Morocco extends steel pipe duties until 2029

Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Trade has extended safeguard duties on specific steel pipe imports through November 5, 2029. The additional duty will begin at 19% on November 6, 2026, and decline by one percentage point each year.

The measure applies to welded iron or steel tubes and pipes with various cross-sections, including conical or pyramidal shapes. These products are classified under multiple Moroccan customs tariff codes.

The ministry cited a review investigation that found imports rose during 2022-2025, both in absolute and relative terms. Domestic producers showed some improvement, but the gains were deemed too recent and fragile to indicate a sustained recovery.

Global steel production expansion and protection in other markets were also cited as potential factors that could increase imports if the safeguard were removed. The ministry concluded that continued protection was necessary to prevent serious harm to local producers.

Imports from developing WTO members, including India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Brazil, remain exempt. The ministry may adjust the exemption list based on import data, potentially bringing suppliers exceeding the three percent de minimis threshold within the measure's scope.