Japan will impose a 95.2% import duty on Chinese graphite electrodes starting from March 29.

On Tuesday, March 25, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that...The Japanese cabinet has decided to impose a 95.2% anti-dumping duty on graphite electrode exports to China., as a temporary measure,The tariff will take effect on March 29 and will last for four months.。

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Announcement

China's exports of graphite electrodes account for more than 80% of Japan's total imports (Japan's electric arc furnace steel production accounts for 25% and is dependent on imports). Graphite electrodes (tariff number 8545.11) are subject to a 0% most-favored-nation rate, and previously, the export tariff to Japan was zero.

A midterm survey report released by the Japanese government last month showed that China exported graphite electrodes at unfair low prices, causing damage to Japanese companies.

The Chinese companies involved include: Fangda Carbon New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Jilin Carbon Co., Ltd., Liaoning Dantan Technology Group Co., Ltd., Jiexiu City Zhiyiao Carbon Co., Ltd., Datong Yulinde Graphite New Materials Co., Ltd., Henan Hongqiqu New Materials Co., Ltd., Jiaozuo Zhongzhou Carbon Co., Ltd., Kaifeng Pingmei New Carbon Material Technology Co., Ltd., Liaoning Xinrui Graphite New Materials Co., Ltd., Lingshi County Yangfan Carbon Technology Co., Ltd., Nantong Yangzi Carbon Co., Ltd., Shanxi Xinxian Carbon Material Technology Co., Ltd., Shengrui Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Sichuan Shida Carbon Co., Ltd., Sichuan Zhaogang Carbon Co., Ltd., Ulanqab City Fuxing Carbon Co., Ltd., Ulanqab City Xufeng Carbon Technology Co., Ltd., and Liaoning Hongda Electric Carbon Co., Ltd., among 52 enterprises.

Graphite electrodes are high-temperature resistant conductive materials, mainly used in electric arc furnaces (EAF) for steelmaking, as well as for the production of silicon metal and yellow phosphorus. The core raw materials are petroleum coke and coal tar pitch. China, with its complete industrial chain and cost advantages, occupies about 70% of global production capacity, making it the largest producer and exporter.

Japan is one of the main importing countries of graphite electrodes, and other countries such as Russia, Turkey, South Korea, and the United States are also major demand countries in the graphite electrode market.