WT/REG305/1  
18 July 2016  
(16-3851)  Page: 1/74  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements   
 
 FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TH E DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND  
CENTRAL AMERICA (COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA,  
HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA) 
(GOODS AND SERVICES) 
Report by the Secretariat 
This report, prepared for the consideratio n of the Free Trade Agreement between the 
Dominican Republic and Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) 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 offi cial endorsement or acceptance by the 
Secretariat of such terminology. The report has been drawn up in accordance with the 
rules 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 Ms Silvia Avila 
Seifert (tel: +41 22 739 5064). Any statistical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Ms Rowena Cabos (tel: +41 22 739 5185). 
 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 2 - 
 
   
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Page 
1   TRADE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................. 5  
1.1   Overview .................................................................................................................. 5  
1.2   Merchand ise trade ..................................................................................................... 6  
1.2.1   Dominican Republic - Central America ........................................................................ 6  
1.2.2   Costa Rica-Dom inican Republic ................................................................................. 8  
1.2.3   El Salvador-D ominican Republic ................................................................................ 9  
1.2.4   Guatemala-Dominican Republic ................................................................................ 10 
1.2.5   Honduras-Dom inican Republic ................................................................................. 10 
1.2.6   Nicaragua-Dominican Republic ................................................................................. 11 
1.3   Trade in servic es and inve stment ................................................................................ 13 
2   CHARACTERISTIC ELEMEN TS OF THE AG REEMENT .................................................... 18  
2.1   Background  Information ............................................................................................ 18 
3   PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS ........................................................................... 19  
3.1   Import duties and charges,  and quantitative  restrict ions ................................................ 19 
3.1.1   Genera l provisions ................................................................................................. 19 
3.1.2   Liberalization of  trade and ta riff lines ........................................................................ 20 
3.1.2.1   Costa Rica .......................................................................................................... 22 
3.1.2.2   El Salvador ........................................................................................................ 22 
3.1.2.3   Guatem ala ......................................................................................................... 23 
3.1.2.4   Honduras ........................................................................................................... 23 
3.1.2.5   Nicaragua .......................................................................................................... 24 
3.1.3   Liberali zation schedule............................................................................................ 24 
3.1.3.1   The Domi nican Republic ....................................................................................... 24 
3.1.3.2   Costa Rica .......................................................................................................... 27 
3.1.3.3   El Salvador ........................................................................................................ 28 
3.1.3.4   Guatem ala ......................................................................................................... 29 
3.1.3.5   Honduras ........................................................................................................... 31 
3.1.3.6   Nicaragua .......................................................................................................... 32 
3.1.4   Tariff rate quotas ................................................................................................... 33 
3.2   Rules of origin .......................................................................................................... 33 
3.3   Export duties and charges,  and quantitative  restrictions ................................................. 35 
3.4   Regulatory provisions on trade in goods ....................................................................... 35 
3.4.1   Standards ............................................................................................................. 35 
3.4.1.1   Sanitary and phytosanitary measures .................................................................... 35 
3.4.1.2   Technical barriers to trade .................................................................................... 36 
3.4.2   Safeguard mechanisms ........................................................................................... 37 
3.4.2.1   Global safeguards ............................................................................................... 37 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 3 - 
 
  3.4.2.2   Bilateral safeguards ............................................................................................. 38 
3.4.2.3   Special safeguards .............................................................................................. 38 
3.4.3   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures ............................................................... 38 
3.4.4   Subsidie s and State-aid .......................................................................................... 39 
3.4.5   Customs-re lated procedures .................................................................................... 39 
3.4.6   Other regulations ................................................................................................... 39 
3.5   Sector-specific provis ions on trad e in goods ................................................................. 39 
4   PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND IN VESTMENT ......................................... 39  
4.1   Scope and definitions ................................................................................................ 39 
4.2   Denial of benefits ..................................................................................................... 40 
4.3   General provisions on trade in services ........................................................................ 41 
4.3.1   Mark et acce ss ....................................................................................................... 41 
4.3.2   National treatment and MFN .................................................................................... 41 
4.3.3   Commercial presence ............................................................................................. 41 
4.3.4   Stand-still (Con solidation of measures) ..................................................................... 41 
4.3.5   Performanc e requirements ...................................................................................... 41 
4.3.6   Senior management and boards of  direct ors .............................................................. 42 
4.3.7   Movement of  natural persons .................................................................................. 42 
4.4   Liberalization commitments ........................................................................................ 43 
4.5   Regulatory provisions ................................................................................................ 43 
4.5.1   Domestic regulation ............................................................................................... 43 
4.5.2   Recognition ........................................................................................................... 43 
4.5.3   Subsidies .............................................................................................................. 44 
4.5.4   Safeguards ........................................................................................................... 44 
4.5.4.1   Balance of Pa yments rest rictions ........................................................................... 44 
4.5.5   Ex ceptions ............................................................................................................  44 
4.5.6   Other ................................................................................................................. .. 44 
4.5.7   Other measur es on inve stment ................................................................................ 44 
4.6   Sector specific provis ions on trade in services ............................................................... 45 
5   GENERAL PROVISIONS  OF THE AGREEMENT ............................................................. 45  
5.1   Tran sparency ........................................................................................................... 45 
5.2   Current payments and capital movements .................................................................... 45 
5.3   Exceptions ............................................................................................................... 46 
5.4   Accession and Withdrawal .......................................................................................... 46 
5.5   Institutio nal framework ............................................................................................. 46 
5.6   Disput e settlement ................................................................................................... 47 
5.7   Relationship with other agr eements concluded by the Parties .......................................... 50 
5.8   Government  procurement .......................................................................................... 52 
5.9   Competit ion policy .................................................................................................... 53 
5.10   Intellectual property rights ....................................................................................... 54 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 4 - 
 
  ANNEX 1 ....................................................................................................................... . 55 
ANNEX 2 ....................................................................................................................... . 73 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 5 - 
 
   
Key Facts 
Parties to the Agreement: Central America1 and the 
Dominican Republic 
Date of signature of the Free trade 
Agreement  16 April 1998 
Date of entry into force: 
Dominican Republic - Costa Rica 
Dominican Republic - El Salvador  
Dominican Republic – Guatemala  
Dominican Republic - Honduras 
Dominican Republic - Nicaragua 
  
7 March 2002 
4 October 2001 
3 October 2001 
19 December 2001 
3 September 2002 
Date of notification:  6 January 2012 
Full implementation of commitments: 
Dominican Republic - Costa Rica 
Dominican Republic - El Salvador  
Dominican Republic – Guatemala  
Dominican Republic - Honduras 
Dominican Republic - Nicaragua 
  
2010 and 2004  
2004 
2004 
2004 
2004  
 
1  TRADE ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Overview 1.1.  The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Dominican Republic and Central America 
(Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua) is the third
 regional trade 
agreement notified by the Dominican Republic; the sixth notified by Costa Rica, El Salvador and 
Honduras; the fourth by Guatemala, and the fifth by Nicaragua. 
1.2.  In 2014, the GDP of the Dominican Republic (10.529 million inhabitants) was estimated at 
US$63.97 billion. It was ranked 68th for exports and 59th for imports globally (total exports of 
goods amounting to US$ 9.92 billion and imports to  US$17.29 billion). The majority of its exports 
and imports consist of manufactures (52.2% and 59.2%, respectively) followed by agricultural 
products (23% and 16%, respectively) and fuels and mining products (8.9% and 24.2%, 
respectively). As regards trade in services, the Dominican Republic was 42nd among exporters (US$6.8 billion) and 70
th among importers (US$2.9 billion). The average trade/GDP ratio in 2012-
2014 was 57.9. 
1.3.  Among the Central American economies, in 2014, the GDP of Costa Rica (4.9 million 
inhabitants) was estimated at US$49.6 billion. It was ranked 63rd for exports and 60th for imports globally (total exports of goods amounting to US $11.3 billion and imports to US$17.2 billion). With 
a population of 6.4 million, El Salvador's GDP was estimated at US$25 billion and it was ranked 
83rd in global exports and 75th in imports (total exports of goods amounting to US$5.3 billion and imports to US$10.5 billion). The GDP of Guatemala (15.9 million inhabitants) was estimated at 
US$58.7 billion and it was ranked 65th in global exports and 58th in imports (total exports and 
imports of respectively US$10.8 billion and US$18. 3 billion). Honduras had a population of 
8.3 million and a GDP of  US$19.4 billion. It ranked 75th in global exports and 72nd in imports 
(total exports of US$8.1 billion and imports of US$11.1 billion). Nicaragua (population of 
6.2 million) was the smallest economy with a GDP of US$11.8 billion. It was ranked 85th in global 
exports and 90th in imports (total exports of goods of US$5.1 billion and imports of 
US$6.9 billion). 
1.4.  The majority of exports from Costa Rica (59.2%), El Salvador (75.4%), and Honduras 
(59.1%) consisted of manufactured goods, while exports from Guatemala (45.6%) and Nicaragua 
                                               
1 Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatem ala, Honduras and Nicaragua. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 6 - 
 
  (46.9%) are dominated by agricultural products. Imports are dominated by manufactured products 
(71.0% for Costa Rica, 63.2% for El Salvador, 64.3 % for Guatemala, 63.4% for Honduras and 53.2% for Nicaragua).  
1.5.  As regards trade in services, Costa Rica  was 41st among exporters (US$6,855 million) and 
85th among importers (US$2,109 million) followed by Guatemala (ranked 70th for exports at 
US$2,602 million and 68th for import s at US$3,001 million), El Salvador (ranked 77th in exports 
at US$2,165 million and 100th for imports at US$1,434 million), Honduras, ranked 71st for 
exports and 90th for imports (US$2,557 million an d US$1,720 million, respectively) and Nicaragua 
(ranked 96th for exports at US$1,302 million and 114th for imports at US$912 million). 
1.6.  The average trade to GDP ratio in 2012-2014 was 66.9 for Costa Rica, 69.9 for El Salvador, 
59.0 for Guatemala, 88.9 for Honduras and 104.6 for Nicaragua. 
1.2  Merchandise trade 
1.2.1  Dominican Republic - Central America 1.7.  Trade between the Dominican Republic and Central America amounted to an annual average 
of US$ 763 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, The Dominican Republic's exports to and imports 
from Central America represented 1% and 3.2%, re spectively, of its total exports and imports, 
making Central America the ninth largest destination for the Dominican Republic's exports and the 
seventh largest source of imports.
2 Central America's exports to and imports from the Dominican 
Republic represented 1.5% and 0.2%, respectively , of its total exports and imports, placing the 
Dominican Republic in 11th and 36th position as a destination for and source of its exports and 
imports. 
1.8.  Charts 1.1 and 1.2 show trends in tr ade between the Dominican Republic and Central 
America and the world between 1998 and 2014. During this period, the Dominican Republic's global trade and its trade with Central America in creased, although imports have outpaced exports 
since 2004. As a result it has had a trade defici t both globally and with Central America since 
2004. In its trade with Central America, the Dominican Republic has maintained a trade deficit with all the countries except for Honduras, although for much of the period since 2006, it has also had 
a deficit with Honduras. 
                                               
2 In 2014, the Dominican Republic's main export markets were: the United States (49.1%), Haiti 
(14.3%), Canada (9.2%), the European Union (8.1%) an d Switzerland (2.5%). The main sources of its imports 
were: the United States (41%), China (11.6%), the European Union (9.5%), Mexi co (6%) and Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of (5.2%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 7 - 
 
  Chart 1.1 Dominican Republic, bilateral trade with Central America and trade with world 
0.00.51.01.5
02468101214161820
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
Export
Import
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Dominican Republic trade with Central America and world, 
1998-2014 
(US$ billion)
Nicaragua
Honduras
Guatemala
El Salvador
Costa Rica
Total exports (left axis)
Total imports (left axis)
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 8 - 
 
  Chart 1.2 Central America, bilateral trade with Dominican Republic and trade with world  
02468101214161820
050100150200250300
1998
19992000
2001
20022003
2004
2005
2006
20072008
2009
20102011
2012
2013
2014US$ Billion US$ Million1. Costa Rica trade with DR and world, 
1998-2014
024681012
0102030405060708090
1998
19992000
2001
2002
2003
20042005
2006
20072008
2009
2010
2011
20122013
2014US$ Billion US$ Million2. El Salvador trade with DR and world,
1998-2014
02468101214161820
020406080100120140160
1998
1999
20002001
2002
2003
2004
20052006
2007
2008
2009
20102011
2012
2013
2014US$ Billion US$ Million3. Guatemala trade with DR and world,
1998-2014
012345678910
0102030405060
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billion US$ Million4. Honduras trade with DR and world,
1998-2014
01234567
010203040
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014US$ Billion US$ Million5. Nicaragua trade with DR and world,
1998-2014
Export to DR Import from DR
Total exports (right axis) Total imports (right axis) 
Note: Mirror data used for bilateral trade of Honduras for 2008. 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database, WTO-IDB and IFS and GTA database. 
 
