Market access procedures

International Conventions

Main International economic cooperation

Member of the European Union, WTO, OCDE

Non tariff barriers

In accordance with its European Union membership, Luxembourg applies the European Union (EU) rules that are in force in all European Union countries. While the EU has a rather liberal foreign trade policy, there is a certain number of restrictions, especially on farm products, following the implementation of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy): the application of compensations on import and export of farm products, aimed at favouring the development of agriculture within the EU, implies a certain number of control and regulation systems for the goods entering the EU territory. Moreover, for sanitary reasons, regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (after being allowed in the European territory), their presence should be systematically specified on packaging. Beef cattle bred on hormones is also forbidden to import. The BSE crisis (often called the "mad cow disease") urged the European Authorities to strengthen the phytosanitary measures to make sure of the quality of meats entering and circulating in the EU territory. The principle of precaution is now widespread : in case of doubt, the import is prohibited until proof is made of the non-harmfullness of products. See the conditions of importing fresh meat.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

Customs duty for non-EU member countries is usually rather low (around 4.2% on average). There are however three sectors and product categories which are subjected to a special higher tariffication, such as the clothing sector, fabrics and agroalimentary products (around 17.3%).

Customs classification

Customs duty tariffs are calculated Ad Valorem based on their CIF value, in compliance with the Common Customs Tariff (CCT). In order to get exhaustive regulations and customs tariffs rates regarding their products, exporters shall refer to the TARIC code and its database, which includes all applicable customs duties and customs trade policy measures for all the goods.

Import procedures

Since the first of January 1993, the European Union, of which Luxembourg is part, has been a single market, without any customs barriers, which ensures free circulation of the goods. On May, 1st of 2004, ten "candidate countries" became new members of the European Union: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. Trade within the European Union is totally free from customs duties, provided that the country of origin of the goods is one of the 25 European Union Member States. Nevertheless, when introducing goods into Luxembourg, exporters shall fill in an intrastat declaration.
When the country of origin of the goods which are exported to Luxembourg is not part of the European Union, customs duties are calculated Ad valorem on the CIF value of the goods, in accordance with the Common Customs Tariff (CCT).

The duties for non-European countries are relatively low, especially for manufactured goods (4.2% on average for the general rate), however textile, clothing items (high duties and quota system) and food-processing industry sectors (average duties of a 17.3% and numerous tariff quotas, PAC) still know protective measures.
In order to get exhaustive regulations and customs tariffs rates regarding their products, exporters shall refer to the TARIC code and its database, which includes all applicable customs duties and customs trade policy measures for all the goods.

Moreover, many bilateral and multilateral agreements have been signed by the European Union, in order to define specific customs duties with the following countries:

- Custom agreements with Australia, Canada, United States, Mexico and South Korea.

- The EU-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Agreement was signed in 1972 with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

- Free trade agreements with Bulgaria and Romania that hope joining the European Union in 2007.

- Mediterranean Agreements, concerning: Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

- The ACP agreements, with 95% of the tariff lines with a rate of a 0% for developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean Islands and Pacific. The Cotonou Agreement, signed in the year 2000, defines the new EU-ACP partnership.

- The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP): 54% of the tariff lines are at 0% for developing countries outside the ACP framework.

To get an exhaustive list of the foreign trade agreements of the European Union, click here.

>> To get further information on customs policies in the European Union, please check the exhaustive report by the European Commission.

For further information

Customs duty and Excise Tax Administration

We can find you the entry requirements applying to your product (paying service).

Nous pouvons vous proposer de chercher pour vous les droits de douanes qui s'appliquent à votre produit (payant).

We can find you the local taxes that apply to your product for you.

Standards

National standards organizations

ILNAS

Integration in the international standards network

The body of standardisation and certification is the The Luxembourg Institute for Normalization, Accreditation, Safety and Quality of Products and Services (ILNAS) . Luxembourg is a member of the European Committee of Standardisation (CEN), the European Committee of Electronic Standardisation (CENELEC), the European Institute of Standardisation of Telecommunication (ETSI), the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnics Commission .
Certain products, whatever their origin is, should be submitted to the technical rules which give rise to a ratification meeting EC standards.

Classification of standards

Luxembourg upholds international standards (ISO, IEC), European standards (CE), and newly created national standards (ILNAS/OLN).

Online consultation of standards

A catalog of norms is available at the Luxembourger Standardisation Body.

Certification organizations

ILNAS

We can obtain for you the standard applying to your product (paying service).

We can obtain for you the labelling requirements applying to your product (paying service).

Intellectual Property

National organizations

The body in charge of the protection of intellectual property in Luxembourg is the Service of the Intellectual property of the Ministry of the Economy.
You can obtain information on patents and trademarks with the center of public research Henri Tudor.
Concerning industrial property, Luxembourg signed the Paris Convention. Information on patents from the Center for Technological Monitoring.
Concerning trademarks, a single recording allows to protect these at the same time in Luxembourg, in Belgium and in the Netherlands.