EU finished steel imports from third countries jump 20.35%

18 December 2025: In October, European consumers significantly increased imports of finished steel products ahead of the next phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), set to take effect in 2026.

Deliveries from non-EU countries rose by 20.35% year on year to 5.2 million tonnes (Mt), lifting year-to-date figures by 3.97% to 29.7 Mt. Shipments from the top five suppliers surged after the opening of the new quota allocation. Imports from Turkey, China, South Korea, and India increased by 52.76%, 54.43%, 44.81%, and 64.38%, respectively, while deliveries from Indonesia more than tripled. Turkey, China, and Indonesia also recorded strong growth in exports to the EU during the first ten months of the year, whereas India saw a 27.84% decline over the same period.

At the same time, deliveries from several countries were affected by trade restrictions introduced earlier this year. Imports from Taiwan rose only slightly in October and remained negative on a year-to-date basis. Vietnam, Egypt and Japan recorded sharp declines in exports to the EU, with the volumes down 47.11%, 56.38% and 68.85%, respectively, also remaining in negative territory for the first ten months.

In October, Malaysia and Kazakhstan notably expanded their presence in the European market, supplying 94 thousand tonnes (kt) and 42 kt, respectively. Their shipments for the first ten months reached 357 kt and 141 kt, respectively.