As of July 1, 2026, imports of certain steel products are subject to a new tariff-rate quota system in the European Union.

The new framework replaces the safeguard measure that remained in force until June 30 and responds to the impact that global overcapacity is having on the European steel market. For importing companies, this change requires even closer attention to the classification of goods, their origin, and the availability of quotas.

A new limit for steel imports

The European Union has set the annual volume of steel that may be imported under tariff-rate quotas at 18.3 million tons. This amount represents an approximate 47% reduction compared to the quotas established for 2024.

Once the corresponding quota has been exhausted, imports will be subject to an additional 50% duty. This can significantly change the final cost of an operation and affect its financial planning.

The new framework applies to the product categories included in the Regulation. For this reason, tariff classification will be decisive in determining whether goods are affected and which treatment applies to them.

How the quotas are distributed

The 18.3 million tons are distributed among the European Union’s trading partners through a methodology that takes into account historical import flows and the existence of free trade agreements.

Half of the annual volume, equivalent to 9.15 million tons, is reserved for countries with which the European Union maintains this type of agreement. The other half is available to all trading partners, including those that also have preferential access.

Countries that represented at least 5% of European imports of a specific steel category during the 2022-2024 period have specific quotas. Other suppliers may access the residual quotas provided for each product.

This means that two similar products may be subject to different conditions depending on their classification and country of origin. Each import must be analyzed individually before customs clearance.

What importing companies should review

Correct tariff classification makes it possible to identify whether the goods are included in the new system and locate the applicable quota.

It is also necessary to properly certify the origin of the product. This information determines the national or residual quota that the operation may use.

Quota balance availability is another essential aspect. When the assigned volume is exhausted, subsequent imports are exposed to the 50% out-of-quota duty. Monitoring its evolution helps anticipate the potential economic impact and make better-informed decisions.

This review becomes especially important when there are operations in transit, contracts already agreed upon, or recurring supplies from third countries.

New traceability requirements

The Regulation also incorporates the principle known as “melt and pour,” which identifies the country where the steel was initially produced in liquid state and acquired its first solid form.

As of October 1, 2026, importers will be required to provide evidence of the country where this process took place. The European Commission is defining the specific documentation that will be required and expects to approve the corresponding implementing act before August 31, 2026.

This information will help improve supply chain transparency and detect possible attempts to circumvent the measure through subsequent transformations in other countries.

For now, the country of melt and pour has a traceability function and does not replace the rules of origin used to determine access to the quotas.

Customs planning becomes more relevant

The new system increases the importance of reviewing customs conditions before starting a steel import operation.

Knowing the tariff code and verifying the origin makes it possible to identify the corresponding quota. From there, monitoring the available balances helps estimate the cost of the operation and assess potential risks.

It will also be necessary to coordinate with suppliers to obtain the required documentation, especially ahead of the upcoming application of the melt and pour requirement.

Advance management facilitates decision-making and reduces the possibility of encountering additional costs during customs clearance.

Specialized guidance for steel imports

The application of the new quotas requires analyzing the specific characteristics of each good and its declared origin.

At Logisber, we support companies in reviewing their customs operations, helping them interpret the applicable regulations and prepare the documentation required for each import.

Contact our team to learn how the new steel quotas may affect your operations and manage each customs clearance process with greater security.