Manufacturing industry operators can import sugar directly, without intermediaries, with low customs duties

Economic operators in the manufacturing industry that use sugar in their production process can benefit from a reduced customs duty of 10 per cent on sugar imports, within a quota limit of 3,000 tons. This quota is allocated directly to producers, excluding intermediaries from the import process. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has said that the first sugar import based on the new mechanism was successfully carried out.

This facility is provided for in the government decision on the management of tariff quotas for the import of sugar and sugar products and is provided on the basis of the CCI’s expert report.

To benefit from this facility, companies must present to the customs authorities an expert report issued by the CCI, confirming their status as producers.

The new mechanism for granting import quotas was approved by the government following consultations and dialogue with all interested sides, highlighting the need to ensure access to sugar at competitive prices and to maintain market predictability.

In early October 2025, the government approved an amendment to the rules for administering tariff quotas for the import of white sugar and sugar products, with the aim of supporting the manufacturing industry by offering processors transparent, fair and cost-free access to the raw materials needed for production. Based on this amendment, producers of jams, candies, pastry products or ice cream got possibility to import directly the sugar they need. Imports can be made exactly when they are needed, thus contributing to the optimization of production flows.

Thus, from the available quota of 5,500 tons of imported sugar from the European Union, 3,000 tons are allocated exclusively for industrial processing, on the basis of clear supporting documents that will guarantee its use for production purposes.