The EU Council has approved the extension of the duty-free trade regime for Ukraine for another year. This regime, which began in June 2022, has provided trade preferences for Ukrainian exporters. The new autonomous trade measures will take effect on June 6, 2024, after the current regime expires on June 5, 2024, and will be in place until June 5, 2025.
One of the key benefits for Ukrainian manufacturers is the continuation of the abolition of duties on all industrial goods, which facilitates the export of Ukrainian products to the EU.
In addition, the EU's autonomous trade preferences include the suspension of anti-dumping and safeguard measures for metallurgical products.
Regarding agricultural products, an emergency brake mechanism is in place, which activates if import volumes reach the average annual level recorded from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023. The restriction is intended to protect European farmers, but it will not affect industrial goods, including windows.
The EU accounts for 65% of Ukrainian exports and 51% of imports. EU imports from Ukraine amounted to €22.8 billion in 2023 compared to the pre-war €24 billion in 2021.
Ukrainian manufacturers are increasing the export of windows to the EU following the full-scale invasion.
Ukraine and the EU have agreed that this extension of autonomous trade preferences will be the last. By the summer of 2025, the parties intend to update the Association Agreement to establish predictable trade conditions until Ukraine's accession to the EU. Further negotiations will also address production standards, which will help eliminate biases against Ukrainian products.
Illustrative photo: UE
Ukrainian flag in front of the Berlaymont building on the occasion of the Day of Unity of Ukraine
Suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports to the EU extended until June 2025
ID no: 23185
Oct 28, 2024
Nov 14, 2024
