HÀ NỘI — South Africa has terminated an anti-circumvention investigation into anti-dumping duties on imported tyres from Việt Nam, Thailand and Cambodia, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Việt Nam.

The investigation was initiated on September 20, 2024, following a petition filed by the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference. 

The products under investigation included pneumatic tyres for passenger cars, buses and trucks. 

The anti-dumping investigation period covered November 1, 2022, to May 31, 2024, while the anti-circumvention review period spanned August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024.

Regarding Vietnamese companies involved, International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) identified six firms that responded to the initial questionnaire. 

However, after issuing deficiency letters requesting additional information, only three companies submitted complete responses. Of these, two fully cooperating firms were subject to on-site verification in February last year.

Preliminary findings released in May last year showed mixed results. Two cooperating Vietnamese firms were cleared of circumvention, while one company was found in violation and faced a duty of 8.78 per cent. 

Other firms that did not fully cooperate were subject to a higher, country-wide duty rate of 41.47 per cent applied in the original case against China.

The investigation was later halted after South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition declined to approve ITAC’s recommendation and instead requested further review. However, as the legal 18-month deadline for the investigation expired, authorities were required to terminate the process and restart it if necessary. 

As a result, no anti-circumvention duties will be imposed on the affected tyre imports, including those transshipped from China via Việt Nam and other ASEAN countries.

The decision takes effect immediately and is considered a positive development for Vietnamese exporters. Nonetheless, authorities warn that the case could be reopened, urging businesses to remain vigilant, prepare response plans and maintain close coordination with relevant agencies. — VNS