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Importing steel and aluminium from Turkey and India to the EU

Turkey and India are major suppliers of steel and aluminium to the EU. A workable import deal turns on four things: the exact product and grade, the full landed duty picture (tariff plus any anti-dumping or safeguard measure), CBAM, and the quality and conformity documents. CBAM in particular changes how these imports are costed and administered. This is a practical overview with pointers to the sources you should check before each contract.

By Hiram Trade Editorial Desk

Published

9 min read

Product, grade and standards

Define the product precisely, because the tariff line, the measures and the certificates all follow from it:

  • Steel: form (coil, sheet/plate, bar, rod, section, tube/pipe, wire), grade (for example an EN steel grade), dimensions and tolerances, surface/coating (hot-dip galvanised, coated), and the standard (EN 10025 for structural steel, EN 10219/10210 for hollow sections, etc.).
  • Aluminium: form (ingot, billet, sheet, extrusion), alloy and temper (for example 6060-T6), and the relevant EN standard.

Specify the mill test certificate to EN 10204 (commonly 3.1) and the inspection regime in the contract.

Tariff code and the full duty picture

Steel falls under HS chapters 72 (iron and steel) and 73 (articles of iron or steel); aluminium under chapter 76. The duty you actually pay can be several layers:

  • the third-country (MFN) or preferential tariff rate;
  • a possible anti-dumping or countervailing duty on specific products from specific origins (both Turkey and India have been subject to such measures on certain steel/aluminium products);
  • a possible safeguard measure (tariff-rate quota on steel), where over-quota imports pay an additional duty.

These measures are product- and origin-specific and change over time, so confirm the exact 10-digit code and every measure in the European Commission's Access2Markets / TARIC before you contract - never assume the rate. See our guide to HS and CN codes.

CBAM: now central to metals imports

Iron and steel and aluminium are in scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM, Regulation (EU) 2023/956; simplified by Regulation (EU) 2025/2083). The definitive regime began on 1 January 2026. Key points for an importer:

  • An importer whose covered goods exceed a cumulative 50 tonnes net mass per calendar year generally needs authorised CBAM declarant status (the threshold is annual and cumulative, not per shipment; electricity and hydrogen are outside it). Apply before you cross the threshold - the competent authority has up to 120 days.
  • During 2026 no CBAM certificates are bought. Certificate sales open on 1 February 2027.
  • The first annual CBAM declaration (covering 2026 imports) is due 30 September 2027, together with surrender of the matching certificates for the embedded emissions.
  • From 2027 a quarterly holding requirement applies (declarants must hold certificates covering a share - currently 50% - of embedded emissions imported so far that year); check the current text for the exact level.

Get the embedded-emissions data from your supplier early and factor the certificate cost into the price. For the mechanism in full, see our CBAM importer guide.

Quality and conformity documents

  • Mill test certificate to EN 10204 (3.1 is standard; 3.2 adds independent witness) proving the chemical and mechanical properties of the lot.
  • CE marking / Declaration of Performance where the product is a construction product (for example structural steel under EN 1090 and the Construction Products Regulation), or where other EU product rules apply.
  • REACH obligations where relevant (for example certain alloying elements or coatings).

Documents

A typical set for a sea shipment:

  • commercial invoice and packing list;
  • bill of lading or other transport document;
  • mill test certificate (EN 10204) and any CE/DoP documents;
  • proof of origin (a preferential origin proof such as A.TR for Turkey under the customs union, or EUR.1 / origin declaration, where a preference applies) - origin also determines which anti-dumping/safeguard measure applies;
  • the CBAM data (embedded emissions) for your declaration;
  • insurance certificate if the seller insures; pre-shipment/third-party inspection report if agreed.

For Turkey, goods in free circulation often move under an A.TR movement certificate (EU-Turkey customs union); confirm whether A.TR or EUR.1 is correct for your product and claim.

Logistics

Metals are heavy, dense cargo:

  • coils and plate often ship break-bulk or in containers with proper securing and dunnage; check weight limits and axle rules for inland haulage;
  • protect against moisture (rust) with VCI packaging, desiccants and sound wrapping;
  • wooden packaging and dunnage must meet ISPM 15.

Agree securing, packaging and the responsibility for loading/lashing in the contract.

Incoterms for metals

  • Containers: FCA, CPT or CIP. Avoid FOB/CIF for containerised cargo.
  • Break-bulk / bulk: FOB, CFR or CIF are appropriate.
  • Delivered to plant: DAP or DPU if the supplier has an EU logistics partner.

See our guide to Incoterms 2020.

Checklist before signing

  • Product, grade, dimensions, standard and EN 10204 certificate type defined.
  • TARIC code and the FULL duty picture (MFN/preference + anti-dumping/countervailing + safeguard) confirmed in Access2Markets.
  • CBAM: declarant status if over 50 t/year, embedded-emissions data from the supplier, certificate cost in the price.
  • Correct origin proof (A.TR vs EUR.1) and the measures that follow from origin.
  • CE/DoP where the product is a construction product.
  • Moisture protection, securing and ISPM 15 packaging agreed.

On Hiram you can post a steel or aluminium request with grade, standard and CBAM/quality requirements and compare quotes from Turkish, Indian and other suppliers by total landed cost. Go to the market.

Sources

This article is for information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules and rates change: check the current official sources or consult an adviser before you decide.

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