EU Launches On-line helpdesk to foster Developing Country
access to EU Markets
A new on-line helpdesk set up by the European Commission (http://export-help.cec.eu.int)
will provide a tool for developing countries’ exporters to
access more easily the EU market. The free-of-charge
helpdesk contains key information on customs duties, customs
documentation, rules of origin and trade statistics
available on line immediately. A second phase, currently
being developed, will widen the range of information to
cover product specific import requirements such as sanitary
and phytosanitary requirements. EU Trade Commissioner Pascal
Lamy said "With the launch of this helpdesk we want to
ensure that exporters in developing countries get the
maximum information and assistance in tackling the EU
market. For instance we want to ensure there is maximum
take-up of the EU’s trade preferences. This is a clear
example of our commitment to providing technical assistance
to developing countries and to make sure that theoretical
market access translates into more trade.”
The first phase of the helpdesk provides practical and
comprehensive information on EU import tariffs and
preferences, trade statistics, relevant rules of origin and
customs documentation. An on-line exchange forum is also
available for EU importers and developing countries
exporters. This system will increase the benefit for
developing countries of the terms of access which they have
now to the EU market, and of the improved terms which are
being negotiated both in the WTO as well as at a bilateral
level. Currently, only 52 % of the products originating in
developing countries and eligible for tariff preferences are
imported to the EU under preferential conditions.
The range of information which the Helpdesk can provide will
be enlarged during the coming year to include product
specific technical and sanitary requirements including
marking and labelling requirements and information on
internal taxes (VAT and excise duties) applicable in the
individual Member States.
Users of the helpdesk are invited to make suggestions as to
further information which they consider could be usefully
added to the helpdesk to better serve their needs.
Background
The EU is the world’s main provider of trade preferences for
developing countries thanks to the various preferential
arrangements with developing and notably least developed
countries. Among these:
-the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for developing
countries; 178 developing countries benefit from the
preferences given by the EU. In 2002 EU imports benefiting
from these preferences amounted to €53.2 billion;
-as a particular type of GSP, the “Everything But Arms”
(EBA) provides quota and duty free access for products from
the 49 poorest countries in the world. In 2002 EU imports
under this scheme amounted to € 2.2 billion.
-the preferences granted to 77 countries in Africa, the
Caribbean and the Pacific under the Cotonou Agreement; In
2002, the ACP exported about €31 billion to the EU, of which
99% was duty free. About 30% of these imports benefited from
the preferential treatment granted by the Cotonou Agreement.
-the bilateral and regional preferential agreements
concluded by the EU with Chile, Mexico, Mediterranean
countries, South Africa or countries in the Balkans region.
As a result, over 40% of EU imports come from developing
countries. The EU also absorbs almost one fifth of all
developing country exports. The EU is also the main importer
of agricultural products from third countries, importing
more than the US, Japan and Canada together.
In September 2002 the Commission adopted an action plan to
boost developing countries' efforts to capture the benefits
of trade ('Trade and Development:
assisting developing countries to benefit from trade'). The
document sets out the importance of the relationship between
development, trade and the integration of developing
countries into the world economy. It concluded with a series
of practical ways in which the European Union would support
the developing world in its efforts to gain more from the
world trading system.
The Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha in November
2001 launched the Doha Development agenda, centred on
ensuring that developing countries participate effectively
in the world trading system. The EU has already proposed
further market opening in favour of developing countries in
the on-going WTO negotiations, both for agricultural as well
as industrial products.
For more information go to:
http://export-help.cec.eu.int
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/index_en.htm
WHAT IS THE EXPANDING EXPORTS HELPDESK?
The Expanding Exports Helpdesk is an online resource,
provided by the European Commission, to facilitate access
for exports from developing countries to markets in the
European Union.
The Expanding Exports Helpdesk provides relevant information
required by developing country exporters interested in
supplying the EU market. This free and user friendly service
for exporters, importers, trade associations and
governments, provides:
Information on EU preferential import
regimes benefiting developing countries;
Detailed trade data for the EU and
its individual Member States;
A platform for establishing a
dialogue between exporters in the developing world and
EU importers;
Links to other authorities and
organisations involved in practical trade operations and
trade promotion.
HOW DOES THE EXPANDING EXPORTS
HELPDESK ASSIST EXPORTERS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES?
The Expanding Exports Helpdesk website
assists developing country exporters to:
Take full advantage of the EU's
preferential trade regimes available for developing
countries:
Import Tariffs
Enter the HS (Harmonised System) code or product
description:
• You will obtain full information on the Most Favoured
Nation (MFN) as well as all preferential rates of duty,
including preferential tariff quotas and other
applicable measures.
• Preferential rates of duty include the concessions
granted to ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific)
countries under the Cotonou Agreement, and the EU's
General System of Preferences (GSP) and the Everything
But Arms (EBA) initiative granting duty-free access to
imports from least developed countries without any
quantitative restrictions.
Customs Documentation Provides practical advice on the
documents required to qualify for preferential duty
treatment.
Rules of Origin
Preferential origin rules lay down the specific
conditions that need to be met if goods are to qualify
for advantageous tariff treatment, otherwise the full
duties are applicable.
Decide on a potential EU market:
Trade Statistics
Enter the HS (Harmonised System) code or product
description:
• You will obtain a detailed perspective of the market
size for your product in each EU Member State by showing
you detailed import figures, as well as statistics for
intra-EU trade.
Find trading partners and contacts
within the EU:
Trade Forum Place an offer or request on this interactive
platform:
• You will be able to address a wide range of EU
importers in one simple operation.
Links
Make direct contact with the customs authorities of the
individual Member States of interest, organisations
involved in promoting imports from developing countries
and EU importers' associations on EU and Member States
level.
The current scope of the Expanding Exports Helpdesk will
be extended in 2004 by additional sections covering
internal taxation in the EU Member States and product
specific import requirements.
