Similar content

The language of sustainable development legislation and the language of the legislation of origin are completely different; it is necessary to find a lingua franca for these areas to better understand … and implement the requirements. On the other hand, harmonisation of rules of origin at a global level is essential to address the challenges faced by importers - the need for harmonisation of these rules has never been greater. These and many other views were exchanged at the 20th Authors' Meeting. We invite you to read an overview.

The EU has concluded more than 40 free trade agreements (FTAs) with around 80 countries, which supposedly bring significant benefits for trade with partner countries. But is this really the case, … i.e. is the EU fully utilising these benefits? This article attempts to assess the application of EU FTAs by analysing the flow of goods in and out of the main trading partners. The author looks at how import and export volumes and geography depend on the existence of preferential agreements.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), approved in 2012 by the African Union’s (AU) 18th Ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government, is one of the Flagship Projects … of the AU’s Agenda 2063. The Action Plan for Boosting intra-African trade has a strong focus on accelerating intra-African trade and boosting Africa’s trading position in the global market, in particular through implementation of trade facilitation standards and tools. We provide a brief overview of AfCFTA rules of origin.

The Study provides a comparative analysis of origin provisions in a region which has the most numerous and complex overlapping trade regimes of the entire African continent.

Global trade based on preferential treatment offers benefits to its participants. The main one is a reduction in financial costs due to the application of reduced tariff rates when the goods … have a preferential origin. In other words, if a product originates in one country and is sold to another country with which there is a preferential trade agreement, the product may be subject to a reduced or even zero duty rate. However, the mere fact that the goods originate in a particular country is not enough to qualify for such benefits. The preferential origin of the goods must be proven, so that the customs authorities do not suspect any manipulation or fraud on the part of importers. Each specific preferential trade agreement sets out acceptable ways of proving the preferential origin of goods. A supplier's declaration is one of the means of proof. Let us find out what it is and when it can be used.

Customs authorities are showing a growing interest in adopting artificial intelligence (AI), the broad category of science that entails simulating human thinking capability and behaviour. As … stated in a joint paper published by the World Customs Organization, (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) entitled The role of advanced technologies in cross-border trade: A Customs perspective, “around half of Customs authorities use some combination of big data analytics, AI and machine learning, while the other half plans to do so in the future.”

Reader's question: ‘We export certain devices to Ukraine. The product-specific rule is based on the value criterion. Can the value of expensive software, which was created and developed in the … EU, be counted as the value of originating materials?’ To answer this question, we review various aspects of the topic, which is becoming increasingly important, as more and more goods do not function without software.

Importers often try to avoid customs clearance processes, relying entirely on the customs broker. On the one hand, the broker is a customs expert, possesses relevant experience and, ultimately, … receives a commission for his/her work. It seems that the importer should not be involved in the processes managed by the customs broker. On the other hand, such self-exclusion can result in very unpleasant financial and reputational consequences. This article considers the most common misconceptions of importers in cooperation with customs brokers, which cause losses for both sides.

Customs may carry out post-clearance verification of the preferential origin of goods. As a result, a letter from customs might appear on the importer's desk stating that the preferential tariff … treatment has been denied. In this article, we look at what is the process of post-clearance verification of preferential origin set out in some of the free trade agreements of Canada, the UK and the EU. Also, we provide practical examples and suggestions on how the preferential origin-related risk could be managed by importers.

As is well known, the war started by Russia in Ukraine affects a wide range of areas, both security and economic. It may also affect aspects related to imports and exports between Israel and … Ukraine, which have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in 2019. The reminder on that comes from the European Commission, which on February 23rd, 2022 released a notice to importers regarding imports from the non-government controlled territories of the Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts of Ukraine.

As of September 1st, 2021, there are new rules of origin in the European structure of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention that apply in parallel to the previous rules of origin as part … of a transitional phase. They are called 'transitional rules'. The new rules of origin provide breathing space in the machinery sector (HS chapters 84, 85 and 90) for those companies that have to work with small margins.

To provide proper customs information, an importer needs knowledge. Online resources make acquiring it easier than it used to be. We overview online resources available in Canada for tariff classification, … adjustments to transaction value, the origin of goods, commercial invoice, customs accounting declaration, calculation of duties and GST. This information is also useful for European (and other) exporters who sell their goods to Canada and want to know more about the import requirements of the country of destination.

Let’s examine one specific pitfall importers/exports frequently fall victim to when trading under the auspices of a free trade agreement.

It has almost been a year since the end of the Brexit transition period, meaning most businesses will have started settling comfortably into their new routine. However, it is important to remember … that the new trading relationship between the UK and EU is still evolving and 2022 is the host of some big changes. For example, certain easements that were introduced to facilitate trade will expire, multiple new systems will be introduced, and sanitary and phytosanitary controls will commence for the first time. So, if you think your business has mastered trading across the new border, then think again. In this article, we outline three pitfalls that could disrupt your supply chain and what you can do to avoid them.

Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was signed on 21 March 2018. The AfCFTA is the latest of many regional integration initiatives that go back to the years … prior to the colonization of Africa, of integration efforts by the colonial powers, and of initiatives by the independent African States.