UK reviews tariff quotas on steel rebar imported from Vietnam

The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has initiated a review of tariff quotas on steel rebar imported from Vietnam. The review does not mean an import ban, but aims to assess whether Vietnam will continue to be exempted from the tariff quotas, based on the regulations on maximum import rates for developing countries.

According to information from the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva, on November 10, 2025, the UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) announced the initiation of a review of tariff quotas on steel rebar imported from Vietnam. The case falls within the scope of safeguard measures that the UK is applying to a number of steel product groups, which are expected to expire in June 2026.

UK reconsiders tariff quota on rebar imports from Vietnam

Under UK regulations, developing WTO member countries are exempt from tariff quotas if the volume of imports accounts for 3% or less of total imports. However, the review records show that Vietnam has exceeded the threshold of 3% of total rebar imports into the UK, meaning that Vietnam is no longer eligible for exemption from safeguard measures for this group of products.

The TRA representative emphasized that the purpose of the review is to assess the quota exemption, not to propose an import ban. Vietnam can still export rebar to the UK, but will have to comply with the tariff quota mechanism similar to non-exempt countries, depending on the review results.

The investigation period is determined from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.

Source: Electronic Magazine of Integration Enterprises