EU clarifies rules for proving the “melt and pour” country for steel imports

New rules will require EU steel importers to provide evidence of where steel was melted and first poured from 1 October 2026.

The European Union has clarified the documentation requirements for proving the country where imported steel was melted and first poured – known as the “melt and pour” country.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963, adopted on 28 August 2026, sets out how the new transparency requirements will operate from 1 October 2026. The measures are intended to improve traceability within the EU steel supply chain and help monitor the origins of global steel overcapacity.

Under the new requirements, importers of certain steel products will have to declare the country of “melt and pour” during customs procedures.

Mill Test Certificate to provide primary evidence

A Mill Test Certificate (MTC) will be the primary document used to demonstrate the melt and pour country. It must include both the country where the steel was melted and poured and the heat number of the imported material.

Recognising that MTCs are not globally standardised, the Commission will allow supplementary evidence where either piece of information is missing. This may include invoices, delivery notes, quality certificates, purchase orders or contracts, supplier declarations, production and accounting records, customs documents and commercial correspondence.

During the first year, from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, alternative documentation may also be accepted as standalone evidence where an MTC is unavailable, provided it contains both the melt and pour country and heat number.

Customs authorities may verify alternative evidence, potentially delaying access to the applicable tariff-rate quota while checks are carried out.

Importers urged to prepare

Failure to provide appropriate and verifiable evidence will be treated as non-compliance. Where the required information is not declared or cannot be verified, customs authorities may reject the import.

From 1 October 2027, the range of acceptable supporting documentation is expected to become more limited.

The new requirements underline the importance for steel importers to establish robust procedures with suppliers ahead of October, ensuring that melt and pour and heat number information is consistently obtained and retained throughout the supply chain.

Please click here for further information from the British Stainless Steel Association.