Main Trends in Import Tariffs Within the Eurasian Economic Union

This study aims to identify current trends in the regulation of foreign trade within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). We analyzed the proposals of the EAEU member states regarding changes to import tariffs in the Eurasian Economic Commission during 2015–2020. We applied a systemic approach and economic analysis methods to examine the formation of tariffs regulations and revealed a clear tendency of foreign trade liberalization. Moreover, we identified geographic, sectoral, temporal characteristics of this transforming system. The Russian Federation initiated the greatest number of proposals concerning reforms to the Single Customs Tariff of the EAEU. Almost all proposals tried to lower customs tariffs. We found that the correlation between the import volumes and the number of proposals for commodity groups was high on the R. E. Chaddock’s scale. In addition, we identified the existing problems in the system of tariff rate changes in the EAEU, including conflicts of interest of member states in decision-making, as well as delays and filibusters. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.