Trade Protection Measure Targets Specific SteelCategories
South Korea has taken decisive action to protect itsdomestic steel industry by imposing substantial provisional anti-dumping dutieson certain hot-rolled steel plates imported from China. The Ministry of Economyand Finance announced the measure on April 24, 2025, implementing tariffsranging from 27.91% to 38.02% on specified steel products.
The provisional duties will remain in effect for afour-month period, concluding on August 23, 2025. According to the ministry,this temporary measure aims to prevent injury to South Korean steelmanufacturers during the ongoing investigation into alleged dumping practicesby Chinese exporters.
Specific Products Affected
The anti-dumping duties apply specifically to hot-rolledcarbon steel and other alloy steel plates that meet particular dimensionalcriteria:
- Thickness of 4.75 mm or more
- Width of 600 mm or more
The affected products fall under seven specific tariffcodes within the Harmonized System Korea:
- 7208.51.1000
- 7208.51.9000
- 7208.52.1000
- 7208.52.9000
- 7225.40.9010
- 7225.40.9091
- 7225.40.9099
Importantly, the ministry has explicitly excludedhot-rolled steel coils and cold-rolled steel products from this provisional anti-dumpingmeasure, indicating a targeted approach to addressing specific segments of thesteel import market where dumping concerns are most acute.
Key Takeaways:
• South Korea has imposed provisional anti-dumping dutiesranging from 27.91% to 38.02% on certain hot-rolled steel plates imported fromChina.
• The measure will remain in effect for four months, fromApril 24 to August 23, 2025, while authorities complete their investigation.
• The duties specifically target hot-rolled carbon steeland alloy steel plates with a thickness of 4.75 mm or more and a width of 600mm or more.
• Seven specific HSK tariff codes are affected:7208.51.1000, 7208.51.9000, 7208.52.1000, 7208.52.9000, 7225.40.9010,7225.40.9091, and 7225.40.9099.
• Hot-rolled steel coils and cold-rolled steel products areexplicitly excluded from the provisional duties.
• The action aims to prevent injury to South Korea'sdomestic steel industry during the ongoing investigation period.
