Taiwan launches AD probe into stainless CRC from Vietnam

The investigation was launched in response to a petition jointly filed by domestic producers Yieh United Steel Corp. and Tang Eng Iron Works, alleging that Vietnamese imports are being sold at unfairly low prices, causing material injury to the local industry.

The probe covers 50 tariff codes, primarily 304 and 316-series cold-rolled stainless steel, with thicknesses ranging from 0.05mm to 6.10mm and specific composition limits for elements including nickel, chrome, manganese, and aluminum. Products with metallic coatings or cladding are excluded.

The subject goods are widely used in kitchenware, food processing, home appliances, construction, aerospace, petrochemicals, machinery, and transportation.

According to estimates from a research firm commissioned by the applicants, Vietnamese products had a dumping margin of approximately 31.36% in 2025. Imports of these stainless products from Vietnam have surged sharply since 2024, exceeding 17,000 tonnes in this year's January-June half. June volumes alone hit 6,196 tonnes, an 11-fold increase from February, the Taiwanese mills claimed.

The applicants claim that CIF prices are $80–100/tonne below local market levels, with some offers even falling below production costs. As a result, local mills have been forced to cut prices, losing market share and suffering widening losses amid rising stainless steel prices and an appreciating New Taiwan dollar.

The notice names 20 Vietnamese producers and exporters, including Posco VST, Yongjin Metal Technology (Vietnam), Tan Viet Metal Technology, Nam Phat Group, and Hoa Sen Nhon Hoi.

Under the procedural timeline, the Ministry of Economic Affairs must issue a preliminary injury determination within 40 days of notification, while the Ministry of Finance has 70 days to make a preliminary dumping finding.

The investigation period covers July 1 2025, to June 30 2026. Should preliminary findings be affirmative, provisional duties and possible retroactive application may follow.

Market participants expect that any such duties would potentially disrupt export flows from Vietnam and raise end-user procurement costs in Taiwan in the near term.

Written by Tiffany Hou, houtianhui@mysteel.com

Edited by Russ McCulloch, russ.mcculloch@mysteel.com