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India has imposed a 12% safeguard duty for 200 days on five categories of steel imports. Triggered by a sharp rise in shipments from China, Japan, and others, the move is aimed at protecting domestic producers like JSW Steel and SAIL.
The Indian government has imposed a 12% provisional safeguard duty on five major categories of steel products to curb the impact of surging imports on the domestic industry. Effective immediately, the duty will remain applicable for 200 days and targets items priced below the cost-insurance-freight (CIF) thresholds of $675 to $964 per tonne.
This development follows a sharp increase in steel imports over the past two years, from 2.29 million tonnes in FY 2021–22 to 6.61 million tonnes between October 2023 and September 2024. The surge was primarily attributed to high-volume inflows from China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, prompting the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) to recommend emergency measures.
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12% safeguard duty imposed on five categories of imported steel
Applicable only on imports priced below $675–$964 per tonne (CIF)
Duty valid for 200 days, unless revoked or revised earlier
Imports increased from 2.29 MT in 2021–22 to 6.61 MT in 2023–24
Imports from China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam dominate volumes
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The products covered under the new safeguard measure include:
Steel Product Category | Origin Countries Affected | CIF Price Threshold (USD/tonne) |
Hot Rolled Coils | China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam | Below $675 |
Hot Rolled Sheets and Plates | China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam | Below $700 |
Cold Rolled Coils and Sheets | China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam | Below $725 |
Metallic Coated Steel Products | China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam | Below $800 |
Colour-Coated Steel Products | China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam | Below $964 |
This decision is expected to offer short-term relief to large domestic steelmakers such as JSW Steel, Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. It may lead to a moderate rise in steel prices, helping offset pricing pressure due to global overcapacity and softening demand.
Market watchers anticipate improved sentiments around JSW Steel share price, SAIL share price, and Nippon Steel India share price, driven by the reduced threat of import-driven price undercutting. However, the downstream sector, particularly MSMEs and engineering exporters, may face cost escalations that could squeeze margins.
JSW Steel share price closed positively following the announcement, with similar momentum noted for SAIL share price and Nippon Steel India share price amid expectations of improved domestic demand and profit margins.
The safeguard duty represents a strategic intervention to protect India's steel ecosystem from external shocks. While it benefits upstream producers by curbing cheap imports, careful monitoring will be required to assess its downstream impact, particularly on export competitiveness and input cost dynamics for allied sectors.
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