India: DGTR recommends anti-dumping duties on welded stainless steel pipes, tubes imports from Thailand, Vietnam

India's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has released its final findings from an anti-dumping investigation into the import of welded stainless-steel pipes and tubes from Thailand and Vietnam. The investigation, which began on 30 September, 2023, was initiated following complaints from domestic producers who claimed that these imports were causing injury to the local industry. As a result, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will enforce anti-dumping measures for the next five years.

The DGTR's investigation revealed that imports from Vietnam and Thailand were significantly undercutting domestic prices, leading to a decline in both market share and profitability for India's stainless-steel industry. It was found that imports had surged, particularly from producers exempt from countervailing duties, creating unfair competition that negatively impacted the production capacity and financial performance of Indian manufacturers.

In response, the DGTR has recommended the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties for a five-year period. The proposed duties vary: certain producers, like Sonha SSP in Vietnam and I Stainless Steel Co. Ltd. in Thailand, will face a $0/t duty, while a general duty of $307.79/t is recommended for other Vietnamese producers, and $246.49/t for other Thai producers. These measures aim to restore fair competition and support the domestic industry against harmful dumping practices.

This decision followed a prior ruling in June, which imposed a countervailing duty on Vietnamese products, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by Indian manufacturers. The anti-dumping duty on Vietnam reflected the difference between the newly confirmed AD duty and the previously established CVD, demonstrating the Indian government's commitment to protecting its domestic industries while adhering to international trade agreements.

The affected products fall under various Harmonized System (HS) codes, including 73064000, 73066100, 73066900, 73041110, 73041190, 73044100, 73045110, 73049000, 73051129, 73059099, 73061100, 73062100, 73062919, 73063090, 73065000, 73069011, 73069019, and 73069090. This broad range of codes highlighted the extensive scope of the investigation, which covered the period from 1 April, 2022, to 31 March, 2023. These findings represent a significant step in India's efforts to ensure a fair market environment for local manufacturers.