SAISI Supports Decisive Trade Action to Safeguard South African Steel Industry

The South African Iron and Steel Institute (SAISI) welcomes the government’s implementation of provisional safeguard duties on select flat-rolled steel products. Published in the Government Gazette on 27 June 2025 under Section 57A of the Customs and Excise Act, this action comes at a critical moment for South Africa’s steel industry.

Faced with a continued rise in low-priced imports, local producers have seen mounting pressure on production capacity, investment certainty, and jobs throughout the steel value chain. The provisional duty, set at 52.34%, takes immediate effect and applies to aluminium-zinc and zinc-coated flat-rolled products with a thickness of up to 0.45 mm. These products are predominantly used in the construction sector, which relies on a stable and competitive domestic steel supply.

SAISI considers this a necessary and measured step to level the playing field and create space for the local industry to recover.

We welcome the decisive action taken by the authorities and reaffirm our commitment to working with all partners, public and private, to strengthen the resilience of South Africa’s steel sector and support its long-term growth.