The UK Government has published a briefing note on new trade measures on steel, which previews the products to which the measure applies, the amount of steel that can enter the UK tariff-free and the tariff applied to quota-free imports. The government has outlined additional product coverage and other updates.
From July 1, 2026, the government will limit duty-free steel imports, reducing overall quota levels by 60 percent compared to the current safeguard for steel, while any imports above those levels will then face a 50 percent tariff. The new trade measure will apply specifically to steel products that can be produced in the UK, protecting domestic production capacity while allowing limited imports for downstream industries.
The tariff quota applies to 20 product categories, adding stainless steel rods and light sections, as well as non-alloy and other cold-worked alloy rods to the scope measures.
Dharmatic reduction in HRC quota volume
Within this framework, the government reported that the HRC quota has been reduced by 90 percent, falling from about 1 million tons to 102,341 tons per year. It is also noted that the country structure in the HRO category has been revised; country quotas for Turkey and Taiwan were abolished, and separate quotas were established for India and South Korea.
Meanwhile, the HDG quota was reported to be reduced by
