South Africa has increased import duties on selected steel products to between 10% and 30% in a bid to protect its struggling domestic steel industry from rising imports, particularly from China.
The new tariffs, announced in a Government notice dated May 15, cover products including flat-rolled iron, non-alloy steel, bars, rods, tubes and pipes. Previous tariffs on these products ranged from zero to 15%.
The move follows calls by the International Trade Administration Commission for emergency measures after major producers, including ArcelorMittal South Africa, shut some mills amid weak demand and growing imports.
ITAC Chief Commissioner Ayabonga Cawe explained on Tuesday that the decision would give local manufacturers room to adjust and invest in production capacity. He added that tariff rebate measures for some steel processors had also been revised, while preferential treatment for certain regions would remain unchanged.
According to the South African Iron and Steel Institute, imports account for about 36% of the country’s steel consumption, with China supplying 73% of imported steel products.
In March, South Africa also imposed steep duties on structural steel imports from China and Thailand after investigations found evidence of dumping.