Provisional Decision on Korean and Chinese Galvanized Steel

Since August 13, 2025, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Finance have jointly investigated whether to impose anti-dumping duties on hot-dip galvanized steel strip and sheets originating in Korea and China, excluding Hong Kong and Macao. On July 24, 2026, the two ministries announced a provisional decision presuming imports of dumped goods and material injury or other relevant facts concerning Japan's domestic industry.

The investigation began after Nippon Steel, Nippon Steel Sheet, Kobe Steel, and Yodoko submitted written requests for the imposition of duties on April 28, 2025.

The products covered are steel strip and sheets coated with hot-dip galvanized zinc on their surfaces to provide rust-prevention properties. They are mainly used as raw materials for building products such as guardrails, housing, and fences, as well as for parts of electrical appliances such as refrigerators. During the investigation, the authorities accepted evidence and opinions from interested parties and collected objective evidence from suppliers and others in Korea and China.

Going forward, interested parties will be given opportunities to submit evidence and state their opinions regarding the provisional decision, and the investigation will continue under the WTO Agreement and relevant domestic laws. The authorities will then determine whether imports of dumped goods and material injury or other relevant facts concerning Japan's domestic industry exist, after which the government will decide whether to impose duties.