Increased tariffs on agricultural imports from Russia and Belarus
With Regulation (EU) 2025/1227 of 17 June 2025, the European Union has made far-reaching changes to the import duties for fertilisers and agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus. Russian and Belarusian products can no longer be imported under tariff rate quotas; customs duties on these goods will be drastically increased. Duties on fertilisers will be introduced gradually.
Background
The measures are being taken in the context of the ongoing tense geopolitical situation. They are part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the EU's dependence on Russian and Belarusian imports in the agricultural sector and thus increase the Union's security of supply in the long term. At the same time, the EU agricultural sector is to be protected from sudden tariff-due price increases, particularly concerning fertilisers, which is why a special gradual increase applies to tariffs on fertilisers until 2028.
Cancellation of tariff quotas and tariff increases for agricultural products
Until now, goods subject to customs duties could be imported in limited quantities at a lower rate of duty (tariff quotas). The cancellation of these tariff quotas for certain goods originating in Russia and Belarus is a central element of Regulation 2025/1227.
It covers all goods listed in the regulation in accordance with the EU Combined Nomenclature ("CN"). The measure affects products such as rice (CN 1006), oats (CN 1004), dairy products (CN 04) and meat (CN 02) as well as pre-products for animal feed (CN 2309 ff).
In addition to the cancellation of tariff quotas, additional customs duties of 50% will be introduced on all affected goods, regardless of whether and to what extent customs duties already exist.
The elimination of the tariff quotas and the 50% increase in customs duties will apply from 20 July 2025.
Staggered tariff increases for fertilisers
The regulation also provides for a special staggered tariff increase for fertilisers. This affects mineral or chemical nitrogen fertilisers (CN 3102) and certain combined fertilisers (from CN codes 3105 ff.). The following gradual increase is planned, whereby the ad valorem duty rate remains the same, while the flat rate per tonne increases annually:
From 1 July 2025
- Nitrogen fertilisers: 6.5% ad valorem duty + €40/tonne
- Combined fertilisers: 6.5% ad valorem duty + €45/tonne
From 1 July 2026
- Nitrogen fertilisers: additional €60/tonne
- Combined fertilisers: additional €70/tonne
From 1 July 2027
- Nitrogen fertilisers: additional €80/tonne
- Combined fertilisers: additional €95/tonne
From 1 July 2028
- Nitrogen fertilisers: additional €315/tonne
- Combined fertilisers: additional €430/tonne
In addition, if a certain import volume is exceeded in one year (e.g. 2.7 million tonnes of fertilisers in the period July 2025–June 2026), the highest flat rate per tonne will come into force immediately.
The Commission reserves the right to suspend duties on fertilisers if it observes a significant price increase compared to the 2024 price level.
What companies should do now
Companies that import agricultural products or fertilisers of any kind from Russia or Belarus should urgently check whether they are affected and, if so, calculate the costs. We will be happy to advise you if you have any questions about the specific impact on your product groups and share strategic considerations regarding the import of affected products.
