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According to information from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, on 23 January 2026, the Australian Government officially announced that the Productivity Commission (PC) had initiated a global safeguard investigation into certain fabricated structural steel products imported into the Australian market.
General information on the case
The investigating authority is the Productivity Commission (PC). The applicant is the Australian Steel Institute, representing the domestic fabricated structural steel industry. The applicant alleges that the recent rapid increase in imports is causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to Australia’s domestic industry.
Products under investigation
The products subject to the investigation are fabricated/processed structural steel products (Fabricated Structural Steel). Pursuant to the Terms of Reference, the investigated products are classified under the Australian Customs Tariff with the following HS codes: 7308100001 (bridges and parts of bridges, of iron or steel); 7308900052 (hot-rolled structural components of iron or steel such as columns, beams, frames, bracing, posts, etc.); 7308900053 and 7308900054 (formed structural sections produced by roll forming, plated or coated with zinc or zinc–aluminium alloy, distinguished by thickness of less than or greater than/equal to 1.2 mm); 7308900055 (formed structural sections of iron or steel, not plated); 7308900056 (other structural components of iron or steel); 7308900057 (steel grating, stairways and steps); 7308900060 (handrails and handrail posts); 7308900062 (protective railings and road barriers for bridges and roads); 7308900063 (segmented structural components for towers and lattice masts); 7308900064 (lintels for doors and windows); and 7308900065 (other structures and parts of structures of iron or steel, excluding certain specified exclusion codes).
Investigation procedure and timeline
Under Australian regulations, the Productivity Commission will conduct the investigation and report to the Government in accordance with the established schedule. An interim report is expected to be issued within eight months from the initiation date, around September 2026, in which the PC will assess the existence of an emergency situation and may recommend the application of provisional safeguard measures for a maximum duration of 200 days.
The final report is expected to be submitted to the Australian Government within ten months, around November 2026. In addition, the PC is expected to publish detailed guidance on the registration of interested parties and consultation procedures in February 2026.
Export situation and expected impact
According to preliminary data provided by the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, in 2025 Vietnam’s exports of iron and steel products to the Australian market reached approximately USD 249 million, representing an increase of 35.9% compared to 2024. Given this significant growth, goods originating from Vietnam are likely to be closely examined by the Australian investigating authority during its analysis of injury and causation.
Recommendations for enterprises
As a global safeguard measure applies to all imported goods regardless of origin, the Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam recommends that the Vietnam Steel Association and relevant manufacturing and exporting enterprises proactively review HS codes and export turnover to Australia for the period 2023–2025 with respect to the above-mentioned fabricated structural steel products; closely monitor information published on the Productivity Commission’s website to timely register as interested parties; and prepare adequate resources to cooperate with the investigating authority, respond to questionnaires, and participate in consultations and hearings in order to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
To protect their legitimate interests, manufacturers and exporters should familiarize themselves with the procedure and actively contact Vietnam Antidumping Law Firm specializing in anti-dumping and trade remedy for timely assistance.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
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