The Official Journal of the European Union published on May 23, 2018 the initiation of an anti-dumping procedure for hot-rolled steel sheet piles imported from China in response to a complaint received from producers in the European Union, who consider that the steel sector is being subjected to dumping, causing serious harm to the EU industry.
The investigation aims to determine whether the establishment of anti-dumping measures for sheet piles made of steel manufactured in China is justified. The pricing of hot-rolled steel sheet piles corresponding to TARIC code 7301100010 will be studied. This group includes perforated sheet piles, made with assembled elements, composed of corrugated sheets and equipped with closures that can form a continuous impermeable wall. Only hot-rolled steel sheet piles will be affected, so importers of cold-formed steel sheet piles will not be affected in any case.
Negotiations to eliminate anti-dumping barriers to China seem not to be progressing. At the request of producers in the steel sector, the European Commission has initiated investigations to determine whether it is appropriate to establish anti-dumping measures for hot-rolled steel sheet piles.
Steel sheet piles (driven piles forming a containment structure) are commonly used in civil engineering projects where it is necessary to form a watertight wall. Their main applications are docks, shoring, containment works, and enabling underground spaces.
Although other materials can be used for their manufacture, steel is much stronger, lighter, and easier to install. Additionally, it allows for designs that prevent buckling with very narrow widths, thus saving space.
Steel sheet piles can be produced by hot rolling or cold rolling. The latter have a lower cost but are less effective. Generally, this type is only used in minor works. Consequently, the importation of hot-rolled steel sheet piles has seen significant growth in recent years.
The problem arises when significant distortions between prices and internal costs in China are detected. The European Commission, in its document of December 20, 2017, “Report on Significant Distortions in the Economy of the PRC for the purposes of the trade defence investigations” considers the calculated dumping margins to be significant.
From that moment on, and following the usual procedure, the investigation process begins to determine whether it is appropriate to establish anti-dumping measures for hot-rolled steel sheet piles imported from China.
In any case, we will have to wait for the conclusions of the investigation to see if these types of protective measures for EU producers are adopted. Bull Importer will promptly inform of any updates, as we usually do with all anti-dumping procedures.
