The measures form part of ITAC’s wide-ranging steel tariff review process, which began in March 2025 and culminated in recommendations involving higher tariffs, safeguard measures, import permit controls and expanded rebate provisions for products not manufactured locally.
South Africa’s steel industry is facing an “emergency situation” caused by global overcapacity, rising imports and collapsing domestic production, prompting government to introduce sweeping tariff, rebate and import-control measures aimed at protecting local manufacturers.
This is according to Ayabonga Cawe, chief commissioner of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC), following the gazetting of proposed changes to import duties on a wide range of steel products.
The gazette, published on Friday, focuses on South Africa’s steel industry crisis and outlines proposed tariff increases, safeguard measures, import controls and rebate provisions aimed at protecting local manufacturers from rising low-cost imports and global trade pressures.
The measures form part of ITAC’s wide-ranging steel tariff review process, which began in March 2025 and culminated in a variety of recommendations.
