What happened
The European Commission has adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2047, retaining retrospective reporting for imports of specified renewable ethanol destined for fuel. The measure applies from 16 September 2026 through 15 September 2029.
Member States must send import information to the Commission shortly after goods are imported. Businesses importing the covered products, and their customs representatives, should verify the relevant TARIC code and prepare for continuing data capture.
The scope covers agricultural-feedstock ethanol for fuel, including certain gasoline blends containing more than 10% ethanol and ethanol in ethyl tert-butyl ether. Synthetic ethanol, plus renewable ethanol for industrial or beverage applications, is excluded. Product origin is determined under the Union Customs Code.
Why it matters
The Commission said the arrangement is intended to provide trade information ahead of official import statistics, allowing closer tracking of movements in the market.
Imports from all origins increased from 621,954 tonnes in 2023 to 967,354 tonnes in 2025, a 55% rise. Over the same period, the average import price moved from EUR 1,014 per tonne to EUR 816 per tonne, down 19%.
The United States represented 44% of imports in 2025. Its shipments rose from 114,000 tonnes in 2023 to 423,000 tonnes in 2025. The Commission also recorded the EU industry's market share falling from 86% to 81% across those years.
What to do next
Check product classification against the regulation’s Annex, including its CN and TARIC references. Importers should coordinate with customs agents and national authorities on the information required after importation while the regime remains in effect.