1.2.2  Costa Rica-Dominican Republic 
1.9.  Trade between Costa Rica and the Dominica n Republic amounted to an annual average of 
US$ 282 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, Costa Rica's exports to the Dominican Republic 
represented 2.4% while imports represented 0.2% of its total exports and imports, making the 
Dominican Republic the 12th largest destination for Costa Rica's exports and the 31st largest source of its imports.
3 In 2014, the Dominican Republic's exports to and imports from Costa Rica 
                                               
3 In 2014, Costa Rica's main export markets were: the United States (38.3%), the European Union 
(17.6), Hong Kong, China (5.6), Panama (5.1%) and Nicaragua (4.3%) .The main sources of its imports were: the United States (50%), China (9.6%), the European Union (7.4%), Mexico (6.4%) and Japan (2.9%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 9 - 
 
  represented 0.3% and 1.3%, respectively, of its to tal exports and imports, placing Costa Rica in 
15th and 12th position as a destination for and source of its exports and imports. 
1.10.  Chart 1.3a and b below provides a breakd own of bilateral trade between the Parties by 
product and of their trade at the global level over the period 2000-2002 before the Agreement 
entered into force and for the more recent period of 2012-2014, by HS Section. In 2000-2002 five 
of Costa Rica's major exports (machinery, vegetables, textiles, prepared foods and optical, photographic equipment) accounted for 76% of it s total exports; of these prepared foods, and 
machinery accounted for 21% of total imports from Costa Rica by the Dominican Republic and 
chemicals, plastics and pulp of wood, respectively, accounted for 38%, 23% and 7%. By 2012-2014 while machinery and vegetables remained Costa Rica's largest global export categories (accounting for 55% of its exports), only machinery accounted for significant import by the 
Dominican Republic (18%) while the share of prepared food had increased from 13% to 18%. 
1.11.  In 2000-2002 five export categories (text iles, prepared foodstuffs, machinery, natural and 
cultured pearls, and optical, photographic eq uipment) accounted for 74% of the Dominican 
Republic's total exports; two of these, machinery,  and prepared foodstuffs, respectively, accounted 
for 13% and 12% of Costa Rica's imports from the Dominican Republic. Plastics, chemicals and base metals accounted, respectively, for 30%, 14% and 9% of the total. In 2012-14 the 
Dominican Republic's global export patterns sh owed diversification away from textiles and 
prepared foods whose share fell from 51% to 30%, while the shares of precious stones, optical and photographic equipment rose; however Costa Rica's imports from the Dominican Republic were concentrated in base metals, plastics, and machinery (accounting for 78% of its imports from 
the Dominican Republic). 
1.2.3  El Salvador-Dominican Republic 1.12.  Trade between El Salvador and the Dominican Republic amounted to an annual average of 
US$ 124 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, El Salvador's exports to the Dominican Republic 
represented 1.6% while imports represented 0.06% of its total exports and imports, making the 
Dominican Republic the eighth largest destination for El Salvador's exports and the 37th largest 
source of its imports.
4 In 2014, the Dominican Republic's exports to and imports from El Salvador 
represented 0.03% and 0.5%, respectively, of its total exports and imports, placing El Salvador in 48th and 19th position as a destination for and source of exports and imports. 
1.13.  Chart 1.3a and b below provides a breakd own of bilateral trade between the Parties by 
product and of their trade at the global level over the period 2000-2002 and 2012-2014 by HS 
Section. In 2000-2002 El Salvador's major export categories (prepared foods, vegetable products, chemicals, textiles, base metals) accounted for 28% of its total exports (with around 57% of its 
exports falling under HS Chapter 99); of these, chemicals, prepared foods and textiles accounted 
for 69% of total imports from El Salvador by the Dominican Republic and machinery and plastics accounted, respectively for another 11% and 6%. In 2012-2014 textiles and prepared foods 
accounted respectively for 43% and 15% of El Salvador's global exports; prepared foods were also 
the largest imports by the Dominican Republic from El Salvador (31%) followed by plastics (16%) and wood pulp (12%). 
1.14.  In 2000-2002 five export categories (text iles, prepared foodstuffs, machinery, natural and 
cultured pearls, and optical, photographic eq uipment) accounted for 74% of the Dominican 
Republic's total exports; one of these, namely ch emicals, made up 14% of El Salvador's imports 
from the Dominican Republic and plastics, pulp  of wood, machinery and raw hides and skins 
accounted, respectively for 51%, 15%, 11%, 4%  of the total. By 2012-2014 the Dominican 
Republic's global exports were more diversified, with a smaller share for textiles and prepared foods (30% compared to 51%), and larger shares  for precious stones, optical and photographic 
equipment (to 25% compared to 14%). El Salvador's major imports from the Dominican Republic 
were in contrast, dominated by mineral products (82%). 
                                               
4 In 2014, El Salvador's main export markets were : the United States (46.5%), Honduras (14.2%), 
Guatemala (13.4%), Nicaragua (6.4%) and Costa Rica (4.6%). The main sources of its imports were: the United States (41.0%), Guatemala (9.5%), China (7.3%), Mexico (7%) and the European Union (5.9%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 10 - 
 
  1.2.4  Guatemala-Dominican Republic 
1.15.  Trade between Guatemala and the Dominica n Republic amounted to an annual average of 
US$230 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, Guatem ala's exports to the Dominican Republic 
represented 1.3% while imports represented 0.2% of its total exports and imports, making the 
Dominican Republic the 12th largest destination fo r Guatemala's exports and the 27th source of its 
imports.5 In 2014, the Dominican Republic's exports to and imports from Guatemala represented 
0.3% and 0.6%, respectively, of its total export s and imports, placing Guatemala in 17th and 14th 
position as a destination for and source of its exports and imports. 
1.16.  Chart 1.3a and b below provides a breakd own of bilateral trade between the Parties by 
product and of their trade at the global level over the period 2000-2002 and 2012-2014 by HS 
Section. In 2000-2002 five of Guatemala's major export categories (vegetable products, prepared 
foods, chemicals, minerals and base metals) acco unted for 78% of its total exports; of these, 
chemicals and prepared foods accounted for 68%  of total imports from Guatemala by the 
Dominican Republic. Articles of stone, wood an d articles of wood and machinery accounted for 
another 8%, 6.0% and 5.7%, respectively. By 2012-2014 Guatemala's share of exports of 
vegetable products had declined from 35% to 23%;  the overall share of its three largest export 
categories in 2000-2002 (vegetable products, prepared foods and chemicals) had fallen from 66% 
to 51%, while textiles exports have gained in importance (from negligible levels to 15%. In 
comparison the Dominican Republic mainly imported chemical products and prepared foods from Guatemala (63% of total imports compared to 68% in the previous period).  
1.17.  In 2000-2002 five export categories (text iles, prepared foodstuffs, machinery, natural and 
cultured pearls, and optical, photographic eq uipment) accounted for 74% of the Dominican 
Republic's total exports; one of these, namely  machinery made up 21% of Guatemala's imports 
from the Dominican Republic. Chemicals, plastics, base metals and vehicles accounted for another 
28%, 19%, 9% and 6%, respectively. By 2012-2014 the Dominican Republic's global exports were 
more diversified, with a smaller share for text iles and prepared foods (30% compared to 51%), 
and larger shares for precious stones, optical and photographic equipment (to 25% compared to 
14%). Guatemala's imports from the Dominican Republic were mainly minerals (70%) and 
chemicals (15%). 
1.2.5  Honduras-Dominican Republic 1.18.  Trade between Honduras and the Dominica n Republic amounted to an annual average of 
US$ 81 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, Honduras' exports to and imports from the Dominican 
Republic represented 1.2% and 0.1%, respectively, of its total exports and imports, making the Dominican Republic the tenth largest destination for Honduras exports and the 19th source of its 
imports.
6 The Dominican Republic's exports to and imports from Honduras represented 0.2% and 
0.4%, respectively, of its total exports and import s, placing Honduras in 19th and 22nd position as 
a destination for and source of its exports and imports. 
1.19.  Chart 1.3a and b below provides a breakd own of bilateral trade between the Parties by 
product and of their trade at the global level over the period 2000-2002 and 2012-2014 by HS 
Section. In 2000-2002 five of Honduras' major exports (vegetables, prepared foods, wood and articles of wood, base metals and chemicals) ac counted for 80% of its total exports; of these, 
chemicals, prepared foods and wood and articles of wood accounted for 79% of total imports from 
Honduras by the Dominican Republic. Textiles and animal and vegetable fats and oils accounted, respectively, for another 7% and 3%. In 2012-2014 while vegetables remained important global 
exports, their share had declined to 32% from 45%; other key export categories in 2012-2014 
were machinery, live animals, base metals and animal or vegetable fats and oils (together 
accounting for 37% of total exports. The Dominican Republic's imports from Honduras continued to 
                                               
5 In 2014, Guatemala's main export markets were: th e United States (36.2%), El Salvador (11.6%), 
Honduras (8.1%), the European Unio n (7.5%) and Nicaragua (4.7%). The main sources of its imports were: 
the United States (40.3%), Mexico (10.7%), China (9.8%), the European Union (7.1%) and El Salvador (4.5%). 
6 In 2014, Honduras' main export markets were: the United States (45.5%), the European Union 
(26.2%), El Salvador (4.5%), Guat emala (3.7%), and Nicara gua (3.1%). The main sources of its imports 
were: the United States (40.9%), China (8.9%), Mexico (7.7%), Guatemala (7.0%) and the European Union (5.7%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 11 - 
 
  be dominated by prepared foods (34%), although textiles and animal and vegetable fats were 
important imports accounting together for 40% of its imports from Honduras. 
1.20.  In 2000-2002 five export categories (text iles, prepared foodstuffs, machinery, natural and 
cultured pearls, and optical, photographic eq uipment) accounted for 74% of the Dominican 
Republic's total exports one of these, namely prep ared foods, made up 43%, of Honduras' imports 
from the Dominican Republic. Chemicals, pulp of wood, plastics and vegetable products accounted for another 26%, 8%, 7% and 6.7%, respectively. By 2012-2014 the Dominican Republic's global 
exports were more diversified, with a smaller share for textiles and prepared foods (30% 
compared to 51%), and larger shares for precious stones, optical and photographic equipment (to 25% compared to 14%). Honduras' main import s from the Dominican Republic were mineral 
products (69%) and chemicals (16%); prepared food s, which was the largest export category for 
the Dominican Republic globally (16% of its global exports), accounted for 6% of Honduras' 
imports from the Dominican Republic. 
1.2.6  Nicaragua-Dominican Republic 
1.21.  Trade between Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic amounted to an annual average of 
US$ 47 million during 2012-2014. In 2014, Nicaragua's exports to the Dominican Republic represented 0.6% while imports represented 0.2% of its total exports and imports, making the 
Dominican Republic the 12th largest destination fo r Nicaragua's exports and the 32nd source of its 
imports.
7 In 2014, the Dominican Republic's exports to and imports from Nicaragua represented 
0.2% of its total exports and imports, placing Ni caragua in 18th and 34th position as a destination 
for and source of its exports and imports. 
1.22.  Chart 1.3 below provides a breakdown of b ilateral trade between the Parties by product and 
of their trade at the global level over the period 2000-2002 and 2012-2014, by HS Section. During the first period five of Nicaragua's major export s (animal products, vegetables, prepared foods, 
natural and cultured pearls and wood and articles of wood) accounted for 86% of its total exports; 
of these, wood and articles of wood and prepar ed foods accounted for 96% of total imports from 
Nicaragua by the Dominican Republic. In 2012-2014 while animal products, vegetables and 
prepared foods remained important global exports for Nicaragua, their share had fallen, while 
textiles had become the largest export category (27%). This change was also reflected in the Dominican Republic's main imports from Nicaragua: while prepared foods still accounted for 60% of its imports from Nicaragua, the share of textile s had grown to 28%, while the share of articles 
of wood had fallen from 55% to 5%. 
1.23.  In 2000-2002, five export categories (text iles, prepared foodstuffs, machinery, natural and 
cultured pearls, and optical, photographic eq uipment) accounted for 74% of the Dominican 
Republic's total exports, one of these, namely machinery made up 7.5% of Nicaragua's imports 
from the Dominican Republic. Plastics, chemicals, base metals ad pulp of wood accounted, respectively, for 39%, 34%, 13% and 3%. In 2012-2014 among the Dominican Republic's key 
exports of prepared foods, precious stones, textiles, optical equipment and machinery, only 
machinery was a key import by Nicaragua from the Dominican Republic, accounting for 14% of its imports; other key imports by Nicaragua from the Dominican Republic were mineral products, 
chemicals and plastics (which accounted for 80% of its imports from the Dominican Republic). 
 
