South Africa has imposed steep import duties on structural steel from China and Thailand after its trade watchdog found evidence of dumping, according to an official notice, Reuters reported.
Structural steel imports from China will now face tariffs as high as 74.98%, while similar products from Thailand will be subject to a 20.32% duty, based on a government notice dated March 19.
This follows earlier provisional anti-dumping measures introduced in 2024, when duties of 52.81% were placed on Chinese imports and 9.12% on Thai imports.
The affected steel products are primarily used in construction.
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The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa said its investigation determined that imports from both countries were being dumped, meaning they were sold at prices below normal market value or even below production costs, putting local producers at a disadvantage.
In its notice, the commission stated that steel products “originating in or imported from the PRC and Thailand was being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, thereby causing material injury”.
Officials from the Chinese and Thai embassies did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The commission added that the country’s trade minister had approved the tariff recommendations.
The steel sector in South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized economy, continues to struggle with weak domestic demand and rising imports, particularly from China.
Major players such as ArcelorMittal South Africa have already shut down some mills in response to these pressures.
Imports currently account for about 36% of the country’s total steel consumption, with China responsible for 73% of those imports, according to the South African Iron and Steel Institute.
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