After the introduction of an anti-dumping duty of 3.95 percent on imports of cold-rolled flat stainless steel from China, the total tax burden on imported raw materials increased to 16 percent with the existing additional customs duty of 12 percent. Following the decision, Turkish industrialists and exporters warned that rising prices would put pressure on inflation, employment and exports, calling for tax rates to be lowered to eight percent again. Güçü Kaplangi, chairman of the Turkish Federation of Household and Kitchen Goods (EVFED), said that the completion of the investigation by imposing additional duties would have negative consequences in many areas, from exports and production to employment and inflation.
Mr. Kaplangi stressed that the additional duties applied to stainless steel will increase costs and affect prices for finished products, thereby increasing inflationary pressure in the domestic market. He said, "Two years ago, only an additional customs duty of eight percent was applied. To date, the total amount of tax payable has increased to 16 percent, that is, by 100 percent. To prevent an increase in inflation, job cuts and a decline in exports, the total tax should not exceed eight percent. After the introduction of the anti-dumping duty, we request that the additional customs duty be reduced to four percent in the new year. This is the only way we can return to the level of taxes. two years ago."
