EU GSP+ for Central Asia: Operational Guide

Applicability of the GSP+ preference to meat and products of animal origin is determined not by halal status, but by CN code classification, eligibility of that tariff line in the current GSP+ list, and country coverage for the specific beneficiary. So for halal-category work, we separately verify product CN code, line eligibility under the preference, exporter-country status, and required EU veterinary/sanitary documents. Tariff preference and halal certification are parallel processes and do not replace each other.

In GSP+ practice, the primary mechanism for beneficiaries is REX and a statement of origin in commercial documents. EUR.1 is used in other EU trade agreements with specific third countries; for GSP+ it is not the main instrument. At the party level, it is important to choose one correct mechanism for the actual route and status of the country and not to confuse the formats of evidence.

If the REX number is cancelled or suspended, the GSP+ consignment preference does not apply and the importer pays the standard MFN tariff. At the pre-export control level, we check the REX status in the database before each shipment. When suspending, we find out the reason from the competent authority of the exporting country, organize the restoration of status and, if necessary, temporarily use the standard tariff regime so as not to delay delivery from the buyer.

GSP+ is a tariff regime, it does not directly specify requirements for consumer labeling. Marking is regulated by a separate Regulation (EC) No 1169/2011 and other acts on specific categories. But in fact, a bona fide exporter comes to the buyer with a package that simultaneously resolves both issues: origin and tariff via GSP+ and consumer labeling according to 1169/2011. This reduces onboarding time and increases the trust of the category manager.