Search for:

Tariffs. Customs. Trade Remedies

Author

Nicole Looks (Netherlands)

Browsing

The EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement: A Landmark Deal at a Critical Moment

By , , and 4 Mins Read

After more than 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Mercosur countries have reached and signed one of the world’s most ambitious trade agreements. The EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (Agreement) is not only economically significant, but also politically emblematic for a commitment to rules‑based trade at a time of geopolitical fragmentation. The Agreement creates a free trade area covering more than 770 million consumers across Europe and South America, representing around 25%…

EU: European Parliament and Council reach agreement on the EU customs reform

By , , and 9 Mins Read

On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the most comprehensive and ambitious reform of EU Customs Law since 1968. The agreement finalizes negotiations after three years since the European Commission published its draft proposal in 2023 (see our prior blog post here). The agreement sets the course for a fundamental transformation of the EU customs framework from a declaration-based system to a data-driven, risk-focused and highly digitized model.…

General Court confirms reliance on foreign export prices for customs valuation

By and 4 Mins Read

On 25 March 2026, the General Court delivered an important judgment in Case T‑296/25 (Lidikar), confirming that export price information provided by the customs authorities of a third country may be used by EU customs authorities when determining the customs value of imported goods under the residual method. The judgment provides practical guidance on the scope of Articles 74(3) UCC and 140 of the Implementing Regulation, particularly in post‑clearance audit cases involving alleged undervaluation. Background…

EU: EU suspends its US countermeasures until further notice

By , , and 2 Mins Read

On 5 August 2025, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1727, suspending the commercial rebalancing measures imposed under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1564. The suspension follows the political agreement reached between the EU and the US on 27 July 2025 (see our prior blog post on the EU – US Trade Deal here) and signals the EU’s intent to continue the negotiations constructively. On 24 July 2025, the EU published Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2025/1564…

EU: Update – EU postpones reintroduction of tariffs on U.S. Products to 6 August 2025, following U.S. delay to 1 August

By , , and 2 Mins Read

As mentioned in our US customs team’s blog post, on July 12, US President Trump announced 30% tariffs on the E.U. and Mexico, now due to come into effect on August 1. This post focuses on the EU’s response. On 15 April 2025, the European Commission formalized a 90-day suspension of additional tariffs on certain U.S.-originating products. These measures were part of the EU’s broader rebalancing strategy in response to the United States’ Section 232 tariffs…

UK: HMRC’s new Customs Valuation Handbook: A Guide for Importers

By , and 3 Mins Read

The UK published its Customs Valuation Handbook (“Handbook”) on 25 June 2025, offering a comprehensive update on its guidance for how the customs value should be determined for goods imported into the UK. While not legally binding, it clarifies HM Revenue & Customs’ (“HMRC”) interpretation of the law, bringing it more in line with the type of customs valuation guidance published by the European Commission.This update follows earlier consultations and forms part of HMRC’s broader effort…

EU: CJEU sheds light on customs valuation for provisional pricing structures

By , , , and 4 Mins Read

On 15 May 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) has delivered a judgment in the ‘Tauritus’ case, offering crucial guidance on how to determine the customs value of imported products when their final price is not fixed at the time of importation but is subject to a provisional pricing arrangement. The ruling provides important considerations and clarification for businesses engaged in transactions with such pricing mechanisms. The judgement can be found via…

EU and Singapore sign digital trade agreement

By , , , and 3 Mins Read

On 7 May 2025, the EU and Singapore took a step forward by signing a landmark Digital Trade Agreement (“DTA”). The DTA is a self-standing agreement – meaning it is separate to the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement. This comprehensive agreement goes beyond traditional trade deals, focusing specifically on facilitating digital trade and addressing emerging challenges in the digital economy. Upon implementation, the DTA should bolster consumer confidence, guarantee reliable data…

EU: The CJEU clarifies the concept of repayment granted “in error”

By , , , and 4 Mins Read

On 30 April 2025, the European Court of Justice (“CJEU“) issued a judgment on the concept of repayment granted “in error” as laid down in Article 116(7) of the Union Customs Code (“UCC“). This article (116 (7) of the UCC) provides that if customs authorities have granted repayment or remission in error, the original customs debt shall be re-instated (insofar not time-barred). The CJEU ruled that the concept of repayment granted in ‘error’ should be…

EU: Formalization of the announced 90-day suspension and additional package of EU tariffs on imports of US originating products

By , , , and 3 Mins Read

On 14 April 2025, the European Commission accepted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 (link), which lays down (additional) retaliatory measures to counter balance those imposed by the US on EU steel and aluminum: At the same time, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786 (link), formalizing the 90-day suspension of retaliatory tariffs on imports of US-originating products listed in Annex I, II and III of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 (link) until 14 July 2025 (see…