27/05/2026
We’ve thought long and hard about posting, as the topic of potential price increases is never easy or popular. However, it’s important to bring this to the attention of all of followers on social media.
The UK Government announced on the 2nd of April that there will be a 60% reduction of import quota limits for all steels imported into the UK, along with a new 50% tariff above these quota limits, a rise of the current 25% charged. This will take place from 1st July 2026, allowing the market a 2-month window to adjust.
Whilst understanding the idea and fully supporting the idea of stainless steel being produced competitively in the UK, the way that this is being rolled out will significantly affect many suppliers and customers we deal with. There are limited tariff / HS / Import codes for stainless steel materials, with more specialist grades that we work with, falling under the same quotas as “standard” stainless steels. Special grades of “steel” such as UNS S32760, UNS S32750, UNS S31803, UNS S31254, UNS S20910, UNS S21800, 904L, all grades of 300 & 400 stainless, plus several others we supply will be immediately affected by these reductions in quotas and increases duty on 1st July.
It’s important to appreciate that most, if not all, of these grades of material listed are either not currently manufactured in the UK at all, not to the levels needed to suit the countless industries that depend on them, and potentially not in the shapes & sizes that manufactures require. We are not protecting British steel manufacturers by taking these steps, if these grades are not even currently produced in the UK, be it grade, size or shape that’s not available.
The metals industry is waking up to this scenario and we urge all our followers to sign the petition linked below. Along with this, we suggest lobbying your local MP and explaining the detrimental effect that this policy will have on all industries involved with stainless steel and other steel grades. This will massively affect stockholders, SME manufacturers, fabricators, construction and any other sector involved in “steels”, leading to higher pricing for all. UK exporters will be paying 50% more for their raw materials, currently sourced in the EU, against our competitors in the EU who are sourcing the exact same materials, from the exact same suppliers.
We continue to monitor and help our partners highlight the problems that await our industry if this policy is not delayed or amended. Please offer your signature to help highlight this issue further.
Either, the timeline for these changes needs extending The 60% quota reduction needs reducing The 50% tariff applied after quarterly quota exhaustion needs significant reduction The impacted commodity codes needs review & reduction Or a combination of some/all of the above
