The UK Global Tariff saw a significant number of seasonal measures expire on 15 June 2026, primarily affecting imported fruits. Preferential rates for products like watermelons, plums, and raspberries from origins including Turkey and Tunisia ended, potentially increasing import costs. Additionally, tariff quotas for lemons from Lebanon and other non-EU countries expired the previous day, marking a notable shift for importers in the fresh produce sector.
The themes
Regulatory activity on 15 June 2026 was highly concentrated in agricultural goods, specifically edible fruits under HS Chapter 8. The dominant theme was the expiration of time-bound measures, representing a tightening of import conditions as preferential arrangements ceased. Of the 12 changes detected, most related to measures ending or nomenclature description updates, with no new trade defence actions or future-dated measures loaded into the tariff.
Headline items
Two tariff quota measures for lemons (HS 0805501000) expired on 14 June 2026, the day before the reporting period. These expirations affected imports from Lebanon and a broader group of non-EU countries, ending the availability of quota-based relief for those supply chains.
Coming into force
Nine measures took effect on 15 June 2026, all of which were expirations of existing tariff arrangements for fruit. These included the end of preferential rates for:
- Watermelons (0807110000) from Turkey and Tunisia.
- Plums (0809400500) from Turkey and Tunisia.
- Raspberries (0810201000) from Tunisia.
- Other fruits under commodity code 0809290000 from New Zealand, Lebanon, and countries under the DCTS Enhanced Preferences scheme.
Alongside these, a standard customs duty measure for goods under code 0809290000, applicable to all countries, also expired on 15 June 2026.
What to watch
The cluster of expirations for seasonal fruits is a reminder of the dynamic nature of agricultural tariffs. Importers of other seasonal produce should remain watchful for similar scheduled changes as the summer progresses, which could alter the landed cost of goods with little advance notice.