The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today (Tuesday 25 February) published initial findings, proposing that anti-dumping and countervailing measures on organic coated steel (OCS) imported from China be maintained for an additional five years, until May 4, 2029.  

In its Statements of Essential Facts (SEF), the TRA found that dumping and subsidisation would likely recur if the measures were removed, potentially causing injury to UK industry. The measures have been largely effective, usually keeping Chinese imports below 1,000 tonnes annually since 2013. Tata Steel UK (TSUK) is the sole producer of OCS in the UK, manufacturing it at the Shotton facility in North Wales. TSUK contributes approximately £222 million to the UK economy annually, including sales of OCS, and employs around 8,100 people across all its operations. 

OCS is used to maintain the durability of various structures, especially in the construction industry, as well as in metal furniture, heating and ventilation ducting and casings and in several domestic appliances.  

Current anti-dumping duties on Chinese OCS imports range from 5.9% to 26.1% while countervailing duties range from 13.7% to 44.7%, depending on the exporter. 

Businesses that may be affected by these findings can submit comments to the TRA by 18 March 2025 and can do so through the TRA’s public file.

Notes to editors 

• The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK body that investigates whether new trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports.  

• Trade remedy investigations were carried out by the EU Commission on the UK’s behalf until the UK left the EU. A number of EU trade remedy measures of interest to UK producers were carried across into UK law when the UK left the EU and the TRA has been reviewing these to assess whether they are suitable for UK needs. 

• Anti-dumping duties allow a country or union to act against goods which are being sold at less than their normal value – this is defined as the price for ‘like goods’ sold in the exporter’s home market. 

• Countervailing, or subsidy duties counteract imports being subsidised by their place of origin that cause material injury to a domestic industry.  

• This transition review was initiated on 15 April 2024, examining data from the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, with injury assessment covering 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2024.  

• The Statement of Essential Facts (SEF) represents the TRA’s interim findings. All interested parties can submit comments before the TRA makes its final recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.