JSW Steel gets govt nod to import met coke from Indonesia despite curbs

JSW Steel: In January, India outlawed unrestricted imports of low-ash metallurgical coke (met coke) and presented country-specific quotas to protect domestic producers. The curbs are anticipated to remain in place till June 30.

DGFT Approves 1.06 Lakh Tonne Import Amid Domestic Restrictions

JSW Steel has received special permission from the Centre to import 1.06 lakh metric tonnes of low ash metallurgical coke (LAM Coke) from Indonesia, despite recent import restrictions aimed at protecting domestic producers, sources told Moneycontrol.

The approval came after the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea by JSW Steel challenging the restrictions. Following the court’s decision on March 28, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) granted the company permission to source metcoke from Indonesia, said people familiar with the matter.

Quota Flexibility Cited as Grounds for Approval

Also read: Wipro lowers Q1FY26 revenue guidance amid market uncertainty

Although the approved import volume exceeds Indonesia’s designated quota, officials explained that the company was initially allotted quota from another country, which was not feasible for sourcing. This prompted JSW Steel to request a country switch.

“The total import remains within the overall cap of 14.4 lakh metric tonnes for the first half of 2025, so there’s no breach of the quantitative restriction,” a source clarified.

As per the latest notification from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR):

• Indonesia’s quota was 33,182 MT per quarter
• That totals 66,364 MT for January–June 2025

JSW’s allowed import of 1.06 lakh MT from Indonesia surpasses this, but fits within the national limit.

Similar Exceptions Granted to Other Steelmakers

This is not the first time the Centre has permitted a quota diversion. Earlier, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India was allowed to shift its 88,000 MT metcoke quota from Russia to Poland, as reported on April 14.

JSW Steel and the DGFT have not yet commented on the development.