On 21 April 2026, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) informed of the initiation of an investigation into the alleged dumping of other screws fully threaded with hexagon heads and other bolts with hexagon heads excluding bolt ends, screw studs and screw studding, classifiable in tariff subheadings 7318.15.39 and 7318.15.43) originating in or imported from the People’s Republic of China (China) and Malaysia on which comment is due by May 28.
ITAC is self-initiating an investigation in terms of section 16 of the International Trade Administration Act, 2002 and Regulation 3.3 of the Anti-Dumping Regulations (ADR) into the alleged dumping of fully threaded screws with hexagon heads (screws) and other bolts with hexagon heads, excluding bolt ends, screw studs, and studding (bolts) (subject products), originating in or imported from China and Malaysia.
The self-initiation is based on prima facie evidence of dumping, material injury, and a causal link between the alleged dumped imports and the material injury experienced by the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) industry.
ITAC notes that a previous investigation into the subject products originating in or imported from China was initiated on 26 July 2024. The 18-month statutory period applicable to that investigation expired on 26 January 2026, and the investigation was terminated on 05 February 2026.
The allegation of dumping
The allegation of dumping is based on a comparison of normal values and export prices for China and Malaysia, respectively. The normal values were determined based on export prices to various third countries, per the applicable tariff subheading. The normal values for China were third country exports from China to Canada and the United States of America. The normal values for Malaysia were the third country’s exports to Canada. The export prices for both countries were based on official import statistics obtained from the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
On this basis, ITAC found that there was prima facie proof of dumping of the subject product originating in or imported from the PRC and Malaysia and calculated the following margins of dumping:
Screws’ dumping margin
- China 115.36%
- Malaysia 181.18%
Bolts dumping margin
- China 67.97%
- Malaysia 272.22%
The allegation of material injury and causal link – cumulative assessment
There are two countries involved in this investigation, namely China and Malaysia. Under ADR16.3, ITAC may cumulatively assess the effect of the dumped imports only if it finds that cumulation is appropriate. Given the available information, ITAC determined that the requirements for cumulation had been met and therefore decided to conduct a cumulative assessment of the effects of the dumped imports from China and Malaysia.
Material injury
The material injury information gathered by ITAC shows that import volumes have increased and that the industry is experiencing significant price undercutting, depression, and suppression.
This has resulted in a decline in sales and production volumes; negative net cash flow; a decline in return on investment; a decline in capacity utilisation; a decline in profits, a decline in market share; a decline in employment and negative growth. On this basis, ITAC found that there was prima facie proof of material injury.
Causal link
ITAC found prima facie evidence of a causal link between the alleged dumped imports and the material injury suffered by the SACU industry.
Period of investigation
The period of investigation for the purpose of determining the dumping is from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. The period of investigation for purposes of determining the material injury is from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2025.
Procedural framework
Having decided that there was sufficient evidence and a prima facie case to justify the initiation of an anti-dumping investigation, ITAC is self-initiating an investigation in terms of section 16 of the ITA Act. ITAC will conduct its investigation in accordance with the relevant sections of the ITA Act and the ADR. Both the ITA Act and the ADR are available on ITAC’s website (www.itac.org.za) or from the Trade Remedies section, on request.
