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Compare Country Trade Regulations

Pick up to 4 economies and see customs authorities, licensing regimes, prohibited & restricted lists, sanctions overlays and dispute forums side by side. Decision-support only - always confirm with local counsel.

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Dimension
European Union
EU →
IntroThe EU is a single customs territory of 27 Member States operating under the Union Customs Code (Reg. (EU) 2026/2108, replacing Reg. 952/2013; phased application). Recent additions - CBAM Annex I (steel, cement, aluminium, fertiliser, hydrogen, electricity from 2026), EUDR (Reg 2023/1115) for cocoa/coffee/palm/rubber/soy/timber/cattle, and the Forced Labour Products Regulation (2024) - materially expand compliance obligations for importers.
Primary authorities
  • European Commission - DG TAXUDUCC, customs, VAT policy.
  • European Commission - DG TRADETrade defence (AD/CVD/safeguards), FTAs, sanctions.
  • Member State customs authoritiesPhysical entry & AEO/EORI administration.
  • ECHAREACH/CLP chemicals regulation.
Licensing regimes
  • Dual-use export authorisationReg 2021/821 Annex I items; global/general/individual/EU008 open licences. · Member State authority
  • REACH registrationSubstances >1 t/y manufactured or imported. · ECHA
  • CITES permitEndangered species imports. · Member State CITES MA
  • EUDR Due Diligence StatementCocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, wood, cattle products. · Operator (self-filed via TRACES-linked system)
Prohibited goods
  • · Russian-origin steel semis, iron/steel long products, iron ore, cement, chemicals (Reg 833/2014 as amended).
  • · Belarus-origin potash, oil products, iron/steel.
  • · Seal products (Reg 1007/2009).
  • · Cat & dog fur (Reg 1523/2007).
  • · Products of forced labour (Reg 2024/3015 from Dec 2027).
Restricted goods
  • · EU B2C distance sales: €3 customs duty per item (consignments ≤ €150, 1 Jul 2026 to 1 Jul 2028, Reg. (EU) 2026/382) + €2 Union handling fee per item (any value, from 1 Nov 2026) + import VAT.
  • · CBAM Annex I goods - importer must be authorised CBAM declarant from 2026 and buy CBAM certificates matching embedded emissions.
  • · EUDR commodities - plot-level geolocation, cut-off 31 Dec 2020, DDS filing.
  • · REACH Annex XVII restrictions (formaldehyde in textiles, azo dyes, phthalates).
  • · Anti-dumping duties on Chinese origin: e-bikes, aluminium extrusions, ceramic tiles, biodiesel, glass fibre.
Labelling requirements
  • · CE marking for products in scope of harmonised legislation.
  • · Fibre content per Reg 1007/2011 (textile names & composition).
  • · FIC 1169/2011 for food - allergens, nutrition, origin for meat.
  • · Made-in / country-of-origin declarations where required (Reg 952/2013 Art 60).
Sanctions overlay
  • · Consolidated EU Sanctions List (CFSP restrictive measures).
  • · Country regimes: Russia, Belarus, Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela, Myanmar.
  • · 8th to 15th Russia packages (2022-2024) - progressively expand goods & finance restrictions.
  • · Circumvention: Reg 2023/1214 criminalises intentional circumvention.
Dispute resolutionCustoms classification disputes: national appeal + EU-wide BTI (Binding Tariff Information) system. Trade defence (AD/CVD) - Reg 2016/1036 / 2016/1037; appeals to General Court. Investor-state via ICSID for FTA partners with ISDS. Bilateral FTA joint committees for tariff/rules-of-origin questions.
Official sources

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare import regulations between two countries?

Pick two to four countries above. The table lines up the customs authority, import licensing, VAT/GST rate, prohibited and restricted goods, sanctions overlays and dispute forums, with links to each official source.

Is this comparison legal advice?

No. It is decision support built from published government sources. Regulatory positions change often, so confirm every action with the named authority or licensed local counsel before you ship.

Where do I calculate the duty once I know the rules?

Use the Import Duty & VAT Calculator for a quick CIF-based estimate, or the Landed Cost Calculator for the full cost stack including freight, insurance and destination charges.

Next step: Import Duty & VAT Calculator or Landed Cost Calculator. Last reviewed 14 October 2026.

Comparison is decision-support only. Regulatory positions change frequently - confirm every action with the named authorities or licensed local counsel.