The European Union has politically agreed on the most ambitious overhaul of its customs framework since the customs union was established in 1968. Across the Channel, the United Kingdom is pursuing its own, though earlier-stage, customs modernisation agenda, the first since its withdrawal from the EU. Together, these reforms will reshape how goods move across Europe’s borders.

This is the introductory briefing in our Customs Reform Unpacked series. In the Q&As below, we have gathered frequent questions about the EU and UK reforms and their objectives. Each answer provides a high-level overview; subsequent briefings in this series will take a deeper dive into the specific topics that matter most to your business.

Continue Reading Your questions answered on the EU and UK customs reforms

On August 7, 2026, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) released its annual report to Congress for calendar year 2025. The report covers 347 covered transactions, consisting of 207 written notices and 140 declarations, that were filed for CFIUS review last year.

CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review certain transactions involving foreign investment in the United States and the effect of those transactions on U.S. national security. The Committee is required to provide an annual report to Congress containing specific, cumulative, and trend information related to transaction filing.

Continue Reading CFIUS annual report for 2025: Key takeaways

Overview

On August 26, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14420 (EO), declaring a national emergency to secure the U.S. bulk-power system and restrict procurement and installation of a broad array of foreign-produced equipment used in the U.S. electric power industry that is linked to “Covered Foreign Entities,” a list of entities that notably includes China. Implementing regulations are expected within 120 – 180 days.

Continue Reading Executive Order 14420 Restricts Foreign Equipment in the U.S. Bulk-Power System

Overview

On 24 August 2026, the United States took coordinated action across its Syria and Iran sanctions programmes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio rescinded Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) designation after the 45-day Congressional notification period, and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was delisted as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation and removed from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. In Iran, the Treasury Department launched “Operation Economic Outcast”, made five sectoral determinations under E.O. 13902, designated nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels across multiple jurisdictions, and suspended Iran General Licences F and G. It issued General Licences AA and BB, published an alert on Strait of Hormuz passage risks, and designated Singapore-based Wellbred Capital and affiliated entities linked to Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.

Continue Reading U.S. sanctions update – Syria SST rescission, Operation Economic Outcast, and Iran sanctions developments

The Council adopted its 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia on 23 July 2026. The instruments entered into force on 24 July 2026 (the day following publication in the Official Journal). The principal instruments are Regulation (EU) 2026/1848; Regulation (EU) 2026/1844; and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1843 (amending and implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014).

Continue Reading EU’s 21st Sanctions Package: Banks, Barrels, and a Bigger Blacklist

On July 7, 2026, OFAC revoked Iran General License X (GL X) and replaced it with General License X1 (GL X1). The waiver, which had been due to run until August 21, lasted barely two weeks. GL X1 is not a continuation; it is a narrow wind-down authorization that expires on July 17, 2026.

What changed

Three tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on July 7 and  Washington pulled GL X immediately, a warning of the consequences for Iran’s alleged actions in the strait. Oil prices jumped, and one struck vessel, an LNG carrier, was reportedly at risk of explosion.

GL X had temporarily authorized transactions relating to the production, sale, delivery, and offloading of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemicals, and petroleum products. See our previous post on GL X here. The critical point now is that GL X is no longer available, and OFAC can revoke any general license at any time. Parties should structure transactions accordingly.

Continue Reading OFAC Revokes Iran General License X: Only a Short Wind-Down Remains

Background

In our publication of 9 April 2026, we analysed the key implications of the proposed EU steel tariff-rate quota (TRQ) regime at a time when interinstitutional (trilogue) negotiations between the European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission were still ongoing.

On 24 June 2026, Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 of the European Parliament and of the Council, addressing the negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation replaces the existing EU steel safeguard measures, which are due to expire on 30 June 2026. The new regime enters into force on 25 June 2026 and applies from 1 July 2026.

However, a key issue remains unresolved. The quarterly administration and country-specific distribution of tariff quotas, including allocations to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners, have not yet been determined. It has been reported that the quarterly and country-level quota allocations will only be published on 30 June, just one day before they take effect. The uncertainty for importers is considerable: while steel prices are expected to rise, the precise impact will only become clear when the quotas – and how they are divided between different products and supplier countries – are published.

In this publication, we summarise the key features of the final EU steel measures, set out the staggered application dates, explain the tariff quota allocation framework (noting that the country-specific and quarterly allocation regime is yet to be confirmed), detail the melt-and-pour traceability requirements, and identify the key future deadlines and practical steps stakeholders should take now.

