UK extends tariff suspensions on over 250 products, some through December 2028

The UK announced extensions on 23 October, preserving up to £155 million in annual import-cost savings. Measures expiring in late 2026 extend to December 2028.

Editorial desk

HM Treasury announced on 23 October that the UK would extend import tariff suspensions on more than 250 products used by businesses, preserving estimated savings of up to £155 million a year.

Tariff-free arrangements covering more than 250 goods that were due to expire on 31 December 2026 will be extended until December 2028. The government says all suspensions consulted on are being extended except those that no longer have a material effect.

HM Treasury building plaque, an archive photograph used in the source article.
HM Treasury building plaque, an archive photograph used in the source article. HM Treasury / GOV.UK, © Crown copyright (Open Government Licence) · License

A separate group of import tariff suspensions due to expire in June 2027 will initially be extended by six months to December 2027. A formal review will consider possible further extensions; the initial renewal is intended to provide continuity for businesses while that review takes place.

The affected sectors include chemicals, plastics, hydrogen, automotive, and food and drinks. The extensions will maintain lower import costs for eligible businesses across these industries, with the government estimating the related savings at up to £155 million a year.

Illustration | Drawn from this article

The broader business-cost package announced by the Treasury is estimated to save almost £800 million a year in administrative and tariff costs combined. That larger figure covers both types of cost and should not be treated entirely as savings from the product tariff suspensions.

A new window will run from 11 November to 3 February. Businesses can submit views on extending existing suspensions beyond 2027 and suggest new suspensions, providing input on further measures to lower business costs.

On applicability, official guidance says suspensions and autonomous tariff quotas are temporary and can be used by UK or Crown Dependency importers while in force. They operate on a Most Favoured Nation basis: goods in scope can come from any country or territory, subject to applicable conditions. A supplier’s location in Taiwan alone therefore does not establish that its products qualify.

Suspensions do not remove other duties that may be payable, including VAT or trade-remedy duties such as anti-dumping duty. The guidance also distinguishes unlimited quantities of goods in scope under duty suspensions from the limited quantities eligible for reduced rates under autonomous tariff quotas.

Sources

Some images in this article are generated illustrations.