A Yorkshire steelwork manufacturer has warned that the UK’s steel tariffs could make it cheaper to fabricate steel overseas and import the finished product than to make it here. The story, reported by The Manufacturer on 12 November 2026, puts a spotlight on a question every fabricator and steel parts buyer has been asking since the summer.

What’s been said

Tadweld, a steelwork manufacturer based in Tadcaster, says the steel tariff regime introduced in July 2026 protects primary steel producers but leaves many fabricated and derivative steel products outside its scope. According to the report, the measures cut tariff-free import quotas for specified steel products by 51% and raised out-of-quota tariffs to 50%, while many finished fabricated steel products remain exempt.

Tadweld’s managing director, Chris Houston, put it plainly: “If you’re making steelwork abroad, you can potentially bring the finished product into the UK without facing the same tariff pressures as a British manufacturer buying the raw steel and doing all the fabrication here.” The company is calling for a public inquiry into steel policy covering fabricators, distributors and customers as well as steelmakers.

The Manufacturer also notes that the government has acknowledged concerns about circumvention through semi-finished and fabricated imports, and has committed to monitoring the situation and reviewing the measures after 12 months. Tadweld has previously reported rises in what it pays of 24.51% for mild steel sections, 30.63% for aluminium sections and 5.94% for stainless steel sheets. Those are one firm’s actual purchase costs, not a market index, but they show the pressure fabricators are absorbing.

What it means for manufacturers and buyers of steel parts

• Material costs are the big variable. If you’re buying cut, folded or fabricated parts, expect material to drive most of any price movement. Asking for quotes with the grade and thickness spelled out makes it easier to compare like with like.
• The cheapest import isn’t always the cheapest part. Lead times, freight, minimum order quantities and the cost of getting a wrong part remade all add up. A UK supplier you can ring or visit takes a lot of that risk out.
• Watch the 12-month review. The rules on fabricated and semi-finished imports may change, so it’s worth keeping more than one sourcing option open rather than locking everything into a single overseas route.

We covered the earlier calls from fabricators in fabricated steel tariffs: UK fabricators urge government to act and the pressure on import quotas in UK steel quotas running out.

UK-made in Shaw, Oldham

At Kaizen Engineering we laser cut, fold and fabricate made-to-order steel parts at our works in Shaw, Oldham, from one-offs to repeat batches, including brackets, guards, frames and Hardox wear parts. We offer same-day quotes and same-day laser cutting, so UK-made doesn’t have to mean waiting. See our steel fabrication, laser cutting and press braking services.

Send us your drawing

Email your drawing to sales@kaizen-eng.com with the material, thickness and quantity, or use our request a quote page, and we’ll come back with a quote the same day.

Kaizen Engineering, Thomas Street, Shaw, Oldham OL2 8PG
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Sources

• The Manufacturer, “Tadweld warns steel tariffs could undermine British manufacturing”, 12 November 2026: themanufacturer.com