The government is calling for applications from manufacturers in the industrial, agricultural, and related sectors for the latest round of the EU's tariff suspension/quota scheme.

The scheme offers the possibility for companies to import raw materials, components, or intermediate products from outside the European Union free from tariff duty, if the item cannot be sourced in the EU or Türkiye.

The tariff quota scheme is designed to address shortages in the availability of essential materials within the EU and can be applied for in the same way as suspensions.

Companies, in applying for tariff suspensions, must be able to demonstrate that each item for which duty suspension is sought:

• is intended for further processing by them
• is not available within the EU
• generates duty savings of at least €15,000 per annum (if an applicant company cannot reach this minimum limit on its own, it is possible to join forces with one or more other companies to do so)

The call for the applications today (1 January) is one of two this year. The next one will be on 1 July.

“The tariff suspension and quota schemes represent a very effective way for Irish manufacturers to gain a competitive edge by reducing the cost of sourcing components that are not available in the EU. I would encourage all Irish manufacturers to avail of these schemes," said Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary.

The deadline for applications is 5:30pm on Friday, 31 January. Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] and posted to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 23 Kildare Street, D02 TD30.

The suspension of duties on these applications, if they are successful, will come into effect from 1 January 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.