Key features of the published Regulation

The following is a summary of the substantive outcomes of the legislative process:

  • The out-of-quota duty has been raised from 25% to 50% ad valorem and the total annual tariff quota volume is set at 18,345,922 tonnes, roughly half of current levels, broken down per product category and administered on a quarterly basis. With this structural tightening, importers should expect significantly more shipments to fall outside quota limits, triggering the higher duty rate.
  • Melt-and-pour has been adopted as a transparency and traceability requirement only and does not serve as a basis for quota allocation at this stage. From 1 October 2026, importers must provide evidence (e.g., a mill test certificate) of the country where the steel was originally melted and poured. However, as early as 1 October 2027, the Commission will take melt-and-pour data into account for the country distribution of tariff quotas. By 30 June 2028, the Commission must assess whether melt-and-pour should become the full basis for quota allocation.
  • Carryover of unused quotas is allowed during the first yearly period (1 July 2026–30 June 2027). After the first year, the Commission will decide, by implementing act, whether carryover continues, taking into account import pressure, average quota utilisation (especially where above 80%), and supply availability.
  • The Commission must take into account the Union interest, including availability of supply and price increases affecting downstream industries, when adjusting quotas via delegated acts within defined floor and ceiling limits.
  • Product scope reviews are staggered: by 31 December 2026, the Commission must assess whether to extend the product scope to cover specific CN codes not currently listed; by 30 June 2027, it must assess whether the scope should also cover products made of, or containing, a significant amount of steel (including downstream iron and steel products). Both of these assessments are directed at potentially expanding the product scope. From 30 June 2029 and every two years thereafter, the Commission must conduct further assessments of the product scope, which may result in either an expansion or a reduction, taking into account the wider situation of Union competitiveness and of the Union steel industry (including upstream and downstream actors and SMEs), as well as the Union’s common security and defence policy.
  • Imports from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) are excluded from the tariff quota regime, while imports from Russia and Belarus are excluded from quota calculation as they remain subject to EU import bans.

Entry into force and staggered application dates

The Regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal, that is, 25 June 2026. Different provisions apply from different dates. The staggered application timeline is as follows:

25 June 2026 (entry into force)

  • The Commission’s power to adopt implementing acts determining the type of evidence importers must provide to prove the country of melt-and-pour applies immediately.
  • The elements the Commission must take into account when laying down the country distribution of tariff quotas are established.
  • The Commission is empowered to adopt implementing acts on country distribution and, where appropriate, to apply bilateral safeguard measures.

1 July 2026 (general application)

  • Tariff quotas are opened and the 50% out-of-quota duty applies.
  • First yearly period: 1 July 2026–30 June 2027.

1 October 2026

  • Importers must provide evidence of the country of melt-and-pour.

1 October 2027

  • The Commission takes melt-and-pour data into account for the country distribution of tariff quotas.

Tariff quota allocation: Global and yearly

The quotas set out in Annex II to the Regulation are yearly and global, broken down per product category. No quarterly breakdown or country-specific allocation appears in the Annex itself, and no specific FTA partner quotas are provided at this stage.

Until the Commission adopts implementing acts establishing the country distribution and quarterly breakdown, quotas will be administered as published, on a yearly and global basis. Given that quarterly administration is expressly provided for in Article 3(2), the Commission is expected to publish the implementing act before 1 July 2026.

We understand that the EU is offering FTA partners more time beyond 1 July to formalise bilateral arrangements (for which parliamentary approval is required). The Commission has reportedly devised a three-column system:

  • Column 1: grants all World Trade Organisation members 30% of historical import volumes.
  • Columns 2 and 3: individual and competitive pool quotas available to FTA partners if they waive their FTA rights or pledge not to challenge the EU’s measures.

However, it remains unclear how this system will operate during the interim period, pending formal agreement with FTA partners.

Melt-and-pour traceability requirements

A separate implementing act will follow, setting out the specific documentary evidence importers must provide to demonstrate the country of melt-and-pour. Key points:

  • A public consultation is currently running, with a deadline of 2 July 2026. Stakeholders can participate via the following link: EC consultation on melt-and-pour evidence.
  • The first implementing act on the type of evidence required must be adopted by 31 August 2026.
  • The obligation for importers to provide this evidence applies from 1 October 2026.

Key future dates

The Regulation establishes the following key milestones:

  • 1 July 2026: stakeholder consultation on product scope.
  • 31 August 2026: first implementing act on melt-and-pour evidence.
  • 31 December 2026: assessment of amendments to product scope (specific CN codes).
  • 30 June 2027: assessment of a broader product scope (downstream iron and steel products).
  • 30 June 2028: assessment of melt-and-pour as a basis for quota allocation; first implementation report.
  • From 30 June 2029, and every two years: further product scope assessments.
  • From 30 June 2029, and every three years: effectiveness evaluation.

