Tullaliittyä

Tullaliittyä is a Finnish term that translates roughly to "customs union" or "tariff union." It describes a group of countries that have agreed to abolish customs duties among themselves and, crucially, to adopt a common external tariff policy towards non-member countries. This means that goods imported from outside the union are subject to the same tariffs regardless of which member country they first enter.

The primary objective of establishing a tullaliittyä is to facilitate trade and economic integration between its members. By removing internal tariffs, the cost of goods traded within the union decreases, making it more competitive and stimulating economic activity. The common external tariff simplifies trade procedures for businesses operating within the union, as they no longer need to navigate different tariff regimes for each member state.

Historically, tullaliittyä arrangements have been a significant step in the formation of larger economic blocs. The European Economic Community, a precursor to the European Union, is a prominent example of a highly integrated tullaliittyä. Other examples can be found in various regional trade agreements around the world, though the degree of integration and the specific policies can vary. The success of a tullaliittyä often depends on the willingness of member states to cede some sovereignty in their trade policy to a common body or agreed-upon rules.