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South Africa has introduced substantial anti-dumping duties on structural steel imports from China and Thailand following an investigation that found local producers being unfairly undercut.
According to a government notice finalised on March 19, 2026, Chinese structural steel will now face a punitive tariff of 74.98%, while similar products from Thailand will attract a 20.32% duty.
These measures, approved by Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau, are set to remain in place for the next five years to shield the domestic industry from “material injury.”
The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) launched the probe after observing a massive surge in low-priced imports, which reportedly jumped nearly 19-fold during the 2023/24 financial year.
This influx has severely pressured South African manufacturers like ArcelorMittal South Africa, which has been forced to idle some operations and cut thousands of jobs due to its inability to compete with “dumped” prices—exports sold below market value or production costs.
Currently, imports account for roughly 36% of South Africa’s total steel consumption, with China alone supplying over 70% of that volume.
The new tariffs specifically target steel used in construction and infrastructure, reflecting a broader global trend of countries tightening trade protections against overcapacity.
While industry groups have welcomed the move as a vital lifeline for “Africa’s most advanced economy,” some analysts suggest that the higher import costs may eventually impact the pricing of local construction projects.
For now, the move represents a decisive effort by the South African government to stabilise a sector vital to national industrialisation and employment.
