This page lists various examples of prohibitions and restrictions that apply at the EU’s external borders. It is non-exhaustive by nature.
Product compliance, including product safety
The regulation on market surveillance and compliance of products lays down rules and procedures to:
- protect consumers, the environment, public security and other public interests in the EU
- ensure a high level of protection of health and safety, in general and in the workplace
Chapter VII of the regulation establishes the framework for border controls on products imported into the EU from third countries. It applies to all products, whether manufactured or not. It requires the involvement of customs, which is the only service with a complete overview of trade flows across the EU external border, and can be achieved through systematic cooperation with Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs).
The most effective way to avoid non-compliant or dangerous products being placed in the EU market is to carry out adequate controls before products are released for free circulation in the EU.
Product safety requirements in the EU are laid down in a number of laws for specific products (e.g., toys safety regulation) as well as covered by a horizontal framework on ‘general product safety’ for non-harmonised products.
(Phyto)sanitary measures
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are measures to protect humans, animals and plants from diseases, pests or contaminants.
EU legislation lays down a detailed set of rules to reduce or eliminate the possible risks of animal, plant and public health threats as well as animal and plant diseases being introduced into the EU by goods coming from non-EU countries. The legislation also foresees rules for cooperation between relevant competent authorities and customs services as well as provisions on targeting controls of goods based on the risks they represent.
Organic products and medicines
All organic products imported from countries outside the EU, excluding the European Economic Area and Switzerland, must be accompanied by a certificate of inspection. Customs authorities ensure that this certificate is verified and endorsed by the competent authorities before releasing the goods for free circulation in the EU.
All medicinal products for human (with some exceptions) use have to be authorised either by an EU country or at EU level before they can be placed on the EU market.
Environmental requirements
Endangered species - EU wildlife trade regulations implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the Union and provide a list of endangered species for which international trade is restricted. The control is based on a system of permits or notifications for imports, exports and re-exports.
Deforestation-free products - Deforestation and forest degradation are the result of the expansion of agricultural land, which is linked to the production of certain commodities. To reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation, forest degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss, the deforestation regulation establishes binding rules for operators and traders involved in placing on the EU market or exporting from the EU wood, rubber, cattle, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and soy.
Deforestation national competent authorities are responsible for the enforcement of these rules and customs authorities will support them in stopping high-risk non-compliant consignments at EU’s external borders.
Regulation on Deforestation-free Products
Fishery products - The IUU regulation lays down EU rules to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Only marine fishery products validated as legal by a catch certificate can be imported to or exported from the EU.
Waste - The regulation on shipments of waste (WSR) lays down requirements for shipments of waste both within the EU and between the EU and third countries, targeting import, export and transit.
Under the WSR, customs authorities are explicitly tasked with controlling transboundary shipments of waste entering, leaving or transiting through the EU. Specific cooperation has also been initiated with customs authorities of China regarding the transboundary shipments of waste between the EU and China.
Chemicals - Different pieces of legislation apply to chemical products, with the objective of protecting human health and the environment. Chemical legislation covers substances that can be found in mixtures or articles, thus having an impact on a wide range of products at the EU border.
Fluorinated Greenhouse gases (F-GAS) & Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) - The F-Gas Regulation establishes a quota system for fluorinated greenhouse gases as well as products and equipment that contain or operate using these gases. The ODS Regulation regulates and monitors not only ozone-depleting substances covered by the Montreal Protocol (over 90 chemicals) but also five additional chemicals referred to as “new substances”. Both Regulations set licensing requirements for the import and export of these goods.