EU imposes new steel import quotas to shield industry from global overcapacity
2026-07-01 10:46:36 [Print]
The European Commission has unveiled a new quota system designed to restrict duty-free steel imports into the European Union, aiming to protect the bloc's domestic steel sector and boost its capacity utilization rates. Under the revised framework, annual tariff-free import quotas have been slashed by 47%, bringing the total down to 18.3 million metric tons. Additionally, a 50% duty will now apply to imports exceeding the quota across 26 steel product categories.
The new regulations, which took effect on Wednesday, are intended to raise the EU's steel capacity utilization to 80%, according to the Commission. However, industry body Eurofer has expressed skepticism, projecting that the changes may only lift utilization from the current 67% to between 73% and 75%, citing persistently weak demand.
Under the quota structure, half of the import allowances have been reserved exclusively for partners with free-trade agreements (FTAs), while the remaining half is open to all trading partners, including those without an FTA. The Commission further noted that many of these partners will receive country-specific allocations based on their historical export volumes to the EU.
The new regulations, which took effect on Wednesday, are intended to raise the EU's steel capacity utilization to 80%, according to the Commission. However, industry body Eurofer has expressed skepticism, projecting that the changes may only lift utilization from the current 67% to between 73% and 75%, citing persistently weak demand.
Under the quota structure, half of the import allowances have been reserved exclusively for partners with free-trade agreements (FTAs), while the remaining half is open to all trading partners, including those without an FTA. The Commission further noted that many of these partners will receive country-specific allocations based on their historical export volumes to the EU.
