EU Introduces New Steel Industry Safeguard and Small‑Package Customs Fee

On 1 July 2026 the European Union put into force a regulation aimed at protecting the European steel sector from the adverse effects of global over‑capacity. The measure revises the allocation of import quotas, allocating half of the 18.3 million tonnes yearly quota to partners with free‑trade agreements and applying lower quotas and higher tariffs when limits are exceeded, thereby securing this strategic industry.

At the same time the EU abolished the exemption for electronic goods under €150 from customs duties. A flat fee of €3 per item is now charged on small parcels from third‑country sellers, aligning conditions for overseas importers and EU retailers and addressing market imbalances and environmental concerns.

The European Research Council also announced the first round of Proof‑of‑Concept grants, supporting 182 researchers with €27.3 million to translate pioneering research into commercial or societal applications, including projects in cancer research and electronics across 21 countries.