India’s Ministry of Steel has asked the Ministry of Finance to withdraw anti-dumping tariffs on low-ash metallurgical coke imports, citing inadequate domestic supplies and higher prices, a Reuters report said, quoting government documents.
“Concerns have emerged regarding the limited availability of met coke in the domestic market and a substantial increase in domestic prices following the imposition of ADD, which has imposed a significant financial burden on steel manufacturers,” the Steel Ministry said in a May 18 office memorandum, referring to anti-dumping duties with an acronym.
Steel Ministry raises supply concerns
India, the world’s second-largest crude steel producer, imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of low-ash metallurgical coke (met coke) for six months in December.
India primarily imports met coke from China, Indonesia, Poland, Japan, and Switzerland. Import volumes are down sharply since the curbs were imposed, industry experts say.
The Steel Ministry highlighted the difficulties faced by state-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), saying the company had been unable to procure adequate quantities of met coke at reasonable prices from the domestic market, resulting in a 20% rise in input costs.
RINL, which is undergoing a government-backed financial revival, has seen its operational viability and competitiveness adversely affected by inadequate supplies of met coke, the Steel Ministry memorandum said.
The Steel Ministry also flagged concerns for small and medium-sized steelmakers that rely heavily on merchant suppliers for met coke.
“The domestic market has not been able to ensure adequate availability of met coke at competitive rates to meet the requirements of the steel industry,” it said.
India’s steel exports to UK face challenges
In another development, India has flagged concerns in a key meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva over the UK’s recent steel safeguard measures. From July 1, 2026, the UK will limit tariff-free steel imports, reducing the overall quota available under the existing safeguard measures by 60 percent. Any imports above these levels will then face a 50 percent tariff.
India, Brazil, Turkiye, Switzerland and Australia have expressed their concerns about the UK’s proposed action,