BIMA Seeks Registration as Affected Party in Safeguard Duty Case

Safeguard duty imposition on HRC is likely to result in increased import of CRC, pipes/tubes, which is creating unrest in end user segment.

Indian government’s recent provisional safeguard duty announcement on certain hot rolled products is receiving mixed reactions from different parties of steel industry.
While integrated steel manufacturers are voicing their support for safeguard duty, CRC manufacturers, pipe/tube manufacturers, and small scale units engaged in annealing of HRC are showing their agitation against it.

As per market sources, Bombay Iron Merchant’s Association (BIMA) have written to DG Safeguards (DGS) to register them as affected party. Once registration is completed, it will file petition with DGS to reconsider the imposition of safeguard duty, which is affecting various small scale steel units and CRC manufacturers.

DGS has mentioned in the notice of initiating investigations in to imports that any interested/affected party can submit a request to DGS within 30 days of safeguard duty notification.

“Though safeguard duty will bring some restriction in HRC imports, surge is expected in import of CRC, pipes and tubes. The worst affected segment will be pipes/tubes manufacturers as now Chinese exporters will dump steel in the form of pipes and tubes”, quoted a BIMA member.

Cold-Rolled Steel Manufacturers Association (CORSMA), Steel Wire Manufacturers Association of India (SWMAI) and Steel Chamber of India are the industry bodies representing the end user segments that are showing their agitation against safeguard duty.