Vietnam probes possible duty evasion on Chinese hot-rolled steel imports

The probe, expected to last up to nine months, seeks to determine whether importers have adjusted product dimensions to avoid duties and to ensure fair competition for domestic producers.

Under current regulations, HRC under 1,880mm in width faces anti-dumping duties of 23.58 percent to 27.83 percent, while wider coils are not taxed.

Vietnamese steelmakers Hoa Phat Dung Quat and Formosa Ha Tinh filed a petition in June alleging that Chinese exporters used the size difference to bypass tariffs. 

The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam accepted the filing as valid on September 18.

Industry data show wide HRC imports from China are priced VND1 million to VND2 million (US$38–76) per tonne below domestic steel, increasing pressure on local mills.

HRC is a key input for Vietnam's shipbuilding, automobile, and machinery industries.