India reviewed the import duty structure on low-ash metallurgical coke

India reviewed the import duty structure on low-ash metallurgical coke

¨     India reviewed the import duty structure on low-ash metallurgical coke in 2026.

¨     The Ministry of Steel has sought the withdrawal of anti-dumping tariffs due to domestic supply shortages and high local prices.

¨     Metallurgical coke is a carbon-rich fuel produced from coking coal.

¨     It is used in blast furnaces for iron and steel production.

¨     Low-ash metallurgical coke is preferred in steelmaking because lower ash content improves furnace efficiency and product quality.

¨     Metallurgical coke accounts for nearly 35% to 40% of the total steel production cost in India.

¨     India imposed a temporary anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke imports for six months in December 2025.

¨     The duty became effective from January 2026.

¨     Duty rates ranged from USD 60.87 to USD 130.66 per tonne.

¨     The tariff covered imports from China, Australia, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, and Russia.

¨     Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) removed quantitative restrictions and prior authorisation requirements on 3 January 2026.

¨   During 2025, country-wise quotas limited total low-ash metallurgical coke imports to 713,583 tonnes per quarter.

¨     India is the world’s second-largest producer of crude steel.

¨     Steel manufacturers use large quantities of metallurgical coke for blast furnace operations.

¨   Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) reported a 20% increase in input costs due to difficulties in obtaining adequate domestic metallurgical coke supplies.