Global Fastener News

FEATURE

Importer/wholesaler National Socket Screws in
Jet Park, Boksburg, South Africa.

South Africa’s tariffs on fasteners are set to expire this year and leaders are evaluating whether to renew duties.

South Africa is one of numerous countries looking at anti-dumping duties this year.  See below for a GlobalFastenerNews.com summary.

 
“A change in the duties charged on fasteners brought into South Africa can reduce prices, but will expose South African companies to serious competition from abroad,” wholesaler Trevor Daniel  of National Socket Screws told EngineeringNews.co.za.

 
South Africa’s anti-dumping duties were set to discourage foreign companies from ‘dumping’ excess fasteners there and thus causing price fluctuations.

 
Daniel said two issues complication extending the tariffs. First, South Africa is a World Trade Organization member country and thus must adhere to rules on trade barriers, and second, there is a required process for renewal.

Duties increase prices to consumers, but South African fastener manufacturers want the protection from imports.

 
Daniel explained to Engineering News reporter Schalk Burger that Africa may account for only 3% of  a developed-country manufacturer’s sales – and thus small compared with other markets.

 
Imported fasteners arrive at South African ports below local manufacturers’ costs of producing hot-dip galvanised fasteners and that would cut African fastener manufacturing jobs, Hot Dip Galvanisers Association executive director Bob Wilmot told Engineering News.

 
National Socket Screws is a fastener importer/wholesaler headquartered in East Rand, South Africa.  Web: screws.co.za

Tariffs on fasteners and wire rod have grown in the global economic downturn, and not just among major importer and exporter countries. India, Malaysia, Turkey and South Africa have been embroiled in trade disputes, along with the U.S., the European Union, Canada, China and Russia.

Here are some of the tariff stories GlobalFastenerNews.com is following.

Canada Continues Tariffs on Fasteners from China and Taiwan

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal upheld tariffs on certain carbon steel fasteners from China and Taiwan (Inquiry No. NQ-2004-005) while ending tariffs on stainless steel fasteners from those countries.

Nucor Fastener Appeals ITC Vote, Presses Tariff Case Against China and Taiwan

Nucor Fastener has appealed the unanimous decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission to reject Nucor Fastener’s antidumping and countervailing petitions against certain standard fasteners from China and Taiwan.

China Imposes Tariffs on EU Carbon Fastener Imports

China imposed antidumping tariffs on certain types of carbon steel fasteners from the European Union after determining EU imports had hurt domestic producers, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. The decision comes months after EU placed duties on Chinese fasteners.

India Contests EU Fastener Tariff Claims

The Indian government is working to counter claims from the European Union that stainless steel fasteners from India and Malaysia are being dumped in Europe.

The European Commission launched antidumping and countervailing investigations in August following a June 30 complaint by the European Industrial Fasteners Institute.

WTO Opens Probe On EU Fastener Tariffs

The World Trade Organization opened its investigation into whether European Union tariffs on Chinese fasteners comply with international commerce rules. The EU reportedly waived its opportunity to delay the probe, saying it is “strongly convinced of the strength of its case.”

EU Approves Duty on Chinese Wire Rod

Foreign ministers from all 27 members of the European Union approved “definitive” antidumping duties of up to 24% on steel wire and rod imports from China starting August 1, 2009 and continuing for five years. The action must now be approved by member states.

EU Stainless Producers Allege Dumping from India and Malaysia

The European Industrial Fastener Institute (EIFI) lodged a complaint with the European Commission in June alleging dumping of stainless steel fasteners by India and Malaysia.

EU Adopts 24% Tariff on Chinese Wire Rod

The European Union approved a 24% antidumping duty on steel wire and rod imports from China starting August 1, 2009 and continuing for five years.

Russia Initiates Antidumping Probe on Fasteners From All Countries

The Russian Federation of Ministry of Industry & Trade has initiated an antidumping investigation on imported steel bolts and nuts from all countries.

U.S. Continues Antidumping Duties on Wire Rod From 4 Countries

The U.S. International Trade Commission continued antidumping duties on stainless steel wire rod imported from Japan, Italy, South Korea and Taiwan.

For complete coverage of antidumping actions in the fastener industry, SUBSCRIBE to GlobalFastenerNews.com.

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