India took a significant step to protect its steel industry, imposing a three-year tariff of 11-12 per cent on selected products amid surging imports from China. This big move signals a strong defence after a temporary protection measure that began with a 12 per cent staggered tax duty.
The tariff will start at 12 per cent in the first year, 11.5 per cent in the second year, and 11 per cent in the third year. This decision is made as India is struggling with low-priced Chinese steel imports, which trigger anti-dumping concerns for domestic producers. This measure will exclude imports from certain developing countries. However, China, Nepal, and Vietnam will be eligible for the duty.
The commerce ministry has consistently supported his vision to protect the domestic steel industry from the harm caused by cheap imports and substandard products. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies acted on these issues by recommending the 3-year tariff duty after finding a “recent, sudden, sharp and significant increase in imports…..causing and threatening to cause serious injury to the domestic industry,” the order said.
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This move focuses on the earlier stopgap measure in April 2025, when the government imposed a 12 per cent temporary tariff for 200 days on all steel imports from foreign nations. That step was discontinued in November 2025, prompting renewed industry calls for longer protection.
