WT/REG357/1/Rev.1  
6 April 2016  
(16-1940)  Page: 1/84  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements   
 
 FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETW EEN THE EFTA STATES  
AND THE CENTRAL AMERICAN STATES (COSTA RICA AND PANAMA) 
(GOODS AND SERVICES) 
Report by the Secretariat 
Revision 
This report, prepared for the consideratio n of the Free Trade Agreement between the 
EFTA States and the Central American States (Costa Rica and Panama), has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility and in full consultation with the Parties. The factual presentation reproduces as closely as possible the terminology 
used in the Agreement and in the comments provided and does not imply official 
endorsement or acceptance by the Secretariat of such terminology. The report has been drawn up in accordance with the rule s and procedures contained in the Decision 
for a Transparency Mechanism for Regional  Trade Agreements (WT/L/671) and thus 
does not imply any value judgement by the Secretariat regarding the contents of the Agreement. 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to 
Mr. Jean-Daniel Rey (tel: +41 22 739 5264). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Ms. Rowena Cabos (tel: +41 22 739 5185). 
 
 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page 
1   TRADE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................. 4  
1.1   Merchand ise trade ..................................................................................................... 4  
1.1.1   EFTA – Costa Rica ................................................................................................... 4  
1.1.2   EFTA – Panama ...................................................................................................... 6  
1.2   Trade in servic es and inve stment ................................................................................. 8  
2   CHARACTERISTIC ELEMEN TS OF THE AG REEMENT .................................................... 12  
2.1   Background  Information ............................................................................................ 12 
2.2   Structure of the Agreement ........................................................................................ 12 
3   PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS ........................................................................... 14  
3.1   Import duties and charges,  and quantitative  restrict ions ................................................ 14 
3.1.1   Genera l provisions ................................................................................................. 14 
3.1.2   Liberalization of  trade and ta riff lines ........................................................................ 14 
3.1.3   Liberali zation schedule............................................................................................ 14 
3.1.4   Tariff rate quotas ................................................................................................... 28 
3.2   Rules of origin .......................................................................................................... 29 
3.3   Export duties and charges,  and quantitative  restrictions ................................................. 30 
3.4   Regulatory provisions on trade in goods ....................................................................... 30 
3.4.1   Standards ............................................................................................................. 30 
3.4.2   Safeguard mechanisms ........................................................................................... 31 
3.4.3   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures ............................................................... 32 
3.4.4   Subsidie s and State-aid .......................................................................................... 32 
3.4.5   Customs-re lated procedures .................................................................................... 32 
3.5   Sector-specific provis ions on trad e in goods ................................................................. 33 
3.5.1   Agricultural goods .................................................................................................. 33 
4   PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND IN VESTMENT ......................................... 33  
4.1   Scope and definitions ................................................................................................ 33 
4.2   Denial of benefits ..................................................................................................... 34 
4.3   General provisions on trade in services ........................................................................ 34 
4.3.1   National treatment and MFN .................................................................................... 34 
4.3.2   Mark et acce ss ....................................................................................................... 34 
4.3.3   Local presence ...................................................................................................... 34 
4.3.4   Senior Managers and Boards of  Direct ors .................................................................. 34 
4.3.5   Movement of  natural persons .................................................................................. 34 
4.4   Liberalization commitments ........................................................................................ 35 
4.4.1   Iceland ................................................................................................................. 35 
4.4.2   Liechtenstein ......................................................................................................... 38 
4.4.3   Norway  ................................................................................................................  40 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  4.4.4   Switzerland ........................................................................................................... 43 
4.4.5   Co sta Ri ca ............................................................................................................  45 
4.4.6   Panama ................................................................................................................ 48 
4.5   Regulatory provisions ................................................................................................ 51 
4.5.1   Domestic regulation ............................................................................................... 51 
4.5.2   Recognition ........................................................................................................... 52 
4.5.3   Subsidies .............................................................................................................. 52 
4.5.4   Safeguards ........................................................................................................... 52 
4.6   Sector specific provis ions on trade in services ............................................................... 52 
4.6.1   Financial services ................................................................................................... 52 
4.6.2   Monopolies and exclusive serv ice suppliers and business practices ................................ 53 
4.7   Investment .............................................................................................................. 53 
5   GENERAL PROVISIONS  OF THE AGREEMENT ............................................................. 56  
5.1   Tran sparency ........................................................................................................... 56 
5.2   Current payments and capital movements .................................................................... 56 
5.3   Exceptions ............................................................................................................... 56 
5.3.1   General exception .................................................................................................. 56 
5.3.2   Security exception ................................................................................................. 57 
5.3.3   Ta xation  .............................................................................................................. . 57 
5.4   Accession and Withdrawal .......................................................................................... 57 
5.5   Institutio nal framework ............................................................................................. 57 
5.6   Disput e settlement ................................................................................................... 57 
5.7   Relationship with other agr eements concluded by the Parties .......................................... 58 
5.8   Government  procurement .......................................................................................... 60 
5.9   Intellectual property rights ......................................................................................... 61 
5.10   Other .................................................................................................................. .. 63 
5.10.1   Electronic commerce ............................................................................................ 63 
5.10.2   Competition ........................................................................................................ 63 
5.10.3   Environm ent and labour ........................................................................................ 63 
5.10.4   Cooperation between the Parties ............................................................................ 63 
ANNEX 1 ....................................................................................................................... . 65 
 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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Key Facts 
 
Parties to the Agreement:  
 
Costa Rica and Panama, and the EFTA States (Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).  
 
Date of Signature: 24 June 2013 
 
Date of Entry into Force:  19 August 2014 (Costa Rica; 
Panama; and Norway); 29 August 2014 (Costa Rica; 
Panama; Liechtenstein and Switzerland) 5 September 2014 
(Costa Rica; Panama; and Iceland) 
 
Date of Notification:  19 November 2014. 
 
Full implementation:  1 January 2028 
 
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT 
1.1.  The Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA  States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and 
Switzerland), and the Central American States (Costa Rica and Panama1), hereinafter referred to 
as "the Agreement" is EFTA's 26th2, Costa Rica's 12th, and Panama's 13th RTA.3 
1.1  Merchandise trade4 
1.2.  With a combined GDP of US$1,182.7 billion, in 2013, the EFTA States' total merchandise 
trade was valued at US$684.023 billion (exports at  US$388.494 billi on and imports at US$295.529 
billion); Costa Rica's total trade in the same year was US$29.6 billion (exports at US$11.6 billion 
and imports US$18 billion), with a GDP of US$49.6 billion; and Panama's total trade in the same year was US$36.9 billion (exports at US$15 billion and imports US$21.9 billion), with a GDP of US$42.6 billion.
5 The trade to GDP ratios (2011-2013) of the Parties were 108.9 for Iceland; 67.5 
for Norway; 92.6 for Switzerland (including data on Liechtenstein for trade in goods); 77 for Costa 
Rica; and 146.5 for Panama. 
1.3.  Charts 1.1-1.4 summarize the trends in global trade of the parties as well as bilateral trade 
relations between, on one side the EFTA States, and, on the other side, Costa Rica and Panama 
respectively. 
1.1.1  EFTA – Costa Rica 
1.4.  In 2013, Costa Rica was, respectively, the 62nd largest export market for Iceland, the 76th 
largest export market for Norway, and the 59th largest export market for Switzerland, which for 
                                               
1 Negotiations are also taking place between the EFTA States and Guatemala but had not been 
concluded at the time of writ ing the factual presentation. 
2 A number of RTAs previously concluded by the EFTA States have become obsolete when EFTA partners 
became EU Member States. 
3 RTAs on trade in goods and/or services notified separately to the WTO counted as one. In addition to 
the 26 RTAs concluded under the EFTA platform, individu ally, Iceland has 3 bilateral FTAs; Liechtenstein has 
1 bilateral FTA (with Switzerland); Norway has 2 FTAs, and Switzerland has 4 FTAs. The EEA (on services) with the EU involves all EFTA States but Switzerland. Cost a Rica has 8 RTAs through the platform of the Central 
American States (including between Panama and Central America). Panama has 5 RTAs with Central American partners (including Costa Rica), and 6 other bilateral FTAs. 
4 The five top sources of imports for the EFTA States combined were: the EU27 (72.9%), the US 
(5.2%), China (5.2%), Japan (2.2%), and Canada (1.4%). Their five top export destinations were: the EU27 (66.9%), the US (8.3%), China (3.2%), Japan (2.4%), and Hong Kong, China (2.2%). 
5 Figures in this section unless indicated otherwise are from the WTO Trade Profiles as of September 
2014 (2013 data) and the UNSD/Comtrade database. Export figures are calculated f.o.b. and imports c.i.f. 
World trade rankings exclude intra-EU trade. For bilate ral trade, figures reported by the Parties to UNSD, 
Comtrade database are used. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  the EFTA States was a negligible part of their exports. Costa Rica was also the 42nd largest source 
of imports for Iceland (0.05% of Iceland's total imports), the 40th largest source for Norway 
(0.1%), and the 42nd largest source for Switzerland (0.1%). In terms of Costa Rica's export 
markets, Norway ranked 34th (0.13% of its exports), Switzerland ranked 56th (0.01%), and 
Iceland ranked 125th (a negligible part of its exports). Switzerland was Costa Rica's 15th largest 
source of imports (0.8% of its imports); while Norway ranked 36th (0.1% of its imports), and 
Iceland ranked 77th (a negligible part of its imports). 
1.5.  Chart 1.1 shows that a trade surplus was maintained over the period 2001-2013 by EFTA 
globally while Costa Rica maintained a trade deficit with the world. Statistics from UNSD Comtrade show important discrepancies in reported data on  bilateral trade between EFTA and Costa Rica, as 
both show a bilateral trade deficit. A steady increase in global trade was observed for most of the 
period, with however a dip in 2009 due to the financial crisis and a slow-down during the last 
two years.  
Chart 1.1 EFTA – Costa Rica: Merchandise tr ade bilaterally and with world, 2001-2013 
0.00.20.40.60.81.0
02468101214161820
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013B. Costa Rica 2001-2013
(US$ billions)
Imports from EFTA (Right Axis)
Exports to EFTA (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
0.00.20.40.60.81.0
050100150200250300350400450
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013A. EFTA 2001-2013 
(US$ billions)
Imports from Costa Rica (Right Axis)
Exports to Costa Rica (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database. 
 
1.6.  The commodity structure of trade between the EFTA States and Costa Rica, as well as of their 
global trade in the period 2011-2013, is shown in Chart 1.2 on the basis of Harmonized System (HS) sections. Among EFTA's four main global expo rt categories (minerals, chemicals, machinery, 
and optical instruments, which accounted for 74.8% of its global exports), chemicals alone 
accounted for 77.9% of Costa Rica's imports from EFTA. Costa Rica's main export product categories globally were machinery, vegetable products, optical instruments and prepared foodstuffs (accounting together for 71.1% of its total exports). While accounting for 21.7% of 
Costa Rica's global exports, vegetables represented 82.6% of combined EFTA's imports from 
Costa Rica. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 6 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 EFTA and Costa Rica: product co mposition of merchandise trade, annual 
average (2011-2013) 
 
839324EFTA imports from Costa Rica (%)
19
17
11
98654443227EFTA's Global Imports (%)
27
22
121055432226Costa Rica's Global Exports (%)
787735Costa Rica's imports from EFTA (%)
28
13
10 8875443324Costa Rica's Global Imports(%)
29
2213106532226EFTA's Global Exports(%)Total: US$ 162 million Total: US$ 296 billion
Total: US$ 18 billionTotal: US$ 394 billionTotal:  US$ 11 billion
Total: US$ 148 million
Live animals
Vegetables
Animal or vegetable 
fats and oilsPrepared foods
Minerals
ChemicalsWood pulp
TextilesBase metals
OpticalVehicles, aircraft, 
vessels and associated transport equipmentPrecious 
stonesPlastics
MachineryMiscellaneous
Other
 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database. 
1.1.2  EFTA – Panama 
1.7.  In 2013, Panama was, respectively, the 45th largest export market for Iceland, the 37th 
largest export market for Norway, and the 39th largest export market for Switzerland, accounting 
for a negligible share of exports by the EFTA States. Panama was also the 39th largest source of 
imports for Iceland (0.04% of Iceland's total imports), the 37th largest source of imports for 
Norway (0.1%), and the 41st largest source of imports for Switzerland (0.1%). In terms of 
Panama's export markets, Norway ranked 67th and Switzerland 73rd (both corresponding to a 
negligible part of Panama's total exports). Switzerland was Panama's 25th largest source of imports 
(0.3% of Panama's total imports); while Norway ranked 32nd (0.1% of Panama's total imports), 
and Iceland ranked 59th (a negligible share of Panama's imports). 
1.8.  Chart 1.3 reflects Panama's continued global trade deficit. While its global imports continued 
to grow over the period (except in 2009 due to the global financial crisis), its world exports remained relatively stable, while the impact of the financial crisis took several years to be 
mitigated. With respect to bilateral trade between the EFTA States and Panama, Panama 
experienced a large trade deficit with the EFTA States, with a steady increase in Panama's imports from the EFTA States while its exports remained small.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 7 - 
 
  Chart 1.3 EFTA - Panama: Merchandise tr ade bilaterally and with world, 2001-2013 
0102030405060
02468101214
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013B. Panama 2001-2013
Imports from EFTA (Right Axis)
Exports to EFTA (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
Note: no export data for 2003.0100200300400500600
050100150200250300350400450
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013A. EFTA 2001-2013 
Imports from Panama (Right Axis)
Exports to Panama (Right Axis)
Total Imports
Total Exports
 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database. 
 
1.9.  The commodity structure of trade between the EFTA States and Panama, as well as their 
global trade in the period 2011-2013, is shown in Chart 1.4 on the basis of Harmonized System 
(HS) sections. Machinery, optical instruments, and chemicals accounted for 72.9% of Panama's 
imports from EFTA, and 45.4% of the EFTA States global exports. Panama's main export product 
categories globally were vegetables, live animals, precious stones, and prepared foodstuffs 
(accounting for 68.6% of its total exports). While accounting for 13.5% of Panama's global 
exports, precious stones, and products categorized as vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment (essentially ships) represented 65.3% of EFTA imports from Panama. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 8 - 
 
  Chart 1.4 EFTA and Panama: pr oduct composition of merchandise trade, annual average 
(2011-2013) 
40
25158534EFTA imports from Panama (%)
19
17
11
98654443227EFTA's Global Imports (%)
21
21
131313433323Panama's Global Exports (%)
30
271696624Panama's imports from EFTA (%)
22
19
10 887544322223Panama's Global Imports(%)
29
2213106532226EFTA's Global Exports(%)Total: US$ 116 million Total: US$ 296 billion
Total: US$ 12 billionTotal: US$ 394 billionTotal:  US$ 817 million
Total: US$ 40 million
OtherLive animals
Vegetables
Animal or vegetable 
fats and oils
Prepared foodsMinerals
Chemicals Wood pulp
TextilesBase metals
OpticalVehicles, 
aircraft, vessels and associated 
transport 
equipmentPrecious stones
Plastics
MachineryMiscellaneous
Raw hides FootwearArticles of stone, plaster, cement
Works of artWood and articles of wood
 
 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database. 
1.2  Trade in services and investment 
1.10.  In 2013, EFTA States' shares of total commercial services exports were, respectively, 0.07% 
(Iceland); 0.87% (Norway); and 2.01% (Switzerla nd), and 0.07% (Iceland); Norway (1.13%); 
and 1.21% (Switzerland) of total imports. Co sta Rica's and Panama's shares represented 
respectively 0.13% and 0.21%, and 0.04% and 0.11% of world exports and imports. Among the EFTA States, with total cumulated commercial services exports of US$137.7 billion, and imports of 
US$105.1 billion, Switzerland was the world's 9
th largest exporter and 15th largest importer, while 
Norway ranked 17th largest exporter and importer, and Iceland was the 55th largest exporter and 
68th largest importer. In comparison, Costa Rica ranked 43rd largest exporter and 87th largest 
importer (with exports of US$6 billion and imports of US$1.9 billion) and Panama was the 
37th largest exporter and 53rd largest importer (with exports of US$9.6 billion and imports of 
US$4.6 billion).6 
1.11.  Chart 1.5 below shows the breakdown of gl obal trade in commercial services for the EFTA 
States and for Costa Rica and Panama. Transportation was the largest export and import for all 
Parties with travel also playing an important role in Panama's trade and communication services for Costa Rica. 
                                               
6 WTO Trade Profiles 2014 (2013 data). No specific profile is available for Liechtenstein and data 
corresponding to Switzerland does not incl ude trade in services for Liechtenstein. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Chart 1.5 EFTA, Costa Rica and Panama: Trad e in commercial services with world, 2001-
2013 
0.01.02.03.04.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013C. Costa Rica imports from world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
024681012
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013D. Costa Rica exports to world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
050100150200250
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013A.  EFTA imports from world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
050100150200250300
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013B. EFTA exports to world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
0.01.02.03.04.05.0
2011 2012 2013E. Panama imports from world
2011-2013
(US$ Billion)
024681012
2011 2012 2013F. Panama exports to world
2011-2013
(US$ Billion)
 
Note on Costa Rica:  No trade data available for Insurance services (2001-2013); no export data for Financial 
services (2001-2013) and for Other business services (2006-2007). 
Note on Panama: No import data for Construction (2011-2013). Source: WTO Statistics database (based on BMP5) and Panama authorities. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  1.12.  On foreign investment data were available on Switzerland's FDI stocks and flows with Costa 
Rica and the world (Chart 1.6); Costa Rica's FDI stocks and flows with Norway, Switzerland and the world (Chart 1.7); and Panama's FDI stocks and flows with Norway, Switzerland and the world 
(Chart 1.8), as presented below. Both Panama and Costa Rica are net recipients of FDI both 
globally and from Switzerland and Norway.  
Chart 1.6 Switzerland: FDI stock an d flow with Costa Rica and world 
-250-200-150-100-50050100
2011 2012 2013Switzerland FDI stock with Costa Rica
2011-2013
(US$ Million) 
Outward
0100200300400500600700800
2011 2012 2013Switzerland FDI flow with Costa Rica
2011-2013
(US$ Million) 
Outward
02004006008001,0001,2001,400
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Switzerland FDI stock with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) 
Outward
Inward
-20020406080100
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Switzerland FDI flow with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) 
Outward
Inward
 
Note:  Confidential data on outward FDI flow and stock with Costa Rica not included. 
Source: UNCTAD and Swiss National Bank (2011-2013). WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Chart 1.7 Costa Rica: FDI stock and flow with Norway, Switzerland and 
world
020406080100120
2011 2012 2013Costa Rica FDI stock with Norway
2011-2013
(US$ Million) Inward
Outward
0102030405060
2011 2012 2013Costa Rica FDI flow with Norway
2011-2013
(US$ Million) 
Inward
Outward
0200400600800
2011 2012 2013Costa Rica FDI stock with Switzerland
2011-2013
(US$ Million) 
Inward
-100102030
2011 2012 2013Costa Rica FDI flow with Switzerland
2011-2013
(US$ Million)
Inward
051015202530
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Costa Rica FDI stock with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) Inward
Outward
-0.50.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Costa Rica FDI flow with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) Inward
Outward
 
Note:  No outward FDI stock and flow for Switzerland (2011-2013) and no outward FDI stock and flow 
  for Norway (2011-2012) 
Source: UNCTAD and Costa Rica authorities (2011-2013). WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Chart 1.8 Panama: FDI stock and flow with Norway, Switzerland and world 
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
2011 2012 2013Panama FDI stock with Norway
2011-2013
(US$ Million) Inward
0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.82.0
2011 2012 2013Panama FDI flow with Norway
2011-2013
(US$ Million) Inward
0.01.02.03.0
2011 2012 2013Panama FDI stock with Switzerland
2011-2013
(US$ Million) Inward
0100200300400
2011 2012 2013Panama FDI flow with Switzerland
2011-2013
(US$ Million) Inward
0510152025303540
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Panama FDI stock with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) Inward
Outward
-1.00.01.02.03.04.05.06.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013Panama FDI flow with world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion) Inward
Outward
 
Note: No outward FDI stock and flow with Norway and Switzerland (2011-2013).No outward FDI stock 
with world (2001-2008) and outward FDI flow with world (2001-2004). 
Source: UNCTAD and Panama authorities (2011-2013). 
2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT 
2.1  Background Information 2.1.  The Agreement was signed on 24 June 2013. It was notified to the WTO under 
Article XXIV:7(a) of the GATT 1994 and Article V:7(a) of the GATS on 19 November 2014.
7 The 
Agreement entered into force for Costa Rica, Panama and Norway on 19 August 2014; for Costa 
Rica, Panama, Liechtenstein and Switzerland on 29 August 2014; and for Costa Rica, Panama and Iceland on 5 September 2014. The text of the Agreem ent is available, together with its Annexes, 
on the Parties' official websites: 
Costa Rica:  http://www.comex.go.cr/tratados/proceso_n egociacion/EFTA/texto_tratado.aspx 
 
Panama:   http://www.mici.gob.pa/detalle.php?cid=15&sid=57&id=4369 
 
EFTA: http://www.efta.int/free-trad e/Free-Trade-Agreements/c entral-american-states 
 
2.2  Structure of the Agreement 
2.2.  The Agreement is composed of 13 Chapters and 21 Annexes as follows: 
                                               
7 WTO documents WT/REG357/N/1 and S/C/N/774. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Box 2.1 Structure of the Agreement 
Preamble 
Chapter 1 General provisions 
Chapter 2 Trade in non-agricultural products 
Chapter 3 Trade in agricultural products 
Chapter 4 Trade in services 
Chapter 5 Investment 
Chapter 6 Protection of intellectual property 
Chapter 7 Government procurement 
Chapter 8 Competition 
Chapter 9 Trade and sustainable development 
Chapter 10 Cooperation 
Chapter 11 Institutional provisions 
Chapter 12 Dispute settlement 
Chapter 13 Final provisions 
Annexes   
Annex I Rules of origin and methods of administrative cooperation 
Annex II Regarding electronic commerce 
Annex III Product coverage of non-agricultural products 
Annex IV Tariff dismantling Cost a Rica for non-agricultural products 
Annex V Tariff dismantling Panama for non-agricultural products 
Annex VI Export duties 
Annex VII Trade facilitation 
Annex VIII Mandate Sub-Committee on trade in goods 
Annex IX Tariff concessions on agricultural products (Costa Rica – Iceland) 
Annex X Tariff concessions on agricultural products (Costa Rica – Norway) 
Annex XI Tariff concessions on agricultural products (Costa Rica – 
Liechtenstein/Switzerland) 
Annex XII Tariff concessions on agricultural  products (Panama – Iceland) 
Annex XIII Tariff concessions on agricultur al products (Panama – Norway) 
Annex XIV Tariff concessions on agricu ltural products (Panama – 
Liechtenstein/Switzerland) 
Annex XV Schedules of specific commitments  
Annex XVI List of MFN exemptions 
Annex XVII Financial services 
Annex XVIII Reservations 
Annex XIX Intellectual property rights 
Annex XX Covered entities 
Annex XXI Implementation of modifications approved by the Joint Committee 
 
 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  2.3.  The Agreement establishes a free trade area between, on one side, the individual EFTA 
States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway8 and Switzerland) and, on the other, the individual Central 
American States (Costa Rica and Panama) (Article 1.1). It does not apply to trade relations 
between individual EFTA or Central American States (Article 1.4).  
2.4.  As a result of the customs union esta blished by the Customs Treaty of 29 March 1923 
between Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Switzerland shall represent the Principality of Liechtenstein 
in matters covered thereby (Article 1.4). The Partie s are to ensure that their respective regional 
and local governments and authorities and non-governmental bodies in the exercise of 
governmental powers delegated to them by central, regional and local governments and 
authorities meet all obligations and commitments under the Agreement (Article 1.5). The Parties 
shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement 
(Article 13.1). 
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS 3.1.  Chapter 2 contains provisions specific to trade in non-agricultural products
9 while Chapter 3 
governs trade in agricultural products. The coverage of the two chapters is defined in Annex III to 
the Agreement. 
3.2.  A Sub-Committee on Trade in Goods, the ma ndate of which is contained in Annex VIII to the 
Agreement, is established in Article 2.12. 
3.1  Import duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.1.1  General provisions 3.3.  Upon the entry into force of the Agreement and for trade in both non-agricultural (Article 2.6) 
and agricultural products (Article 3.5), all import prohibitions or restriction on trade in goods 
between the Parties, other than customs duties and taxes or other charges, whether made effective through quotas, import licences or other measures, had to be eliminated on all products. 
The Parties also commit to apply national treatment in relation to internal taxes and other charges 
and regulations, in accordance with Article III of the GATT 1994, which is incorporated into and made part of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis  (Articles 2.8 and 3.5).  
3.1.2  Liberalization of trade and tariff lines 
3.4.  For non-agricultural products, the Parties commit to abolish, upon entry into force of the 
Agreement, all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports of products originating in a Party, except as otherwise indicated in the Parties' tariff dismantling programmes 
for non-agricultural products (Annex IV to the Agreement, for Costa Rica, and Annex V for 
Panama). The Parties may, following a unilateral tariff reduction, raise a customs duty to the level established in the tariff dismantling schedule of each Party, for the respective year (Article 2.3). 
The Parties' tariff concessions on agricultural products
10 are specified in Annexes IX through XIV to 
the Agreement, which cover bilateral concession s between each individual EFTA State and, 
respectively Costa Rica and Panama (Articles 3.1 and 3.2). 
3.1.3  Liberalization schedule 
3.1.3.1  EFTA States 3.5.  For non-agricultural products, the EFTA States abolished upon entry into force of the 
Agreement all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports from Costa Rica or 
Panama.  
                                               
8 The Agreement does not apply to the Norwegian terr itory of Svalbard, with the exception of trade in 
goods. 
9 Non-agricultural products essentially consist of some  fish and other marine pr oducts in HS Chapter 3, 
and HS Chapters 25 to 97, with some exceptions , as defined in Annex III to the Agreement.  
10 Agricultural products are products other than those covered in Annex III. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 15 - 
 
