The European Commission has approved an implementing regulation that details the classification of rebar within the existing protective measures regarding steel imports into the European Union. The document introduces changes to the definition of product types covered by the tariff quota (TRQ) system applied to the import of specified categories of steel products.
This is reported by Finway
Changes in the Classification of Steel Rebar
Under the current system, which encompasses 26 categories of metal products, imports exceeding the established quotas are subject to an additional tariff of 25%. Recently, rebar classified under CN codes 7214 20 00 and 7214 99 10, as well as – since last year – under CN code 7228 30 69, has begun to arrive in the EU. Supplies under this new code have differed significantly in volume and geographic origin. In 2025, imports under CN 7228 30 69 increased by approximately 250% year-on-year, accounting for about 35% of the annual quota for rebar.
“Some manufacturers slightly altered the chemical composition of rebar to shift it to a different classification – from tariff position 7214 (non-alloyed steel bars) to 7228 (alloyed steel bars) with a larger volume of duty-free quotas.”
Implementation of New Codes and Clarification of Measures
To close this loophole, the European Commission introduced new TARIC codes to clarify the classification of rebar. Specifically, codes 7228 30 69 11 for ribbed or deformed rebar and 7228 30 69 99 for other types of products have been established. Importantly, these changes do not expand the list of products covered by protective measures and do not affect the quota volumes for the respective categories.
The new regulation came into effect on April 10, 2026, and will also apply to the new regime of protective measures starting from July 1, 2026.