S. Korea, China Have Lots of Common Export Items Subject to US Anti-dumping Duty

South Korean exporters are advised to take extra caution to avoid US antidumping penalties as most of Korean products subject to the US antidumping regulations are the same as the Chinese products targeted by U.S. antidumping tariffs.

According to a report released by the Korea International Trade Association on May 8, 90% of South Korea’s exports subject to the US antidumping regulations overlap the Chinese products targeted by US antidumping tariffs. Specifically, the total number of overlapping products is 351, with 344 of them being steel and steel products.

The association advised Korean companies exporting steel and steel products to take caution as the same products from China are subject to US antidumping tariffs. At present, a total of 461 Chinese steel and steel products are subject to the U.S. restrictions. They include 117 items for which the high US antidumping tariffs are not applied to South Korean exporters.

When it comes to the materials and components South Korea imports from China, 97 items are subject to U.S. tariffs. South Korean companies need to stay alert when they export products containing these materials and components to the US.

The association also said that the United States has imposed tariffs on South Korean products that took the place of the Chinese items whose exports fell due to U.S. restrictions. The examples include thick steel plates, oil country tubular goods, steel nails, cold-rolled and hot-rolled steel sheets and ferrovanadium.

In addition, the association noted that Washington files anti-dumping suits against foreign companies, even when imports have declined, if American companies’ market share falls.