On 25 June 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/…, setting the customs duty to 0% on imports of certain live, frozen, and processed lobster products from the United States. The measure applies retroactively from 1 August 2025 and will remain in force until 31 July 2030, benefiting EU importers of US lobster.
The regulation covers frozen rock lobster and sea crawfish (CN 0306 11 90), frozen whole lobsters (CN 0306 12 10), frozen lobsters not whole (CN 0306 12 90), live lobsters (CN 0306 32 10), and prepared or preserved lobster (CN 1605 30 90). The zero-duty treatment is conditional: if the United States fails to implement the Joint Statement of 21 August 2025 or takes actions undermining EU market access, the European Commission may suspend the duty via an implementing act.
National customs authorities are required to reimburse any duties paid in excess between 1 August 2025 and the regulation's entry into force, upon request by economic operators. The Commission must present an assessment by 31 January 2030, covering trade changes since 1 August 2025, and may propose an extension of the measure.
The decision follows the Joint Statement of 21 August 2025, in which the EU and the US agreed to eliminate tariffs on lobster products as part of a broader trade package. The regulation formalises the EU's commitment, providing legal certainty for importers and exporters.
Stakeholder impact EU importers and distributors of US lobster products will benefit from zero duties, reducing costs and improving competitiveness against suppliers from other countries. US lobster exporters gain improved access to the EU market, potentially increasing sales volumes. EU customs authorities face administrative costs for processing retroactive reimbursement claims. EU lobster producers may face increased competition from US imports, though the impact is limited to specific product categories.
Institutional follow-up The regulation enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Commission will monitor US compliance with the Joint Statement and may suspend the duty if conditions are not met. The review by 31 January 2030 will inform any decision on extending the measure beyond 31 July 2030.