Chinese exports of steel sections to the United Arab Emirates rose sharply in 2025, driven by strong increases in shipments of H-sections and U-sections, customs data showed.
Total Chinese exports of steel sections to the UAE reached around 345,000 tons in 2025, nearly triple the about 117,000 tons recorded in 2024, marking a YoY increase of roughly 194pct.
H-section imports under HS subheadings 72163311, 72163319 and 72163390 accounted for the bulk of the increase. Combined exports of H-sections rose to around 264,000 tons in 2025, up from about 77,000 tons a year earlier. Shipments of H-sections with heights between 200 mm and 800 mm recorded the strongest growth, reflecting demand for heavier structural applications.
U-sections under HS subheading 72163100 also recorded strong gains, with exports rising to around 65,000 tons in 2025 from about 35,000 tons in 2024. By contrast, I-section exports increased more moderately, while shipments of alloy steel angles and sections under HS 722870 remained relatively small in absolute terms despite high percentage growth.
The sharp rise in Chinese steel section imports has already drawn the attention of the domestic industry. Last year, the UAE authorities initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of heavy steel sections from China following a complaint by Emirates Steel, the country’s sole producer of heavy sections. The investigation covers heavy sections of iron or non-alloy and alloy steel under HS subheadings 721631, 721632, 721633 and 722870, broadly aligning with the main product categories that later recorded strong import growth. The dumping review period spans July 2024 to June 2025, while the injury assessment covers January 2021 to June 2025.
Emirates Steel also introduced a Temporary Import Displacement Discount (TIDD) scheme last year, aimed at mitigating the impact of rising imports by linking discounts on domestic section sales to customers’ reliance on imported material.
| HS Code | Product Category | 2024 (tons) | 2025 (tons) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72163311 | H-sections >80 mm | 1,639 | 10,557 | +544% |
| 72163319 | H-sections 200-800 mm | 51,446 | 197,999 | +285% |
| 72163390 | Other H-sections >80 mm | 23,661 | 55,139 | +133% |
| 72163100 | U-sections >80 mm | 34,553 | 64,948 | +88% |
| 72163210 | I-sections >200 mm | 563 | 688 | +22% |
| 72163290 | I-sections 80-200 mm | 5,157 | 15,001 | +191% |
| 72287090 | Alloy steel angles & sections | 209 | 685 | +228% |
| Total | 117,219 | 345,018 | +194% |
