# India secures 1.9 mt steel export quota from EU at zero duty

2026-09-17T23:08:26+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

India has secured a country-specific tariff-rate quota of 1.9 million tonnes annually for steel exports to the European Union, with potential access to another 0.9 mt through residual quotas, a commerce ministry official said. The total of 2.8 mt covers over 80% of India's steel exports to the bloc, which stood at 3 mt last fiscal. Exports within the quota attract zero duty, while out-of-quota shipments face a 50% tariff. The quota follows the EU's Steel Overcapacity Regulation effective from July 1. Indian exporters have already begun shipping steel to the 27-nation bloc. However, the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism will apply to Indian steel both within and outside the quota, with the carbon charge averaging about 35% when fully phased in, according to think tank GTRI. The India-EU free trade agreement is expected to be signed by year-end, with implementation likely in early 2027 after European Parliament approval. The government is also in talks with the EU on carbon pricing and verification, seeking recognition of at least 10 Indian agencies for CBAM compliance.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources report the same facts: a 1.9-million-tonne country-specific quota and potential residual access for 2.8 mt total, securing over 80% of India's steel exports to the EU. The Hindu Business Line's two articles lead with the quota volume and front-loaded FTA benefit, while the Economic Times adds context on CBAM carbon charges averaging 35% and ongoing verification talks. The consistent framing is neutral-report, with no divergence in stance across the sources. The key detail to track is EU Parliament approval by March 2027, which determines FTA implementation.

## Coverage

- thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/india-secures-duty-free-quota-access-for-28-mt-of-steel-exports-to-eu/article71476677.ece>
  Leads with quota figure, includes GTRI estimate on CBAM cost and product range covered
- economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-goods/svs/steel/india-protects-over-80-of-steel-exports-to-eu-as-1-9-mt-country-quota-is-secured-residual-access-could-push-total-to-2-8-mt/articleshow/134318903.cms>
  Adds CBAM carbon charge context and verification talks, frames as protection of exports
- thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/markets/commodities/india-secures-19-mt-annual-steel-export-quota-from-eu/article71476009.ece>
  Leads with quota figure, includes GTRI estimate on CBAM cost and product range covered

Tags: CBAM, EU, GTRI, India-EU FTA
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