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General principles

Introduction and Context


1 Meaning of Preferential Origin

Preferential origin refers to the economic nationality of a product as determined under the terms of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between two or more countries. It establishes whether a product qualifies for preferential (reduced or zero) customs duties upon importation into a partner country.

Unlike non-preferential origin, which determines general origin for trade statistics or labelling, preferential origin is specifically used to access preferential tariff treatment under free trade agreements (FTAs), association agreements, or economic partnership agreements.

To obtain preferential origin, a product must either:

  • Be wholly obtained in one of the partner countries; or

  • Be sufficiently worked or processed according to the Product-Specific Rules (PSR) set out in the agreement.

The rules ensure that only goods genuinely produced within the parties' economies benefit from preferential tariff treatment.


2 Purpose of Preferential Origin Procedures

The purpose of establishing and verifying preferential origin is to:

  • Ensure correct application of preferential duty rates;

  • Prevent abuse of trade preferences through simple transshipment or minor processing;

  • Guarantee fair competition between partner countries;

  • Provide customs authorities with a verifiable framework for origin determination;

  • Enable exporters and importers to confidently claim tariff preferences.


For the European Union, preferential origin is governed by:

  • The individual trade agreements concluded by the EU (e.g. the EU–UK TCA);

  • Articles 60–64 of the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013);

  • Relevant implementing and delegated acts.



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