The Commission welcomed last December 12’s decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail. Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent […]
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Commission announces reinforcement of controls on products imported into the EU
Last December 9, the European Commission announced a reinforcement of controls on food, animal and plant products entering the EU. At the conclusion of an Implementation Dialogue on import controls with stakeholders, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, set out various measures to strengthen controls at EU borders and in third countries. These measures will ensure […]
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EU trade agreements accelerate EU export growth and support diversification
According to the fifth Annual Report on Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy published last November 3, the EU’s large network of trade agreements helps companies find alternative markets for their exports, while reducing dependencies in a challenging geopolitical environment. The report, covering 2024 and the first half of 2025, concludes that EU trade […]
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European Parliament proposes measures to tackle the increase in non-compliant products imported from outside the EU
On Wednesday, Parliament proposed measures to manage the influx and risks associated with cheap, poor-quality products bought on platforms outside the EU. The report, adopted with 619 votes in favour, 26 against and 46 abstentions, identifies ways to ease the pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities, which struggle to monitor and ensure that […]
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New import surveillance tool to help EU prevent harmful trade diversion
The European Commission has set up a new surveillance tool to help protect the EU against sudden and potentially disruptive surges in imports. This system aims to prevent harmful trade diversion, which occurs when a significant amount of goods that cannot enter other markets due to high tariffs and other restrictions are redirected into the […]
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Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods
MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods on Thursday, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to […]
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New screening rules for foreign investment in the EU
On Tuesday, the International Trade Committee adopted revised rules for screening foreign investments in the EU. Under the new rules, more sectors, such as media services, critical raw materials and transport infrastructure, will be subject to mandatory screening by Member States, in order to identify and address foreign investment-related security or public order risks. The […]
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Statement by President von der Leyen on the announcement of universal tariffs by the US
“President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs on the whole world, including the EU, is a major blow to the world economy. I deeply regret this choice. Let’s be clear-eyed about the immense consequences. The global economy will massively suffer. Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for […]
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420 trucks and buses were inspected and 208 violations were detected
In the joint action, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Italy, Lithuania and Romania hosted inspections. In total, 320 inspectors from transport, police, labour and many other national authorities joined forces with visiting inspectors from 12 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia. During the enforcement action, hundreds of vehicles […]
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