Chinese steel section prices on a CFR Jebel Ali basis declined across the board in 2025, as rising protectionist barriers in several markets and weaker global steel demand diverted more Chinese material toward relatively open markets in the GCC, including the UAE.
MEsteel assessment of Chinese structural steel section prices for SS400/Q235 quality on a CFR Jebel Ali basis, with 6-8pct tolerance, shows prices softened across all major steel section categories during the year.
Average prices for JIS beams fell to around USD526 per ton in 2025, compared with approximately USD572 per ton in 2024, marking a decline of nearly 8pct YoY.
Other structural section products showed similar trends. IPE beams averaged around USD550 per ton in 2025, down roughly 7.8pct YoY, while angles and channels recorded larger declines of around 9-10pct compared with the previous year.
Chinese section prices (CFR Jebel Ali)
| Product | Avg 2024 (USD/ton) | Avg 2025 (USD/ton) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| JIS Beam | 572 | 526 | -7.9pct |
| IPE Beam | 596 | 550 | -7.8pct |
| JIS Channel | 578 | 520 | -10.1pct |
| Angles | 557 | 504 | -9.5pct |
| UPN / UPE | 549 | 502 | -8.6pct |
Against the backdrop of softer Chinese export prices, GCC imports of Chinese structural sections under HS codes 721633, 721631, 721632 and 722870 increased sharply in 2025.
Chinese section exports to GCC markets reached around 544,000 tons in 2025, compared with roughly 272,000 tons in 2024, effectively doubling YoY. The UAE accounted for the majority of shipments, representing nearly two-thirds of total Chinese section exports to the GCC, with imports rising to about 345,000 tons in 2025 from 117,000 tons in 2024. Saudi Arabia ranked second, receiving roughly 133,000 tons, while Kuwait, Oman and Qatar imported considerably smaller volumes.
Chinese section exports to GCC
| Country | 2024 (tons) | 2025 (tons) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | 117,227 | 345,017 | +194pct |
| Saudi Arabia | 91,437 | 132,996 | +45pct |
| Kuwait | 35,850 | 38,451 | +7pct |
| Oman | 13,679 | 14,254 | +4pct |
| Qatar | 12,552 | 12,550 | – |
| Bahrain | 861 | 921 | +7pct |
| Total GCC | 271,606 | 544,189 | +100pct |
Globally, the UAE ranked among the largest destinations for Chinese structural section exports in 2025, trailing only the Philippines (about 378,000 tons) and Malaysia (around 364,000 tons).
As previously reported by MEsteel, a closer look at UAE import data shows that H-sections accounted for the majority of the increase. Imports of Chinese H-sections under HS subheading 721633 surged to approximately 263,695 tons in 2025, compared with around 76,746 tons in 2024, representing a 244pct YoY increase.
Shipments of U-sections (HS 721631) rose to about 64,948 tons, while I-sections (HS 721632) increased to roughly 15,689 tons. Imports of alloy steel angles and sections (HS 722870) remained relatively small in absolute terms despite strong percentage growth.
UAE imports of Chinese structural sections
| HS Code | Product | 2024 (tons) | 2025 (tons) | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 721633 | H-sections | 76,746 | 263,695 | +244pct |
| 721631 | U-sections | 34,553 | 64,948 | +88pct |
| 721632 | I-sections | 5,720 | 15,689 | +174pct |
| 722870 | Alloy angles & sections | 209 | 685 | +228pct |
| Total | 117,228 | 345,017 | +194pct |
The sharp increase in imports has already drawn regulatory attention. UAE authorities initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of heavy steel sections from China following a complaint filed by EMSTEEL, the country’s sole producer of heavy structural sections.
The probe covers heavy structural sections under HS subheadings 721631, 721632, 721633 and 722870, broadly aligning with the main categories that recorded strong import growth during the year.
