The measure lowers customs duties on a range of US goods, introduces preferential tariff quotas, and includes safeguards allowing the EU to restore tariffs if agreed trade commitments are not met.
The EU has adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 on 25 June 2026, introducing reduced customs duties on a wide range of goods originating from the US to support stronger bilateral trade relations.
The regulation reduces the Common Customs Tariff to 0% for a broad range of industrial products and selected agricultural goods listed in Annex I. For products covered by Annex II, including certain fresh fruits and vegetables, the ad valorem component of customs duties is suspended, while specific duties continue to apply.
It also introduces preferential tariff quotas with a 0% duty rate for specified US products, including nuts, soybean oil, Alaska pollock, pigmeat, dairy products, cheese and various food preparations.
The measure implements the EU’s commitments under political agreements reached with the US in 2025 following a period of reciprocal tariff measures. It allows the European Commission to suspend the duty preferences if the US does not fulfil its commitments, keeps tariffs above 15% on iron, steel or aluminium products after 31 December 2026, or if increased US imports cause or threaten serious injury to EU industry.
The Commission must submit reports every three months on trade volumes and complete a broader assessment of the regulation’s impact, including on small and medium-sized enterprises, by 30 June 2029.
The regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 30 June 2026 and applied from 1 July 2026 until 31 December 2029.
Earlier, The EU reached a provisional agreement 20 May 2026, to eliminate import duties on US goods, moving to avert threatened American tariffs after months of tense negotiations.
