The EurAsEC Customs Union and the German Customs Union: the use and limits of analogies

The German Customs Union established in 1834 was the first-of-its-kind integration structure in Europe. Nowadays Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia are trying to create the first post-Soviet customs union. They intend to deepen their economic ties in order to form a single market in the near future. A comparison of the two customs unions can highlight the main issues that arise during the initial stages of economic integration.