Dear Steel Industry employer
As if role players and employers in the Steel industry are not already crippled by the severe regulations the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) continuously foists on them, ITAC yet again showed its blatant disregard for the long-term repercussions of its actions.
On 19 March 2026, ITAC imposed final anti-dumping duties on structural steel being imported from Thailand and China for five years, which specifically target products such as U, I, and H-sections widely used in infrastructure, construction, and manufacturing, as well as other angles, shapes, and sections. Chinese imports now face a significant 74.98% tariff, while imports from Thailand attract 20.32%.
ITAC also imposed final anti-dumping duties on certain flat-rolled iron and non-alloy or other alloy steel of a width of 600mm or more for five years on China (as high as 47.92%), Japan (as high as 57.23%), and Taiwan (24.20%).
It needs to be noted that these duties are in addition to the already 10% ordinary customs duty and the current safeguard duty of 13% on all subject imports, excluding certain developing countries. Currently, interested parties are exploring the possibility of reviewing the imposition of these dumping duties.
One would think that the market would need time to adapt to these major and sudden tariff increases to avoid supply chain disruption, but ITAC seems intent on continuing with its implementation of “economic paralysis”.
As the Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa (STEASA) rightfully states: “This is not simply a trade issue, it is a supply chain and industry sustainability issue… A balanced approach is required to ensure that while local industry is supported, the market remains sufficiently supplied with the materials needed to deliver on infrastructure and economic development.”
Since the implementation of these major anti-dumping duties, steel merchants and various service centres are already delaying and cancelling orders, which will lead to supply chains being disrupted and logistical bottlenecks. There also exists the downstream supply risk, as steel that is produced locally is not as accessible as it was before the implementation of the anti-dumping tariff measures. This would, as the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) put it, “create a real risk of supply shortages in the market, particularly in specialised sizes and specifications not readily available locally.” Downstream industries would also need to pay more for material, which will potentially lead to already ongoing projects being delayed.
Should the above Steel Industry measures be poorly overseen, it will lead to an escalation in costs, a delay in infrastructure delivery, and the weakening of South Africa’s export competitiveness. Lasting sustainability calls for more than simply implementing trade measures. “Quality, traceability, and compliance across the value chain are becoming ever more essential as supply chains shift,” says SAISC.
ITAC clearly shows no regard for the financial or industry impact of its actions and seems to be primarily motivated to implement overly strict measures and push for policies that call for excessive state control.
For more information
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za
