Steel Stakes Rise: India Extends Met Coke Import Curbs in Bid for Self-Reliance

Image Source: MENAFN

In a major move to aid local production and reduce import reliance, the Indian government has extended import restrictions on low-ash metallurgical coke (met coke) from July 1 to December 31, 2025, a fresh notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) stated.

Low-ash met coke, a critical raw material for steel, has been under quantitative import restraint since January 2025. The extension is happening while the Steel Ministry is pushing hard for domestic procurement on the grounds of sufficient domestic capacity and underutilized production.

The quotas based on countries have come under criticism from major steel producers like JSW Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon India, who argue that local grades will not be able to meet their quality and quantities requirements. The government has stood firm in its stance, even ordering an anti-dumping probe on imports from countries like China, Japan, and Russia.

Key Highlights:

Import restrictions extended for another six months, effective until December 31, 2025.
Low-ash met coke (ash content <18%) in steelmaking is prohibited.
Nation-specific shares remained in use; aggregate cap for Jan–June was 1.4 million metric tons.
Steel Ministry supports extension on grounds of underutilized domestic capacity of 7 million MT/year.
Continued anti-dumping inquiry into the imports from six nations.
Industry resistance is because of fears of supply disruption and quality mismatch.

This policy extension is a reflection of India's overall approach to developing its industrial foundation and reducing reliance on strategic imports while hedging between protectionism and manufacturing growth.

Source: The Economic Times, Financial Express, Business Standard