UK enacts zero-duty schemes for steel used in bright bar and linepipe

HM Treasury made the Customs (Tariff and Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 7) Regulations 2026 on 2 November and laid them on 3 November. The instrument replaces incorporated customs documents with versions dated 27 October 2026.^[1][2][3][4]

Fifteen conditional zero-duty codes

Authorised-use versions 2.27 and 1.27 add a 0% rate for 15 commodity codes where goods are put to the specified manufacturing use. Six codes cover hot-rolled sheets, strips and quarto plates used to manufacture linepipe. Nine cover hot-rolled products and merchant bars used for bright drawing or producing bright bars and wire. The implementation notice confirms that the schemes begin on 26 November.^[1][2][3][4]

Authorisation remains essential

This is an authorised-use relief, not an unconditional tariff cut for every import under those codes. In Great Britain, a full authorisation generally requires a UK-established trader with a GB EORI number, appropriate records and details of the goods and intended processing. Occasional users may obtain authorisation through an import declaration subject to separate restrictions. Goods must be declared into authorised use and the authorisation number included. Northern Ireland uses the Union Customs Code end-use procedure.^[3][4][5][6]

Other suspensions are separate

The same instrument adopts Tariff Suspension Document version 3.8, introducing 0% suspensions for specified kerosene, fertiliser, agricultural and food goods, with Russia and Belarus origin exclusions. Importers must check each exact commodity description, origin condition and expiry entry rather than treating those categories as blanket relief.^[1][7]

Operational action

Steel processors should map purchase codes and product specifications to the 15 entries, confirm that planned transformation matches the prescribed use, and secure the right authorisation before entry. Customs teams should align declarations and discharge records. Existing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties continue, and UK CBAM is scheduled to apply from 1 January 2027.^[2][3][4][5]