Korea to impose antidumping tariffs on Thai seamless copper pipes

South Korea's finance ministry announced on Friday that it will impose antidumping tariffs on seamless copper pipes imported from Thailand, following an investigation that found the imports have harmed the domestic industry. The ministry decided to impose duties ranging from 4.93 percent to 8.41 percent on the Thai products, as requested by the Korea Trade Commission in June. The tariffs will go into effect on September 11.

Seamless copper pipes are widely used in various appliances, including air conditioners, refrigerators, and heating and cooling systems, due to their excellent corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity. The domestic market for these pipes is estimated to be around 600 billion won ($432 million) as of 2024, with Thai products making up about 8 percent of the market, according to the ministry.

The government's move aims to enhance the business environment for the domestic industry, which has been struggling due to the influx of dumped imports from Thailand. By implementing these tariffs, the ministry hopes to establish a more equitable competitive landscape for local producers.