The UK Department of Business and Trade (DBT) has released details of a transition phase designed to mitigate the effects of new steel import quotas that will come into force on July 1.
In addition, the agency stated that steel imports from Ukraine will continue to be excluded from British tariff quotas. This is reported by IndexBox.
According to the recently announced terms of the transition period, goods imported under agreements that were concluded before March 14, 2026, are fully exempt from the 50% surcharge of the internal trade protection system for imports over the quota between July 1 and September 30.
This step is intended to give some breathing space to businesses that have expressed concern about the impact of the future tariff quota system on the cost of imported raw materials. This system is a component of the UK government's new steel strategy.
DBT has not yet determined the amount of future import tariff quotas for individual countries and goods. Despite this, importers, distributors and end users continue to advocate for a relaxation of the proposed rules, after DBT announced on April 7 its intention to reduce the current UK tariff quotas by 60% from July 1.
In a statement dated June 2 clarifying the conditions of the transition period and the transfer of quotas, DBT noted that steel products whose customs clearance will take place between July 1 and September 30, 2026, can benefit from the tariff exemption if they were imported under a contract concluded before March 14.
The goods covered by this transitional exemption will not be counted in the allocation of quotas for the period from July to September. To qualify for the benefit, traders must have verified evidence that the shipment was ordered before the specified end date.
Describing in detail the provision on the transfer of unused volumes of tariff quotas, DBT noted that quotas for specific countries or residual quotas will be transferred to the next quarter of the same quota year. However, this rule will not apply to Category 1 products -hot-rolled flat products and tapes made of non-alloyed and other alloyed materials intended for further processing. For the relevant categories, the transfer of unused quotas will take effect on the 20th business day after the end of the relevant quarter. In addition, unused quota volumes may accumulate in different quarters of the same quota year, but any balance at the end of the year will not be carried over to the next period.
Regarding the exemption of steel of Ukrainian origin from the new tariff quota regime, DBT stated that this measure is a manifestation of support against the background of a long
