European Union Customs Union

European Union Customs Union
  Non-EU states which participate in the customs union, or are in bilateral customs unions with the EU
TypeCustoms union
Membership
5 states/territories with bilateral agreements
Establishment1968
Area
 Total
4,950,000 km2 (1,910,000 sq mi)
Population
 2021 estimate
518,000,000
GDP (PPP)2021 estimate
 Total
$16.1 trillion
GDP (nominal)2021 estimate
 Total
$16.6 trillion

The European Union Customs Union (EUCU), formally known as the Community Customs Union, is a customs union which consists of all the member states of the European Union (EU), Monaco, and the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Some detached territories of EU states do not participate in the customs union, usually as a result of their geographic separation. In addition to the EUCU, the EU is in customs unions with Andorra, San Marino and Turkey (with the exceptions of certain goods), through separate bilateral agreements.

There are no tariffs or non-tariff barriers to trade between the members of the customs union and—unlike a free trade area—members of the customs union impose a common external tariff on all goods entering the union.

The European Commission negotiates for and on behalf of the Union as a whole in international trade deals, rather than each member state negotiating individually. It also represents the Union in the World Trade Organization and any trade disputes mediated through it.