India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of hot rolled steel products from China, Japan and Russia following complaints from domestic manufacturers that low-priced imports are harming the local steel industry.

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the country’s trade remedies authority under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, announced the investigation in a notification issued on Thursday. The probe follows petitions filed by leading domestic steel producers alleging that imported products are being sold in India at unfairly low prices.

Domestic Steelmakers Seek Investigation

According to the notification, the application for the investigation was submitted by JSW Steel, JSW Vijaynagar Metallics Limited and Jindal Steel Odisha.

The companies argued that imports from China, Japan and Russia were entering the Indian market at dumped prices, adversely affecting domestic producers.

They further claimed that the injury to the domestic industry is likely to continue if the alleged dumping remains unchecked.

The DGTR has initiated the investigation to examine the allegations and determine whether anti-dumping duties are warranted.

Probe Covers Hot Rolled Flat Steel Products

The investigation relates to imports of hot rolled flat products of alloy and non-alloy steel with a thickness of up to 25 millimetres.

During the course of the investigation, authorities will assess whether exporters from the three countries have been selling the products below fair market value and whether such imports have caused material injury to Indian manufacturers.

Anti-dumping duties are imposed when authorities determine that imported goods are being sold at unfairly low prices that distort competition and harm domestic industry.

Chinese Steel Imports Surge

The probe comes amid a sharp increase in steel shipments from China to India.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported that China’s exports of finished steel to India more than doubled in April, reaching their highest level in at least two years.

According to provisional data reviewed by Reuters, China exported approximately 232,000 metric tonnes of finished steel to India during the month, making it the largest supplier of such products to the country.

Market participants have attributed the increase partly to lower Chinese prices.

Industry estimates cited by Reuters indicated that Chinese hot rolled steel was being offered at prices between USD 11 and USD 37 per tonne lower than comparable domestic products.

Potential Impact On Domestic Industry

The investigation is expected to be closely watched by steel producers, importers and consumers as authorities evaluate the impact of imported steel on India’s manufacturing sector.

If the DGTR concludes that dumping has occurred and has caused injury to domestic producers, it may recommend anti-dumping duties on imports from the countries under investigation.

Such measures are intended to create a level playing field for domestic manufacturers while ensuring fair competition in the market.

The launch of the probe marks the latest effort by Indian authorities to address concerns raised by domestic industry over the impact of low-cost imports on local production and profitability.

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