sassda news
As South Africa’s stainless steel industry navigates a volatile global trade landscape, Sassda has emerged with a pragmatic, member-driven approach to tariffs and trade protection. Based on insights from its 2025 member survey, Sassda is taking a firm but measured stance: blanket import duties are not the answer but targeted protection against dumped or inferior products is not just necessary, it’s overdue. Tariffs with a Purpose: Sassda Sets a Balanced Course on Stainless Steel Imports
fabricators, component makers, and end-users, who are equally exposed to the damage caused by unfair imports. Targeted Protection, Not Blanket Barriers In practice, this approach will see Sassda working hand-in- hand with government agencies such as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), and other industry organisations including SAISI, the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, and the Manufacturing Circle. One of the most direct tools available is the application for import duties on products where obvious dumping is taking place. South African Revenue Service (SARS) data already provides a foundation for this, enabling Sassda to track import volumes, declared customs values, and countries of origin. From this, unit values can be calculated and compared against known local benchmarks. Basson cites the example of Austenitic stainles steel. “In South Africa, the base cost to fabricators sits around R75/kg.
The survey revealed a clear direction from across the stainless steel value chain: most members are opposed to general import tariffs on stainless steel goods. However, there’s strong support for protective tariffs against products that are dumped, subsidised, or fail to meet quality standards, especially when these pose a threat to local jobs and manufacturing capacity. Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson reports, “It is apparent from the 2025 member survey that the majority of Sassda members are against import tariffs on imported stainless steel products. On the other hand, members do support the principle of tariffs against countries of origin of subsidised, dumped or inferior products.” This clear mandate is shaping Sassda’s next steps. “With this direction received from the membership, Sassda will now look at mechanisms to protect the local industry where it is required,” says Basson. These mechanisms are aimed not only at shielding major producers and distributors, but also safeguarding the downstream players such as
9
Issue 3 – 2025
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online