Steel ministry pushes to end metallurgical coke tariffs, document shows

India's Ministry of Steel has asked the Ministry of ​Finance to withdraw anti-dumping tariffs on low-ash metallurgical coke ‌imports, citing inadequate domestic supplies and higher prices, ​according to a government document reviewed ⁠by Reuters.

India, the world's second-largest crude steel producer, imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke - known as ‌met coke - imports in December for six months.

India primarily imports met coke ‌from China, Indonesia, Poland, Japan and Switzerland. Import ‌volumes ⁠are down sharply since the curbs were ⁠imposed, industry experts say.

"Concerns have emerged regarding the limited availability of met coke in the domestic market and a ​substantial increase in domestic ‌prices following the imposition of ADD, which has imposed a significant financial burden on steel manufacturers," the Steel Ministry said in a May 18 ‌office memorandum, referring to anti-dumping duties with ​an acronym.

The ministries did not respond to emails from Reuters seeking comment.

The Steel ⁠Ministry highlighted the difficulties faced by state-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), saying the company had been unable ‌to procure adequate quantities of met coke at reasonable prices from the domestic market, resulting in a 20% rise in input costs.

RINL, which is undergoing a government-backed financial revival, has seen its operational viability and competitiveness adversely affected by inadequate ‌supplies of met coke, the Steel Ministry memorandum said.

RINL did ​not respond to a Reuters email seeking comment.

The Steel Ministry also flagged ⁠concerns for small and medium-sized steelmakers, which rely heavily ⁠on merchant suppliers for met coke.

"The domestic market has not been able to ensure ‌adequate availability of met coke at competitive rates to meet the requirements of the steel industry," ​it said.

Published on May 22, 2026