EU Approves Turnberry Agreement: US Tariffs Eliminated in 2025

Key Information

On March 26, 2026, the European Parliament approved the elimination of customs duties on industrial goods and the opening of tariff quotas for certain agricultural products in favor of the United States. This measure implements the “Turnberry” agreement signed in the summer of 2025 between the European Union and the United States.

Key Points

• The European Parliament voted in plenary session to eliminate industrial customs duties on 26/03/2026.
• This measure is the result of the EU-US Turnberry agreement from summer 2025 (Official Journal of the EU publication pending).
• Customs declarants, freight forwarders, and importers need to anticipate changes to the relevant tariff lines.

Background and Issues

The context is one of improving transatlantic trade relations. The Turnberry agreement is part of ongoing EU-US trade negotiations aiming to reduce non-tariff barriers and liberalize industrial trade flows. It provides for the gradual elimination of customs duties on thousands of tariff positions under the EU’s common external tariff, as well as the opening of quotas for US-origin agricultural products. These measures require strict compliance with European customs regulations, particularly adherence to preferential origin rules and accurate classification of goods according to the UCC (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013) and the EU’s integrated tariff (TARIC).

Impact for the Profession

Customs declarants and freight forwarders will need to adjust their customs declaration procedures to reflect the new duty exemptions on affected tariff items. Importers must verify the eligibility of their products for these reductions and ensure they hold the necessary origin documentation. Exporters to the United States can expect reciprocal measures. Compliance officers should update internal controls and tariff matrices to ensure compliance. Accurate classification of goods will become even more critical, as will management of accompanying documentation and proof of compliance with applicable quotas.

Next Steps

• Publication of the official decision in the Official Journal of the EU is expected by April 2026 for entry into force.
• Customs declarants and freight forwarders must adapt their IT systems to include the new duty-free or quota-managed tariff lines.
• Communication to importers and exporters on how to access the new tariff regimes.
• Monitoring the publication of the lists of affected products on TARIC (regular consultation required).

Le Parlement européen approuve le 26 mars 2026 la suppression de droits de douane industriels UE-USA conclue en 2025.
(The European Parliament approves on 26 March 2026 the elimination of EU-US industrial customs duties agreed in 2025.)

Source: Borderlex, EU-US Turnberry Agreement