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

Brussels would be "open‑minded" about discussing closer trade ties with the UK, including the possibility of working together on a customs union, the European Commissioner for finance has told the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 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

Asked whether he wanted to the UK to have a customs union with the EU, he said: "That's not currently our policy, that's not currently where we are."

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

Monaco   $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and   rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market   system through customs union with France Mongolia   $659 million c.i.f.

From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency