Australia Maintains Substantial Trade Remedieson Strategic Material
The Australian Anti-Dumping Commission has securedministerial approval to extend significant trade remedy measures on siliconmetal imported from China. Following the completion of the second sunsetreview, the Minister for Industry and Science has accepted the Commission'srecommendation to continue both anti-dumping and countervailing duty measureson these imports, maintaining substantial protection for Australia's domesticsilicon industry.
Comprehensive Duty Structure Maintained
The extended measures maintain a substantial combined dutyrate of 45.6%, comprised of:
- 16.2% anti-dumping duty (addressing price discrimination)
- 29.4% countervailing duty (offsetting governmentsubsidies)
These duties will be applied in the form of ad valoremmeasures, meaning they are calculated as a percentage of the declared value ofthe imported goods. The measures specifically target silicon metal classifiedunder Australian Harmonized System code 2804.69.00.14.
The continuation of these measures will take effect fromJune 4, 2025, following the expiration of the current duties.
Strategic Importance of Silicon Metal
Silicon metal is a critical industrial material withapplications across multiple strategic sectors:
- Semiconductor manufacturing (silicon wafers)
- Solar panel production (photovoltaic cells)
- Aluminum alloy production (improving strength andcorrosion resistance)
- Silicone production (for sealants, adhesives, and medicalapplications)
- Chemical manufacturing
Given its importance in renewable energy, electronics, andadvanced manufacturing, maintaining domestic production capability for siliconmetal aligns with Australia's broader industrial policy goals around criticalminerals and supply chain security.
Key Takeaways:
• Australia's Minister for Industry and Science hasapproved the continuation of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on siliconmetal imported from China.
• The combined duty rate is 45.6%, consisting of a 16.2%anti-dumping duty and a 29.4% countervailing duty.
• The measures will be applied as ad valorem duties,calculated as a percentage of the declared value of imports.
• The continuation follows the Australian Anti-DumpingCommission's second sunset review of these measures.
• The duties specifically target silicon metal classifiedunder Australian HS code 2804.69.00.14.
• The measures will take effect from June 4, 2025, likelyfor another five-year period.
• Silicon metal is a strategic material with applicationsin semiconductors, solar panels, aluminum alloys, and chemical manufacturing.
• The high countervailing duty rate (29.4%) indicatesAustralian authorities continue to find evidence of significant governmentsubsidization of Chinese production.