  3.6.  With regard to agricultural products, Iceland's tariff concessions are specified in Section 2 of 
Annex IX (with respect to Costa Rica) and Section 2 to Annex XII (with respect to Panama); Norway's tariff concessions are specified in Section 2 of Annex X (for Costa Rica) and Section 2 to Annex XIII (for Panama); and Switzerland's tariff concessions for agricultural products are 
specified in Section 2 of Annex XI (for Costa Rica ) and Section 2 to Annex XIV (for Panama). They 
foresee, for each EFTA State, inter alia , the possibility to levy an import duty on processed 
agricultural products (PAP), in accordance wi th the respective national price compensation 
systems. Import duties shall be based on, but not exceed, the difference between the domestic 
price and the world market price of the agricultural raw materials incorporated into the products concerned.
11 The applicable import duties for PAP ar e published on the website of the EFTA 
Secretariat.12  
3.7.  Subject to the provisions set out in the preceding paragraph, each EFTA State shall accord for 
PAPs, originating in, respectively, Costa Rica and Panama, treatment no less favourable than that accorded to the European Union. 
3.8.  In the case of Iceland, all other agricu ltural products (processed and not processed) are 
bound at duty free level.  
3.9.  In the case of Norway and Switzerland, ot her agricultural products listed in the respective 
schedules of tariff concessions are duty free or benefit from lowered tariff rates.
13 
3.10.  Additionally, in the case of Norway and fo r a number of 8-digit lines, Norway reduces by 
30% the in-quota duty on one of its WTO quotas. Norway's Schedule also contains seasonal tariff 
concessions. For five 8-digit lines, which are duty  free, Norway reserves the right to introduce a 
duty if the products are imported for feed purposes. 
3.11.  In the case of Switzerland, and with respec t to a number of tariff lines, Switzerland provides 
a preferential or duty free in-quota tariff within the limits of one of its WTO tariff quotas. Its 
Schedule also contains seasonal tariff concessions.  
3.1.3.1.1  Iceland 3.12.  Iceland's applied tariff in 2014 consisted of 8,520 lines at the HS eight-digit level 
(HS 2012), 94.8% of which were ad valorem  and 440 were composed of either specific duties 
(53 lines) or compound duties (387 lines).  
3.13.  Table 3.1 shows tariff elimination commitmen ts by Iceland with respect to Costa Rica and 
Panama. Before the entry into force of the Agreement, 5,968 lines were duty free, representing 
70% of Iceland's tariff, corresponding to 98.8% of  its imports from Costa Rica and 96.4% of its 
imports from Panama during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 2,109 lines (24.8% of the tariff) became duty-free for imports from Costa Rica and Panama. As a 
result, 94.8% of Iceland's tariff was duty free for imports from Costa Rica and from Panama, 
corresponding to 99.2% of imports by value from Costa Rica and almost 100% of imports by value 
from Panama. 443 tariff lines (corresponding to 5.2% of Iceland's tariff) remain dutiable as Iceland 
implemented its tariff elimination commitments immediately at the entry into force of the 
Agreement. The tariff lines represented 0.03% of Iceland's imports from Costa Rica and a negligible part of its imports from Panama in 2011-13.  
                                               
11 In the case of Iceland, for Costa Rica, 87 8-digit PAP lines are eligible for such import duties, while 
the figure is 89 8-digit PAP lines for Panama. In the ca se of Norway, 111 8-digit PAP lines are eligible for such 
duties levied on imports from Costa Rica. In relation to Panama, this is the case for 112 8-digit PAP lines. In the case of Switzerland, in relation to Costa Rica, 225 8- digit PAP lines are eligible for such duties. For Panama, 
this is the case for 220 8-digit PAP lines. 
12 Information available at http://www.efta.int/free -trade/free-trade-agreem ents/central-american-
states . 
13 In the case of Norway, this represent, with regard to Costa Rica, 119 8-digit lines that fall under this 
category, while with regard to Panama, this is the case for 137 8-digit lines. In the case of Switzerland, this represents 151 and 77 8-digit lines respectively for Costa Rica and Panama. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Table 3.1 Iceland (Costa Rica and Panama) 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade 
Duty phase-out 
period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Iceland's 
tariff 
schedule  Costa Rica Panama 
Value of 
Iceland's 
imports 
from Costa 
Rica 
(2011-
2013) in 
million US$ % of 
Iceland's 
total 
imports 
from  
Costa Rica 
2011-2013 Value of 
Iceland's 
imports from 
Panama 
(2011-2013) 
in million 
US$ % of 
Iceland's 
total imports 
from  
Panama 
2011-2013 
MFN duty free 
(2014) 5,968 70.0 3.76 98.8 0.82 96.45 
2014 2,109 24.8 0.02 0.4 0.03 3.53 
Remain dutiable 443 5.2 0.03 0.8 0.00 0.02 
Total 8,520 100.0 3.80 100.0 0.85 100.0 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland and the WTO-IDB. 
3.14.  Table 3.2 shows Iceland's tariff elimination,  by HS section with regard to Costa Rica and 
Panama. The 443 lines that remain subject to du ties, are found in sections I (live animals); 
II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), and IV (prepared food) with final 
average tariffs at between 29.7% and 44%, and wi th differences between the MFN rate and the 
preferential rate only in HS Chapters 18, 19 and 22, for which specific duties at the preferential 
level are granted (Chart 3.1 below). The highest average tariffs on dutiable lines are found in 
HS Chapter 20 (59%) as well as in Chapters 10, 11, 12, 17, and 23 (55%).  
Table 3.2 Iceland (Costa Rica and Panama):  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2014) Number of duty-
free lines No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) % 2014 
I 7.5 870 631 32 207 29.7 
II 12.6 467 294 116 57 44.0 
III 0.0 109 105  4 - 
IV 9.5 1,081 557 349 175 38.8 
V 0.1 192 190 2   
VI 1.2 971 819 152   
VII 2.4 368 238 130   
VIII 5.4 123 25 98   
IX 1.9 218 158 60   
X 2.1 186 137 49   
XI 5.1 899 550 349   
XII 12.7 71 6 65   
XIII 3.5 192 110 82   
XIV 3.0 61 43 18   
XV 1.3 690 583 107   
XVI 2.2 1,113 836 277   
XVII 0.7 465 431 34   
XVIII 0.1 227 224 3   
XIX 5.9 24 6 18   
XX 8.7 185 18 167   
XXI 1.3 8 7 1   
Total 4.4 8,520 5,968 2,109 443 34.4 
- Contains specific duties. 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Iceland. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Iceland: Average of dutiable rates with respect to Costa Rica and Panama, by 
HS Chapter  
0102030405060
02 04 06 07 10 11 12 *15 16 17 *18 *19 20 21 *22 23Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterMFN Preferential
 
Note: For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
* HS chapter 15 contains specific duties only. HS chapters 18, 19 and 22 contain specific duties at the 
 preferential level. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Iceland. 
3.1.3.1.2  Norway 
3.15.  Norway's applied tariff in 2014 consiste d of 7,085 lines at the HS eight-digit level 
(HS 2012), 88.7% of which were ad valorem  and 801 were composed of either specific duties 
(798 lines) or other duties (3 lines).  
3.16.  Table 3.3 shows tariff elimination commitments by Norway with respect to Costa Rica and 
Panama. Before the entry into force of the Agreement, 5,913 lines were duty free, representing 
83.5% of its tariff, and corresponding to 98.9% of  its imports from Costa Rica and 93.2% of its 
imports from Panama during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 401 lines (0.3% of the tariff) became duty-free for imports from Costa Rica and Panama. As a 
result, 89.2% of Norway's tariff was duty free for imports from Costa Rica and from Panama, 
corresponding to 99.5% of imports by value from Costa Rica and 99.9% of imports by value from 
Panama. 771 tariff lines (10.9% of the tariff) remain dutiable as Norway implemented its tariff 
elimination commitments immediately at the entry into force of the Agreement. The lines 
remaining dutiable represent 0.5% of Norway's imports from Costa Rica and a negligible part of its imports from Panama during 2011-13.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 18 - 
 
  Table 3.3 Norway (Costa Rica and Panama) 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade  
Duty phase-
out period  Number 
of lines  % of total 
lines in 
Norway's 
tariff 
schedule  Costa Rica Panama 
Value of 
Norway's 
imports 
from 
Costa Rica  
(2011-
2013) in 
million 
US$ % of 
Norway's 
total imports 
from  
Costa Rica 
2011-2013 Value of 
Norway's 
imports from 
Panama 
(2011-2013) 
in million 
US$ % of 
Norway's 
total imports 
from  
Panama 
2011-2013 
MFN duty 
free (2014) 5,913 83.5 54.8 98.9 41.1 93.2 
2014 401 5.7 0.3 0.6 3.0 6.7 
Remain 
dutiable 771 10.9 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.0 
Total 7,085 100.0 55.4 100.0 44.1 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway. 
3.17.  Table 3.4 shows Norway's tariff elimination,  by HS section with regard to Costa Rica and 
Panama. The 771 lines that remain subject to duties, are found in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared food) and VI 
(chemicals) with final average tariffs at between  10.7% and 409.9%, with differences between the 
MFN rate and the preferential rate in HS Chapters 6, 7 (not in the relation to Costa Rica), 15, 21 and 23, as illustrated by Chart 3.2 below. 
Table 3.4 Norway (Costa Rica and Panama):  
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free 
(2014) Number of 
duty-free lines No. of 
lines 
remaining 
dutiable Avg. Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
% 
2014 Costa Rica Panama 
I 15.6 528 330 6 192 409.9 409.9 
II 19.4 577 240 68 269 115.9 111.7 
III 5.7 126 50 10 66 14.1 14.1 
IV 2.7 449 172 52 225 75.5 64.2 
V 0.0 191 191     
VI 1.1 960 941  19 337.1 337.1 
VII 0.0 303 303     
VIII 0.0 90 90     
IX 0.0 173 173     
X 0.0 172 172     
XI 2.6 932 667 265    
XII 0.0 62 62     
XIII 0.0 180 180     
XIV 0.0 54 54     
XV 0.0 662 662     
XVI 0.0 963 963     
XVII 0.0 215 215     
XVIII 0.0 227 227     
XIX 0.0 24 24     
XX 0.0 190 190     
XXI 0.0 7 7     
Total 2.4 7,085 5,913 401 771 136.3 133 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 19 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Norway: Average of dutiable rates with respect to Costa Rica and Panama, by 
HS Chapter  
0100200300400500600
1
2
4
*5
67
*8
*10*11
12
15
16
*17*18
*19
*20
21
*22
23
35
*38Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterMFN Panama Costa Rica
 
Note: For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
* HS chapters which contain specific duties only.  Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Norway. 
3.1.3.1.3  Switzerland14 
3.18.  Switzerland's applied tariff in 2014 consisted of 8,299 lines at the HS eight-digit level 
(HS 2012), 19.6% of which were duty free.  
3.19.  Table 3.5 shows tariff elimination commitments by Switzerland with respect to Costa Rica 
and Panama. Before the entry into force of the Ag reement, 1,626 lines were duty free, or 19.6% 
of Switzerland's tariff, corresponding to 53.1% of its imports from Costa Rica and 50% of its 
imports from Panama during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 5,396 lines (65% of the tariff) became duty-free for imports from Costa Rica. As a result, 84.6% 
of its tariff was duty free for imports from Costa Rica, corresponding to 98.4% of imports by value 
from Costa Rica. 1,277 tariff lines (15.4% of the tariff) remain dutiable as Switzerland implemented tariff liberalization immediately at the entry into force of the Agreement. The tariff lines remaining dutiable represented 1.6% of Switzerland's imports from Costa Rica in 2011-13. In 
relation to Panama, at the entry into force of the Agreement, an additional 5,325 lines (64.2% of 
Switzerland's tariff) became duty-free. As a resu lt, 83.8% of Switzerland's tariff was duty free for 
imports from Panama, corresponding to 97.9% of imports by value from Panama. 1,348 tariff lines 
(16.2% of the tariff) remain dutiable as implementation was completed by Switzerland 
immediately at the entry into force of the Agreement. The tariff lines remaining dutiable represented 2.1% of Switzerland's imports from Panama in 2011-13. 
                                               
14 Including Liechtenst ein, as per the Customs Union established since 1 January 1924. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 20 - 
 
  Table 3.5 Switzerland (C osta Rica and Panama) 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Ag reement and corresponding average trade  Duty phase-out 
period Costa Rica Panama Number of 
lines 
% of total 
lines in 
Switzerland's 
tariff 
schedule 
Value of 
Switzerland's 
imports from 
Costa Rica 
(2011-2013) 
in million US$ 
% of 
Switzerland's 
total imports 
from Costa 
Rica 2011-13 
Number of 
lines 
% of total 
lines in 
Switzerland's 
tariff 
schedule 
Value of 
Switzerland's 
imports from 
Panama 
(2011-2013) 
in million US$ 
% of 
Switzerland's 
total imports 
from Panama 
2011-2013 
MFN 
duty 
free 
(2014) 1,626 19.6 54.1 53.1 1,626 19.6 62.7 50.00 
2014 5,396 65.0 46.2 45.3 5,325 64.2 60.1 47.9 
Remain 
dutiable 1,277 15.4 1.6 1.6 1,348 16.2 2.6 2.1 
Total 8,299 100.0 101.9 100.0 8,299 100.0 125.4 100.00 
Note: Tariff lines subject to in-quota rates are excluded in the tariff line count. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Switzerland and the WTO-IDB. 
 
3.20.  Table 3.6 shows Switzerland's tariff eliminatio n, by HS section with regard to Costa Rica and 
Panama. The lines that remain subject to duties in relation to Costa Rica (1,277) and Panama 
(1,348), are agricultural products as defined in Ar ticle 3.1 of the Agreement. These lines are found 
in sections I (live animals); II (vegetable produc ts), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), IV 
(prepared food) and VI (chemicals). Switzerland's tariff is based on specific rates for which 
ad valorem  equivalents are not available. Consequently it is not possible to calculate the average 
of dutiable rates. 
Table 3.6 Switzerland (C osta Rica and Panama) 
Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section 
HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free (2014)  Costa Rica Panama 
Number of 
duty-free 
lines 
2014 No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Number of 
duty-free 
lines 
2014 No. of 
lines 
remaining 
dutiable 
I … 450 188 61 201 52 210 
II … 1,045 234 196 615 149 662 
III … 197 71 67 59 55 71 
IV … 618 117 107 394 104 397 
V … 183 121 62  62  
VI … 1,012 407 597 8 597 8 
VII … 241 30 211  211  
VIII … 74 15 59  59  
IX … 131 15 116  116  
X … 178 24 154  154  
XI … 1,090 34 1,056  1,056  
XII … 60  60  60  
XIII … 159 2 157  157  
XIV … 61 7 54  54  
XV … 906 39 867  867  
XVI … 1,236 207 1,029  1,029  
XVII … 195 18 177  177  
XVIII … 251 55 196  196  
XIX … 26  26  26  
XX … 176 34 142  142  
XXI … 10 8 2  2  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 21 - 
 
  HS 
Section MFN 
average 
% Total 
No. of 
lines MFN duty-
free (2014)  Costa Rica Panama 
Number of 
duty-free 
lines 
2014 No. of lines 
remaining 
dutiable Number of 
duty-free 
lines 
2014 No. of 
lines 
remaining 
dutiable 
Total … 8,299 1,626 5,396 1,277 5,325 1,348 
…  Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem  equivalents are 
 not available. 
Note: Calculation excludes specific and in-quota rates. 
 Based on HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Switzerland and the WTO-IDB. 
3.1.3.2  Costa Rica 
3.21.  Costa Rica's applied tariff in 2014 consisted of 6,962 lines at the HS eight-digit level 
(HS 2012); all of them had ad valorem  duties.  
3.22.  For non-agricultural products, Costa Rica abolished upon entry into force of the Agreement 
all customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports of products originating in a Party, except as indicated in the tariff elimination programme for non-agricultural products 
(Annex IV to the Agreement). The tariff elimination programme is applicable to each EFTA State. 
While some products were duty free immediately up on the entry into force of the Agreement, the 
customs duties applicable to the other non-agricultural products will be eliminated according to the 
modalities in Annex IV, in 5, 10, 13 or 15 equal annual stages. All non-agricultural products from 
EFTA States will enter Costa Rica duty free at the latest on 1 January 2028. Costa Rica may, following a unilateral tariff reduction, raise a customs duty to the level established in the tariff dismantling schedule, for the respective year (Article 2.3).  
3.23.  Costa Rica's agricultural tariff concession s are specified in Section 1 of Annex IX (for 
Iceland), Section 1 to Annex X (for Norway), and Section 1 to Annex XI (for Switzerland). While tariffs are eliminated immediately for some agricultural products (Category I), the customs duties 
on to the other agricultural products will be removed, respectively, in 5, 10, or 15 equal annual 
stages. All agricultural products from an EFTA Stat e will enter Costa Rica duty free at the latest on 
1 January 2028, except for products not listed in its Schedules of tariff concessions and which are 
therefore excluded from the Agreement.  
3.24.  Table 3.7 shows tariff elimination commitments by Costa Rica with respect to Iceland, 
Norway, and Switzerland and Table 3.8 shows Costa Rica's tariff elimination, by HS section with regard to each of its EFTA partners.  
  WT/REG357/1 /Rev.1  
 
- 22 - Table 3.7 Costa Rica: Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and corresponding average trade 
Period Commitments applied by Costa Rica to:  
No. of lines % 
of lines Value of Imports (2011-2013) 
(US$ million) % of Total imports 
Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland 
MFN Duty Free (2014) 3,437  3,437 3,437  49.4 49.4 49.4 0.037 12.9  123.5  57.1 98.2 91.8 
2014 701 704 718 10.1 10.1 10.3 0.009 0.1 2.4 14.1 1.1 1.8 
2018 445  445 443  6.4 6.4 6.4 0.016 0.0  1.5 23.7 0.2 1.1 
2023 1,810  1,807 1,807  26.0 26.0 26.0 0.002 0.0 3.0 3.7 0.2 2.2 
2026 179  179 179  2.6 2.6 2.6 0.001 0.0  2.8 0.9 0.0 2.1 
2028 61 61 64 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.000 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.3 0.8 
Remain Dutiable 329  329 314  4.7 4.7 4.5 0.000 0.0  0.3 0.4 0.0 0.2 
Total 6,962 6,962 6,962 100.0 100.0 100.0 0.066 13.1 134.6 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provid ed by Costa Rica and WTO-IDB database.  
Table 3.8 Costa Rica (EFTA States): Tariff eliminat ion commitments under the Agreement, by HS Section HS Section 
MFN average 
% 
Total No. of 
lines 
MFN duty-free 
(2014) Iceland Norway Switzerland 2014 
2018 
2023 
2026 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2026 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average Fina
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2026 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average Fina
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
I 18.6 449 52 213 66 12   106 47.3 216 66 9   106 47.3 209 65 18  3 102 47.9 
II 8.4 419 168 63 6 133  1 48 19.8 63 6 133  1 48 19.8 65 5 132  1 48 19.8 
III 7.9 57 9   1   47 9.5   1   47 9.5   1   47 9.5 
IV 13.0 295 40 51 4 55  17 128 18.4 51 4 55  17 128 18.4 69 4 48  17 117 18.7 
V 2.4 187 121 10 5 45 5 1   10 5 45 5 1   10 5 45 5 1   
VI 1.7 1121 895 37 31 110 45 3   37 31 110 45 3   38 31 109 45 3   
VII 4.0 336 155 2 17 116 35 11   2 17 116 35 11   2 17 116 35 11   
VIII 7.8 108 19  14 75      14 75      14 75     
IX 7.8 139 28   111       111       111     
X 4.6 292 149  6 108 27 2    6 108 27 2    6 108 27 2   
XI 8.9 918 118  243 557      243 557      243 557     
XII 12.0 64 3 29  24  8   29  24  8   29  24  8   
XIII 5.9 175 80  5 79 6 5    5 79 6 5    5 79 6 5   
XIV 6.5 54 15 5 3 31     5 3 31     5 3 31     
XV 2.8 700 473  18 145 53 11    18 145 53 11    18 145 53 11   
XVI 1.9 979 804 1 19 153 2    1 19 153 2    1 19 153 2    
XVII 4.9 234 130 104       104       104       
XVIII 3.6 234 150 84       84       84       
XIX 14.0 21    21       21       21     
XX 9.9 171 28 93 8 34 6 2   93 8 34 6 2   93 8 34 6 2   
XXI 7.2 9         9       9       
Total 5.9 6,962 3,437 701 445 1,810 179 61 329 26.7 704 445 1,807 179 61 329 26.7 718 443 1,807 179 64 314 27.0 
Note:  Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Costa Rica.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 23 - 
 
  3.1.3.2.1  Costa Rica - Iceland 
3.25.  As shown in Table 3.7, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,437 lines were duty 
free, representing 49.4% of Costa Rica's tariff, corresponding to 57.1% of its imports from Iceland during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Ag reement, an additional 701 lines (10.1% of the 
tariff) became duty-free for imports from Iceland. As a result, 59.5% of Costa Rica's tariff was 
duty free for imports from Iceland, corresponding to 71.2% of imports by value from Iceland. In 2018, an additional 445 tariff lines (6.4% of Costa Rica's tariff) will become duty free for imports 
from Iceland, followed, in 2023, with the elim ination of customs duties for an additional 
1,810 lines. Ten years after the entry into force of the Agreement, 91.9% of Costa Rica's tariff will be duty-free for imports from Iceland, correspondi ng to 98.6% of imports by value from Iceland. 
Two additional tariff elimination stages will take place in 2026 (179 lines), and in 2028 (61 lines). 
At the end of the tariff elimination programme, in 2028, 6,633 tariff lines will be duty free for 
imports from Iceland (95.3% of the tariff), corre sponding to 99.6% of imports by value from 
Iceland. 329 tariff lines (corresponding to 4.7% of Costa Rica's tariff) will remain dutiable once the 
Agreement is fully implemented, representing 0.4% of its imports from Iceland in 2011-13.  
3.1.3.2.2  Costa Rica - Norway 3.26.  As shown in Table 3.7, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,437 lines were duty 
free, representing 49.4% of Costa Rica's tariff, co rresponding to 98.2% of its imports from Norway 
during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Ag reement, an additional 704 lines (10.1% of the 
tariff) became duty-free for imports from Norway. As a result, 59.5% of Costa Rica's tariff was duty free for imports from Norway, corresponding to 99.3% of imports by value from Norway. In 
2018, an additional 445 tariff lines (6.4% of the tariff) will become duty free for imports from 
Norway, followed, in 2023 with the elimination of customs duties for 1,807 additional tariff lines. 
Ten years after the entry into force of the Agreemen t, 91.9% of Costa Rica's tariff will be duty-free 
for imports from Norway, corresponding to 99.7% of imports by value from Norway. 
Two additional tariff elimination stages will take place in 2026 (179 lines), and in 2028 (61 lines). At the end of the tariff elimination programme, in 2028, 6,633 tariff lines will be duty free for 
imports from Norway (95.3% of the tariff), corre sponding to almost 100% of imports by value 
from Norway. 329 tariff lines (4.7% of the tariff) w ill remain dutiable once the Agreement is fully 
implemented, representing a negligible part of Costa Rica's imports from Norway in 2011-13.  
3.1.3.2.3  Costa Rica - Switzerland 
3.27.  As shown in Table 3.7, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,437 lines were duty 
free, representing 49.4% of Costa Rica's tariff, corresponding to 91.8% of its imports from Switzerland during 2011-2013. At the entry into fo rce of the Agreement, an additional 718 lines 
(10.3% of the tariff) became duty-free for import s from Switzerland. As a result, 59.7% of Costa 
Rica's tariff was duty free for imports from Switzerland, corresponding to 93.6% of imports by value from Switzerland. In 2018, an additional 443 tariff lines (6.4% of the tariff) will become duty 
free for imports from Switzerland, followed, in 2023 with the elimination of customs duties for 
1,807 tariff lines. Ten years after the entry into force of the Agreement, 92% of Costa Rica's tariff will be duty-free for imports from Switzerland, corresponding to 96.9% of imports by value from 
Switzerland. Two additional tariff elimination stages will take place in 2026 (179 lines), and in 
2028 (64 lines). At the end of the tariff elimination programme, in 2028, 6,648 tariff lines will be 
duty free for imports from Switzerland (95.5% of the tariff), corresponding to 99.8% of imports by 
value from Switzerland. 314 tariff lines (4.5% of the tariff) will remain dutiable once the 
Agreement is fully implemented, representing 0.2% of Costa Rica's imports from Iceland in 
2011-13.  
3.1.3.2.4  Costa Rica's dutiable rates at the end of implementation 
3.28.  As shown above in Table 3.8, the 329 lines that will remain subject to duties for imports 
from Iceland and Norway (and 314 lines for imports from Switzerland) once the Agreement is fully 
implemented in 2028, are found in HS sections I (live animals); II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), and IV (prepared food) with final average tariffs at between 
9.5% and 47.3%, with differences between the MFN rate and the preferential rate in 
HS Chapters 2, 17, 20 and 22 through 24, as illustrated by Chart 3.3 below.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Costa Rica: Average of dutiable rates with respect to the EFTA States, by HS 
Chapter 
0102030405060
2 4 7 9 1 01 11 21 51 61 71 81 92 02 12 22 32 4Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterA. Costa Rica with Switzerland
Average of Dutiable Rates, by HS Chapter
MFN Preferential
0102030405060
2 4 7 9 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterB. Costa Rica with Iceland/Norway
Average of Dutiable Rates, by HS Chapter
MFN Preferential
 
Note: For the calculation of averages, specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  parts of alternate 
rates are included. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  Iceland and Norway average final duties are the same. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Costa Rica. 
3.1.3.3  Panama 
3.29.  Panama's applied tariff in 2014 consisted of 8,880 lines at the HS eight-digit level 
(HS 2012), 99.68% of which were ad valorem  and 28 were composed of other duties.  
3.30.  For non-agricultural products, Panama abolished upon entry into force of the Agreement all 
customs duties and charges having equivalent effect on imports from a Party, except as indicated in its tariff elimination programmes for non-agricultural products (Annex V to the Agreement). Its 
tariff elimination programme is applicable to each EFTA State, except for seven 8 digit tariff lines 
(fish) which are not eliminated for imports from Switzerland. While some tariffs were eliminated immediately upon the entry into force of the Agreement, the customs duties applicable to the 
other non-agricultural products will be eliminated according to the modalities in Annex IV, in 5 or 
10 equal annual stages. All non-agricultural products from EFTA States will enter Panama duty free at the latest on 1 January 2023. Panama may, following a unilateral tariff reduction, raise a customs duty to the level established in the ta riff dismantling schedule of each Party, for the 
respective year (Article 2.3).  
3.31.  Panama's agricultural tariff concessions ar e specified in Section 1 of Annex XII (Iceland), 
Section 1 to Annex XIII (Norway), and Section 1 to Annex XIV (Switzerland). There are six staging 
categories in Panama's Schedules of tariff concessi ons on agricultural products. For some products, 
tariffs were eliminated on the date of entry into force of the Agreement (Category A). Other products will be eliminated in 5, 10, or 15 equal annual stages from the date of entry into force of 
the Agreement (Categories B, C, and D), with  duty free treatment granted at the latest, 
respectively, by 1 January 2018, 2023, or 2028. Products in Category E are excluded from duty elimination or reduction and the MFN duty will be applied. Duties on all other goods were reduced 
as set out in Panama's Schedule on the date of entry into force of the Agreement. 
3.32.  Table 3.9 shows tariff elimination commitments by Panama with respect to Iceland, Norway, 
and Switzerland and Table 3.10 shows Panama's tari ff elimination, by HS section with regard to 
each of its EFTA partners.  
  WT/REG357/1 /Rev.1  
 
