China-Africa: South Africa Instigates Anti-dumping Action Against China, Malaysia
South Africa has slapped provisional anti-dumping penalties of 62% and 96% respectively on stainless steel kitchen sink imports from China and Malaysia.
The provisional payment was gazetted (published in official government paper) by the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) earlier this month, and is the latest in the saga involving unlisted local kitchen sink manufacturer Franke Kitchen Systems’ battle against cheap imports.
Franke wants trade measures against cheap and subsidized imports, which it said had severely undercut the price of kitchen sinks in the local market - costing it a chunk of the market share.
Itac found in a preliminary determination that the local industry was suffering material harm as a result of dumping. It also determined a residual subsidy margin of 35% for Malaysian manufacturers that did not participate in the investigation.
While the dumping duties for the two countries are relatively high, lower levels of duties have been imposed on two individual Chinese companies and one Malaysian company that had participated in an investigation conducted by Itac in those countries at the end of last year.
The companies are presumed to be the predominant exporters of the kitchen sinks into the southern African market.
This is only the third time that provisional dumping duties have been awarded to a local manufacturer against imports from China, since South Africa granted that country market economy status two years ago and agreed to enhance debate with China on dumping investigations.
Previously, provisional duties had been awarded in complaints against the dumping of polyvinyl chloride and welded steel chain. The provisional anti-dumping payment will give Franke temporary respite.
Source African Press Agency
Tags: South Africa