What to do next

With the Regulation now published, stakeholders – particularly importers – should:

  • Verify product classification. Ensure correct CN code classification of your goods to determine whether they fall within scope, support any post-clearance claims, or establish that your product may be excluded from the regime.
  • Assess origin correctly. Determine the non-preferential origin of your steel products, taking into account whether any processing operations in intermediary countries qualify as a sufficient change of origin. This is critical for understanding which country-specific quota your imports will draw from.
  • Map melt-and-pour origins. Identify the country of melt-and-pour across your product portfolio and ensure suppliers can provide the required evidence (e.g., mill test certificates) from 1 October 2026.
  • Participate in the public consultation on melt-and-pour evidence. The deadline is 2 July 2026; this is an opportunity to shape the implementing act on what evidence importers must provide.
  • Build in-quota vs. out-of-quota cost models. With the duty gap now at 50%, the financial impact of falling outside quota is substantial.
  • Stay tuned for the quarterly allocation implementing regulation, which is expected to be adopted imminently and will determine how quotas are distributed by country and by quarter in practice.

Reed Smith’s international trade team continues to monitor developments closely. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team for tailored advice on how these measures affect your operations.

On 21 June 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued General License X (“GL X”), authorising certain transactions relating to the production, sale, delivery and offloading of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products. This represents a remarkable — if temporary — departure from the comprehensive United States sanctions framework that has constrained Iranian energy trade for decades. Clients need to be aware that there are still significant Iranian sanctions restrictions in place by the European Union and the United Kingdom, that may still prevent parties from taking advantage of GL X. This alert summarises the key features of GL X and the practical considerations for clients.

Overview of the General Licence

Scope and authorised activities. GL X authorises all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the production, sale, delivery or offloading of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemical products and petroleum products, including transactions involving vessels blocked under the relevant authorities. Covered ancillary activities expressly include safe docking and anchoring; crew health and safety; emergency repairs; environmental mitigation; vessel management, crewing, bunkering, piloting, registration, flagging, insurance, classification and salvage.

Importation into the United States. Notably, GL X extends to the importation into the United States of Iranian-origin petroleum products where such importation is ordinarily incident and necessary to the authorised sale, delivery or offloading.

Payments. Payments owed to Iran, the Government of Iran or any blocked person for the purchase of authorised products may be made in U.S. dollar-denominated funds.

Key exclusions and limitations. GL X does not authorise transactions involving persons located in, or organised under the laws of, North Korea, Cuba, the Covered Regions of Ukraine (as defined by Executive Order (“EO”) 14065), or the Crimea Region of Ukraine (as defined by EO 13685). It does not authorise any transactions prohibited by Executive Orders or regulations not expressly referenced in the licence. Clients should note that this is not a wholesale lifting of Iran sanctions; it is a targeted, time-limited authorisation confined to the petroleum sector.

Who may rely on it. GL X is issued under multiple sanctions programmes (including 31 CFR parts 560, 544, 561, 562, 587, 589 and 594, and Executive Orders 13846, 13876, 13902 and 13949). Any U.S. person, and any non-U.S. person complying with the terms and conditions of GL X, may rely on the licence to the extent the transaction falls within its terms.

Non-US clients should independently assess:

  • the feasibility of banking, insurance and logistics arrangements; and any applicable EU, UK or other local sanctions regimes which may not provide equivalent relief;
  • contractual restrictions (including sanctions-related representations and warranties).

Duration and expiry

GL X expires at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on 21 August 2026. There is no automatic renewal, and the license can be withdrawn at any time before then. Clients engaged in transactions authorised by the licence must plan for wind-down well in advance of this deadline. Any transaction not completed by that time will no longer benefit from the authorisation and could give rise to sanctions liability.

We recommend that clients monitor OFAC guidance closely for any extension, amendment or revocation and ensure that contractual arrangements incorporate appropriate conditionality linked to the licence’s validity.

Conclusion — a remarkable turnaround

The issuance of GL X is extraordinary by any measure. For the first time in over a decade, OFAC has authorised — albeit temporarily — the broad production, sale and delivery of Iranian-origin petroleum products, including their importation into the United States and payment in U.S. dollars. This marks a significant, if carefully circumscribed, easing of the maximum-pressure posture that has defined U.S. Iran sanctions policy in recent years.

Clients should approach this development with both commercial interest and caution. The licence is temporary, narrowly drawn and subject to exclusions. The broader sanctions architecture remains in place. Parties contemplating reliance on GL X should conduct thorough due diligence, take specialist legal advice and ensure robust compliance frameworks are in place to manage the residual risks that attend any dealings with Iranian-origin products, particularly if they have an EU or UK nexus.

The Reed Smith sanctions team is available to assist clients in assessing the implications of GL X for their operations and to advise on structuring compliant transactions within its scope.

