After several quiet days, regulatory activity resumed with over 130 measures taking effect today, dominated by the scheduled seasonal update to the UK’s Entry Price System for fresh produce. New specific duties now apply to imports of tomatoes, garlic, and beans, among other vegetables. Today's update also included administrative changes to several steel tariff-rate quotas, adjusting their validity to align with the end of the third quarter next week.
Seasonal produce duties take effect
The most significant activity today was the implementation of new seasonal duties for a wide range of fresh produce, with 132 measures taking effect. This routine update to the UK's Entry Price System primarily impacts goods in HS Chapters 07 (Edible vegetables) and 08 (Edible fruit and nuts).
New specific duties, which replace previous measures, now apply to imports from all countries for products including:
- Cherry tomatoes (HS 070200), with a new rate of 124.72 GBP / 100 kg for some lines.
- Garlic (HS 070320), with a new rate of 153.6 GBP / 100 kg for some lines.
- Beans (HS 070820), with a new rate of 465.27 GBP / 100 kg for some lines.
These changes are a standard feature of the UK's agricultural trade policy, designed to adjust import costs in line with domestic growing seasons.
Quarter-end quota administration
Today's update also contained a series of administrative adjustments to tariff-rate quotas for certain iron and steel products. The changes, which were back-dated, amend the validity period for several quotas on steel wire (HS 7217) from the US, EU, and Japan, setting their end date to 30 September 2026.
This action is a technical clean-up, aligning the existing quota period with the end of the third quarter. It confirms the transition point for these measures, as anticipated in our recent briefings, rather than representing a new policy shift.
What to watch
Today’s administrative changes to steel quotas confirm the end of the current period on 30 September. The focus now shifts to the measures that will govern the fourth quarter, which begins on 1 October. Any new tariff-rate quota volumes and conditions would be expected to be published in the coming days.