Brazil Slaps Up to US$670/Tonne
Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese Steel, Needles
Government anti-dumping investigation found
Chinese imports were being sold at unfairly low prices, harming domestic producers
Brazil
has imposed anti-dumping duties of up to US$670 per tonne on Chinese
cold-rolled and coated steel products, along with new tariffs on hypodermic
needles, after investigations found the imports were sold at unfairly low
prices and harmed domestic producers.
Approved
by Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, the measures will remain in place for up to
five years. The steel probe, triggered by a complaint from Usiminas,
concluded that dumped imports significantly injured Brazil’s steel industry,
with duties ranging from about US$285 to US$670 per tonne depending on the
product and exporter.
In a
separate case, following a complaint by the Brazilian unit of Becton Dickinson,
authorities found Chinese needle imports rose over 40% while domestic sales
fell nearly 30%. Duties on hypodermic needles range from US$0.23 per thousand
units for cooperative exporters to as high as US$25 for non-cooperative firms.
The
government said the measures are based on technical findings and took effect
immediately.
Brazil
has imposed anti-dumping duties on a broad range of Chinese steel products and hypodermic
needles following two investigations that found the imports were being sold at unfairly
low prices, harming domestic producers.
Approved
by the government’s foreign trade committee and signed by Vice-President Geraldo
Alckmin in his capacity as trade chief, the measures apply for up to five years
and target cold-rolled steel, coated flat steel and medical needles shipped from
China.
Cold-rolled
steel is a key input for manufacturing, used in car body panels, refrigerators,
washing machines, metal furniture, storage systems and a range of light-industrial
components. Processed at room temperature, the material has tighter tolerances and
a cleaner finish, qualities that make it especially suitable for automotive production.
The
steel investigation began in April 2024 after Usiminas,
one of Brazil’s largest steelmakers, filed a petition alleging that Chinese exporters
were selling cold-rolled products below fair value.
After
reviewing export prices, cost data and market share information, investigators concluded
there was sufficient evidence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry. A
formal probe was opened in August 2024, with Chinese producers and the Chinese government
notified and asked to respond to detailed questionnaires.
Because
dozens of Chinese exporters were identified, investigators narrowed the field to
a handful of the largest suppliers for detailed examination, sending them extensive
questionnaires on pricing, costs and sales practices.
The
chamber said it conducted investigations into companies in Tianjin, Zhejiang, Shanghai,
Suzhou and Wuhan.
Companies
that cooperated and submitted verifiable data were granted individual duty rates
reflecting their specific margins.
Those
that failed to provide complete information were assigned significantly higher tariffs,
reaching about US$670 per tonne in the cold-rolled steel case.
In
its final determination, the government wrote that “it is undeniable that imports
from the investigated origin, sold at dumped prices, contributed significantly to
the proven injury to the domestic industry”.
Duties
on cold-rolled steel range from roughly US$320 per tonne to the high US$600s, depending
on the exporter.
A
separate ruling covers coated flat steel, including galvanised
and aluminium-coated sheets used in roofing, vehicle parts and household appliances.
In that case, duties range from just under US$285 per tonne to around US$645 per
tonne, with non-cooperative exporters subject to the highest rate.
The
investigation into medical products followed a similar path. Also in April 2024,
Becton Dickinson’s Brazilian unit filed a complaint alleging that hypodermic needles
from China were being sold at dumped prices, harming local production. The government
opened a formal investigation, again citing preliminary evidence of dumping and
damage.
Authorities
examined import volumes and pricing trends and compared them with the performance
of the domestic producer. The findings showed rising Chinese shipments alongside
falling local sales and worsening financial indicators.
“The
volume of imports from the investigated origin grew over the period of injury analysis,
reaching a cumulative increase of 40.6 per cent, while the volume of sales by the
domestic industry fell 29.3 per cent over the same period,” the investigation concluded.
Final
duties on hypodermic needles will vary. Anhui Hongyu Wuzhou Medical Manufacturer
will pay the least amount of about US$0.23 per thousand units.
Other
named exporters, such as Berpu Medical Technology and
Yangzhou Medline Industry, will face duties of roughly US$1.60-US$2.88 per thousand
units, while companies that did not receive individual treatment are subject to
duties of up to about US$25 per thousand units.
The
government said the measures are based on technical findings and took effect immediately
upon publication.