Customs in Europe can be a nightmare if you aren't prepared. All kinds of U.S. companies do around-the-clock business in Europe, and there are a vast array of websites devoted to French customs regulations as well as those of hundreds of other European areas and provinces. European export and import regulations are area-specific, but they're easy to master with the right resources.

Consider the following to decipher the expanse of European customs regulations info:

1. Regulating customs in Europe

2. Area-specific Europe customs regulations

3. Travel forms and tariff resources to help you comply with EU customs regulations

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Comply with European import regulations, create big business in the U.S.

Imports from Europe account for a solid percent of international trade. U.S. companies can buy products made in Europe cheaply and offer them to U.S. consumers for usually less than similar products made here in the states. More often businesses who do trade with Europe specialize in products boasting the label 'Made in Europe.' Travel websites provide helpful information on European customs regulations.

I recommend: For the bottom line in EU customs regulations, or to track shipments of goods using the Movement Reference Number, visit the website of the European Commission's Taxation and Customs Commission. Find more links using Work.com's "Guide to Doing Business in the European Union (EU)."

Familiarize yourself with area-specific European customs regulations

European import duties differ from country to country. Different European countries emerge as trade leaders each year.

I recommend: VisaHQ.com's travel information proves valuable with custom regulations of Belgium, France, Italy and Spain.

Prepare yourself fully for customs regulations in Europe

No matter what the restriction for Europe customs, the U.S. documents strictly what comes into the borders. Whether your trip to Europe is for business or pleasure, make the transition from border to border run smoothly with the right customs forms. Before you buy or do business, know what you'll pay in tariffs. You might think you're getting a good deal by buying cheaply in Europe to sell in the U.S., but if the Europe import duty is high, transporting the goods may not be worth it.

I recommend: U.S. Customs and Border Protection's traveler entry forms are available for download via their website. Find country-specific tariff and tax information for Europe and abroad with the United States of America's Department of Commerce.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition abiding by European import regulations, you'll need a visa to travel to and from Europe. Travelocs.com is a great resource for general travel information. You can also select a destination from their menu for all the forms you need for a visa application.

If you're interested in importing or exporting goods to or from Europe, customs regulations are going to be an unavoidable hurdle. Along with those regulations comes another hurdle--the unique jargon and key terms associated with international trade.

You also may find yourself dealing with terms specific to e-commerce, which is increasingly common throughout the world. Whether you're trying to navigate through e-commerce or direct customs regulations in Europe, key terms and words can be demystified by the following:

1. Consult tables of acronyms and standards you may encounter while dealing with or researching customs regulations in Europe.
2. Define general trade terms that may be used by European customs regulations officials.
3. Hook up with industry specific terms that may help you navigate the European customs regulations.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find definitions for acronyms you may need to deal with customs in Europe

When dealing with international trade acronyms, you may find that the letters have been switched around because of differences in how the organization names are constructed in various languages. So if you're trying to find a particular acronym but haven't had any luck locating it, try searching for the same letters in a different combination.

I recommend: Gatti & Associates lists a wide variety of acronyms that relate to international trade, including the ISO or IOS. The ISO Standards Glossary provides an index to help you sort through which standards relate to which items, and is worth a visit since you're so likely to encounter ISO standards in many trade goods.

Seek out key terms for European import regulations and export regulations

If you're feeling a little lost in the overflow of customs-specific terms, start with basics like defining customs itself--the government entity that monitors the flow of good, commodities and substances in and out of the country and levies monetary fines and fees in accordance with its regulations. You may also encounter the words 'European import duties' or 'tariffs', which both mean the same thing: fees or a fee schedule associated with goods being imported or exported from the EU.

I recommend: The Europa glossary contains terms relating to the EU's institutions and activities including imports and exports, while SCiNet provides a listing of international trade terms, goods and services in four languages--English, Spanish, French and German--that are useful for trading with the European Union.

Identify industry-specific terms you'll need to understand EU customs regulations

Did you know that 'green box policies' don't so much apply to celery as to policies such as food security stocks and disaster payments that aren't subject to reduction commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture, which was established as part of the Uruguay Round agreement?

