Mongolia’s three-year interim trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is moving closer to implementation as four parties have completed their domestic ratification procedures.

The agreement, aimed at diversifying foreign trade, reducing dependence on a single market, and expanding exports of agricultural and livestock products, will enter into force 60 days after Mongolia and all EAEU member states finalize ratification and exchange official documents.

So far, Mongolia, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, and the Republic of Kazakhstan have ratified the agreement. Parliamentary discussions are still ongoing in the Republic of Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic.

Under the interim agreement, the two sides agreed to apply four types of tariff regulations to 367 goods identified by six-digit Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) codes. These measures include the elimination or reduction of customs duties, zero tariffs within designated quotas, and the provision of tariff concessions. The regulations apply exclusively to customs tariffs and do not affect value-added or excise taxes.

Agricultural and livestock products account for 97.5% of Mongolia’s exports covered by the agreement, while 81.7% of imports from the EAEU consist of mineral and chemical products, sectors in which Mongolia has limited domestic production capacity. Industrial goods make up 7.5% of imports.

To protect domestic producers, the agreement includes safeguards such as quotas on essential food items, including wheat and eggs, with customs duties applied if imports exceed the approved limits.

The implementation of the agreement is expected to lower household consumption costs by removing customs duties on essential goods and equipment not produced domestically, reducing import expenses, and eliminating tariffs on 42 types of imported products used in inflation calculations.

Trade facilitation measures are also included, such as tariff preferences for export goods containing more than 50% domestically sourced inputs, self-declaration of origin for goods valued at under 5,000 euros, and the introduction of risk-based inspections. These provisions are expected to reduce administrative and operational costs for businesses.

In preparation for the agreement’s entry into force, Mongolia has been taking steps to improve exporters’ understanding of trade regulations. Relevant agencies from Mongolia and the Russian Federation have jointly organized online training sessions and seminars on foreign trade rules, standards, and quarantine requirements. In cooperation with the Mongolian National Chamber Of Commerce And Industry, research is also underway to identify practical barriers faced by exporters and to provide targeted support for accessing the EAEU market.

Published Date:2026-02-12