This Week in the Single Market — Brussels (#11, 2026)
EU Customs Code reform agreed; new handling fee for e-commerce imports; Parliament welcomes EU-Australia FTA; new anti-dumping duties on Chinese polyamide yarn; Commission actions on Single Market compliance.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
EU Customs Code reform agreed; new handling fee for e-commerce imports; Parliament welcomes EU-Australia FTA; new anti-dumping duties on Chinese polyamide yarn; Commission actions on Single Market compliance.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• 📝 EP Motions & Questions
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research): On March 31, the EU Council's Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers (Research) configuration is scheduled to hold an informal meeting ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI): On April 02, the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * ; 13.45 - Checking of the quorum and opening of the remote voting procedure (held in parallel with Committee proceedings)Voting will be open from 13.45 to 14.45. Remote voting procedure ; 16.45 - announcement of voting results16.50 - Checking of the quorum and opening of the remote voting procedure (held in parallel with Committee proceedings)Voting will be open from 16.50 to 18.00. Remote voting procedure *.
European Commission
Commission welcomes historic agreement on EU Customs Union reform
The European Commission welcomed the 26 March 2026 agreement between the European Parliament and Council on a comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union, marking the most significant change to customs rules since 1968. The reform introduces new measures for e-commerce, including the removal of the duty exemption for parcels valued under €150 and the establishment of a central EU Customs Authority (EUCA) in Lille, France. The EUCA will manage the EU Customs Data Hub, aimed at streamlining data submission and risk management across Member States. The agreement also imposes a temporary €3 customs duty on small parcels entering the EU from 1 July 2026, and a handling fee to be set by delegated act. The new framework increases accountability for online platforms, strengthens risk management, and is expected to save Member States over €2 billion annually in operational costs.
Commission and consumer authorities find widespread issues with online Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts
On 25 March 2026, the European Commission, alongside consumer protection authorities from 23 Member States, Iceland, and Norway, reported that 30% of 314 screened online traders incorrectly displayed discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. The investigation, carried out under the Price Indications Directive and Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, found issues including misleading discount references, unauthorized addition of items to baskets, unclear price comparisons, and pressure-selling tactics. National authorities may take further enforcement action against non-compliant traders.
Commission opens infringement proceedings for delayed transposition of Single Market directives
On 26 March 2026, the European Commission initiated infringement procedures against several Member States for failing to fully transpose key Single Market directives. These include the European Single Access Point (ESAP) Omnibus Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/2864), the Sixth Capital Requirements Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1619), and the e-Evidence Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/1544). Letters of formal notice were sent, and Member States have two months to comply or risk escalation to reasoned opinions.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/734 imposes anti-dumping duties on polyamide yarns from China
Published on 27 March 2026 (OJ L 2026/734), this Regulation imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on synthetic continuous filament yarns of aliphatic polyamides (nylon yarns) originating in the People’s Republic of China. The investigation, initiated in July 2025 (CELEX: 32026R0734), found dumping margins up to 90.1% and material injury to the Union industry. Duties range from 57.7% to 90.1% depending on the exporter.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/665 updates industrial production statistics classification
Adopted on 4 March 2026 and published on 27 March 2026, this Regulation amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2552, updating technical specifications for industrial production statistics and the industrial products classification breakdown (Prodcom list). The changes apply to data transmissions from 1 January 2025.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/709 extends anti-dumping duties to unthreaded malleable cast iron fittings from China
On 25 March 2026, the Commission extended the definitive anti-dumping duty imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1890 on threaded tube or pipe cast fittings of malleable cast iron from China to include unthreaded versions (TARIC codes 7307 19 10 35 and 7307 19 10 45). The extension follows evidence of circumvention via completion operations in the EU.
European Parliament
Parliament backs customs duties adjustment for US trade deal with safeguards
On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament debated and adopted the report (A10-0069/2026, rapporteur Bernd Lange) on the adjustment of customs duties and opening of tariff quotas for goods originating in the United States (2025/0261(COD)). The adopted text includes strict suspension, sunrise, and sunset clauses, ensuring that tariff preferences depend on US compliance and may be suspended in case of additional US tariffs or non-compliance.
Parliament approves enhanced deposit protection directive
On 25 March 2026, Parliament adopted at second reading the directive amending Directive 2014/49/EU on deposit guarantee schemes (DGSD2), following Council’s first reading position (rapporteur Kira Marie Peter-Hansen). The amendments clarify the scope of deposit protection, use of scheme funds, cross-border cooperation, and transparency.
EU Council
Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) sets EU position for WTO MC14 in Yaoundé
On 26 March 2026, the Foreign Affairs Council (Trade), chaired by Cyprus minister Michael Damianos, met in the margins of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Council adopted conclusions on the EU’s priorities and expectations for WTO reform and trade negotiations.
EP Motions & Questions
Resolution tabled on certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals
On 23 March 2026, Michael Bloss (Verts/ALE), Tiemo Wölken (S&D), and Martin Günther (The Left) tabled a resolution (B10-0181/2026) objecting to the Commission delegated regulation of 3 February 2026 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 by establishing certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals activities. The motion raises concerns over lifecycle emissions accounting, liability provisions, and monitoring of biochar carbon removal activities.
EP Committee Work
IMCO debates e-commerce enforcement and Single Market legislation
On 23–24 March 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) held sessions in Brussels. The agenda included a report from Brando Benifei on the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act, a debate on systemic sale of unsafe and counterfeit goods by AliExpress, and consideration of the draft report on the Single Market and Customs Programme for 2028–2034 (rapporteur Adnan Dibrani). Amendments and the European Court of Auditors’ opinion on the Programme were discussed, with the deadline for amendments set for 26 March 2026.
What We're Reading This Week
- EP Press ConferenceTrilogue deal on Customs Code reform: EU negotiators reach provisional agreement on overhauling customs rules to streamline trade and bolster enforcement across member states.
- EU agrees to fine online platforms importing unsafe products: Online platforms face new EU fines for failing to prevent the sale and import of unsafe consumer products.
- Interinstitutional meeting on the seat of the EU Customs Authority: EU officials convene to negotiate the future location of the newly established EU Customs Authority.
- Lille to host EU customs authority charged with fixing e-commerce parcel problems: EU selects Lille as headquarters for new customs body aiming to streamline and resolve e-commerce parcel processing challenges.
- Factsheet EU Customs Reform: The EU is implementing major customs reforms aimed at streamlining processes, enhancing security, and facilitating trade across member states.
