Brazil will impose definitive anti-dumping tariffs for five years on Indian and Chinese pre-painted steel, the foreign trade secretariat Secex said on 28 January.
The exact duty levels are usually published within a week, ending a probe that began on 19 September 2024. Tariffs are expected to range between $200-1,300/metric tonne (t), based on recent similar probes into Chinese steel.
Secex's investigation had found evidence of dumping and injury to the domestic industry in April 2025, but it opted not to impose provisional duties at the time. This prompted importers to seek alternative suppliers in markets such as Vietnam and South Korea ahead of eventual duties. The anticipation of the duties could limit the impact on import flows going forward.
Brazil imported 375,900t of pre-painted steel from India and China in 2025, above the latest five-year import average of 222,000t, customs data show.
Pre-painted steel prices will likely increase following the decision because domestic supply is limited to one single mill, market participants told Argus.
Brazil will also levy 25pc tariffs on nine steel products, including pickled and oil hot-rolled sheets and coils. Secex has not yet announced the effective date of the new duties.
Both decisions signal a tighter import-control policy on metals. The country already subjects 19 steel products to a quota system that limits import volumes, triggering tariffs from 10.8pc to 25pc once the threshold is reached.
Brazil currently has ongoing dumping investigations into imported cold-rolled coils (CRC), coated steel, hot-rolled coils (HRC), and wire rod from China, all scheduled to conclude by year-end. The CRC probe is likely to be the next to close, with a deadline of 19 February.
