The Russian government has approved a 150,000 mt quota for duty-free imports of certain types of steel pipes from Ukraine to Russia in the second half of the current year. The quota in question was proposed by Russia's Ministry of Economic Development.
In the January-June period of the current year, Ukraine was allowed duty-free supplies of steel pipes amounting to 264,000 mt to the countries of the customs union between Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, including 72,000 mt to Belarus, 42,000 mt to Kazakhstan, and 150,000 mt to Russia.
Russia introduced antidumping duties on imports of pipes from Ukraine on December 29, 2005 for five years, with the duties later being prolonged. A special zero duty was introduced for five pipe companies which are now part of Ukraine-based Interpipe.