In Brussels today, EU policymakers gave final approval to a regulation that makes access to preferential tariff schemes conditional on cooperation with EU member states—Italy included—over the readmission of irregular migrants. From 1 January 2027, countries benefitting from the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) could see their reduced-tariff access suspended if they refuse to take back nationals ordered to leave Europe.
Although the mechanism is framed as a last resort and involves at least 12 months of dialogue before sanctions kick in, Italian trade officials say it gives Rome fresh leverage in bilateral negotiations with key source countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt and Tunisia. Italy pushed for the clause after repeated difficulties chartering return flights, and the measure dovetails with Rome’s separate plan to link development aid to cooperation on returns.
![EU approves trade-sanction tool for migration non-cooperation, impacting Italy’s supply chains]()
For multinationals operating in Italy the regulation introduces a new layer of supply-chain risk. If a supplier’s home country loses GSP status, import duties could rise sharply with just 30 days’ notice once the EU Council acts. Procurement teams should therefore map exposure to high-risk jurisdictions and consider diversification or tariff-engineering strategies well ahead of 2027.
Immigration practitioners, meanwhile, expect Italian authorities to cite the new EU tool when justifying tougher issuance criteria for short-stay visas from uncooperative states. Companies that routinely invite business visitors from South Asia or North Africa should be prepared for possible document-intensification or longer lead times at Italian consulates.
Although the mechanism is framed as a last resort and involves at least 12 months of dialogue before sanctions kick in, Italian trade officials say it gives Rome fresh leverage in bilateral negotiations with key source countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt and Tunisia. Italy pushed for the clause after repeated difficulties chartering return flights, and the measure dovetails with Rome’s separate plan to link development aid to cooperation on returns.
For multinationals operating in Italy the regulation introduces a new layer of supply-chain risk. If a supplier’s home country loses GSP status, import duties could rise sharply with just 30 days’ notice once the EU Council acts. Procurement teams should therefore map exposure to high-risk jurisdictions and consider diversification or tariff-engineering strategies well ahead of 2027.
Immigration practitioners, meanwhile, expect Italian authorities to cite the new EU tool when justifying tougher issuance criteria for short-stay visas from uncooperative states. Companies that routinely invite business visitors from South Asia or North Africa should be prepared for possible document-intensification or longer lead times at Italian consulates.
