Government Announces Six-Month Import Restrictions on Low Ash Metallurgical Coke Effective January 2025

The government has announced a six-month restriction on importing low ash metallurgical coke, starting from January 1 to June 30, 2025. This decision follows recommendations from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) earlier this year. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) confirmed these restrictions in a recent notification.

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Imports from specific countries, including Australia, China, and Russia, will be subject to quantitative restrictions (QR). The DGFT stated that imports would only be allowed with an import authorisation for the designated country during this period. However, coke with ash content above 18% is exempt from these restrictions.

Import Quotas and Monitoring

The country-specific quotas are as follows: Australia is limited to 51,276 tonnes, China to 78,646 tonnes, and Colombia to 249,771 tonnes. Other countries like Japan and Poland have quotas of 209,980 tonnes and 506,336 tonnes respectively. Smaller quotas are set for Qatar at 1,620 tonnes and the UK at 76 tonnes.

These restrictions will be enforced over two quarters in 2025: January-March and April-June. The QR will automatically end on June 30, 2025. If necessary, further procedures for obtaining import authorisation will be announced separately.

Application Process and Conditions

Applications for import authorisation can be submitted through the DGFT website. Imports must comply with specific conditions and will only be permitted through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) ports. This measure ensures electronic and real-time monitoring of the allocated quota.

The QR will be reviewed quarterly to ensure total imports do not surpass the specified limits. This approach aims to maintain control over the import volumes during the restriction period.

The government's decision reflects its commitment to regulating imports effectively while considering industry needs. By imposing these restrictions, it seeks to balance domestic production capabilities with international trade obligations.