In a significant move to protect domestic industry, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib has issued three ministerial decrees imposing temporary safeguard duties on certain steel products. The measures, which take effect on Sunday, September 14, 2025, were published in the Official Gazette on September 10, 2025, Invest-Gate reports.
El Khatib explained that the duties will be applied for 200 days and will cover hot-rolled and cold-rolled flat products, galvanized and pre-painted sheets, as well as billet. He emphasized that the decision is intended to shield the local steel industry from harmful trade practices, ensure fair competition, and strengthen key production sectors that depend heavily on steel.
The minister noted that the investigations leading to these measures were initiated following petitions by local manufacturers affected by unfair trade practices. Although the original investigation period is set at 12 months, the imposition of temporary duties requires the process to conclude within 200 days. This period will allow all concerned parties to present their arguments before final rulings are issued.
El Khatib added that the move also responds to rapid global market developments, with many WTO members adopting protective measures amid rising production surpluses. He stressed that Egypt’s decisions are fully consistent with its international obligations under the World Trade Organization and with national legislation, specifically Law No. 161 of 1998 on safeguarding the national economy from harmful trade practices.
The safeguard duties include a rate of 13.6 percent of the CIF value, with a minimum of EGP 3,673 per ton on hot-rolled flat products, and 11.11 percent with a minimum of EGP 4,152 per ton on cold-rolled flat products. Galvanized sheets will be subject to 12.16 percent, with a minimum of EGP 4,812 per ton, while pre-painted sheets will face 4.94 percent, with a minimum of EGP 2,584 per ton. For billet, the rate is set at 16.2 percent, with a minimum of EGP 4,613 per ton.