THE European Union will impose anti-dumping duties on imports of cold-rolled flat stainless steel of up to 25.2 per cent for sheet, coil and strip imports from China and up to 12 per cent for Taiwanese product.

The tariffs, set by the European Commission, are provisional pending the outcome of an investigation due to end in September.

The decision comes after a complaint lodged in May 2014 by the European steel producers association, Eurofer, which claimed China and Taiwan were guilty of dumping, or selling at unfairly low prices.

According to Eurofer, China and Taiwan shipped EUR620 million (US$678 million) of cold-rolled stainless steel into the EU in 2013, accounting for 17 per cent of the overall market.

Jefferies analyst Seth Rosenfeld said the tariffs would probably not end imports from China, but were high enough to have a considerable impact, reported Reuters.

"As imports fall you should see an effect both on market share and in terms of reduced pricing pressure, as the Chinese historically undercut Euro producers. Base prices should improve as a result," he said.

Among Chinese companies to be hit by the import tariff are China's Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co, Tianjin TISCO & TPCO Stainless Steel Co, Baosteel Stainless Steel Co, and Ningbo Baoxin Stainless Steel Co.

In Taiwan, the main exporters are manufacturers Tang Eng Iron Works Co, Yieh United Steel Corp (Yusco) and Chia Far Industrial Factory Co.