On the 18th March 2026, the SA Government gazetted an amendment to Schedule No.2 of the Customs and Excise Act by implementing an effective Anti-Dumping duty for certain steel products originating from China, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan.
The implementation of the tariff was as a result of the conclusion of an investigation by ITAC into the alleged dumping of certain flat rolled steel products into the SA market.
Specifically, on steel plate products, the tariffs imposed are substantial and vary from 6.99% to 57.23% dependent on the supplying steel mill.
Plate products not subject to the anti-dumping tariffs are Quench and Tempered grades including 400, 450 and 500 BHN as well as S690QL, which are not produced by the local mill, ArcelorMittal SA.
Plate grades that are directly impacted by the tariffs are:
- S235 / S275 / S355 / A36
- P235 / P265 / P355
- ASME SA 516 Gr70N
- Lloyds GrA / EH 36
Already, we are feeling the disruption in the local market with cancellations on import orders as well as delays by supplying mills.
Many locally produced steel plate products are not readily available from the mill or carried by stockists. So, we can most certainly expect supply shortages in certain steel grades and thicknesses over the months to come.
We are experiencing price increases from some Asian mills on their exports to RSA, and we are seeing sea freight rates increasing as well — sea freight increases of $20–$30/ton, as well as mill increases due to the Middle East war which has driven up fuel prices.
Our own local steel mill has introduced a R580/ton fuel surcharge due to the fuel price increases. So, not only will we experience supply gaps in the market, but we can expect steel inflation of up to 5% from supply and sea freight cost pressures. This is over and above the impact of the anti-dumping tariffs, which will start feeding through now.
The overall impact of the tariffs and mill and sea freight increases will definitely result in a contraction in the volume of steel imports and a possible contraction in the local steel economy.
Conclusion
So, what can we expect and when?
- Steel price increases
- Shortages in certain steel grades
- Contraction in the steel industry
- Reduced demand
- Restructures and closures of companies with restricted working capital
