The European Commission has warned steel importers that materials entering the EU without confirmation of the country of their "smelting and casting" may be banned from entering the bloc.
, , , , , , , , , , , ,New "smelting and casting" rules will come into force on October 1, which increase the administrative burden for importers still adapting to the reduced tariff rates (TRQs) set in accordance with the EU Steel Regulation (EU) and 50% tariffs exceeding quotas. The documentation published by the Commission on August 31 showed that the absence of an indication of the country in which the product was first produced, whether in a blast furnace or in the form of scrap melted in EDP, would lead to a "refusal to import." The factory test certificate, which indicates the country of "smelting and casting" and the smelting number of the imported steel, is the preferred form of confirmation by the Commission. However, during the initial period of the rules, which will last from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, various documents will be acceptable evidence. The majority of respondents who participated in the four-week consultation on the implementation of the new rules stated that a certificate of factory testing would be a suitable document. However, many argued for a more "flexible evidence base". Therefore, the list of documents that importers will be able to use to confirm the country of "melting and bottling" includes invoices, invoices, quality certificates and long-term declarations from suppliers. The European Commission has warned that imports using these alternative forms of verification may be delayed as the verification is carried out. This could delay access to EU customs tariffs, potentially leading to increased duties exceeding quotas a "tougher approach" by steel regulations to rules of origin, . "Importers are likely to welcome the Commission's decision to accept test certificates at rolling mills, provided they contain the necessary information about the melt and casting, rather than requiring a separate new certificate," said a steel analyst. Market MEP John Carruthers-Green . . .", which offers some practical relief at a time when businesses are already adapting to reduced quota volumes, new quota routes and a 50% off-quota tariff. However, this is still the first stage of a much tougher approach to steel provenance in accordance with Steel Production Legislation. The data collected since October 1 will be used in making future quota decisions, including whether to eventually link
