GSP PLUS INTRODUCTION
What is GSP?
The principle of GSP was agreed at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and is a facility granted to developing countries ("beneficiary countries") by certain developed countries ("donor countries"). It is not negotiated with them: the preferential treatment is non-reciprocal.
The GSP schemes offered by the various donor countries and their rules of origin differ fundamentally. Goods complying with the conditions of the GSP of the USA , for example, will not necessarily comply with the EU GSP.
Special arrangements have been established in order to address the special needs of the least developed countries. Following the so-called "Everything But Arms" (EBA) initiative introduced in 2001, the EC GSP grants these countries duty-and quota-free access for almost all their exports.
For more detailed information on general aspects of the GSP and its background, see the GSP pages of DG Trade.
Exporters in developing countries may also be interested to see the Export Helpdesk for Developing Countries of DG TRADE.
For more detailed information on the rules of origin aspect, see the Commission's guide for users on GSP rules of origin (The European Union's rules of origin for the GSP: A Guide for users).
Warning : not all countries listed as beneficiaries may actually qualify. Myanmar or Belarus for example are temporarily suspended from GSP, while some other countries have not yet complied with the administrative cooperation requirements, which are a pre-condition for goods to be granted the benefit of the preference. If in doubt, your competent customs authorities will advise.
GSP stands for Generalized System of Preferences. The principle of GSP was agreed at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and is a facility granted to developing countries ("beneficiary countries") by certain developed countries ("donor countries"), helping the developing countries (DC) by making it easier for them to export
The principle of GSP was agreed at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and is a facility granted to developing countries ("beneficiary countries") by certain developed countries ("donor countries"). It is not negotiated with them: the preferential treatment is non-reciprocal.
The GSP schemes offered by the various donor countries and their rules of origin differ fundamentally. Goods complying with the conditions of the GSP of the USA , for example, will not necessarily comply with the EU GSP.
Special arrangements have been established in order to address the special needs of the least developed countries. Following the so-called "Everything But Arms" (EBA) initiative introduced in 2001, the EC GSP grants these countries duty-and quota-free access for almost all their exports.
For more detailed information on general aspects of the GSP and its background, see the GSP pages of DG Trade.
Exporters in developing countries may also be interested to see the Export Helpdesk for Developing Countries of DG TRADE.
For more detailed information on the rules of origin aspect, see the Commission's guide for users on GSP rules of origin (The European Union's rules of origin for the GSP: A Guide for users).
Warning : not all countries listed as beneficiaries may actually qualify. Myanmar or Belarus for example are temporarily suspended from GSP, while some other countries have not yet complied with the administrative cooperation requirements, which are a pre-condition for goods to be granted the benefit of the preference. If in doubt, your competent customs authorities will advise.
GSP stands for Generalized System of Preferences. The principle of GSP was agreed at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and is a facility granted to developing countries ("beneficiary countries") by certain developed countries ("donor countries"), helping the developing countries (DC) by making it easier for them to export