The textile industry pays higher customs duties on raw materials than on finished products.

Omissions

• No specific EU TARIC tariff-line data comparing duties on textile raw materials (e.g. raw cotton HS 5201, raw wool HS 5101) versus finished textile products (e.g. clothing HS chapters 61-62) was found in the searches conducted. The verdict is based on general EU trade policy principles rather than sector-specific tariff data.
• The European Commission's Access2Markets portal states that tariff suspensions are granted for raw materials and semi-finished goods not available in the EU but are never granted for finished goods, indicating a policy preference for lower duties on raw materials.
• The well-established principle of tariff escalation in international trade (documented by the WTO and OECD) means tariffs typically rise with the level of processing, making it generally unlikely that raw materials face higher duties than finished products.
• The MEP cited no source for this claim, and the session date (2026-06-15) suggests this was a general assertion about the tariff structure rather than a reference to a specific recent policy change.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission – Access2MarketsSuspensions are usually granted for raw materials, semi-finished goods or components not available in the EU – they are never granted for finished goods.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament – Briefing: EU trade in textiles: Import and export flowsThis briefing examines European Union (EU) trade in textiles and clothing from 2014 to 2023, covering both imports of new and exports of used goods.