Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/2133 entered into force on 25 September 2026, introducing a provisional safeguard measure on imports of certain grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel (GOES), as well as steel laminations and cores (SLCs) intended for the manufacture of transformers and inductors.<\/p>\n
The new rules are particularly significant for importers of electrical transformers, as the measure applies not only to steel laminations and cores imported separately, falling under CN code 8504 90 13, but also to such components when already incorporated in the transformers specified in Article 1(3) of the Regulation.<\/p>\n
The Commission considered this extension necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the measure, on the basis that the core incorporated into a transformer remains identifiable and retains the same physical, technical and chemical characteristics as the core imported separately.<\/p>\n
The tariff quota system applicable to laminations and cores imported separately does not apply to cores already incorporated in transformers. Instead, a specific safeguard duty of EUR 1140 per ton of core incorporated in a transformer has been introduced, where the transformer is presented for release for free circulation in the European Union.<\/p>\n
Importers are therefore required to declare the weight, expressed in tonnes, of the core contained in the transformer, as this directly determines the amount of safeguard duty payable.<\/p>\n
The measure is provisional and will remain in force for 155 days, until 26 February 2027, pending the conclusion of the safeguard investigation initiated by the European Commission.<\/p>\n
The entry into force of the new rules makes it even more important to carry out a thorough assessment of import transactions in advance. Economic operators must not only ensure the correct tariff classification of the transformer as a whole, but also verify the nature and customs classification of the laminations and cores incorporated in it, and obtain reliable information regarding their weight.<\/p>\n
The correct determination of the non-preferential origin of the products is also particularly important, as the Regulation provides for specific exemptions and differentiates the application of the measure according to the country of origin.<\/p>\n
Importing companies are therefore advised to obtain, in advance, the technical documentation necessary to identify the characteristics and weight of the cores incorporated in transformers from manufacturers and suppliers. This will enable them to lodge accurate customs declarations and avoid disputes arising from customs controls.<\/p>\n
The new measure once again highlights how the determination of the duties payable on importation may depend not only on the correct customs classification of the finished product, but also on that of its components.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Federica Fantuzzi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026\/2133 entered into force on 25 September 2026, introducing a provisional safeguard measure on imports of certain grain-oriented flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel (GOES), as well as steel laminations and cores (SLCs) intended for the manufacture of transformers and inductors. The new rules are particularly significant for importers of electrical transformers, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":48411,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[203],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n