Benelux Customs Union in Europe

History of the European Union: Benelux Customs Union

Introduction to Benelux Customs Union

The Benelux Customs Union (now the Benelux Economic Union) is an early example of a supranational economic organization. This union provided for a free-trade area composed of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and for a common tariff imposed on goods from outside the union. Formed in 1948, the union grew from the recognition that the economies of the separate states were individually too small to be competitive in the global market. Belgium and Luxembourg had, in fact, joined in an economic union as early as 1921, and the governments of Belgium and Netherlands had agreed in principle on a customs union during World War II. These three countries have been among the warmest advocates of European cooperation, and they have continued to work for closer economic integration of their own countries independently of broader European developments.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Benelux Customs Union

More Topics about the European Union

European Economic Area, European Union, European Union History (including European Union Early Cooperation, Benelux Customs Union, European Coal and Steel Community, European Economic Community, European Community, Expansion of the EC, Single European Act, Creation of the European Union, Treaty on European Union, Amsterdam Treaty, Treaty of Nice, Treaty of Lisbon, Monetary Union and EU Growing Accountability), EU Pillar System, EU Major Bodies Structure, European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament, European Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, European Central Bank, Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, European Union Policies, Common Agricultural Policy, Common Fisheries Policy,

EU Economic Differences, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, Cohesion Fund, European Investment Bank, European Monetary System, Economic and Monetary Union, EU International Relations, EU Expansion,

EU and Non-European Nations and European Union Future.