Friday 24th July

EIFI alleges stainless steel dumping from India and Malaysia

Investigation announcement likely mid August
 
EUROFER, the European steel makers association, has announced in Its July newsletter that the European Industrial Fastener Institute (EIFI) lodged a complaint with the European Commission on 30 June alleging dumping of stainless steel fasteners by India and Malaysia. Under EU anti dumping regulations the Commission has 45 days to publish a decision whether or not to instigate an investigation.
 
In November 2005 the European Union applied anti dumping tariffs on imports of threaded stainless fasteners from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam – tariffs range from 7.7 to 27.4 percent depending on country and individual producer.  EUROFER says, “Since 2006 imports from (India and Malaysia) have increased dramatically and literally flooded the EU market in 2008, causing considerable injury to the European industries concerned”.
 
Fastener+Fixing Magazine understands the new complaint has been lodged on behalf of a small number of major Italian producers, which nevertheless represent well in excess of the 25 percent of EU output threshold required for a valid complaint. EUROFER has pledged its support in the newsletter. While actual figures are not quoted Eurofer says, “the complainants have strong indications that exports from India and Malaysia are dumped and subsidised”.
 
Based on the normal EU timescales the complaint should currently be under consideration by member states. Given the thorough preparation of previous EIFI complaints the probability of an investigation appears high. Should one be initiated it can be expected to cover a similar range to that of the existing stainless steel anti dumping measures –  tariff codes 7318 12 10, 7318 14 10, 7318 15 30, 7318 15 51, 7318 15 61 and 7318 15 70.  These codes include woodscrews, self tapping screws, socket screws and hexagon bolts and screws as well as other screws and bolts with various recesses and heads.

In the event of an investigation a decision on preliminary tariffs is required within 9 months of its commencement. A definitive decision has to be published within 15 months.
 
The 2005 stainless steel anti dumping regulation is due to terminate in November 2010. The recent EIFI initiative, particularly if rewarded with an investigation, suggests the European producers will be active in seeking an extension of the existing tariffs when the Commission gives notice of their impending termination next year.
 
© Fastener+Fixing Magazine


Thursday 21st May

Russia starts antidumping investigation on imported fasteners from all countries
The Russian manufacturing association Rosmetiz has confirmed to Fastener+Fixing Magazine that the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation has initiated an investigation concerning imported steel bolts and steel nuts.  The decision to commence a  ‘special protective investigation reflects concern over the increase in imports of steel bolts and steel nuts to the Russian Federation customs territory  and was made in response to representations from two Russian enterprises – MMK-Metiz and Severstal-metiz.

The investigation will cover the following fastener ranges:
- Steel bolts from M6 to M30 diameter inclusive, with or without nuts or washers, in different strength grades, and whether plated or not plated
- Steel nuts thread diameters from M5 to M30 inclusive, of various strength grades, whether plated or not.
- Steel Spring washers from M6 to M42 diameter, whether plated or not

These product ranges correspond, says Rosmetiz, to the foreign tariff codes used in the Russian Federation since January, 1, 2007:
- 7318 15 810 0, 7318 15 890 0, 7318 15 900 9, 7318 16 910 9, 7318 16 990 0, 7318 21 000 9.

It is understood that the investigation will not be considering fasteners or parts intended specifically for motor vehicle assembly or sub-assemblies.

The investigation is not limited to any specific country of origin. It is authorized by order number 393 of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation dated on May, 7, 2009 and commenced on 14 May 2009

The full text of the order (in Russian) can be downloaded from the Rosmetiz website using this link: http://www.rosmetiz.ru/upload/files/antidemping/fasteners_antidemping_ru_2009.pdf

Monday 2nd February 2009

Anti-dumping regulation published

Anti-dumping regulation 91/2009 applying anti-dumping duty on iron and steel fasteners imported to the European Union from People’s Republic of China was published in the EU Official Journal on 31 January 2009, becoming community law on that date. The duties came into force on the day following publication and apply to goods entering free circulation in the EU market after that date.

The full regulation can be found at the Official Journal on the EU website – reference L29 31 January 2009.

Key details are as expected:-

General tariff of 85 percent.

Around 100 cooperating companies (listed in Annex 1) accorded tariff of 77.5 percent

Eight companies granted “individual treatment” (IT) accorded specific tariffs.

These included Yantai Agrati Fasteners Co Ltd and CELO Suzhou Precision Fasteners Co Ltd, accorded 0 percent duty. 

One Chinese company obtained a tariff of 26.5 percent. Other IT companies have tariffs ranging from 63.1 to 79.5 percent.

The range of products affected by the tariffs is defined by the regulation as:

“...certain iron or steel fasteners, other than of stainless steel, i.e. wood screws (excluding coach screws), self-tapping screws, other screws and bolts with heads (whether or not with their nuts or washers, but excluding screws turned from bars, rods, profiles or wire, of solid section, of a shank thickness not exceeding 6 mm and excluding screws and bolts for fixing railway track construction material), and washers, originating in the People's Republic of China. 

The product concerned is normally declared within CN codes 7318 12 90, 7318 14 91, 7318 14 99, 7318 15 59, 7318 15 69, 7318 15 81, 7318 15 89, ex 7318 15 90, ex 7318 21 00 and ex 7318 22 00. “

Wednesday 7^th January 2009

China announces AD investigation against fasteners from EU

On 29 December the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced it had initiated an anti-dumping Investigation relating to fasteners from the European Union. The decision is in response to a petition lodged by the Chinese Fastener Industry Association on 1 December 2008. The announcement says that the Ministry “examined and approved evidences listed in the petition such as dumping, injury, and causal link between the two”. It goes on to say that preliminary evidence indicates the complaint fulfils other requirements of the Chinese anti-dumping regulation.

The dumping investigation will cover the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. Investigation of injury will be from 1 January 2005 to 30 September 2008. The range of products included in the investigation is extensive, falling within CN codes 73181200, 73181400, 73181500, 73182100 and 73182200. This is a similar range to that currently under investigation by the European Commission, covering most carbon steel threaded fasteners except nuts plus spring and plain washers.

The investigation is scheduled to end before December 29, 2009 but may be prolonged to 29 June 2010.

According to the Chinese Fastener Industry Association imports from the EU during 2007 were approximately 135 million euros.