- Govt underlines material injury suffered by domestic industry
- Vietnam accounted for 13% of India’s steel imports in H1FY’26
The Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) has imposed an anti-dumping duty of $121.5 per tonne (t) on imports of hot-rolled flat products of alloy or non-alloy steel originating in or exported from Vietnam on 12 November 2025 following the recommendation of the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) as outlined in its Final Findings Notification published on 13 August.
The measure seeks to protect Indian steel producers from low-priced imports and will remain in force for five years, unless modified or revoked earlier.
Enquiry confirms ‘dumping’
Exercising powers under Section 9A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, the Ministry of Finance issued the notification in accordance with the DGTR’s final findings, which concluded that:
- Vietnamese exporters sold steel to India below normal value, resulting in dumping;
- The domestic industry suffered material injury; and
- There was a threat of further aggravated injury if duties were not imposed.
The duty applies to hot-rolled flat products under tariff headings 7208, 7211, 7225, and 7226, payable in Indian currency. It excludes stainless steel products, and Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC is exempted due to its low dumping margin and verified cooperation.
Background & findings
The probe began in August 2024 after a petition by the Indian Steel Association (ISA) representing JSW Steel Ltd. and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd. The period of investigation (POI) covered January 2023-March 2024, with an injury analysis dating back to April 2020.
The DGTR found that imports from Vietnam (excluding Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC) were dumped at margins of 20-30%, while the cooperating producer showed only 0-10%. The investigation also confirmed declining profitability, price undercutting, and suppressed returns among Indian steelmakers. Imports from Vietnam accounted for about 21% of India’s total hot-rolled flat product imports during the period of investigation.
Impact
The anti-dumping duty is expected to stabilise domestic steel prices and restore fair competition. While downstream users may see slightly higher input costs, the DGTR estimates the overall price impact to be minimal — between 0.002% and 0.5%.
Industry groups welcomed the move as a necessary safeguard against unfair trade practices. “This decision restores a level playing field and ensures sustainable operations for domestic producers,” said an ISA spokesperson.
Import trends
India imported 0.64 million tonnes (mnt) of steel from Vietnam in H1 FY’26, an increase of 17% from 0.54 mnt in H1FY’25. Vietnam accounted for around 13% of India’s steel imports during the same period.
Outlook
The duty is expected to relieve pricing pressure on Indian steelmakers while reinforcing India’s vigilance in protecting strategic industries through trade remedies. However, importers relying on Vietnamese HRC may face higher landed costs once it takes effect.
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