UK hot-dip galvanised (HDG) imports from Turkey will lose developing economy status and come into the residual other countries quota, according to preliminary findings from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA).
The TRA opened the review in response to an application from Tata Steel, the UK's only galvanised steel producer, which argued that Turkish imports of metallic-coated sheet exceeded the 3pc exemption threshold in the 12 months to November.
TRA's initial findings are that Turkey will lose its exemption and be part of the capped, other countries quota. The TRA will publish its final recommendation by the end of March, so any changes will likely be implemented on 1 April.
UK HDG imports under the 7210 code from Turkey rose to 58,030t in 2025 from just 1,025t in 2024, according to GTT data. Total UK HDG imports exceeded 1mn t last year, giving Turkey a market share of roughly 5.8pc.
Traders and buyers have suggested the increase in Turkish volumes was partly caused by a last-minute change to the other countries quota from 1 July, which saw South Korean and Vietnamese material stranded at ports. As a result, buyers effectively duplicated purchases of this material from Turkey.
Argus reported in January that traders said Turkish HDG could fall within the UK safeguard from April because Turkish volumes had climbed rapidly in 2025. Industry sources at the time said Turkey supplied more than 4pc of UK HDG imports, including sales from the EU, and close to 10pc excluding EU imports, well above exemption levels.
Turkish exporters said TRA's move was widely expected after the surge in Turkish HDG shipments in 2025.
Turkish producers said sales into the EU have already slowed because of the CBAM, the upcoming post safeguard system and existing anti-dumping duties. As a result, the UK became an essential outlet in 2025 and margins are expected to tighten considerably if the UK quota exemption is removed.
The TRA also indicated that it may broaden the investigation on removing the exemption to other developing country suppliers, including India, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Malaysia and South Africa.
Traders and buyers are also concerned that there could be a multi-country dumping investigation at the behest of Tata. Talk of a case has been proliferating the market since summer 2025.
