Under the current protective regime, certain volumes of foreign steel can be imported into the UK without paying duties, after which a 25% tariff is applied. UK government ministers are said to be considering reviewing this quota system, with lower duty-free limits likely to be announced in April and coming into effect on July 1, 2026.
The current system of protective measures, originally adopted in the EU after Brexit and extended by the UK, expires in June 2026 and cannot be extended in accordance with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
Reaction to global oversupply
The proposed changes come amid a global steel oversupply driven by record exports from China, as well as increased production from exporters such as Vietnam, South Korea, and Turkey.
Leaders of the UK steel sector, including representatives of large firms, have called on the government to impose stricter import restrictions in line with domestic demand, warning that inaction could undermine domestic production. Some companies argue that quota adjustments and stricter protection measures are needed to ensure the viability of key facilities that would otherwise be affected without protective measures.
