STEEL INDUSTRY: ITAC calls for comments: Destructive import interventions nearing finalisation.

Dear Steel Industry employer

The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has confirmed that it has made a final determination based on the preliminary determination of 20 August 2025, in relation to a far-reaching review of steel tariffs.

This final outcome will be made public once the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition has considered the report, and will now forward its report to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau.

However, a Gazette Notice published on 21 November 2025 includes a further call for comment on possible additional changes that were not included in the preliminary determination, and are outlined in three tables:

• the first table lists a further 20 products where the import duty could be increased to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) bound rate of between 10% and 15%;

• the second table outlines products that could possibly qualify for proposed rebate provisions; and

• the third table lists products that could be subjected to import permit controls (this is extremely cumbersome to those steel employers who are currently awaiting their product shipments, which are still en route, while not having any permits therefor, as it was not yet required).

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It is imperative for each and every importer, supplier, merchant and manufacturer to make individual submissions on these proposed interventions. There is no certainty as to when these proposed measures may take effect.

NEASA therefore calls on every steel employer to contact their own importers and merchants and implore them to also make submissions in their individual capacity.

Any submissions and/or comments regarding the proposed interventions must be sent to ITAC before 5 December 2025, by emailing submissions/comments to rmolala@itac.org.za / nsikhakhana@itac.org.za / pmatsepane@itac.org.za.

For more information

NEASA Media Department

media@neasa.co.za

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