2.2.     CUSTOMS DOCUMENTS

‘I have made the decision to import certain goods in the EU. Which import documents do I have to use?’

For an answer to this question, look into the two websites presented below.

To find info in the Export Helpdesk for developing countries follow the steps.

Example:             Which documents are required for importing toffees and caramels produced in Ukraine?

Step 1:   login to the helpdesk (click on the link above)

Step 2:   go to the Requirements and Taxes Input Form by clicking on ‘Requirements and Taxes’

Step 3:   in this form complete three fields

1. the product code (e.g. ‘17049075’ to be found via ‘browse’ or via ‘search’)
2. the country of origin (e.g. ‘Ukraine’ to be selected from the drop down menu)
3. the country of destination (‘e.g. Luxembourg’ to be selected from the drop down menu)

Step 4:   click ‘view’ to see the requirement list

Step 5:   click at the end of each requirement line to learn more about it

Example: This product being a foodstuff, it needs Labelling for foodstuffs. In this line click on ‘EU/LU’ to open a new window listing the relevant labelling requirements.

Optional step: read the detailed Helpdesk's User Guide (click), section ‘requirements and taxes’.

‘I want to know more about the different trade regimes available for developing countries. What documents do these regimes require for preferential duty treatment?’

Step 1:   login to the helpdesk (click on the link above)

Step 2:   go to the Customs Documents section by clicking on ‘Customs Documents’

Step 3:   find out for which of the preferential regimes a non-EU country qualifies:

Possibility 1:         for the GSP countries, click on The GSP User's Guide, in certain cases to be combined with…

Possibility 2:         for the ACP countries, click on List of beneficiary countries of the Cotonou Agreement

Possibility 3:         for the FTA countries, click on “Arrangement list” of DG Taxation and Customs Union

Step 4:   find out the documentary requirements under your preferential regime:

Possibility 1:         for a GSP country, click on Documentary requirements under the GSP

Possibility 2:         for a ACP country, click on Documentary requirements under the Cotonou Agreement
 
Possibility 3:         for a FTA country, click on one of 4 summarised FTA partnerships to find the exact references

Example: under the FTA with Chile, click on A movement certificate EUR.1 and scroll to appendix III on page 1038 to obtain a specimen of this certificate