USTR reallocates WTO beef TRQ from 65,005 to 52,005 mt for "other" suppliers and creates a 13,000 mt UK-specific quota effective Jan 1, 2026.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice modifying the allocation of the WTO tariff-rate quota (TRQ) volumes for beef under Additional U.S. Note 3 to Chapter 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). This is a binding change for U.S. imports.

Under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act authority, USTR is reallocating the in-quota quantities among supplying countries. Specifically, the existing allocation for "other countries or areas" is reduced from 65,005 metric tons to 52,005 metric tons. Simultaneously, a new annual country-specific quota (CSQ) of 13,000 metric tons is created for the United Kingdom (UK). This reallocation is part of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, under which the UK also established a 13,000 mt CSQ for U.S. beef exports to the UK.

The notice does not change the overall beef TRQ volume or the in-quota duty rates; it only changes how that in-quota volume is distributed by country. The legal implementation is via modification of Additional U.S. Note 3 to Chapter 2: (1) replacing the quantity "65,005" with "52,005" for the "other countries or areas" line, and (2) inserting a new line "United Kingdom 13,000" in the table of countries and quota quantities.

The effective date is 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on January 1, 2026, and applies to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after that time. From that date forward, CBP will administer the beef TRQ using the new UK CSQ and the reduced "other countries or areas" allocation.

Compliance impacts:

• UK-origin beef: Importers of UK-origin beef that qualifies under the WTO beef TRQ will have access to a dedicated 13,000 mt UK CSQ. Entries on or after January 1, 2026, should be filed to claim this UK-specific allocation where applicable. Brokers must ensure correct country-of-origin declaration and quota claim so that entries are charged against the UK CSQ rather than the general "other" pool.

• Other-country suppliers: Importers sourcing beef from non-UK countries that currently rely on the "other countries or areas" allocation will face a reduced in-quota volume (52,005 mt instead of 65,005 mt). This may increase the risk of hitting the quota limit earlier in the quota year and being subject to over-quota duty rates once the allocation is filled. Importers should review historical usage and adjust shipment timing or pricing assumptions accordingly.

• Internal procedures: Trade compliance teams should update internal reference materials, HTSUS note cross-references, and broker instructions to reflect the revised quantities in Additional U.S. Note 3. Systems that track quota availability by country should be configured to recognize the new UK CSQ and the lower "other" allocation as of January 1, 2026.

• Broker coordination: Coordinate with customs brokers to monitor CBP quota bulletins and fill rates for both the UK CSQ and the "other countries or areas" allocation. Ensure that entry summaries filed on or after January 1, 2026, use the correct quota category and that any pre-filed entries spanning the effective date are reviewed for proper treatment.

In summary, this is an immediately actionable change for U.S. beef importers because it alters the country allocations within an existing TRQ, effective January 1, 2026, with potential consequences for quota access and duty liability if not properly managed.