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

A trade deal with the four South American countries that founded the Mercosur customs union is expected to start taking effect in the EU this spring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The plan worked better than expected, and what began in 1951 as a six-country European customs union covering coal and steel evolved over decades into the EU.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

Speaking in Parliament, the Liberal Democrats' Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton told MPs his customs union bill would "cut red tape, unlock investment and restore certainty to British business".

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

However, he highlighted that Turkey, which is in a customs union with the bloc, was "seemingly benefiting and seeing growth in their economy".

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

The Prussian increase arose, in 1866, from the absorption of Hanover, Hesse Cassel, Holstein-Lauenburg, Nassau, and Frankfort; the Bavarian, from a customs union treaty of July 8, 1867.

From The Governments of Europe by Ogg, Frederic Austin