The European Union's autonomous tariff suspensions and quotas scheme aims to boost the competitiveness of EU industries, reduce production costs and support industrial development. It temporarily removes or reduces customs duties on certain imported goods (e.g. raw materials, semi-finished products or components) that are not sufficiently available within the EU.
In autumn 2024, DG TAXUD launched an external evaluation to analyse the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the scheme and to explore possible improvements. The study, which has attracted significant interest among economic operators, is expected to be completed by autumn 2025, providing a basis for future decisions on the suspension scheme.
Under this scheme, companies can apply for a tariff suspension or tariff quota for a given product if the estimated savings on customs duties amount to EUR 15,000 or more. Other companies also have the opportunity to oppose this request. If the Commission and the Council approve the request, all companies importing these goods can benefit from the measure:
- when a suspension is approved, reduced or zero customs duties are applied;
- when a quota is approved, reduced or zero duties are applied for a specified volume.
Interest for SMEs
The Commission wishes to ensure that the views of SMEs are adequately represented in the evaluation and is therefore launching a specific consultation through the Enterprise Europe Network. Beci, the Enterprise Europe Network contact point for the Brussels Region, invites interested Brussels-based companies to respond to this survey, which is open until 29 September 2025.
Respond to the survey:
More information about the background to the scheme: Autonomous tariff suspensions - European Commission
As the Enterprise Europe Network contact point for Brussels-based companies, Beci and its experts at Enterprise Europe Brussels help companies develop their activities within the European single market and reap its full benefits. Contact Beci - Enterprise Europe Brussels for information or advice here.
