This tracker shows how much of each EU steel import quota remains, by product
category and country of origin, across all 283 quota lines currently in force.
From 1 July 2026 the EU replaced its steel safeguard measure with a permanent regime under
Regulation (EU) 2026/1384, distributed by Implementing Regulation (EU)
2026/1457. Tariff-free import volumes were cut sharply and the out-of-quota tariff rose to
50%. Quotas are allocated quarterly on a first come, first served basis as
customs declarations are cleared: once a quota line is exhausted, further imports of that
product from that origin attract the 50% duty until the next quarter opens.
Every product category is covered - hot rolled and cold rolled sheet, plate, merchant bar,
rebar, wire rod, angles and sections, hollow sections, tubes and stainless - with each country
allocation and residual pool shown as its own quota line. The United Kingdom holds its own
country quotas into the EU, and there are separate lines for UK-origin steel moved into
Northern Ireland by direct transport from other parts of the UK. Both are included here. Tap any category below for the full breakdown by origin,
including remaining tonnage, the date of the last recorded import and an estimated run-out
date.
OPEN - comfortable balance remaining
WATCH - over ~70% used
CRITICAL - over ~90% used or exhaustion imminent
EXHAUSTED - balance at zero
Why do some categories show several lines for the same country?
The EU allocates each category in tiers, and every line is a separate quota with its own
order number. Country quota - tonnage reserved for one country.
FTA Quota - CSQ - an extra pool a free-trade-agreement partner can use once
its own country quota is exhausted. All other origins - the residual pool open
to everyone. FTA Quota - Other countries - a residual pool for FTA partners
without a country quota, sometimes with a named country's ring-fenced slice inside it.
UK to N. Ireland - steel of UK origin moved into Northern Ireland by direct
transport from other parts of the UK. Which line applies to a shipment is decided at customs
clearance by origin and order number.
EU steel quotas: common questions
What is an EU steel tariff quota?
A tariff quota sets how much steel of a given product category can be imported into the EU from a particular country at the normal duty rate within a defined period. Once that volume is used up, further imports of the same product from the same origin attract the out-of-quota tariff until the next quota period opens.
What happens when an EU steel quota runs out?
Imports can still be made, but they attract the out-of-quota tariff of 50% under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384. The quota does not reopen until the next quarter begins.
How often are EU steel quotas reset?
Quarterly. The current quota year runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, split into four quarterly periods, with volumes released at the start of each quarter and allocated first come, first served.
Does the UK have its own steel quota into the EU?
Yes. The United Kingdom holds country-specific quota lines in most categories, and there are additional quota lines covering UK-origin steel brought into Northern Ireland by direct transport from other parts of the UK.
Why do some categories show several quota lines for the same country?
The EU allocates each category in tiers. A country may hold its own country quota, and may also draw on a shared pool for free-trade-agreement partners once that country quota is exhausted, alongside a residual pool open to all origins. Which line applies to a given shipment is determined at customs clearance by origin and quota order number.
How current are the figures on this page?
Balances come from the EU TARIC and QUOTA distribution and are refreshed each working day. They exclude allocation requests still being processed, so they run behind the true customs position and should be treated as an indicator rather than a guarantee.