On 19 February 2026, the International Trade Administration of South Africa (ITAC) announced its final determination of the Sunset Review of the anti-dumping duty on disodium carbonate (soda ash) originating in or imported from the United States of America (USA).
In accordance with the provisions of Section 53 of the Anti-Dumping Regulations and Article 11.3 of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), any definitive anti-dumping duty shall be terminated on a date not later than five years from its imposition, unless the authorities determine, in a review initiated before that date, on their own initiative or upon a duly substantiated request made by or on behalf of the domestic industry within a reasonable period of time prior to that date, that the expiry of duties would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) industry.
On 7 June 2024, ITAC through a Government Gazette notice notified interested parties that unless a substantiated request was by or on behalf of the SACU’s industry before 29 September 2024, indicating that the expiry of the anti-dumping duties on soda ash originating in or imported from the USA would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury, the anti-dumping duties on such imports would expire on 29 March 2025.
On 25 September 2024, a Sunset Review application was received from Botswana Ash (Pty) Ltd (Botash) and supported by Sappi Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd.
After all identified deficiencies were addressed, a properly documented letter was sent to the applicant on 25 February 2025.
Botash alleged that the expiry of the anti-dumping duty would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury, causing material injury to the SACU industry concerned. Botash submitted sufficient evidence and established a prima facie case to enable ITAC to reach a reasonable conclusion that a Sunset Review investigation of the anti-dumping duties on soda ash originating in or imported from the USA should be initiated.
On 07 March 2025, ITAC initiated a Sunset Review of the anti-dumping duty on soda ash originating in or imported from the USA through a Government Gazette notice.
Subsequent to the initiation of the investigation, all known interested parties were informed and provided with the non-confidential application. They were asked to complete the relevant questionnaires.
No responses were received from any exporter/manufacturer or any SACU importer of the subject products.
On 30 May 2025, ITAC sent out essential facts letters to all interested parties. The deadline for comments from interested parties was 13 June 2025.
There were no responses to the essential facts letters from importers, producers and/ or exporters of the subject product.
On 12 June 2025, ITAC received comments from Botash and the Botswana Trade Commission:
- Botash supports the Commission’s intention to maintain the anti-dumping duties on the subject product.
- The Botswana Trade Commission supports the current anti-dumping duties on the subject product.
ITAC made a final determination that the expiry of the anti-dumping duty on soda ash originating in or imported from the USA would likely lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and material injury.
ITAC made a final determination to recommend to the trade, industry and competition minister that the current anti-dumping duty on soda ash originating in or imported from the USA be maintained as follows:
- Item 206.13/2836.20 ‘Disodium carbonate’ originating in or imported from the USA, with a rate of anti-dumping duty of 40%.
The minister approved ITAC’s recommendation. ITAC’s detailed reasons for its final determination are set out in its Report No. 753.