Article / Guide
Steel Imports: EU Melt and Pour Requirements and UK Compliance Guidance
Understand the EU’s melt-and-pour requirements for covered steel imports and how they differ from UK compliance obligations. Learn what documentation and supply-chain evidence importers should prepare to support customs clearance.
- Market Intelligence
- Article
- 2026年10月20日
- 作者 Crane Worldwide Logistics
New EU requirements effective 1 October 2026Trade Advisory
European Union
From 1 October 2026, importers of steel products covered by the new EU steel regime must provide evidence identifying the country of "melt and pour." This is the country where the raw steel or iron was initially produced in liquid form and then cast into its first solid state, including the remelting of scrap.
The requirement arises under Regulation (EU) 2026/1384, covering products under the CN codes in Annex I, with quotas and out-of-quota rates in Annex II. Acceptable evidence is addressed in Article 1(2) and (3) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963.
The country of melt and pour may differ from the country of origin, country of manufacture or country of shipment. It must therefore be established independently and supported by appropriate evidence. This requirement is additional to, and does not replace, customs-origin rules or existing sanctions controls concerning Russian iron and steel.
Melt-and-pour information does not currently determine entitlement to a particular tariff quota. Until the European Commission completes its required assessment, tariff-quota treatment continues to be determined under the applicable non-preferential rules of origin.
United Kingdom
No equivalent general melt-and-pour requirement has been identified in the UK guidance reviewed. UK sanctions nevertheless continue to prohibit certain Russian iron and steel products processed in third countries. Businesses must be prepared to provide supply-chain evidence demonstrating compliance, including information on the underlying iron or steel and where processing occurred. Mill Test Certificates may be used as supporting evidence.
What Does This Mean?
Confirm whether the steel product falls within the scope of the EU Steel Regulation based on its CN classification. For in-scope EU imports, provide the country of melt and pour and appropriate supporting evidence before the import customs declaration is submitted. Do not rely solely on the commercial invoice, country of export or declared country of origin to establish melt and pour. For relevant UK imports, retain sufficient supply-chain evidence to demonstrate compliance with Russian iron and steel sanctions controls. Provide Mill Test Certificate(s) or other acceptable documentation when required to substantiate the information reported.
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