On 17 Jul 2025, the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) extended an invitation to a public interest hearing on the investigation for remedial action in the form of a safeguard measure against increased imports 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, classifiable in 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 (subject product).
On 27 December 2024, ITAC initiated an investigation for remedial action in the form of a safeguard measure against the increased imports of the subject product. On 17 January 2025, the investigation was terminated and re-initiated on the same day through the Government Gazette dated 17 January 2025 (Initiation Notice).
The application was lodged by ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited (AMSA), being the major producer of the subject product in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), supported by SAFAL Steel (Pty) Ltd (SAFAL), the other manufacturer of the subject product.
ITAC made a preliminary determination that there is clear evidence that the increased imports have caused serious injury to the SACU industry. ITAC further made a preliminary determination that there are critical circumstances in which a delay in imposing measures would cause damage that would be difficult to repair.
Therefore, ITAC decided to request that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) impose a provisional measure in the form of a 52.34% ad valorem safeguard duty on imports of the subject product for a period of 200 days. The provisional measure was imposed on 27 June 2025.
A public hearing is scheduled for 20 August 2025 at 11:30 virtually on MS TEAMS. All interested parties who wish to attend and wish to make oral representations to ITAC on public interest should indicate their intention to attend on or before 01 August 2025 at 15:00 to ITAC.
All interested parties who wish to address ITAC on public interest should submit a detailed version, including a non-confidential version, of the information to be discussed at the public hearing, in writing to ITAC on or before 13 August 2025 at 15:00. Any party that does not timeously submit a non-confidential version of the information to be discussed at the public hearing will not be allowed to take part in the public hearing.
Interested parties requesting to attend a public interest hearing should note that this will be an open hearing, with all parties present. Only non-confidential information should be presented during the hearing. As indicated, interested parties are at liberty to submit a confidential version of the information in writing to ITAC on or before 13 August 2025.