Iran has reduced customs tariffs on a number of flat product imports despite “… the numerous objections and arguments of the Iranian Steel Producers’ Association (ISPA),” the association says on its online Chilan portal.

The tariff on imports of hot rolled coil up to 4.75mm thick has been reduced to 5% from 10%, as has the tariff on API-grade sheet imports. Cold rolled coil 0.5-1mm thick tariffs have been slashed to 10% from 30%, while tinplate tariffs have been cut to 15% from 26%. Tariffs on aluminium coated sheet are down to 20% from 26%. This has happened despite ISPA telling authorities that Iranian steel prices are already lower than in the rest of the world, according to the association.

In the 11 months through 19 February Iranian HRC imports slipped -41% on-year to 874,000 tonnes, but CRC imports rose 16% to 643,000t and coated sheet imports grew 21% to 370,000t, according to ISPA data (see Kallanish 19 March).