The European Commission has adopted bilateral safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products originating in several countries with which the European Union has concluded free trade agreements.
The measure is laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1930 of 4 August 2026, published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Regulation applies from 5 August 2026.
Bilateral safeguard measures on certain steel imports
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1930 introduces a 50% out-of-quota duty on imports into the European Union of the steel product categories listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2026/1384.
The measure applies to products originating in the following countries:
- Albania.
- Israel.
- Jordan.
- Morocco.
- North Macedonia.
- Serbia.
- Switzerland.
- Tunisia.
- Türkiye.
The additional duty only becomes payable once the applicable tariff-rate quota has been exhausted.
When does the 50% out-of-quota duty apply?
The safeguard duty applies once the tariff-rate quota opened under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 for each of the countries concerned has been fully used.
Depending on the product category, the quota may take the form of:
- A country-specific tariff-rate quota.
- A tariff-rate quota shared with other exporting countries, in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1457.
As long as quota volumes remain available, imports continue to benefit from the applicable tariff treatment. Once the quota has been exhausted, imports become subject to the additional 50% out-of-quota duty.
Steel products covered by the safeguard measures
The measures apply to the steel product categories listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2026/1384.
Importers should verify whether their products fall within one of the affected categories and monitor the utilisation of the relevant tariff-rate quota before lodging customs declarations.
Determination of the origin of the goods
The Regulation provides that the origin of products subject to these measures must be determined in accordance with the EU rules on non-preferential origin.
Accordingly, the application of the safeguard measures depends on the non-preferential origin of the goods rather than their preferential origin under the relevant free trade agreement.
Importers should therefore ensure that the origin of their products is properly determined and supported by the appropriate documentation.
Impact on importers
Companies importing steel products from the affected countries should assess whether their imports may become subject to the additional safeguard duty.
In particular, importers should review:
- The tariff classification of the goods.
- The applicable product category under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384.
- The declared non-preferential origin.
- The availability of the relevant tariff-rate quota.
- The timing of customs clearance.
- The potential increase in customs costs once the quota has been exhausted.
Monitoring quota utilisation will be essential to anticipate potential additional costs and manage import planning effectively.
Customs advisory services for steel imports
The application of these bilateral safeguard measures may significantly increase the customs costs associated with importing certain steel products from the affected countries.
Arola’s Customs Department can assist companies in reviewing tariff classification, determining non-preferential origin, monitoring tariff-rate quota availability and assessing the customs implications of the new safeguard measures.
