• South Africa imposes anti-dumping duties on Chinese, Thai steel

• Duties set at 74.98% for China, 20.32% for Thailand

• Move follows import surge harming domestic producers and jobs

South Africa has imposed anti-dumping duties on construction steel from China and Thailand to protect its domestic steel industry, the government said on Thursday, March 19.

Steel imports from China will now face a duty of 74.98%, while similar steel products from Thailand will be subject to a 20.32% levy.

In 2024, Africa’s most industrialised nation imposed provisional anti-dumping duties of 52.81% and 9.12% on construction steel imports from China and Thailand, respectively. The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) also opened an investigation into alleged dumping, following a 19-fold increase in imports from the two countries during the 2023/2024 financial year.

Some 28,800 metric tons of construction steel entered the South African market during that period, putting pressure on domestic producers and iron ore processors, including ArcelorMittal’s local subsidiary. The investigation found that imported products were sold at prices below fair value, causing significant harm to the domestic industry.

In addition to competition from imports, local steelmakers have cited rising electricity costs to justify temporary production halts and significant workforce reductions. ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) said in September 2025 it planned to wind down its long steel operations in the country. Talks with the government to preserve those operations are ongoing.

AMSA’s flat steel operations will remain active. Flat steel is used mainly in the automotive and aerospace industries, while long steel products such as beams, girders, rebar and railway rails are primarily used in construction.

Following its findings, ITAC recommended imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on construction steel from China and Thailand for five years. The recommendation was approved by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.

Walid Kéfi