EU finished steel imports from third countries jump 60.78% in December

19 February 2026: In December, imports of finished steel products into the European Union from third countries increased by 60.78% year-on-year, reaching 2.6 million tonnes (Mt), as buyers continued replenishing stocks ahead of 2026, when the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) begins to phase in. Also, domestic prices in Europe remained on an upward trajectory, with many mills extending their order books. 

Overseas shipments increased from most destinations, although some countries in the MENA and Asian regions recorded lower sales due to anti-dumping (AD) investigations or recently introduced trade measures. Deliveries from Indonesia to EU customers in December jumped by 344.91% to 371 thousand tonnes (kt), bringing the year-to-date total to 2.65 Mt, up 257.37%. China strengthened its positions in the EU market, supplying 352 kt during the last month if 2025, up by 83.72%, and during 2025 imports reached 4.1 Mt. Malaysia sold 72 kt of finished steel for December delivery, with full-year 2024 volumes rising by 183.45% to 527 kt. The UAE shipped 68 kt in December, up 118.2% year-on-year, and year-to-date figures reached 388 kt, an increase of 118.88%. 

During the last month of 2025, Turkey supplied just 130 kt of finished steel, a decline by 37.73%, but full year 2025 volumes stood at 6.1 Mt, up by 18.83% compared to 2024. 

Notably, in December, the first sizable cargo (18 kt) was recorded to have been imported from Russia to the EU since mid-2023. 

In 2025, deliveries from non-EU countries rose by 8.69% year-on-year, reaching 34.8 Mt.