On 9 May 2025, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (“MITI”) issued its Affirmative Final Determination in the anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of electrolytic tinplate from the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Republic of India. This follows an extensive investigation initiated in response to a petition filed by Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad (“Perstima”) on 28 June 2024.
Brief Facts
The petition, submitted pursuant to the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 and its accompanying Regulations, alleged that exporters from the four named countries were selling electrolytic tinplate into Malaysia at prices significantly lower than those in their respective domestic markets, thereby causing material injury to the Malaysian industry.
Electrolytic tinplate is a flat-rolled product of iron or non-alloy steel plated with tin, widely used in the manufacturing of cans and closures for food, beverages, aerosols, paints, and other consumer goods. It is a critical raw material in the packaging industry, particularly for preserving shelf-stable food and drink products. Perstima remains the sole domestic producer of electrolytic tinplate in Malaysia and thus represents the entire domestic industry.
Final Determination
Following a nine-month investigation involving verification visits abroad, engagement with foreign producers, and the review of voluminous documentary and pricing data, MITI has now concluded that dumping occurred in respect of all four countries. The dumped imports have caused material injury to the domestic industry, and definitive anti-dumping duties are necessary to restore fair trade.
Accordingly, MITI has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties[1] on imports from the following producers and/or exporter from the respective countries:
|
Country |
Producer/Exporter |
Duty Rate (%) |
|
China |
Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. | 4.78% |
|
GDH Zhongyue (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd. |
4.48% |
|
|
GDH Zhongyue (Zhongshan) Tinplate Industry Co., Ltd. |
4.48% |
|
|
Hesteel Group Hengshui Strip Processing Co., Ltd. |
16.44% | |
| Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. |
19.48% |
|
|
All other exporters |
20.42% | |
|
Republic of India |
All producers or exporters |
27.88% |
|
Japan |
Nippon Steel Corporation |
15.74% |
| All other exporters |
36.80% |
|
|
Republic of Korea |
KG Dongbu Steel Co., Ltd. |
21.60% |
| All other exporters |
35.43% |
The import duties shall take effect from 11 May 2025 and remain in force until 10 May 2030.
Concluding Thoughts
This decision marks an important affirmation of Malaysia’s commitment to upholding fair trade and protecting domestic industries from the adverse effects of unfair pricing practices. It reinforces the effectiveness of the country’s trade remedy framework under the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties Act 1993 and ensures that Malaysian manufacturers are not placed at a structural disadvantage in their own market.
The imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties will help restore competitive balance, provide relief to the domestic tinplate industry, and serve as a reminder that Malaysia is prepared to act decisively against injurious trade practices in accordance with international law.
Perstima was represented by Jason Tan Jia Xin and Yap Xue You of Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s Tax, Customs & Trade Practice.
For further information on Malaysia’s trade remedy laws or to discuss how we may assist in anti-dumping or countervailing duty proceedings, please contact Partner Jason Tan Jia Xin (tjx@lh-ag.com) or Associate Yap Xue You (yxy-lh-ag.com).
REFERENCE
[1] See the Federal Government Gazette P.U (B) 187/2025 here: https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-view.php?type=pua&no=P.U.%20(B)%20187/2025&status=PRINCIPAL
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