Report Date: April 22, 2026 | Coverage: South Korea & Japan
📌 Sample Core Insights (Excerpt)
📌 China HRC Export Prices Hit One-Year High – ▲
Chinese SS400 3mm HRC at Tianjin port was assessed at $488/t FOB on April 17, marking the highest level in one year. Higher domestic spot trading volumes and firm raw material costs support the uptrend. [Mysteel]
📌 Korean HRC AD Duties Extended to June 22, 2026 – ⏸️
Temporary anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Japanese HRC have been extended. Nine exporters (6 Chinese, 3 Japanese) operate under price undertaking arrangements with duty-free access. Non-participating exporters face duties of 33.10% (China) and 32.66% (Japan) . [KTC]
📌 Tokyo Steel Raises HRC Price for May – ▲
Tokyo Steel announced a price increase of 5,000 yen/t ($31/t) for May HRC sales, bringing domestic prices to approximately $616/t . This marks three consecutive months of price hikes. [BigMint]
📌 Busan Port Congestion Eases but Remains Elevated – ⏸️
Congestion rated “Elevated” with approximately 4.4 days average wait time. Pre-holiday cargo rush and Middle East shipping disruptions continue to strain regional port capacity. [Cogoport]
💰 Sample Price Snapshot (Partial View)
| Product | Market | Price/Trend | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRC (SS400) | China FOB | $488/t ▲ | One-year high; firm raw materials |
| HRC (domestic) | South Korea | ~860,000 KRW/t ▲ | POSCO Q2 price hike of KRW 50,000/t |
| HRC (Tokyo Steel) | Japan | ~98,000 JPY/t ▲ | Third consecutive monthly increase |
| CFR Korea HRC (Price Undertaking) | Import | $570–590/t CFR | Duty-free access for 9 approved exporters |
| Billet (150mm) | China FOB | $472/t ▲ | Q1 exports +28.99% YoY; mills fully booked |
⚖️ Sample Trade Policy Update (Excerpt)
South Korea HRC Anti-Dumping – Final Determination
The Korea Trade Commission (KTC) issued a final affirmative determination on February 23, 2026, recommending five-year anti-dumping duties on HRC from China and Japan. Recommended duties for non-price-undertaking exporters: China 33.10% , Japan 32.66% .
Price undertakings have been approved for 9 exporters:
- China (6): Baoshan Iron & Steel, Bengang Steel Plates, Dalian Woo Ho Hongkong, and others
- Japan (3): JFE Steel, Nippon Steel, Tokyo Steel
These exporters represent approximately 81% of Korea’s total HRC imports and enjoy duty-free access subject to quarterly-adjusted minimum price levels.
Market Impact: Korea’s Q1 2026 HRC imports fell 44.6% YoY to 397,000 tonnes. Imports from China specifically plummeted 97.4% to just 8,200 tonnes—a structural reset of Northeast Asian HRC trade flows.
💡 Sample Actionable Advice (Preview)
For Procurement Managers (Buyers):
| Action | Market | Rationale (Preview) |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Source HRC from price undertaking-approved suppliers | Korea | Duty-free access vs. 33.10% AD duty for non-participants |
| ⚠️ Plan for extended lead times due to Busan congestion | Korea | 4.4-day average wait; add buffer to delivery schedules |
For Export Sales Managers (Sellers):
| Action | Target Market | Rationale (Preview) |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Apply for price undertaking status | Korea | Eliminates 28–33% AD duty; 6 Chinese exporters already approved |
| ✅ Target Korean shipbuilding sector | Korea | HD Hyundai, Samsung Heavy, Hanwha Ocean continue to secure orders |
📥 Get the Full Report
This free sample provides only a glimpse of the intelligence available to subscribers. The full weekly report includes:
- Complete price tables for 8 steel products (billet, rebar, HRC, CRC, HDG, carbon steel pipe, stainless steel, CRGO)
- Detailed import viability assessments with landed cost calculations
- Exchange rate analysis (USD/KRW, USD/JPY) with quantified impact on import costs
- Supply chain dynamics including POSCO’s Gwangyang EAF commissioning (June 2026)
- Japan anti-circumvention legislation progress and trade diversion analysis
- CBAM carbon cost tracking (€75.36/tCO₂e Q1 2026) and compliance guidance
- 7-day major events summary with procurement and sales implications
- Forward-looking price forecasts with specific percentage ranges
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Contact Amy directly at amy@amyinsights.com