In brief
Brazil's Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX) initiated an investigation to determine the existence of dumping in exports of graphite electrodes (NCM 8545.11.00) from China and India to Brazil, as well as resulting injury to the domestic industry.
The investigated product comprises machined graphite electrodes with a diameter equal to or greater than 350 mm, used in electric furnaces, whether assembled or unassembled. These electrodes are employed in the production of steel, cast iron, metal alloys, and in smelter-type furnaces for the melting/reduction of metal oxides, refractories, and the production of ferroalloys in general.
The investigation may result in the imposition of an antidumping duty for up to five years, increasing the cost of Brazilian imports of graphite electrodes.
The importance of stakeholder participation
The active participation of importers, exporters, and any other interested parties in the investigation may be decisive in ensuring a final determination that is more favorable to the interested party concerned. Interested parties may request admission to the proceedings by 1 April 20261, provided that they demonstrate the extent to which they may be affected by the potential imposition of the duty.
- Deadline for replying to the Importer's Questionnaire: 30 days as of acknowledgment of receipt (presumed to be three days after the date of electronic transmission by the authority)
- Deadline for replying to the Exporter's Questionnaire: 30 days as of acknowledgment of receipt (presumed to be seven days after the date of electronic transmission by the authority).
As a rule, a public interest assessment may only be requested after the conclusion of the trade remedies investigation, as established by SECEX Ordinance No. 282/2023.
Additional details
For ease of reference, please find below a summary of the key information regarding the investigation, as set forth in Circular nº 18, published on 12 March 2026, through which SECEX determined the initiation of the investigation.
| Investigated product |
Machined graphite electrodes with a diameter equal to or greater than 350 mm, used in electric furnaces, whether assembled or unassembled |
| NCM |
8545.11.00 |
| Petitioner | Graftech Brasil Participações Ltda. |
| Applications |
The product is typically used in electric arc furnaces for melting scraps in the production of steel and cast iron; ladle furnaces for secondary refining of molten steel, cast iron, and metal alloys; and smelter-type furnaces for the melting/reduction of metal oxides, refractory materials, and the general production of ferroalloys. |
| Injury analysis period |
April 2020 to March 2025 |
| Dumping analysis period |
April 2024 to March 2025 |
| Dumping margin- China |
USD 1.318,90/ton (54,9%) |
| Dumping margin- India |
USD 1,607.22/ton (57.3%) |
| Deadline for third-party qualification | 1 April 2026* |
1 20-day deadline, pursuant to Article 45, paragraph third of the Decree No. 8,058/2013.
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Andrea Cruz, Déborah Melo, and Igor Azevedo, Associates, Trench Rossi Watanabe, have also contributed as co-authors to this Legal Update.
*Trench Rossi Watanabe and Baker McKenzie have executed a strategic cooperation agreement for consulting on foreign law.