South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) has proposed new import duties of up to 30pct on steel products in a bid to protect the domestic sector from rising import pressure. The proposal follows a broad tariff review launched in March amid South Africa’s ongoing steel crisis, marked by oversupply, weak demand, and high input costs.
Under ITAC’s preliminary findings, customs duties would rise to 10pct on products such as flat rolled steel, rebar, wire, angles, and sections, which currently carry no duty. Import tariffs on certain pipes and steel derivatives would also increase to 15-30pct from the present 0-10pct. In addition, ITAC has recommended import controls on several items, including rails, bars, wire rods, and some flat steel products, requiring importers to obtain permits unless the goods are unavailable within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which comprises South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia.
The commission stressed that key raw materials used in steelmaking, including pig iron, ferroalloys, and scrap, would remain duty-free. It also emphasized that these recommendations are provisional and will be finalized only after considering public feedback over the next two weeks.
According to ITAC, more than 150 submissions have already been received, covering requests for higher duties, new rebate provisions, and the inclusion of specific products under import controls.
