When a group of countries form a customs union they must introduce a common external tariff.

On Jan. 1, the five are forming a customs union by adopting common external tariffs, averaging about 14 percent.

In New Jersey, cable rates were regulated under the common tariff from 1978 until deregulation.

In 2005, the grouping established a customs union setting common tariffs for external goods.

At the same time, the four neighbors adopted common tariffs - averaging 12 percent - for goods imported from outside their borders.

Benelux, for instance, had already moved forward to setting up a low common external tariff with no internal tariffs.

Now, any product can be sold whatever its origin; the only barrier is a common external tariff ranging between 5% and 20%.

This year four of them agreed to set a low common external tariff instead.

All profits from the common tariff and subsidies are divided between the shareholders based on traffic calculation.

In the face of third parties, common tariffs must be matched with common customs.