In a publication on March 19, 2026, the United Kingdom (UK) government announced a new steel strategy, with the aim of revitalizing the UK steel industry. As part of this strategy, new steel trading measures were announced that will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The impact of this measure is to reduce overall import quota volumes by 60% compared to the existing steel safeguard measures, with those safeguards expiring at the end of June 2026. Imports from July 1, 2026, that fall outside of the available quota will face a 50% tariff rate.

Available quota will be on a first come first serve basis, available quota volumes per quarter are identified by category and country. Any available unused quota in a quarter will roll over to the next quarter, however unused quotas will not carry over to the subsequent year.

The UK government steel strategy document can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69bbd096f7b1c24d8e23ce06/uk-steel-strategy.pdf

Further details surrounding the steel trading measures along with the 20 product categories (as identified by commodity code), can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-steel-trade-measure-from-1-july-2026/uks-steel-trade-measure-from-1-july-2026#product-categories-and-commodity-codes