EU–Mercosur trade agreement

In short

The EU–Mercosur agreement connects the EU with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Its trade part lowers tariffs in both directions over time, sets tariff quotas for some sensitive products and defines rules of origin. According to the European Commission, it applies from 1 May 2026.

The application is provisional: the European Parliament has not given its final consent, and on 21 January 2026 it referred the agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU for an opinion. Details can still change, so check the Commission page before you rely on a date or a figure.

It is not a certification. It matters for exporters and importers because the tariff you pay, and the proof of origin you need to get the preferential rate, depend on the product and its classification. The European Commission’s Access2Markets tool shows tariffs, rules of origin and requirements for each product and country.

What it covers

• Gradual tariff cuts on goods traded between the EU and Mercosur, with tariff quotas for some products
• Rules of origin that decide which goods get the preferential rate
• Cooperation on sanitary and plant-health rules and on technical barriers

What it does not cover

• It does not replace EU food-safety, contaminant or deforestation rules: products still have to meet them
• It does not remove the buyer’s own supplier requirements, such as GFSI schemes

Who asks for it

Importers and exporters checking the duty and the proof of origin for a product, and companies planning new volumes between Brazil and the EU.

How to check compliance

Look up the product code on Access2Markets and read the current tariff, quota and origin rules, then confirm with your customs broker or the importer.

How a company prepares

1. Find the classification (HS code) of your product
2. Check tariff, quota and origin rules on Access2Markets
3. Confirm with the importer which proof of origin they need
4. Keep the documents that prove origin for every shipment

Questions