Exporting to the European Union

Exporting to the EU (European Union) can offer excellent trade opportunities in the global market. In fact, in terms of population and aggregate GDP, the EU is about 10% bigger than is the United States. Consisting of 28 countries, the EU can be viewed as an integrated market overall, but it needs to be noted that there are also individual requirements within each country.   

Within the EU is an executive body called the European Commission which represents all of the European Union. Among its main responsibilities are proposing legislation, enforcing European law, and representing the EU outside of Europe.  

The EU is also a Customs Union which consists of member countries who have formed a single region for customs purposes. Goods that have been imported legally can circulate throughout the EU with no further customs checks. To learn more about the customs regulations, among the sources to consult are the European Commission Export Help desk and European Commission Taxation and Customs Union. Conducting due diligence in accordance with all of the regulations is essential.  

Some products may require safety testing and certification for this market. While not all products are required to have a CE mark, others do require one. When affixing the CE mark to a product, a manufacturer affirms that the product meets the necessary requirements and can be sold throughout the EU.