Non-application of customs duties on imports of certain goods

The European Parliament adopted by 437 votes to 144, with 60 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the non-application of customs duties on imports of certain goods.

The issue was sent back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations.

This proposal for a regulation is presented in parallel with the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adjustment of customs duties on imports of certain goods originating in the United States of America and on the opening of tariff-rate quotas for imports of certain goods originating in the United States of America. It aims to extend the duty-free treatment for lobster and henceforth to include processed (i.e. cooked) lobster.

The main amendments adopted in plenary are as follows:

Suspension clause

The Commission could adopt delegated acts to suspend, in whole or in part, the non-application of customs duties in the following circumstances:

- where the United States imposes additional tariffs on goods imported from the Union that exceed the 15 % tariff ceiling or modifies the product classification with the effect of raising the tariff level;

- where a change of objective circumstances has occurred, in particular regarding serious breaches of human rights, fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law, as well as threats to the essential security interests of the Union or its Member States, including their territorial integrity and their economic dimension, and to their foreign and defence policies.

The delegated acts will apply as long as the above circumstances persist and, in any event, until 31 December 2028 at the latest.

Evaluation and reporting

No later than six months from the date of entry into force of the regulation, the Commission should publish a provisional evaluation report on the impact of the regulation.

By 30 June 2028, the Commission should publish a comprehensive evaluation report on the impact of this regulation. That report should also assess the development of the trade and investment relationship for the products falling within the scope of this regulation between the Union and the United States since 1 August 2025.

Where appropriate, the report referred should be accompanied by a legislative proposal for extension of the application of this regulation.

The Commission should keep the European Parliament and the Council informed, regularly and in a timely manner, of relevant developments in the application of this regulation.

The regulation will be applicable from 1 August 2025 to 31 December 2028.