As of January 14, the 445,469 mt of quotas of steel products allowed for import at regular steel import rates had a total utilization of 76 percent, against 71 percent on December 17, according to the Brazilian foreign trade authority, Siscomex.
These quotas were approved on October 24, and are valid for utilization until February 23, 2026.
The utilization by product was as follows:
· Plates in coils: 12 percent from 1,284 mt, unchanged in two months.
· HRC: 41 percent from 36,120 mt, against 24 percent previously.
· CRC: 68 percent from 84,203 mt, unchanged in one month.
· Zinc Coated: 84 percent from 144,285 mt, against 76 percent previously.
· Galvalume: 91 percent from 147,038 mt, against 88 percent previously.
· Wire rod: 70 percent from 32,534 mt, against 30 percent previously.
Volumes exceeding the quotas are subject to a 25 percent import tax, which is now expected to be increased over the next weeks to 50 percent, according to the local press.
Local steel producers argue that such measure fails to sufficiently limit dumped steel imports.