                                               
7 In 2014, Nicaragua's main export markets were: the United States (48.4%), Mexico (12.4%), 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Rep. of (7.8%) , the European Union (6.5%) and Cana da (5.0%). The main sources of its 
imports were: the United States (16.3%), China (14.9% ), Mexico (9.5%), Costa Rica (8.1%) and Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of (7.9%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 12 - 
 
  Chart 1.3a Dominican Republic - Central Am erica: product composition of merchandise 
trade, annual average (2000-2002) 
Total: Costa Rica: US$ 42.6 million
El Salvador :US$ 11.3 million
Guatemala: US$ 25.4 million
Honduras: US$ 2.7 million
Nicaragua: US$ 2.0 millionTotal: US$ 3.6 billionTotal: Costa Rica: US$ 5.1 billion
El Salvador :US$ 2.9 billion
Guatemala: US$ 2.4 billion
Honduras:US$ 1.1 billion
Nicaragua : US$ 0.6 billion
Total: US$ 2.0 billionDominican Republic's imports from
Central America (%)Dominican Republic's 
global imports (%)Central America's global 
exports (%)
Central America's imports from 
Dominican Republic (%)Central America's global 
imports (%)Dominican Republic's 
global exports (%)
Total: Costa Rica: US$ 6.4 billion
El Salvador: US$ 5.1 billion
Guatemala: US$ 5.5 billion
Honduras: US$ 2.7 billion
Nicaragua: US$ 1.8 billion Total: Costa Rica: US$ 4.4 million
El Salvador: US$ 1.7 million
Guatemala: US$ 3.0 million
Honduras: US$ 4.5 million
Nicaragua: US$ 1.5 million38
23138712
38
201111613
49
1986612
45
2777311
55414
19
14
9
9728
37
14 97726
30
14
1312922
51
1514114428
21
199618
43
2687710
39
3413833
34
118773314
11
10
6
55520
14
14
1173520
17
9
883717
15
14
1073732
23876237
7
5
5
4
7135
18136622
45
1496620
33
31145314
CRIDominican Republic's imports from
Central America (%)
Dominican Republic's 
global exports (%)SLVGTMHNDNIC
CRISLVGTMHNDNIC
CRISLVGTMHNDNICCRISLVGTMHNDNIC
 
Legend: CRI - Costa Rica; SLV - El Salvador; GTM - Guatemala; HND - Honduras; NIC - Nicaragua. 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Chart 1.3b Dominican Republic - Central Am erica: product composition of merchandise 
trade, annual average (2012-2014) 
Total: Costa Rica: US$ 242 million
El Salvador :US$ 80 million
Guatemala: US$ 128 million
Honduras: US$ 54 million
Nicaragua: US$ 29 millionTotal: US$ 18 billionTotal: Costa Rica: US$ 11 billion
El Salvador :US$ 5 billion
Guatemala: US$ 10 billion
Honduras:US$ 3 billion
Nicaragua : US$ 5 billion
Total: US$ 8 billionDominican Republic's imports from
Central America (%)Dominican Republic's 
global imports (%)Central America's global 
exports (%)
Central America's imports from 
Dominican Republic (%)Central America's global 
imports (%)Dominican Republic's 
global exports (%)
Total: Costa Rica: US$ 18 billion
El Salvador: US$ 11 billion
Guatemala: US$ 18 billion
Honduras: US$ 6 billion
Nicaragua: US$ 6 billion Total: Costa Rica: US$ 36 million
El Salvador: US$ 41 million
Guatemala: US$ 97 million
Honduras: US$ 21 million
Nicaragua: US$ 18 million18
18
16 1392731
16
1211921
45
2865412
34
26146416
60275214
26
14
87737
16
15
14
10838
35
29148
311
8264332
70158223
69166423
45
18171424
27
13
10873419
15
13
1183520
17
13773624
14
131063121
16
15 973226
22
1410522
43
156652423
19
151292332
13
9873127
19
15121116
CRIDominican Republic's imports from
Central America (%)
Dominican Republic's 
global exports (%)SLVGTMHNDNIC
CRISLVGTMHNDNIC
CRISLVGTMHNDNICCRISLVGTMHNDNIC
 
 
1.3  Trade in services and investment 
1.24.  Charts 1.4 and 1.5 show global trade in commercial services for the parties (2001-2013) 
and Charts 1.6 and 1.7 show trends in inve stment (2000-2014). The Dominican Republic 
registered a surplus in its global trade in services that has increased, with some fluctuations, 
during the period examined. Imports are dominate d by transport services while its principle  
exports were travel-related services.  
1.25.  While Costa Rica has had a growing surplus in  its global trade in services during the period 
examined, most of the other Central American economies have maintained deficits; El Salvador 
moved from a deficit to a small surplus by the end of the period. Receipts from transport and 
travel-related services are important for all Central American economies, while communication services play an important role as well. Costa Rica has shown an increase in recent years in 
receipts from computer and information services and other business services. Expenditure on 
services was mainly in transportation and travel services. Data are not available for bilateral trade in services between the Dominican Republic and the Central American economies. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 14 - 
 
  Chart 1.4 Dominican Republic: Trade in commercial services with world, 2001-2013 
0123456
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013A. Dominican Republic imports from world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
0123456
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013B. Dominican Republic exports to world
2001-2013
(US$ Billion)
 
Note: 
No trade data available for Construction (2001-2013); Communications services (2013); Computer and information services (2001 and 2013); and Other business services (2013). No import data available for Travel (2013); Insura nce services (2001-2004 and 2013); Royalties and licence 
fees (2013); and Personal, cultural and recreational services (2001-2005 and 2013). 
No export data available for Transportation services  (2013); Insurance services (2001-2004, 2013); Financial 
services (2001, 2002 and 2013); Royalties and licence fees (2001-2013); and Personal, cultural and recreational services (2001-2013). 
Source: WTO Statistics database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Chart 1.5 Central America: Total trade in commercial services with world, 2001-2013 
Exports ImportsUS$ billionCosta Rica
El Salvador
US$ billionUS$ billion
US$ billion
Guatemala
US$ billion
US$ billion
Honduras
Nicaragua
US$ billion
US$ billionUS$ billion
US$ billion
0.02.04.06.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130.02.04.06.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
0.00.51.01.52.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130.00.51.01.52.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
0.01.02.03.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130.01.02.03.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
0.00.51.01.52.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 20130.00.51.01.52.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013
0.00.20.40.60.81.0
2 0 0 12 0 0 32 0 0 52 0 0 72 0 0 92 0 1 12 0 1 30.00.20.40.60.81.0
2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013  
Note: 
Costa Rica - No available trade for Construction(2001-2013); no available export data for Royalties and licence fees (2006-2007); and Insurance (2001-2013). El Salvador - No available export data for Computer and information (2005, 2007); and for Personal, cultural, and recreational (2003, 2005-2008, 2010-2013).  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Guatemala - No available trade data for Construction (2004-2005, 2007-2008, 2013); and Royalties and 
licence fees (2001-2003). No available export data for Personal, cultural, and recreational (2006-2008). No available import data for Construction (2011-2012). 
Honduras - No available export data for Construction (2001-2002, 2006-2012); Computer and information 
(2001-2002); Royalties and licence fees (2004-2013); and Personal, cultural, and recreational 
(2001-2002, 2008). No available import data for Construction (2006-2009). 
Nicaragua - No available trade data for Construction (2001-2013). No available export data for Financial; 
Royalties and licence fees; and Personal cultur al and Recreational (2001-2013); Computer and 
information (2001-2008); Other business services (2001-2007). No available import data for Computer and information (2001-2013); Financial (2001-2005); Royalties and licence fees (2001-
2007); and Personal, cultural and recreational (2001-2007).  
Source: WTO Statistics database.  
1.26.  Charts 1.6 and 1.7 contain data on FDI. All the Parties are net recipients of FDI and most of 
them showed a sharp increase in net inward investment stocks during the period. Data on bilateral 
FDI stocks and flows between the Dominican Repu blic and Central America are not available. 
Chart 1.6 Dominican Republic: FDI st ock and flow with world, 2000-2014 
05101520253035
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014Dominican Republic FDI stock with world,
2000-2014
(US$ billion) 
Outward
Inward
-0.50.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014Dominican Republic FDI flow with world,
2000-2014
(US$ billion) 
Outward
Inward
 
Source: UNCTAD. 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Chart 1.7 Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua): 
FDI stock and flow with world, 2000-2014. 
-0.50.00.51.01.52.02.53.0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardFDI FLOW FDI STOCK
051015202530
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardCosta Rica
0246810
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardEl Salvador
-0.50.00.51.01.52.0
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outward
02468101214
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardGuatemala
024681012
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardHonduras
0246810
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outwardNicaragua0.00.51.01.5
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billi onsinward
outward
‐0.50.00.51.01.5
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014US$ Billionsinward
outward
-0.20.00.20.40.60.81.01.2US$ Billionsinward
outward
 
Note: No available outward flow for El Salvador (2009); and Nicaragua (2001-2005). No available outward 
stock for El Salvador (2012); Honduras (2001-2003); and Nicaragua (2001-2004). 
Source: UNCTAD. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 18 - 
 
  2  CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT 
2.1  Background Information 2.1.  The Parties signed the Agreement on 16 April 1998 and it came into force between the 
Dominican Republic and the Central American countries as follows: on 7 March 2002 with Costa 
Rica; on 4 October 2001 with El Salvador; on 3 October 2001 with Guatemala; on 19 December 
2001 with Honduras; and on 3 September 2002 with Nicaragua. The Agreement was notified on 6 January 2012 pursuant to Article XXIV.7(a) of the GATT 1994 and Article V.7(a) of the GATS.
8 
2.2.  The text of the Agreement, together with it s annexes, may be viewed on the following official 
web sites: 
 Dominican Republic: http://www.mic.gob.do/ 
 Costa Rica:    http://www.comex.go.cr/ 
 El Salvador:   h ttp://www.minec.gob.sv/ 
 Guatemala:    http://www.mineco.gob.gt/ 
 Honduras:    http://www.prohonduras.hn/dgiepc/texto-normativo-4.html  
 Nicaragua:    http://www.mific.gob.ni/ 
2.3.  As can be seen from Box 2.1, the Agreement has 20 Chapters which are accompanied by 
annexes. There are also five separate protocols,  which form an integral part of the Agreement.9  
Box 2.1 General provisions of the agreement 
Chapter 1 Initial provisions 
Chapter 2 General definitions 
Chapter 3 National treatment and market access for goods 
Chapter 4 Rules of ori gin 
Chapter 5 Customs procedures 
Chapter 6 Sanitar y and phytosanitar y measures  
Chapter 7 Unfair trade practices 
Chapter 8 Safe guard measures 
Chapter 9 Investment 
Chapter 10 Trade in services 
Chapter 11 Tem porary entry of business persons  
Chapter 12 Government procurement  
Chapter 13 Technical Barriers to Trade  
Chapter 14 Intellectual property 
Chapter 15  Competition policy 
Chapter 16 Dis pute settlement  
Chapter 17 Exce ptions 
Chapter 18 Administration of the A greement  
Chapter 19 Trans parenc y 
Chapter 20 Final provisions 
Protocol between Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala and the Dominican Re public to the A greement 
Protocol between El Salvador and the Dominican Re public 
Protocol of Accession of Honduras to the Protocol to the A greement  
Protocol between Honduras and the Dominican Re public to the A greement  
Protocol of Accession of Nicara gua to the Protocol to the A greement.  
Source: Free trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic and Central America. 
2.4.  Unless otherwise provided, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, 
considered individually, shall apply the rules and procedures under the Agreement bilaterally with the Dominican Republic (Article 1.01). 
                                               
8 WTO document WT/REG305/N/1 - S/C/N/614 of 6 January 2012. 
9 The Protocol between Costa Rica, El Salvador, Gu atemala and the Dominican Republic to the Free 
Trade Agreement between Central America and the Domini can Republic; the Protocol between El Salvador and 
the Dominican Republic to the Free Trade Agreement between Central America and the Dominican Republic; the Protocol of the Accession of Honduras to the Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement between Central 
America and the Dominican Republic; the Protocol betw een Honduras and the Dominican Republic to the Free 
Trade Agreement between Central America and the Domi nican Republic; the Protocol of the Accession of 
Nicaragua to the Protocol to the Free Trade Agreemen t between Central America and the Dominican Republic. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 19 - 
 
  2.5.  The objectives of the Agreement are to en courage the expansion and diversification of trade 
in goods and services, promote conditions of fair competition, to mutually eliminate barriers to trade of goods and services and to the moveme nt of capital and business persons and enhance 
investment opportunities in each Party. Concerning full implementation, the tariff reduction 
programmes (TRP) extend up to 2004, except for the Dominican Republic whose TRP for Costa 
Rica extends to 2010. 
3  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN GOODS 
3.1  Import duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.1.1  General provisions 3.1.  Chapters III to VIII and Chapter XIII deal  with trade in goods and related aspects. 
3.2.  In Article 3.03, it is provided that each Party shall accord to the goods of the other Party no 
less favourable than the most favourable treatment accorded to similar, directly competitive or 
substitutable goods of national origin, pursuant to Article III of the GATT
 1994 or any other 
provision of a successor agreement of which the Parties are party, which are incorporated as an 
integral part of the Agreement. Under Chapter XII (Government Procurement), each Party shall 
accord, immediately and unconditionally, to covered originating goods of the other Party, treatment no less favourable than it accords to its own goods.  
3.3.  As regards tariffs (Article 3.04), upon entry into force of the Agreement, the Parties commit 
to guaranteeing access to their respective markets through the elimination of tariffs on originating goods imported from the other Party, other than those listed in the Annex to Article 3.04 which contains: A.1. exclusions from free trade (Tables 1a and 1b); A.2. products in HS 15 excluded 
from free trade, subject to preferential tariff  treatment (Table 2); and A.3. tariff reduction 
programmes (TRP). Nicaragua may apply the temporary protection tariff (ATP) established in Section B of the Annex to Article 3.04, to products listed in the Annex; these tariffs would be 
eliminated gradually from 1 July 1998 to 1 July 2001.
10 Additionally, upon request from any Party, 
the Parties shall consult on the possibility of eliminating tariffs on originating goods included in the Annex to Article 3.04. Concerning refunds of impo rt tariffs of exported goods and tariff deferral 
programmes, the Parties shall apply their domestic legislation (Article 3.05). 
3.4.  The customs value of a product will be determined according to the importing Party's 
domestic legislation until the GATT 1994 Customs Valuation Code is adopted. However, as of entry into force the Parties may not apply either reference or minimum prices for the purpose of customs 
valuation of originating products (Article 3.06). Under the WTO Agreement on the implementation 
of Article VII of the GATT 1994 (Customs Valu ation Agreement), Costa Rica, the Dominican 
Republic, Guatemala and Honduras have an Annex III, paragraph 3 reservation concerning the 
reversal of the sequential order of Articles 5 and 6; and Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua an Annex III, paragraph 4 reservation to apply Article 5.2 whether or not the importer so requests.
11 
3.5.  Under Article 4 of the Protocol to the Fr ee Trade Agreement between Central America and the 
Dominican Republic, goods of a Party produced und er free-zone and other tax or customs special 
regimes shall be admitted in the territory of the other Party in terms not less favourable than those applied to products of that Party produced in its own free-zones or other tax or customs 
special regimes. The Parties shall review and assess annually any change in these special regime 
regulations and the evolution of trade in goods pr oduced thereunder in order to improve market 
access conditions for such goods. 
3.6.  With regard to non-tariff measures, except for the Parties' rights under Article XX of the GATT 
1994 and those regulated by Chapter VI (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) and XIII 
                                               
