How the EU actually taxes imported steel — the base duty, the safeguard quota and its 50% out-of-quota rate, CBAM, and the HS/CN codes — from official EU sources.
With steel, the customs duty is the least of it. The base MFN rate on hot-rolled coil is largely 0% — but the EU steel safeguard, anti-dumping duties and CBAM are what really decide the landed cost.
Since 1 July 2026 the safeguard has been sharply tightened: duty-free quotas cut by around 47% and the out-of-quota duty doubled to 50%, with a new "melt and pour" origin rule. Steel is also a CBAM good. The detail is below, followed by the customs (HS/CN) codes.
What is the EU import tariff on steel?
Base MFN largely 0%, but the safeguard applies: within quota duty-free, above quota 50% (from July 2026), plus a melt-and-pour rule. Confirm in TARIC.
Does steel pay CBAM?
Yes — iron and steel are CBAM goods; eligible 2026 imports are covered, with certificate purchasing from February 2027. Commission timetable.
What is the EU steel safeguard?
A tariff-rate quota capping duty-free imports; from July 2026 quotas were cut ~47% and the over-quota duty raised to 50%.
See also: Steel import statistics · Steel overview · Aluminium import tariff.