Key takeaways:

  • Subject to limited exceptions, the proposed rule would require existing or prospective DoD contractors and subcontractors, at any tier, on contracts exceeding $5 million to disclose foreign ownership, control, and influence (FOCI) and beneficial ownership information – extending obligations that historically applied only to classified work.
  • Covered contractors determined to be under FOCI must implement risk mitigation strategies within 90 calendar days of contract award, modification, option exercise, or identification of a FOCI-related risk during performance.
  • Contracts for commercial products and services would be exempt unless a designated senior DoD official determines the contract involves a national security risk due to sensitive data, systems, or processes.

On May 7, 2026, the Department of Defense/War (DoD) published a proposed rule that would significantly expand the scope of FOCI requirements beyond classified contracts. The proposed rule would amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the disclosure and risk mitigation requirements of Section 847 of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and Section 819 of the FY 2021 NDAA, as well as elements of DoD Instruction 5205.87. Comments are due by July 6, 2026.

The proposed rule would apply to “covered contractors and subcontractors,” defined as existing or prospective DoD contractors or subcontractors, at any tier, performing under a contract valued in excess of $5 million. DoD estimates the $5 million threshold will capture approximately 37,740 entities, roughly 57% of which are small businesses. Historically, FOCI disclosure and mitigation obligations have applied primarily to contractors performing classified work under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). The proposed rule would extend similar requirements to certain contractors holding unclassified contracts – a significant expansion that DoD states is necessary because “foreign adversaries have exploited this gap to gain access to sensitive, unclassified information, intellectual property, and critical technologies.”

The proposed rule would operate through two new contract instruments: a solicitation provision (DFARS 252.240-70XX) and a contract clause (DFARS 252.240-70YY). Under the solicitation provision, offerors would represent at the time of offer submission that they have submitted a current Standard Form (SF) 328, Certificate Pertaining to Foreign Interests, in the National Industrial Security System (NISS), along with contact information for each beneficial foreign owner. Offerors that are aware of FOCI would also be required to agree to accept risk mitigation strategies as a condition of award. Importantly, contracting officers generally would be prohibited from awarding, modifying, or exercising an option on a covered contract unless the contractor has an “eligible” status in NISS or an exception applies.

The contract clause would impose ongoing obligations during performance, including the following:

  • Contractors must disclose their beneficial ownership and FOCI status by maintaining a current SF 328 in NISS.
  • Contractors must implement risk mitigation strategies within 90 calendar days of contract award, modification, option exercise, or the identification of FOCI-related risks during performance.
  • All subcontractors awarded contracts exceeding $5 million must maintain an “eligible” status in NISS prior to award and for the duration of performance.
  • Contractors would be required to update their SF 328 and, where the change could result in FOCI concerns, notify the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) within three business days. The notification would include information regarding the foreign owner or beneficial owner, the relevant ownership interests, and any available information concerning mitigation measures.

In addition, within 10 business days of being notified by DCSA that a FOCI or beneficial ownership issue poses a risk or potential risk to national security, a contractor would be required to initiate a plan of action, provide any requested information, describe mitigation efforts already undertaken, and confirm in NISS its intent to comply with DCSA’s recommended mitigation measures.

Importantly, the proposed rule would not apply to contracts for commercial products and commercial services, including commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items, unless a designated senior DoD official determines that the contract involves a risk or potential risk to national security because of sensitive data, systems, or processes. This case-by-case determination leaves open questions regarding the extent to which the rule ultimately may be applied to commercial contracting activities.

Defense contractors and subcontractors with contracts exceeding $5 million should begin assessing their potential FOCI exposure, ensuring they are registered in NISS, and preparing a current SF 328 submission with supporting documentation well in advance of a final rule. Prime contractors should also evaluate whether their subcontractors above the $5 million threshold are prepared to comply with the flow-down requirements. For many contractors that have not previously operated within the NISP framework, compliance may require establishing new processes to collect ownership information, monitor changes in foreign ownership and control, maintain NISS registrations, and respond to DCSA inquiries and mitigation requirements.

Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov under DFARS Case 2021-D011, or by email to osd.dfars@mail.mil, on or before July 6, 2026.

Key takeaways

  • Ban on the import of CN 2710 products derived from Russian crude and refined in third countries – subject to diesel and jet fuel exceptions.
  • Prohibition on the maritime transportation of Russian LNG – subject to carve-outs for: (i) pre-existing long-term LNG contracts until 1 January 2027; and (ii) Sakhalin and Yamal 2 projects.
  • Expansion of specified “shadow-fleet” vessel restrictions, with wide-ranging measures prohibiting provision of all principal services to specified ships. These will not automatically apply to pre-existing specified ships.
  • The LNG and refined product restrictions follow announcements in late 2025 by the UK government of an intention to introduce such measures. These largely align with existing EU measures under Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014.
Continue Reading UK imposes new Russia sanctions – mirroring of EU position on the maritime transport of LNG and refined petroleum products derived from Russian crude