Call for input on goods for cost of living tariff suspensions
Published 27 May 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/call-for-input-on-goods-for-cost-of-living-tariff-suspensions/call-for-input-on-goods-for-cost-of-living-tariff-suspensions
Background
We are seeking views on the tariff suspensions of agricultural goods, fertilisers, and kerosene to help mitigate the consumer impact of the conflict in the Middle East.
Agri-food
As the Chancellor announced on 24 March 2026, the government has been considering where targeted suspensions to tariffs on agricultural and food products can help bring down food prices.
On 30 April 2026, the government announced the temporary suspension of tariffs on a selection of agricultural and food products to support households with rising prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
These suspensions will be implemented in the coming weeks and will expire on 31 December 2028. This will include some fruits, fruit juices, pasta, couscous, and tuna.
As announced on 21 May 2026, the government has now developed a further indicative list of products where the temporary suspension of tariffs may help to ease cost of living pressures and to address rising food prices. The expected benefit to consumers is more than £150 million a year. The list takes account of domestic production and food security and does not include any significant UK primary agriculture production.
Final decisions to suspend any tariff will carefully consider the potential benefits for consumers. Decisions will be balanced against the implications for domestic producers, developing country impacts, food security, broader international commitments, and other relevant considerations. Products on the list will be considered for a tariff suspension that would end in December 2028.
View the indicative list of products in Annex A. The government is inviting input on the products in the list from all interested parties that could be affected by the potential tariff suspensions. The information gathered will help the government to assess the scope of any tariff measures that may be applied.
Fertilisers
As part of this work, the government is also considering taking action on fertiliser tariffs, noting the importance of fertilisers for food production. Given the impact the conflict in the Middle East has had on the fertiliser industry, the government is considering where a one-year only temporary suspension could assist in lowering the import cost for fertilisers.
View the indicative list of products in Annex A. Please note, this list excludes urea ammonium nitrate (UAN).
The government is inviting input on the products in the list from all interested parties that could be affected by the potential tariff suspensions. The information gathered will help the government to assess the scope of any tariff measures that may be applied.
Kerosene
The conflict in the Middle East has also significantly affected the price of kerosene. Given the UK’s reliance on imported kerosene as heating oil and jet fuel, the government is also considering taking action on kerosene tariffs.
View the exact commodity code considered for suspension in Annex A.
The government is also inviting input from all interested parties affected by this potential tariff suspension. The information gathered will help the government to assess the scope of any tariff measures that may be applied.
Process
The call for input will close at 11:59pm on 24 June 2026. The government cannot guarantee that responses received after this date will be considered.
Written submissions are accepted if you cannot access the online form. Please submit them to costofliving2026@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you would like to support your input with a meeting, request a meeting via costofliving2026@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Please note, meetings will need to be conducted before the closing date of the call for input, and any request for meetings should be submitted in sufficient time.
Views given which oppose the inclusion of a product on this list do not automatically mean they will be removed but all responses will be carefully considered.
The government also welcomes suggestions for alternative or additional products to be included in the list. This includes specific consumer goods (for example, fuels) and goods used by UK food and drink manufacturers where targeted tariff suspensions could support the government’s efforts to tackle the cost of living.
Please note the business suspension process is a separate government process with defined criteria. If you have made an application under the business suspension application window which was open from 26 November 2025 to 4 February 2026, that application is already being considered and views given as part of this call for input will not be considered as part of that process.
How to respond
You can respond to the call for input by completing the online survey by 11:59pm on 24 June 2026.
If you have any technical problems with using the online survey, please contact costofliving2026@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
Next steps
Once the call for input has closed, the government will review and analyse the responses received.