Thailand's Ministry of Commerce has levied preliminary anti-dumping duties of 35.67% on imports of hot dipped galvanised steel originating from China. They take effect from from 3 August, Kallanish notes.

The duties, announced in the Thai Royal Gazette  on 31 July, will target Chinese imports of 28 product lines starting with HS codes 7210491, 7210499, 7212301, and 7225929. There is exemption for imports with thickness of  2.3mm and above and those used in making automotive parts and white goods. Investigation of the anti-dumping suit commenced in February this year. The main petitioner, Posco Coated Steel, has alleged dumping margins of 35.67% for the targeted imports.

Meanwhile, effective 27 August, local producers and importers are required to meet standards and apply for certification from the Thailand Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) for 119 hot dipped galvanized coil products, either in sheet, rolled or corrugated form, ranging between 0.11mm and 1.80mm thickness. 

According to Commerce Ministry data, nearly 750,000 tonnes of such products were imported during January-May this year. The standards have been set to protect Thai end-users of electrical appliance, automobile and construction products which make use these coated products, according to TISI sources. Out of 11 Thai producers, nine have already applied for certification from the Institute as of mid-July, Kallanish understands.
The preliminary anti-dumping duties as well as the implementation of TISI standards for hot dipped galvanized steel were widely anticipated by the Thai industry.