Since October 1, 2026, steel importers must declare and prove the country where the steel was melted and poured. This melt & pour requirement complements the new steel quotas. Already since July 1, a 50% out-of-quota duty is applied to steel imports under the new safeguard measures to protect the EU steel industry.

(Last update on 02/10/2026)

Steel safeguards 2.0

Since July 2026, EU steel importers have faced a new quota-based tariff system. These Steel Safeguards 2.0 come on top of new carbon costs under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). With overlapping product coverage, steel safeguards and CBAM closely interact as trade instruments.

Both are part of the solution presented in the Steel and Metals Action Plan to address the challenges facing Europe’s steel industry: global overcapacity, falling EU production and increasing import dependency. Among other measures, the plan aims to reduce carbon leakage risks through CBAM and improve trade protection.

The former Steel Safeguard under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159 reached its legal maximum duration and expired on June 30, 2026. The European Commission had proposed a successor measure in October 2025. Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 was adopted on June 17, 2026. The new regime started on July 1, 2026.

The operational rules followed in two implementing regulations (IRs): IR (EU) 2026/1457, published on June 30, set the country quotas. IR (EU) 2026/1963, adopted on August 28, defined the evidence for the country of melt and pour. That evidence requirement took effect on October 1, 2026.

New requirements for EU steel importers

The new regime changes both the cost and the documentation of imports of flat steel products, bars, pipes and wire. 30 product categories broken down into 291 CN codes and 46 TARIC codes are covered. The regulation adds stainless wire rod and forged bars as product categories.

The new steel safeguards combine tighter quotas with a new proof-of-origin requirement. While the annual duty-free volume is around 47% lower than before, the out-of-quota duty has doubled from 25% to 50%.

How country quotas are distributed

Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 opens annual tariff-rate quotas of 18.3 million tonnes for 26 product categories. The Commission can adjust the quota within a range of 14.4 to 22.2 million tonnes. This total is spread across the 30 categories listed in the product scope.

IR (EU) 2026/1457 then assigns access by product category and country. The total quota is split by category and then distributed by country in two tiers:

1. 50% is reserved for EU free-trade agreement (FTA) partners. This share is split into country-specific quotas (CSQs) for countries with a historical import share of at least 5%, an additional quota for these countries once the CSQ is exhausted, and a residual quota for all countries with smaller import shares.
2. 50% is available on a most-favoured-nation (MFN) basis. This share is split between countries with a historical import share of at least 5% and a residual quota for all countries with smaller import shares.

Quotas are administered quarterly through EU customs systems. Unused volumes can be carried into the next quarter during the first year, subject to the rules in the regulation.

Once the relevant quota is exhausted, the customs declaration triggers a 50% additional duty on the customs value. That duty is added to other applicable duties, including anti-dumping duties. The available balance on the day of customs acceptance is therefore a major cost variable.

Importers cannot reserve a quota in advance. Delivery schedules, customs timing and country allocation must be monitored together to determine additional duties – together with the minimum holding requirements for CBAM certificates.

What “melt & pour” evidence is required

Since 1 October 2026, the country of melt and pour must be declared at time of import via new TARIC codes (Y376-Y387). The requirement improves traceability and gives the Commission a clearer view of the origin of steel entering the EU. It may also inform future changes to the allocation of country quotas.

The country of melt and pour is the country where raw steel or iron was first produced in liquid form and then cast into its first solid state. This includes the remelting of scrap. It is not necessarily the country where the final rolling, coating or fabrication took place.

Importers can use the following evidence in accordance with IR (EU) 2026/1963:

1. A Mill Test Certificate indicating the melt & pour country and heat number of the imported steel is the standard form of evidence.
2. Other evidence for the melt & pour country and heat number can complement the Mill Test Certificate or serve as standalone evidence, but only until September 30, 2027.

This evidence must support the declared country and allow customs authorities to verify the link to the shipment. A generic statement of origin is not enough if it does not prove where the steel was melted and poured.

Importers should therefore obtain the evidence before dispatch. This new requirement – together with the CBAM verification reports – is to be anchored in purchase orders, supplier contracts, document checks and customs instructions.  Also CBAM emissions need data from the mill, where the steel was melted and poured.

Implementing the new steel rules

As for CBAM – also the new Steel Regulation requires import to check and manage data on product codes and categories, manufacturing mills with “melt & pour” evidence. Based on these factors, importers must monitor and track the relevant quota before customs clearance and the required number of CBAM certificates.

Procurement teams are well positioned to coordinate the new tasks. They control which suppliers and origins are used. Logistics determines when goods arrive. Customs manages the declaration. Finance controls costs.

Implementation requires importing companies to:

• Map imported goods (CN and TARIC codes) to the 30 steel product categories and internal product or product group classifications – with ERP systems;
• Identify the country of melt and pour for each supplier, mill and product and request acceptable evidence as a purchasing criterion;
• Check goods-specific and country quota and availabilities over time before dispatch and free quotas before customs clearance;
• Model landed costs with and without quota access, including other customs duties and CBAM certificates and calculate product prices for cost recovery;
• Review delivery schedules, alternative origins and contingency suppliers.

Together, CBAM and the new Steel Regulation will increase differences in landed cost between products, origins and delivery dates. They may also shift sourcing towards suppliers with reliable evidence. Procurement teams need to incorporate these new requirements and impacts on costs and margins in purchasing decisions.

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Sources and further information

• EU: Steel Regulation (2026/1384)
• EU: Implementing Regulation Distribution of Tariff Quotas (2026/1457)
• EU: Implementing Regulation Evidence for Melt & Pour (2026/1963)

• EC: EU Steel Measure (Factsheet)

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