India slaps up to 12% safeguard duty on steel imports, move aimed at China

The levy, locally known as a safeguard duty, will be imposed at 12% in the first year, followed by 11.5% in the second year and then 11% in the third year.

• India sets 11-12% safeguard duty on specific steel imports for three years
• Tariff mainly targets Chinese steel shipments to protect domestic producers
• Duty will decrease yearly from 12 percent to 11 percent over three years

Did our AI summary help?

India has imposed a three-year import tariff of between 11% and 12% on some steel products, according to a finance ministry order published on Tuesday, as the government aims to curb cheap shipments from China.

The levy, locally known as a safeguard duty, will be imposed at 12% in the first year followed by 11.5% in the second year and then 11% in the third year.

The measure, which was published on the official government gazette, excludes imports from certain developing countries, though China, Vietnam, and Nepal will be subject to the levy. It also will not apply to specialty steel products such as stainless steel.

The federal steel ministry has repeatedly said it does not want the domestic steel industry to face injury due to cheap imports and sub-standard products.

The government imposed a temporary 200-day tariff of 12% in April.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies recommended the three-year duty after finding a "recent, sudden, sharp and significant increase in imports ... causing and threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry", the order said.

US President Donald Trump's import tariffs on steel have fuelled a wave of trade friction over Chinese steel, with countries including South Korea and Vietnam imposing anti-dumping levies earlier this year.