Consultation outcome

Government response: call for input on goods for cost-of-living tariff suspensions

Updated 28 October 2026

Background

As part of wider initiatives to tackle cost of living pressures following the conflict in the Middle East, the government launched a call for input. This sought views on potential tariff suspensions on a specific list of agri-food products, fertilisers and kerosene (for which the main use is as heating oil) in order to help provide breathing space to households. Over the period 27 May to 24 June 2026, stakeholders were able to provide views on the proposed suspensions.

These tariff suspensions are in addition to the first package of cost-of-living tariff suspensions on agri-food products which came into force on 21 June 2026 and included some fruits, fruit juices, pasta, cous cous and tuna.

Tariff suspensions reduce the applicable standard tariff rate (in this case for the proposed goods to zero) on imports from all countries for a specified period. Tariff suspensions do not apply to other duties that may be chargeable like VAT or trade remedy duties, such as anti-dumping duty.

Summary of responses

Respondents were invited to answer a range of questions regarding their views on the impacts of the proposed tariff suspensions. The government received 103 responses, either directly via email or via completion of the online survey during the survey period. Not all respondents answered every question as not all questions were applicable. The majority of stakeholders responding were businesses or business associations, but the government also received responses from individuals, public sector bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Most respondents believed that there would be moderate or significant financial benefits for consumers and domestic businesses from the package of proposed tariff suspensions, though several respondents expressed scepticism about how much would be passed through to consumers.

In relation to kerosene and fertiliser, the vast majority of respondents supported the suspensions. In addition to reducing prices for consumers, many respondents also highlighted the benefits of more diverse and robust supply chains. This included jet fuel, as a result of simplifying the supply chain sourcing for dual-purpose jet fuel and heating oil kerosene.

The most commonly raised concern regarding the package of agri-food products was that this could have a negative impact on those domestic producers who produce the goods being suspended as they may be subject to increased competition from imports. Another issue commonly raised by respondents was that this package would be insufficient to meet the pressures of increased cost of living and suggested the government should go further and include more products; others thought an alternative policy should be pursued.

Other themes raised by respondents included the:

• potential negative impact on health, including due to the inclusion of products high in sugar
• negative environmental impacts from increased fertiliser or kerosene usage
• potential impacts on bilateral trade negotiations due to loss of negotiating capital
• potential impact on developing countries through preference erosion

Government response

The government has carefully considered the responses and evidence provided as part of the call for input, as well as further analysis and evidence, when coming to its decisions. As a result, the government has decided to exclude several products from the initially proposed list due to concerns about the impact on domestic production, developing countries, international considerations and other government policies.

As a result of domestic production concerns, the government has decided to exclude a number of bakery products including:

• rusks
• toasted bread products
• biscuits

The government recognises that for some remaining products, there may be some limited impacts on domestic producers of goods which will be able to be imported tariff-free for the specified period. However, the government considers the benefits of this to consumers, through reduced costs, outweigh those risks. We encourage businesses to make use of these suspensions in order to expand supply chains, reduce costs and provide breathing space to consumers on the cost of the weekly shop.

Regarding concerns raised over developing country preferences the government has decided to exclude bananas from the scope of these suspensions.

The government considered arguments raised by respondents in regard to environmental impacts or the promotion of unhealthy foods. However, the government does not expect meaningful consumption changes to the products being suspended due to the temporary nature of these suspensions and the modest contribution of these tariffs to overall prices.

Several respondents raised concerns about the potential for limited pass through of tariff cost reductions to consumer prices. However, the government considers that the UK’s highly competitive grocery sector will incentivise supermarkets to pass on cost reductions to consumers.

Since the call for input was launched, the tariff on dried apples (product code:  08133000) was suspended as part of the business suspension process. As this suspension also reduces the standard tariff rate to zero until December 2028, this product will not be included in these cost-of-living suspensions.

Agri-food

Based on the above considerations, the government is suspending the tariffs on 101 agri-food products for a period of 2 years until 31 December 2028. This represents a targeted and time limited package which supports the government’s efforts to address cost-of-living pressures created by the ongoing war in the Middle East while balancing other priorities.

Tariffs on products such as aubergines (12% tariff), baked beans (16%) and chocolate (8%) will be temporarily reduced. The government expects the benefit to consumers from these suspensions to be around £120 to £185 million annually.  The full list of agri-food tariffs suspended is available at Annex A.

The suspensions are intended to help tackle temporary cost of living pressures linked to the conflict in the Middle East and will be in place until December 2028.

Kerosene

Given the evidence that suspending the tariff on kerosene would help with strengthening and improving resilience in the heating oil supply chain we are suspending this tariff for a period of 2 years until 31 December 2028. Kerosene is used as heating oil by some households (including a majority of households in Northern Ireland) and some businesses.

Fertilisers

Fertiliser prices remain high, and farmers continue to face other cost pressures. Given this, and the evidence received that this action would help moderate fertiliser prices and enhance security of supply, we are suspending the tariff on all fertiliser products listed in the initial call for input until 31 December 2027. These suspensions will be reviewed ahead of expiry.

Additional products

The government also asked if there were any additional products that respondents believe should be considered for inclusion in the package. The government received a range of recommendations. However, after consideration, we will not be introducing suspensions on any further products proposed. This reflects concerns related to negative impacts on domestic production, international considerations or other government objectives.

Next steps

All suspensions will be legislated for so as to come into effect on 26 November 2026.

In line with wider government policy, imports originating from Russia and Belarus are not eligible for these tariff suspensions.

Businesses have an opportunity to request further tariff suspensions as part of the regular business suspensions window which will open on 11 November 2026.