- 25 - Table 3.9 Panama: Tariff elimination commitments und er the Agreement and corresponding average trade 
Period Commitments applied by Panama to: 
No. of lines % 
of lines Value of Imports (2011-2013) (US$ 
million) % of Total imports 
Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland 
MFN Duty Free 
(2014) 3,062 3,062 3,062 34.48 34.48 34.48 0.0 2.4 13.6 0.0 37.9 44.5 
2014 2,248 2,234 2,233 25.32 25.16 25.15 0.1 3.5 13.6 100.0 56.2 44.3 
2018 1,285 1,285 1,285 14.47 14.47 14.47 0.0 0.1 2.2 0.0 2.1 7.0 
2023 1,682 1,694 1,692 18.94 19.08 19.05 0.0 0.2 1.3 0.0 3.8 4.1 
2028 42 42 40 0.47 0.47 0.45 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Remain Dutiable 561 563 568 6.32 6.34 6.40 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Total 8,880 8,880 8,880 100.0 100.0 100.0 0.1 6.3 30.6 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by Panama and WTO-IDB database.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 26 - 
 
  Table 3.10 Panama (EFTA States):  
Tariff elimination commitments under  the Agreement, by HS Section HS Section 
MFN average 
% 
Total No. of 
lines 
MFN duty-free 
(2014) Iceland Norway 2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
I 20.0 540 38 323    179 33.7 322    180 33.5 
II 9.9 463 160 69 76 4  154 14.7 69 76 4  154 14.7 
III 8.6 72 20 9 1  25 17 11.7 9 1  25 17 11.6 
IV 12.0 559 91 142 133 11 17 165 16.1 141 133 11 17 166 16.0 
V 6.8 200 87 45 64 4    45 64 4    
VI 2.4 1,333 884 325 77 40  7 8.4 325 77 40  7 8.4 
VII 4.2 414 219 55 88 52    55 88 52    
VIII 11.8 113 4 8 5 77  19 10.8 8 5 77  19 10.8 
IX 7.3 179 63 16 20 80    16 20 80    
X 7.9 378 139 42 83 114    42 83 114    
XI 6.9 1,210 463 35 267 425  20 10.0 35 267 425  20 10.0 
XII 9.8 154 10 37 17 90    37 17 90    
XIII 9.1 285 44 48 43 150    48 43 150    
XIV 7.2 66 24 2 1 39    2 1 39    
XV 7.4 898 321 190 65 322    190 65 322    
XVI 4.8 1,086 293 540 240 13    540 240 13    
XVII 5.9 338 159 93 45 41    81 45 53    
XVIII 9.0 287 36 187 14 50    187 14 50    
XIX 14.6 24   24      24     
XX 10.9 273 3 79 22 169    79 22 169    
XXI 6.9 8 4 3  1    3  1    
Total 7.6 8,880 3,062 2,248 1,285 1,682 42 561 20.7 2,234 1,285 1,694 42 563 20.6 
HS Section 
MFN average 
% 
Total No. of 
lines 
MFN duty-free 
(2014) Switzerland*  2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average Fina
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I 20.0 540 38 313    189 32.6       
II 9.9 463 160 76 74 4  149 14.8       
III 8.6 72 20 7 1  25 19 11.8       
IV 12.0 559 91 145 135 9 15 164 15.7       
V 6.8 200 87 45 64 4          
VI 2.4 1,333 884 324 77 40  8 8.6       
VII 4.2 414 219 55 88 52          
VIII 11.8 113 4 8 5 77  19 10.8       
IX 7.3 179 63 16 20 80          
X 7.9 378 139 42 83 114          
XI 6.9 1,210 463 35 267 425  20 10.0       
XII 9.8 154 10 37 17 90          
XIII 9.1 285 44 48 43 150          
XIV 7.2 66 24 2 1 39          
XV 7.4 898 321 190 65 322          
XVI 4.8 1,086 293 540 240 13          
XVII 5.9 338 159 81 45 53          
XVIII 9.0 287 36 187 14 50          
XIX 14.6 24   24           
XX 10.9 273 3 79 22 169          
XXI 6.9 8 4 3  1          
Total 7.6 8,880 3,062 2,233 1,285 1,692 40 568 20.5       
Note:  * Tariff lines subject to in-quota rates are excluded in the computation. 
 Based on HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Panama.   
3.1.3.3.1  Panama - Iceland 
3.33.  As shown in Table 3.9, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,062 lines were duty 
free, representing 34.48% of Panama's tariff, corres ponding to a negligible part of its imports from 
Iceland during 2011-2013. At the entry into forc e of the Agreement, an additional 2,248 lines 
(25.32% of the tariff) became duty-free for import s from Iceland. As a result, 59.8% of Panama's 
tariff was duty free for imports from Iceland, corresponding to 100% of imports by value from 
Iceland. Further tariff elimination will take plac e in 2018, 2023, and 2028, bringing the number of 
duty free lines to 8,319. By 2024, ten years after the entry into force of the Agreement, 93.21% of 
Panama's tariff shall be duty free for imports fr om Iceland. 561 tariff lines (corresponding to 
6.32% of Panama's tariff) will remain dutiable once the Agreement is fully implemented, representing a negligible part of Panama's imports from Iceland in 2011-13. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 27 - 
 
  3.1.3.3.2  Panama - Norway 
3.34.  As shown in Table 3.9, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,062 lines were duty 
free, representing 34.48% of Panama's tariff, corresponding to 37.9% of its imports from Norway 
during 2011-2013. At the entry into force of the Ag reement, an additional 2,234 lines (25.16% of 
the tariff) became duty-free for imports from Norway. As a result, 59.64% of Panama's tariff was 
duty free for imports from Norway, corresponding  to 94.1% of imports by value from Norway. 
Further tariff elimination will take place in 2018, 2023, and 2028, bringing the number of duty free lines to 8,317. By 2024, ten years after the entry into force of the Agreement, 93.19% of 
Panama's tariff shall be duty free for imports from Norway. 563 tariff lines (corresponding to 
6.34% of Panama's tariff) will remain dutiable once the Agreement is fully implemented, representing a negligible part of Panama's imports from Norway in 2011-13. 
3.1.3.3.3  Panama – Switzerland 
3.35.  As shown in Table 3.9, before the entry into force of the Agreement, 3,062 lines were duty 
free, representing 34.5% of Panama's tariff, corresponding to 44.48% of its imports from Switzerland during 2011-2013. At the entry into forc e of the Agreement, an additional 2,233 lines 
(25.15% of the tariff) became duty-free for imports from Switzerland. As a result, 59.63% of 
Panama's tariff was duty free for imports from Sw itzerland, corresponding to 88.8% of imports by 
value from Switzerland. Further tariff elimination will take place in 2018, 2023, and 2028, bringing 
the number of duty free lines to 8,312. By 2024 , ten years after the entry into force of the 
Agreement, 93.63% of Panama's tariff shall be du ty free for imports from Switzerland. 568 tariff 
lines (corresponding to 6.4% of Panama's tariff) will remain dutiable once the Agreement is fully implemented, representing a negligible part of Panama's imports from Switzerland in 2011-13. 
3.1.3.3.4  Panama's dutiable rate s at the end of implementation 
3.36.  Chart 3.4 below shows the average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter, as applicable by 
Panama at the end of the implementation period for each of Panama's RTA partners. For a large 
number of HS Chapters dutiable rates remain. In th e case of most HS Chapters that correspond to 
agricultural products, preferential rates are se t below the MFN rate, while, for HS Chapters 
corresponding to non-agricultural products, there are no difference between MFN and preferential 
rates. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Chart 3.4 Panama: Average of dutiable rates with respect to the EFTA States, by 
HS Chapter  
05101520253035404550
1
24
5
67
8
9
1011
12
1516
17
1920
21
2223
24
3335
38
4143
50
5153Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterA. Panama with Iceland
Average of Dutiable Rates, by HS Chapter
MFN
Preferential
05101520253035404550
1
2
4
56
7
89
10
11
1215
16
1719
20
2122
23
2433
35
384143
50
5153Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterB. Panama with Norway
Average of Dutiable Rates, by HS Chapter
MFN
Preferential
05101520253035404550
1
23
4
56
7
8
9
1011
12
1516
17
19
20
2122
23
2433
35
38
41
4350
51
53Rate of duty (%)
HS ChapterC. Panama with Switzerland
Average of Dutiable Rates, by HS Chapter
MFN
Preferential
 
Note:  
Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Panama.  
3.1.4  Tariff rate quotas 
3.37.  Iceland, Costa Rica and Panama do not have any preferential TRQ commitments.  
3.38.  Switzerland15 grants some concessions "within the limits of a tariff quota". This is the case 
for 147 8-digit tariff lines for Costa Rica and for 77 for Panama. The concessions are all within 
Switzerland's WTO TRQ commitments.16  
3.39.  Norway grants a 30% reduction on the in-q uota duty of some of its WTO TRQs for Costa 
Rica (16 lines) and Panama (24 lines).17 Quantities are fixed and indefinite without any variation 
over time. 
                                               
15 Also covering Liechtenstein. 
16 References to the following annual global WTO quota are contained in Switzerland's Schedule of tariff 
concessions in relation to Costa Rica: quotas 1 throug h 7, 9 through 15, 18, 19, 21,  and 22. In relation to 
Panama, the following WTO quotas are concerned: quot as 5 through 7, 12 throug h 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 29 - 
 
  3.40.  Panama grants two tariff rate quotas to Sw itzerland, with preferen tial duty free treatment 
for and aggregate quantity of respectively 60 tons and 40 tons for specific categories of cheese.18  
3.2  Rules of origin 
3.41.  The rules of origin and methods of administ rative cooperation are set out in Annex I to the 
Agreement. While Section I defines terms used in  Annex I, Section II clarifies the concept of 
"originating products". For the purposes of the Agreement, a product is considered as originating 
in a Party if: 
a. it has been wholly obtained in a Party19; 
b. the non-originating materials used in the working or processing of that product have 
undergone sufficient working or processing in a Party, in conformity with the product-specific rules contained in Appendix 1 to Annex I
20; or  
c. it has been produced in a Party exclusively from materials originating in one or more 
Parties. 
3.42.  Product-specific rules of origin set out in Appendix 1 to Annex I represent the minimum 
working or processing required to be carried ou t on non-originating materials for the resulting 
product to achieve originating status. For most HS  Chapters covering agricultural products, the 
products are originating if they are wholly obtained (in particular for HS Chapters 1-12) or if their transformation involves a change in tariff classification (CTC). For certain products covered by a 
number of HS Chapters (in particular Chapters 25; 31; 33-37; 39-49; 65-68; 70-71; 74-76; 
78-83; and 86-97) value addition, ranging from 40% to 70% is also prescribed as an alternative determination of origin criteria
21. Specified manufacturing or processing operations are required for 
some products (some prepared foods; and precious metals). 
3.43.  Insufficient working or processing not conferring origin is defined in Article 5 of Annex I, 
while accumulation rules are set in Article 6. A ccumulation is permitted in cases where the EFTA 
States and Costa Rica or Panama have a preferential trade agreement with the same non-party or 
group of non-parties, as long as they comply with the specific rules of origin for that product or 
material under the Agreement. For this rule to apply an equivalent provision shall be in force between each Party and the non-party or group of no n-parties, as well as any other conditions that 
the Parties consider necessary for its application. Other disciplines contained in Section II of Annex 
I cover, in Articles 7 through 12 of the Annex: unit of qualification; accessories, spare parts and tools; packaging materials and containers; sets; neutral elements; and fungible materials.  
3.44.  Section III of Annex I clarifies the principle of territoriality applicable to the Agreement, 
including in relation to operations carried out in a third-party, under an outward processing 
procedures or a similar arrangement; as well as disciplines related to direct transport (Articles 13 and 14).  
                                                                                                                                               
17 References to the following annual global WTO quota are contained in Norway's Schedule of tariff 
concessions: i) quota for me at of bovine animals, frozen, of 1084 tons ; quota for meat of swine, frozen, of 
1381 tons; quota for meat of fowls of the species Gallu s domesticus, frozen, of 221 tons; quota for white 
cabbage of 134 tons; quota for red cabbage of 134 tons.  
18 The two TRQs are granted to HS tari ff lines 0406.2000; 0406.3000;  0406.9011; 0406.9019; 
0406.9020; and 0406.9090. One TRQ (for 40 tons) is grante d for goods within Panama's WTO quota for the 
above-mentioned lines. The second TRQ (for 60 tons) is granted for the same goods but entered outside of the WTO quota. The in-quota duty rate shall be zero any calendar year from the date of entry into force of the 
Agreement. 
19 Article 3 of Annex I lists the categories of products  to be considered as wholly obtained in a Party. 
20 Appendix 1 to Annex 1 to the Agreement contains three lists with product-specific rules covering HS 
Chapters 1-24 for EFTA-Costa Rica, and EFTA-Panama; an d HS Chapter 25-97 for EFTA-Central America. When 
the total value of non-originating materials does not ex ceed 10% of the ex-works price of the product, the 
conditions of the product-specific rules do not have to be fulfilled. This is also the case when no maximum 
value of non-originating materials (in Appendix 1 to Annex I) is exceeded. 
21 The value-added rule is also used, as an additional requirement, for certain products covered in 
Chapters 17-19; 21-22; 69.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 30 - 
 
  3.45.  Section IV of Annex I addresses proof or origin and refers to Appendices 2 to 5 of Annex I, 
which contain the required wording of the origin declaration; specimens of movement certificate 
EUR.1 and applications for a movement certificate EUR.1; amounts related to the conditions for 
competing an origin declaration, exemption from proof of origin and calculation of other currencies; and period of time and procedure for the presentation of proof of origin or 
reimbursement of tariffs in relation to import requirements.  
3.46.  Section V of Annex I governs administrati ve cooperation on rules of origin between the 
Parties and covers, in Articles 28 to 31, subsequent verification of proofs of origin; notification and 
cooperation; confidentiality; and re-exportation of goods. Section VI covers, inter alia , penalties in 
case of a violation of rules of origin-related legislation; application of the Annex to products in transit or storage; and explanatory notes regarding the interpretation, application and administration of Annex I. 
3.3  Export duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.47.  Upon the entry into force of the Agreement, all customs duties and other charges, including 
surcharges and other forms of contributions, related to the export of goods to another Party, was 
required to be eliminated and no new export duty was to be introduced. As an exception, under 
Annex VI to the Agreement, contributions required by Costa Rica on the export of bananas, coffee, 
and meat may be maintained. Nevertheless, if afte r the entry into force of the Agreement, Costa 
Rica lowers or eliminates its export contributions to a third-party, it shall accord the same 
treatment to the EFTA States. Exporters may not benefit from repayment of internal taxes in excess of the amount of indirect taxes imposed on products exported to the territory of one of the 
Parties. 
3.48.  All export prohibitions or restrictions on trade in goods between the Parties, other than 
customs duties and taxes or other charges, whether made effective through quotas, export licences or other measures, also had to be eliminated, immediately (Article 2.6).  
3.4  Regulatory provisions on trade in goods 
3.4.1  Standards 3.4.1.1  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
3.49.  The rights and obligations of the Parties in respect of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) 
measures shall be governed by the WTO SPS Agreement (Article 2.9).  
3.50.  The Parties agree to strengthen their cooperation in SPS matters. To facilitate 
communication and the exchange of SPS-related information, the Parties agree to establish 
contact points and to hold a technical consultation in order to find an appropriate WTO conform 
solution when a Party considers that another Party has taken or is considering a measure which may not be in conformity with the WTO SPS Agreement.  
3.4.1.2  Technical barriers to trade 
3.51.  The rights and obligations of the Parties on  technical regulations, standards and conformity 
assessment measures shall be governed by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade 
(TBT) (Article 2.10).  
3.52.  The Parties also agree to strengthen cooperation in TBT matters, in particular to reinforce 
the role of international standards used as a basis for technical regulations, including conformity assessment procedures, the promotion of the accr editation of conformity assessment bodies on 
the basis of relevant standards and guides of the ISO
22 and the IEC23; the promotion of mutual 
acceptance of conformity assessment results of recognised bodies; and reinforcement of 
transparency in the development of technical re gulations and conformity assessment procedures. 
The Agreement also provides for disciplines on noti fication, the establishment of contact points on 
                                               
22 International Organization for Standardisation.  
23 International Electrotechnical Commission.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 31 - 
 
  TBT matters, and technical consultations in cases where a Party considers that another Party has 
taken or is considering a measure not in conformity with the WTO TBT Agreement. 
3.53.  No later than two years after the entry into  force of the Agreement, the parties shall jointly 
review the Agreement's provisions on TBT to co nsider, among other things, the acceptance of 
conformity assessment procedures and results undertaken by all Parties with a third-party.  
3.4.2  Safeguard mechanisms 
3.54.  Article 2.16 contains disciplines applicable to global safeguard measures which may be 
applied by the Parties, while a specific bilateral safeguard mechanism is established under 
Article 2.17.  
3.55.  Rules on the imposition of restrictive measures for balance of payments purposes are 
contained in Article 2.20. 
3.4.2.2  Global safeguards 
3.56.  The Parties rights and obligations in respect of global safeguards shall be governed by 
Article XIX of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards (Article 2.16). This is not subject to the Agreement's dispute settlement mech anism. Moreover, in taking global safeguard 
measures, a Party shall exclude imports of an originating product from one or several Parties if 
such imports do not in and of themselves cause or threaten to cause serious injury. The Party 
taking the measure shall demonstrate that such exclusion is in accordance with the jurisprudence 
of the WTO. No Party may apply, with respect to the same product and at the same time, a 
bilateral safeguard measure and a global safeguard measure under the relevant WTO provisions.
24  
3.4.2.3  Bilateral safeguards 3.57.  Disciplines on bilateral safeguard measures are contained in Article 2.17. Such measures 
may only be applied to the minimum extent necessary to remedy or prevent an injury substantially 
caused (or threated to be caused) by a Party's co mpeting product imported in increased quantities 
into another Party. This is applicable only when such a situation results from the reduction or 
elimination of a customs duty under the Agreement. The investigation shall be conducted in 
accordance with the procedures laid down in the WTO Safeguards Agreement. It also involves notification obligations and foresees the offer of compensation in the form of substantially 
equivalent trade liberalization. The importing Party may suspend further reductions of customs 
duties. As an alternative, it may increase the rate of customs duties to a level not exceeding the lesser of: i) the MFN rate of duty applied at the time  the action is taken or ii) the MFN rate of duty 
applied on the day immediately preceding the entry into force of the Agreement. 
3.58.  Bilateral safeguards shall only be taken duri ng the transition period which is defined as five 
years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. Where the liberalization process lasts 
five or more years, the transition period includes the tariff elimination period of the goods as 
indicated in the Party's schedule of tariff commitments plus two years. The duration of a bilateral 
safeguard measure shall not exceed two years, extendable in exceptional circumstances to up to two additional years. No bilateral safeguard shal l be applied on a product which has previously 
been subject to such a measure.  
3.59.  For critical circumstances, the Agreemen t also foresees provisional bilateral safeguard 
measures, which shall be terminated within 200 days at the latest. The period of application of any provisional safeguard measure shall count as part of the duration of the bilateral safeguard 
measure.  
3.4.2.4  Safeguard measures related to balance of payment difficulties 
3.60.  While the Parties shall endeavour to avoid the imposition of restrictive measures for balance 
of payments (BOP) purposes, a Party, in serious BOP difficulties, or under imminent threat thereof, 
may, in accordance with the conditions established under the GATT 1994 and the relevant WTO 
                                               
24 On these latter matters, the Agreement's chapter on dispute settlement is applicable. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 32 - 
 
  Understanding, adopt such measures (Article 2.20). The Agreement contains notification 
obligations in that regard.  
3.4.3  Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 
3.61.  The Parties' rights and obligations relating to countervailing measures shall be governed by 
Article XVI of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreemen t on subsidies and countervailing measures 
(SCM Agreement), except as provided in the Agreement. Before a Party initiates an investigation 
to determine the existence, degree and effect of any alleged subsidy in another Party, as provided for under the SCM Agreement, it shall notify in writing the Party whose goods are subject to 
investigation. A mutually acceptable solution should be found within 45 days. Consultations shall 
take place if any Party so requests within 20 days from receipt of the notification.  
3.62.  In relation to antidumping, the Parties' righ ts and obligations shall be governed by Article VI 
of the GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on its implementation (the WTO Antidumping 
Agreement). Article 2.15 provides for prior notification between the Parties in case an investigation 
under the WTO Antidumping Agreement is anticipated. As for countervailing measures, a mutually acceptable solution should be sought between the concerned Parties. If such a solution cannot be 
reached, each Party retains its rights and obligations under the WTO antidumping provisions. The 
Agreement also contain a lesser duty rule under which the amount of antidumping duty shall be 
less than the margin of dumping if such lesser duty would be adequate to remove the injury to the 
domestic industry. Five years after the entry into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall review 
the Agreement's provisions on antidumping to determine whether its content is necessary considering the policy objectives of the Partie s. The Agreement's dispute settlement mechanism 
may be used only for the Parties' obligations on antidumping that are not already covered in the 
relevant WTO provisions. 
3.4.4  Subsidies and State-aid 3.63.  As for countervailing measures, the Parties' rights and obligations on subsidies shall be 
governed by Article XVI of the GATT 1994 and the SCM Agreement, except as provided for in the 
Agreement (Article 2.14).  
3.64.  For trade in agricultural products, the Parties agree not to use export subsidies for trade in 
originating products for which a preferential tariff concession is granted in accordance with the 
Agreement (Article 3.3). Nevertheless, in case a Party adopts, maintains, introduces or re-introduces export subsidies on a product subject to a tariff concession under the Agreement, the 
other Party may increase the rate of duty on such  imports to the applied MFN tariff. In that case, 
notification is required. Furthermore, the Agreement does not prevent Costa Rica from applying 
minimum export prices for bananas, in accordance with its domestic legislation (Article 3.4). 
There are no provisions on State-aid in the Agreement. Article XVII of the GATT 1994 and the 
Understanding on its interpretation shall apply with respect to the Parties' rights and obligations 
concerning state trading enterprises and are incorp orated into and made part of the Agreement, 
mutatis mutandis (Article 2.13). 
3.4.5  Customs-related procedures 
3.65.  While there is no specific provision in  the Agreement on customs-related procedures, 
Article 2.11 covers trade facilitation and refers to Annex VII, which contains disciplines inter alia , 
on transparency; simplification of international trade procedures; the designation of competent 
customs offices; authorised economic operator system; customs brokers; prohibition of 
legalisation of documents; temporary admission of  goods; border agency cooperation, review and 
appeal; confidentiality; and further cooperation with a view to facilitating trade between the 
Parties.  
3.66.  Advance rulings, including on tariff classification; customs valuation; or determination of 
rules of origin, shall be issued in writing prior to implementation and binding (Article 3 of 
Annex VII).  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 33 - 
 
  3.67.  Each Party shall systemically apply objective risk management procedures and practices to 
determine which persons, goods, or means of tr ansport are to be examined to address risks 
related to the entry, exit, transit,  transfer or end-use of goods in its customs territory (Article 6 of 
Annex VII). 
3.68.  Article VII of the GATT 1994 (valuation for customs purposes) and Part I of the WTO 
Agreement on Customs Valuation shall apply when determining the customs value of products 
traded between the Parties. These WTO provisions  are incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement, mutatis mutandis  (Article 2.5). 
3.69.  Fees and charges shall be limited in amount to the approximate cost of services rendered 
and shall not represent an indirect protection to domestic products or a taxation of imports or 
exports for fiscal purposes. These fees and charges shall not be calculated on an ad valorem  basis 
(Article 9). Article VIII of the GATT 1994 shall apply,  and is incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement, mutatis mutandis  (Article 2.7). 
3.70.  Each Party shall facilitate temporary import and export for inward and outward processing25 
in accordance with international standards.  
3.5  Sector-specific provisions on trade in goods 
3.5.1   Agricultural goods 3.71.  The Parties shall examine any difficulties that might arise in their trade in agricultural 
products and shall endeavour to seek appropriate solutions through dialogue and consultations 
(Article 3.6). They also undertake to continue their efforts with a view to achieving further liberalization of their trade in agricultural products.  
4  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 
4.1  Scope and definitions 
4.1.  Rules governing trade in services
26 are found in Chapter 4 of the Agreement. Chapter 4 
applies to measures by Parties affecting trade in services, provided through any of the four 
traditional modes of supply, by central, regional or local governments and authorities as well as by 
non-governmental bodies in the exercise of powers delegated by these governments or authorities. The Parties' schedules of specific commitments are contained in Annex XV, while their 
MFN exemptions are in Annex XVI and specific disciplines affecting trade in financial services in 
Annex XVII. 
4.2.  Chapter 4 does not cover measures affecting air traffic rights, however granted, or measures 
affecting services directly related to the exercise of air traffic rights (except as provided for in 
paragraph 3 of the Annex on Air Transport Services to the GATS
27). Moreover, nothing in the 
Chapter shall be construed to impose any obligation with respect to government procurement.28 
4.3.  Chapter 5 on investment applies to commercial presence in sectors other than services 
covered by Chapter 4.29 The commitments related to mode 3 are therefore included in the 
Schedule of Specific Commitments (contained in Annex XV). The Parties' reservations on national treatment commitments applicable to investment are contained in Annex XVIII to the Agreement 
and are detailed under section 4.7 below.  
                                               
25 The terms "inward processing" and "outward proc essing" are defined in Article 12 of Annex VII. 
26 The definition of the term "trade in services", for the purpose of the Agreement, is identical to that in 
Article I of the GATS, which is incorporated and made part of Chapter 4. "Trade in services" therefore covers the supply of a service through the four modes of supply defined in the GATS. Similarly, the terms, 
inter alia , 
"services" and "a service supplied in the exercise of go vernmental authority" are al so, for the purpose of the 
Agreement, identical to those in the GATS. 
27 Accordingly, the provisions of Chapter 4 cover measures affecting (a) aircraft repair and maintenance 
services; (b) the selling and marketing of air transpor t services; and (c) computer reservation system (CRS) 
services. 
28 Government procurement is subject to Chapter 7 of the Agreement and summarized below. 
29 It is also understood that services specifically exempted from the scope of Chapter 4 do not fall under 
the scope of Chapter 5. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 34 - 
 
