Japan announces preliminary decision on stainless steel imports from China and Taiwan

Both ministries stated that, based on data collected so far, the products in question are being imported into Japan at unfairly low prices and that this situation is causing significant damage to the domestic industry.

According to the interim report, the calculated price undercutting margins range between 33.29% and 45.32% for Chinese suppliers and between 3.86% and 20.71% for Taiwanese suppliers. For Chinese producers, Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel was set at 33.29% and POSCO Zhangjiagang Stainless Steel at 45.32%. The companies not included in the sample, including Ningbo Baoxin Stainless Steel, Jiangsu Yongjin Metal Technology, Guangdong Yongjin Metal Technology and Shanghai Shida Precision Stainless Steel, were calculated at 33.29%, while other Chinese suppliers that did not provide necessary information were assigned a rate of 45.32%.

Among Taiwanese producers, YUSCO was listed at 3.86% and Walsin at 20.71%, while five companies outside the sample were set at 3.86% and other Taiwanese suppliers that did not provide information were assigned 20.71%. The report emphasized that these percentages do not represent final antidumping tariff rates but reflect price undercutting margins, and that no final decision has yet been made regarding the imposition of duties.

The products under investigation consist of cold rolled stainless steel coils, sheets, strips and plates used in construction, household appliances and precision equipment manufacturing, containing at least 10.5% chromium and more than 0.6% nickel by weight. The investigation was officially launched on 22 July 2025 following applications submitted on 12 May 2025 by Nippon Steel, Nippon Metal Industries, Nasu Steel Strip and Nippon Metal.

The ministries extended the investigation period by four months to 21 November in order to allow more detailed examination of the evidence submitted and to ensure transparency. In the next stage, stakeholders’ views will be considered and a final decision will be made on whether to impose antidumping duties in line with World Trade Organization rules and domestic legislation.