The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated an anti-dumping (AD) investigation on hot-rolled steel plate imports from South Korea, based on a complaint by UK producer Spartan UK Ltd, alleging that hot-rolled steel plate imports from South Korea are being dumped into the UK market, injuring the domestic industry.

Hot-rolled steel plates are flat steel products widely used in bridge construction, machine manufacturing, and shipbuilding.

TRA’s initial analysis showed South Korean imports surged from 14,000 tons in 2021 to over 40,000 tons last year. The investigation will assess whether a remedy is necessary and if it aligns with the UK's economic interests.

The products involved are hot-rolled flat steel products, not clad, plated, or coated, with a width of 600 mm or more and a thickness of more than 4.75 mm, excluding coils and tool steel. The scope also includes perforated, surface-treated, or simply cut non-rectangular shapes of the hot-rolled flat-rolled products. Also, it covers clad flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel products 600 mm or wider, and hot-rolled flat products of other alloy steel 600 mm or wider and 4.75 mm thick or more, not in coils.

These products are under HS codes 7208 5120, 7208 5191, 7208 5198, 7208 5210, 7208 5291, 7208 5299, 7208 9020, 7208 9080, 7210 9030, 7225 4040, and 7225 4060.

The period of investigation is from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.