10 25 tariff lines of HS Chapter 22 (Beverages, spirits and vinegar); 7 lines of Chapter 24 (Tobacco and 
manufactures tobacco substitutes) and one HS subheading  3605.00 (matches other than pyrotechnic articles of 
heading 36.04). The Authorities indicated that the aim of the ATP was to offset asymmetries due to preferential 
treatment granted to Nicaragua by members of the Ce ntral American Common Market (MCCA) and to support 
economic recovery and development. 
11 WTO document G/VAL/73 of 3 November 2014. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 20 - 
 
  (Technical Barriers to Trade) of the Agreement, the Parties commit to guaranteeing access to their 
respective markets through the immediate and total elimination of non-tariff barriers. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, no Party may adopt or maintain any prohibition or restriction on the import of any goods from the other Party, except in accordance with Article XI of 
the GATT 1994. To this end, Article XI and its interpretative notes are incorporated into the 
Agreement and form an integral part thereof. In  the event that a Party adopts or maintains a 
prohibition or restriction on the import of another Party's originating goods, it must prove that 
such measures are WTO compatible (Article 3.07). 
3.7.  The Parties shall not increase nor establis h customs processing fees on originating goods. 
They shall eliminate such fees upon entry into fo rce of the Agreement, except those permitted by 
the WTO, and shall not collect consular fees or charges or require consular formalities 
(Article 3.08). Provisions on country of origin marking are set out in the Annex to Article 3.09.  
3.8.  The Parties shall publish and notify within 40 days of entry into force their laws, regulations, 
procedures and administrative rulings of genera l application respecting any matter covered by 
Chapter III affecting imports of goods and the required formalities. As far as possible, a Party shall 
publish and notify any proposed measure and allow a reasonable opportunity for the other Party to comment. Additionally, on request by another Party, a Party shall provide information and respond 
to questions pertaining to any actual or proposed  measure. The provisions of the Chapter shall not 
force any Party to provide confidential informatio n, whose disclosure might hinder the enforcement 
of its legislation, is contrary to public order or may prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of public or private enterprises (Article 3.11). 
3.9.  The Joint Administration Council (JAC)
12 shall establish a Committee on Trade in Goods 
composed of representatives of each Party. It shall meet at least once a year (Article 3.12).  
3.1.2  Liberalization of trade and tariff lines 
3.10.  The starting date for the TRPs for the Dominican Republic with Costa Rica, El Salvador and 
Guatemala, was 1999. However, tariff reductions became effective upon entry into force of the Agreement for each country: for the Dominican Republic, on 7 March 2002; for Costa Rica, in 
1999; for El Salvador, on 4 October 2001; for Guatemala, on 3 October 2001; for Honduras, on 19 
December 2001; and for Nicaragua, on 13 March 2000. These tariff reduction calendars were confirmed by the JAC's decision of 2 September 2002. Moreover, the Dominican Republic provided 
tariff data from 2001 for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and from 2002 for Costa Rica and 
Nicaragua. Costa Rica provided tariff data from 1999; El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala from 
2001 and Nicaragua from 2002. 
3.11.  Tables 3.1a and 3.1b show the Dominican Republic's liberalization of imports from 
El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras over the period 2001-2004 and from Costa Rica and 
Nicaragua over the period 2002-2010 for Costa Rica and 2002-2004 for Nicaragua. 
                                               
12 The JAC was constituted by CCA/DEC Nº 1/2002 of 3 September 2002 as follows: for Costa Rica, the 
Ministro de Comercio Exterior ; for El Salvador, the Ministro de Economía ; for Guatemala, the Ministro de 
Economía ; for Honduras, the Secretario de Industria y Comercio ; for Nicaragua, the Ministro de Economía y 
Desarrollo ; and for the Domini can Republic, the Secretario de Estado de Industria y Comercio ; or their 
successors. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 21 - 
 
  Table 3.1a Dominican Republic: Tariff elim ination commitments under the Agreement 
and average values of corresponding imports from Central America (Dominican Republic 
with El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) 
Period Commitments applied by Dominican Republic to 
No. of tariff lines % of tariff lines  Average imports 
(in million US$) % to total imports  
Entry into force Entry into force  1998-2000  1998-2000  
2001 2001  El Salvador 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
El Salvador 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
El Salvador 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
El Salvador 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
MFN Duty-Free 906 906 906 13.5 13.5 13.5 1.8 4.4 0.5 21.9 18.2 15.3 
2001 5,337 5,321 5,321 79.4 79.2 79.2 3.0 13.8 2.5 36.6 57.5 76.0 
2004 39 39 39 0.6 0.6 0.6 3.3 5.4 0.1 40.1 22.4 1.6 
Remain dutiable 436 452 452 6.5 6.7 6.7 0.1 0.5 0.2 1.4 1.9 7.0 
Total 6,718 6,718 6,718 100.0 100.0 100.0 8.2 24.0 3.3 100.0 100.0 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by the Dominican Republic authorities. 
Table 3.1b Dominican Republic: Tariff elim ination commitments under the Agreement 
and average values of corresponding imports from Central America (Dominican Republic 
with Costa Rica and Nicaragua)  
Period Commitments applied by Dominican Republic to 
No. of tariff lines % to total tariff lines Average imports (in 
million US$) % to total imports 
Entry into force Entry into force 1999-2001 1999-2001 
2002 2002 
Costa 
Rica Nicaragua Costa 
Rica Nicaragua  Costa 
Rica Nicaragua Costa 
Rica Nicaragua 
MFN 
Duty-
Free 906 906 13.5 13.5 12.5 0.0 35.0 0.8 
2002 5,321 5,321 79.2 79.2 19.9 2.3 55.8 92.3 
2004 39 39 0.6 0.6 3.0 0.1 8.4 2.5 
2010 341  5.1  0.1  0.4  
Remain 
dutiable 111 452 1.7 6.7 0.1 0.1 0.4 4.5 
Total 6,718 6,718 100.0 100.0 35.7 2.4 100.0 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by the Dominican Republic authorities. 
3.12.  In 2001, 13.5% of the Dominican Republic's  tariff schedule was already duty-free under the 
MFN regime, corresponding to 21.9% of its average imports from El Salvador, 18.2% of average imports from Guatemala and 15.3% of its average imports from Honduras over the 
period 1998-2000.
13 When the Agreement entered into force,  an additional 79.4% of tariff lines 
were liberalized for imports from El Salvador and 79.2% for imports from Guatemala and Honduras corresponding to 36.6%, 57.5% and 76% of the Dominican Republic's average imports from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, respectively. In 2004 another 39 tariff lines were 
liberalized corresponding to 40.1%, 22.4% and 1.6%  of the Dominican Republic's average imports 
from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, respectively. At the end of the implementation period, in 2004, 236 tariff lines (6.5% of the tariff) were st ill subject to duty for imports from El Salvador 
and 452 (6.7% of the tariff) for Guatemala and Ho nduras corresponding to 1.4% of the Dominican 
                                               
13 In 2001 and 2002, the Dominican Republic's tariff schedule based on the HS 1996 nomenclature 
contained 6,718 HS eight-digit tariff lines, all of which were subject to ad valorem  rates. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 22 - 
 
  Republic's imports from El Salvador, 1.9% from Guatemala and 7.0% from Honduras over the 
period 1998-2000.  
3.13.  In 2002, 13.5% of the Dominican Republic's tariff schedule was already duty-free for 
imports from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, under  the MFN regime, corresponding to 35.0% and 
0.8%, respectively, of its average imports from Costa Rica and Nicaragua over the period 1999-
2001. When the Agreement entered into force, a further 79.2% of tariff lines were liberalized, corresponding to 55.8% and 92.3%, respectively, of  the Dominican Republic's imports from Costa 
Rica and Nicaragua. 39 tariff lines were liberalized in 2004 (0.6% of the tariff), corresponding to 
8.4% and 2.5%, respectively, of the Dominican Repu blic's imports from Costa Rica and Nicaragua. 
341 tariff lines (5.1% of tariff lines) for trade with Costa Rica were liberalized in 2010. At the end of the implementation period, in 2010 for Costa Rica and 2004 for Nicaragua, 111 tariff lines 
(1.7% of the tariff) for trade with Costa Rica and 452 tariff lines (6.7% of the tariff) for trade with 
Nicaragua remained subject to duty, corresponding to 0.4% of the Dominican Republic's imports from Costa Rica and 4.5% from Nicaragua in 1999-2001. 
3.1.2.1  Costa Rica 
3.14.  Table 3.2 shows Costa Rica's tariff elimination under the Agreement. In 1999, duty-free 
entry under the MFN regime applied to 0.2% of Costa Rica's tariff schedule (14 tariff lines), 
corresponding to 0.3% of Costa Rica's average imports from the Dominican Republic over the 
period 1999-2001.
14 In 1999, when tariff reduction started, 90.9% of tariff lines were liberalized, 
corresponding to 85.3% of Costa Rica's imports fr om the Dominican Republic. Nine tariff lines were 
liberalized in 2002 and a further 39 in 2004. At the end of the implementation period in 2004, 488 
tariff lines were still subject to duty (8.1% of the tariff schedule), corresponding to 2.1% of Costa 
Rica's imports from the Dominican Republic in 1999-2001. 
Table 3.2 Costa Rica 
Tariff elimination commitments under th e Agreement and corresponding average 
imports  
Duty phase-
out period Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in Costa Rica's 
tariff schedule Value of Costa Rica's 
imports from 
Dominican Republic 
(1999-2001) 
in million US$ % of Costa Rica's total 
imports from  
Dominican Republic 
1999-2001 
MFN duty-free 
(1999) 14 0.2 0.0 0.3 
1999 5,467 90.9 2.4 85.3 
2002 9 0.1 0.0 0.0 
2004 39 0.6 0.3 12.2 
Remain 
dutiable 488 8.1 0.1 2.1 
Total 6,017 100.0 2.8 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by the Costa Rican authorities. 
3.1.2.2  El Salvador 
3.15.  Table 3.3 shows El Salvador's tariff elim ination under the Agreement. In 2001, duty-free 
entry under the MFN regime applied to 47.1% of El Salvador's tariff schedule (2,815 tariff lines), corresponding to 58.4% of El Salvador's average imports from the Dominican Republic over the 
period 1998-2000.
15 In 2001, when tariff reduction started, 50.7% of tariff lines were liberalized, 
corresponding to 34.8% of El Salvador's imports from the Dominican Republic. One tariff line was liberalized in 2002 and a further 37 in 2004. At the end of the implementation period in 2004, 
90 tariff lines were still subject to duty (1.5% of the tariff schedule), corresponding to 0.1% of 
El Salvador's imports from the Dominican Republic in 1998-2000. 
                                               
14 In 1999, Costa Rica's tariff schedule contained 6,017 HS eight-digit tariff lines, all of which were 
subject to ad valorem  rates. 
15 In 2001, El Salvador's tariff schedule contained 5,974 HS eight-digit tariff lines, all of which were 
subject to ad valorem  rates. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 23 - 
 
  Table 3.3 El Salvador 
Tariff elimination commitments under th e Agreement and corresponding average 
imports  
Duty phase-
out period Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in El Salvador's 
tariff schedule Value of El Salvador's 
imports from 
Dominican Republic 
(1998-2000) 
in million US$ % of El Salvador's total 
imports from  
Dominican Republic 
1998-2000 
MFN duty-free 
(2001) 2,815 47.1 1.6 58.4 
2001 3,031 50.7 1.0 34.8 
2002 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
2004 37 0.6 0.2 6.8 
Remain 
dutiable 90 1.5 0.0 0.1 
Total 5,974 100.0 2.8 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided  by the El Salvadorian authorities and WTO-IDB 
database. 
3.1.2.3  Guatemala 
3.16.  Table 3.4 shows Guatemala's tariff elim ination under the Agreement. In 2001, duty-free 
entry under the MFN regime applied to 46.7% of Guatemala's tariff schedule (2,772 tariff lines), corresponding to 61.85% of Guatemala's average imports from the Dominican Republic over the 
period 1998-2000.
16 In 2001, when tariff reduction started, 44.3% of tariff lines were liberalized, 
corresponding to 37.14% of Guatemala's imports from the Dominican Republic. 30 tariff lines were liberalized in 2004. At the end of the implementa tion period in 2004, 510 tariff lines remained 
subject to duty (8.6% of the tariff schedule), corresponding to 0.26% of Guatemala's imports from 
the Dominican Republic in 1998-2000. 
Table 3.4 Guatemala 
Tariff elimination commitments under th e Agreement and corresponding average 
imports  
Duty phase-
out period Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in Guatemala's 
tariff schedule Value of Guatemala's 
imports from 
Dominican Republic 
(1998-2000) 
in million US$ % of Guatemala's  
total imports from  
Dominican Republic 
1998-2000 
MFN duty-free 
(2001) 2,772 46.7 1.3 61.85 
2001 2,629 44.3 0.8 37.14 
2004 30 0.5 0.0 0.75 
Remain 
dutiable 510 8.6 0.0 0.26 
Total  5,941 100.0 2.2 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Guatemalan authorit ies and WTO-IDB database. 
3.1.2.4  Honduras 
3.17.  Table 3.5 shows Honduras' tariff eliminat ion under the Agreement. In 2001, duty-free entry 
under the MFN regime applied to 2 lines in Ho nduras' tariff schedule for imports from the 
Dominican Republic over the period 1998-2000.17 In 2001, when tariff reduction started, 91.3% of 
tariff lines were liberalized, corresponding to 72.7% of Honduras' imports from the Dominican 
Republic. Another 34 tariff lines were liberalized in 2004. At the end of the implementation period 
                                               
