The European Commission activates a new steel import quota system on 1 July 2026, capping duty-free imports at eighteen point three million metric tons per year. Imports beyond this limit face a fifty percent duty. Belgian federation Belmetal warns the system is significantly more complex than the previous safeguard regime. Distributors and traders must now monitor quota use in real time and adapt sourcing strategies to avoid costly duty exposure across multiple product categories and origin countries.