Effective October 1, 2026, importers of steel products subject to the European Union (EU) steel safeguard measures will be required to declare the country where the steel was melted and poured as part of the customs import declaration.

To support this declaration, importers must provide evidence, preferably through a Mill Test Certificate (MTC) that identifies both the country of melt and pour and the relevant heat number. Where an MTC is not available or incomplete, customs authorities may temporarily accept alternative supporting documents such as invoices, delivery notes, supplier declarations, customs documents, or commercial correspondence.

The new requirement is intended to strengthen the traceability of steel imports and support the EU's efforts to address trade diversion and global steel overcapacity.

From October 1, 2027, alternative documents will only be accepted as supporting evidence to a Mill Test Certificate, rather than as standalone proof of melt and pour origin.

Link to the EU Commission press release:
Commission sets type of evidence to be provided by importers to prove country of ‘melt and pour’ of steel products subject to EU Steel Regulation - Trade and Economic Security

Link to the Regulation (EU) 2026/1963 determining the type of evidence to be provided by importers to prove the country of melt and pour:
Implementing regulation - EU - 2026/1963 - EN - EUR-Lex

Lint to the Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 addressing the negative trade- related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market:
Regulation - EU - 2026/1384 - EN - EUR-Lex