles with a maximum cross-sectional dimension of between 320 mm and 340 mm and prescribed chemical and mechanical characteristics. The rebate will be available subject to an ITAC permit and subject to unavailability in the SACU market. The new rebate is intended to facilitate access to specialised aluminium inputs where local production is unavailable, thereby supporting downstream manufacturing activities.