A tariff quota allows a limited quantity of specific goods to be imported into the EU at a reduced (partial suspension) or zero (total suspension) rate of the normal duties applicable to imported goods during a specific period of time. Antidumping duties are not affected by these suspensions.
Tariff quotas are based on:
- Preferential arrangements
- Agricultural quotas
- Management quotas
Preferential arrangements
Under several agreements between the EU and non-EU countries or territories, certain goods can be imported at reduced or without tariffs, but only up to a set limit. These tariff concessions are called ‘preferential tariff quotas’. To benefit from these concessions, evidence of a product’s origin needs to be presented.
Agricultural quotas
Some tariff quotas are managed by the Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development through a system of import licences. Various Council and Commission regulations contain the specific provisions for the management of these tariff quotas.
Management quotas
Most tariff quotas are managed by the European Commission on a 'first-come first-served' basis regardless of where the goods are imported into the EU. Thus, the allocation of that quota is done based on the order in which declarations are submitted. Once the quota is reached, no further imports or exports under that quota are allowed.
The legal provisions governing the management of these tariff quotas are contained in Articles 49 to 54, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447. In any given period, information about the current balances (remaining amount of the quota that is still available for use or allocation) of those tariff quotas which are managed on a first-come first-served basis is available on the Tariff quota consultation database.
Related links
Article 31, Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)