customs union

American  

noun

1. an association of independent nations or tariff areas created to remove customs barriers between them and to adopt a uniform tariff policy toward nonmember nations.

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customs union British  

noun

1. an association of nations which promotes free trade within the union and establishes common tariffs on trade with nonmember nations

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

customs union

Already part of the EU's single market and Schengen border-free zone, EU membership would bring Iceland into the customs union and eventually the euro.

From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026

Although Iceland is already part of the EU's single market and Schengen border-free zone as part of the European Economic Area, EU membership would bring it into the customs union and eventually the euro.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Big steps would be to create a customs union with the EU, getting rid of barriers to trade in goods, or joining the EU single market.

From BBC ● May 11, 2026

The EU earlier this month signed a free-trade agreement with the four South American countries that founded the Mercosur customs union, and last year it announced a trade and investment deal with Indonesia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026

In 1862, in the name of the customs union, Prussia had concluded with France a commercial treaty, based mainly on free trade principles.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 8 "Germany" to "Gibson, William" by Various