  4.2  Denial of benefits 
4.4.  The Agreement does not contain any specific provision on denial of benefits. 
4.3  General provisions on trade in services 
4.3.1  National treatment and MFN 4.5.  Concerning national treatment, Article XVII of the GATS applies and is incorporated into and 
made part of Chapter 4 (Article 4.6). The Parties' specific commitments, including national 
treatment limitations, are contained in Annex XV to the Agreement and are summarized below under Section 4.4. 
4.6.  Each Party shall accord immediately and uncon ditionally to services and service suppliers of 
any other Party treatment no less favourable than that it accords to like services and service suppliers of a third-party (Article 4.4). This is however without prejudice to measures taken in accordance with Article VII of the GATS (on recognition) and, except as provided for in each 
Party's MFN exemptions in Annex XVI to the Agreement.
30 Treatment granted under other existing 
or future agreements concluded by one of th e Parties and notified under Articles V or V bis of the 
GATS shall not be subject to the Parties MFN obli gation. Nevertheless, if a Party enters into an 
agreement notified under Articles V or V bis of the GATS, it shall, upon request from another Party, 
afford adequate opportunity to that Party to nego tiate the benefits granted therein. Furthermore, 
with respect to the rights and obligations of the Parties concerning advantages accorded to 
adjacent countries, paragraph 3 of Article II of th e GATS shall apply and is also incorporated into 
and made part of Chapter 4. 
4.7.  In addition to the provisions on national and MFN treatment, and with respect to the Parties' 
additional commitments, Article XVIII of the GATS a pplies and is also incorporated into and made 
part of Chapter 4 (Article 4.7). 
4.3.2  Market access 4.8.  Article XVI of the GATS shall apply and is incorporated into and made part of Chapter 4. 
4.9.  The Parties' specific commitments, including the limitations on market access, are contained 
in Annex XV to the Agreement and are summarized below under Section 4.4. 
4.3.3  Local presence 
4.10.  Commitments on commercial presence as defined by reference in Art. I:2(c) of the GATS 
are set out in the Parties' schedules of commitments on services for market access and national treatment. 
4.3.4  Senior Managers and Boards of Directors 
4.11.  The Agreement does not contain specific provisions on requirements related to senior 
managers and boards of directors. When the na tional treatment obligation applies, commitments 
and limitations in this regard are included in the Parties' schedules of specific commitments for 
trade in services and/or in their reservations on investment. 
4.3.5  Movement of natural persons 4.12.  Article 4.10 contains provisions on the movement of natural persons and applies to 
measures affecting natural persons who are service suppliers of a Party, and natural persons of a 
Party who are employed by a service supplier of a Pa rty, in respect of the supply of a service. The 
Agreement however does not apply to measures affecting natural persons seeking access to the employment market of a Party, nor to measures regarding nationality, citizenship, residence or 
employment on a permanent basis. 
                                               
30 Section 4.4 below summarizes the Parties' specif ic commitments and reservations, including the MFN 
exemptions listed under An nex XVI to the Agreement. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 35 - 
 
  4.13.  Natural persons covered by a specific commi tment shall be allowed to supply the service in 
accordance with the terms of that commitment. This  is subject to the specifications and limitations 
in each Party's Schedule of Specific Commi tments in Annex XV to the Agreement.  
4.14.  For all the Parties, the commitments related to mode 4 provision of services are listed as 
horizontal commitments in their individual schedul es of specific commitments, as under the GATS. 
For Costa Rica, the entry and temporary stay of business persons cover business visitors; traders; 
investors; and intra-corporate transferees. Under the Agreement, the applicable regime seems more liberal than under GATS. The same applie s in the case of Panama, whose commitments 
cover sellers of services; managers, administrators and specialists, and installers and maintainers. 
For Iceland, entry and temporary stay of service providers is covered, in the same way as under 
the GATS, for executives, managers, specialists, and service sellers. For Liechtenstein, its mode-4 related commitments mirror those in the GATS for intra-corporate transferees, covering executives 
and senior managers and specialists. Norway's co mmitments build on those in the GATS and also 
cover trainees and contractual service suppliers. Switzerland's mode-4 related commitments mirror those in the GATS for intra-corporate transferees, business visitors and services 
salespersons, as well as contractual service suppliers. Switzerland also makes additional 
commitments for installers and maintainers. 
4.4  Liberalization commitments 
4.15.  With respect to sectors with commitments, each Party's schedule specifies terms, limitations 
and conditions on market access; conditions and qualifications on national treatment; undertakings relating to additional commitments; and, where appropriate, the time-frame for implementation of such commitments, and the date  of entry into force of such commitments. The 
Parties' lists of MFN exemptions are in Annex XVI to the Agreement.
31 
4.16.  Consultations shall be held, upon written request by a Party, to consider any modification or 
withdrawal of a specific commitment (Article 4.19) . Modifications of schedules are subject to the 
procedures set out in Articles 11.1 (institutional provisions) and 13.3 (amendments). 
4.17.  The Parties' schedules of specific commitm ents and their MFN exemptions shall be subject 
to periodic review. 
4.18.  Liberalization modalities for Chapter 4 (trade in services) follow a "positive list" approach 
comparable to the approach used under GATS.  
4.19.  The sub-sections below present the Parties' liberalization commitments under the 
Agreement as compared to their GATS commitmen ts. After summarizing MFN exemptions as well 
as horizontal limitations registered in the Agreem ent by each Party, Tables 4.1 to 4.6 summarize 
the Parties' specific commitments under the Agreement, by main sectors and subsectors, and compare them with their GATS Schedules. Improvem ents in existing GATS commitments are either 
a reduction in the limitations applicable to national treatment, additional sub-sectors in which 
commitments are made, and/or new commitments. It should however be noted that horizontal limitations in the GATS Schedules and MFN reservations or exemptions in the Agreement, are 
excluded, as are mode 4 commitments. The summar ies of MFN and horizontal limitations, the 
summary Tables, must therefore be consulted with the Schedules of Specific Commitments.  
4.4.1   Iceland 4.20.  In its GATS schedule, Iceland has made commitments in 113 out of 155 services sectors
32, 
leaving in particular education services and health related and social services unbound. Under the 
Agreement, the coverage of specific co mmitments essentially remains the same. 
4.21.  Iceland's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, aimed at promoting 
Nordic co-operation, as well as related to European programmes and initiatives in the audio-visual 
services sector, also linked to production, distribution, and transmission of audio-visual work. Under the Agreement, Iceland reproduces these ex emptions except the one for CRS and sales and 
marketing of air transport services. 
                                               
31 Reservations on investment commitments (applicab le to non-services secto rs) are in Annex XVIII. 
32 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 36 - 
 
  4.22.  Under the GATS, Iceland's horizontal limitations mainly cover certain measures on the 
provision of services through mode 3 (some investment by foreigners and non-residents, as well 
as real-estate lease and acquisition) and mode 4 (unbound except the temporary entry and stay of 
executives, managers, specialists and service sell ers). There are some horizontal limitations on 
national treatment related to Iceland's membership of the EEA.33 The Agreement maintains these 
horizontal limitations though, in relation to mode 3, conditions on foreign currency transfers are 
relaxed and, national treatment accorded to subsid iaries may be extended to branches or agencies 
established in an EEA Member State of an EFTA Member State by a third-party company if 
effective and continuous links with the economy of the concerned party can be shown.  
4.23.  Iceland's sector-specific commitments under the Agreement mirror to a very large extent its 
GATS commitments.34 Its sectoral and sub-sectoral commitments in the Agreement are 
consequently largely similar to those in its GATS Schedules. 
Table 4.1 Iceland: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments 
in trade in services 
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Computer and Related Services  Partial Partial Similar 
C. Research and Development Services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Real Estate Services  Partial Partial Similar 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Similar 
F. Other Business Services Partial Partial Similar 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- --- Similar 
B. Courier services --- --- Similar 
C. Telecommunication services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Audiovisual services --- --- Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings Full Full Similar 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering Full Full Similar 
C. Installation and assembly work  Full Full Similar 
D. Building completion and finishing work  Full Full Similar 
E. Other --- --- Similar 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services Full Full Similar 
B. Wholesale trade services Full Full Similar 
C. Retailing services Full Full Similar 
D. Franchising Full Full Similar 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services --- --- Similar 
B. Secondary education services  --- --- Similar 
C. Higher education services  --- --- Similar 
D. Adult education --- --- Similar 
E. Other education services  --- --- Similar 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Refuse disposal services Partial Partial Similar 
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Other Partial Partial Similar 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  Partial Partial Similar 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Similar 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services --- --- Similar 
B. Other Human Health Services --- --- Similar 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Partial Partial Improved 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Partial Partial Improved 
C. Tourist guides services Full Full Similar 
                                               
33 EEA: European Economic Area. 
34 Source: Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Sp ecific Commitments (S/DCS/W/ISL/Rev.1), prepared 
by the Secretariat (in 2003) and Iceland' s Schedules annexed to the Agreement. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 37 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services Partial Partial Similar 
B. News agency services Partial Partial Improved 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural 
services Partial Partial Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Partial Partial Improved 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Internal Waterways Transport --- --- Similar 
C. Air Transport Services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Space Transport  --- --- Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services --- --- Similar 
F. Road Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- --- Similar 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  Partial Partial Similar 
I. Other Transport Services  Full Full Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments under GATS. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specif ic Commitments (S/DCS/W/ISL/Rev.1), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Ic eland's Schedules annexe d to the Agreement.  
 
4.4.1.2  Business services 
4.24.  There are minor differences between Icel and's commitments under the Agreement and the 
GATS for some legal advice activities on home country law; as well as research and development services on natural sciences. Commitments made under the GATS and listed under "other 
professional services" are not reproduced in the Agreement.  
4.4.1.3  Tourism and travel related services 4.25.  There are some differences with Iceland's commitments under GATS for some tourism and 
travel related services.  
4.4.1.4  Recreational, cultural and sporting services 4.26.  There are some differences with commitm ents under the GATS for some recreational 
cultural and sporting services, particularly in connection with news agency services (under mode 
4) and sporting services (under mode 3).  
4.4.1.5  Transport services 4.27.  Some commitments made under air transport services (sales and marketing) are adjusted 
to reflect technological changes since commitmen ts were made in the GATS. GATS commitments 
under "other transport services" are not reproduced in the Agreement.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 38 - 
 
  4.4.1.6  Other services sectors 
4.28.  For other services sectors (communication  services; construction and related engineering 
services; distribution services; education services; environmental services; financial services35; 
and health related and social services), the Ag reement replicates Iceland's GATS commitments.  
4.4.2   Liechtenstein 
4.29.  In its GATS schedule, Liechtenstein has made commitments in 86 out of 155 services 
sectors36, leaving construction and related engineering services and health related and social 
services unbound. Under the Agreement, the coverage of specific commitments remains broadly 
the same, though additional commitments are made in particular for a number of basic 
telecommunication services, which were unbound under the GATS. 
4.30.  Liechtenstein's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, related to the 
grant of work permits and temporary entry authorizations in favour of EFTA and EU citizens, as 
well as some measures related to European programmes and initiatives in the audio-visual 
services sector, also linked to production, distribution, and transmission of audio-visual work. Exemptions are also made for construction and related engineering services (based on 
reciprocity); insurance and banking services, in the context of the monetary union with 
Switzerland, and in relation with its bilateral ag reements on road transport. Like the other EFTA 
States, an exemption is also made for CRS and sales and marketing of air transport services. 
Liechtenstein reproduces these exemptions in the Agreement but also lists MFN reservations, in 
favour of other EFTA States, for distribution. Exemptions for banking and other financial services (excluding insurance), and CRS and sales and marketing of air transport services, are also made under Annex XVI.  
4.31.  Liechtenstein's horizontal limitations in the GATS also cover certain measures impacting the 
provision of services through mode 3 (establis hment of commercial presence subject to the 
requirement that no objection for reasons of "national economy" is raised) and through mode 4 
(unbound except the temporary entry and stay of executives and senior managers, and 
specialists). Some horizontal limitations on national treatment are registered, for modes 1 and 2 for some subsidies and tax incentives and for mo de 3 regarding the establishment and operation 
of forms of commercial presence, relating to its membership in the EEA. The Agreement repeats 
the limitations. For all sectors, preferential treatment accorded to subsidiaries of third-country companies formed in accordance with the law of  an EEA Member State is reserved regarding 
national treatment. A national treatment and market access, limitation also applies to commercial 
presence by a legal entity in case an objection for reasons of "national economy" exists.
37 
Table 4.2 Liechtenstein: comparison be tween the GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments in trade in services 
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Computer and Related Services  Full Full Similar 
C. Research and Development Services  Full Full Similar 
D. Real Estate Services  --- --- Similar 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Similar 
F. Other Business Services Partial Partial Improved 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- --- Similar 
B. Courier services --- --- Similar 
C. Telecommunication services  Partial Full Improved 
                                               
35 Specific conditions appl icable to financial services are in Ar ticle 4.21 and in Annex XVII to the 
Agreement. 
36 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. 
37 Such reasons might be related to balanced proportion of national and foreign capital, balanced ratio of 
foreigners in comparison with the number of resident pop ulation, balanced ratio of total number of jobs in the 
economy in comparison with the number of the reside nt population, balanced geographic situation, and 
balanced development of the national economy, between and within the sectors. As for establishment of 
commercial presence by an individual, prior residence or permanent domicile in Liechtenstein might be required. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 39 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
D. Audiovisual services --- --- Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings --- --- Similar 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering --- --- Similar 
C. Installation and assembly work  --- --- Similar 
D. Building completion and finishing work  --- --- Similar 
E. Other --- --- Similar 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Wholesale trade services Partial Partial Improved 
C. Retailing services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Franchising Full Full Similar 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Secondary education services  Partial Partial Similar 
C. Higher education services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Adult education Partial Partial Similar 
E. Other education services  --- --- Similar 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services Full Full Similar 
B. Refuse disposal services Full Full Similar 
C. Sanitation and similar services  Full Full Similar 
D. Other Full Full Similar 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  Partial Partial Improved 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Improved 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services --- --- Similar 
B. Other Human Health Services --- --- Similar 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Partial Partial Improved 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Full Full Similar 
C. Tourist guides services Full Full Similar 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services --- --- Similar 
B. News agency services Full Full Similar 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services --- --- Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Full Full Similar 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services --- --- Similar 
B. Internal Waterways Transport --- --- Similar 
C. Air Transport Services --- --- Similar 
D. Space Transport  --- --- Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services --- --- Similar 
F. Road Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- --- Similar 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  Full Full Similar 
I. Other Transport Services  --- --- Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Spec ific Commitments (S/DCS/W/LIE), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Liec htenstein's Schedules anne xed to the Agreement.  
 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 40 - 
 
  4.4.2.1  Business services 
4.32.  All Liechtenstein's specific commitments in the GATS are replicated with the addition of 
almost full commitments for translation and interpretation services.  
4.4.2.2  Communication services 4.33.  While basic telecommunication services are unbound in the GATS, full commitments are 
made by the Agreement.
38  
4.4.2.3  Distribution services 4.34.  Under the Agreement, Liechtenstein makes additional commitments for wholesale trade 
services and retailing services in mode 3.  
4.4.2.4  Financial services
39 
4.35.  Liechtenstein makes commitments under the Agreement in mode 2. It also improves certain 
conditions applicable to commercial presence (national treatment limitations) in insurance services 
and for some limitations on cross-border provisio n of banking services (for mutual funds). There 
are however additional licensing requirements for commercial presence of banking and other financial services. 
4.4.2.5  Tourism and travel related services 
4.36.  While most commitments are identical to those in the GATS, commercial presence 
commitments are made for hotels and restaurants. 
4.4.2.6  Other services sectors 
4.37.  For other services sectors (construction and related engineering services; education 
services; environmental services; health related and social services; recreational, cultural and sporting services; and transport services), Liechtenstein replicates its GATS commitments.  
4.4.3  Norway 
4.38.  In its GATS schedule, Norway has made commitments in 111 out of 155 services sectors
40, 
leaving in particular health related and social services unbound. Under the Agreement, specific 
commitments are expended to also partially include commission agents' services; most 
environmental services; pipeline transport; and services auxiliary to all modes of transport. 
4.39.  Norway's GATS MFN exemptions cover certain measures, in all sectors, aimed at promoting 
Nordic co-operation, as well as some measures related to European programmes and initiatives in 
the audio-visual services sector, also linked to production, distribution, and transmission of audio-visual work. An exemption is also register ed for provisions of existing and future road 
transport agreements. Under the Agreement, Norw ay replicates all the above exemptions and 
reserves the right to adopt or maintain measures that accord differential treatment involving 
maritime services, for which the MFN principle is currently still suspended under the GATS. 
4.40.  Norway's GATS horizontal national treatm ent limitations cover essentially certain measures 
impacting on the provision of services through modes 3 and 4 (limitation to the purchase of real 
estate and requirement for grant of a concession for the operation of certain forms of companies). It has some horizontal limitations on national treatment, for all sectors on the treatment of 
branches and agencies, in relation with its membership of the EEA. Subsidies are unbound for 
modes 1 and 2 for all sectors. Certain limitations in the GATS are not replicated by the Agreement 
such as restrictions on the acquisition of real estate by corporations. Some residency requirements 
                                               
38 Covering voice telephone services; packet-switched data transmission; circuit-switched data 
transmission; telex services; telegraph services; facs imile services; and private leased circuit services. 
39 Specific conditions appl icable to financial services are in Ar ticle 4.21 and in Annex XVII to the 
Agreement. 
40 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 41 - 
 
  for general managers and/or members of the board of directors are also simplified by the 
Agreement.  
Table 4.3 Norway: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments 
in trade in services 
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Computer and Related Services  Full Full Similar 
C. Research and Development Services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Real Estate Services  Partial Partial Limited 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Similar 
F. Other Business Services Partial Partial Improved 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- --- Similar 
B. Courier services Full Full Similar 
C. Telecommunication services  Full Full Similar 
D. Audiovisual services --- --- Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings Full Full Similar 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering Full Full Similar 
C. Installation and assembly work  Full Full Similar 
D. Building completion and finishing work  Full Full Similar 
E. Other Full Full Similar 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services --- Partial New 
B. Wholesale trade services Full Full Similar 
C. Retailing services Full Full Similar 
D. Franchising Full Full Similar 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Secondary education services  Partial Partial Similar 
C. Higher education services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Adult education Partial Partial Similar 
E. Other education services  --- --- Similar 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Refuse disposal services Partial Partial Improved 
C. Sanitation and similar services  Partial Full Improved 
D. Other Partial Full Improved 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  Partial Partial Similar 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Similar 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services --- --- Similar 
B. Other Human Health Services --- --- Similar 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Full Full Similar 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Full Full Similar 
C. Tourist guides services Full Full Similar 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services --- --- Similar 
B. News agency services Full Full Similar 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services --- --- Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  --- --- Similar 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Internal Waterways Transport --- --- Similar 
C. Air Transport Services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Space Transport  --- --- Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
F. Road Transport Services Partial Partial Similar WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 42 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- Partial New 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  --- Partial New 
I. Other Transport Services  --- --- Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Spec ific Commitments (S/DCS/W/NOR), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and No rway's Schedules annexe d to the Agreement.  
4.4.3.1  Business services 
4.41.  Under the Agreement, the provision of real estate services on a fee or contract basis is 
unbound while Norway has no limitations in its GATS commitments. Coverage of commitments in rental and leasing services without operators is however partially expanded. Commitments are 
also made in services incidental to mining and convention services. 
4.4.3.2  Distribution services 4.42.  Commitments are made for some commission agents' services, with some limitations, while 
the entire subsector is unbound under the GATS. 
4.4.3.3  Environmental services 
4.43.  Improvement are made both in terms of co verage and market access for refuse disposal 
services; sanitation and similar services, and other environmental services. 
4.4.3.4  Financial services
41 
4.44.  While some additional limitations on market access are made for some insurance and 
insurance-related services, there are also some improvements on commitments for mutual 
insurance companies. A number of limitations on commercial presence in connection with banking 
and other financial services (excluding insurance) are eliminated. 
4.4.3.5  Transport services 4.45.  Some commitments are made for ground ha ndling related to air transport services, which 
are unbound under the GATS. Moreover, pipeline tran sportation and services auxiliary to all modes 
of transport are also partially covered, with some limitations. 
4.4.3.6  Other services sectors 
4.46.  For the other services sectors (communication services; construction and related 
engineering services; education services; health related and social services; tourism and travel 
related services; and recreational, cultural and sp orting services), Norway replicates its GATS 
commitments.  
                                               
41 Specific conditions appl icable to financial services are in Ar ticle 4.21 and in Annex XVII to the 
Agreement. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 43 - 
 
  4.4.4  Switzerland 
4.47.  In its GATS schedule, Switzerland has made commitments in 115 out of 155 services 
sectors42, leaving in particular audiovisual, health related and social services unbound. Under the 
Agreement, the coverage of specific commitments is slightly expanded with additional partial commitments made for postal and courier services and some maritime transport services. 
4.48.  Switzerland's GATS MFN exemptions cover measures related to audiovisual services and 
some transport services (some internal waterw ays transport and road transport services). 
Moreover, elements of a comprehensive set of bilateral agreements between Switzerland and 
Liechtenstein and between Switzerland and the EU in  relation to the movement of natural persons 
are registered.  
4.49.  Under the GATS, Switzerland's horizontal limitations cover essentially certain measures that 
have an impact on the provision of services through mode 3 (e.g. certain domicile requirements 
for the composition of governing board and limitations on the acquisition of real estate) and mode 
4 (unbound except for measures concerning the temporary entry and stay of executives and senior managers, specialists, service salespersons, business visitors responsible for the setting of a 
commercial presence, persons who are employees of certain service providers with special 
contracts and installers and maintainers). Subsidies are unbound for modes 1 and 2 for all sectors. The Agreement essentially replicates its GATS horizontal limitations. In relation to the composition 
of governing boards for certain forms of commercial presence, it eliminates the nationality 
requirement while maintaining a residency obligation. It also relaxes certain conditions on the acquisition of real estate.  
Table 4.4 Switzerland: comparison betw een the GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments in trade in services 
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services Partial Partial Improved 
B. Computer and Related Services  Full Full Improved 
C. Research and Development Services  Full Full Similar 
D. Real Estate Services  --- --- Similar 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Improved 
F. Other Business Services Partial Partial Improved 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- Partial New 
B. Courier services --- Partial New 
C. Telecommunication services  Full Full Similar 
D. Audiovisual services --- --- Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings Full Full Similar 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering Partial Partial Similar 
C. Installation and assembly work  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Building completion and finishing work  Partial Partial Similar 
E. Other Partial Partial Similar 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services Partial Partial Improved 
B. Wholesale trade services Partial Partial Similar 
C. Retailing services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Franchising Full Full Similar 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Secondary education services  Partial Partial Similar 
C. Higher education services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Adult education Partial Partial Similar 
E. Other education services  --- --- Similar 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services Full Full Similar 
B. Refuse disposal services Partial Partial Similar 
C. Sanitation and similar services  Full Full Similar 
D. Other Full Full Similar 
                                               
42 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 44 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  Partial Partial Improved 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Improved 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services --- --- Similar 
B. Other Human Health Services --- --- Similar 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Partial Partial Similar 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Full Full Similar 
C. Tourist guides services Partial Partial Similar 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services --- --- Similar 
B. News agency services Full Full Similar 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural 
services --- --- Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  Full Full Similar 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services --- Partial New 
B. Internal Waterways Transport Partial Partial Similar 
C. Air Transport Services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Space Transport  Partial Partial Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
F. Road Transport Services Partial Partial Similar 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- --- Similar 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  Full Full Similar 
I. Other Transport Services  --- --- Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Spec ific Commitments (S/DCS/W/CHE), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Sw itzerland's Sched ules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.4.1  Business services 
4.50.  A number of limitations on national treatment in the GATS are withdrawn for some legal 
services, architectural services, and engineering services. The coverage of commitments is also 
expanded for computer and related services and some leasing and rental services. Real estate services remain unbound, as under the GATS, whil e the coverage of other business services is 
expanded to include some outdoor advertising services as well as translation and interpretation 
services. 
4.4.4.2  Communication services 
4.51.  Commitments are made in postal and courier services, unbound in the GATS, for both 
market access and national treatment, th ough only for express delivery services.
43 Audiovisual 
services remain unbound. 
                                               
43 "Express delivery services" are strictly defined under the Swiss Schedule in Annex XV. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 45 - 
 
  4.4.4.3  Distribution services 
4.52.  Limited improvements are made particularly for conditions applicable to commercial 
presence for commission agents' services. 
4.4.4.4  Financial services44 
4.53.  A number of limitations in Switzerland's GATS Schedule are not reproduced by the 
Agreement. For insurance-related services, this is the case for the underwriting of aircraft liability 
insurances and for acquisition of real estate by  foreigners (both under mode 1). For banking, 
conditions applicable to the acquisition of real estate (under mode 1 and 3), and to lead-
management of Swiss franc denominated issues are simplified. 
4.4.4.5  Transport services 4.54.  Commitments are made for passengers and freight transportation in maritime transport 
services as well as for some maritime auxiliary services, which are unbound in the GATS. For 
aircraft repair and maintenance services, subject to reciprocity, commitments are made for mode 
1 (unbound in the GATS), while, for commercial pr esence, bound without restrictions in the GATS, 
reciprocity is added by the Agreement. A new commitment is made for mode 2 only, for airport 
management services, including airport infrastructure and operation services.  
4.4.4.6  Other services sectors 4.55.  For other sectors (construction and related engineering services; education services; 
environment services; health related and social se rvices; tourism and travel related services; and 
recreational, cultural and sporting services), Switzerland replicates its GATS commitments.  
4.4.5  Costa Rica 4.56.  In the GATS, Costa Rica has made commitments in 20 out of 155 services sectors.
45 The 
Agreement considerably expands the coverage of sp ecific commitments, though with a number of 
limitations. Postal and audiovisual services; publicly funded education services and education as a social service; health related and social services; recreational and cultural services; space 
transport, and pipeline transport, inter alia , remain completely unbound. 
4.57.  Costa Rica's GATS MFN exemptions cover pr ofessional services and advertising services for 
the radio, television and the cinematographic indu stry, passenger and freight transportation and a 
general measure under bilateral treaties for the pr omotion and protection of investment. Under the 
Agreement, Costa Rica indicates that it may maintain all MFN inconsistent measures provided that they are in its list of MFN exemptions in the GATS. 
4.58.  Under the GATS, Costa Rica's horizontal limitations cover mainly commercial presence on 
the coastal shore (land maritime zone) as well as the temporary movement of persons. In the 
Agreement, while some of these reservations are horizontal and apply to all sectors, Costa Rica also introduces horizontal limitations with respect to, inter alia , the treatment of branches, 
agencies or representative offices established in its territory by a juridical person of an EFTA State; 
subsidiaries, which have only their registered office or central administration in its territory; the obligation to constitute and maintain a power of attorney in the country for associations located 
abroad and foreign juridical persons; public works and public works with public services 
concessions (though government procurement is out of the scope of specific commitments); the development of activities in the "maritime-terrestrial zone"; enterprises established in its Free Zone; professional services; local governments; an d subsidies. Costa Rica also reserves the right 
to adopt or maintain any measure that grants ri ghts or preferences to disadvantaged social or 
                                               
