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 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

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

Miller also claimed removing red tape between the UK and EU could be worth £25bn, and a customs union could increase the revenue further.

From BBC • May 18, 2025

On the foundation, however, of the German customs union, or Zollverein, between certain German states, the necessity for accurate statistics became apparent and care was taken to compile trustworthy tables.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 7 "Geoponici" to "Germany" by Various