Regional Integration and the EEC

A group of countries that remove tariffs on goods traded among themselves, but maintain their own tariffs on imports from outside the area.

Similar to a Free Trade Area, but adds a common external tariff on goods imported from outside the union.

Combines a Customs Union with free movement of people and capital. This means member countries have a single market and coordinate economic policies.

The North American Free Trade Agreement, a free trade area between Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced NAFTA in 2020.

The South African Customs Union, a customs union formed by Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland.

A regional organization formed by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 to promote economic integration among its member states. It was the precursor to the European Union (EU).

A political and economic union of European countries, formed in 1993. It evolved from the European Economic Community.

The EU Customs Union is a trade agreement where member states have eliminated tariffs on goods traded among themselves and agreed on a common external tariff for goods imported from outside the EU.

The EU Customs Union was formally established on July 1, 1968, when remaining customs duties on trade between EU member countries were abolished.

A common external tariff is a uniform tax applied to goods imported from non-EU countries. It ensures all EU member states apply the same duty on goods from outside the EU.

The EU Customs Union facilitates trade between member states by eliminating internal tariffs and simplifying customs procedures.

The EU Customs Union is managed by national customs services of EU member states, working together as if they were one.

The EU Customs Union is a key milestone in European integration, demonstrating the commitment of member states towards a unified economic area.

The EU Customs Union strengthens the EU's global trade position by enabling it to negotiate trade agreements with other countries as a unified bloc.

The Benelux customs union, formed in 1944 between Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, served as an inspiration for the broader EU Customs Union.

A type of economic integration where member countries eliminate tariffs and quotas, allowing for free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor.

The first six countries to join the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and West Germany.

The EU Customs Union, established in 1968, aims to create a single market, enhance international trade, and facilitate free movement of goods between member states.

Article 28 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) mandates the establishment of a customs union covering all trade in goods within the EU.

The Union Customs Code (UCC), enacted in 2013, oversees the EU Customs Union's operations and ensures adherence to its rules.

An agreement signed in 1985 that allows for free movement of people between participating countries, eliminating border controls within the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Agreement doesn't apply to all EU member states. Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the agreement, due to specific political and logistical reasons.

The EU is a significant player in international trade, though not the largest importer or exporter compared to giants like China and the US.

Each EU Member State maintains its own customs territory, meaning they have independent control over their borders and tariffs, despite the EU's common external tariff.

The EU operates as a free trade area, meaning goods move freely within its borders without tariffs or customs checks. However, it is NOT a customs union yet.

The EU's Customs Union has been influenced by international trade agreements like GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) and WTO (World Trade Organization), but NOT by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The common external tariff applied by the EU stems from its status as a CUSTOMS UNION, not a Free Trade Area or any basic trade agreement.

Regional integration progresses through various stages, starting with a Free Trade Area, then Customs Union, Common Market, Economic Union, and finally, Political Union.

The EU's Customs Union is managed by national customs services of Member States, working together as if they were one.

The Customs Union facilitates internal trade, protects consumers, and ensures a uniform tariff system for goods entering the EU from outside.

A Customs Union simplifies and harmonizes trading procedures across member states, making it easier for businesses to operate within the union.

A Customs Union goes beyond eliminating internal tariffs by establishing a common external tariff for imports from outside the union. This means all member countries adopt the same trade policies for goods coming from non-member countries.

National customs services of each member state manage the Custom Union on the ground, working together as if they were a single entity.

The EU has exclusive competence over the Customs Union, but collaborates closely with member states in its implementation.

The Customs Union tries to safeguard citizens by removing potentially dangerous products from daily use, such as counterfeit goods and harmful cosmetics.

Through its shared customs services, the Customs Union identifies and confiscates counterfeit goods entering the Union. In 2023, they seized counterfeit goods valued at €3.4 billion.

The EU's Customs Union adheres to the rules and agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU's legislation reflects the WTO's fundamental principles for customs unions.

The value of seized counterfeit goods in the EU increased by approximately 68% in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The EU Customs Union simplifies customs procedures across member states, eliminating border processing for goods within the EU. This reduces delays and costs for businesses, making it easier to manage imports and exports.

The EU Customs Union harmonizes customs procedures, meaning businesses only need to comply with one set of rules instead of various national ones. This simplifies communication and compliance for companies operating across multiple EU countries.

The EU Customs Union centralizes administrative processes like duty payments and checks, enabling faster processing of goods. This speeds up the movement of goods within the EU after clearing customs in one member state.

The EU Customs Union ensures consistency in how goods are handled across all member states, simplifying operations for businesses and allowing them to predict and plan their activities.

The EU's budget is partially funded by customs duties collected on imports from outside the EU. Although most imports enter at a 0% duty rate, the revenue from these duties still contributes significantly to the EU's financial resources.

In the past, sugar levies were a substantial source of revenue for the EU budget. However, these levies were abolished in 2017.

The EU's budget is primarily funded by contributions from member states based on their Gross National Income (GNI).

The EU's budget is derived from a combination of sources, including customs duties (mainly on imports from outside the EU), and contributions from member states based on their Gross National Income (GNI).