The European Commission’s Access2Markets portal enables firms to look up information on tariffs, taxes, rules of origin, product requirements, customs procedures, trade barriers, and trade flows statistics for imported and exported goods.
The portal aims to help small businesses in Europe export their products to over 120 export markets around the world.
While small businesses represent 88% of all EU exporters and support an estimated 13 million jobs, their exports account for a third of EU exports. The European Commission has launched an online portal to help companies in the region overcome obstacles to accessing global markets and export their products to over 120 countries. The portal features information on the trade in goods and services, as well as investment concepts, markets, and a toolbox of additional resources.

The Access2Markets portal enables firms to look up information on tariffs, taxes, rules of origin, product requirements, customs procedures, trade barriers, and trade flows statistics for imported and exported goods. Developed in response to requests from stakeholders for information on trade agreements and duty discount eligibility, the portal helps break down the EU’s trade agreements with more than 70 countries – and the rules of each – into practical information that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can more easily access and understand.

A European Commission press release highlights that, while small businesses represent 88% of all EU exporters and support an estimated 13 million jobs, their exports account for a third of EU exports. Accordingly, the release emphasizes, “global markets are an important source of growth for European small and medium-sized companies” and that meeting small businesses’ needs in the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is essential.
For exporters who encounter trouble, the portal features a set of tutorials and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that guide users through the process. Where trade barriers or other obstacles are observed, a dedicated contact page allows users to submit a query to the Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission.

The portal also delivers the trading conditions to import goods to the EU. For importers, the portal features product codes (harmonized system, or HS, codes) and information that determines what import duties and national or local taxes need to be paid on which products and in which jurisdictions.

The portal was presented at an event titled, ‘The Road to Recovery: Empowering Small Businesses to Trade Internationally.’ European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis described the tool as a “one-stop-shop” that “will help European firms to make the most of the EU’s network of trade agreements and get the best access to the markets, products and inputs they need to grow and stay competitive.

Exporting from the EU, importing into the EU - all you need to know