# European Economic Area (EEA)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> The European Economic Area (EEA) links the EU member states with three non-EU countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway – granting the latter full access to the EU single market under the EEA Agreement of 1994.

The European Economic Area (EEA) links the EU member states with three non-EU countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway – granting the latter full access to the EU single market under the EEA Agreement of 1994. The arrangement extends the four fundamental freedoms to these states: free movement of goods, persons, services, and capital. In return, the three EEA states incorporate large parts of EU single market legislation into national law, without holding EU membership or participating in EU decision-making. For freight forwarders, the practical implication is that shipments between EEA countries move without customs duties, though national import controls and product-specific rules still apply – Norway, for instance, maintains distinct requirements for certain food and veterinary products despite EEA membership. The EEA should not be confused with the EU Customs Union: it establishes no common external tariff against third countries.

**Source:** [https://www.efta.int/eea](https://www.efta.int/eea)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | European Economic Area (EEA) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 141 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.efta.int/eea |

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*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/european-economic-area-eea](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/european-economic-area-eea)*

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