India Starts Dumping Probe Into Bar, Rod Imports

The government has initiated an anti-dumping probe into imports of straight length bars and rods of alloy steel from China following complaints from the domestic industry, industry sources said.

Six domestic companies, including JSW Steel, Sunflag Iron and Steel, Usha Martin and Gerdau Steel India, had submitted an application with the Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of anti-dumping investigation and imposition of the duty on these steel items exported from China.

The DGAD, under the commerce ministry, said it has prima facie found “sufficient evidence” of dumping of these products from China.

“The authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping, and consequent injury to the domestic industry,” the DGAD has said in a notification.

In its probe, the directorate will determine existence, degree and effect of alleged dumping and recommend the amount of anti-dumping duty, which, if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry.

These steel products are used in several sectors, including automobiles, cement, power plants, turbines, ship-building, railways, capital goods, and construction machinery.

The period of investigation for the present investigation is 2016-17. However, for the purpose of injury investigation, the period will also cover data of 2013-16, it added. While the DGAD recommends the duty, the finance ministry imposes the same.