According to an official notice on December 30, 2025, India has decided to implement a three-year safeguard duty on certain non-alloy and alloy steel flat products, involving hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and metallic-coated steel, and color-coated steel products under HS codes 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225, and 7226.

The duty starts at 12% in the first year (April 21, 2025 to April 20, 2026), decreasing to 11.5% in the second year (April 21, 2026 to April 20, 2027), and 11% in the final year (April 21, 2027 to April 20, 2028). Taiwan and most developing nations enjoy exemptions. However, China is almost entirely affected, alongside Vietnam and Nepal for specific categories such as metallic and color-coated steel.

The tax only triggers if the CIF import price falls below set floors. For instance, hot-rolled coils are taxed if priced under US$675/MT, while color-coated products have a threshold of US$964/MT. Specific items, including stainless steel, electrical steel (CRGO/CRNO), and tinplate, are excluded from these safeguard duties.