EU: Administrative overhauls meet targeted trade defence
EU customs administration operated on dual tracks this week, processing 23,802 TARIC change records dominated by sweeping technical condition overhauls and forward-dated agricultural quota pipelines. At the operational border, authorities executed
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Belgium: EU introduces EUR 2 customs processing fee for e-commerce imports
Belgium’s tax authority (FPS Finance) announced on 23 October 2026 that from 1 November 2026, a European Union processing fee of EUR 2 per item will apply to eligible goods sold remotely from third countries. Customs authorities will collect
See MoreEU: Agricultural pipeline expansion and metals trade defence drive tariff adjustments
A quiet start gave way to an intensive regulatory week in Brussels, defined by more than 1,000 future-dated filings that pre-populate agricultural preferential regimes well into 2027 alongside targeted enforcement in industrial trade defence.
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EU, China agree to advance tariff talks and stabilise trade relations
The European Commission issued a joint statement following the second EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations, which aim to stabilise bilateral trade and promote a more balanced economic relationship. The statement was published on 9 October
See MoreEU, Vietnam to sign free trade agreement
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Vietnam will sign a comprehensive free trade agreement today, 15 October 2026, in Hanoi, Vietnam. The deal brings close to negotiations that began in 2012 and finally concluded in July this year.
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EU considering new windfall tax on energy companies as profits surge
The European Commission is investigating a continent-wide windfall profit tax on oil and gas firms. The move comes as governments across the bloc face pressure to help households struggling with soaring energy bills. Energy prices have climbed
See MoreEU activates major Armenian farm quotas after week of massive administrative loading
This week was defined by a decisive shift from the prior week’s trade defence enforcement to large-scale administrative preparation. After a quiet start, regulators loaded nearly 10,000 future-dated tariff changes over two days, primarily
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EU removes Panama and Vietnam from tax cooperation blacklist
The European Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) decided on 9 October 2026 to remove Panama and Vietnam from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Panama had occupied the list since February 2020. The
See MoreEuropean Commission proposes extending VAT anti-fraud measures until June 2030
The European Commission published a proposal on 1 October 2026 to amend Directive 2006/112/EC by extending two VAT anti-fraud measures: the optional reverse charge mechanism (RCM) for fraud-prone goods and services and the quick reaction mechanism
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EU considers broader corporate tax to capture revenue from tech companies
The European Commission is developing a revised approach to capture tax revenue from major technology companies without openly targeting American firms. Rather than creating a standalone digital services tax, Brussels wants to expand its Corporate
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European Parliament calls for Pillar Two reforms, simpler EU corporate tax rules
The European Parliament adopted its resolution on "The EU’s approach to corporate tax policy in a changing international environment" on 6 October 2026. The resolution, built upon the report prepared by the Committee on Economic and Monetary
See MoreEU unleashes major agri-food trade defence action, hitting Chinese pea protein with heavy duties
The week was defined by a dramatic escalation of trade defence measures targeting the EU's agri-food sector. After a quiet start, regulators unleashed a massive enforcement wave, imposing definitive anti-dumping duties as high as 67.4% on
See MoreEU Commission opens tax infringement proceedings against Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Italy, Ireland, Czech Republic
The European Commission has published its October 2026 Infringements Package, which includes several tax-related infringement proceedings concerning EU Member States. Commission calls on Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary to enact
See MoreEU sets EUR 2 handling fee for low-value e-commerce imports
The European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation on 21 September 2026 that introduces a fixed handling fee of EUR 2 per item. This charge applies to goods sold through distance sales by non-EU retailers and subsequently released for free
See MoreEU unleashes massive trade defence wave targeting steel, chemicals, agri-food
The European Union executed a significant tightening of trade controls this week, defined by a massive wave of over 3,300 new trade defence measures. Activity began with major new anti-dumping duties on Chinese industrial inputs, including chemicals
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EU urges UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars
The European Union had urged the UK to increase tariffs on Chinese cars and align more closely with EU trade policy to prevent British exports from facing barriers under the bloc’s “made in Europe” measures, according to people familiar with
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EU, Philippines finalise free trade agreement
The European Commission and Philippines government reached an initial free trade agreement on 22 September 2026, ending more than a decade of stalled talks, according to an X post by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The
See MoreMassive trade defence update on Asian stainless steel dominates EU tariff activity
After a quiet start, the week saw a major escalation in the European Union's trade defence posture, centered on the iron and steel sector. A massive update reaffirmed and adjusted anti-dumping duties on stainless steel products from China, India,
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