India Imposes Five-Year Anti-Dumping Duty on Vietnamese Steel

India has imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty on hot-rolled flat steel imported from Vietnam, stepping up efforts to protect domestic producers and curb the entry of underpriced foreign steel. The measure follows a detailed investigation into pricing patterns and their impact on Indian manufacturers.

Duty Targeted at Hot-Rolled Flat Steel Imports

The Directorate General of Trade Remedies imposed a levy of USD 121.55 per tonne on Vietnamese hot-rolled flat steel, covering both alloy and non-alloy variants up to 25 mm in thickness and 2,100 mm in width. The duty excludes stainless, coated, plated, and clad products. Most exporters from Vietnam face the full duty, while Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC has been exempted due to a low dumping margin.

Move Seen as Curtailing Chinese Steel Diversion

Industry experts noted that Vietnamese shipments often serve as a route for Chinese-origin steel entering India at low prices. With India importing 9.5 million tonnes of steel in FY25, including 2.4 million tonnes from China, the duty is viewed as an attempt to block these indirect inflows. Early FY26 data shows a sharp decline in finished steel imports, including a significant drop in shipments from China.

Part of a Wider Trade-Defense Strategy

Analysts highlighted that the measure forms part of a broader framework that includes safeguard tariffs and ongoing investigations targeting unfair trade practices. Officials maintain that the step aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which emphasises self-reliance and stronger domestic production capacity across strategic sectors.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Duty imposed: USD 121.55 per tonne on Vietnamese hot-rolled flat steel.
• Scope: Alloy and non-alloy steel up to 25 mm thickness and 2,100 mm width.
• Key exporter exempted: Hoa Phat Dung Quat Steel JSC.
• India’s steel imports in FY25: 9.5 million tonnes; Chinese shipments 2.4 million tonnes.

Impact and Industry Outlook

Experts cautioned that Vietnamese imports make up a small share of India’s total steel inflows, suggesting that the measure may only partially limit the diversion of Chinese steel. Observers continue to monitor China’s reaction and India’s domestic capacity, as the sector prepares to meet growing demand under evolving trade-protection norms.