The Central Government has announced a significant policy change by lifting restrictions on the import of low-ash metallurgical coke, providing much-needed relief to steel and metal industries. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) confirmed that import of low-ash metallurgical coke having ash content below 18%, including coke fines, coke breeze and ultra-low phosphorous metallurgical coke, is now free.

Policy Reversal and Anti-Dumping Measures

The removal of restrictions comes after the government imposed provisional anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke imports. This represents a strategic shift from the previous approach of direct import restrictions to tariff-based protection measures.

Timeline of Recent Changes

The policy change follows a series of recent developments in the metallurgical coke import framework. The government had initially extended import restrictions from January 1 till June 30, 2026, due to the non-application of anti-dumping duty on low-ash metallurgical coke imports. However, after the Ministry of Finance accepted the imposition of anti-dumping duty, the DGFT removed the restrictions.

Industry Impact and Implications

This policy revision is particularly significant for steel manufacturers and other metal processing industries that require consistent access to low-ash metallurgical coke. Metallurgical coke is an essential component in steel production and other metal manufacturing processes, where its quality directly impacts the efficiency and output of industrial operations.

The lifting of restrictions, combined with anti-dumping protection, is expected to improve supply chain reliability for steel producers while maintaining protection against unfair trade practices. This balanced approach provides manufacturers with greater sourcing flexibility while safeguarding domestic industry interests through appropriate duty measures.