16 In 2001, Guatemala's tariff schedule contained 5,941 HS eight-digit tariff lines, all of which were 
subject to ad valorem  rates. 
17 In 2001, Honduras tariff schedule contained 5,921 HS eight-digit tariff lines, all of which were subject 
to ad valorem  rates. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 24 - 
 
  in 2004, 480 tariff lines remained subject to duty (8.1% of the tariff schedule), corresponding to 
22.6% of Honduras' imports from the Dominican Republic in 1998-2000. 
Table 3.5 Honduras 
Tariff elimination commitments under th e Agreement and corresponding average 
imports  
Duty phase-
out period Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in Honduras' 
tariff schedule Value of Honduras' 
imports from 
Dominican Republic 
(1998-2000) 
in million US$ % of Honduras'  
total imports from  
Dominican Republic 
1998-2000 
MFN duty-free 
(2001) 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 
2001 5,405 91.3 3.8 72.7 
2004 34 0.6 0.2 4.7 
Remain 
dutiable 480 8.1 1.2 22.6 
Total  5,921 100.0 5.3 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided  by Honduras' authoritie s and WTO-IDB database. 
3.1.2.5  Nicaragua 
3.18.  Table 3.6 shows Nicaragua's tariff elim ination under the Agreement. In 2002, duty-free 
entry under the MFN regime applied to 47.2% of Nicaragua's tariff schedule corresponding to 74% 
of its  imports from the Dominican Republic over the period 1999-2001.18 In 2002, when tariff 
reduction started, a further 44.1% of tariff lines were liberalized, corresponding to 24.5% of 
Nicaragua's imports from the Dominican Republic. 29 tariff lines were liberalized in 2004. At the 
end of the implementation period in 2004, 521 tari ff lines remained subject to duty (8.2% of the 
tariff schedule), corresponding to 1.5% of Nicaragua's imports from the Dominican Republic in 
1999-2001. 
Table 3.6 Nicaragua 
Tariff elimination commitments under th e Agreement and corresponding average 
imports  
Duty phase-
out period Number 
of lines % of total lines 
in Nicaragua's 
tariff schedule Value of Nicaragua's 
imports from 
Dominican Republic 
(1999-2001) 
in million US$ % of Nicaragua's  
total imports from  
Dominican Republic 
1999-2001 
MFN duty-free 
(2002) 2,982 47.2 1.0 74.0 
2002 2,787 44.1 0.3 24.5 
2004 29 0.5 0.0 0.0 
Remain 
dutiable 521 8.2 0.0 1.5 
Total  6,319 100.0 1.4 100.0 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Nicaraguan authorities and WTO-IDB database. 
3.1.3  Liberalization schedule 
3.1.3.1  The Dominican Republic 
3.19.  Tables 3.7a and 3.7b and Chart 3.1 below provide details on the Dominican Republic's tariff 
liberalization by HS Section and Chapter, respectively. 
                                               
18 In 2002, Nicaragua's tariff schedule contained 6,319 HS ten-digit tariff lines, all of which were subject 
to ad valorem  rates.  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 25 - 
 
  3.20.  For imports from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala (Table 3.7a), the bulk of 
liberalization across all HS Sections took place in 2001. In 2004, at the end of implementation 
period of the Agreement, the 436 lines remaining subject to duties for El Salvador and 452 for Guatemala and Honduras were in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal 
or vegetable fat and oils), IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral products) 
and XI (textile and textile articles); the majority of these are in Sections XI and V. Tariffs continue to apply to 15 Chapters. Charts 3.1B, 3.1C and 3.1.D, respectively, for El Salvador, Guatemala and 
Honduras show that MFN and preferential rates in  these Chapters are the same, which indicates no 
preferential liberalization of these products, exce pt for Chapter 15 where the preferential rate is 
three percentage points lower than the MFN rate. The Chapters with the highest preferential (and MFN average rates) are 7 (edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, at 25%), 2 (meat and 
edible meat offal, at 22.3%), 61 (articles of apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted, 
at 19.6%), 4, 24 and 62 (dairy produce, not elsewhere specified; tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; and articles of apparel not knitted and crocheted, at 20%) and 10 (cereals, at 
18.8%). 
3.21.  For imports from Costa Rica (Table 3.7b), in 2010, the 111 tariff lines remaining subject to 
duty are in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fat and 
oils, IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (minerals); the majority of these are in 
Sections V, IV and III. At the end of the implem entation period, tariffs continued to apply to 
11 Chapters. Chart 3.1A shows that MFN and prefer ential rates in these Chapters are the same, 
which indicates no preferential liberalization of  these products, except for Chapter 15 where the 
preferential rate is three percentage points lower than the MFN rate. The Chapters with the highest 
preferential and MFN rates are 7 (edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, at 25%), 2 (meat and edible offal, at 22.3%), 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, at 20%). 
10, (cereals, at 18.8%) and 17, (sugars and sugar confectionery, at 65%).  
3.22.  For imports from Nicaragua (Table 3.7b), as of 2004, the 452 tariff lines remaining subject 
to duty are in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fat and 
oils), IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral products) and XI (textile and 
textile articles); the majority of these are in Sections XI and V. Chart 3.1E shows that MFN and preferential rates in these Chapters are the same, which indicates no preferential liberalization of 
these products, except for Chapter 15 where the pref erential rate is three percentage points lower 
than the MFN rate. The five highest preferential an d MFN rates for products that remain subject to 
duty correspond to Chapters 7 (edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, 25%), 2 (meat and edible meat offal, 22.3%), 61 (articles of apparel and clothing accessories; knitted or crocheted, 
19.6%), 4, 24 and 62 (dairy produce, not elsewhere specified; tobacco and manufactured tobacco 
substitutes; and articles of apparel not knitte d and crocheted, 20%) and 10 (cereals, 18.8%). 
Table 3.7a Dominican Republic: Tariff elimin ation under the Agreement, by HS Section HS Section MFN (2001)  No. of duty-free lines Average (%) 
No. of lines 
Duty-free 
lines El Salvador  Guatemala  Honduras  2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
(%) 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
I 15.8 279 46 200 19  14 21.3 200 19 14 21.3 200 19  14 21.3 
II 12.2 410 101 294  15 20.1 294  15 20.1 294  15 20.1 
III 7.7 66 1 42  23 10.3 42  23 10.3 42  23  10.3 
IV 16.9 290 14 263 4 9 18.1 247 4 25 18.1 247 4 25 18.1 
V 4.2 182 4 144  34 5.3 144  34 5.3 144  34  5.3 
VI 4.4 1,068 121 941 6   941 6   941 6   
VII 9.2 263 8 251 4    251 4   251 4    
VIII 10.8 104  104    104    104    
IX 7.0 117  117    117    117    
X 7.6 188 25 160 3   160 3   160 3   
XI 8.9 878 392 142 3  341 18.3 142 3 341 18.3 142 3  341 18.3 
XII 17.1 61  61    61    61    
XIII 10.2 175  175    175    175    
XIV 17.6 60  60    60    60    
XV 8.1 683 8 675    675    675    
XVI 5.3 1,059 164 895    895    895    
XVII 9.6 262 8 254    254    254    
XVIII 7.8 348 4 344    344    344    
XIX 19.8 29  29    29    29    WT/REG305/1 
 
- 26 - 
 
  
HS Section MFN (2001)  No. of duty-free lines Average (%) 
No. of lines 
Duty-free 
lines El Salvador  Guatemala  Honduras  2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
(%) 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2001 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
XX 17.2 189 10 179    179    179    
XXI 20.0 7  7    7    7    
Total 8.6 6,718 906 5,337 39 436 17.0 5,321  39 452 17.1 5,321 39 452 17.1 
Note: For tariff lines subject to TRQs, only the out-of-quota duty is included in the tariff-related 
calculations.  
 Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided  by the Dominican Republic authorities.  
Table 3.7b Dominican Republic: Tariff eliminat ion under the Agreement, by HS Section  
(Dominican Republic with Costa Rica and Nicaragua) 
HS 
Section MFN (2002) No. of duty-free lines 
Aver-
age 
(%) Total 
No. of 
lines Duty-
free 
lines Costa Rica Nicaragua 2002 
2004 
2010 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
2002 
2004 
Remain 
dutiable 
Average 
Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) 
I 15.8 279 46 200 19  14 21.3 200 19 14 21.3 
II 12.2 410 101 294   15 20.1 294  15 20.1 
III 7.7 66 1 42   23 10.3 42  23 10.3 
IV 16.9 290 14 247 4  25 18.1 247 4 25 18.1 
V 4.2 182 4 144   34 5.3 144  34 5.3 
VI 4.4 1,068 121 941 6    941 6   
VII 9.2 263 8 251 4    251 4   
VIII 10.8 104  104     104    
IX 7.0 117  117     117    
X 7.6 188 25 160 3    160 3   
XI 8.9 878 392 142 3 341   142 3 341 18.3 
XII 17.1 61  61     61    
XIII 10.2 175  175     175    
XIV 17.6 60  60     60    
XV 8.1 683 8 675     675    
XVI 5.3 1,059 164 895     895    
XVII 9.6 262 8 254     254    
XVIII 7.8 348 4 344     344    
XIX 19.8 29  29     29    
XX 17.2 189 10 179     179    
XXI 20.0 7  7     7    
Total 8.6 6,718 906 5,321 39 341 111 13.2 5,321 39 452 17.1 
Note: For tariff lines subject to TRQs, only the out-of-quota duty is included in the tariff-related 
calculations.  
 Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature.  
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provid ed by the Dominican Republic authorities. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 27 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Dominican Republic: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter 
01020304050
2
4
79
10
11
151722
24
27
01020304050
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3
01020304050
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3
01020304050
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3
01020304050
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3MFN
PreferentialA. Dominican Republic-Costa Rica B. Dominican Republic-El Salvador
C. Dominican Republic-GuatemalaD. Dominican Republic-Honduras
E. Dominican Republic-NicaraguaRate of duty (%) Rate of duty (%)
Rate of duty (%)Rate of duty (%)Rate of duty (%)HS ChapterHS ChapterHS Chapter
HS Chapter
HS ChapterThe blue line delineates HS chapters 1-24 and 25-97.Legend:
 
Source: WTO Estimates based on data fro m the Dominican Republic authorities. 
 
3.1.3.2  Costa Rica 
3.23.  Table 3.8 and Chart 3.2 below provide details of Costa Rica's tariff liberalization by 
HS Section and Chapter, respectively. For imports from the Dominican Republic, in 2004, 488 tariff lines remain subject to duty in HS sections I (l ive animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or 
vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral products) 
and XI (textiles and textile articles); the majority of these are in Section XI. At the end of the 
implementation period, tariffs continue to apply to 15 Chapters.  Chart 3.2 shows that MFN and 
preferential rates in these Chapters are not the same except for chapters 10 and 11 which 
indicates that although not liberalized, additional preferential access is provided for these products. 
For chapters 2, 4, 24, 17 and 52 the preferential rates are, respectively, 72, 38, 6.6, 5 and 4.7 percentage points lower than the MFN rates; for chapters 61, 62, and 63 preferential rates are, 
respectively, 2.9, 3.1 and 3.5 percentage points lower than the MFN rates; and for chapters both 7 
and 9, 15, 22 and 27 the preferential rates are, respectively, 1.7, 1.9, 1.8 and 0.9 percentage points lower than the MFN rates. The highest pref erential and MFN rates for products that remain 
subject to duty are in Chapters 2 (meat and edib le offal, MFN average of 139.3% and preferential 
average of 67.3%), 4 (dairy produce, MFN and preferential average of 104% and 66%), 
17 (sugars and sugar confectionary, MFN and pref erential average of 51% and 46.8%), 7 (edible 
vegetables and certain roots and tubers, MFN and preferential average of 51% and 46%) and 
10 (cereals, MFN and preferential average of 26%). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Table 3.8 Costa Rica: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section 
HS 
Section MFN (1999) Number of additional duty-free 
lines under the Agreement Remain 
dutiable Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) Average 
(%) Total No. of 
lines Duty-free 
lines 1999 2002 2004 
I 28.3 263  231  18 14 66.7 
II 11.6 363  338   25 21.5 
III 10.3 53  29   24 11.9 
IV 17.1 257  229  3 25 17.5 
V 4.8 173  147 9  17 6.4 
VI 2.9 887  880  7   
VII 5.8 307  300  7   
VIII 10.6 81  81     
IX 9.5 87  87     
X 5.7 190  187  3   
XI 12.9 891  507  1 383 13.6 
XII 16.2 63  63     
XIII 7.9 160  160     
XIV 8.2 53  53     
XV 4.2 677  677     
XVI 3.4 904 13 891     
XVII 8.0 187 1 186     
XVIII 5.1 244  244     
XIX 11.1 17  17     
XX 12.3 153  153     
XXI 5.6 7  7     
Total 8.2 6,017 14 5,467 9 39 488 15.4 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by the Costa Rican authorities. 
Chart 3.2 Costa Rica: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter 
020406080100120140
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3Rate of duty (%)
HS Chapter
MFN Preferential 
Source: WTO estimates based on data prov ided by the Costa Rican authorities. 
 
3.1.3.3  El Salvador 
3.24.  Table 3.9 and Chart 3.3 below provide details of El Salvador's tariff liberalization by 
HS Section and Chapter, respectively. In 2004 90 tariff lines remained subject to duty for imports 
from the Dominican Republic, in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco) and V (mineral products). These correspond to 11 HS Chapters. Chart 3.3 shows that MFN and preferential rates 
in most of these HS Chapters are the same which indicates no preferential liberalization of these 
products, except for HS Chapters 10 (cereals) and 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes) where preferential rates are 7.5 and 2.5 percentage points lower than the MFN rates, 
respectively. The Chapters with the five highest preferential and MFN average rates are WT/REG305/1 
 
- 29 - 
 
  HS chapters 17 (sugars and sugar confectionery, at 40%), 10 (cereals, at 32.5%), 22 (beverages, 
spirits and vinegar, at 36%), 4 (dairy produce, at 16.7%) and 7 (edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, at 16.3%). 
Table 3.9 El Salvador: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data pr ovided by the El Salvadorian authorities. 
Chart 3.3 El Salvador: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter 
0510152025303540
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7Rate of duty (%)
HS Chapter
MFN Preferential 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provid ed by the El Salvadorian authorities. 
 
