The EU has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on imports of hot-rolled flat steel from Egypt, India, Japan, and Vietnam, according to the Official Journal of the European Union on Thursday 8 August.

The complaint was lodged on 24 June by the European Steel Association Eurofer, Kallanish notes.

The product under investigation includes certain flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel, or other alloy steel, whether or not in coils, including cut-to-length and narrow strip products, not further worked than hot-rolled, and not clad, plated, or coated.

The product allegedly being dumped, originating in Egypt, India, Japan, and Vietnam, is currently classified under CN codes 7208 10 00, 7208 25 00, 7208 26 00, 7208 27 00, 7208 36 00, 7208 37 00, 7208 38 00, 7208 39 00, 7208 40 00, 7208 52 10, 7208 52 99, 7208 53 10, 7208 53 90, 7208 54 00, 7211 13 00, 7211 14 00, 7211 19 00, ex 7225 19 10 (TARIC code 7225 19 10 90), 7225 30 90, ex 7225 40 60 (TARIC code 7225 40 60 90), 7225 40 90, ex 7226 19 10 (TARIC codes 7226 19 10 91, 7226 19 10 95), 7226 91 91, and 7226 91 99.

Over January-May, the Eu imported 2.22 million tonnes of steel under these HS codes from these four countries, up 22.47% year-on-year. That accounted for almost 51% of total imports under these codes. India was the biggest supplier with 890,906t over five months, up 66.3% y-o-y.

The investigation of dumping and injury will cover the period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

The examination of trends relevant to the assessment of injury will cover the period from 1 January 2021 to the end of the investigation period.

The investigation will be concluded within one year, with a maximum extension of 14 months. Provisional measures may be imposed in seven-eight months.