|
|
Exports to
the EU
Introduction
The on-line Exports Helpdesk was launched by the
European Commission in February 2004 as a service
for developing countries’ exporters to more easily
access the EU market. From its launch to December
2004 it received an average of nearly 1,500 hits per
day, which we are very pleased to say has surged to
an average of well over 3,000 hits per day so far
this year (2005). Although created by DG TRADE, a
network with other DGs (Sanco, ENTR, TAXUD, Fish,
Agri, etc) has been established to work not only to
prepare the content of the data displayed but also
to answer the detailed questions received by the
mailbox. We also work in close co-operation with all
our Trade Officers in EC Delegations in DCs,
European Info Centres and Business Information
Centres.
What is the Export Helpdesk for Developing
countries?
The Export Helpdesk is a free online service for
exporters, importers, trade associations and
governments. Although this service has been created
for exporters from DCs, we must admit that it is
also used by EU importers. Exporters from DCs need a
partner in the EU, so it is normal that our EU25 are
also benefiting from this service (e.g. sometimes we
receive questions in our mailbox from EU importers
trying to find out if an exporter from a DC is
registered already in the list of establishments of
“country x” authorised by the EC to export its
product into the EU).
The website has been built in 2 Phases. Phase I
covers:
-
import tariffs applied by the
EU, including preferential treatments
-
custom documents, where the
exporter is provided with information as to the
relevant customs documents that need to be
produced in order to export his/her products to
the EU. Information on customs documents under
the EU-Egypt AA is available, with samples of
the EUR.1 certificate and the invoice
declaration system.
-
rules of origin, providing
information on the conditions that need to be
met for goods to qualify for advantageous tariff
treatment under the GSP and ACP systems and the
FTAs with the following countries: Chile; Egypt;
Jordan; Lebanon; Morocco, Mexico and South
Africa.
-
trade statistics, so that the
exporter can get a sense of what is happening in
the EU market with respect to a specific product
(size of the market, main suppliers, main
importers…
-
links, the exporter has
access to relevant links ranging from national
customs authorities to trade and other
professional associations. We will be very happy
to consider any suggestions for
improvements/additions to our links page.
-
market place, to facilitate
deals between traders and where the exporter is
able to offer his/her product for sale,
establish contacts with importers form the EU
and can also respond to any requests posted by
EU importers.
-
contact section, where the
exporter has the possibility of lodging a
detailed information request via the contact
section of the Export Helpdesk. This is a key
part of the project. The Export Helpdesk is
currently receiving somewhere in the region of
140 questions per month.
All these sections are now
available in EN, FR, SP and PT
Phase II (online since 14 June 2005): Gives detailed
on-line information as to the EU and Member State
specific requirements for each particular product
(including SPS, labelling, marketing, and more) as
well as the Member State internal taxes that apply
(VAT and excise). In other words, it turns the
Export Helpdesk into a "one-stop shop" for
information on exporting from a developing country
to the EU. This data will be built progressively
during three years: 2004-2005-2006.
Where to contact the Export Helpdesk?
If you have suggestions for other ways in which the
Export Helpdesk can better meet your needs, please
let us know by fax or e-mail.
Export Helpdesk for developing countries
Market Access Unit
DG Trade - European Commission
Website:
http://exporthelp.europa.eu
E-mail:
exporthelp@ec.europa.eu
Fax: +32-2-29.67.393
|
