New anti-dumping tariff on Chinese screws 2026: what importers will pay

Key data

European importers of Chinese steel screws and fastening elements have a new customs cost variable from 18 September 2026. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2089 amends Regulation 2022/191 to incorporate a Chinese manufacturer that did not participate in the original anti-dumping investigation and now receives its own anti-dumping duty rate or the residual rate applicable to the set of non-individualized exporters.

This type of modification—known as "new exporter treatment"—is a common mechanism in EU anti-dumping regulations: it allows companies that began exporting after the original investigation to be evaluated and classified without the need to open a full procedure from scratch. The practical result is immediate: the corresponding anti-dumping duty is applied at customs on imports from that specific manufacturer.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2022/191 established definitive anti-dumping duties on iron or steel fastening elements originating from the People's Republic of China. That regulation assigned individualized duty rates to certain investigated Chinese manufacturers, and a residual rate (higher) to the rest.

Regulation 2026/2089 modifies that framework as follows:

The affected product is iron or steel fastening elements (screws, nuts, bolts and similar) originating from China. Importers must verify the TARIC code assigned to the new exporter to correctly apply the duty in their customs declarations.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact is an increase in import costs for any company purchasing from this specific Chinese manufacturer. Anti-dumping duties are applied on the customs value of the goods and are added to the conventional tariffs already in place, so the cumulative effect can be significant depending on purchase volume.

The sectors with the greatest exposure are those that use screws and fastening elements as recurring inputs:

• Construction: massive consumption of fastening elements in civil works and building.
• Manufacturing industry: production lines that incorporate fasteners as a standard component.
• Hardware trade and distribution: tight margins that poorly absorb customs cost increases.

From an operational perspective, the main risk is not just the cost of the duty itself, but the tariff contingency from incorrect declarations: if the importer does not update the TARIC code of the new exporter in their systems, they may be settling an incorrect duty, which can result in adjustments, surcharges and late payment interest.

Who does it affect?

• Direct importers of screws, nuts, bolts and iron or steel fastening elements manufactured in China, especially those operating with the specific manufacturer incorporated by this regulation.
• Distributors and wholesalers of industrial hardware that supply third parties and pass on import costs to selling prices.
• Construction companies and developers that purchase directly from Chinese suppliers for their projects.
• Industrial manufacturers that use Chinese fasteners as a component in their production processes.
• Customs agents and logistics operators that manage import declarations for their clients and must update applicable TARIC codes.
• Procurement departments and CFOs of companies with regular sourcing from China, who must review the impact on their product costs.

Practical example

A Spanish industrial hardware distribution company regularly imports screws and fastening elements from a Chinese supplier. Until now, that supplier was not individualized in Regulation 2022/191 and was subject to the generic residual rate.

Following the entry into force of Regulation 2026/2089 on 18 September 2026, that manufacturer is classified as a new exporter with a specific anti-dumping duty rate (or the residual rate is confirmed). The importing company must:

1. Identify whether its supplier is the manufacturer affected by this regulation.
2. Locate the updated TARIC code that the European Commission assigns to that exporter in the annex of Regulation 2026/2089.
3. Communicate that code to its customs agent so it is incorporated in all import declarations from 18 September 2026 onwards.
4. Review whether there are operations in transit or pending clearance that may be affected retroactively.

If the company does not update the TARIC code and declares an incorrect duty, the Tax Agency may require the difference plus corresponding late payment interest in a customs inspection.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify whether the Chinese supplier is affected: Consult the full text of Regulation 2026/2089 on EUR-Lex to verify whether the manufacturer you operate with is the new exporter incorporated.
2. Locate the updated TARIC code: The regulation assigns a specific TARIC code to the new exporter. This code must be incorporated in customs management systems and communicated to the customs agent.
3. Review ongoing operations: Check whether there are orders in transit, goods in customs warehouse or pending declarations that must be settled with the new duty rate from 18 September 2026.
4. Update sourcing cost analysis: Recalculate the total import cost (price + conventional tariff + anti-dumping duty) to assess whether the Chinese supplier remains competitive against European or third-country alternatives.
5. Document compliance: Keep evidence of the verification performed and the update of procedures, to demonstrate diligence in the event of a customs inspection.
6. Alert the procurement department: Inform those responsible for sourcing of the regulatory change so they take it into account in future negotiations with Chinese suppliers in the sector.

Official source

Consult full regulation on official source — EUR-Lex: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2089

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R2089