EU sets 0% customs duty on US lobster imports, retroactive to 1 August 2025
EU customs must apply 0% duty to listed US-origin lobster codes, retroactive to 1 August 2025, and reimburse excess duties on request.
Change
On 25 June 2026, the European Union (EU) adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1461, setting a 0% Common Customs Tariff on imports of the Combined Nomenclature codes listed in the Annex (US-origin live, frozen and processed lobster, including CN 1605 30 90), retroactive from 1 August 2025 and in force until 31 July 2030.
Why it matters
While the Regulation applies, Member State customs cannot lawfully collect tariffs on the listed CN lobster codes for US-origin goods. Competent national customs authorities must reimburse, on request by the economic operators concerned, any customs duties paid in excess for imports between 1 August 2025 and 30 June 2026. The Commission may suspend the non-application by implementing act if the United States ceases to implement the Joint Statement effectively, and must present an effects assessment by 31 January 2030.
Implications
- — Member State customs authorities must configure tariff schedules to apply a 0% Common Customs Tariff to the listed CN lobster codes for US-origin imports from 1 August 2025 through 31 July 2030 — collecting duty on these codes would conflict with directly applicable Union law.
- — Importers of the listed CN lobster products that paid customs duty in excess between 1 August 2025 and 30 June 2026 must submit a reimbursement request to the competent national customs authority to recover the overpayment — the reimbursement is request-based, not automatic.
Who is affected
- — Member State customs authorities responsible for tariff application and customs classification
- — Importers of the listed Combined Nomenclature lobster codes
What to watch
- — 30 June 2026 — final day of the period for which excess customs duty on the listed CN lobster codes is reimbursable on request; overpayments on imports after this date fall outside the reimbursement mechanism.
- — 31 January 2030 — Commission must present an effects assessment, potentially with a proposal to extend the non-application period.