Department of Commerce

How do I apply for the GSP Certificate under the new UK GSP Scheme?

I. The exporters should first register with the DOC of Sri Lanka and obtain a D/COM/R registration number. (This is not applicable to the exporters already registered)

II. All exporters (existing and new) should ascertain the eligibility of their new products under the UK GSP scheme from the DOC of Sri Lanka prior to effecting shipments to the UK.

III. Exporters should make shipment-wise self- declarations (Invoice declarations or UK GSP Form A). (Formats and specimen text - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notices-to-be-made-under-the-customs-origin-of-chargeable-goods-trade-preference-scheme-eu-exit-regulations-2020)

IV. Exporters should submit to the DOC of Sri Lanka a summary of shipments on monthly basis by the 15th of the following month, only via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) together with copies of

·       all self-declarations / GSP Form A and

·       export invoices mentioned in their summaries.

V. Exporters should submit all necessary documents to the DOC of Sri Lanka, when notified and should keep with them hard copies of self-declarations along with relevant supporting documents, at least three (03) years from the end of the calendar year in which the origin declaration was made out.

Is there any difference between the new UK GSP Scheme and the EU GSP+ Scheme in terms of the tariff benefits?

No. Sri Lanka at present is benefiting from the UK’s Enhanced Framework Scheme under the UK GSP Scheme which broadly replicates the EU GSP+ Scheme where Sri Lankan exporters can enjoy the same Zero Duty benefits for goods exporting to the UK that they enjoy from the EU GSP+. Also, the Rules of Origin and the Cumulation Rules of Origin criteria remain same (except the cumulation with Turkey). These would be changed once the UK introduces their amended GSP scheme in the future as they are now in the process of consultations for such amendments.

What is UKGT?

The UK having left the European Union on 31 January 2020, the UK Department of International Trade (UKDIT) announced on 19.05.2020 the new ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) tariff regime of the UK or the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) designed specifically to suit the UK economy. It is the first independent tariff policy in almost fifty years.

What are the member countries under SAPTA?

What are products eligible for Tariff Concessions? And to what extend?

What document to be submitted to the Customs Authorities in the importing country to avail the tariff concessions?