Importing Steel from China to Malaysia: FTA 0–5% Duty & the Galvanized Anti-Dumping Shock (2026)
Verified 2026-10-30 against MITI trade-remedy determinations. With a valid ACFTA (Form E) or RCEP certificate of origin, Chinese steel enters Malaysia at 0–5% duty; the MFN rate of 5–30% applies without one. There is no sales tax on imports. The October 2025 final determination on galvanized steel reshapes the market for five years (to 2030-10-31): China faces 0–26.80%, and mill identity is decisive — Baoshan Iron & Steel, Beijing Shougang Cold Rolling and Fujian Kaijing Greentech were exempted at 0% (de minimis), while all other Chinese producers pay 26.80%.
Base duty on Chinese steel (2026)
| Product (HS) | MFN without C/O | ACFTA / RCEP | Sales tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7208 / 7209 — HRC / CRC | 5–30% | 0–5% (Form E / RCEP) | No SST on imports |
| 7210 / 7212 — coated flat | 5–30% | 0–5% | No SST |
| 7225 / 7226 — alloy & plate | 5–30% | 0–5% | No SST |
| 7301 / 7306 — sections & tube | 5–25% | 0–5% | No SST |
Malaysia levies no SST on imported steel; the duty line and the AD line are the whole story.
Galvanized anti-dumping — final determination (31 Oct 2025, five years)
MITI's final determination on galvanized flat steel (scope: 7210.49, 7212.30, 7225.92, 7226.99) runs 2025-11-01 to 2030-10-31. During the provisional phase (from 7 July 2025) Baoshan paid 8.73%; the final cleared it to zero. The lesson: which mill coils your zinc coating is now a pricing decision.
| Producer / mill | Final AD rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baowu) | 0% | de minimis — final determination |
| Beijing Shougang Cold Rolling | 0% | de minimis |
| Fujian Kaijing Greentech | 0% | de minimis |
| Shougang Jingtang | 7.72% | cooperating |
| All other Chinese producers | 26.80% | residual rate |
| POSCO (Korea) | 2.21% | context: regional benchmark |
| Vietnamese producers | 4.76–57.90% | context: transshipment risk |
Commercial implication: a 26.80% residual on $800/t coated steel is $214/t. Buyers specifying Baowu-group or the other exempted mills keep the coated route viable; everyone else should compare against the NM wear-plate route (7225.40, outside this measure).
Other measures in force or opening
Malaysia maintains one of ASEAN's denser trade-remedy stacks:
| Product / measure | Rate | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| CRC (7209/7212) China & Japan | 4.76–26.39% | renewed June 2025, 5 years |
| Prepainted / colour-coated (China) | 52.10% | expiry review 2026-07-20 → 2027-01-15 |
| Galvalume (aluzinc) | investigation open | MITI initiated August 2026 |
| HRC | no measure currently | watch list |
Transshipment warning: Vietnam's 4.76–57.90% range in the same determination signals MITI watches routing closely. Origin certificates must reflect real substantial transformation.
The plate route under 7225.40 — still clean
Plain plate under 7225.40 (no zinc coating) sits outside the HDG scope, and HRC carries no current measure — the two cleanest lanes into Malaysia. CRC faces the renewed 4.76–26.39% band, so the plate lane wins again for structural and wear applications.
Baohui ships NM400/NM450/NM500 wear plate, Q690E and BS960E as plate under 7225.40 with Form E / RCEP origin paperwork — outside every measure listed above.
Landed-cost cascade — worked example (25 t NM450 plate to Port Klang)
| Line | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| NM450 wear plate, 25 t × $795/t FOB | $19,875 | FOB China |
| Freight + insurance to Port Klang | +$30/t | $750 |
| CIF value | $20,625 | duty base |
| ACFTA / RCEP duty with C/O | 0–5% | $0–1,031 |
| HDG AD if shipped coated (7210.49) | 0–26.80% | mill-specific |
If shipped as coated 7210.49 from a non-exempt mill, add 26.80% AD ($5,331 on this parcel); the plate lane avoids it entirely.
Documents Malaysian customs will ask for
- ACFTA Form E or RCEP certificate of origin
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Mill test certificate matching the invoiced grade/HS
- For coated goods: coating specification sheet (relevant to AD scope classification)
Change log — what moved, and when
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 2025-06 | CRC AD renewed 5 years (China/Japan 4.76–26.39%) |
| 2025-07-07 | Provisional HDG AD: Baoshan 8.73%, others up to 26.80% |
| 2025-10-31 | Final HDG AD determination (0% Baoshan/Shougang CR/Kaijing; 26.80% residual), 5 years to 2030-10-31 |
| 2026-07-20 | Prepainted AD expiry-review window opens (to 2027-01-15) |
| 2026-08 | MITI initiates galvalume (aluzinc) AD investigation |
Related guide: electrical steel
HS 7225 also covers grain-oriented (GO) and non-oriented (NGO) electrical steel — the silicon steel grades used in transformer and motor cores. Read our guide: What is electrical steel — grades, GO vs NGO, and the global market.
Malaysia steel import FAQ
What duty does Chinese steel pay into Malaysia?
0–5% with a valid ACFTA Form E or RCEP certificate of origin; 5–30% MFN without. No sales tax applies on imports.
What is the anti-dumping rate on galvanized steel from China?
0% for Baoshan Iron & Steel, Beijing Shougang Cold Rolling and Fujian Kaijing Greentech; 7.72% for Shougang Jingtang; 26.80% for all other Chinese producers (final determination, five years from 1 Nov 2025).
Is there anti-dumping on plain plate or HRC?
No current measure on HRC or plain plate 7225.40. CRC carries 4.76–26.39% (renewed June 2025); prepainted faces 52.10%.
Can I route through Vietnam to avoid the duties?
Not safely: Vietnamese producers themselves face 4.76–57.90% in the same determination, and MITI actively reviews origin. Substantial transformation must be real and documented.
How long does clearance take at Port Klang?
Typically 1–2 working days electronically with complete Form E and MTC; inspections add 2–4 days.
Sources & verification
- 1MITI Trade Remedies — determinations & gazette
- 2S&P Global steel trade-remedy tracker
- 3Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM)
- 4RCEP tariff commitments (Malaysia schedule)
Figures on this page were verified on 2026-10-30 against the official sources below. Data is reviewed and re-verified monthly; dates of each review are shown on this page.
