In short. Trade agreements open a window. They do not replace preparation: product rules, VAT and logistics stay the same for everyone.
Where things stand
Based on information available in September 2026, the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur has applied since May 2026, and the modernised agreement between the European Union and Mexico was approved in July 2026. Final ratification of the Mercosur agreement awaits the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Before any decision, check the timetable that applies to your product on the European Commission's official sources.
What an agreement can change
- Customs duties, reduced or removed on a timetable specific to each tariff line.
- Rules of origin: to benefit from the agreement, your product must prove its origin with the required documents.
- Buyer attention: the news around the agreements makes the region visible in Europe.
What no agreement changes
- Product rules. A cosmetic sold in the EU needs a responsible person established in the EU, a product information file, a safety assessment and a notification on the CPNP portal (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009).
- Textile labelling. Fibre composition must be stated under Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011.
- Chemical substances. The REACH regulation applies to articles sold in the EU.
- VAT and customs, logistics, warehousing, replenishment.
- Rank. An agreement does not give you a place next to the houses you admire.
The figures
- 25 Latin American investment projects in France in 2024, against 11 in 2020.
- €66.8bn of Latin American investment in Spain, with over 600 companies.
- 29,818 Brazilian exporting companies in 2025, a record.
- 3,819 Colombian exporters to the EU in 2024, +138% since 2012.
Sources: Business France, ICEX, MDIC, European Commission, Council of the EU; + ULTRA market analysis, September 2026.
What to do now
Start by finding out whether your brand is ready. In two weeks, our assessment reviews your product, price, image, compliance and logistics against European requirements, and gives you a written verdict.
Two weeks to find out, with a written verdict.
