ECEP01100 - Introduction: background

The principal aim of the agreements is to develop economic relations between the UK and partner states through the expansion of bilateral (two-way) trade.

From an 'export perspective', the department’s main objective under the preference arrangements is to ensure that only originating goods are exported under preference from the UK.

If goods do not qualify under the rules and improperly gain a preferential rate of duty, then they may displace qualifying goods from the export market.

Ensuring compliance with the origin rules is therefore not merely a matter of complying with the trading agreement between the UK and the preference giving country.

It is also a matter of protecting industry within the UK and the special tariff advantages available to UK manufactured goods that legitimately fulfil the origin requirements.