India Reviews Metallurgical Coke Import Duty

India has reviewed the import duty structure on low-ash metallurgical coke, a key input in steelmaking, in 2026. The Ministry of Steel has sought withdrawal of anti-dumping tariffs on imports of low-ash metallurgical coke because of domestic supply constraints and higher local prices.

Metallurgical Coke in Steel Production

Metallurgical coke is a carbon-rich fuel made from coking coal and is used in blast furnaces for iron and steel production. Low-ash metallurgical coke is preferred in steelmaking because ash content affects furnace efficiency and product quality. In India, metallurgical coke accounts for an estimated 35% to 40% of the total manufacturing cost of steel.

Import Duty and Trade Controls

India imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on low-ash metallurgical coke imports for six months in December 2025, and the duties became effective in January 2026. The duty rates ranged from US60.87 to US130.66 per tonne and covered imports from China, Australia, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan and Russia. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade removed quantitative restrictions and prior authorisation requirements on low-ash metallurgical coke imports on 3 January 2026. During 2025, country-wise quotas limited total low-ash metallurgical coke imports to 713,583 tonnes per quarter.

Domestic Supply and Industry Impact

India is the world’s second-largest crude steel producer, and steelmakers use metallurgical coke in large volumes for blast furnace operations. State-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd has reported a 20% rise in input costs because of difficulty in procuring sufficient metallurgical coke at domestic prices.

Important Facts for Exams

• Anti-dumping duty is a trade remedy imposed under the Customs Tariff framework on imports sold below normal value.
• Blast furnaces use metallurgical coke as both a fuel and a reducing agent in ironmaking.
• Low-ash metallurgical coke is also called low-ash met coke in trade and industry usage.
• India ranks among the largest steel-producing countries in the world and remains a major importer of coking coal and metallurgical coke.