Pending the outcome of an investigation by the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) into the alleged dumping of structural steel products imported from China and Thailand into South Africa, South African Revenue Services (Sars) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has imposed provisional duties of 52.81% against the value of imports of structural steel products from China, and 9.12% against imports of structural steel products from Thailand.

On 20 September 2024, ITAC gazetted a notice of the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of galvanised steel coils imported from China and Thailand. Structural steel products are an intermediary product in the fabrication, construction, and mining industries, and are utilised in rail, renewable energy, primary energy, infrastructure development and general engineering sectors. The products are used to build a steel structure for a warehouses and buildings.

The application was received from ArcelorMittal Rails and Structures Ltd (Pty) (“the Applicant”). The applicant is the only producer of the subject product in the Southern African Custom’s Union (SACU).

The investigation was initiated after the Commission considered that there was prima facie evidence that the subject products were being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, causing material injury to the SACU industry. After considering all the facts available before the Commission, the Commission made a preliminary determination that dumping of the subject products is taking place, the SACU industry is experiencing material injury, which is causally linked to the alleged dumping of the subject products.

The Commission determined that there are critical circumstances where a delay would cause further material injury to the SACU industry. The Commission decided that provisional measures be imposed for a period of six (06) months pending the finalisation of the investigation.

In line with Article 57(A) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, the Commission requested the Commissioner of South African Revenue Services (SARS) to impose provisional duties of 52.81 percent ad valorem against the imports of the subject products from China, and 9.12 percent ad valorem against imports of the subject product from Thailand, for a period of 6 months, while the investigation was being finalised.

SARS imposed the provisional duties on 29 November 2024. The duties will expire on 28 May 2025. The investigation is currently ongoing and ITAC is awaiting comments from interested parties on ITAC’s Preliminary Report No. 737. The investigation is expected to be completed by the Commission in or before May 2025.

The Commission administers the trade remedies instruments through investigation of alleged dumping, subsidised imports, and a surge of imports into the SACU, in accordance with domestic legislation and consistent with WTO Rules.