Russia imposes 28.1% import duty on stainless steel pipes for three years

The Russian government has imposed a 28.1 percent special duty on imports of stainless steel tubes and pipes with outside diameter up to 426 mm inclusive for a period of three years. The decision No. 758 dated September 28, 2009 becomes effective one month after its official publication.
 
The 28.1 percent duty will impact stainless steel tubes and pipes under the following HS Codes: 7304 11 100 1, 7304 11 100 2, 7304 11 100 9, 7304 11 300 1, 7304 11 300 2, 7304 11 300 9, 7304 11 900 1, 7304 11 900 2, 7304 11 900 9, 7304 41 000 9, 7304 49 100 0, 7304 49 920 0, 7304 49 990 0, 7306 11 110 0, 7306 11 190 0, 7306 11 900 0, 7306 40 200 1, 7306 40 200 9, and 7306 40 800 9.
 
The special duty does not affect imports of the stainless steel tubes and pipes originating from Belarus, and from developing countries which come under the scope of Russia's Generalized System of Preference, with the exception of Brazil and China (including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau).
 
According to the Russian Special Steel and Alloys Consumers and Suppliers Association (Spetsstal), in 2008 the total volume of Russia's consumption of stainless steel tubes and pipes amounted to 50,480 mt, including 22,050 mt of seamless pipes and tubes (of which 58.4 percent were imported), and 28,430 mt of electric welded pipes and tubes (of which 78.2 percent were imported). In 2008, the main importers of seamless tubes and pipes to Russia were China (48 percent) and Ukraine (38.6 percent), while the main importers of electric welded tubes and pipes were Italy (41.6 percent), China (23.4 percent) and Taiwan (10.2 percent).