44 Specific conditions appl icable to financial services are in Ar ticle 4.21 and in Annex XVII to the 
Agreement. 
45 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 46 - 
 
  economic groups or to native groups; and for the provision of law enforcement and correctional 
services, as well as certain social services.46 
Table 4.5 Costa Rica: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific 
commitments in trade in services  
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services --- Partial New 
B. Computer and Related Services  Partial Full Improved 
C. Research and Development Services  --- Partial New 
D. Real Estate Services  --- Full New 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Improved 
F. Other Business Services --- Partial New 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- --- Similar 
B. Courier services --- Partial New 
C. Telecommunication services  --- Partial New 
D. Audiovisual services --- --- Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings --- Partial New 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering --- Partial New 
C. Installation and assembly work  --- Partial New 
D. Building completion and finishing work  --- Partial New 
E. Other --- Partial New 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services --- Partial New 
B. Wholesale trade services --- Partial New 
C. Retailing services --- Partial New 
D. Franchising --- Partial New 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services Partial Partial Improved 
B. Secondary education services  Partial Partial Improved 
C. Higher education services  Partial Partial Improved 
D. Adult education --- Partial New 
E. Other education services  --- --- Similar 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services --- Partial New 
B. Refuse disposal services --- Partial New 
C. Sanitation and similar services  --- Partial New 
D. Other --- Partial New 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  --- Partial New 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Improved 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services Partial --- Limited 
B. Other Human Health Services --- --- Similar 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Partial Partial Improved 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Partial Partial Improved 
C. Tourist guides services Partial Partial Improved 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services --- --- Similar 
B. News agency services --- --- Similar 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services --- --- Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  --- Partial New 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services --- Partial New 
B. Internal Waterways Transport --- Partial New 
C. Air Transport Services --- Partial New 
D. Space Transport  --- --- Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services --- Partial New 
F. Road Transport Services --- Partial New 
                                               
46 Social services established or maintained for a public purpose such as: income security or insurance; 
social security or insurance; social welfare; public educ ation; public training; health; child care; public sewage 
services; and water supply services. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 47 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
GATS 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- --- Similar 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  --- Partial New 
I. Other Transport Services  --- --- Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Specific Commitments (S/DCS/W/CRI), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Costa Rica's Sc hedules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.5.1  Business services 
4.59.  Costa Rica expands considerably the coverage  of its GATS commitments, with relatively few 
limitations, in particular for requirements on incorporation to the relevant professional associations for a number of professional services. 
4.4.5.2  Communication services 
4.60.  This sector is not included in Costa Rica's GATS commitments. Under the Agreement, Costa 
Rica takes limited commitments in courier and telecommunications services. It also makes general reservations related to public monopolies or exclusive rights that may be granted. Additional 
commitments are made for telecommunications services. 
4.4.5.3  Constructions and related engineering services 4.61.  This sector is not included in Costa Rica's GATS Schedule. Under the Agreement, Costa Rica 
undertakes commitments on all modes but mode 4, without specific reservations. However, it has 
general reservations applicable to the whole sector for, inter alia , the possible attribution of 
conditional concessions for the exploitation of certain services; services related to transport 
infrastructure owned by the State; as well as po ssible monopolies or exclusive rights granted for 
some services considered to be public services.  
4.4.5.4  Distribution services 4.62.  Costa Rica does not include this sector in its GATS commitments. Under the Agreement, 
Costa Rica has the same commitments as for construction and related engineering services (See 
4.4.5.3 above). 
4.4.5.5  Educational services 
4.63.  Costa Rica has bound primary, secondary and higher education services in the GATS, with 
some limitations. The Agreement partially expands to cover all sub-sectors when wholly privately funded (except other education services), though wi th restrictions particularly for higher education 
services and reservations on the provision of services through mode 4.  
4.4.5.6  Environmental services 4.64.  This sector is unbound under the GATS. In the Agreement Costa Rica makes commitments 
in modes 2 and 1 (only for consulting services). Moreover, it makes a general reservation for 
possible monopolies or exclusive rights which may be granted for services considered to be public 
services, as defined by Costa Rican law.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 48 - 
 
  4.4.5.7  Financial services47 
4.65.  Some limited commitments are made for financial services (covered partially in the GATS) 
though horizontal reservations on insurance an d banking services related to doing business and 
solicitation in modes 1 and 2, as well as registration or incorporation requirements may allow Costa Rica to restrict access to EFTA States service providers. 
4.4.5.8  Health related and social services 
4.66.  The Agreement does not repeat the GATS commitments limited to mode 2 for some hospital 
services only, while Costa Rica nevertheless makes commitments, under the Agreement for 
medical and dental services, with some limitations related to professional services.  
4.4.5.9  Tourism and travel related services 4.67.  Under the Agreement some of Costa Rica's  limitations in the GATS are withdrawn thus 
improving particularly market access for the sector. 
4.4.5.10  Recreational, cultural and sporting services 
4.68.  While this sector is not included in Costa Rica's GATS commitments full commitments are 
made in sporting and other recreational services, except hunting. 
4.4.5.11  Transport services 
4.69.  There are no commitments for the sector in the GATS. Under the Agreement, with the 
exception of space and pipeline transport and tr ansport services other than those listed in 
MTN.GNS/W/120, Costa Rica makes a number of commitments, with certain limitations or 
exclusions. General reservations are made for the whole sector, in particular for the sale or leasing of certain transport infrastructure. Moreover, servic es considered as public services, as defined and 
regulated in Costa Rica's law, may be subject to a public monopoly or to exclusive rights.  
4.4.5.12  Other services not included elsewhere 
4.70.  Costa Rica makes new commitments, essentially on modes 2 and 3, for some beauty 
treatment services and related services. 
4.4.6  Panama 
4.71.  In the GATS Panama has made commitments in 63 out of 155 services sectors
48, leaving 
unbound, in particular, some business services, postal and courier services and a number of 
telecommunication services, a limited number of audio-visual services, some distribution and 
educational services, most environmental services, some financial services, most health related services as well as tourism and recreational-related services, and most transport services. The Agreement expands specific commitments to cover also, though with some limitations, research 
and development services; courier services; some human health services; tourist guides services; 
some sporting and other recreational services; maritime transport services; and road transport 
services. 
4.72.  Panama's GATS MFN exemptions cover meas ures in all sectors, legal instruments signed 
with Central American countries granting preferences for trade in services. There are also exemptions for some measures related to business services based on reciprocity requirements 
and, for Central American countries, in the audi ovisual sector. Under the Agreement, though the 
MFN principle is currently suspended under the GATS, Panama reserves the right to adopt or 
maintain measures that accord differential treatment to countries under a bilateral or multilateral international agreement in force or signed after the date of entry into force of the Agreement 
                                               
47 Specific conditions applicable to financial services are contained in Article 4.21 and in Annex XVII to 
the Agreement. 
48 Source: WTO country pr ofile, September 2014. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 49 - 
 
  involving maritime services.49 Moreover, preferential treatmen t granted to services providers 
under the bilateral agreement with the U.S. on the functioning of the Panama Canal, which is 
included in its GATS MFN exemptions, is not retained in the Agreement. 
4.73.  Under the GATS, Panama has horizontal limitations on the acquisition of land by 
non-Panamanians in certain areas. It also has horizontal limitations, mainly on market access, for 
modes 3 and 4, requiring a certain number of local workers be employed in companies registered 
in Panama. Panama's GATS commitments are made part of Panama's obligations under the Agreement and shall apply to the other Parties. Moreover, though no mention is made in its GATS 
Schedule, under the Agreement, Panama reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure for 
the management, administration, operation, maintenance, preservation, modernisation, 
development or ownership of the Panama Canal and any juridical person that may succeed the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) and the reverted areas
50, that restrict the rights of investors and 
foreign service providers.  
Table 4.6 Panama: comparison between the GATS and Agreement specific commitments 
in trade in services 
Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
the GATS 
1. Business services    
A. Professional Services Partial Partial Improved 
B. Computer and Related Services  Partial Partial Improved 
C. Research and Development Services  --- Full New 
D. Real Estate Services  --- --- Similar 
E. Rental/Leasing Services without Operators  Partial Partial Improved 
F. Other Business Services Partial Partial Improved 
2. Communication services     
A. Postal services --- --- Similar 
B. Courier services --- Partial New 
C. Telecommunication services  Partial Partial Improved 
D. Audiovisual services Partial Partial Similar 
3. Construction and related engineering 
services     
A. General construction work for buildings Partial Partial Similar 
B. General construction work for civil Engineering Partial Partial Similar 
C. Installation and assembly work  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Building completion and finishing work  Partial Partial Similar 
E. Other --- --- Similar 
4. Distribution services    
A. Commission agents' services Full Full Similar 
B. Wholesale trade services Full Full Similar 
C. Retailing services --- --- Similar 
D. Franchising Partial Partial Similar 
5. Education services    
A. Primary education services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Secondary education services  Partial Partial Similar 
C. Higher education services  Partial Partial Similar 
D. Adult education --- Partial Improved 
E. Other education services  --- Partial Improved 
6. Environmental services    
A. Sewage services --- --- Similar 
B. Refuse disposal services --- --- Similar 
C. Sanitation and similar services  --- --- Similar 
D. Other Partial Partial Similar 
7. Financial services    
A. All insurance and insurance-related services  Partial Partial Improved 
B. Banking and other financial services Partial Partial Similar 
8. Health related and social services    
A. Hospital services Partial Partial Similar 
B. Other Human Health Services --- Partial New 
C. Social Services --- --- Similar 
                                               
49 Panama shall not introduce cargo-sharing arrang ement in future bilateral agreements with third 
countries concerning maritime transport services, and sh all terminate such cargo-sharing arrangements in case 
they exist in previous bilateral agreements. 
50 A special zone, within Panama's territory, is deno minated "reverted areas". The reverted areas cross 
the isthmus from ocean to ocean, with the Panama canal on its epicentre. Reverted areas are administered by 
the Ministry of Economy and Finance, through the Administ rative Unit of Reverted Properties (AURP), currently 
counting with five thousand hectares. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 50 - 
 
  Sectors (CPC Classification) GATS FTA 
Sectoral 
Commitments Sectoral commitments Compared to 
the GATS 
D. Other --- --- Similar 
9. Tourism and travel related services     
A. Hotels and restaurants (including catering) Partial Partial Improved 
B. Travel agencies and tour operators services Partial Partial Similar 
C. Tourist guides services --- Partial New 
10. Recreational and cultural and sporting 
services    
A. Entertainment services Partial Partial Similar 
B. News agency services --- Partial New 
C. Libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services --- --- Similar 
D. Sporting and other recreational services  --- partial New 
11. Transport services     
A. Maritime Transport Services --- Partial New 
B. Internal Waterways Transport --- --- Similar 
C. Air Transport Services Partial Partial Improved 
D. Space Transport  --- --- Similar 
E. Rail Transport Services --- --- Similar 
F. Road Transport Services --- Partial New 
G. Pipeline Transport  --- --- Similar 
H. Services auxiliary to all modes of transport  --- Partial New 
I. Other Transport Services  --- --- Similar 
General Note: MFN and Horizontal limitations, as well as Mode 4 commitments / limitations not considered 
in the Table. 
Partial:  GATS commitments subject to some limitation (s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
Full: GATS commitments not subject to limitation(s) under market access or national treatment, under 
any of the three modes. 
---: No commitments. New: New commitments made under the Agreement (Full or partial, with or without limitations). "New" 
can, in most cases, be seen as "improved". 
Improved: Overall improved commitme nts made under the Agreement as compared to those under the GATS. 
Similar: Similar commitments (Agreement vs GATS); though possibly, in specific individual cases, with 
limited improvements and/or limited additional reservations. 
Limited: Some additional limitations (as compared to GATS commitments). 
Source:  Draft Consolidated GATS Schedule of Spec ific Commitments (S/DCS/W/PAN), prepared by the 
Secretariat (in 2003) and Panama's Sche dules annexed to the Agreement.  
4.4.6.1.1  Business services 
4.74.  Under the Agreement, Panama expands th e coverage of its commitment on professional 
services51, research and development services, rental and leasing services without operators, and 
other business services. The expanded coverage is accompanied by improvements in market 
access particularly under mode 2.  
4.4.6.1  Communication services 
4.75.  While postal services remain unbound, as under the GATS, some commitments are made in 
courier services, in particular express delivery services. While commitments are made under the 
GATS in value added telecommunication services, the entire sector, including public telecommunications services is covered by the Ag reement, though with some restrictions and 
limitations. 
4.4.6.2  Educational services 4.76.  The sector is fully covered by in the Ag reement, while there are no commitments in the 
GATS for adult education and other education services. For primary, secondary and higher 
education services, commitments are equivalent to those in the GATS. 
                                               
51 Panama, however, does not replicate GATS commitments on business tax consulting. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 51 - 
 
  4.4.6.3  Financial services52 
4.77.  As under the GATS, partial commitments, with  limitations, are made for financial services. 
Market access conditions are however improved by the Agreement particularly for insurance 
services. 
4.4.6.4  Health related and social services 
4.78.  The coverage and level of commitment for hospital services is unchanged under the 
Agreement. Commitments, particularly on mode 2 and 3, are however made for ambulance services and residential health facilities other than hospital services (two sub-sectors which are 
unbound under the GATS). Other health rela ted and social services remain unbound. 
4.4.6.5  Tourism and travel related services 4.79.  Under the Agreement, Panama's GATS commitments on hotels and restaurants, as well as 
on travel agencies and tour operator services ar e improved in terms of coverage. The coverage is 
also expanded to cover tourist guides services.  
4.4.6.6  Recreational, cultural and sporting services 4.80.  While only entertainment services are covered, partially, in the GATS commitments, the 
sector is liberalized under the Agreement (except for libraries, archives, museums and other 
cultural services), with only nationality requirements for commercial presence related to newspapers or magazines. 
4.4.6.7  Transport services 
4.81.  For this sector, which is largely unbound under its GATS commitments, Panama expands its 
commitments, to cover, with some limitations, maritime transport; some air transport services; some road transport; and some services auxiliary to all modes of transport.  
4.4.6.8  Other services sectors 
4.82.  For the other services sectors (construction and related engineering services; distribution 
services; and environment services), Pana ma replicates its GATS commitments.  
4.5  Regulatory provisions  
4.5.1  Domestic regulation 4.83.  Each Party shall ensure that the measures of general application affecting trade in services 
are administered in a reasonable, objective and impartial manner (Article 4.8). Judicial, arbitral or 
administrative tribunal or procedures shall be maintained or instituted as soon as practicable by the Parties. Where authorization is required for the supply of a service, the competent authorities 
of each Party shall, within a reasonable period of time, inform the applicant of the decision 
concerning the application.  
4.84.  Each Party shall ensure that measures relating to qualification requirements and 
procedures, technical standards, and licensin g requirements and procedures are based on 
objective and transparent criteria, such as competence and the ability to supply the service. 
4.85.  If the results of the negotiations on paragr aph 4 of Article VI of the GATS enter into effect, 
and on qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements 
and procedures, the Parties shall take a decision aiming at incorporating into the Agreement any 
resulting disciplines. Pending such incorporation or the incorporation of disciplines developed jointly or bilaterally, the Parties shall not apply qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements and procedures that nullify or impair their specific 
                                               
52 Specific conditions appl icable to financial services are in Ar ticle 4.21 and in Annex XVII to the 
Agreement. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 52 - 
 
  commitments in a manner which is more burdensome than necessary to ensure the quality of the 
service or, in the case of licensing procedures, not in itself a restriction on the supply of the 
service.  
4.86.  Regarding professional services, adequate procedures to verify the competence of 
professionals of any other Party, shall be provid ed for in sectors where specific commitments are 
made. 
4.5.2  Recognition 4.87.  Article 4.9 contains specific provisions on the recognition of qualifications. It prescribes, 
inter alia , that, for standards or criteria for the authorization, licensing or certification of service 
suppliers, recognition of the education or experience obtained, requirements met, or licences or certifications granted in that other Party, ma y be granted upon agreement or otherwise be 
accorded autonomously. 
4.88.  Where a Party recognizes, by agreement or arrangement, the education or experience 
obtained, requirements met, or licences or certifications granted in a non-party, that Party shall afford another Party adequate opportunity to negotiate its accession to such agreement or 
arrangement, whether existing or future, or to negotiate a comparable agreement or arrangement 
with it. Where a Party accords recognition autonomously, it shall afford adequate opportunity for another Party to demonstrate that the education or experience obtained, requirement met, or 
licences or certification granted in the other Party, should also be recognised. Recognition accorded 
through agreement, arrangement or autonomously shall be in conformity with the relevant provisions of the WTO Agreement.
53 
4.5.3  Subsidies 
4.89.  In each of the Parties' Schedules of specific commitments, subsidies to services are 
systematically carved out of the coverage of prov isions related to national treatment and market 
access. No specific provision referring to subsidies are contained in Chapter 4.  
4.5.4  Safeguards 
4.90.  The Parties shall endeavour to avoid the impo sition of restrictions to safeguard the balance 
of payment. Nevertheless, under Article 4.15,  the Parties maintain their WTO rights and 
obligations in respect of serious balance of payments difficulties as established in Article XII of the 
GATS. Notification obligations are linked to the use of such rights.54 
4.6  Sector specific provisions on trade in services 4.6.1   Financial services 
4.91.  Annex XVII to the Agreement contains additi onal disciplines on trade in financial services. 
Most of the provisions are based on the GATS Annex on financial services and on the Understanding on Commitments in Financial Services (FSU). Other provisions, not based on the 
GATS Annex or the FSU, relate for instance to transparency and domestic regulation.  
4.92.  Each Party shall grant, on a national trea tment basis, to financial service suppliers of any 
other Party established in its territory, access to payments and clearing systems operated by 
public entities and to official funding and refinanc ing facilities available in the normal course of 
ordinary business. This is not intended to confer access to the Party's lender of last resort facilities. Where membership or participation in, or access to, a self-regulatory body, securities or futures exchange or market, clearing agency, or any other organization or association, is required by a 
Party in order for financial service suppliers of any other Party to supply financial services on an 
equal basis with financial service suppliers of the Party, the Party shall ensure that such entities 
accord national treatment to financial service suppliers of any other Party resident in its territory, 
in the scheduled sectors and subject to any conditio ns and qualifications set out therein. The same 
                                               
53 In particular paragraph 3 of Article VII of the GATS. 
54 A similar provision is in Chapter 5, for investment (See Section 4.7).  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 53 - 
 
  applies where the Party provides directly or indire ctly such entities, privileges or advantages in 
supplying financial services. 
4.93.  Transparency provisions, in addition to th e generic ones in the Agreement, are contained in 
Article 3 of Annex XVII. They relate, inter alia , to the provision, to interested persons, of domestic 
requirements and procedures for completing applications for the supply of financial services, or the 
publication of requirements for licences. Applications for the supply of financial services submitted 
by service suppliers of other Parties shall be pr ocessed expeditiously (Article 4 of Annex XVII). 
4.94.  Notwithstanding any other provisions of Ch apter 4 of the Agreement, a Party shall not be 
prevented from adopting or maintaining reasonable measures for prudential reasons, including for 
the protection of investors, depositors, policy-holders, policy-claimants, persons to whom a fiduciary duty is owed by a financial service supplier, or any similar financial market participants or users; ensuring the integrity and stability of that Party's financial system; or the maintenance of 
the safety, soundness, integrity or financial responsibility of financial services suppliers. Such 
measures shall not be more burdensome than nece ssary to achieve their aim, shall not constitute 
a disguised restriction on trade in services and sh all not discriminate. Nothing in Chapter 4 shall be 
construed to require a Party to disclose information relating to the affairs and accounts of 
individual customers or any confidential or proprietary information in the possession of public entities.  
4.95.  No Party shall take measures that prevent tr ansfers of information into or out of its territory 
or the processing of financial information, including transfers of data by electronic means, or that, subject to importation rules consistent with international agreements to which all Parties are parties, prevent transfers of equipment, where such transfers of information, processing of 
financial information or transfers of equipment ar e necessary for the conduct of ordinary business 
of a financial service supplier of another Party (Article 7 of Annex XVII). Nothing in Article 7 restricts the right of a Party to protect personal data, personal privacy and the confidentiality of 
individual records and accounts so long as such right is not used to circumvent the provisions of 
Chapter 4 of the Agreement.  
4.96.  Where prudential measures of a non-party are recognized by a Party in determining how 
financial services measures shall be applied, th at Party shall afford adequate opportunity for 
another Party to negotiate its accession to such an agreement or arrangement, or to negotiate a comparable agreement or arrangement with it. In case of autonomous recognition, adequate opportunity shall be afforded to another Party to demonstrate that similar treatment should be 
applicable to it. 
4.6.2  Monopolies and exclusive serv ice suppliers and business practices 
4.97.  Each Party shall ensure that any monopoly su pplier of a service in its territory does not, in 
the supply of the monopoly service in the relevant market, act in a manner inconsistent with that 
Party's MFN obligations (Article 4.4) and specific commitments (Annex XV). The Parties also commit to ensure that any Party's monopoly supplier does not abuse its monopoly position to act 
in its territory in a manner inconsistent with such commitments. Article 4.12 applies as well to 
cases of exclusive service suppliers in specified conditions. 
4.98.  Consultations between the Parties are foreseen with a view to eliminating certain business 
practices of service suppliers other than monopolies and exclusive service suppliers (Article 4.13). 
4.7  Investment 
4.99.  Chapter 5 on investment applies to commercial presence in sectors other than services 
sectors covered by Chapter 4 (on trade in services).
55 Chapter 5 is nevertheless without prejudice 
to the interpretation or application of other international agreements on investment or taxation to 
which one or several EFTA States and Central American States are party. 
4.100.  Articles 5.3 and 5.4 provide that each Part y shall accord national treatment to juridical and 
natural persons of another Party and to the commerc ial presence of such persons, subject to each 
Party's reservations, in Annex XVIII. Article 5.4 allows for the modification or the addition of 
                                               
55 Services specifically exempted from the scope of Chapter 4 do not fall under the scope of Chapter 5. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 54 - 
 
  reservations. A Party may add a new reservation,  through a written notification to the other 
Parties and provided that it does not affect the overall level of commitments of that Party under 
the Agreement. This may trigger consultation amongst the Parties.  
4.101.  Article 5.5 contains provisions related to "key personnel". Each Party shall, subject to its 
domestic law, grant natural persons of another Party who have established or seek to establish 
commercial presence in that Party, and key personnel employed by natural or juridical persons of 
another Party, temporary entry and stay in that Party to engage in activities connected with commercial presence, including the provision of advice or key technical services. Each Party shall 
also permit natural or juridical persons of another Party, and their commercial presence, to 
employ, in connection with commercial presence, any key personnel of the natural or juridical person's choice regardless of nationality and citizenship provided that such key personnel have been permitted to enter, stay and work in the territory of that Party and that the employment 
concerned conforms to the terms, conditions and time limits of the permission granted to such key 
personnel. Finally, the Parties shall grant temporary entry and stay and provide any necessary confirming documentation to the spouse and mino r children of a person who has been granted 
temporary entry, stay and authorization to work . The spouse and minor children shall be admitted 
for the period of the stay of that person. 
4.102.  The Parties may adopt, maintain or enforce any measure consistent with Chapter 5 and 
Annex XVIII that is in the public interest, such as measures to meet health, safety or 
environmental concerns and reasonable measures for prudential purposes (Article 5.6, paragraph 1). Moreover, a Party should not waive or otherwise derogate from, or offer to waive or otherwise derogate from, such measures as an encouragement for the establishment, acquisition, expansion 
or retention in that Party of a commercial presence of persons of another Party or a third-party 
(Article 5.6, paragraph 2). 
4.103.  Chapter 5 shall be subject to periodic review regarding the possibility to further develop 
the Parties' commitments. 
Table 4.7 Summary of the Parties' Nation al Treatment reservations for commercial 
presence in sectors other than services 
Sector(s) Reservation 
COSTA RICA  
All Concession to perform any type of  development or activity in the 
maritime-terrestrial zone (with some exceptions). 
All Constitution and maintenance of power of attorney for associations 
located abroad wanting to act in Costa Rica and for foreign juridical 
persons that have or want to open branches in Costa Rica. 
All Non-extension of treatment accorded to certain subsidiaries of juridical 
persons of EFTA States to branches, agencies or representative offices 
established in Costa Rica. 
All Reservations maintained at local government level (municipalities), even 
if not listed as a reservation. 
Note: these reservations shall not be construed as nullifying Costa Rica's 
commitments in Chapter 7 (Government procurement). 
All Any measure with respect to subsidies. 
Energy sector Any measure. 
Minority Affairs and Native Groups Any measure granting rights or preferences to a socially or economically 
disadvantaged minority or to native groups. 
Natural resources Any measure. 
Note: reservation not applicable to agriculture, hunting, forestry and 
logging (covered by another reservation below) 
Arms and explosives Any measure. 
Fishing and Aquaculture Any measure. 
Agriculture, hunting, forestry, 
logging and fishing Time-bound licence requirement; nationality or residency advantages;  
PANAMA  
Retail sales Nationality preferences; conditions for foreign nationals; and nationality 
requirements for senior managers and directors of a retail business (as 
for owners of a retail business) 
All Nationality requirements for no less than 90% of the total ordinary 
workers of a company; and for no le ss than 85% of qualified personal, 
specialists or key personnel. 
Note: flexibility possible subject to appr oval by the Ministry of Labour. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 55 - 
 
