EU is a customs union which means that there are no tariffs between countries and there are common duties to non-EU countries. This means that the same duty should be paid for a product imported from a country outside the EU, no matter which country chooses to import the goods.

The customs union is important for the EU internal market and implies certain freedoms: free movement of goods, services, persons and capital. Entrepreneurs can sometimes encounter problems related to these rights and therefore it is important to know about these rules before moving into new markets.

Exports and imports are only applicable to trade with countries outside the EU. In the case of countries outside the EU, there are various programs to stimulate trade between these countries and the EU. It is good to see the possibilities before companies decide what market they are going to establish on due to the benefits of the EU.

EU internal market will help to contribute to increased competitiveness. Through the common European market, the market that consists of 490 million consumers across Europe expands. The internal market means that EU companies can trade their goods and services freely between EU Member States.

The areas not covered by the customs union are:

• Faroe Islands and Greenland

• The island of Heligoland and the territory of Buesingen (which belongs to Germany).

• The North African enclaves Ceuta and Melilla (belongs to Spain).

• The French islands Mayotte and Saint-Pierre-et Miquelon

• The municipalities of Livigno, Campione d'Italia and the Italian part of Lake Lugano (which belongs to Italy).

• The Caribbean islands Aruba and Netherlands Antilles (belonging to the Netherlands).

                                                                               Cecilia Helland