The European Union's tariff-setting activity resumed forcefully today after a two-day lull, with the publication and immediate enactment of two major anti-dumping regulations targeting Chinese imports. New definitive duties now apply to certain industrial chemicals—alkyl phosphonic acids and their salts—with rates reaching as high as 192.2%. Simultaneously, a broad range of iron and steel fasteners from China are now subject to new duties of up to 86.5%.
The themes
After a quiet start to the week, today’s TARIC update saw a sharp return to significant regulatory action, overwhelmingly concentrated in trade defence. Of the 118 changes loaded, 62 were related to new anti-dumping measures that also took immediate effect. The activity was highly focused, with new duties imposed on Chinese imports in the organic chemicals (Chapter 29) and articles of iron or steel (Chapter 73) sectors, signaling a continued and robust enforcement posture.
Headline items
Two significant anti-dumping regulations targeting China were the central story of the day:
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Industrial Chemicals from China: Definitive anti-dumping duties were imposed on imports of alkyl phosphonic acids and their sodium salts (HS 2931498060) originating in China. Per Regulation R2088/26, the measures include 16 different exporter-specific rates, with the residual duty for non-cooperating companies set at 192.2%.
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Iron and Steel Fasteners from China: A broad range of iron and steel fasteners—including various screws, bolts, and washers under HS Chapter 73—are now subject to new anti-dumping duties. Regulation R2089/26 sets a general rate of 86.5%, with a lower rate of 39.6% available for certain cooperating exporters. Notably, the measures also explicitly target some goods consigned from Malaysia, indicating an anti-circumvention focus.
Coming into force
All of the headline anti-dumping measures detailed above were loaded and became effective today, 22 September 2026. The immediate implementation requires prompt attention from compliance teams and importers dealing in these specific chemical and steel products from China.
What to watch
Today’s actions broaden the scope of the EU's recent trade defence push, which in previous weeks targeted stainless steel, batteries, and UK-origin chemicals. The addition of more industrial inputs and common manufactured goods from China confirms a sustained enforcement trend across multiple sectors. The explicit inclusion of anti-circumvention provisions for fasteners is a key signal that regulators are focused not just on imposing duties, but also on preventing their evasion.