The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has initiated three new investigations regarding alleged dumping and circumvention of anti-dumping measures. Below are the details:
In all cases, the deadline to respond is 20 October 2024, although an extension of up to two weeks can be granted on good cause shown.
Obviously you need to contact us at info@xagta.com if you wish to oppose any of these applications.
1. Investigation into Alleged Dumping of Hot-Rolled Flat Steel Products
Investigation into the alleged dumping of flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy, or other alloy steel, with a width of 600mm or more, originating from China, Japan, and Taiwan. These products include hot-rolled, not clad, plated, or coated steel and are classified under several tariff subheadings: 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7225.30, and 7225.40.
Applicant: ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA), supported by Columbus Stainless (Pty) Ltd.
Requested duty:
Country | Requested duty |
---|---|
Japan | 15% to 24% |
China | 72% |
Taiwan | 21% to 30% |
Background: AMSA and Columbus Stainless account for 100% of domestic production of the subject product within SACU. This investigation responds to concerns over the increasing volume of low-priced imports, which AMSA argues are causing material injury to the local industry. AMSA has been having frequent issues to supply to its customers, as any reader of our blog will know. It is now seeking to further restrict steel imports, on top of a safeguard investigation on hot rolled steel currently ongoing.
Key Dates:
- Period of Investigation for Dumping: 1 April 2023, to 31 March 2024.
- Period of Investigation for Material Injury: 1 April 2021, to 31 March 2024
2. Investigation into Alleged Dumping of Structural Steel Products
ITAC has also launched an investigation into the alleged dumping of structural steel products originating from China and Thailand. The products in question include U-sections, I-sections, H-sections, and equal angles of iron or non-alloy steel, which are classified under tariff subheadings 7216.10, 7216.21, 7216.22, 7216.40, and 7216.50. The applicable tariff subheadings for this investigation are:
- 7216.31 – U Sections
- 7216.32 – I Sections
- 7216.33 – H Sections
- 7216.50 – Other angles, shapes, and sections
For the purposes of this investigation, these products are collectively referred to as “certain structural steel products.”
Applicant: ArcelorMittal Rails and Structures Ltd (AMRAS).
Requested duty:
Country | Requested duty |
---|---|
China | 55.04% |
Thailand | 9.66% |
Background: AMRAS is the sole producer of the aforementioned structural steel products within SACU, accounting for 100% of domestic production. The company claims that unfairly low-priced imports from China and Thailand are negatively impacting its market share, leading to this dumping investigation.
Key Dates:
- Period of Investigation for Dumping: 1 April 2022, to 30 March 2024.
- Period of Investigation for Material Injury: 1 April 2021, to 30 March 2024.
3. Circumvention Investigation of Anti-Dumping Measures on Pneumatic Tyres
ITAC has initiated a circumvention investigation regarding the anti-dumping measures on new pneumatic tyres of rubber for motor cars, buses, and lorries. The circumvention is alleged to occur via country-hopping from the People’s Republic of China through Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The affected products are classified under the following tariff subheadings:
- For Motor Cars: HS 4011.10.01, 4011.10.03, 4011.10.05, 4011.10.07, 4011.10.09
- For Buses or Lorries: HS 4011.20.16, 4011.20.18, 4011.20.26
Applicant: South African Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC).
Requested duty:
Country | Requested duty |
---|---|
Cambodia | 21% |
Thailand | 68% |
Vietnam | 84% |
Background: The SATMC, representing Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Sumitomo Rubber, accounts for 100% of domestic production of the subject products in SACU. The association alleges that tyre producers in China are using Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam as intermediary countries to evade the existing anti-dumping measures imposed on tyres from China.
Key Dates:
- Period of Investigation for Dumping: 1 November 2023, to 31 May 2024.
- Period of Investigation for Circumvention: Multiple periods, from March 2022 to May 2024.
More about anti-dumping cases
The most important rule in anti-dumping cases is to respond. The instrument is designed to penalise non-cooperation, so ignoring the case or responding late will result in duties being imposed.
The producers matter. Despite the language barriers and the amount of work to be done, if the producers won’t respond, a favourable outcome is simply less likely. Doing a proper response can deliver very good outcomes because the final duties imposed will be calculated separately for each respondent. Any respondent who gets a very low, or no, duty will have a large advantage over everyone else.