Beyond Cars: Which Other US Goods Qualify for Lower EU Duty in 2026?

Most headlines about Regulation (EU) 2026/1455, which took effect on July 1, 2026, focus exclusively on cars. Its scope is much broader. The regulation removes or significantly reduces EU customs duty on many industrial products of US origin and also grants preferential access to certain US seafood and agricultural goods.

Which product categories are affected?

Based on public summaries from legal and logistics specialists, the following categories are among those covered by the tariff relief:

• Chemical products
• Pharmaceutical products
• Plastics and plastic raw materials
• Metals and metal products
• Machinery and industrial equipment
• Vehicles and vehicle parts
• Certain seafood and agricultural goods, at preferential but not necessarily zero duty

Not every item within these broad categories is automatically duty free. The exact rate depends on the product's HS classification, and the regulation annexes list the eligible tariff lines individually.

What does this mean in practice?

If you are importing higher-value US goods as a business or private buyer, such as industrial equipment, parts, electronics, or chemical products, it is worth checking whether the product's tariff classification appears on the eligible list. The relief does not automatically apply to ordinary consumer parcels or household goods shipments, which are governed by different rules.

What we recommend

Before ordering or shipping higher-value goods from the United States, send us the product type and, if known, its HS code. We coordinate the US-side logistics and the destination-side customs review with the appropriate broker. Eligibility varies by tariff line, and the relevant customs authority makes the final decision on the duty rate.