From January 1, 2026, a new list of country-specific excluded sections will be established under the GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) system. GSP preferential duties will be suspended for products included in these sections from January 1, 2026, until December 31, 2028.
These sections are excluded from the system in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2025/1909, as the average value of imports of these products into the Union exceeded, for three consecutive years, the maximum thresholds set out in Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 978/2012.
The changes regarding GSP-excluded sections are the following:
New GSP-excluded sections
Origin India:
- S-5 | Mineral products
- S-6a | Organic and inorganic chemical products
- S-7a | Plastics and articles thereof
- S-7b | Rubber and articles thereof
- S-11a | Textile materials
- S-13 | Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica; ceramic products; glass
- S-14 | Pearls and precious metals
- S-15a | Iron, steel and articles thereof
- S-15b | Base metals (other than iron/steel) and articles thereof
- S-16 | Machinery, mechanical and electrical appliances and parts thereof
- S-17a | Railway vehicles and equipment
- S-17b | Motor vehicles, bicycles, aircraft, ships
Origin Indonesia:
- S-1a | Live animals and animal products (except fish)
- S-3 | Animal or vegetable oils, fats and waxes
- S-5 | Mineral products
- S-9a | Wood and wood articles; charcoal
Origin Kenia:
- S-2a | Live plants and floriculture products
Changes compared to 2023-2025
India expands its list with three new excluded sections: S-5 (minerals), S-7b (rubber), and S-17b (motor vehicles and other means of transport).
Already in effect: Temporary suspension for ethanol from Pakistan under GSP+
Since June 21, 2025, the temporary suspension of tariff preferences for ethanol originating in Pakistan under GSP+ has been in force, in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1206.
This measure was adopted due to a serious market disruption in the European Union, with the aim of stabilizing the situation and protecting European producers.
During the suspension period, which will last for 2 years (until June 2027), ethanol imports from Pakistan will not benefit from the tariff reductions provided for in the GSP+ system at the time of release into the EU.
Kenya and Indonesia leaving the GSP system on January 1, 2027
As of January 1, 2027, Kenya and Indonesia will no longer be part of the GSP in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/214 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1951 respectively:
- Kenya has signed a broader preferential market access agreement with the EU, effective since July 1, 2024.
- Indonesia has been classified by the World Bank as upper-middle income country in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and no longer qualifies for GSP beneficiary country status in accordance with Article 4(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) 978/2012.
Thus, in 2027, goods originating in Kenya and Indonesia will no longer benefit from the tariff preferences under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) upon importation into the EU.
Upcoming changes announced for 2029
São Tomé and Príncipe will be removed from the EBA group on January 1, 2029
The UN graduated São Tomé and Príncipe from the least-developed country category on 13 December 2024 and, consequently, it will no longer qualify for EBA beneficiary status as of January 1, 2029, in accordance with Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1951.
EBA (Everything But Arms) is a special arrangement within the EU’s GSP system that grants the highest level of trade preferences to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).