On Monday 26 October 2026, the UK government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, John Healey, announced that import tariffs will be removed on more than 100 products, including food, drink and fuel, as part of the government’s efforts to ease the cost of living. The tariff suspensions will take effect from 26 November 2026 and last until 31 December 2028, except for the suspension of the tariff on fertiliser, which will last until 31 December 2027.
Products that this new measure will cover include baked beans, chocolate and gherkins, as well as all fertiliser products and kerosene.
This follows an announcement last week that the UK government would extend existing import tariff suspensions on over 250 goods which were due to expire on 31 December, for another two years until December 2028.
The government predicts that the tariff suspensions will reduce consumer costs by around £245 million – £595 million a year.
The latest announcement is part of a broader programme of UK tariff relief, covering both consumer staples and inputs used by businesses. The practical benefit for importers will depend on the tariff classification of the relevant goods and the precise scope and duration of each suspension.
The measures are intended to reduce costs for both consumers and businesses importing the products concerned. Importers should, however, check the relevant commodity codes and the detailed scope and timing of each suspension once the official tariff changes are published.
