Archive · 1 Jan 2026
India Imposes Three-Year Steel Import Tariff
India has decided to put a tax on some steel products that come from other countries for the next three years.
This tax will be 12% in the first year, then 11.5% in the second year, and 11% in the third year.
The tax is meant to stop cheap steel from countries like China, Vietnam, and Nepal from hurting Indian steel companies.
Special kinds of steel, like stainless steel, are not included in this tax.
The government did something similar before, but this time it's for a longer period.
They made this decision because they saw a big increase in cheap steel coming into the country, which could harm local businesses.
This decision has made the stocks of Indian steel companies like Tata Steel and JSW Steel go up in the market.
India imposes a three-year import tariff on certain steel products to curb cheap imports.
The tariff rates are 12% in the first year, 11.5% in the second year, and 11% in the third year.
The measure excludes imports from certain developing countries and specialty steel products like stainless steel.
China, Vietnam, and Nepal are subject to the levy.
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies recommended the tariff due to a significant increase in imports threatening the domestic industry.
- Who
- Indian government
- What
- Imposed a three-year import tariff on certain steel products
- When
- Starting from April 21, 2025, with rates decreasing each year
- Where
- India
- Why
- To curb cheap imports and protect the domestic steel industry from injury
Domestic Steel Industry
International Steel Exporters
Protection of Domestic Industry
Domestic Steel Industry
The tariff will protect domestic steel producers from cheap imports, ensuring their survival and growth.
International Steel Exporters
The tariff will make it harder for international exporters to compete in the Indian market, potentially leading to trade disputes.
Impact on Prices
Domestic Steel Industry
The tariff will stabilize domestic steel prices, benefiting local manufacturers and consumers in the long run.
International Steel Exporters
The tariff will increase the cost of imported steel, which could lead to higher prices for Indian consumers and industries that rely on imported steel.
- Tariff Duration
- 3 years
- Tariff Rates
- 12% (Year 1), 11.5% (Year 2), 11% (Year 3)
- Affected Countries
- China, Vietnam, Nepal
- Exempted Products
- Specialty steel products like stainless steel
- Previous Tariff
- 200-day 12% tariff imposed in April
- Recommendation Body
- Directorate General of Trade Remedies
- Reason for Tariff
- Increase in cheap imports threatening domestic industry
- Affected Steel Products
- Hot Rolled Coils, sheets and plates, Hot Rolled Plate Mill Plates, Cold Rolled Coils And Sheets, Metallic Coated Steel Coils and Sheets, Colour Coated coils and sheets, whether or not profiled
- Stock Market Impact
- Shares of metal producers like Tata Steel, JSW Steel, SAIL, Jindal Steel rose up to 5%
Sources
India imposes three-year tariff on some steel products to curb cheap imports
India imposes three-year safeguard duty of up to 12% on steel imports
India Imposes Tariff On Steel Products For 3 Years To Curb Cheap Imports
India Imposes Three-Year Tariff On Select Steel Imports To Curb Cheap Inflows
India rolls out three year steel duty of 11 12% amid China imports surge
Why India Has Imposed a 3-Year Steel Import Tariff - And the China Factor
India's steel stocks jump on tariff to curb cheap imports
Tata Steel, JSW Steel, SAIL, Jindal Steel: Steel stocks gain in early deals; here's why
India imposes three-year tariff on some steel products to curb cheap imports
India Imposes 3- Year Tariff on Some Steel Products to Curb Cheap Imports
Tata Steel, JSW Steel shares surge 4% on 3-year import duty
Safeguard duty provides short term relief for steel cos
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