I recommend: AgricultureLaw.com provides a dictionary of agriculture terms that may be useful in the international trade industry. Eyefortransport shares a useful glossary of terms relating to e-commerce.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be aware that Spanish, British and French customs regulations--plus those of any number of other countries in the EU--may have additional rules beyond those imposed by the EU as a general entity. So always investigate customs regulations both for the EU and for the specific country of destination.

European customs regulations determine what businesses can import and export from European countries. Europe customs regulations quickly get confusing, especially when you consider that each country has its own rules. Aside from regulations, public companies are also required to share import and export information if the goods they handle total up to a certain value within the course of a year.

Customs regulations in Europe education and training is provided by government agencies that are a part of the import/export trade. Governments provide online resources that offer:

1. Detailed information on regulations for each country.

2. Rules regarding taxation on imported goods and services.

3. Laws for international trade and European import duties.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find online sources for European import regulations information

To learn what your business can import and export to European countries, you should have a working understanding of their regulations and also familiarize yourself with common terms. The U.S. government, along with other sources, provides complete and updated information on European customs regulations.

I recommend: SCiNet provides a comprehensive glossary of terms that relate to European import and export regulations, available in multiple languages. The U.S. Commercial Service provides detailed regulations for importing and exporting from countries all over the world, including European countries. Read the European Commission handbook for the authoritative word on European Union customs rules.

Sign up for conferences and seminars to learn more about customs in Europe

To learn more about importing and exporting from Europe, you can attend seminars and conferences that talk about various topics in European customs.

I recommend: EiC provides a seminar on facilitating global trade businesses for those who need more information on conducting international business. ERA provides a yearly conference on European trade law that can give domestic and overseas companies the information they need when importing and exporting in Europe.

Learn international trade laws and import regulations in Europe

One of the most important things a business should know are common international trade laws of countries where they do business. While there are general rules for the European Union countries, each individual country also has its own customs regulations which often contradict each other. A degree in trade law is often needed to navigate the red tape.

I recommend: The University of Arizona offers a degree in international trade law that encompasses many topics, including antitrust, immigration and environmental issues. Georgetown University offers a trade law degree program that also includes many seminars and classes specific to U.S. and European laws.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  EU customs regulations are not the only regulations that need to be followed if you're importing and exporting from the United States. Domestic customs regulations will also apply.

If you want to trade in Europe, or you are bringing back goods from vacation, you need to learn about European customs regulations. Regulations, tariffs and taxes can increase the price of goods, affecting your profit and income. Each country within the European Union has its own regulations, making it harder to determine which ones apply to your goods or business. In addition, items brought into the United States are subject to United States Customs regulations. Get to know some of the basic terms of European customs regulations to make the right choices for your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Individual countries

There are more than 25 countries within the European Union and each has its own customs regulations, in addition to general European Union (EU) regulations. Many are similar, with limits on items like alcohol and tobacco products.

I recommend: See the European Travel Commission for general customs guidelines and a map that allows you to access customs regulations by country.

Traveler entry forms

All travelers to the United States, even citizens returning to the country, must fill out a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry form upon arrival. These forms record information about what is being brought into the United States.

I recommend: Get information about CBP Traveler Entry Forms from the Department of Homeland Security website.

Tariffs

Tariffs are charges placed on imported products. In the United States, tariffs are imposed on products imported from the European Union. Countries within the EU place tariffs on goods imported from the United States.

I recommend: Visit the United States Census Bureau for more information on tariffs.

Agricultural import duty

Import duties are tariffs payable on imports from the United States. The same duty rates are applicable to each country in the European Union, but some countries may have lower rates due to trade agreements. Products that are classified as agricultural may require additional duties on certain components, such as sugar and flour.

I recommend: See the Foreign Agricultural Service for an explanation of agricultural import duties and classes.

World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) establishes and monitors rules of trade between nations. Their activities include trade in telecommunications, intellectual property, agriculture, textiles and industrial products.

I recommend: Check out the World Trade Organization for more information about its role in international trade.

Value Added Tax

The Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax assessed on the value added to goods and services. It applies to goods and services sold within the EU. It does not apply to items offered for export, but imports to the EU are charged a VAT. Paid VAT is refunded when items are purchased in the EU to be exported or brought home.

I recommend: Visit the European Commission website for more information about the Value Added Tax. See EuropeforVisitors to get information about VAT refunds.