The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) is inviting producers from the agricultural, industrial and related sectors to apply for a new round of the EU’s tariff and quota suspension scheme.

The tariff suspension system allows such companies to import raw materials, components or intermediate products from outside the European Union without paying customs duties.

This program applies provided the item cannot originate in the EU or Turkey.

The tariff quota system aims to address shortages of basic materials in the EU and can be applied for in the same way as suspension.

Tariff suspension

The Department stated that companies seeking duty suspension must be able to demonstrate that each product for which duty suspension is requested:

  • is intended for further processing by them;
  • is not available in the EU;
  • generates customs duty savings of at least EUR 15,000 per year (if the applicant company is unable to meet this minimum limit on its own, it may join forces with one or more other companies to achieve this goal).

Minister of Trade Promotion, Digital Affairs and Company Regulation Dara Calleary said that this is the last of two invitations this year, the next one will take place on January 1, 2025.

“Tariff suspension and quota systems are a very effective way for Irish manufacturers to gain a competitive advantage by reducing the costs of sourcing components that are not available in the EU.

“I would encourage all Irish producers to take advantage of these schemes,” the minister said.

The deadline for submitting applications to the department under the program is 17:30 on Wednesday, July 31, 2024

The Department noted that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

The tariff suspension for these applications, if successful, will apply from July 1, 2025.