Anti-dumping tariffs on steel mesh from China and Turkey: what importers and construction companies must do in 2026

Key data

Importers of welded steel mesh from China and Turkey face a situation of high tariff uncertainty from September 2026 onwards. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2022, published on 11 September 2026, places mandatory registration on all imports of these products, enabling the European Commission to impose anti-dumping duties with retroactive effect on operations already declared during the investigation period.

This is not an immediate tariff, but something potentially more costly: a mechanism that allows definitive tariffs, when approved, to also apply to imports already made and registered. Any company that has imported Chinese or Turkish steel mesh since the entry into force of this regulation could be required to pay additional duties on those past purchases.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2022 establishes the mandatory registration of imports of welded steel mesh originating from the People's Republic of China and Turkey. This measure does not yet impose any tariff, but is the legal preliminary and essential step to be able to do so with retroactive effect.

The mechanism works as follows:

• The customs authorities of the Member States maintain a detailed statistical control of all volumes imported during the investigation period.
• Importers must declare these goods to the customs authorities with the identification corresponding to the registration.
• The Commission uses this data to track the total volume imported, a necessary condition to apply definitive measures on imports already made.
• If the anti-dumping investigation concludes with the imposition of definitive duties, these may be applied retroactively to all imports registered from the date of entry into force of the regulation.

The background to the measure is a complaint filed by European steel mesh manufacturers, who would have demonstrated to the Commission dumping practices by Chinese and Turkish producers. If the investigation confirms these practices, European manufacturers could benefit from retroactive tariff protection.

Economic and operational impact

The economic impact of this regulation has two dimensions: the immediate and the potential.

Immediate impact (from 10 September 2026): registration itself does not generate additional tariff costs, but it does create a new administrative obligation for importers and creates a latent economic contingency on all imports made from that date.

Potential impact (if definitive duties are approved): importers who have continued to purchase Chinese or Turkish steel mesh during the registration period could receive a retroactive settlement of anti-dumping tariffs on those purchases. The specific amount will depend on the percentage of dumping determined by the investigation, data that is not available at this stage.

For the construction sector, the main consumer of welded steel mesh, the risk is a significant increase in material costs, both from retroactive tariffs and from the foreseeable upward price adjustment that suppliers will make in the face of regulatory uncertainty.

European steel mesh manufacturers are the potential beneficiaries: if duties are confirmed, they will regain competitiveness against low-price imports from China and Turkey.

Who does it affect?

• Direct importers of welded steel mesh from China or Turkey: immediate obligation to register and retroactive tariff contingency.
• Distributors and wholesalers of construction materials that market steel mesh from these origins: risk of transfer of additional costs by their importing suppliers.
• Construction companies that purchase welded steel mesh for their works: possible increase in material costs, with impact on margins and project budgets.
• European steel mesh manufacturers: potential beneficiaries if the investigation confirms dumping and definitive duties are imposed.
• Procurement departments and CFOs of any company that includes Chinese or Turkish steel mesh in its supply chain: need to review contracts, accounting provisions and procurement strategy.

Practical example

A medium-sized Spanish construction company that executes residential building projects and regularly uses welded steel mesh imported from China has made purchases worth €500,000 between September and December 2026, a period already covered by mandatory registration.

If the anti-dumping investigation concludes with the imposition of definitive duties—suppose a dumping percentage of 20%, a common figure in similar proceedings although not confirmed in this case—the construction company or its importing supplier would receive a retroactive settlement of €100,000 additional on those purchases already made and registered.

This scenario requires any company in this situation to: (1) quantify its current exposure, (2) review whether supply contracts transfer this risk to the supplier or the buyer, and (3) assess whether it is advisable to diversify the source of procurement to countries not affected by the investigation while the period of uncertainty lasts.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify exposure volume: quantify what percentage of steel mesh purchases come from China or Turkey and what is the economic value of those imports from 10 September 2026.
2. Verify customs registration compliance: confirm with the customs agent or logistics department that all imports of welded steel mesh from these origins are being correctly declared under the registration regime established by Regulation (EU) 2026/2022.
3. Review supply contracts: analyze whether current contracts with suppliers include price adjustment clauses for tariff changes and who assumes the risk of a retroactive settlement.
4. Provision the contingency accounting: the CFO should assess whether it is appropriate to establish an accounting provision for the risk of retroactive tariffs on imports already registered, especially if volumes are significant.
5. Evaluate procurement alternatives: explore suppliers of steel mesh in countries not affected by the investigation (other European origins or third countries outside the procedure) to reduce future exposure while the investigation lasts.
6. Monitor investigation progress: follow publications in the Official Journal of the EU to detect when provisional or definitive duties are published, which will determine the actual amount of the contingency.

Official source

Consult full regulation in official source

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=OJ:L_202602022