The UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade has recommended definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of heavy steel sections from China after finding that dumped imports caused material injury to the domestic industry. The final determination remains pending, according to the Essential Facts Report shared by EMSTEEL’s chief commercial officer.
Chinese imports reached 177,798 tons during the dumping investigation period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, up 509pct from 29,191 tons in the reference period. The Ministry also identified a 21pct price-undercutting margin against UAE-produced material.
The reported dumping margins range from 15.29pct to 46.91pct, depending on the exporter. The company-specific margins are 15.29pct for Rizhao/Baohua, 16.25pct for Maanshan and 23.50pct for Laiwu/Eldon, while non-cooperating exporters face a margin of 46.91pct.
Michael Rion, chief commercial officer at EMSTEEL, said the company respected the ongoing process and looked forward to the Ministry’s final determination.
The dumping investigation covers the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, while the injury assessment examines developments from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025. The investigation covers U-sections, I-sections and H-sections, as well as certain alloy steel angles, shapes and sections classified under HS codes 721631, 721632, 721633 and 722870.
In 2025, UAE imports of Chinese structural sections under the same four HS codes totalled 345,017 tons, up from 117,228 tons in 2024, according to MESTEEL data. H-sections accounted for the largest share, with imports reaching 263,695 tons, up 244pct YoY.
However, Chinese steel shipments to the UAE and the wider region have declined sharply in 2026, mainly due to logistics disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have affected shipping routes and vessel availability. Chinese customs data analyzed by MESTEEL show that UAE imports of structural sections under the four HS codes fell by 63pct YoY to 88,656 tons in January-August. Shipments dropped by 91pct YoY to 3,175 tons in August alone.