EU: Duty Suspension on Dried Cranberries

Currently, the import of dried cranberries benefits from a duty suspension that allows them to be imported into the European Union at 0% instead of 17.6%. Since no EU Member State is a cranberry-producing country, dried cranberries are mainly imported from USA, Canada and Chile. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada may put an end to the dried cranberry duty suspension. The non-renewal of the current duty suspensions would result in an increase of the duty rate from 0% to 17.6%, having a negative impact from the trade perspective.Due to the importance of maintaining the duty free status, INC sent a Position Letter to the European Commission asking to maintain the current status of the duty suspensions. In response, the EC clarified that the suspension will continue until December 31, 2017 (when it is expected that it will be reviewed) and that “Steps have not been taken to reinstate duties on dried cranberries“.The INC Scientific and Government Affairs Committee will continue to follow developments closely and will continue to work with the producing countries.