British Steel welcomes UK’s EU tariff agreement on steel sections

British Steel has welcomed the announcement sections made in the UK will regain tariff-free access to the EU market from today.

The agreement, which sees the re-introduction of a UK-specific quota, means British  steelmakers will be able to export more sections used for large building projects – like support beams – to the EU tariff-free, supporting the UK’s wider economic growth ambitions.

British Steel Chief Commercial Officer (interim) Lisa Coulson said: “The removal of EU tariffs on British-made steel sections is a significant boost to our business.

“We are delighted we will be able to provide the high-quality sections our loyal and supportive EU customers require tariff-free and thank the UK Government for delivering this agreement.

“We now look to the future with even greater optimism as we focus on building stronger futures for our customers.”

Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, said: “This is yet another positive step forward for the UK steel sector and a clear example of our Plan for Change in action — removing barriers, supporting jobs, and backing British industry.

“Restoring our steel quota helps give producers the certainty they need to compete, grow, and maintain vital export relationships.

“This builds on the significant support that this pro-steel Government has already delivered — from our £500 million investment in Tata’s green steel transition, to action to safeguard jobs at British Steel in Scunthorpe, and our deal with the US to reduce tariffs on UK steel.”

The restored quota will re-establish historic sections trade flows between the UK and the EU, easing the administrative and financial burdens that have affected steel exporters. It will also provide much-needed certainty for UK steel operating in an increasingly volatile global market. Crucially, this change will help safeguard skilled jobs across the country and preserve long-standing supply chains with EU customers.

The country-specific quota allows the UK to export a certain amount of steel sections to the EU without paying an extra tariff, helping maintain fair trade and avoid sudden surges in imports. The UK can now export up to 27,000 tonnes of steel sections to the EU each quarter — that’s roughly a football stadium’s worth of steel every year.