⚠️ EU & UK Just Slashed Steel Quotas by 47%–51% – Your European Orders Are Now at Risk

If you export steel to Europe, the rules changed on July and not in your favor.

Effective July 1, 2026, both the European Union and the United Kingdom implemented new steel import protection frameworks, replacing their expiring safeguard measures.

 Annual duty-free quota cut from ~34 million tons to just 18.3 million tons -a 47% reduction. Over-quota tariffs doubled from 25% to 50%. The new system covers 26 categories of steel products.

 Duty-free quota slashed by 51% to approximately 3.2 million tons. Over-quota tariffs also doubled to 50%. Covers 20 product categories including hot-rolled coil and metal-coated sheets.

The “Melt and Pour” trap: Starting October 2026, EU importers must provide proof of where the steel was first melted and cast. This effectively blocks circumvention via third countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, or Malaysia – no more “washing” the origin.

If your steel arrives after quotas are exhausted, you will face a 50% tariff – making your shipment commercially unviable. China does not have an FTA with the EU or UK, meaning Chinese exporters are hit hardest.

Smart buyers are acting NOW – securing quota allocations, expediting shipments, and locking in prices before the next wave of cost increases hits.

📩 Contact CNB Group today. Don't let 50% tariffs kill your European orders.