(a) the grade-wise rate of duty imposed on import of steel in the country and impact of import of steel on the steel industry of the country;
(b) the details of demands/representations received, if any, from the steel industry in the matter and the response of the Government thereof; and
(c) the measures taken to protect the local industry?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a): Broadly, at present the rates of basic customs duty (BCD) on various types of steel products falling under Chapter 72 of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, is as under,-
S. No. Description BCD
1 Semis i.e. Ingots and Billets falling 10%
2 Non-alloy flat rolled products 12.5%
3 Non-alloy long products i.e. Bars, rods, Angles, Shapes wetc 10%
4 Stainless steel flats 7.5%
5 Stainless steel long 10%
6 Alloy Steel flat rolled products 10%
7 Alloy Steel flat rolled products 12.5%
8 CRGO Steel 5%
9 Alloy steel long products 10%
In addition to above, the government has imposed anti-dumping duty (ADD) at specified rates on the following steel products originating in or exported from the respective countries as stated below,-
S. No. Product Country (ies) involved
1 Flat Based Steel Wheels China PR
2 Cold Rolled Flat products of Stainless Steel China PR, Korea RP,
EU, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand & USA
3 Hot Rolled Flat Products of Stainless Steel (ASTM Grade 304) European Union, South Africa, Taiwan & USA
4 Stainless Steel Cold Rolled Flat products of 400 series having width below 600 mm. European Union, Korea & USA.
5 Hot Rolled flat product of Stainless Steel of 304 Grade China PR, Korea RP and Malaysia
6 Seamless tubes, pipes & hollow profiles of iron, alloy or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel) China PR
Further, a Safeguard Duty at specified rate has been imposed on hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel, in coils of width of 600 mm or more.
(b) and (c):
(i) Government had received representations from the steel industry for increase in basic customs duty (BCD) in view of the increase in imports. Simultaneously, the users industry of steel had requested not to increase BCD. Against this background, the BCD rate had been increased on ingots & billets, alloy steel (flat & long), stainless steel (long) and non-alloy long products from 5 % to 7.5% and on non-alloy and other alloy flat products from 7.5% to 10% in June, 2015 taking into consideration all relevant factors. This was further increased in August, 2015 on flat steel from 10% to 12.5%, long steel from 7.5% to 10% and on semi-finished steel from 7.5% to 10%;
(ii) Further, anti-dumping duties have been imposed from time to time on various steel products as mentioned in part (a) above based on the investigations and recommendations of the Designated Authority, Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties;
(iii) Safeguard Duty at specified rate on hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel, in coils of width of 600 mm or more has been imposed in September, 2015.
(iv) In addition to the above, Minimum Import Price (MIP) condition has been imposed on 173 steel products in February, 2016. Imports of items covered under MIP notification will not be allowed into the country below the notified price.
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