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On 12 October 2022, The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (the Commission), gazetted a notice of the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of coated coils of steel of a width of 600 mm or more, otherwise plated or coated with zinc of a thickness of less than 0.45 mm (classifiable under tariff subheading 7210.49.10) originating in or imported from China. The application was lodged by the South African Coil Coaters Association (SACCA), on behalf of its members. SACCA members were, at the time of the submission of the application, ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited (“AMSA”), Safal Steel (Pty) Ltd and Duferco Steel Processing. Together they constituted 100% of the domestic production of the subject product in Southern African Customs Union (SACU). AMSA is the major producer of the subject product. The investigation was initiated after the Commission considered that there was prima facie evidence that the subject products were being imported into the SACU market at dumped prices, causing material injury to the SACU industry. After considering all comments from interested parties, the Commission made a preliminary determination that, dumping of the subject products is taking place and that the SACU industry is experiencing material injury, which is causally linked to the alleged dumping of the subject products. On 14 February 2023, the Commission determined that, there are critical circumstances where a delay would cause further material injury to the SACU industry. In line with Article 57(A) of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, the Commission requested that the Commissioner of South African Revenue Services (SARS), impose provisional duties of 35.90 percent against imports of the subject products from China, for a period of 6 months, while the investigation is being finalised. SARS imposed the provisional duties on 17 March 2023. The duties will expire on 16 September 2023. Once the investigation has been finalised, the Commission, after considering all the comments and properly documented questionnaire responses, will make a recommendation to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, who may either accept, reject or refer the Commission’s recommendation back for further investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the Commission is awaiting updated responses from exporters, whose responses were found to be deficient, and comments from interested parties on ITAC’s preliminary report No. 710. The investigation is expected to be completed by the Commission on or before October 2023. Please click on the link below to access the full report 710: ISSUED BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA
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