Brazil has imposed definitive anti-dumping (AD) duties on imports of pre-painted steel products originating from China and India, following the conclusion of a detailed trade investigation into alleged dumping practices and injury to the domestic steel industry.
The decision was approved by Brazil’s Foreign Trade Chamber, Camex, under the Executive Management Committee (Gecex). The duties will remain in force for a period of five years, effective from the date of publication of the final resolution.
The anti-dumping investigation was initiated in September 2024 after Brazilian steel producers filed a complaint alleging that pre-painted steel imports from China and India were entering the local market at prices below fair value. The probe examined import volumes, pricing behavior, cost structures, and the impact of these imports on domestic production, sales, profitability, capacity utilization, and employment.
According to the final determination, authorities concluded that dumped imports from both China and India had caused material injury to Brazil’s domestic steel sector, particularly in value-added coated steel segments. The investigation found a sustained increase in low-priced imports, price undercutting, and margin compression for local producers over the period of investigation.
Under the finalized measures, anti-dumping duties on China-origin pre-painted steel range between approximately USD 329 per tonne and USD 597 per tonne, depending on the exporting producer and specific product classification. For India-origin material, Brazil has imposed a fixed anti-dumping duty of around USD 289 per tonne.
The duties apply to pre-painted and colour-coated flat steel products commonly used in construction, home appliances, automotive components, and general manufacturing. These products fall under multiple tariff classifications within Brazil’s Mercosur nomenclature.
Brazilian authorities stated that the measures are intended to restore fair competition in the domestic market and ensure the long-term viability of local steelmakers. The move is also aligned with Brazil’s broader trade defense strategy, as the country has intensified scrutiny of steel imports amid rising global overcapacity and aggressive export pricing from major steel-producing nations.
Market participants expect the duties to significantly reduce imports of pre-painted steel from China and India into Brazil, potentially leading to higher domestic prices and improved margins for local producers. At the same time, exporters from China and India may look to redirect volumes to alternative markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
The imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties on pre-painted steel underscores Brazil’s increasingly protectionist stance in safeguarding its steel industry, particularly in downstream and value-added product segments facing intense global competition.