Russian government plans tariff changes

The Russian Government plans to raise import tariffs on steel tube, pipe, and some rolled products to protect domestic producers from cheap imports, according to local sources.

The tariffs will be in place for nine months after they are officially introduced in the near future, sources said.

Moscow is planning to increase import tariffs on construction steel rod and a range of tube products to 15% from 5% and increase import tariffs on some high-strength steel tube to 20% from 15%.

The auto industry will receive a boost through government plans to drop a 5% import tariff on cold rolled stainless steel less than 0.35mm thick and less than 60cm wide with less than 2.5% nickel, according to separate reports.