India considers tighter steel import norms to curb dumping

15 Oct 2024 CW Team

India became a net importer of steel during the first five months of the current fiscal year, importing 3.45 million tonnes (mt) compared to exports of 1.92 mt. With sluggish demand and high import duties in markets like the US and the EU, international producers have increasingly targeted India as a dumping ground for cheap steel.

Currently, steel imports are allowed through a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the steel ministry, even for multiple grades subject to quality control orders (QCOs). However, the ministry now plans to limit NOCs to only those grades that are unavailable locally. Officials confirmed that of the 1,279 steel grades covered under 151 QCOs, 1,127 were permitted through NOCs. “This loophole will soon be addressed by expanding the scope of QCOs,” said an official.

India imports approximately 400,000 tonnes of non-Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliant steel annually, valued at around Rs 42 billion. To combat this, the government mandated in October 2023 that imports lacking BIS certification must first secure approval from the steel ministry.

In response to rising imports from China and Southeast Asia, the steel ministry has engaged stakeholders for further consultations. Globally, several countries—including the US, Canada, and the European Union—have implemented 25% safeguard duties on steel to protect their industries, while nations like Turkiye, Indonesia, and Japan have taken similar protective actions.

Additionally, India launched an anti-dumping investigation into cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel imports from China in late September, following complaints by South Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers with operations in India.

The Indian government is preparing to tighten quality control measures on steel imports following a rise in low-quality steel dumping, particularly from China, according to officials familiar with the matter. This development follows a recent review by the steel ministry, which highlighted increasing risks from global trade diversions impacting the domestic steel sector. India became a net importer of steel during the first five months of the current fiscal year, importing 3.45 million tonnes (mt) compared to exports of 1.92 mt. With sluggish demand and high import duties in markets like the US and the EU, international producers have increasingly targeted India as a dumping ground for cheap steel. Currently, steel imports are allowed through a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the steel ministry, even for multiple grades subject to quality control orders (QCOs). However, the ministry now plans to limit NOCs to only those grades that are unavailable locally. Officials confirmed that of the 1,279 steel grades covered under 151 QCOs, 1,127 were permitted through NOCs. “This loophole will soon be addressed by expanding the scope of QCOs,” said an official. India imports approximately 400,000 tonnes of non-Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) compliant steel annually, valued at around Rs 42 billion. To combat this, the government mandated in October 2023 that imports lacking BIS certification must first secure approval from the steel ministry. In response to rising imports from China and Southeast Asia, the steel ministry has engaged stakeholders for further consultations. Globally, several countries—including the US, Canada, and the European Union—have implemented 25% safeguard duties on steel to protect their industries, while nations like Turkiye, Indonesia, and Japan have taken similar protective actions. Additionally, India launched an anti-dumping investigation into cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel imports from China in late September, following complaints by South Korean and Taiwanese manufacturers with operations in India.

Infrastructure Urban

12 May 2026

Commerce Secretary Visits Switzerland To Advance TEPA Implementation

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal travelled to Switzerland from May 6 to 7 May 2026, to advance implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and to strengthen trade and investment ties with Switzerland. The visit sought to translate TEPA’s market access gains into business partnerships, investment commitments and greater industry use of the agreement. It was built on high-level engagement in February 2026 when the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, reviewed the roadmap with the Swiss president. A bilateral meeting was held with Helene Budlig..

Infrastructure Urban

12 May 2026

India Canada Conclude Second Round Of CEPA Talks

India and Canada successfully concluded the second round of negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, held from four to eight May, 2026, at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi and hosted by the Department of Commerce, Government of India. The talks proceeded under the Terms of Reference that the trade ministers of both countries signed on two March 2026, providing the framework for structured discussions and ministerial engagement. The negotiations involved sustained technical exchanges and interdepartmental coordination as officials from both sides advanced text in m..

Infrastructure Urban

12 May 2026

Aizawl Hosts First Regional Cooperative Reform Conference

The Ministry of Cooperation organised the second regional conference on cooperative reforms in Aizawl, Mizoram, under the national vision of Sahkar se Samriddhi and the leadership of the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation. The event was the first regional cooperative reform conference in the state and formed part of a national series of workshops to strengthen grassroots cooperative institutions across the North-East. Delegates from all North-Eastern states attended alongside officials from national cooperative institutions such as the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Devel..