Key data
| Regulation | Council Decision (EU) 2026/1340, of 4 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Publication | 12 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified |
| Affected parties | Importing and exporting companies, customs operators and customs administrations of the EU |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Bodies involved | EU Council, World Customs Organization (WCO), WTO |
| Reference agreements | Agreement on Customs Valuation of the GATT of 1994 (art. VII) and WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin |
Your company's customs costs depend on two critical variables: the declared value of the goods and the country of origin assigned to the product. The Council Decision (EU) 2026/1340, published on 12 June 2026, authorizes the EU to adopt a coordinated position in the WCO Technical Committees on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin, the international bodies that interpret and set the criteria that determine both variables.
In practice, this decision does not directly modify a specific tariff or impose a new immediate obligation on companies. What it does is ensure that the EU speaks with a single voice in the forums where advisory opinions, explanatory notes, case studies and comments are developed, which are then applied by European customs authorities when clearing goods.
What does this regulation establish?
The decision covers two differentiated technical areas, each managed by a specific committee within the WCO:
| Technical Committee | Reference agreement | What it determines | Instruments it develops |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Committee on Customs Valuation | Agreement on Customs Valuation of the GATT of 1994 (art. VII) | How the value is calculated on which tariff duties are applied to imports | Advisory opinions, comments, explanatory notes, case studies, studies and similar instruments |
| Technical Committee on Rules of Origin | WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin | What country of origin is assigned to a product and under what criteria | Advisory opinions, information, advice and similar instruments |
Customs valuation determines the taxable base on which the tariff rate is applied. If valuation criteria change or are interpreted differently between countries, the same goods can be taxed differently depending on which customs authority they enter through. Harmonization of criteria at the international level seeks precisely to eliminate that disparity.
Rules of origin determine the "nationality" of a product. This is decisive in determining whether goods benefit from a preferential tariff (for example, under a free trade agreement) or are subject to the general rate. An error in determining the origin can mean paying higher tariffs than necessary, or facing a customs adjustment.
Economic and operational impact
The impact of this decision is not a direct and immediate cost, but a factor of reducing legal uncertainty with real economic consequences in the medium term:
- Lower risk of customs disputes: when valuation and origin criteria are harmonized internationally, companies have greater legal certainty when declaring their goods and less risk of subsequent inspections or adjustments.
- More predictable tariff costs: consistency in the application of the GATT 1994 Agreement on Customs Valuation reduces the possibility that the same operation will be valued differently by different customs administrations.
- Impact on preferential tariffs: correct determination of origin is the key to accessing reduced tariff rates under EU free trade agreements. A clearer and more uniform interpretation of rules of origin benefits companies operating with countries that have trade agreements with the EU.
- Reduction of disputes between administrations: the EU's coordinated position at the WCO prevents different Member States from applying contradictory criteria, which created uncertainty for operators importing through different European ports or borders.
Who does it affect?
- Importing companies: any company that brings goods from outside the EU, regardless of sector, since customs valuation directly affects the cost of their imports.
- Exporting companies: especially those exporting to markets with free trade agreements with the EU, where correct certification of European origin is key to accessing reduced tariffs.
- Customs operators and customs agents: professionals who manage the clearance of goods and must apply valuation and origin criteria in each operation.
- Customs administrations of the Member States: which must apply the interpretive instruments adopted by the WCO committees.
- Companies with complex international supply chains: especially those with manufacturing processes distributed across several countries, where determining origin can be particularly sensitive.
Practical example
A Spanish company importing electronic components assembled in a third country needs to determine whether those components originate in that country or in the country where the original parts were manufactured. Depending on how the WTO Agreement rules of origin are applied, the product can be classified as originating in a country with which the EU has a free trade agreement (and therefore benefit from a reduced or zero tariff) or as originating in a country without preferential agreement (and pay the general tariff, which can be 3% to 14% depending on the product category).
If the WCO Technical Committees, with the EU's coordinated position, issue an explanatory note or case study that clarifies how substantial transformation is applied in that type of product, the company gains legal certainty: it knows exactly what documentation it needs to prove origin and what tariff applies to it, avoiding subsequent adjustments that can include interest and surcharges.
What should companies do now?
- Review internal customs valuation procedures: ensure that the valuation method you use to declare your imports is consistent with the GATT 1994 Agreement on Customs Valuation. Any deviation may be subject to inspection.
- Audit the origin documentation of your products: verify that you have the necessary documentation to prove the origin of the goods you import or export, especially if you operate with countries that have free trade agreements with the EU.
- Monitor WCO interpretive instruments: the advisory opinions, explanatory notes and case studies adopted by the Technical Committees are the reference that European customs will use. Have your customs operator or advisor monitor these publications.
- Consult with your customs agent or specialized advisor: if you have complex supply chains or products with difficult-to-determine origin, now is the time to review your situation before new interpretations can create contingencies.
- Identify tariff opportunities: greater clarity in rules of origin can open the door to benefiting from preferential tariffs that you may not have been applying correctly due to interpretive uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
What is customs valuation and how does it affect the cost of my imports?
Customs valuation is the process by which the value of imported goods is determined on which the tariff rate is applied. It is governed by the GATT 1994 Agreement on Customs Valuation (article VII). If the declared value is incorrect or the appropriate method is not applied, customs can adjust the settlement, which means paying more duties than initially calculated, plus interest and possible penalties.
What are rules of origin and why do they matter for my tariffs?
Rules of origin determine the "nationality" of a product, that is, in which country it is considered to have been manufactured or sufficiently transformed. This is decisive in determining whether goods can benefit from a preferential tariff under an EU free trade agreement, or whether they must be subject to the general rate. Incorrect classification of origin can mean paying higher tariffs or facing a customs adjustment.
What is the WCO and what instruments do its Technical Committees develop?
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is the international body that coordinates customs policies and procedures globally. Its Technical Committees on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin develop advisory opinions, comments, explanatory notes, case studies, studies and similar instruments that serve as interpretive reference for the customs administrations of member countries, including those of the EU.
When does this decision enter into force and what immediate changes should I expect?
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1340 was published on 12 June 2026 and does not have a specified entry into force date in the available data. It does not impose immediate changes to tariffs or customs procedures for companies. Its effect is medium-term: the interpretive instruments adopted by the WCO Technical Committees with the EU's coordinated position will gradually update the criteria applied by European customs authorities.
Does this decision affect only importers or also exporters?
It affects both. Importers are mainly affected by customs valuation rules, which determine the basis on which their tariff duties are calculated. Exporters are affected by rules of origin, as they need to prove the European origin of their products so that their customers in third countries can benefit from preferential tariffs under EU free trade agreements.
Official source
Consult full regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601340