  Sector(s) Reservation 
All Restriction on ownership of real estate by foreign government, foreign 
official, or foreign state enterprise. Similar restriction for ownership of 
real estate within 10 kilometres of Panama's borders. 
Public utilities (potable water 
supply, sanitary sewer, electricity, telecommunications, radio and television, transmission and distribution of natural gas) Ownership of the majority of the capi tal of a private enterprise operating 
a public utility by Panamanian pers ons (with exceptions). Nationality 
requirement for senior managers possible. 
Power and energy Government of Panama only may provide electric power generation and 
transmission.  
Nationality requirement for members of the board of directors of an 
electrical enterprise of the State, with over 51% State ownership.  
Possible intervention by the Government of Panama as a matter of 
public policy and according to the electrical energy supply regulation.  
Mining (extraction of non-metallic, 
metallic (except precious minerals) minerals, precious alluvial minerals, precious non-alluvial minerals, fuel minerals (expect hydrocarbons) and reserve minerals. Nationality preference subject to necessity requirement and limitation of 
foreign personnel (25% maximum of all employees) and of the salaries received by foreign personnel (25% maximum of total of salaries). Mandatory organization of training programmes by concessionaires. 
Mining (exploration and exploitation 
of non-metallic minerals used as 
construction ceramic, refractory, 
and metallurgical materials) Nationality requirement. 
Certain entities, such as foreign gove rnments, official or semi-official 
entities or institutions, may not obtain contacts.  
Fisheries (fishing) Nationality requirements for fishing certain species and for certain types 
of fisheries-related operations.  
All Collective management of copyright property rights through a non-
lucrative Panamanian organization, subject to authorization. 
Collection of royalties through cultural collective funds and grants. 
All (natural resources)  Natural resources belong to the public domain. 
Communal lands of ethnic groups are inalienable, imprescriptibly and guaranteed against seizure. 
Native populations and minorities Any measure denying to foreign investors and their investments or to 
foreign service suppliers any right or  preference granted to minorities 
with social or economic disadvant ages and native populations in their 
reservation areas. 
All (activities related to the Panama 
Canal) Any measure on ownership. 
Nationality requirement for memb ers of the board of directors. 
Requirement to be legally constituted under Panamean law. Performance requirement (compatibility licence for activities in the Canal Area). 
All (issues related to State 
enterprises or governmental 
organisations) Right to prohibit or impose limitations when selling or disposing 
shareholding interests or goods of an existing State enterprises or 
governmental organization. 
Limitations on the transfer or disposal of any interest held in an existing 
State enterprise. 
Any measure related to the nationality of senior executives or members 
of the board of directors. 
ICELAND  
All Residency requirement for the majori ty of the founders, managers and 
at least half of th e board of directors. 
All Nationality requirement for ownership of real estate (with exceptions) 
Fisheries (fishing, whaling) Nationality requirement for conducting fishing operations within the 
Icelandic fisheries jurisdiction. 
Fisheries (fish processing) Nationality requirement for fish processing in Iceland. 
Fisheries (fish auctioning) Nationality requirement (extended to  EEA States, EFTA States, and the 
Faroe Islands) for engaging in fish auctioning in Iceland. 
Energy (production and 
distribution) Nationality requirement (extended to  EEA States, EFTA States, and the 
Faroe Islands) for owning the right to harness hydroelectric and 
geothermal power other than for own personal home use. The same 
applies to investment in enterprises engages in power production and power distribution. . 
LIECHTENSTEIN  
All Establishment of a commercial presen ce subject to the requirement that 
no objection for reasons of national economy is made. 
All Prior residence requirement for the establishment of a commercial 
presence by an individual. Residency requirement for manage rs and the majority of the 
administrators.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Sector(s) Reservation 
All Acquisition of real estate subject to authorisation. 
Power and energy Any measure. 
NORWAY  
All Residency requirement for the manager in a joint stock company and at 
least half of the members of the board of directors of the corporate 
assembly. 
Note: criteria not applicable to EEA  member States with status of 
permanent resident. 
Power and energy  Any measure. 
Repair of transport equipment  Any measure (though all activities in the sector shall be treated as 
services under the Agreement) 
Fishing and fish processing Nationality requirement for acquiring the concession required for the 
acquisition or sharing of fishing vessel.  Limitation of the owners hip of shares and voting rights for foreigners. 
Performance requirement for op eration of a fishing fleet. 
Nationality requirement for certain operations (processing, packing, transhipment). 
All (IPRs) General reservation on collective copyright and neighbouring rights' 
management systems; royalties, levies, grants and funds. 
SWITZERLAND  
All Residency requirement for at least on e member of the governing body of 
certain types of corporations, companies, and cooperative. 
Residency requirement for at least one person of a branch office. 
All Authorization (at cantonal level) required for the acquisition of real 
estate when the acquirer does no t use the property to operate a 
permanent establishment. 
Energy sector Any measure. 
 
5  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT 
5.1  Transparency 
5.1.  Article 1.7 covers general transparency disciplines related to publication; responses to 
specific questions and provision of information; and non-disclosure of confidential information, in addition to specific transparency provisions in the Agreement. The specific provisions on trade 
facilitation (Annex VII) provide, for example, for prompt publication on the internet of all laws, 
regulations and administrative decisions of genera l application relevant to trade in goods between 
the Parties. Inquiry points for customs and other matters relevant to trade in goods shall also be established. In some instances, advanced publication of relevant proposed laws and regulations is 
foreseen, in order to afford interested pers ons an opportunity to comment (Annex VII).  
5.2.  Article 4.11 establishes that, with respect to the rights and obligations of the Parties 
concerning transparency in services, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article III and Article III bis of the 
GATS shall apply and are incorporated into and made part of the Agreement. 
5.2  Current payments and capital movements 5.3.  Except under situations requiring safeguar ding the balance of payments, a Party shall not 
apply restrictions on international transfers and payments for current transactions with another 
Party (Articles 4.14 and 5.7). The Parties nevertheless keep their full rights and obligations under the IMF agreement. 
5.3  Exceptions 
5.3.1  General exception 
5.4.  With respect to trade in goods, Article XX of the GATT 1994 shall apply to and is incorporated 
into and made part of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis (Article 2.18)
56, while, in for trade in 
services and investment, Article XIV of the GATS applies to and is incorporated into and made part 
of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis (Articles 4.16 and 5.9). 
                                               
56 It is assumed that the same rule applies for agric ultural products though Article 2.18 and Chapter 2 of 
the Agreement cover trade in non-agricultural products. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 57 - 
 
  5.3.2  Security exception 
5.5.  With respect to trade in goods, Article XXI of the GATT 1994 shall apply to and is 
incorporated into and made part of the Agreement, mutatis mutandis (Article 2.19)57, while, for 
trade in services and investment, paragraph 1 of Article XIV bis of the GATS applies to and is 
incorporated into and made part of the Agreem ent, mutatis mutandis (Articles 4.17 and 5.10). 
5.3.3  Taxation 
5.6.  The rights and obligations of any Party under any tax convention are preserved. Furthermore, 
in the event of any inconsistency between the Agreement and any tax convention, that convention 
shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency (Article 1.6). However, Article 2.8 (on internal 
taxation and regulations for non-agricultural products) and Article 2.4 (on export duties) shall apply to taxation measures.
58 
5.4  Accession and Withdrawal 
5.7.  Any State joining EFTA or any member of  the Central American Economic Integration Sub-
System may accede to the Agreement, provided that the Joint Committee approves its accession (Article 13.4).  
5.8.  Article 13.5 addresses withdrawal and expiration. Any EFTA State which withdraws from the 
Convention establishing the EFTA shall, ipso facto , cease to be a Party to the Agreement. If all 
EFTA States or all Central American States withdraw  from the Agreement, it shall be terminated as 
of the date when the withdrawal has taken effect for all EFTA States or all Central American 
States. 
5.5  Institutional framework 5.9.  The Agreement establishes the EFTA – Central America Joint Committee (Joint Committee), 
inter alia , to supervise and review the implementation of the Agreement (Article 11.1). Besides the 
Sub-Committee on Trade in Goods, established by Article 2.12, the Joint Committee may decide to set up such sub-committees and working groups as it considers necessary to assist it in 
accomplishing its tasks. The Joint Committee shall take decisions and make recommendations by 
consensus. It can also adopt decisions and make recommendations on issues related to one or more Central American States and one or more EFTA States. The vote shall in such cases only be 
taken among the Parties concerned. 
5.10.  Each Party has designated a contact point to facilitate communication between the Parties 
(Article 11.2). Contact points are also established for matters pertaining to cooperation (Chapter 10); trade and sustainable development (Chapter 9); and TBT and SPS (Articles 2.10 and 
2.9).  
5.6  Dispute settlement 5.11.  Chapter 12 of the Agreement establishes a dispute settlement mechanism between the 
Parties on the interpretation and application of the Agreement. Disputes arising on the same 
matter under the Agreement and the WTO Agreemen ts may be settled in either forum at the 
discretion of the complaining Party. Once the forum is  selected, it shall be used to the exclusion of 
the other in respect of the matter under dispute. Before a Party initiates a dispute against another 
Party under the WTO Agreement, the initiating Party shall notify all other Parties (Article 12.1). 
5.12.  Good offices, conciliation and mediation are procedures that are undertaken voluntarily if 
the Parties so agree. They may begin and be terminated at any time and may continue while 
proceedings of an arbitration panel established in accordance with Chapter 12 are in progress. 
These procedures shall be confidential and without prejudice to the Parties' rights in any further 
proceedings (Article 12.2). 
                                               
57 It is assumed that the same rule applies for agric ultural products though Article 2.19 and Chapter 2 of 
the Agreement cover trade in non-agricultural products. 
58 In relation to Article 2.8, only to the same extent as does Article II I of the GATT 1994 (national 
treatment). WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 58 - 
 
  5.13.  The Parties shall at all times endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of the 
Agreement, and shall make every attempt to re ach a mutually satisfactory solution through 
cooperation and consultations (Article 12.3). Requests for consultation shall be made in writing 
and shall be replied to within 10 days. Consultations shall commence within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request (15 days for urgent matters). A Party that considers that it has a 
substantial trade interest in the matter may participate in the consultations. 
5.14.  An Arbitration Panel may be requested and established (Article 12.4), if the dispute is not 
resolved through consultations within 50 days (20 days for urgent matters). A copy of the request 
should also be made available to other Parties to the Agreement not involved in the dispute so that 
they may determine whether to participate in the arbitration process. The Panel shall comprise three members who shall be appointed in accordance with the "Optional Rules for Arbitrating Disputes between Two States of the Permanent Court of Arbitration", which shall also govern the 
procedures of the panel, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties. Hearings shall normally be 
open to the public, unless the parties to the disput e or the arbitration panel decide otherwise. Its 
location shall be decided by mutual agreement, fail ing which, it shall be held in The Hague (Article 
12.5). The panel shall normally present its initial report within 90 days from the date of its 
establishment (Article 12.6). The ruling by the panel is final and binding on the disputing Parties. Suspension or termination of arbitration panel proceedings is regulated in Article 12.7. 
5.15.  The Party complained against shall promptly comply with the ruling or, at least, within a 
reasonable period of time that the Parties shall endeavour to agree on. In the absence of an agreement within 30 days from the date of the is suance of the final report, either Party to the 
dispute may request the original arbitration panel to determine the length of the reasonable period 
of time, in light of the particular circumstances of the case. The arbitration panel shall normally 
rule within 40 days from the date of receipt of that request. The Party complained against shall notify the other party to the dispute of the measure adopted to comply with the ruling. In case of 
disagreement on the implementation  of the final report, a ruling on the implementation may be 
requested and shall be decided before possible compensation can be sought or suspension of benefits can be applied. 
5.16.  Compensation and suspension of benefits shall be temporary and only applied by the 
complaining Party until the measure or other matter found to be inconsistent with the Agreement, has been withdrawn or amended so as to bring it into conformity with the Agreement, or until the 
parties to the dispute have resolved the dispute otherwise (Article 12.9). At the request of a party 
to the dispute, the original arbitration panel shall rule on the conformity with the final report of 
any implementing measures adopted after the suspensi on of benefits and, in light of such ruling, 
whether the suspension of benefits should be term inated or modified. The ruling of the arbitration 
panel shall be given within 30 days from receipt of that request (Article 12.9). 
5.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 5.17.  The Parties confirm their rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and the other 
agreements negotiated thereunder to which they are a party, and any other international 
agreement to which they are a party. If a Party considers that the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, free trade areas, arrangements for frontier trade or other preferential agreements by another Party has the effect of altering the trade regime provided for by the 
Agreement, it may request discussions with the Part y concluding such agreement. That Party shall 
afford the opportunity for such discussions with the requesting Party (Article 1.5). 
5.18.  Table 5.1 below shows the Parties' participation in RTAs, notified and non-notified, other 
than the Agreement.  
Table 5.1 EFTA and Central America countries (Costa Rica and Panama): Participation in 
other RTAs (notified and non-notified in force), as of 20 October 2015 
RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT / WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
EFTA States - collectively 
EFTA - Bosnia and Herzegovina  01-Jan-15 Goods 2015 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Hong Kong, China 01-Oct-12 Goods & Se rvices 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 59 - 
 
  RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT / WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
EFTA - Montenegro 01-Sep-12 Goods 2012 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Ukraine 01-Jun-12 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Colombia 01-Jul-11 Goods & Services 2011 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Peru 01-Jul-11 Goods 2011 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Albania 01-Nov-10 Goods 2011 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Serbia 01-Oct-10 Goods 2010 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Canada 01-Jul-09 Goods 2009 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - SACU 01-May-08 Goods 2008 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Egypt 01-Aug-07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Lebanon 01-Jan-07 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Korea, Republic of 01-Sep-06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Tunisia 01-Jun-05 Goods 2005 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Chile 01-Dec-04 Goods & Services 2004 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Singapore 01-Jan-03 Goods & Servic es 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Jordan 01-Sep-02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia 01-May-02 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Mexico 01-Jul-01 Goods & Services 2001 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA - Morocco 01-Dec-99 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Palestinian Authority 01-Jul-99 Goods 1999 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Israel 01-Jan-93 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA - Turkey 01-Apr-92 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
European Free Trade 
Association (EFTA) 03-May-60 
01-Jun-02 Goods  
Services 1959 
2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
GATS Art. V 
EFTA – Gulf Cooperation 
Council 01-Jul-14 
for EFTA Goods & Services Not yet notified* 
Individual EFTA States 
Switzerland - China 01-Jul-14 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Iceland - China 01-Jul-14 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Japan - Switzerland 01-Sep-09 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Iceland - Faroe Islands 01-Nov-06 Goods & Se rvices 2008 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Faroe Islands - Switzerland 01-Mar-95 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
Faroe Islands - Norway 01-Jul-93 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Norway 01-Jul-73 Goods 1973 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Iceland 01-Apr-73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
EU - Switzerland  01-Jan-73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
Costa Rica 
EU - Central America 01-Oct-13** Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Costa Rica - Singapore 01-Jul-13 Goods & Se rvices 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Costa Rica - Peru 01-Jun-13 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Mexico - Central America 01-Jul-13 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
China - Costa Rica 01-Aug-11 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Costa Rica (Panama 
- Central America) 23-Nov-08 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free 
Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Jan-09 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Canada - Costa Rica 01-Nov-02 Goods 2003 GATT Art. XXIV 
Chile - Costa Rica (Chile - 
Central America) 15-Feb-02 Goods & Services 2002 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America 07-Mar-02 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Central American Common 
Market (CACM) 04-Jun-61 Goods 1961 GATT Art. XXIV 
CACM - Accession of Panama 06-May-13  Goods Not notified 
CARICOM - Costa Rica 15-Nov-05 Goods Not notified 
Venezuela - Costa Rica [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°26] 27-Jul-94 Goods Not notified WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 60 - 
 
  RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT / WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
Panama 
EU - Central America 01-Aug-13 ** Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Canada - Panama 01-Apr-13 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Peru 01-May-12 Goods & Servic es 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Nicaragua 
(Panama - Central America) 21-Nov-09 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Guatemala 
(Panama - Central America) 20-Jun-09 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Honduras 
(Panama - Central America ) 09-Jan-09 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Costa Rica 
(Panama - Central America) 23-Nov-08 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Chile 07-Mar-08 Goods & Services 2008 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Singapore 24-Jul-06 Goods & Serv ices 2007 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Chinese Taipei 01-Jan-04 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - El Salvador 
(Panama - Central America) 11-Apr-03 Goods & Services 2005 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
United States - Panama 31-Oct-12 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
CACM - Accession of Panama  06-May-13 Goods Not notified 
LAIA - Accession of Panama 03-May-12 Goods Not notified 
Panama - Cuba 
[LAIA, AAP.CE N°71] 20-Aug-09 Goods Not notified 
Colombia - Panama 
[LAIA, AAP.A25TM N°29] 01-Jan-95 Goods Not notified 
Dominican Republic - Panama 08-Jun-87 Goods Not notified 
Mexico - Panama 
[LAIA, AAP.A25 N°14] 24-Apr-86 Goods Not notified 
* The EFTA States indicate that the date of entry into force for all the parties to the EFTA-GCC is not clear. 
** The notifications made in February 2013 (see WT/R EG332/N/1 and S/C/N/680) sta ted that: "Provisional 
application of the Agreement by all si gnatory parties is expect ed in the course of the second quarter 2013"; 
Further notifications to confirm the dates of entry into  force between the EU and Central American countries 
are awaited. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
5.8  Government procurement 
5.19.  Chapter 7 of the Agreement (Articles 7.1 through 7.28) contains rules applicable to 
government procurement. Besides defining the scope and coverage of the Parties' commitments, the Chapter provides for national treatment and non-discrimination with respect to any measure regarding covered procurement. It also defines general exceptions applicable to measures 
necessary to protect public morals, order or safety; human, animal or plant life or health (including 
some environmental measures); or intellectual property. Measures relating to goods or services of persons with disabilities, philanthropic institutions, or prison labour are also reserved. Provisions 
on the use of electronic means; the conduct of pr ocurement; applicable rules of origin; offsets, 
which shall neither be sought, taken into account, or enforced; the publication of information on the procurement system; the publication of notice s of intended procurement; the conditions for 
participation in procurement; registration systems and qualification procedures; lists of suppliers; 
tender documentation; technical specifications; modifications of the tender documentation and technical specifications, time-periods applicable to the participation in tenders; limited tendering; electronic auctions; negotiations by procuring entities; treatment of tenders; awarding of 
contracts; transparency of procurement information; disclosure of information; and domestic 
review procedures for supplier challenges.
59  
5.20.  The Parties' commitments are in Annex XX to the Agreement. In its Appendices 1 to 3, the 
Annex lists the entities at central and sub-central government level, as well at other covered 
entities. Appendices 4 and 5 clarify commitments on goods and services covered by Chapter 7, 
                                               
59 Appendixes attached to Annex XX complement, cl arify, and/or substantiate the provisions of 
Chapter 7. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  while Appendix 6 covers commitments on construction services. Appendices 7-10 contains specific 
provisions on time limits on the submission of requests for participations in tenders; the valuation 
of applicable thresholds in the Parties' national currencies; modalities applicable to notices of 
intended procurement, tender documents and lists  of suppliers. Appendix 11 contains specific 
notes concerning limited tendering; and specific exclusions from the coverage of Chapter 7 
applicable to the respective Parties. 
5.21.  Modifications and rectifications to coverage are governed by Article 7.26. The Parties' 
cooperation commitments are contained in Article 7.27. In case a Party offers a third-party, in the 
future, additional advantages with respect to its respective government procurement market 
access coverage agreed under Chapter 7, it shall ag ree, upon request of any other Party, to enter 
into negotiations with a view to extending coverage on a reciprocal basis. 
5.22.  All the EFTA States are Parties to the plurilateral WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement (GPA). Their commitments under th e Agreement are modelled around their GPA's 
related commitments. As Costa Rica and Panama are observers to the GPA, the Central American States commitments constitute new commitments in favour of the EFTA States.  
5.9  Intellectual property rights 
5.23.  Chapter 6 of the Agreement covers protecti on of intellectual property. The Parties reaffirm 
their commitments in a number of multilateral agreements
60; agree to comply with the substantive 
provisions of several agreements61; and commit to make all reasonable efforts to ratify or accede 
to some others.62 These international IPR-related agreements and conventions are referred to in 
Annex XIX to the Agreement, which also contains standards on the availability, scope and use of 
IPRs (Section II of the Annex); provisions on ac quisition and maintenance of IPRs (Section III); 
rules on enforcement of IPRs (Section IV); and commitments on cooperation in intellectual 
property (Section V). In Article 6.1, The Parties reaffirm their commitments to grant national and 
MFN treatment for the protection of intellectual property except in accordance with the 
corresponding substantive provisions in Articles 3-5 of the TRIPS Agreement. 
5.24.  On trademarks (Article 3 of Annex XIX), the principles of protection are reaffirmed, 
including the Parties' rights to make registrabili ty depend on distinctiveness acquired through use 
in certain circumstances and the possibility for the Parties to consider that shapes of goods can 
constitute a trademark. The provisions also cove r the grant of exclusive rights to prevent the 
likelihood of confusion under certain conditions. The rights described under Article 3 of Annex XIX shall not prejudice any existing prior rights, nor sh all they affect the possibilities of the Parties 
making rights available on the basis of use. The Parties also reaffirm the importance of and shall 
be guided by the principles of the WIPO Joint Recommendation Concerning Provisions on the Protection of Well-Known Marks, adopted in 1999. Th ey reaffirm the importance of the WIPO Joint 
Recommendation Concerning Provision on the Protec tion of Marks and other Industrial Property 
Rights in Signs, on the Internet, adopted in 2001. 
5.25.  With regards to patents (Article 4 of Annex XIX), they shall be available and rights 
enjoyable without discrimination as to the place of  invention, the field of technology and whether 
products are imported or locally produced, provided they are new, involve an inventive step and are capable of industrial application. Patent pr otected products that are imported or locally-
produced shall thus enjoy the same level of protection and not be discriminated against. 
                                               
60 The TRIPS Agreement; the 1883 Paris Convention for the Protection of  Industrial Property, as revised 
by the 1967 Stockholm Act; the 1886 Bern e Convention for the Protection of  Literary and Artistic Works, as 
revised by the 1971 Paris Act;  the 1961 International Conven tion for the Protec tion of Performers, Producers of 
Phonograms and Broadcasting Organ isations; the 1970 Patent Cooperatio n Treaty, as revised by the 2001 
Washington Act; and the 1977 Budapest Treaty on the Intern ational Recognition of the Deposit of 
Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.  
61 The 1957 Nice Agreement Concerning  the International Classification  of Goods and Services for the 
Purposes of the Registr ation of Marks, as revised by the 1979 Gene va Act; the 1996 World In tellectual Property 
Organization Copyright Treaty (WCT); the 1996 WIPO Pe rformances and Phonogram Treaty (WPPT); and the 
1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, unle ss the Party concerned is 
already a member of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants and chose not to accede to the 1991 Act. 
62 The Protocol of 1989 to the Madrid Agreement concer ning the International Registration of Marks; the 
Geneva Act of 1999 of the Hague Agre ement Concerning the Inte rnational Registration of  Industrial Designs; 
and the Beijing Treaty of 1012 on Audiovisual Performances. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  Nevertheless, exclusion from patentability may be possible when necessary to protect ordre public  
or morality, including to protect human, animal or plant life or health or to avoid serious prejudice 
to the environment, provided that such exclusion is not made merely because the exploitation is 
prohibited by law. Exclusion from patentability is also possible for diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals; and for plants and animals other than 
micro-organisms, and biological processes for the production of plants or animals other than 
non-biological and microbiological processes.
63 With respect to any pharmaceutical product that is 
covered by a patent, each Party shall make available a restoration of the patent term to 
compensate the patent owner for unreasonable curtailment of the effective patent term resulting 
from the marketing approval process related to the first commercial marketing of the product in that Party.  
5.26.  Protection for industrial designs (Article 6 of Annex XIX), shall be for at least 10 years, with 
the possibility to foresee that protection be renewed for one or more periods of five years each, up 
to the maximum terms established in each Party's legislation. A Party may provide for a shorter period of protection for designs of component parts used for the purpose of the repair of a product. 
A protected design, registered in a Party may also be eligible for protection under the copyright 
law of that Party from the date on which the design was created or fixed in any form. The term of protection shall be as a minimum 25 years from the making of the work. 
5.27.  Geographical indications (GI) protection fo r goods shall be ensured (Article 7 of Annex XIX). 
Without prejudice to Article 23 of the TRIPS Agre ement, the Parties shall provide the legal means 
for interested parties to prevent the use of a GI not originating in the place indicated by the designation in question in a manner which misleads the public as to the geographical origin of the 
goods or which constitutes an act of unfair competition.
64 The Parties shall provide the legal means 
for interested parties to prevent the use of a GI for agricultural products and foodstuffs of the same type where the goods are not originating in the place indicated by the designation in 
question. Article 8 of Annex XIX provides for disciplines to prevent the use of false indications 
which may mislead the public. 
5.28.  Undisclosed data concerning safety and e fficacy submitted as a condition of approving the 
marketing of new pharmaceutical products and agricultural chemical products will be protected 
through the national and MFN treatment principles in Article 6.1 of the Agreement (Article 5 of 
Annex XIX). The Parties affirm that by providing for data protection of at least 10 years for agricultural chemical products and 5 years for pharmaceutical products, the Parties afford a 
satisfactory level of protection that corresponds to  the relevant international obligations they have 
entered into. 
5.29.  The Parties reaffirm their sovereign rights over their natural resources and recognise their 
rights and obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity on access to genetic resources 
and to the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of these genetic resources (Article 9 of Annex XIX). The importance and contribution of traditional knowledge is 
also recognised. Each Party therefore reiterates its commitment to respect, preserve and maintain 
knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities. 
5.30.  Where the acquisition of an IPR is subjec t to the right being granted or registered, the 
Parties shall ensure that the procedures for grant or registration are at least equivalent to that 
provided in the TRIPS Agreement. 
5.31.  Section IV of Annex XIX contains the disciplines applicable to enforcement of IPRs and 
covers border measures (including suspension of release of goods; right of inspection; and liability 
declaration, security or equivalent assurance) and other enforcement provisions (including 
injunctions and civil and criminal remedies). 
5.32.  The Parties agree to enhance their cooperation in IPRs and identify several areas of 
cooperation (Article 18 of Annex XIX). 
                                               