3.1.3.4  Guatemala 
3.25.  Table 3.10 and Chart 3.4 below provide details on Guatemala's tariff liberalization by 
HS Section and Chapter, respectively. In 2004 510 tari ff lines remained subject to duty for imports 
from the Dominican Republic, in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared foodst uffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral products) HS 
Section MFN (2001) Number of additional duty-free 
lines under the Agreement Remain 
dutiable Average Final 
Tariff (Dutiable) Average 
(%) Total 
No. of 
lines Duty-
free 
lines 2001 2002 2004 
I 14.1 263 33 198  18 14 15.0 
II 9.9 363 91 248   24 18.1 
III 7.6 52 19 12  1 20 13.0 
IV 15.7 255 27 211  3 14 25.7 
V 2.9 164 81 65   18 4.1 
VI 1.9 886 700 179  7   
VII 4.6 308 134 170  4   
VIII 9.1 81 19 62     
IX 7.5 85 24 61     
X 4.4 191 114 74 1 2   
XI 17.8 890 105 783  2   
XII 14.8 62 2 60     
XIII 6.5 158 71 87     
XIV 8.2 53 14 39     
XV 3.3 672 434 238     
XVI 2.3 900 710 190     
XVII 6.2 168 63 105     
XVIII 4.2 244 152 92     
XIX 30.0 17  17     
XX 10.9 153 22 131     
XXI 20.0 9  9     
Total 7.4 5,974 2,815 3,031 1 37 90 14.9 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 30 - 
 
  and XI (textiles and textile articles). These correspond to 15 HS Chapters. Chart 3.4 shows that 
MFN and preferential rates in these HS Chapters are the same which indicates no preferential liberalization of these products, except for HS Chapter 24 (tobacco and manufactured tobacco 
substitutes) where the preferential rate is 0.7 percentage point lower than the MFN rate. The 
Chapters with the five highest preferential and MFN average rates for products that remain subject 
to duty are HS chapters 10 (cereals, at 32%), 61 and 62 (articles of apparel and clothing accessories knitted or crocheted; articles of apparel and clothing accessories not knitted or 
crocheted, at 26%), 63 (other made up textile articles, at 25.7%) and 52 (cotton, at 24%). 
Table 3.10 Guatemala: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN (2001) Number of additional duty-free lines 
under the Agreement Remain 
dutiable Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) Average 
(%) Total 
No. of 
lines Duty-
free 
lines 2001 2004 
I 10.9 254 31 174 18 31 14.0 
II 10.1 363 83 244  36 17.5 
III 7.2 52 19 8  25 12.2 
IV 12.5 251 23 195  33 15.2 
V 3.9 170 92 62  16 9.4 
VI 1.9 867 685 179 3   
VII 4.6 299 130 165 4   
VIII 9.1 81 19 62    
IX 7.8 86 25 61    
X 4.7 191 106 82 3   
XI 19.8 881 106 404 2 369 25.5 
XII 17.9 62 2 60    
XIII 6.4 157 71 86    
XIV 7.6 53 18 35    
XV 3.3 670 437 233    
XVI 2.6 898 693 205    
XVII 7.8 185 63 122    
XVIII 4.2 244 150 94    
XIX 20.0 17  17    
XX 11.0 151 19 132    
XXI 11.1 9  9    
Total 7.6 5,941 2,772 2,629 30 510 22.4 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Guatemalan authorit ies and WTO-IDB database. 
Chart 3.4 Guatemala: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter 
05101520253035
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3Rate of duty (%)
HS Chapter
MFN Preferential 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by th e Guatemalan authorities and the WTO-IDB database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 31 - 
 
  3.1.3.5  Honduras 
3.26.  Table 3.11 and Chart 3.5 below provide details of Honduras' tariff liberalization by 
HS Section and Chapter, respectively. In 2004, 480 tariff lines remained subject to duty for imports from the Dominican Republic in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III 
(animal or vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepare d foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral 
products), VII (plastics and articles thereof, rubber) and XI (textiles and textile articles) corresponding to 15 HS Chapters. Chart 3.5 show s that MFN and preferential rates in these HS 
Chapters are the same which indicates no preferential liberalization of these products, except for 
HS Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof) wher e the preferential rate is one percentage point 
lower than the MFN rate. The Chapters with the hi ghest preferential and MFN average rates are HS 
chapters 2 (meat and edible meat offal, at 31.3%), 10 (cereals, at 31.2%), 17 (sugar and sugar 
confectionery, at 26.7%), 62 (articles of apparel and clothing accessories, at 20%), and 61 
(articles of apparel and clothing accessories knitted or crocheted, at 19.7%).  
Table 3.11 Honduras: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN (2001) Number of additional duty-free 
lines under the Agreement Remain 
dutiable Average 
Final 
Tariff 
(Dutiable) Average 
(%) Total No. of 
lines Duty-free 
lines 2001 2004 
I 11.9 259  228 18 13 23.8 
II 10.3 362  337  25 18.4  
III 7.7 52  27  25 11.6 
IV 12.2 251  225 3 23 16.6  
V 4.4 162  144  18 9.6 
VI 2.6 875  871 4   
VII 4.9 301  296 4 1 4.0 
VIII 9.3 81  81    
IX 8.0 87  87    
X 5.0 192 1  188 3   
XI 14.8 881 1 503 2 375 19.6 
XII 14.5 62  62    
XIII 6.9 157  157    
XIV 8.5 53  53    
XV 3.8 671  671    
XVI 3.3 903  903    
XVII 7.8 152  152    
XVIII 4.7 244  244    
XIX 18.2 17  17    
XX 11.1 152  152    
XXI 16.4 7  7    
Total 7.2 5,921 2  5,405  34 480 18.7  
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided  by Honduras' authoritie s and WTO-IDB database. 
Chart 3.5 Honduras: Average of du tiable rates, by HS Chapter 
05101520253035
2 4 7 9 1 01 11 51 72 22 42 73 95 26 16 26 3Rate of duty (%)
HS Chapter
MFN Preferential 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the Honduras' authorities and the WTO-IDB database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 32 - 
 
  3.1.3.6  Nicaragua 
3.27.  Table 3.12 and Chart 3.6 below provide details of Nicaragua's tariff liberalization by 
HS Section and Chapter, respectively. In 2004 521 tari ff lines remained subject to duty for imports 
from the Dominican Republic in HS sections I (live animals), II (vegetable products), III (animal or 
vegetable fats and oils), IV (prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco), V (mineral products) 
and XI (textiles and textile articles). These correspond to 15 HS Chapters. Chart 3.6 shows that MFN and preferential rates in these HS Chapters are the same which indicates no preferential 
liberalization of these products. The Chapters with  the highest preferential and MFN average duties 
are HS chapters 10 (cereals, at 57.8%), 17 (sugar and sugar confectionery, at 55%), 2 (meat and edible meat offal, at 46.7%), 4 (dairy produce, at 36.7%) and 11 (products of the milling industry, at 35%). 
Table 3.12 Nicaragua: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS Section  
HS 
Section MFN (2002) Number of addition al duty-free lines 
under the Agreement Remain 
dutiable Average 
Final Tariff 
(Dutiable) Average 
(%) Total 
No. of 
lines Duty-
free 
lines 2002 2004 
I 12.0 276 35 205 18 18 43.3 
II 9.4 387 94 268   25 20.8  
III 8.1 75 11 18  46 10.7 
IV 11.0 306 29 244  3 30 16.3  
V 3.5 175 88 63  24 7.1 
VI 1.8 942 746 196     
VII 3.6 327 137 187 3   
VIII 8.3 84 22 62     
IX 5.3 90 26 64    
X 3.3 215 135 77  3   
XI 7.9 900 108 412 2 378 12.6 
XII 12.1 63 2 61     
XIII 4.2 161 70 91    
XIV 6.5 53 14 39     
XV 2.2 689 454 235    
XVI 2.1 923 725 198     
XVII 5.0 207 80 127    
XVIII 3.4 253 167 86     
XIX 13.8 17  17    
XX 9.1 169 39 130     
XXI 5.0 7  7    
Total 5.1 6,319 2,982 2,787  29 521 13.9  
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Nicaraguan authorities and WTO-IDB database. 
Chart 3.6 Nicaragua: Average of dutiable rates, by HS Chapter 
0102030405060
2479 1 0 1 1 1 5 1 7 2 2 2 4 2 7 5 2 6 1 6 2 6 3Rate of duty (%)
HS Chapter
MFN Preferential 
Source: WTO estimates based on data  provided by the Nicaraguan authorities and the WTO-IDB database. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 33 - 
 
  3.1.4  Tariff rate quotas 
3.28.  The Annex to Article 3.04 to the Agreement establishes the rules applicable to tariff rate 
quotas (TRQ). Except for two TRQs established between the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, 
there are no dates for the removal of TRQs.  
3.29.  As shown in Table A2.1, the Dominican Re public grants to Central American Parties an 
annual TRQ for two tariff lines of Chapter 2 (chicken breasts).19 The in-quota rate is half the lowest 
rate applied to out-of-quota imports.  
3.30.  As shown in Table A2.1 and A2.2, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic have two bilateral 
TRQs, one for two tariff lines of Chapter 2 (chi cken breasts), which is part of the Dominican 
Republic's quota for Central America and, another for three tariff lines in Chapter 4 (dairy products).
20 The in-quota rate is half the lowest rate applied to out-of-quota imports. However, 
according to the Press Release CP-289 of 19 February 2003 of the Ministerio de Comercio Exterior  
of Costa Rica, Costa Rica agreed not to use these quotas immediately upon entry into force of the Agreement but they were implemented when th e Dominican Republic, Central America and the 
United States (DR-CAFTA) Agreement entered into force.   
3.31.  Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic have five bilateral TRQs as shown in Tables A2.1 and 
A2.2: one for bovine meat and another for shrimp, for which the in-quota rate is half the rate 
agreed with Central America under the TRP approved in Miami in March 2000; one TRQ for chicken 
breasts, one for onions and shallots, and another for beans, for which the in-quota rate is half the lowest rate applied to out-of-quota imports. Ho wever, in the Memorandum of Understanding of 3 
September 2002 signed between Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, quotas for beans, onions 
and chicken breasts would not be assigned until an agreement is reached on the most favourable 
tariff to be applied to these products, in line with the Technical Rectification procedure agreed under the WTO and both Parties' international commitments. However, no agreement has been 
reached on these quotas to date. 
3.32.  With the aim of enhancing the integration of their economies, Costa Rica and the Dominican 
Republic agree to review the TRQs' volume ev ery two years, and Nicaragua and the Dominican 
Republic during the first year of implementati on. Additionally, the Parties benefitting from 
preferential quotas shall review the level of use of such quotas at least twice a year. There have 
been no changes in the quota regime. 
3.2  Rules of origin 
3.33.  Chapter IV of the Agreement covers rules of origin. The Annex to Chapter IV provides 
details on specific rules of origin by HS Chapter.   Furthermore, Article 2 of the Protocol between 
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic and Article 1 of the Protocol 
between El Salvador and the Dominican Republic incorporate additional specific rules of origin to 
the Annex. 
3.34.  The rules of origin and their modifications only apply to merchandise trade under the 
Agreement. They are based on the change in tariff classification (CTC) principle which is 
supplemented, if necessary, with other requiremen ts specified in the Chapter and its Annex. The 
domestic legislation in force in each Party shall apply for determining the transaction value of a good (Articles 4.04-06). 
3.35.  Pursuant to Article 4.07, products shall be considered as originating when the good is: 
a. wholly obtained or produced entirely in the territory of one or more Parties; 
b. a product of the sea, seabed, or subsoil obtained outside the territory of the Parties by 
vessels registered or recorded with a Party and flying its flag or chartered by enterprises 
legally established in the territory of a Party; 
                                               
19 Chicken breasts: 0207.13.91; 0207.14.91. 
20 Dairy produce: 0402.10; 0402.21; 0402.29. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 34 - 
 
  c. goods produced on board factory ships from fish, shellfish, and other marine life taken 
from the sea by ships registered or record ed with that Party and that fly its flag; 
d. produced entirely in the territory of the Parties exclusively from originating materials; 
e. produced in the territory of the Parties from non-originating materials that meet the CTC 
or other requirements, as set out in the Annex to Chapter IV, and satisfy all other 
provisions of the Chapter. 
3.36.  Additionally, under Article 4.15, goods shall be originating if, according to SAC or NAD, they 
use non originating parts and pieces because: (i) the unassembled good is classified as an 
assembled good in the same heading or subheading; (ii) products and their parts are classified in the same heading or subheading; and (iii) the assembly also confers origin when it incorporates components which are classified under a differe nt heading from that of the final product. 
3.37.  Article 4.08 refers to minimal processes or operations that by themselves, or in 
combination, do not confer origin to a good, for example, operations for the preservation of a good during transportation or storage; packing; simple jointing or assembling of parts to make a 
complete good; simple water dilution operations or ionization and salting; and slaughter of 
animals. Under Article 4.09, indirect materials shall be considered as originating, regardless of where they are produced or manufactured, and the accounting value of those materials may be 
used for calculating the value of the good. 
3.38.  The Annex to Chapter IV of the Agreement and Article 2 of the Protocol contain specific 
rules for determining origin, which apply when a product has been manufactured in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and/or the Dominican Republic using non-originating 
materials. These rules apply at the six-digit (subheading) and four-digit (heading) levels. For most 
products, the CTC must be at the heading or subheading level in order to confer origin. In some cases, however, changes in specific headings or subheadings do not confer origin.
21 With respect 
to certain groups of products, there are "notes" that clarify which manufacturing operations or 
processes confer origin and/or allow the customs authorities to treat the good as originating.22 
There are no agreed rules of origin for certain products.23  
3.39.  As for accumulation (Article 4.10), materials or goods originating in any Party and 
incorporated in the territory of another Party shall be considered as originating in the latter.  
3.40.  Article 4.11 sets the formula for calculating the Regional Value Content (RVC) of a good. 
Article 4.12 has a de minimis  rule by which a good shall be considered as originating if the value of 
all non-originating materials used to produce it that do not comply with the CTC requirement do 
not exceed 10% until the year 2000 and 7% as of 2001. For SAC or NAD Chapters 50 to 63 (Textiles and textile articles), this percentage re fers to the weight of the fibres or yarns.  
3.41.  Articles 4.13-14 and 4.16-18 contain provisions for fungible goods; sets or assortments of 
goods; accessories, spare parts and tools; packaging materials and containers for retail sale; and packing materials and containers for shipment. The Chapter also contain provisions on 
                                               
