Tel :
Tel :
The Korean Customs Service GL E500 steel (KCS) stated that since June 17th, it has launched a special crackdown on some attempts to falsely declare Chinese made hot-rolled thick steel plates as other products to avoid anti-dumping duties. This enforcement action will continue until the end of July.
At present, the relevant steel plate products imported from China are in the period of temporary anti-dumping measures, with tax rates ranging from 27.91% to 38.02%. They will be implemented from April 24, 2024 and are expected to expire on August 23. The Customs Department pointed out that considering the continuous strengthening of steel and aluminum tariff policies by the United States, as well as the risk of third-party products flowing into the Korean market at dumping prices, South Korea GL E500 steel has launched a comprehensive inspection of anti-dumping duty evasion since April 14th and established a special working group to track and investigate suspected enterprises. The inspection period will last until July 22nd.
Despite the implementation of anti-dumping measures, China remains the largest supplier of thick steel plates to South Korea. In May 2025, China exported 55378 tons of thick steel plates to South Korea, accounting for 53% of South Korea's total imports of similar products. Some local traders in South Korea believe that most of the related resources flow to shipyards within the bonded zone, and if they are processed and used for re export within the bonded zone, they will not be subject to anti-dumping duties.
At the same time, the United States continues to expand tariffs on steel products. According to the announcement in the Federal Register on June 12th, the US Department of Commerce has included 11 types of steel derivatives such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers in the 50% tariff range. On June 16th, the South Korean Customs Department stated that such goods will be subject to a 50% tariff based on their steel composition, while non steel parts will be subject to a 10% "equivalent" tariff.
It is reported that the Trump administration GL E500 steel announced on April 2 a global tariff of 10% on all imported products and plans to implement variable "equivalent" tariff policies on most countries starting from July 9. South Korea is closely monitoring the potential impact of this series of external policy changes on its steel and related industrial chains.
