South Africa ends anti-dumping evasion probe on car tires from Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand

South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) has halted an anti-dumping evasion investigation into rubber-based pneumatic car tyres imported from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. The decision, published on April 2, 2026, ends a months-long review process.

Background and timeline

ITAC initiated the investigation on September 20, 2024, following a request by the South African Tyre Manufacturers Association. The anti-dumping period under review ran from 01/11/2022 to 31/05/2024, while the evasion period was assessed from 01/08/2022 to 31/07/2024.

During the process, six Vietnamese companies submitted responses to the initial questionnaire. After ITAC requested additional information from South Africa, only three of the six continued to submit documents. Two of the cooperating firms were also subject to on-site verifications by ITAC in February 2025.

Preliminary findings

On May 30, 2025, ITAC issued a preliminary finding. It concluded that two cooperating and fully responding firms had not engaged in evading anti-dumping duties. ITAC said these firms did not establish evasion during the initial investigation with China and did not sell the investigated products domestically or export them to SACU during the relevant period.

ITAC also reported that one remaining Vietnamese company was found to have evaded duties and was assigned an 8.78% tariff. The other Vietnamese firms that did not cooperate sufficiently faced the nationwide rate from the original inquiry against China, at 41.47%.

Ministerial direction and termination

In its termination notice, ITAC stated that the minister had not approved the commission’s recommendation. Instead, the minister directed that the case be reconsidered.

ITAC further said the minister ordered the process to restart from the beginning because the 18-month period prescribed to complete the evasion review under South Africa’s anti-dumping regulations had expired. ITAC indicated that the detailed reasons for the minister’s decision will be published with its final conclusion.

As a result, under the Anti-Dumping Regulations, ITAC is not allowed to continue the investigation or apply anti-evasion duties on the related product. The termination takes effect immediately from the date of publication, and the investigation is officially closed.

Scope and implications

The outcome means that no anti-evasion duties will be applied to imports of rubber-based pneumatic car tyres for cars, buses or trucks that transit from China via Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

ITAC noted that, if necessary, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition may instruct ITAC to restart the process.

Department assessment

According to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the decision is a positive outcome for the exporting business community. The department urged domestic associations and producers to closely monitor developments and prepare contingency plans, while maintaining coordination with ITAC to receive prompt support if the investigation is restarted.