21 For example, some products in HS Chapters 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 18, 22, 29, and 39-41. 
22 For example, agricultural products (vegetables, fruit , forest products, etc.) gr own in the territory of a 
Party shall be considered as originating in the territory of that Party if they have been grown from seeds, bulbs, rhizomes, cuttings, shoots or other living parts of plants imported from a Party or a non-Party. In 
Chapters 27 (Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; Bitu minous substances; Mineral 
waxes); Section VI, Chapter 28-38 (Products of the chemical  or allied industries); Section VII, Chapter 39-40 
(plastics and articles thereof; Ru bber and articles thereof), Section VIII, Chapter 41-43 (Raw hides and 
skins, Leather, furskins, and articles thereof),  specific definitions and processe s are deemed to confer origin. 
23 There are no agreed rules of origin between th e Dominican Republic and Guatemala, Honduras and 
Nicaragua for: cotton woven fabrics (HS 5208-5212); articl es of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or 
crocheted (HS 6101-6117); articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted (HS 6201-6217); other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags (HS 6301.10-6305.32; 6305.39-6310.90). The rules of origin for these tariff lines have been agreed between 
the Dominican Republic and El Salvador and are incorporated to the Agreement through Article 1 of the 
Protocol to the Agreement; they have also been agr eed between the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica and 
have been approved by the Joint Administration Co uncil Decision CCA/DEC Nº 16/2010 of 3 September 2010. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 35 - 
 
  transhipment and international transit, certification and declaration of origin, record keeping and 
origin verification procedures. 
3.42.  Under Article 4.49, a Committee on Rules of Origin is to be established and composed of 
one representative of each Party and advisers as necessary. It shall be constituted within two 
months after entry into force of the Agreement and shall meet at least twice a year in regular 
sessions and on special sessions on request of an y Party. Its tasks shall be: to propose to the 
Council any necessary amendments of the Chapter,  ensure its implementation and administration 
and perform any other task entrusted to it by the Council. The Parties indicated that the 
Committee was established on 4 November 2002. It has met and has taken several decisions one of which was to adjust the rules of origin to the HS 2002 nomenclature. 
3.3  Export duties and charges,  and quantitative restrictions 
3.43.  Except as otherwise provided in the Ag reement, no Party may adopt or maintain any 
prohibition or restriction on the export or the sale for export of any good to the other Party, except in accordance with Article XI of the GATT 1994. To this end, Article XI and its interpretative notes 
are incorporated into the Agreement and form an integral part thereof (Article 3.07). 
3.4  Regulatory provisions on trade in goods 3.4.1  Standards 
3.4.1.1  Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
3.44.  Chapter VI of the Agreement concerns sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. 
Article 6.02 provides that the Parties may in  accordance with the WTO Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  (SPS Agreement) adopt, maintain or apply any 
SPS measure, to protect human life and health (food safety) and animal life and health or to 
preserve plant health in their territories, including measures that are stricter than any international measure, standard, guideline or recommendation, provided there is scientific justification for doing 
so and only to the extent necessary to secure an  appropriate level of SPS protection. They shall 
not apply measures that would constitute a disguised restriction to trade. They shall establish the adequate level of protection taking into account the risk assessment methods of relevant 
international organizations, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC) and the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) as well as other specialized regional organizations of which the Parties are members. 
3.45.  A risk assessment procedure by the importing Party to introduce an SPS measure, must not 
exceed a maximum period of three months. The Parties shall designate the competent authority 
for notification to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and shall use the information centres as the channel for notification to the other Party. The Parties shall notify 
proposed SPS measures through the appropri ate channels. For emergency measures, the 
notification shall be made in writing to the information centre at least three days before entry into force or at the latest three days after. 
3.46.  On equivalence, the Parties shall render their SPS measures equivalent through bilateral 
protocols of mutual recognition. To this end, they  shall consider aspects such as the efficiency of 
the measure, its impact on trade, the reductio n of implementation costs, and an adequate 
technological level as set out in the Annex to Article 6.02 on control, inspection and approval 
procedures. The Dominican Republic adopted by Decisions CCA/DEC Nº 8/2003 and CCA/DEC Nº 
13/2004 of the Joint Administration Council the content of Resolutions 93-2002 and 99-2002 of 
the Consejo de Ministros de Integración Económica Centroamericana  (COMIECO) on Mutual 
Recognition of Drug Registration between El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which 
will be applied in the framework of the Agreement. Such Resolutions shall however not apply to Costa Rica until they are adopted by Costa Rica. 
3.47.  As concerns transparency, the authorities in charge of notifications and the information 
centres shall use the same or similar formats to those used by the WTO SPS Committee. They shall recognise the sanitary and phytosanitary status as established in the FAO, OIE and the specialized regional organizations' databases. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 36 - 
 
  3.48.  The Agreement establishes a Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, 
composed of representatives of the Parties responsible for food safety matters, animal and plant health, and trade. The Committee shall meet at least once a year or whenever it deems necessary and may establish ad hoc technical groups to address specific matters which it will report to the 
Committee. Decisions will be taken by consensus. The Committee shall establish an annual work 
programme to promote and enhance the implementa tion of the WTO SPS Agreement, especially 
the harmonization and equivalence of SPS measures and technical cooperation between the 
Parties. The Committee shall also promote the Parties' active participation in relevant international 
and regional organizations. (Article 6.03 and its Annex). The Parties indicated that the Committee had not been active but it could be convened by any Party if necessary and that the contact points had ensured adequate implementation of the Agreement. 
3.49.  On dispute settlement, the Parties renounce the use of retaliatory SPS measures. Measures 
based on reciprocity shall be deemed retaliatory. The Parties may request consultations to clarify or settle any dispute concerning the provisions of  the Chapter. The requested Party shall address 
the request within fifteen days. If the dispute is not settled through such consultations any Party 
may request a dispute settlement procedure under Chapter XVI (Dispute Settlement). The Arbitral Tribunal shall have recourse to specialists when scientific or technical matters are discussed. To 
this end, the Committee shall establish a roster of independent qualified specialists on food safety 
and animal and plant health. 
3.4.1.2  Technical barriers to trade 3.50.  Chapter XIII deals with standardization, metrology and related measures. The Parties 
confirm their rights and obligations under the WT O Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT 
Agreement) and other international agreements of which the Parties are party. The Chapter applies to the Parties' standards, metrology and other related measures which could directly or 
indirectly affect trade. It does not apply to SPS measures (Article 13.02). The Parties shall use 
international standards where they exist or thei r completion is imminent, except where such 
international standards would not be an effective or appropriate means for fulfilling the legitimate 
objectives because of fundamental climatic, geographical, technological or infrastructural factors, 
or scientifically verified reasons (Article 13.03). 
3.51.  The Parties may conduct risk assessments as long they do not have the purpose or effect of 
creating unnecessary trade barriers. In doing so the Parties shall take into account risk assessment 
techniques developed by international organizations, relevant scientific evidence or available 
technical information, intended end uses of go ods and related processing technology. Where a 
Party establishes a level of protection that it considers appropriate and conducts an assessment of 
risk, it shall avoid arbitrary or unjustifiable distinctions between similar goods, where the 
distinctions result in arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination against goods or service providers of the other Party, constitute a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties or discriminate 
between similar goods for the same use under the same conditions that pose the same level of risk 
and provide similar benefits (Article 13.04). 
3.52.   Without prejudice to the rights conferre d by this Chapter and taking into account the 
international activities on standards and metrology, the Parties shall, to the greatest extent, make 
compatible their respective standards and metr ology measures, without reducing the level of 
safety or protection to human, animal or plant life or health, the environment and consumers. A Party shall accept as equivalent any technical regulations of the other Party when, in cooperation 
with the other Party, the exporting Party determines  that the technical regulations of the importing 
Party adequately fulfil its own legitimate objectives. The importing Party shall provide to the exporting Party, on request, its reasons in writ ing for not treating a technical regulation as 
equivalent. Furthermore, the Parties recognize the need to update, review and harmonize their 
standards and technical regulations (Article 13.05). The Parties indicated that harmonization of standards and technical regulations is still pending. 
3.53.  The Parties, recognizing that the outcom e shall be of mutual advantage, and based on 
reciprocity, shall accredit, approve, licence or  recognize conformity assessment bodies in the 
territory of the other Party, in conditions no less favourable than those accorded to conformity assessment bodies in their territory. They may use the capacity and technical infrastructure of the 
accredited bodies established in the territory  of the Parties in the conformity assessment 
procedures (Article 13.06). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 37 - 
 
  3.54.  On metrology, the Parties shall ensure , to the extent practicable, the documented 
traceability of its standards and the calibration of its measuring instruments, according to the recommendations of the Bureau International des Poids et Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and comply with the requirements set out in this Chapter. 
3.55.  Concerning transparency, the Parties shal l ensure the existence of an Information Centre
24 
in their territory that may answer all reasonable questions and requests from the other Party and from interested persons and supply the relevant  updated documentation relating to any measure 
on standards, metrology, conformity assessment procedures or authorization procedures adopted 
or proposed in their territory by governmental or non-governmental bodies (Article 13.10). The Parties shall promptly publish and notify in writing, using the same format as the WTO, any proposed measure, at least 60 days before its adop tion, thus allowing the interested Parties to get 
acquainted with it. In emergency situations they may however waive the 60-day deadline. When 
the measure is adopted, the Parties shall provide a copy to the other Parties through the information Centres. Each Party shall also notify in writing its standardization plans and 
programmes. Finally, when a Party rejects a shipment or a service by an administrative decision, it 
shall notify the person in charge of the shipment or service of the technical reasons for the rejection, without delay and in writing (13.09).  
3.56.  The Agreement also contains provisions on dangerous substances and scrap (Article 13.13), 
protection of the environment (13.14), registration procedures (Article 13.15), and technical cooperation (Article 13.16). 
3.57.  The Agreement creates a Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, composed by an equal 
number of specialized representatives of each Party, which shall adopt decisions by consensus and 
shall start functioning upon entry into force of the Agreement. As set out in the Annex to Article 13.11, the Committee shall follow up on matters related to the application and 
administration of this Chapter and shall inter alia : assist in the resolution of problems due to 
unnecessary technical barriers, facilitate the process by which the Parties shall make compatible their measures on standards and metrology, promote technical cooperation activities, and 
establish sub-committees on labelling and packagin g, and on approval procedures within 30 days 
of entry into force. The Parties indicated that the Committee had not been active but it could be convened by any Party if necessary and that the contact points had ensured adequate implementation of the Agreement. No sub-committees  have been created to date. In the event of 
disputes concerning the provisions of this Chapte r (Article 13.12), the Parties shall have recourse 
to the Committee. If its technical recommendation cannot resolve the dispute, the Parties may turn to the dispute settlement mechanism under the Agreement.  
3.4.2  Safeguard mechanisms 
3.58.  Chapter VIII covers safeguard measures. The Parties retain their rights and obligations to 
apply safeguard measures under Article XIX of GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on 
Safeguards. They may apply global or bilateral sa feguard measures. Bilateral safeguards shall be 
governed by the provisions of this Chapter, th e provisions of Article XIX of GATT 1994, the WTO 
Agreement on Safeguards and domestic  legislation shall be suppletory. 
3.4.2.1  Global safeguards 
3.59.  There are no specific provisions on global safeguards under the Agreement. 
                                               
24 As set out in Annex to Article 13.10 the Inform ation Centres are as follo ws: for Costa Rica, the 
Ministerio de Economía y Comercio , through the Centro de Informaciones sobr e Obstáculos Técnicos al 
Comercio ; for El Salvador, the Ministerio de Economía , through the Dirección de Política Comercial ; for 
Guatemala, the Ministerio de Economía , through the Comisión Guatemalteca de Normas (COGUANOR ); for 
Honduras, the Secretaría de Industria y Comercio , through the Dirección General de Sectores Productivos ; for 
Nicaragua, the Ministerio de Economía y Desarrollo , through the Dirección General de Ciencia y Tecnología ; for 
the Dominican Republic, the Dirección General de Normas y Sistemas de Calidad (DIGENOR ); or their 
successors. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 38 - 
 