63 Protection shall however be given to plant va rieties either by patents or by an effective sui generis  
system or by a combination thereof. 
64 Within the meaning of Article 10 bis of the Paris Convention. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  5.33.  A review of Chapter 6 and Annex XIX may take place, upon mutual consent by the Parties, 
with a view to further developing the levels of protection and to avoiding or remedying trade 
distortions caused by the current levels of protection of IPRs. 
5.10  Other 5.10.1  Electronic commerce 
5.34.  The Parties undertake to intensify their cooperation on electronic commerce (Article 1.8). 
They establish a framework for electronic commerce (Annex II to the Agreement), which confirms their current practices under the terms of the decision of 17 December 2011 of the WTO Ministerial 
Conference of not imposing customs duties on el ectronic transmissions. They also affirm their 
intent to pursue efforts to increase cooperation in promoting electronic commerce between them, to strengthen the multilateral trading system and to exchange information in electronic commerce. They identify the national authorities responsi ble for the coordination of that exchange of 
information. 
5.10.2  Competition 5.35.  Chapter 8 addresses competition. Anti-competitive practices identified under Article 8.1 are 
incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement insofar as they may affect trade 
between the Parties. If at the moment of entry into force of the Agreement a Party has not yet 
adopted competition legislation or designated a competent authority, it shall do so within a period 
of three years.
 The Parties shall cooperate in their dealin gs on anticompetitive practices with the 
aim of ending such practices. Consultations, wi thin the Joint Committee, may be requested by a 
Party in order to foster understanding or to address any matter arising under Chapter 8. The Agreement's dispute settlement mechanism may no t be used for provisions on competition. 
5.10.3  Environment and labour 
5.36.  Chapter 9 covers trade and sustainable development. It embodies the Parties' reaffirmation 
of their commitment to promote the development of international trade in such a way as to 
contribute to the objective of sustainable development and to ensure that this objective is 
integrated and reflected in their trade relationship. Chapter 9 recognises each Party's right to establish its own levels of environmental and labour protection, and to adopt or modify accordingly 
its relevant laws and policies in a manner consistent with its respective Constitution, and the 
provisions of the Agreement, in order to set its own sustainable development priorities. Chapter 9 covers upholding levels of protection; the Parties' respect, promotion and realisation of international labour standards and arrangements; their reaffirmation of their commitments to the 
effective implementation in their laws and practi ces of the multilateral environmental agreements 
to which they are party; and their strive to facilitate and promote foreign investment, trade in and dissemination of goods and services beneficial to sustainable development. Moreover, the Parties 
commit to work together in the relevant multilateral for a in which they participate to improve 
forest law enforcement and governance and to promote trade in legal and sustainable forest-based products. Furthermore, the Parties shall strive to strengthen their cooperation on trade and 
investment related labour and environmental issues of mutual interest in relevant bilateral, 
regional and multilateral fora in which they participate.  
5.37.  The Parties shall designate administrative entities as contact points for implementing 
Chapter 9. Cooperation, through the contact points  and consultations to foster their understanding 
or to address any matter arising under Chapter 9 are also foreseen. The Parties shall periodically 
review progress achieved in pursuing the objectives set out in Chapter 9 and consider future relevant international developments to further promote these objectives. If a Party considers that 
a measure of another Party does not comply with the obligations under Chapter 9, it may request 
consultations within the Joint Committee. This Chapter 9 has a cooperative approach, so that Dispute Settlement mechanism does not apply to issues arising from its provisions.  
5.10.4  Cooperation between the Parties 
In Chapter 10, the Parties declare their readiness to foster trade, economic cooperation and 
technology transfer to facilitate implementation of the overall objectives of the Agreement. They WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
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  identify methods and means for cooperation and fields of cooperation, assistance and technology 
transfer. Moreover, they shall exchange names an d addresses of designated contract points for 
matters pertaining to cooperation. Cooperation and technical assistance provided by the EFTA 
States shall be carried out through programmes administered by the EFTA Secretariat. The Agreement's dispute settlement mechanism may not be used in relation to Chapter 10. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 65 - 
 
  ANNEX 1 
INDICATORS OF TRADE LIBERALIZATION UNDER THE AGREEMENT 
The EFTA Market 
Tables A1.1, A1.2 and A1.3 show tariff liberalization by individual EFTA States1 with 
respect to Costa Rica and Panama, and by total, agricultural and non-agricultural 
products.  
a) Iceland 1. In 2014, 70% of Iceland's tariff was duty free on  an MFN basis; 74.3% of non-agricultural 
products were duty free while 55.6% of agricultur al products were duty free. The overall average 
MFN tariff was 4.4%; it was 2.5% for non-agricultural products and considerably higher at 11.4% for agricultural products. As a result of the Agr eement, 94.8% of Iceland's tariff became duty free 
for imports from Costa Rica and Panama, of which 100% for non-agricultural products and 76.8% 
for agriculture. This gave Costa Rica's and Panama's exporters to Iceland a 3% absolute margin of 
preference overall, 5% in agriculture and 2.5% for non-agricultural products.  
Table A1.1 Iceland: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from 
Costa Rica and Panama  
Origin 
of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2014 4.4 15.0 70.0 11.4 26.6 55.6 2.5 9.5 74.3 
Costa 
Rica/ 
Panama 2014 1.4 34.4 94.8 6.4 34.4 76.8 0.0 0.0 100.0 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: For the calculation of averages, sp ecific rates are excluded and only the ad valorem part of alternate 
rates is included. Based on  the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates base d on data provided by Iceland. 
 
b) Norway 
2. In 2014, 83.5% of Norway's tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 95.13% of 
non-agricultural products were duty free while 36.2%  of agricultural products were duty free. The 
overall average MFN tariff was 2.4%; it was 0.4% for non-agricultural products and considerably 
higher at 20.8%% for agricultural products. As a re sult of the Agreement, 89.1% of Norway's tariff 
became duty free for imports from Costa Rica an d Panama, of which 99.98% for non-agricultural 
products and 45.4% for agriculture. This gave Costa Rica's and Panama's exporters to Norway a 
0.8% absolute margin of preference overall, 5. 2% in agriculture and 0.4% for non-agricultural 
products.  
 
                                               
1 As a result of the Treaty between Switzerland an d Liechtenstein forming a Customs Union on 29 March 
1923, Liechtenstein is  represented by Switzerland in  matters covered thereby (Art icle 2). Due to the Customs 
Union, products originating in Liechtenstein are considered as originating in Switzerland. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Table A1.2 Norway: Indicators of MFN tariff ra tes and preferential rates for imports from 
Costa Rica and Panama 
Origin 
of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2014 2.4 41.1 83.5 20.8 120.1 36.2 0.4 9.1 95.13 
Costa 
Rica/ 
Panama 2014 1.6 136.3 89.1 14.0 136.3 45.4 0.0 0.0 99.98 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates ba sed on data provided by Norway. 
c) Switzerland 
3. In 2014, 19.6% of Switzerland's tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 18.8% of non-
agricultural products were duty free while 21.8% o f  a g r i c u l t u r a l  p r o d u c t s  w e r e  d u t y  f r e e .  A s  a  
result of the Agreement, 84.6% of Switzerland' s tariff became duty free for imports from Costa 
Rica and Panama, of which 100% for non-agricultural products and 40.3% for agriculture. As 
Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem  equivalents are not available, 
it is not possible to calculate the average MFN or preferential rates. 
Table A1.3 Switzerland: Indicators of MFN ta riff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Costa Rica and Panama 
Origin 
of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2014 … … 19.6 … … 21.8 … … 18.8 
Costa 
Rica/ 
Panama 2014 … … 84.6 … … 40.3 … … 100.0 
a WTO Definition. 
…  Not available: Switzerland's tariff is subject to specific duties for which ad valorem equivalents are 
not available. 
Note: Calculation excludes specific and in-quota rates. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Switzerland. 
 
4. Table A1.4 gives an indication of additional market access in the EFTA States resulting from 
the entry into force of the Agreement for Costa Rica's and Panama's top 25 global exports. These 
accounted for 63.3% of Costa Rica's global exports and 74.8% of Panama's global exports to Iceland in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 101 lines of the Icelandic tariff at the six-digit level (using the HS 2012) for Costa Rica and 58 lines for Panama. In 2014, prior to the entry into force 
of the Agreement, 62 of these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to the Icelandic 
market for Costa Rican products and 46 lines were already (MFN) duty free for Panamanian exports. With the entry into force of the Agreem ent, in 2014, 22 out of the remaining 39 dutiable 
lines became duty-free for Costa Rican exporters,  while 5 out of the 12 dutiable lines became 
duty-free for Panamanian exporters. At the end of  implementation, 17 tariff lines remain dutiable 
for Costa Rican exports and 7 lines for Panamanian exports. 
 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 67 - 
 
  5. Costa Rica's and Panama's top 25 global exports accounted for 63.3% of Costa Rica's global 
exports and 74.8% of Panama's global exports to  Norway in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 84 
lines of the Norwegian tariff at the six-digit level (using the HS 2012) for Costa Rica's exports and 
38 lines for Panama's exports. In 2014, prior to th e entry into force of the Agreement, 58 of these 
tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to the Norwegian market for Costa Rican products 
and 32 lines for Panamanian exports. With the entr y into force of the Agreement, in 2014, 9 out of 
the 26 lines remaining dutiable became duty-fr ee for Costa Rican exporters, while none of 6 
dutiable lines applying to Panama's exports be came duty free. At the end of implementation, 
17 tariff lines remain dutiable for Costa Rica's top 25 exports and 6 lines for Panama's top 
25 exports. 
6. Costa Rica's and Panama's top 25 global exports accounted for 63.3% of Costa Rica's global 
exports and 74.8% of Panama's global exports to  Switzerland in 2011-2013; these corresponded 
to 67 lines of the Swiss tariff at the six-digit le vel (using the HS 2012) for Costa Rica's exports and 
36 lines for Panama's exports. In 2014, prior to th e entry into force of the Agreement, 12 of these 
tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to the Swiss market for both Costa Rican and 
Panamanian exports. With the entry into force of the Agreement, in 2014, 28 out of the 55 lines 
remaining dutiable became duty-free for Costa Rican exporters, while 15 out of the 24 lines remaining dutiable became duty-free for Panamanian exporters. 27 tariff lines remain dutiable for 
Costa Rica's top 25 exports and 9 lines continue to be dutiable for Panama's top 25 exports. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 68 - 
 
  Table A1.4 EFTA States: Market access opport unities under the agreement for Costa Rica 
and Panama's top 25 exports to the world  
Costa Rica's top export 
products in 2011-2013 Iceland  Norway  Switzerland  
MFN 2014 
Duty-free in 
2014 
Remain dutiable MFN 2014  
Duty-free in 
2014 
Remain dutiable MFN 2014 
Duty-free in 
2014 
Remain dutiable HS heading 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average (%) No of lines  
Average (%) No of lines  
Average (%) No of 
lines Duty-free 
Dutiable 
Duty-free 
Dutiable 
Duty-free 
Dutiable 
854231 19.2 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
080430 7.1 0.0 1   0.0 1    -  1 1  
080390 5.6 0.0 1   0.0 1    -  1 1   
901839 5.4 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
090111 3.3 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
901890 3.3 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
210690 2.9 5.9 21 12  1 11 8.8 3 9 3 6 -  29 6  23 
902139 2.2 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
854449 1.4 0.0 2   0.0 9    - 1 2 2   
300490 1.3 4.0 4 1 1 0.0 2    0 1    
151110 1.3 0.0 2   - 1 1  1 - 1 1 1   
401110 1.3 10.0  1 1 0.0 1    -  1 1  
080310 1.1 0.0 1   0.0 1    -  1 1   
961900 1.1 11.3  4 4 0.0 4    -  1 1  
300210 0.8 0.0 2   0.0 1    0 1    
620711 0.8 15.0  1 1 0.0 1    -  1 1  
701090 0.7 0.0 1   0.0 10    -  4 4   
080719 0.6 0.0 1   0.0 1    -  1 1  
392690 0.6 1.0 13 2  2 0.0 9    -  1 1   
853669 0.6 0.0 1   0.0 1    - 1 3 3  
071410 0.6 30.0  1  1 - 1 1  1 - 1 1 1   
170114 0.6 0.0 1   - 1 1  1 -  1  1 
210390 0.6 - 4 4   4 -  3 1 2 -  1 1   
060290 0.5 27.9 1 13 11 2 55.0 4 11 5 6 -  5 2 3 
720449 0.5 0.0 1   0.0 1    0 1    
Total of above 63.3   62 39  22 17  58 26 9 17  12 55 28  27 
Panama's top export 
products in 2011-2013 Iceland  Norway  Switzerland  
MFN 2014 
Duty-free in 2014 
Remain dutiable MFN 2014  
Duty-free in 2014 
Remain dutiable MFN 2014 
Duty-free in 2014 
Remain dutiable HS heading 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average (%) No of lines  
Average (%) No of lines  
Average (%) No of 
lines Duty-free 
Dutiable 
Duty-free 
Dutiable 
Duty-free 
Dutiable 
710812 11.6 0.0 1    0.0 1    0 1    
030616 9.7 2.0 4 1 1  0.0 3    0 1    
080390 8.6 0.0 1    0.0 1    -  1 1   
080430 4.4 0.0 1    0.0 1    -  1 1  
720410 4.4 0.0 1    0.0 1    0 1    
030219 3.3 0.0 1    0.0 2    -  1 1  
170113 3.0 0.0 1    - 1 1  1 -  1  1 
740400 2.7 0.0 1    0.0 1    - 1 1 1  
020230 2.4 30.0  5   5 344  2  2 -  2  2 
220840 2.4 0.0 7    0.0 1    -  2 2  
151110 2.3 0.0 2    - 1 1  1 - 1 1 1   
300490 2.2 4.0 4 1 1  0.0 2    0 1    
080310 2.0 0.0 1    0.0 1    -  1  1 
230120 2.0 0.0 13    0.0 2    0 2    
760200 1.9 4.0  1  1  0.0 1    0 1    
410419 1.9 2.5 1 1 1  0.0 1    -  1 1  
080711 1.9 0.0 1    0.0 1    -  1 1   
440399 1.5 0.0 1    0.0 4    - 1 3 3  
481910 1.2 2.5 1 1  1  0.0 1    -  1 1   
440349 1.1 0.0 1    0.0 1    0 1    
711291 0.9 0.0 1    0.0 1    -  1 1   
090111 0.9 0.0 1    0.0 1    0 1    
020610 0.9 30.0  1   1 -  1  1 -  3  3 
761290 0.8 0.0 1    0.0 3    -  1 1  
040630 0.8 30.0  1   1 -  1  1 -  2  2 
Total of above 74.8  46 12  5 7  32 6 0 6  12 24 15  9 
- contains specific duties 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by the EFTA States and UNSD, Comtrade database. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 69 - 
 
  Costa Rica's market 
7. Table A1.5 shows tariff liberalization by Costa Rica with respect to each individual EFTA 
State, and by total, agricultural and non-agricu ltural products. In 2014, 49.4% of Costa Rica's 
t a r i f f  w a s  d u t y  f r e e  o n  a n  M F N  b a s i s ;  5 2 . 8 %  o f  n o n - a g r i c u l t u r a l  p r o d u c t s  w e r e  d u t y  f r e e  w h i l e  29.8% of agricultural products were duty free.  The overall average MFN tariff was 5.9%; it was 
4.7% for non-agricultural products and higher at 12.9%% for agricultural products. As a result of 
the Agreement, 59.4% of Costa Rica's tariff became duty free for imports from Iceland (62.3% for non-agricultural products and 42.8% for agricult ure), 59.5% for imports from Norway (62.3% for 
non-agricultural products and 43.1% for agricu lture) and 59.7% for imports from Switzerland 
(62.3% for non-agricultural products and 44.5% for agriculture). This gave EFTA exporters to Costa Rica an absolute margin of preference of 1.2% overall, 1.6% in agriculture and 1.2% for 
non-agricultural products. 
8. Following ten years of implementation in 2023 91.8% of the tariff will become duty free for 
imports from Iceland and Norway and 92% for imports from Switzerland (96.3% for non-agricultural products and 67.3% for agricultur e). By the end of implementation by Costa Rica 
95.3% of the tariff will be duty free for imports from Iceland and Norway (100% for 
non-agricultural products and 67.9% for agricu lture) and 95.5% for imports from Switzerland 
(100% for non-agricultural products and 69.4% for agriculture).  
Table A1.5 Costa Rica: Indicators of MFN tari ff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from the EFTA States  
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2014 5.9 11.7 49.4 12.9 18.4 29.8 4.7 10.0 52.8 
Iceland 2014 4.7 11.6 59.4 11.3 19.8 42.8 3.6 9.5 62.3 
 2015 4.3 10.6 59.4 11.0 19.2 42.8 3.1 8.3 62.3 
 2016 3.9 9.5 59.4 10.7 18.7 42.8 2.7 7.1 62.3 
 2017 3.4 8.4 59.4 10.4 18.1 42.8 2.2 5.9 62.3 
 2018 3.0 8.7 65.8 10.1 18.1 44.4 1.7 5.7 69.5 
 2019 2.7 7.8 65.8 9.8 17.6 44.4 1.4 4.7 69.5 
 2020 2.3 6.8 65.8 9.5 17.1 44.4 1.1 3.6 69.5 
 2021 2.0 5.9 65.8 9.2 16.6 44.4 0.8 2.5 69.5 
 2022 1.7 4.9 65.8 8.9 16.1 44.4 0.4 1.4 69.5 
 2023 1.4 16.6 91.8 8.6 25.5 66.1 0.1 2.7 96.3 
 2024 1.3 16.3 91.8 8.6 25.5 66.1 0.1 1.9 96.3 
 2025 1.3 16.0 91.8 8.6 25.4 66.1 0.0 1.1 96.3 
 2026 1.3 22.8 94.4 8.6 25.4 66.1 0.0 1.7 99.3 
 2027 1.3 22.6 94.4 8.6 25.3 66.1 0.0 0.9 99.3 
 2028 1.3 26.7 95.3 8.6 26.7 67.9 0.0 0.0 100.0 
Norway 2014 4.7 11.6 59.5 11.3 19.8 43.1 3.6 9.5 62.3 
 2015 4.3 10.6 59.5 11.0 19.3 43.1 3.1 8.3 62.3 
 2016 3.9 9.5 59.5 10.7 18.8 43.1 2.7 7.1 62.3 
 2017 3.4 8.4 59.5 10.4 18.2 43.1 2.2 5.9 62.3 
 2018 3.0 8.7 65.9 10.0 18.2 44.7 1.7 5.7 69.5 
 2019 2.6 7.8 65.9 9.8 17.6 44.7 1.4 4.7 69.5 
 2020 2.3 6.8 65.9 9.5 17.1 44.7 1.1 3.6 69.5 
 2021 2.0 5.9 65.9 9.2 16.6 44.7 0.8 2.5 69.5 
 2022 1.7 4.9 65.9 8.9 16.1 44.7 0.4 1.4 69.5 
 2023 1.4 16.6 91.8 8.6 25.5 66.1 0.1 2.7 96.3 
 2024 1.3 16.3 91.8 8.6 25.5 66.1 0.1 1.9 96.3 
 2025 1.3 16.0 91.8 8.6 25.4 66.1 0.0 1.1 96.3 
 2026 1.3 22.8 94.4 8.6 25.4 66.1 0.0 1.7 99.3 
 2027 1.3 22.6 94.4 8.6 25.3 66.1 0.0 0.9 99.3 
 2028 1.3 26.7 95.3 8.6 26.7 67.9 0.0 0.0 100.0 
Switzerland 2014 4.7 11.6 59.7 11.1 20.0 44.5 3.6 9.5 62.3 
 2015 4.3 10.6 59.7 10.8 19.5 44.5 3.1 8.3 62.3 
 2016 3.8 9.5 59.7 10.5 18.9 44.5 2.7 7.1 62.3 
 2017 3.4 8.4 59.7 10.2 18.3 44.5 2.2 5.9 62.3 
 2018 2.9 8.7 66.0 9.8 18.2 45.9 1.7 5.7 69.5 
 2019 2.6 7.7 66.0 9.6 17.6 45.9 1.4 4.7 69.5 
 2020 2.3 6.8 66.0 9.3 17.1 45.9 1.1 3.6 69.5 WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 70 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariff Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
 2021 2.0 5.8 66.0 9.0 16.6 45.9 0.8 2.5 69.5 
 2022 1.6 4.8 66.0 8.7 16.0 45.9 0.4 1.4 69.5 
 2023 1.3 16.5 92.0 8.4 25.7 67.3 0.1 2.7 96.3 
 2024 1.3 16.1 92.0 8.4 25.6 67.3 0.1 1.9 96.3 
 2025 1.3 15.8 92.0 8.3 25.5 67.3 0.0 1.1 96.3 
 2026 1.2 22.7 94.6 8.3 25.4 67.3 0.0 1.7 99.3 
 2027 1.2 22.6 94.6 8.3 25.4 67.3 0.0 0.9 99.3 
 2028 1.2 27.0 95.5 8.3 27.0 69.4 0.0 0.0 100.0 
Note:  Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Costa Rica.   
9. Tables A1.6 to A1.8 below show market access opportunities for the top 25 global export 
products of each individual EFTA State, in Costa Rica.  
10. Table A1.6 gives an indication of additional market access in Costa Rica resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Iceland's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 76% of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 46 lines of Costa Rica's tariff at the six-digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 20 of 
these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Costa Rica's market. With the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in 2014, 13 out of the 26 dutiable tariff lines became duty-free. Eleven 
more tariff lines will become duty-free in 2018 and two others will become duty free in 2023, 
which means that by 2023, duty-free treatment will  be granted by Costa Rica to all Iceland's top 
25 global exports. 
Table A1.6 Costa Rica: Market access opport unities under the agreement for Iceland's 
top 25 exports to the world 
Iceland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Costa Rica's 
import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
760110 - aluminium, not alloyed 33.7 0.0 1     
230120 - flours, meals and pellets, of fish or of 
crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates 3.5 2.5 1 1 1   
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 3.5 0.0 1     
720221 -- containing by weight more than 55 % of 
silicon 3.1 0.0 1     
030562 Cod "Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus 
macrocephalus", salted or in brine only (excl. fillets) 2.5 14.0  1 1   
030499 Frozen fish meat n.e.s. (excl. fillets) 2.3 14.0  1  1  
030389 Frozen fish, n.e.s. 2.2 9.0  1  1  
030453 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, 
melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and 
muraenolepididae 2.2 14.0  1  1  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 71 - 
 
  Iceland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Costa Rica's 
import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administrat ion" or in forms or 
packings for retail sale (excl. medicaments containing antibiotics, medicaments 
containing hormones or steroids used as 
hormones, but not containing antibiotics, medicaments containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones or antibiotics and medicaments containing provitamins, vitamins or derivatives thereof used as vitamins) 2.1 2.5 3 3  3  
030471 Frozen fillets of cod "Gadus morhua, 
Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus" 2.0 14.0  1 1   
150420 - fats and oils and th eir fractions, of fish, 
other than liver oils 2.0 0.0 1     
760719 Aluminium foil, not backed, rolled and 
further worked, of a thickness of <= 2 
mm (excl. stamping foils of heading 3212, 
and foil made up as christmas tree 
decorating material) 1.9 3.5 2 2   2 
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of 
petroleum or bituminous minerals, not containing biodiesel, n.e.s. 1.8 2.2 8 5 4 1  
030444 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, 
melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and 
muraenolepididae 1.4 14.0  1  1  
030495 -- fish of the fami lies bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and muraenolepididae, other than alaska pollack (theragra chalcogramma) 1.4 14.0  1  1  
030331 -- halibut (reinhardtius hippoglossoides, 
hippoglossus hippoglossus, hippoglossus 
stenolepis) 1.4 9.0  1  1  
760120 - aluminium alloys 1.3 0.0 1     
030572 -- fish heads, tails and maws 1.2 14.0  1 1   
160521 -- not in airtight container 1.1 14.0  1 1   
760511 -- of which the maximum cross-sectional 
dimension exceeds 7 mm 1.1 0.0 1     
030532 -- fish of the fami lies bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and muraenolepididae 1.0 14.0  1 1   
030473 -- coalfish (pollachius virens) 1.0 14.0  1 1   
030390 - livers and roes 1.0 5.0  1  1  
030351 -- herrings (clupea harengus, clupea 
pallasii) 0.7 9.0  1 1   
030472 -- haddock (melanogrammus aeglefinus) 0.7 14.0  1 1   
Total of above 76.0 20 26 13 11 2 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided  by Costa Rica and UNSD, Comtrade database. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 72 - 
 
  11. Table A1.7 gives an indication of additional market access in Costa Rica resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Norway's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 80.3% 
of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 48 lines of Costa Rica's tariff at the six-
digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prior to  the entry into force of the Agreement, 29 of 
these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Costa Rica's market. With the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in 2014, 13 out of the 19 dutiable tariff lines will become duty-free. One 
more tariff lines will become duty-free in 2018 and four others will become duty free in 2023. In 2026, one more line will receive duty-free tr eatment, which means that by 2026, duty-free 
treatment will be granted by Costa Rica to all Norway's top 25 global exports. 
Table A1.7 Costa Rica: Market access opport unities under the agreement for Norway's 
top 25 exports to the world 
Norway: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Costa Rica's 
import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2026 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude. 35.3 0.0 2      
271121 -- natural gas 25.4 0.0 1      
271012 -- light oils and preparations 2.6 2.7 3 4   4  
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum 
or bituminous minerals, not containing 
biodiesel, n.e.s. 2.6 2.2 8 5 4 1   
030214 -- atlantic salmon (salmo salar) and danube 
salmon (hucho hucho) 2.5 9.0  1 1    
760120 - aluminium alloys 2.1 0.0 1      
271112 -- propane 1.3 0.0 1      
750210 - nickel, not alloyed 1.1 0.0 1      
271113 -- butanes 1.0 0.0 1      
271111 -- natural gas 1.0 0.0 1      
843143 -- parts for boring or sinking machinery of 
subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49 0.6 0.0 1      
271020 - petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals (other than crude) and 
preparations not elsewhere specified or 
included, containing by weight 70 % or 
more of petroleum oils or of oils obtained 
from bituminous minerals, these oils being 
the basic constituents of the preparations, 
containing biodiesel, other than waste oils 0.5 6.0  4 4    
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 0.5 0.0 1      
890190 - other vessels for the transport of goods 
and other vessels for the transport of both 
persons and goods 0.4 4.5 1 1 1    
030213 -- pacific salmon (oncorhynchus nerka, 
oncorhynchus gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, oncorhynchus tschawytscha, 
oncorhynchus kisutch, oncorhynchus masou 
and oncorhynchus rhodurus) 0.4 9.0  1 1    
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, and 
their derivatives; salts thereof (excl. 
ureines and their derivatives, salts thereof, 
2-acetamidobenzoic acid "N-
acetylanthranilic acid" and its salts and 
ethinamate "INN") 0.4 0.0 1      
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 0.3 0.0 1      WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 73 - 
 
