Steel tariffs from 1 July 2026: what to expect
NFRC has made our concerns with these tariffs well known. At a time when costs for the entire supply chain are skyrocketing, this could push many businesses over the brink.
If these tariffs are having a direct impact on your business, please contact [email protected]. We will share your evidence directly with government during the review period to support the case for lessening their impact.
Here's what's happening and what it might for your business.
What is changing
The government is cutting the amount of steel that can be imported tariff-free. The new limit is 60% lower than the current safeguard measure.
Importers can still bring in steel without paying extra, but only up to a set quota. Once that quota is used up, any further imports face a 50% tariff.
The quotas are set per product type, per quarter, and per country of origin. They reset every three months, starting 1 July.
The government says this measure is designed to protect UK steelmaking, which has more than halved its output over the last decade.
Which products matter for roofing and cladding
Most raw steel categories in the measure are aimed at heavy industry, shipbuilding, and construction frames. But several categories cover materials used regularly in roofing and cladding work. These are the ones to watch:
- Metallic coated sheets (galvanised and similar coated steel sheet)
- Organic coated sheets (pre-painted or pre-finished coated steel)
- Non-alloy and other alloy hot-rolled sheets and strips – an input material used to manufacture roofing sheet and other steel products
- Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel – used for structural steel roof framing and supports
- Hollow sections – used for purlins and structural steel roof supports
- Non-alloy merchant bars and light sections – used in structural framing on roofing projects
If your work involves steel roof sheeting, cladding, or structural steel for roof support, these are the categories most likely to affect you.
What it could mean
- Prices will likely rise: Once a quota is used up, any steel imported above it carries a 50% tariff. That cost is likely to be passed down the supply chain.
- Supply could tighten: Quotas are allocated by country and by quarter, on a first come, first served basis. If a quota fills early in the quarter, imports from that country face the tariff for the rest of the quarter.
- Timing matters: Quotas reset on 1 July, 1 October, 1 January and 1 April. Demand is likely to be highest at the start of each quarter, when fresh quota becomes available.
- There may be transitional relief: The government is considering an exemption for goods already under contract before 14 March 2026, where they're imported between 1 July and 30 September 2026. This isn't confirmed yet.
What NFRC members should do
- Talk to your steel and cladding suppliers now about how they expect prices and lead times to change from 1 July
- Ask whether any current contracts qualify for the transitional arrangement
- Build in extra lead time for ordering steel roofing and cladding materials, particularly around quota reset dates
- Factor potential price rises into quotes for projects running across the summer
NFRC will continue to monitor this measure as the government finalises the detail, including the transitional arrangements.
If these tariffs are having a direct impact on your business, please contact [email protected]. We will share your evidence directly with government during the review period to support the case for lessening their impact.
