On the 1st of July 2024, the Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 will come into force, amending the Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No. 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and the Common Customs Tariff (published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10.06.2024, hereinafter referred to as Regulation (EU) 2024/1652). This regulation establishes increased customs duty rates for the import of cereals, oilseeds, products derived from them, as well as beet pulp and pellets, and processed peas originating from or exported directly or indirectly from Russia and Belarus. The customs duty rate will increase up to EUR 95 per tonne or a 50% ad valorem customs duty rate (i.e., a percentage-based customs duty on the customs value of the goods), depending on the product.

The changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 will apply to products classified in the following Combined Nomenclature sections:

* Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers;

*Cereals;

* Oilseeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder;

* Vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included;

* Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes;

* Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal feed.

Currently, these products are subject to zero or relatively low customs duty rates.

The Annex to Regulation (EU) 2024/1652 amends Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and the Common Customs Tariff dated July 23, 1987, which is revised annually. In 2024, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2364 of September 26, 2023, amending Annex I to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and the Common Customs Tariff, is in force.

Furthermore, to prevent Russia and Belarus from benefiting from the Union's tariff quotas with Most-Favored-Nation treatment, Union tariff quotas, allowing the import of goods at reduced or zero customs duty rates, will not apply to products listed in the Annex to Regulation 2024/1652 originating from Russia or Belarus, or exported directly or indirectly from these countries.

Please note that certain products listed in the Annex to Regulation (EU) 2024/1652, for which the customs duty rate is increased, are prohibited from being imported into Latvia in accordance with Cabinet Regulation No. 158 of March 5, 2024, "Regulations on the importation (import) of agricultural and animal feed products prohibited in Latvia."