  Norway: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Costa Rica's 
import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2026 Duty-
free 
Dutiable  
730890 Structures and parts of structures, of iron 
or steel, n.e.s. (excl.  bridges and bridge-
sections, towers and lattice masts, doors 
and windows and their frames, thresholds 
for doors, props and similar equipment for 
scaffolding, shuttering, propping or pit-
propping) 0.3 9.0  1    1 
280469 Silicon containing < 99,99% by weight of 
silicon 0.3 0.0 1      
847990 Parts of machines and mechanical 
appliances, n.e.s. 0.3 0.0 1      
847989 Machines and mechanical appliances, n.e.s. 0.3 0.0 1      
030551 Dried cod "Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, 
Gadus macrocephalus", even salted, not 
smoked (excl. fillets and offal) 0.3 14.0  1 1    
030441 -- pacific salmon (oncorhynchus nerka, 
oncorhynchus gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, oncorhynchus tschawytscha, oncorhynchus kisutch, oncorhynchus masou and oncorhynchus rhodurus), atlantic salmon (salmo salar) and danube salmon (huchohucho) 0.3 14.0  1 1    
271119 Gaseous hydrocarbons, liquefied, n.e.s. 
(excl. natural gas, propane, butane, 
ethylene, propylene, butylene and 
butadiene) 0.3 0.0 1      
381800 Chemical elements doped for use in 
electronics, in the form of discs, wafers or similar forms; chemical compounds doped for use in electronics. 0.2 0.0 1      
Total of above 80.3 29 19 13 1 4 1 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided  by Costa Rica and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
12. Table A1.8 gives an indication of additional market access in Costa Rica resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Switzerlan d's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 
51.3% of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 34 lines of Costa Rica's tariff at the six-digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prio r to the entry into force of the Agreement, 18 
of these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Costa Rica's market. With the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in 2014, 7 out of the 16 dutiable tariff lines will become duty-free. 
Six more tariff lines will become duty-free in 2018 and one other will become duty free in 2023. In 
2028, one more line will receive duty-free tr eatment, which means that by 2028, duty-free 
treatment will be granted by Costa Rica to all Swiss top 25 global exports. WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 74 - 
 
  Table A1.8 Costa Rica: Market access opportunities under the agreement for 
Switzerland's top 25 exports to the world 
Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Costa Rica's import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or 
unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. medicaments containing antibiotics, medicaments containing hormones or steroids used as hormones, but not containing antibiotics, medicaments containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not 
containing hormones or antibiotics and 
medicaments containing provitamins, vitamins or derivatives thereof used as vitamins) 12.1 2.5 3 3  3    
300210 - antisera, other blood fractions and 
immunological products, whether or 
not modified or obtained by means of 
biotechnological processes 9.7 0.0 2       
910221 -- with automatic winding 4.0 14.0  1 1     
711319 -- of other precious metal, whether or 
not plated or clad with precious metal 3.5 14.0  1  1    
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 2.3 0.0 1       
910121 -- with automatic winding 2.1 14.0  1 1     
293399 Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen 
hetero-atom[s] only (excl. those 
containing an unfused pyrazole, 
imidazole, pyridine or triazine ring, whether or not hydrogenated, a quinoline or isoquinoline ring-system, not further fused, whether or not hydrogenated, a pyrimidine ring, whether or not hydrogenated, or piperazine ring in the structure, and lactams, alprazolam "INN", camazepam "INN", chlordiazepoxide "INN", clonazepam "INN", clorazepate, delorazepam "INN", diazepam "INN", 
estazolam "INN", ethyl loflazepate 
"INN", fludiazepam "INN", flunitrazepam "INN", flurazepam "INN", halazepam "INN", lorazepam "INN", lormetazepam "INN", mazindol "INN", medazepam "INN", midazolam "INN", nimetazepam "INN", nitrazepam "INN", nordazepam "INN", oxazepam "INN", 
pinazepam "INN", prazepam "INN", pyrovalerone "INN", temazepam "INN", tetrazepam "INN" and triazolam "INN", and salts thereof) 1.7 0.0 1       
910211 -- with mechanical display only 1.7 14.0  1 1     
711011 -- unwrought or in powder form 1.3 0.0 1       
710813 -- other semi-manufactured forms 1.2 5.0  1   1   WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 75 - 
 
  Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Costa Rica's import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
293719 Polypeptide hormones, protein 
hormones and glycoprotein hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues, used primarily as hormones (excl. somatropin, its derivatives and 
structural analogues, and insulin and 
its salts) 1.1 0.0 1       
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, 
and their derivatives; salts thereof 
(excl. ureines and their derivatives, 
salts thereof, 2-acetamidobenzoic acid 
"N-acetylanthranilic acid" and its salts 
and ethinamate "INN") 1.0 0.0 1       
300420 - containing other antibiotics 0.9 2.5 1 1  1    
300439 Medicaments containing hormones or 
steroids used as hormones but not 
antibiotics, put up in measured doses 
"incl. those in the form of transdermal 
administration" or in forms or packings 
for retail sale (excl. medicaments 
containing insulin or corticosteroid 
hormones, their derivatives or 
structural analogues) 0.9 2.5 1 1  1    
910129 Wrist-watches of precious metal or of 
metal clad with precious metal, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with hand winding only (excl. with backs made of steel) 0.9 14.0  1 1     
902110 - orthopaedic or fracture appliances 0.9 0.0 1       
294190 Antibiotics (excl. penicillins and their 
derivatives with a penicillanic acid 
structure, salts thereof, streptomycins, 
tetracyclines, chloramphenicol and erythromycin, their derivatives and salts thereof) 0.8 0.0 1       
710239 Diamonds, worked, but not mounted or 
set (excl. industrial diamonds) 0.8 5.0  1 1     
841199 Parts of gas turbines, n.e.s. 0.8 0.0 1       
090121 Roasted coffee (excl. decaffeinated) 0.8 14.0  1 1     
220290 Non-alcoholic beverages (excl. water, 
fruit or vegetable juices and milk) 0.7 11.5  2    1 1 
901890 - other instruments and appliances 0.6 0.0 1       
910111 Wrist-watches of precious metal or of 
metal clad with precious metal, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, electrically operated, 
with mechanical display only (excl. 
with backs made of steel) 0.6 14.0  1 1     WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 76 - 
 
  Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to Costa Rica's import markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 
2028 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
293499 Nucleic acids and their salts, whether 
or not chemically defined; heterocyclic 
compounds (excl. with oxygen only or 
with nitrogen hetero-atom[s] only, 
compounds containing in the structure 
an unfused thiazole ring or a 
benzothiazole or phenothiazine ring-
system, not further fused and 
aminorex "INN", brotizolam "INN", 
clotiazepam "INN", cloxazolam "INN", 
dextromoramide "INN", haloxazolam 
"INN", ketazolam "INN", mesocarb 
"INN", oxazolam "INN", pemoline  
"INN", phendimetrazine "INN", 
phenmetrazine "INN", sufentanil "INN", 
and salts thereof, and inorganic or 
organic compounds of mercury 
whether or not chemically defined, and 
products of 3002 10) 0.5 0.0 1       
902190 Articles and appliances, which are worn 
or carried, or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disability (excl. artificial parts of the body, complete hearing aids and complete pacemakers for stimulating heart muscles) 0.5 0.0 1       
Total of above 51.3  18 16 7 6 1 1 1 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided  by Costa Rica and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
Panama's market 
13. Table A1.9 shows tariff liberalization by Panama with respect to each individual EFTA State, 
and by total, agricultural and non-agricultural products.  
14. In 2014, 34.5% of Panama's tariff was duty free on an MFN basis; 36.6% of non-agricultural 
products were duty free while 23.4% of agricultur al products were duty free. The overall average 
MFN tariff was 7.6%; it was 6.4% for non-agricultural products and higher at 13.7%% for 
agricultural products. As a result of the Agreement, 59.8% of Panama's tariff became duty free for 
imports from Iceland (63.3% for non-agricultural products and 41.4% for agriculture), 59.6% for imports from Norway (63.1% for non-agricultural products and 41.3% for agriculture) and 59.6% for imports from Switzerland (63.1% for non-agricultural products and 41.5% for agriculture). This 
gave EFTA exporters to Panama an absolute margin of preference of 2.8% overall, 3.5% in 
agriculture and between 2.6% and 2.7% for non-agricultural products. 
15. Following ten years of implementation, in 2024,  93.2% of the tariff will be duty free for 
imports from each EFTA State (between 99% and 100% for non-agricultural products and between 
57.4% and 57.5% for agriculture). By the end of  implementation by Panama, in 2028, between 
93.6% and 93.7% of the tariff will be duty free for imports from each EFTA State (between 99% 
and 100% for non-agricultural products and between 60.4% and 60.5% for agriculture).  
  WT/REG357/1 /Rev.1  
 
- 77 - Table A1.9 Panama: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for imports from the EFTA States 
Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied tariff Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Average applied tariff Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Average applied tariff Share of duty-free 
tariff lines (%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable (%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable 
(%) 
MFN 2014 7.6 11.6 34.5 13.7 17.9 23.4 6.4 10.2 36.6 
Iceland 2014 4.8 11.9 59.8 10.2 17.4 41.4 3.7 10.2 63.3 
 2015 4.2 10.5 59.8 9.8 16.7 41.4 3.2 8.6 63.3 
 2016 3.6 9.1 59.8 9.4 16.0 41.4 2.6 7.0 63.3 
 2017 3.1 7.7 59.8 8.9 15.2 41.4 2.0 5.4 63.3 
 2018 2.5 9.8 74.3 8.5 19.5 56.4 1.4 6.2 77.7 
 2019 2.3 8.9 74.3 8.5 19.4 56.4 1.1 4.9 77.7 
 2020 2.0 7.9 74.3 8.4 19.3 56.4 0.8 3.7 77.7 
 2021 1.8 7.0 74.3 8.4 19.2 56.4 0.6 2.5 77.7 
 2022 1.6 6.1 74.3 8.3 19.1 56.4 0.3 1.2 77.7 
 2023 1.3 19.5 93.2 8.3 19.6 57.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2024 1.3 19.5 93.2 8.3 19.5 57.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2025 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.3 19.4 57.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2026 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.2 19.4 57.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2027 1.3 19.3 93.2 8.2 19.3 57.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2028 1.3 20.7 93.7 8.2 20.7 60.5 0.0 6.0 100.0 
Norway 2014 4.8 11.9 59.6 10.2 17.4 41.3 3.8 10.2 63.1 
 2015 4.2 10.5 59.6 9.8 16.7 41.3 3.2 8.6 63.1 
 2016 3.7 9.1 59.6 9.4 15.9 41.3 2.6 7.0 63.1 
 2017 3.1 7.7 59.6 8.9 15.2 41.3 2.0 5.4 63.1 
 2018 2.5 9.8 74.1 8.5 19.5 56.3 1.4 6.2 77.5 
 2019 2.3 8.8 74.1 8.5 19.4 56.3 1.1 4.9 77.5 
 2020 2.0 7.9 74.1 8.4 19.3 56.3 0.8 3.7 77.5 
 2021 1.8 7.0 74.1 8.4 19.2 56.3 0.6 2.5 77.5 
 2022 1.6 6.1 74.1 8.3 19.1 56.3 0.3 1.2 77.5 
 2023 1.3 19.5 93.2 8.3 19.5 57.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2024 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.3 19.4 57.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2025 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.3 19.4 57.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2026 1.3 19.3 93.2 8.2 19.3 57.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2027 1.3 19.3 93.2 8.2 19.3 57.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
 2028 1.3 20.6 93.7 8.2 20.7 60.4 0.0 6.0 100.0 
Switzerland* 2014 4.8 11.9 59.6 10.2 17.4 41.5 3.8 10.2 63.1 
 2015 4.2 10.5 59.6 9.7 16.6 41.5 3.2 8.6 63.1 
 2016 3.7 9.1 59.6 9.3 15.9 41.5 2.6 7.0 63.1 
 2017 3.1 7.7 59.6 8.9 15.2 41.5 2.0 5.4 63.1 
 2018 2.5 9.8 74.1 8.5 19.5 56.6 1.4 6.2 77.4 
 2019 2.3 8.8 74.1 8.4 19.4 56.6 1.1 5.0 77.4 
 2020 2.0 7.9 74.1 8.4 19.3 56.6 0.8 3.7 77.4 
 2021 1.8 7.0 74.1 8.3 19.32 56.6 0.6 2.5 77.4 
 2022 1.6 6.1 74.1 8.3 19.1 56.6 0.3 1.3 77.4 
 2023 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.3 19.5 57.5 0.0 13.0 99.9 
 2024 1.3 19.4 93.2 8.2 19.4 57.5 0.0 13.0 99.9  
  WT/REG357/1 /Rev.1  
 
- 78 - Origin of 
goods Year ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied tariff Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Average applied tariff Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Average applied tariff Share of duty-free 
tariff lines (%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable (%) Overall 
(%) On dutiable 
(%) 
 2025 1.3 19.3 93.2 8.2 19.4 57.5 0.0 13.0 99.9 
 2026 1.3 19.3 93.2 8.2 19.3 57.5 0.0 13.0 99.9 
 2027 1.3 19.2 93.2 8.2 19.3 57.5 0.0 13.0 99.9 
 2028 1.3 20.5 93.6 8.2 20.6 60.4 0.0 13.0 99.9 
Note:  *Tariff lines subject to in-quota rates are excluded in the computation. 
 Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature.  
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by Panama.  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 79 - 
 
  16. Tables A1.10 to A1.12 show market access opportunities for the top 25 global export 
products of each individual EFTA State, in Panama.  
17. Table A1.10 gives an indication of additional market access in Panama resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Iceland's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 74.2% of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 45 lines of Panama's tariff at the 
six-digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 15 of 
these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Panama's market. With the entry into force of the Agreement, in 2014, 26 out of the 30 dutiable  tariff lines became duty-free. The remaining 
four lines will become duty-free in 2018, which me ans that duty-free treatment will be granted by 
Panama to all Iceland's top 25 global exports. 
Table A1.10 Panama: Market access opportuniti es under the agreement for Iceland's top 
25 exports to the world 
Iceland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Panama's import 
markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 2018 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
760110 - aluminium, not alloyed 33.5 0.0 1    
230120 - flours, meals and pellets, of fish or of 
crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates 3.5 15.0  2 2  
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 3.4 10.0  1 1  
720221 -- containing by weight more than 55 % of 
silicon 3.1 15.0  1 1  
030389 Frozen fish, n.e.s. 2.2 15.0  1 1  
030453 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, 
melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and 
muraenolepididae 2.1 15.0  1 1  
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. medicaments containing antibiotics, medicaments containing hormones or steroids used as hormones, but not containing antibiotics, medicaments containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones or antibiotics 
and medicaments containing provitamins, 
vitamins or derivatives thereof used as vitamins) 2.1 0.0 5    
030471 -- cod (gadus morhua, gadus ogac, gadus 
macrocephalus) 2.0 15.0  1 1  
150420 - fats and oils and their fractions, of fish, 
other than liver oils 2.0 10.0  1 1  
030562 -- cod (gadus morhua, gadus ogac, gadus 
macrocephalus) 1.8 5.0  1 1  
760719 Aluminium foil, not backed, rolled and 
further worked, of a thickness of <= 2 mm (excl. stamping foils of heading 3212, and 
foil made up as christmas tree decorating 
material) 1.8 5.0 1 1 1  
030572 -- fish heads, tails and maws 1.6 7.5 1 3 3  
030495 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and muraenolepididae, other than alaska pollack (theragra chalcogramma) 1.6 15.0  1 1  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 80 - 
 
  Iceland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Panama's import 
markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 2018 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum 
or bituminous minerals, not containing 
biodiesel, n.e.s. 1.5 8.8 4 8 4 4 
030444 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and muraenolepididae 1.4 15.0  1 1  
030331 -- halibut (reinhardtius hippoglossoides, 
hippoglossus hippoglossus, hippoglossus 
stenolepis) 1.4 15.0  1 1  
760120 - aluminium alloys 1.3 0.0 1    
030499 Frozen fish meat n.e.s. (excl. fillets) 1.2 15.0  1 1  
160521 -- not in airtight container 1.1 15.0  1 1  
760511 -- of which the maximum cross-sectional 
dimension exceeds 7 mm 1.1 0.0 1    
030532 -- fish of the families bregmacerotidae, 
euclichthyidae, gadidae, macrouridae, melanonidae, merlucciidae, moridae and 
muraenolepididae 1.0 10.0  1 1  
030473 -- coalfish (pollachius virens) 1.0 15.0  1 1  
030390 - livers and roes 1.0 15.0  1 1  
030351 -- herrings (clupea harengus, clupea pallasii)  0.7 10.0  1 1  
902131 -- artificial joints 0.7 0.0 1    
Total of above 74.2  15 30 26 4 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by Panama and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
18. Table A1.11 gives an indication of additional market access in Panama resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Norway's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 77.6% 
of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 62 lines of Panama's tariff at the six-digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 34 of 
these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Panama's market. With the entry into force 
of the Agreement, in 2014, 17 out of the 28 dutiable  tariff lines became duty-free. Four additional 
lines will become duty-free in 2018 and the 7 rema ining lines will become duty free in 2023, which 
means that by that time, duty-free treatment will be granted by Panama to all of Norway's top 
25 global exports.  
Table A1.11 Panama: Market access opportuniti es under the agreement for Norway's top 
25 exports to the world 
Norway: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Panama's import 
markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude. 34.2 0.0 2     
271121 -- natural gas 24.6 0.0 1     
271012 -- light oils and preparations 2.5 0.0 12     WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 81 - 
 
  Norway: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Panama's import 
markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
030214 -- atlantic salmon (salmo salar) and danube 
salmon (hucho hucho) 2.4 5.0  1 1   
760120 - aluminium alloys 2.1 0.0 1     
271019 Medium oils and preparations, of petroleum or 
bituminous minerals, not containing biodiesel, 
n.e.s. 2.1 8.8 4 8 4 4  
271112 -- propane 1.3 0.0 1     
750210 - nickel, not alloyed 1.1 10.0  1 1   
271113 -- butanes 1.0 0.0 1     
271020 - petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals (other than crude) and 
preparations not elsewhere specified or 
included, containing by weight 70 % or more 
of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic 
constituents of the preparations, containing 
biodiesel, other than waste oils 0.9 5.0  1 1   
271111 -- natural gas 0.9 0.0 1     
843143 -- parts for boring or sinking machinery of 
subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49 0.5 5.0  1 1   
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 0.5 0.0 1     
890190 - other vessels for the transport of goods and 
other vessels for the transport of both persons 
and goods 0.4 10.0  2   2 
030213 -- pacific salmon (oncorhynchus nerka, 
oncorhynchus gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, oncorhynchus tschawytscha, oncorhynchus kisutch, oncorhynchus masou and oncorhynchus rhodurus) 0.4 5.0  1 1   
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, and 
their derivatives; salts thereof (excl. ureines 
and their derivatives, salts thereof, 2-
acetamidobenzoic acid "N-acetylanthranilic 
acid" and its salts and ethinamate "INN") 0.4 0.0 1     
030354 -- mackerel (scomber scombrus, scomber 
australasicus, scomber japonicus) 0.3 10.0  1 1   
730890 Structures and parts of structures, of iron or 
steel, n.e.s. (excl. brid ges and bridge-sections, 
towers and lattice masts, doors and windows 
and their frames, thresholds for doors, props 
and similar equipment for scaffolding, 
shuttering, propping or pit-propping) 0.3 9.7  6 2  4 
280469 Silicon containing < 99,99% by weight of 
silicon 0.3 5.0  1 1   
030441 -- pacific salmon (oncorhynchus nerka, 
oncorhynchus gorbuscha, oncorhynchus keta, 
oncorhynchus tschawytscha, oncorhynchus 
kisutch, oncorhynchus masou and 
oncorhynchus rhodurus), atlantic salmon 
(salmo salar) and danube salmon 
(huchohucho) 0.2 15.0  1 1   
271119 Gaseous hydrocarbons, liquefied, n.e.s. (excl. 
natural gas, propane, butane, ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene) 0.2 0.0 1     
381800 Chemical elements doped for use in 
electronics, in the form of discs, wafers or 
similar forms; chemical compounds doped for 
use in electronics. 0.2 0.0 1     
720230 - ferro-silico-manganese 0.2 15.0  1   1 
847989 Machines and mechanical appliances, n.e.s. 0.2 1.5 3 3 3   WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 82 - 
 
  Norway: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Access conditions to the Panama's import 
markets 
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
480261 Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind 
used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punchcards and 
punch-tape paper, in rolls of any size, of which 
> 10% by weight of the total fibre content consists of fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi-mechanical process, n.e.s. 0.2 0.0 4     
Total of above 77.6  34 28 17 4 7 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by Panama and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
19. Table A1.12 gives an indication of additional market access in Panama resulting from the 
entry into force of the Agreement for Switzerlan d's top 25 global exports, which accounted for 
49.8% of its global exports in 2011-2013; these corresponded to 43 lines of Panama's tariff at the 
six-digit level (using the HS 2012). In 2014, prior to the entry into force of the Agreement, 25 of these tariff lines already had (MFN) duty free access to Panama's market. With the entry into force 
of the Agreement, in 2014, 7 out of the 18 dutiable  tariff lines became duty-free. One additional 
lines will become duty-free in 2018 and 6 additi onal lines will become duty free in 2023. This 
means that by that time, duty-free treatment will be granted by Panama to all but 4 of 
Switzerland's top 25 global exports. The remaining dutiable tariff lines refer to some not 
decaffeinated coffee and some non-alcoholic beverages.  
Table A1.12 Panama: Market access opportunities under the agreement for 
Switzerland's top 25 exports to the world 
Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) Access conditions to 
the Panama's import 
markets  
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. medicaments containing antibiotics, medicaments containing hormones or steroids used as hormones, but not containing antibiotics, medicaments containing alkaloids or 
derivatives thereof but not containing hormones 
or antibiotics and medicaments containing provitamins, vitamins or derivatives thereof used as vitamins) 11.8 0.0 5      
300210 - antisera, other blood fractions and 
immunological products, whether or not 
modified or obtained by means of 
biotechnological processes 8.1 0.0 2      
910221 -- with automatic winding 3.9 10.0  1   1  
711319 -- of other precious metal, whether or not plated 
or clad with precious metal 3.4 10.0  1   1  WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 83 - 
 
  Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) Access conditions to 
the Panama's import 
markets  
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
271600 Electrical energy. (optional heading) 2.2 0.0 1      
910121 Wrist-watches of precious metal or of metal clad 
with precious metal, whether or not 
incorporating a stop-watch facility, with 
automatic winding (excl. with backs made of 
steel) 2.0 10.0  1   1  
293399 Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-
atom[s] only (excl. those containing an unfused pyrazole, imidazole, pyridine or triazine ring, whether or not hydrogenated, a quinoline or isoquinoline ring-system, not further fused, whether or not hydrogenated, a pyrimidine ring, whether or not hydrogenated, or piperazine ring in the structure, and lact ams, alprazolam "INN", 
camazepam "INN", chlordiazepoxide "INN", 
clonazepam "INN", clorazepate, delorazepam 
"INN", diazepam "INN", estazolam "INN", ethyl loflazepate "INN", fludiazepam "INN", flunitrazepam "INN", flurazepam "INN", halazepam "INN", lorazepam "INN", lormetazepam "INN", mazindol "INN", medazepam "INN", midazolam "INN", nimetazepam "INN", nitrazepam "INN", nordazepam "INN", oxaz epam "INN", pinazepam 
"INN", prazepam "INN", pyrovalerone "INN", temazepam "INN", tetrazepam "INN" and triazolam "INN", and salts thereof) 1.6 0.0 1      
910211 -- with mechanical display only 1.6 5.0  1 1    
300290 Human blood; animal blood prepared for 
therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; toxins, cultures of micro-organisms and similar products (excl. yeasts and vaccines) 1.5 0.0 3      
711011 Platinum, unwrought or in powder form 1.3 0.0 1      
710813 Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, in semi-
manufactured forms, for non-monetary purposes  1.2 0.0 1      
293719 Polypeptide hormones, protein hormones and 
glycoprotein hormones, their derivatives and 
structural analogues, used primarily as 
hormones (excl. somatropin, its derivatives and 
structural analogues, and insulin and its salts) 1.1 2.5 1 1 1    
292429 Cyclic amides, incl. cyclic carbamates, and their 
derivatives; salts thereof (excl. ureines and their 
derivatives, salts thereof, 2-acetamidobenzoic acid "N-acetylanthranilic acid" and its salts and ethinamate "INN") 1.0 0.0 1      
300420 - containing other antibiotics 0.9 0.0 2      
300439 Medicaments containing hormones or steroids 
used as hormones but not antibiotics, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. medicaments containing insulin or corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues) 0.9 0.0 2      
910129 Wrist-watches of precious metal or of metal clad 
with precious metal, whether or not 
incorporating a stop-watch facility, with hand 
winding only (excl. with backs made of steel) 0.9 10.0  1   1  
902110 - orthopaedic or fracture appliances 0.8 7.5 1 1 1    WT/REG357/1/Rev.1 
 
- 84 - 
 
  Switzerland: 2011-2013 
HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) Access conditions to 
the Panama's import 
markets  
MFN (2014) Duty-free in 
Remain Dutiable  Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate No. of tariff 
lines 
2014 
2018 
2023 Duty-free  
Dutiable 
294190 Antibiotics (excl. penicillins and their derivatives 
with a penicillanic acid structure, salts thereof, 
streptomycins, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol 
and erythromycin, their derivatives and salts 
thereof) 0.8 0.0 1      
710239 Diamonds, worked, but not mounted or set 
(excl. industrial diamonds) 0.8 10.0  1   1  
841199 Parts of gas turbines, n.e.s. 0.7 3.0  1 1    
090121 -- not decaffeinated 0.7 54.0  1    1 
220290 Non-alcoholic beverages (excl. water, fruit or 
vegetable juices and milk) 0.7 10.0  6 2 1  3 
901890 - other instruments and appliances 0.6 3.3 2 1 1    
910111 -- with mechanical display only 0.6 10.0  1   1  
902190 Articles and appliances, which are worn or 
carried, or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disability (excl. artificial parts of the body, complete hearing aids and complete pacemakers for stimulating heart muscles)   1      
Total of above 49.8  25 18 7 1 6 4 
Note: Based on the HS 2012 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by Panama and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
__________