Overview

• India has imposed a 12% provisional safeguard duty on five steel categories, effective for 200 days, following a DGTR investigation into rising imports.
• The duty applies to hot rolled coils, sheets and plates, cold rolled coils, metallic coated sheets, and color-coated sheets, with exemptions for imports above specified price thresholds.
• Imports from developing countries, excluding China and Vietnam, are exempt from the safeguard duty, which aims to shield domestic steelmakers from unfair competition.
• Domestic producers, including JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, support the measure, while MSME and downstream industries warn of higher input costs and reduced competitiveness.
• The safeguard duty is a WTO-compliant trade remedy and will be reviewed after the DGTR completes its investigation into the impact of steel imports on local manufacturers.