Steel to the EU: melt and pour proof from October

What changes on 1 October

Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963 sets out what evidence the importer must provide to prove the country of melt and pour of steel. It applies from 1 October 2026 and builds on Regulation (EU) 2026/1384, the EU's new steel regime.

Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 entered into force on 25 June 2026 and replaces the safeguard measures the EU had applied to steel since 2019. It is a permanent regime, not a temporary one.

The country of melt and pour is where raw steel is first produced in liquid form and cast into its first solid state. It does not have to be the same as the country where the final product is made.

Which documents count as proof

The main proof is the mill test certificate, known as an MTC. It must state the country of melt and pour and the heat number.

Until 30 September 2027, if there is no MTC, other documents are accepted, such as invoices, delivery notes, quality certificates, purchase orders, contracts or long-term supplier declarations. They count as long as they show both details: the country and the heat number.

From 1 October 2027 the MTC will be mandatory and other documents can only supplement it.

What is the risk if proof is missing

Customs can check any document that is not an MTC. While those checks are carried out, access to the relevant tariff-rate quota may be delayed.

Failing to back the declared country with adequate, verifiable evidence is treated as non-compliance. Without sufficient proof, the import can be rejected.

The formal obligation falls on the EU importer, but it depends on papers that only the steel mill and the exporter can provide. A European customer without that document has a problem at customs.

What to do if you export steel to the EU

1. 01

   Ask the mill for the MTC

   Each batch should carry its certificate, with the country of melt and pour and the heat number.

2. 02

   Check that the details match

   The heat number on the certificate should match the one on the invoice and the transport documents.

3. 03

   Talk to the importer

   Agree which document you will provide and when, so they have it before the goods arrive.

4. 04

   Prepare for the 2027 change

   From 1 October 2027 the MTC will be the mandatory proof: it is worth requiring it from suppliers now.

How Exporta helps

With Exporta you can put the shipment in order before sending it. The export documents (proforma, packing list and document reading) help each batch carry the details the destination customs will ask for. The market reports by country and product bring together tariffs, demand and competition in the EU and other markets.

And with Find customers and the CRM you can locate importers and distributors in the steel sector and contact them with mailings from your own email.