India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties On Steel Imports From Vietnam And Thailand

New Delhi, Nov 6 (KNN) In a significant move to protect domestic industry, the Indian government has implemented anti-dumping duties on welded stainless steel pipes and tubes imported from Vietnam and Thailand.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, follows a comprehensive investigation by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) that revealed evidence of pricing practices harmful to local manufacturers.

The newly imposed duties, which will remain in effect for five years, range from USD 246 to USD 307 per metric tonne, with specific rates determined by the producer and country of origin.

Thai steel producers, with the exception of I Stainless Steel Co Ltd, face a duty of USD 246 per metric tonne, while Vietnamese manufacturers, excluding Sonha SSP and Steel 568 Co., are subject to a higher rate of USD 307 per metric tonne.

The DGTR's investigation, which examined imports between April 2022 and March 2023, was initiated following complaints from two prominent industry associations including the Delhi-based Stainless Steel Pipe and Tubes Manufacturer Association and its Gujarat counterpart.

The probe received substantial support from the domestic sector, with 40 manufacturers representing approximately 50 percent of India's stainless steel and pipes production contributing data to the investigation.

Foreign manufacturers contested the investigation's scope, arguing that their American Society of Mechanical Engineers: Bioprocessing Equipment (ASME-BPE) certified products should be exempted from the duties, citing their unavailability in the Indian market.

However, the DGTR's findings ultimately determined that the imported products were being sold at dumped prices, resulting in demonstrable injury to the domestic industry.

(KNN Bureau)