NOTICE OF INITIATION OF THE INVESTIGATION FOR REMEDIAL ACTION IN THE FORM OF A SAFEGUARD MEASURE AGAINST THE INCREASED IMPORTS OF FLAT-ROLLED PRODUCTS OF IRON, NON-ALLOY STEEL OR OTHER ALLOY STEEL (NOT INCLUDING STAINLESS STEEL), WHETHER IN COILS OR NOT IN COILS, (INCLUDING PRODUCTS CUT-TO-LENGTH AND ‘NARROW STRIP’), NOT FURTHER WORKED THAN COLD-ROLLED (COLD-REDUCED), NOT CLAD, PLATED OR COATED (HEREWITH REFERRED TO AS COLD-ROLLED PRODUCTS).
Dear Steel Industry employer
On 10 July 2026, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) published a notice regarding an investigation of a safeguard duty relating to flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel and cold-rolled steel originating in or being imported from anywhere in the world into the Southern African Customs Union market (SACU) in the Government Gazette for public comment.
The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) initiated this safeguard duty, as well as an anti-dumping duty investigation into cold-rolled steel after ArcelorMittal applied to ITAC for a safeguard duty of 40% for imports coming from anywhere around the world, and a 119% anti-dumping duty on this product specifically imported from China.
Currently, there is a 10% duty on cold-rolled steel applicable to imports from countries with which South Africa does not have a trade agreement. Should these new duties be approved, collectively, imports from anywhere in the world will carry at least a 50% safeguard duty, and imports originating specifically from China will carry a total duty of 169%.
Affected employers within the import and export industry and any other representative associations are encouraged to submit comments or any other information in this regard, in writing, to the following address by 30 July 2026:
Queries can be directed to the investigating officer, Mr. Edwin Mkwanazi, at emkwanazi@itac.org.za or Mr. Neo Motshoane at nmotshoane@itac.org.za.
Should you require assistance in making submissions, please contact Donald MacKay from XA Global Trade Advisors at donald@xagta.com.
For more information
NEASA Media Department
media@neasa.co.za
