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Jaap Huenges Wajer (Netherlands)

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EU: Formalization of the announced 90-day suspension and additional package of EU tariffs on imports of US originating products

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On 14 April 2025, the European Commission accepted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 (link), which lays down (additional) retaliatory measures to counter balance those imposed by the US on EU steel and aluminum: At the same time, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/786 (link), formalizing the 90-day suspension of retaliatory tariffs on imports of US-originating products listed in Annex I, II and III of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/778 (link) until 14 July 2025 (see…

EU: EU and US Agree to 90-Day Tariff Pause: A Step Towards Stabilizing Global Trade

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Following the 90-day pause by President Trump on the individualized reciprocal tariffs (see our blog post here), the European Union (EU) followed suit and introduced a 90-day postponement of its retaliatory tariffs aimed at the US. This decision was made to allow both parties to engage in further negotiations and potentially reach a more amicable trade agreement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed President Trump’s decision, stating that the pause would help stabilize…

US: Tariff Hike Targets China, 90-Day Reprieve for Others

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Yesterday, President Trump announced a 90-day postponement of the individualized reciprocal tariffs for most countries (see our blog post on these tariffs here), with the notable exception of China. This decision comes amidst ongoing global trade tensions and aims to provide temporary relief to international trade partners. However, the baseline tariff of 10% for most countries worldwide, which took effect on April 5, 2025, remains in place without a specified end date. China had previously indicated…

EU: Highlights of EU Trade Commissioner’s announcement on future of EU-US trade

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Introduction Yesterday Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič at the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) held a press conference following the recent developments following Trump’s “Liberation Day” Tariffs Announcement (see our blog post on that topic here). Commissioner Šefčovič addressed the current trade landscape between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), highlighting both the challenges and opportunities for strategic collaboration. The Impact of Tariffs on EU Exports Approximately €380 billion worth of EU exports to the US,…

The Netherlands and EU: Reform of the Dutch Customs Penalty Regime

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Considering the major (positive) impact the reform of the Dutch Customs Penalty Regime will have on the activities of operators active in the Netherlands, we wanted, as the date of implementation is nearing, draw your attention on the latter. As of 1 July 2024, the new Dutch customs legislation regarding customs penalties will apply. Under the reformed legislation, operators that unintentionally submit an incorrect or incomplete customs declaration or provide incorrect or incomplete information to…

EU and China: European Commission imposes provisional countervailing duties on electric vehicle imports from China

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On 12 June 2024, the European Commission proposed provisional countervailing duties for imports into the European Union (“EU”) of new battery electric vehicles designed for the transport of persons (“EVs”) originating from the People’s Republic of China. The pre-disclosure of the European Commission’s proposal is published here. This pre-disclosure follows from the anti-subsidy investigation concerning EVs from the People’s Republic of China. Find our previous blogpost on that investigation here. The products in the scope…

EU: The European Commission published the updated Combined Nomenclature for 2024 on Tuesday 31 October 2023

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The most significant updates to the Combined Nomenclature (“CN”) relate to – amongst others: The declaration of goods upon import, export, or when subject to intra-Community trade statistics between EU Member States is based on the CN. This sets the customs duty rate that is applicable as well as determines how the products are handled for statistical purposes. Therefore, the CN is an essential working instrument for industry and the customs departments of the EU…

EU Court of Justice concludes that the European Commission has exceeded its powers when adopting delegated legislation concerning non-preferential rules of origin

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On 21 September 2023, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) gave its judgment in a case concerning the non-preferential rules of origin (“ROO”) as laid down in the European Commission’s Union Customs Code Delegated Act (“UCC DA”), which supplements the Union Customs Code (“UCC”). The ECJ concluded in this case that the ‘Change of Tariff Heading’ (“CTH”) ROO laid down in the UCC DA can be deemed invalid in the light of the Treaty of…

The Combined Nomenclature has been updated by the European Commission and is applicable as of 1 January 2023

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On Monday 31 October 2022 the European Commission published the updated Combined Nomenclature (CN) for 2023. The publication of the 2023 CN can be found here: EUR-Lex – 32022R1998 – EN – EUR-Lex (europa.eu). The most significant updates to the CN relate to – amongst others: Addition of new subheadings to better monitor particular items and account for changes in requirements related to statistics, commercial policy, and technological and commercial developments (e.g. ‘critical raw materials’…

Window opened to single EU customs system

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Update to the UCC The European Union made the decision to establish a single window for customs (or its official designation: “EU Single Window Environment for Customs”) in order to facilitate international trade, speed up the customs clearance process, and lower the likelihood of fraud. On 24 October 2022, the Council of the European Union enacted a new regulation that establishes the necessary framework for digital cooperation between customs and associated competent authorities (link to…