Customs union: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

A customs union is a free trade zone with a common external tariff. That is, the same customs duties, quotas, preferences and so forth apply to all goods entering the area, regardless of which country within the area they are entering.

Examples of customs unions include the European Union, the EU-Turkey Customs Union, the Southern African Customs Union and the former Zollverein.

see also international trade, Trade bloc