On 17 October 2025, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) announced its preliminary determination in the investigation into the alleged dumping of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated, with aluminium-zinc alloys, of a thickness of less than 0.45mm and flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, otherwise plated or coated with zinc, of a thickness of less than 0,45mm classifiable under tariff subheadings 7210.61.20 and 7210.61.30, and flat-rolled products of other alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, otherwise plated or coated with zinc, of a thickness of less than 0,45mm, classifiable under tariff subheadings 7225.92.25 and 7225.92.35 (corrosion resistant steel coil) originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (China) on which comment is due by 31 October 2025.
The investigation was initiated on 20 March 2024 after ITAC considered the application lodged by ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd (AMSA) and SAFAL Steel (Pty) Ltd (SAFAL) (collectively called ‘the applicant’) alleging that corrosion-resistant steel coil originating in or imported from China is being dumped onto the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), causing material injury to the SACU market. ITAC was satisfied that the applicant had submitted sufficient evidence and established a prima facie case to enable the Commission to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that an investigation should be initiated based on dumping, material injury and a causal link between the alleged dumped imports and the material injury experienced by the SACU industry.
Subsequent to initiation of the investigation, all known interested parties were sent the non-confidential application and requested to respond to the relevant questionnaires.
On 09 September 2025, ITAC, after considering all the information available to it, made a preliminary determination that the subject product originating in or imported from China is being dumped in the SACU. The Commission also made a preliminary determination that the SACU Industry is experiencing material injury and that there is a causal link between the dumped imports and the material injury experienced by the SACU Industry.
Notwithstanding the findings set out in its report, ITAC made a preliminary determination not to impose provisional anti-dumping duties at this stage. This recommendation is based on the fact that provisional safeguard duties were already imposed on 27 June 2025 on imports of corrosion-resistant steel coil. These safeguard duties may have already contributed to deterring imports. They may have had a positive impact on the domestic industry’s situation. Moreover, ITAC found that not imposing provisional duties could minimise the cost-raising effect on the downstream users of corrosion-resistant steel coil.
The basis and reasons for ITAC’s findings are set out in its Preliminary Report No.758, wherein the decisions regarding its determination are detailed.
Accordingly, ITAC extended an invitation to interested parties to comment, in writing, to ITAC’s preliminary determination within 14 days from the date the preliminary report is made available – 31 October 2025.
Comments received after the due date (31 October 2025) will not be accepted except with the prior written consent of ITAC. ITAC will give due consideration to written requests for an extension of not more than 7 days on good cause shown (properly motivated and substantiated), if received prior to the expiry of the 14-day period. Merely citing insufficient time is not an acceptable reason for an extension.