UK releases new steel trade measure, effective from July 1, 2026

Taking effect from July 1, 2026, the UK government will implement a strict steel import control system under newly updated trade regulations. The revised framework reduces tax-free tariff-rate quotas by 60% compared to the existing steel safeguard measure, applying a 50% duty on imports exceeding the quota levels.

Covering 20 product categories, including specific steel plates, sheets, strips, bars, sections, wire rods, wires, pipes, rebars, and railway materials, the quarterly allocated quotas aim to protect local manufacturing capabilities vital for national defense and infrastructure supply chains amid falling domestic crude steel production.

The policy references OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) projections of a 721-million-ton global steel surplus by 2027. To ease the transition, the authority is developing a transitional arrangement for products under contracts signed before March 14, 2026, and imported during the period from July 1 to September 30, 2026.

Besides, the UK maintains an exemption for steel goods originating in Ukraine.