European Union Import Duty Rate for Steel Flat Products
HS 7208–7211 · Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel
European Union MFN Import Duty Rate
Live0–4%
MFN varies by product form. EU safeguard measures (TRQ system) apply on top for certain origins.
Rate varies — verify exact HS subheading at the official tariff schedule.
How duty is calculated
CIF value
Product cost + international freight + insurance
Import duty (0–4%)
Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.
VAT (20%)
Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.
Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.
Worked example: steel flat products worth US$10,000
A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. European Union charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to EUR at the official exchange rate on the day of import.
| Charge | At 0% | At 4% |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | $0 | $436 |
| VAT (20%) | $2,180 | $2,267 |
| Total paid at the border | $2,180 | $2,703 |
VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. The rate depends on the exact subheading, which is why the example shows both ends of the 0–4% range. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.
Classifying steel flat products correctly
Headings 7208–7212 cover flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel — hot-rolled (7208), cold-rolled (7209), coated (7210) and narrow strip (7211–7212).
- Width (600 mm and over vs under) splits 7208–7210 from 7211–7212
- Alloy steel goes to 7219–7226
- The coating (zinc, tin, aluminium-zinc) decides the 7210 subheading
Compliance. Steel is one of the most trade-remedied products: Section 232 in the US, EU and UK safeguard quotas, anti-dumping duties in most markets, and CBAM in the EU.
Importing into European Union: what you need
Customs is run by each member state (Zoll in Germany, Douane in France, Agencja Celna in Poland) under the Union Customs Code; rates come from the Common Customs Tariff and TARIC.
Registration. An EORI number issued by the member state where the importer is established. Non-EU sellers either appoint an indirect customs representative or ship DDP through a carrier that acts as declarant.
Low-value shipments. Goods worth €150 or less were duty-free until 30 June 2026. Since 1 July 2026 a flat €3 customs duty applies to each tariff heading in a low-value parcel sold through IOSS (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382), until normal duties take over in July 2028. VAT is due from the first euro, collected at checkout under IOSS or at import.
Documents customs will ask for
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Proof of origin for preferential rates (statement on origin or REX statement)
- Import licence or certificate where the product is regulated
Charges on top of duty
- Import VAT at the rate of the member state of import (17–27%)
- Excise on alcohol, tobacco and energy products
- Anti-dumping duties on specific product/origin pairs (TARIC additional codes)
- CBAM certificates for iron, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen above the 50-tonne annual threshold
Watch out. VAT, not duty, is usually the bigger number — a 3% duty on a €10,000 shipment is €300, while 20% VAT on the duty-paid value is over €2,100. VAT-registered importers recover it; consumers do not.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty rate for Steel Flat Products in European Union?
The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Steel Flat Products (HS 7208–7211) in European Union is 0–4% on the CIF value. MFN varies by product form. EU safeguard measures (TRQ system) apply on top for certain origins.
Is VAT charged on Steel Flat Products imports to European Union?
Yes. European Union charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.
Are there FTA rates available for Steel Flat Products in European Union?
European Union has free trade agreements with CETA (Canada), JEFTA (Japan), EU–Korea FTA, EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), EU–UK TCA. Check whether your origin country qualifies for a preferential rate on HS 7208–7211.
How is import duty calculated for Steel Flat Products entering European Union?
Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 0–4% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.
Verify this rate
Duty rates change. Always verify the current rate at the official tariff schedule before importing.
EU TARIC official database ↗Quick facts