Most Swiss agreements are concluded under the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In addition, Switzerland also has the right to negotiate free trade agreements without efTA participation, as has been the case, for example, with China, Japan and the Faroe Islands. An updated overview of the Swiss free trade agreements network can be found in the www.seco.admin.ch section. First, the parties that signed a free trade area applicable to trade with non-parties to that free trade area at the time of the creation of that free trade area must not be higher or more restrictive than tariffs and other rules applicable in the same signatory countries prior to the creation of the free trade area. In other words, the creation of a free trade area to give preferential treatment to their members is legitimate under WTO law, but parties to a free trade area are not allowed to treat non-parties less favourably than before the creation of the territory. A second requirement under Article XXIV is that tariffs and other trade barriers must be eliminated primarily for all trade within the free trade area. [10] There are significant differences between unions and free trade zones. Both types of trading blocs have internal agreements that the parties enter into to liberalize and facilitate trade between them. The key difference between unions and free trade zones is their approach to third parties [lack of ambiguity needed]. While a customs union requires all parties to apply and maintain identical external tariffs on trade with non-parties, parties to a free trade area are not subject to such a requirement.
Instead, they can set and maintain any customs regime for imports from non-parties, as they see as necessary. [3] In a free trade area without harmonized external tariffs, the parties will adopt a system of preferential rules of origin to eliminate the risk of trade diversion [necessary ambiguities]. [4] Learn more about the rules of origin and resources to qualify your shipment for a preferred FTA tariff processing. An approved exporter may, in all agreements, submit invoice declarations in all agreements, regardless of the value of the lot. These should not be signed by hand. The exporter must obtain the authorization of the relevant district customs office; this authorization is granted on the condition that the applicant guarantees that he is complying with the country of origin provisions and that he has submitted correct country of origin declarations in the past.