EU Applies Tariffs on Malaysian Fasteners

The EU placed tariffs on fasteners imports from Malaysia after concluding its investigation into circumvention of antidumping tariffs on Chinese steel fasteners. Only eight of 19 Malaysian exporters who applied for an exemption were granted one.

Imports from all other Malaysian companies will be subject to the 85% antidumping tariff applied to steel fasteners from China. That duty will be applied retrospectively from October 2010, forcing importers to pay back duties almost immediately.

The Commission initiated its circumvention investigation on October 28, 2010, based on indications that significant volumes of fasteners produced in China were being routed via Malaysia to avoid the 85% antidumping tariffs applied on imports of steel fasteners from China in 2009.

There are growing indications that the Commission is now turning the spotlight on other countries via which circumvention is alleged to be occurring.