India Govt Extends Time for Midterm Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on Met Coke Imports

The Indian Government's Ministry of Commerce & Industry has extended the time period for submission of questionnaire responses regarding the Mid-term Review (MTR) investigation against the anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke imported from China and Australia.

Notably, the Central Government had imposed a duty of USD 25.20/MT on met coke from China and a duty of USD 16.69/MT on met coke from Australia, through a notification dated 25 Nov'16.

The government decision to impose drastic anti-dumping duties on low ash met coke imports was based on the industry's prolonged demand petition filed by the domestic Metcoke Manufacturers' Association on 20 Oct'16.

However, the Indian Steel Association requested the government not to impose the duty as it would hamper the industry's competitiveness, underscoring that steel prices would increase by at least INR 700-1,500/MT, if the duty was imposed.

Similarly, the Indian Ferro Alloys Producers' Association (IFAPA) had strongly opposed the imposition, stating that the anti-dumping duty is a major setback for the ferro alloys sector especially because the industry is also suffering from an increase in import duty on met coke to 5% from 2.5% introduced in the budget 2016-17.

Over the years, the met coke import offers have continued to rise owing to an upswing in the global coking coal prices.

Most importantly, in spite of the anti-dumping duty levied on met coke, it is still being imported in India from various countries, which is adding to the cost of the ferro alloy and the steel industries, rendering the industry uncompetitive in global markets.

India's total met coke imports have totaled 4.93 MnT in CY 2018, up 22.33% against 4.03 MnT of met coke imports in CY 2017, as per the vessel lineup data compiled by CoalMint Research.