Posted on 11 Nov 2026
China's exports of finished steel totaled at 9.85 million tonnes in October, up by just a tiny 0.7% on year, according to the latest statistics from the General Administration of Customs (GACC) published on November 10. But last month's total was lower by 6.1% from September, Mysteel Global noted.
The result brought China's cumulative finished steel export total during this year's January-October period to 95.50 million tonnes, still lower by 2.3% on year, though narrowing slightly from January-September's 2.6% decline, the GACC data showed.
The GACC does not provide commentary with its data, but almost certainly the slight retreat from September's result partly reflected seasonal factors as traders and mills slowed their export activity during China's week-long National Day holiday over October 1-7. During that time, traders were mostly on leave and export clearance was suspended because Customs offices were closed.
Meanwhile, China's steel exports are under increasing pressure as previously concluded trade-remedy measures against Chinese steel products are gradually having an impact on steel sales overseas while more anti-dumping investigations are being launched.
For example, the Japanese government on October 27 formally decided to slap anti-dumping (AD) duties of up to 42.1% on imports of nickel-added cold-rolled stainless steel strip and sheet from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, while Korea's Trade Commission proposed ADs on Chinese galv CR up to 33.67% on October 23, as reported.
Meanwhile on November 6, Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade launched an AD probe into certain cold-rolled stainless products originating from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Indonesia [see other article].
China's exports of metal coated sheets and coils, already lower by 5.5% during the first nine months of this year, could be impacted again in a few weeks when Japan finalizes tariffs on hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel sheet and strip from China and South Korea.
Provisional ADs had been applied on August 8, as Mysteel Global reported, but these will end on December 7. Provisionally, Chinese HDG imports carry an AD penalty of 50.1%~55.3% and the focus now is on whether the Japanese government will finalize the duty rate range at the same level or possibly increase the rate range.
While China's exports of long steel items grew on year during the January- September period, this growth is also expected to wane as more trade measures targeting steel longs conclude with duties being imposed.
For example, South Korea began its AD probe into Chinese seamless pipe imports on October 8, while Thailand also launched an AD investigation into Chinese PC strand on October 23, also as Mysteel Global reported.
Meanwhile, during January-October China also imported 4.46 million tonnes of steel, down 11.6% on year, the GACC data showed.
Source:Mysteel Global
