South Africa has imposed sharply higher tariffs on structural steel imports from China and Thailand after a formal investigation found evidence of dumping, according to a government notice issued March 19 and reported by Reuters.
The move marks a significant escalation in trade protection, with duties on Chinese imports rising to 74.98 percent, while similar products from Thailand will face a tariff of 20.32 percent
The decision underscores intensifying pressure on South Africa’s steel sector, where weak demand and surging low-cost imports have forced plant closures and raised fears over industrial decline, prompting authorities to act to shield domestic producers and stabilise output.
Investigation finds ‘material injury’
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) said its probe confirmed that structural steel imports from China and Thailand were entering the Southern African Customs Union market at unfairly low prices.
According to the commission, these products were being ‘dumped’—sold below market value or production cost—placing domestic manufacturers at a severe disadvantage.
In its findings, ITAC concluded that the imports had caused ‘material injury’ to the local industry, reinforcing the case for stronger tariff intervention.
