The steel safeguard quotas and 25% duty ended on 30 June 2026. From 1 July, a new steel trade measure covers 20 categories of steel products, each defined by commodity code. They include hot-rolled and coated sheet, plate, bars, rebar, wire rod, tubes and hollow sections.
Each category has tariff-free quotas. Some are set for named countries, and other countries share a residual quota on a first come, first served basis. Quotas run in quarters from 1 July, and unused volume rolls into the next quarter within the same quota year. Imports above quota pay duty of 50% of the value of the goods.
Goods bought under contracts signed before 14 March 2026 could claim a full exemption from the 50% duty if imported between 1 July and 30 September 2026, provided the importer held evidence. From 1 October 2026, two non-alloy wire codes were removed from the measure.
Sources
- GOV.UK: UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Implementation notifications on the UK steel trade measure (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: UK's steel trade measure from 1 July 2026 (publication page) (opens in a new tab)
A summary of the public sources above, checked when it was published. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.