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| Indian Steel Association |
Temporary Tariff Aims to Counter Surging Low-Price Imports, Primarily from China
India has implemented a 12% safeguard duty on specific steel imports for 200 days, effective April 21, 2025, in response to a spike in low-cost imports, primarily from China. The move aims to protect domestic producers and restore balance in the local market, according to an official Ministry of Finance order.
The temporary tariff was enacted following a recommendation by the Directorate General for Trade Remedies (DGTR) and will apply only when import prices fall below predefined thresholds. For example, hot rolled coils (HRC) priced at $675/ton CIF or higher will be exempt from the duty.
Tariff Applies to Seven HS Codes
The duty targets steel products under HS codes 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225, and 7226. These include flat-rolled products, used across industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing.
The investigation began in December 2024, prompted by a complaint from the Indian Steel Association, representing key players like JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. The complaint highlighted a sharp rise in steel imports, which rose 14.8% year-on-year to a nine-year high of 9.5 million tons in FY2024/25. Meanwhile, exports of rolled steel fell 35.1%, to 4.86 million tons.
India’s Broader Protectionist Measures
This is not the first intervention in recent months. In January 2025, India also imposed six-month restrictions on low-ash metallurgical coke imports, reflecting the government’s broader effort to safeguard its steel industry amid volatile global trade conditions.
Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy stated that these measures are essential to protect domestic manufacturers and ensure fair competition.
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