Malaysia will impose safeguard duties on imports of hot rolled steel plates from China, Indonesia and South Korea at 17.4% from today (2 July), according to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. This is slightly less than the provisional duties imposed in late 2014 however, and the rate will decline each year for the next three years, Kallanish notes.

A provisional duty of 23.93% was imposed from 14 December 2014 after an investigation began in August at the behest of local producer Ji Kang Dimensi. The 17.4% duty will last until 1 July 2016, when it will be reduced to 13.9% and then to 10.4% from 1 July 2018.

The products under investigation have HS codes 7208.51.000, 7208.52.000 and 7225.40.000, and ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) 7208.51.0000, 7208.52.0000, 7225.40.0000.

The direct impact on trade flows is expected to be small as duties are already place and are in any case higher. Plate for boiler and pressure vessels, the automotive industry and electronics are exempted.