Egypt Implements Safeguard Duties on Steel Imports Amid Surging Volumes
[tintuc]
In a move to shield its domestic steel industry, Egypt has introduced a temporary safeguard duty on imports of hot-rolled flat steel products. The measure, reported by industry sources, took effect on September 14, 2025, and is set to remain in place until April 1, 2026. The duty is applied at 13.6% of the CIF value, with a minimum charge of 3,673 Egyptian pounds per ton.
This decision follows a sharp rise in hot-rolled flat steel imports, which surged 31% year-on-year in 2024 and a staggering 116% compared to 2021 levels. The affected products are classified under various HS codes, including 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.40, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7208.53, 7208.54, 7208.90, 7211.14, 7211.19, 7225.30, 7225.40, 7226.91, and 7226.99.
The Egyptian authorities initiated an investigation into these imports in late April 2025 and have since informed the World Trade Organization of the temporary safeguards. Aimed at supporting local producers, the duty applies universally to all exporting nations, which is expected to curb Egypt's import volumes in this category significantly.
As part of a wider strategy to stabilize the sector, Egypt has also enacted similar temporary duties for 200 days starting September 14, 2025, on other steel types:
Semi-finished products (billets): 16.2% or a minimum of 4,613 Egyptian pounds per ton.Cold-rolled steel: 11.11% or a minimum of 4,152 Egyptian pounds per ton.Galvanized steel: 12.16% or a minimum of 4,812 Egyptian pounds per ton.
These actions come against a backdrop of a 227% year-on-year increase in billet imports during 2024.
In parallel developments, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance has rolled out temporary anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel coils imported from China and Japan. Effective from September 1, 2025, for four months, the rates vary by company: 31.58% to 33.57% for Japanese firms and 28.16% to 33.1% for Chinese ones.
This step addresses concerns over unfair pricing practices, further illustrating the global trend toward trade protections in the steel industry amid volatile market conditions.
In a move to shield its domestic steel industry, Egypt has introduced a temporary safeguard duty on imports of hot-rolled flat steel products. The measure, reported by industry sources, took effect on September 14, 2025, and is set to remain in place until April 1, 2026. The duty is applied at 13.6% of the CIF value, with a minimum charge of 3,673 Egyptian pounds per ton.
This decision follows a sharp rise in hot-rolled flat steel imports, which surged 31% year-on-year in 2024 and a staggering 116% compared to 2021 levels. The affected products are classified under various HS codes, including 7208.10, 7208.25, 7208.26, 7208.27, 7208.36, 7208.37, 7208.38, 7208.39, 7208.40, 7208.51, 7208.52, 7208.53, 7208.54, 7208.90, 7211.14, 7211.19, 7225.30, 7225.40, 7226.91, and 7226.99.
The Egyptian authorities initiated an investigation into these imports in late April 2025 and have since informed the World Trade Organization of the temporary safeguards. Aimed at supporting local producers, the duty applies universally to all exporting nations, which is expected to curb Egypt's import volumes in this category significantly.
As part of a wider strategy to stabilize the sector, Egypt has also enacted similar temporary duties for 200 days starting September 14, 2025, on other steel types:
Semi-finished products (billets): 16.2% or a minimum of 4,613 Egyptian pounds per ton.
Cold-rolled steel: 11.11% or a minimum of 4,152 Egyptian pounds per ton.
Galvanized steel: 12.16% or a minimum of 4,812 Egyptian pounds per ton.
These actions come against a backdrop of a 227% year-on-year increase in billet imports during 2024.
In parallel developments, South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance has rolled out temporary anti-dumping duties on hot-rolled carbon and alloy steel coils imported from China and Japan. Effective from September 1, 2025, for four months, the rates vary by company: 31.58% to 33.57% for Japanese firms and 28.16% to 33.1% for Chinese ones.
This step addresses concerns over unfair pricing practices, further illustrating the global trend toward trade protections in the steel industry amid volatile market conditions.
[/tintuc]
