Importing steel fasteners from India in 2026: EU CBAM, US Section 232 and the UK–India trade deal

Rules for importing steel fasteners changed in all three of our main destination markets during 2026. This page summarises what applies to screws, bolts, nuts and washers of iron or steel (heading 7318) shipped from India, as checked on 11 November 2026. Trade rules change often: confirm your exact commodity code with your customs broker before you order. This is general information, not legal or customs advice.

European Union: CBAM

• The definitive period started on 1 January 2026. Fasteners under CN 7318 are CBAM goods.
• Small importers are exempt. Importers bringing in less than 50 tonnes net mass of CBAM goods per calendar year do not need an authorisation. The threshold counts all the CBAM goods an importer brings in, not only fasteners.
• Above 50 tonnes, you must be an authorised CBAM declarant before importing.
• Emissions are declared with default values or with actual values verified by an accredited verifier. Actual values need emissions data from the manufacturing installation, so ask for it before you place the order, not after the goods arrive.
• Certificates are bought from 2027. Sales of CBAM certificates start on 1 February 2027. The first annual declaration, covering 2026 imports, falls due in 2027.

If your declaration will use actual emissions, tell us at enquiry. We confirm with the partner manufacturer what data it can provide before you commit to the order.

United States: Section 232

• 50% on the full value. A proclamation of 2 April 2026 applies the Section 232 duty to the full customs value of the imported product, regardless of metal content, from 6 April 2026. The heading 7318 lines are listed in Annex I-A at 50%.
• Rates and annexes keep moving. A further proclamation in June 2026 adjusted rates for some goods and partners. Check the current Chapter 99 provisions of the US tariff schedule for your code before buying.
• The separate 10% duty on Indian goods. A Section 301 action imposed 10% on products of India from 24 July 2026. India's Ministry of Commerce states that products already covered by Section 232 measures, including steel, are not subject to that additional 10%. Confirm with your broker how your entry is classified.

United Kingdom: the UK–India trade deal

• In force since 15 July 2026. The UK and India signed the trade deal on 24 July 2025.
• Little change for fasteners. The UK's third-country import duty on the heading 7318 lines we checked was already 0%, so the deal adds little duty saving on fasteners. Check your exact commodity code; import VAT still applies.
• Proof of origin. To claim preference, an importer can rely on a self-certified origin declaration, a certificate of origin from an issuing authority in India, or the importer's own knowledge. Tell us which you need and we arrange it with the export documents.

Customs and certification within our group

Depending on the order, freight and customs clearance run through our Navbharat Group companies NSIL (customs broker and freight forwarder) or iKargos. iKargos also handles trade compliance and certification, so certificates and compliance can be arranged under one roof with the order. Its duty calculator is a starting point for checking import duty by product code.

What to tell us when you enquire

1. The destination country and, if you know it, the commodity code your broker uses.
2. Whether you need producer emissions data for a CBAM declaration.
3. The proof of origin your import needs.
4. The Incoterm you want (we offer all Incoterms 2020 rules).