Ilyashev & Partners Law Firm has initiated an investigation into the circumvention of anti-dumping duties on imports of steel fasteners originating in the People’s Republic of China through the supply of similar products from Malaysia. The investigation was launched by the Interdepartmental Commission on International Trade (ICIT) on April 16, 2025, by Decision No. AD-576/2025/441-01, published in the Government Courier on April 19, 2025, and will enter into force 10 days after publication.
The International Trade Practice Team at Ilyashev & Partners, led by Partner Olena Omelchenko, provided compelling evidence that imports from Malaysia were used to circumvent anti-dumping duties imposed in 2020 on Chinese fasteners, which range from 32.47% to 67.4%.
To recall, the original anti-dumping investigation into imports of steel fasteners from China was initiated in 2019 by Ilyashev & Partners on behalf of a domestic producer. It resulted in the first provisional anti-dumping measures in Ukraine in 20 years. Final duties were introduced on September 29, 2020, for five years, on carbon steel threaded products such as screws, bolts, and nuts, classified under UCGFEA codes 7318 15 68 90, 7318 15 82 90, 7318 15 88 90, 7318 15 95 90, 7318 16 92 90, and 7318 16 99 90.
Following the imposition of final duties on Chinese imports, Chinese fasteners entering Ukraine dropped significantly. At the same time, imports of similar products from Malaysia increased, effectively neutralizing the duty’s impact and posing a renewed threat to the national producer.
To prevent further circumvention, the Commission requires Malaysian exporters to pay advance duties (including VAT) at 67.4%, equal to the highest rate imposed on Chinese producers. This temporary mechanism will remain in effect until the investigation is complete.