Import tariff rules for poultrymeat, eggs, and beef
- Tariffs & quotas
Summary
The European Commission has consolidated its rules on additional import duties and representative prices (average prices of internationally traded goods) by including the poultrymeat and egg sectors in existing rules for rice, cereals, sugar, and hops imports into the European Union (EU). In addition, the representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs will now be published online via the EU Customs Tariff (TARIC) database, instead of being published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The water/protein ratio for frozen beef imported under tariff rate quotas under order numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164 is clarified as 3.2:1.
EU simplifies legal sources on representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs, and corrects water/protein ratio for frozen beef
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/524 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the first come, first served principle, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1484/95
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/525 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin
Update
The European Commission has consolidated its rules on additional import duties and representative prices (average prices of internationally traded goods) by including the poultrymeat and egg sectors in existing rules for rice, cereals, sugar, and hops imports into the European Union (EU). In addition, the representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs will now be published online via the EU Customs Tariff (TARIC) database, instead of being published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The water/protein ratio for frozen beef imported under tariff rate quotas under order numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164 is clarified as 3.2:1.
Impacted Products
Beef, poultrymeat, eggs
What is changing?
For consistency and simplification, the requirements on additional import duties and representative prices (average prices of internationally traded goods) for poultrymeat and eggs from Regulation 1484/95 are added to the rules for rice, cereals, sugar, and hops imports into the EU (Regulation 2023/2834, see Import rules for rice, cereals, sugar, and hops). This is done by adding a new Chapter 4a to Regulation 2023/2834. Regulation 1484/95 is repealed.
The updated representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs will now be published online via the EU Customs Tariff (TARIC) database, instead of in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Regarding Regulation 2020/1988 (Art. 18.2), the water/protein ratio for the frozen beef tariff rate quota, category B (beef imported under tariff rate quotas with numbers 09.0163 and 09.0164), is clarified as 3.2:1 (not 3:2) (see Background).
Why?
The aim is to contribute to the simplification and rationalisation of EU legislation.
On the water/protein ratio for frozen beef, editorial mistakes were introduced over the years since the first regulation in 1995, and needed to be corrected.
Timeline
The new rules apply from 1 April 2026.
Background
The EU regularly reviews its rules to reduce the amount of legislation in force, eliminate overlaps, and ensure a more consistent application of the rules across sectors.
The water/protein ratio requirement was first introduced in Regulation 1977/95 (Art. 7(b)) with the value “3 comma 2” (European decimal notation). In subsequent Regulations from 2004, the English translation used “3 point 2” (English decimal notation). Regulation 545/2007 introduced the error “3 colon 2”, while other language versions retained “3 comma 2”. From Regulation 412/2008 onwards, the erroneous notation 3:2 appeared in all language versions, including the current Regulation 2020/1988.
Resources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2834 laying down rules for the application of Regulation 1308/2013 as regards imports in the sectors of rice, cereals, sugar and hops
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1988 laying down rules for the application of Regulations 1308/2013 and 510/2014 as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the first come, first served principle
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1977/95 opening and providing for the administration of an import tariff quota for frozen beef intended for processing [repealed]
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/524 [...] as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and [...] as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the first come, first served principle
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/525 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU simplifies legal sources on representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs, and corrects water/protein ratio for frozen beef
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/524 [...] as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin and [...] as regards the administration of import tariff quotas in accordance with the first come, first served principle
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/525 as regards fixing representative prices in the poultrymeat and egg sectors and for egg albumin
What is changing and why?
For consistency and simplification, the European Union (EU) proposes to incorporate the rules for the poultrymeat and egg sectors from Regulation 1484/95 into Regulation 2023/2834, which also covers rice, cereals, sugar, and hops. It also proposes to publish the updated representative prices for poultrymeat and eggs online via the EU Customs Tariff (TARIC) database, instead of in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The water/protein ratio for category B frozen beef is corrected from 3:2 to 3.2:1.
Timeline
The new rules apply from 1 April 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.