UK trade measures will lead to disruptions in the supply of stainless steel bars
The protective measures introduced by the UK in the field of steel trade, which will limit imports through new strict tariff quotas, may significantly undermine the market for long products made of stainless steel.
Starting from July 1, 2026, stricter control over duty-free steel imports will be introduced, reducing total quotas by about 60% compared to the current steel protection regime. Imports exceeding the new tariff quotas for specific goods (TRQS) will be subject to a 50% tariff. As for long–range stainless steel products, the new measures are part of the UK government's Strategy for Steel production, which will reintroduce quotas for the first time after Brexit.
This month, British MEPs research partners representing participants from across the country's steel supply chain raised concerns about the scale of proposed changes during regular calls reported in the monthly Stainless Steel Review[url= / / /gb/en/products/stainless-steel-review].
Michele Kirton, head of the European Parliament's research, said: "The current level of uncertainty does not allow buyers to make decisions about equipment replacement orders, which effectively stops normal purchasing activity."
New quotas for stainless steel bars and lightweight profiles
The UK's protective measures on steel trade, which replace the current import protective measures, expand the existing tariff quota regime to include steel products that can be produced domestically.
The import of flat rolled stainless steel products under the new regime will remain duty-free due to the lack of domestic production. However, bars and lightweight stainless steel profiles (category 14) have been returned to the scope of application, as they were originally included in the EU protective measures for 2018. These products were excluded from the UK's protective quotas after Brexit in July 2021 due to the lack of sufficient evidence of increased imports and the risk of "serious damage" to British manufacturers.
The resumption of shipments of these products reflects the UK's domestic production capabilities, which are currently focused on Marcegaglia. In 2023, the company acquired the Outokumpu stainless steel long products division. This included a smelter and a bar and wire rod manufacturing facility in Sheffield, as well as assets in Sweden and the United States.
The Sheffield smelter provides work for Marcegaglia's internal rolling mills and external customers. Despite the fact that not all products are processed into bars and light sections, the company is able to meet a significant proportion of demand in the UK.