  3.4.2.2  Bilateral safeguards 
3.60.  Unless otherwise provided, bilateral safeguard measures shall apply between Costa Rica, El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, considered individually, with the Dominican 
Republic.  
3.61.  Under Article 8.03, the Parties may apply bilateral safeguards if the volume of imports of 
one or more products has increased in such quantities and under such conditions that it constitutes a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat thereof, to the domestic industry producing a like or 
directly competitive product, and only if it is strictly necessary to counteract such serious injury, or 
threat thereof. Safeguard measures may only take the form of tariffs; the tariff shall be the applied MFN tariff. Measures may be applied for a period of a year renewable for an equal consecutive period. The Parties may initiate investigations up to 24 months after full liberalization 
has been achieved under Article 3.04.1, through th e elimination of tariffs on originating goods. 
This provision shall apply to products included in the Annex to Article 3.04 when they become duty-free. Finally, the Parties may apply bilateral safeguard measures to the same product only 
once. 
3.62.  The Parties shall establish clear and strict procedures
25 for the adoption and implementation 
of bilateral safeguard measures by which the investigating authority shall: carry out an 
investigation to determine the  adoption of a safeguard measure and publish the initiation of the 
investigation through the official channels and notify it to the exporting Party within three working days of the publication; evaluate all relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature having a bearing on the situation of that industry, in particular, the rate and amount of the increase in 
imports of the product concerned in absolute and re lative terms, the share of the domestic market 
taken by increased imports, changes in the level of sales, production, productivity, capacity utilization, profits and losses, and employment; an d demonstrate the existence of the direct causal 
link. The importing Party may then request consul tations with the other Party. The request shall 
include import data for each of the three most recent years that form the basis of the claim that the good is being imported into the territory of the other Party in increased quantities; the volume 
and value of the domestic production of the like or directly competitive goods for each of the three 
most recent years; the listing and description of the alleged causes of injury; and information on the safeguard measure. The consultation period shall be 30 days unless the Parties agree on a shorter period. The affected Party may impose mutually agreed compensatory tariff measures. The 
consultations shall not force the Parties to disclose any confidential information provided during 
the procedure. If the importing Party determines that reasons justify the extension of a bilateral safeguard measure, the Party shall notify the competent authority of the other Party of its 
intention to extend the measure at least 90 days  before the measure is expected to expire, and 
shall prove that the reasons leading to its application persist, for the purpose of holding respective consultations (Article 8.04).  
3.4.2.3  Special safeguards 
3.63.  The Agreement has no provisions on special safeguards. 3.4.3  Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 3.64.  The Parties reject any unfair trade distorting practices (Article 7.01) and retain their rights 
and obligations under the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the 
Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI  of the GATT 1994. These Agreements and the 
Parties' domestic legislation for their implementati on shall apply to investigation procedures and to 
the application of anti-dumping and countervailin g duties (Article 7.02). Furthermore, when the 
duty is established the interested Parties may request clarifications on whether a specific good is subject to such a duty. This shall not interrupt the course of the investigation nor suspend the 
implementation of the duty (Article 7.03). 
3.65.  The Party affected by a measure resulting from a final determination may submit the issue 
to the dispute settlement mechanism under Chapte r XVI (Dispute Settlement) of the Agreement. 
                                               
25 The Dominican Republic has established procedures for the investigation and adoption of bilateral 
safeguards through the Comisión de De fensa Comercial  established by Law 1-02. Neither Guatemala nor 
Nicaragua or Honduras have establis hed special mechanisms fo r the adoption of such bilateral safeguards.  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 39 - 
 
  3.4.4  Subsidies and State-aid 
3.66.  The Parties confirm their WTO rights and obligations on support measures, domestic support 
and export subsidies (Article 3.10). 
3.4.5  Customs-related procedures 
3.67.  Chapter V contains general principles applicable to the Parties' customs administrations. 
Specific procedures for different customs regimes shall be regulated by the Parties' domestic legislation. However, the Parties shall establish minimum requirements for the release of goods 
through automatic selective and random controls without prejudice to physical and document 
controls in conformity with their customs legislation (Article 5.01). 
3.68.  The Parties commit to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance and enhance 
coordination in order to improve and harmonize cu stoms procedures to be applied on the basis of 
reciprocity. They shall facilitate the release of goods and maintain an agreed level of conformity in 
their procedures. Finally, they shall jointly organize customs related capacity building programmes for officials and users (Article 5.02). 
3.69.  Articles 5.04-07 refer to the immediate release of goods and simplification of 
documentation, to facilitating the entry of sample s, the use of electronic information systems and 
the exchange of information between the Parties.  Additionally, the Parties agree that any new 
proposed customs regulation shall be made known 30 days before its entry into force, it shall be 
published in conformity with the Party's domestic legislation and be notified by the importing Party 
to the exporting Party within ten days of its publication (Article 5.08). 
3.70.  The Parties establish a Committee on Customs Procedures composed of representatives of 
each Party which will meet at least once a year and upon the Parties' request. Its tasks will 
include: to propose customs policies to facilitate trade, to agree on the interpretation, implementation and administration of the Chapter, to deal with tariff classification and customs 
valuation matters and to inform the Council about its activities (Article 5.09). 
3.4.6  Other regulations 3.5  Sector-specific provisions on trade in goods 
3.71.  There are no sector-specific provisions on trade in goods. 
4  PROVISIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES AND INVESTMENT 4.1  Scope and definitions 4.1.  Chapter IX contains rules on investment ; Chapter X refers to trade in services; and 
Chapter XI deals with temporary entry of business persons. 
4.2.  Chapter X on cross-border trade in services covers three of the four modes of supply, 
1 (cross-border supply), 2 (consumption abroad), and 4 (presence of natural persons). The 
objective of the Chapter is to establish a framework for liberalization of trade in services between 
the Parties in accordance with the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services, which will promote their interests on the basis of mutual advantages and global balance of rights and 
obligations. 
4.3.  Measures on cross-border trade in services include: (i) the production, distribution, sale or 
supply of a service; (ii) the purchase, use or pa yment of a service; (iii) access to and use of 
distribution and transportation systems in connection with the supply of a cross-border service; 
(iv) the presence in the Party's territory of a service supplier from the other Party; and (v) the 
provision of a bond or other form of financial security as a condition for supplying a service (Article 10.3).  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 40 - 
 
  4.4.  Chapter X26 does not apply to: (i) development promotion measures granted by a Party or 
State enterprise, including loans, guarantees, insurance, donations and fiscal incentives supported by the Government; (ii) air services, including domestic and international air transportation services, whether scheduled or non-scheduled, an d auxiliary services related to air transport 
services, except for aircraft repair and maintenance services, specialty air services and 
computerized reservation systems services; (iii) go vernment services or functions, such as law 
enforcement, social rehabilitation, pensions, une mployment insurance, social security, social 
welfare, public education, public training, health and child care. Nothing in the Chapter shall be 
construed to impose any obligation on a Party with respect to a national of the other Party seeking access to its employment market, or employed on a permanent basis in its territory, or to confer any right on that national with respect to that access nor on government procurement, except as 
provided in Article 12.2.3.  
4.5.  No provision in Chapter X may be construed as imposing the obligation to provide 
confidential information, the disclosure of which may be an obstacle to the observance of laws or 
be damaging to the public interest, or may injure legitimate trade interests of state and private 
enterprises (Article 10.06). To achieve the objectives of the Chapter the Parties shall review it every year taking into account the evolution and the regulation of trade in services in each Party 
as well as progress achieved in the WTO and other fora (Article 10.21). 
4.6.  Chapter IX on investment covers measures adopted or maintained by a Party in relation to: 
(i) the investors of the other Party for all matters relating to their investment; (ii) investments by investors of a Party in another Party after entry into force. The Chapter also covers existing 
investments at entry into force if they qualify as investments under Article 9.02.2(c). 
4.7.  It does not apply to: (i) economic activities reserved for each Party under domestic 
legislation in force on the date the Agreement was signed; (ii) measures adopted by a Party to 
restrict the participation of investments of investors of the other Party in its territory for reasons of 
public policy or national security, to protect its cultural heritage and for the conservation and protection of the environment; or (iii) disputes or claims arising prior to the entry into force of the 
Agreement or relating to facts that occurred before that date, even if their effects persist 
thereafter. In case of incompatibility between Chapter IX and another Chapter of the Agreement 
the other Chapter will prevail. 
4.2  Denial of benefits 
4.8.  Pursuant to Article 9.14, subject to noti fication and consultations, a Party may deny the 
benefits of Chapter IX to an investor of the other Party that is an enterprise of the Party and to investments of such investors if investors of a non-party own or control the enterprise and the 
enterprise has no substantial business in the Party under whose legislation it is constituted.  
4.9.  Subject to notification and consultations, a Party may deny the benefits of Chapter X to a 
service provider of the other Party where it is esta blished that the service is being provided by an 
enterprise that has no substantial business activities in the territory of the other Party and that, 
under the current legislation of each country, is owned or controlled by persons of a non-party (Article 10.14).  
4.10.  A Party may deny the benefits of Chapter XII (Procurement), subject to notification and 
consultations, to a service provider of the other Party where it is established that the service is 
being provided by an enterprise owned or contro lled by persons of a non-party and that such 
enterprise has no substantial business activities in the territory of any of the Parties. 
                                               
26 For the purposes of Chapter X, measures adopted or maintained by a Party include measures adopted 
or maintained by non-governmental institutions or bodi es in the performance of re gulatory, administrative or 
other functions of a governmental natu re delegated to them by the Party. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 41 - 
 
  4.3  General provisions on trade in services 
4.3.1  Market access 4.11.  The Agreement does not contain market access provisions as such. However, within six 
months after its entry into force the Parties shall set up a list of existing non-discriminatory 
quantitative restrictions. Periodically, at least every two years they will endeavour to negotiate to 
liberalize or eliminate existing quantitative restrictions or those adopted by a Party after entry into force. Each Party shall notify any non-discriminatory quantitative restriction adopted after entry 
into force and shall add it to the list (Article 10.11). The Parties indicated that they had not 
established lists of quantitative restrictions. 
4.3.2  National treatment and MFN 4.12.  Each Party shall accord to services and services providers of the other Party treatment no 
less favourable than it accords to its own like services and service providers (Article 10.12). 
4.13.  Each Party shall accord, immediately and unc onditionally, to services  and services providers 
of the other Party treatment no less favourable than it accords to like services and services 
providers of any other country. The provisions of Chapter X (Trade in Services) shall not be 
construed to prevent any Party from conferring advantages to adjacent countries in order to facilitate exchanges limited to contiguous frontier zones and services that are both locally 
produced and consumed (Article 10.4).  
4.14.  Concerning investment, each Party shall accord to investors of the other Party, with respect 
to their investments, treatment no less favourable than that it accords to its own investors and their investments (Article 9.04). Similarly, each Party shall accord to investors of the other Party 
treatment no less favourable than that it accords to investors of a non-Party, except when a Party 
has granted special treatment to investors and their investments under agreements establishing provisions on the avoidance of double taxation, free trade areas, customs unions, common 
markets, economic and monetary unions (Article 9.05). 
4.15.  Under Chapter XII (Government Procurement), each Party shall accord, immediately and 
unconditionally, to covered  services and services providers of the other Party offering their 
services, treatment no less favourable than it accords to its own national services and services 
providers. 
4.3.3  Commercial presence 4.16.  Pursuant to Article 10.10 of the Agreement, no Party may require a service provider of the 
other Party to establish or maintain a representative office or any form of enterprise, or to be 
resident in its territory, as a condition for the cross-border supply of a service.  
4.3.4  Stand-still (Consolidation of measures)  
4.17.  Under Article 10.13, upon entry into force, no Party may increase the non-conformity level 
of existing measures with respect to MFN, national treatment and commercial presence, Articles 10.04, 10.10 and 10.12, respectively, and, six months after entry into force at the latest, 
the Parties shall exchange a list of non-conforming measures with these articles. However, the 
Agreement does not include lists of non-conforming measures. The Parties have indicated that the exchange of lists has not taken place.  
4.3.5  Performance requirements 
4.18.  Under Article 9.07, no Party may impose in connection with the establishment or acquisition 
of an investment or in the subsequent regulation of such an investment, any of the performance requirements listed in the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 42 - 
 
  4.3.6  Senior management and boards of directors 
4.19.  No Party may require that an enterprise a ppoint to senior management positions individuals 
of any particular nationality, except as established in each Party's domestic legislation. 
4.3.7  Movement of natural persons 
4.20.  The temporary entry of business persons27 is governed by Chapter XI of the Agreement.  
4.21.  The Chapter reflects the preferential trading relationship between the Parties, the 
desirability of facilitating temporary entry and the need to establish transparent criteria and 
procedures to this end, as well as the need to ensure the security of borders and protect the 
national workforce and permanent employment (A rticle 11.02). Each Party shall grant temporary 
entry to business persons, covered by the Anne x to Article 11.04 (temporary entry of business 
persons) and the Appendix to its Section A (activities of business visitors), who are qualified for 
entry under other applicable measures relating to public health and safety and national security. A 
Party may deny temporary entry where it would adversely affect the settlement of any labour dispute that is in progress or the employment of any person who is involved in such a dispute. If it 
does so, the Party shall inform the person concer ned in writing of the reasons for the refusal and 
shall notify the other Party. The Parties shall limit fees for processing applications to the approximate cost of the services rendered. The temporary entry of a business person does not 
authorize the exercise of a profession (Article 11.04).  
4.22.  Each Party shall provide to the other Party materials that will enable it to become 
acquainted with its measures relating to this Chap ter and, no later than 12 months after entry into 
force of the Agreement, shall prepare, publish and make available in its own territory and in the 
territory of the other Party, explanatory material in a consolidated document on requirements for 
temporary entry so business persons of the other Party may become acquainted with them. Additionally, each Party shall collect, maintain, and make available to the other Party information 
regarding the granting of temporary entry to business persons of the other Party for whom 
immigration documentation has been issued (Article 11.05). 
4.23.  Annex to Article 11.04 contains commitments made by the Parties to facilitate the 
temporary entry of business persons who otherwis e comply with existing  immigration measures 
applicable to temporary entry and are categorized as: (i) business visitors; (ii) investors; and (iii) intra-company transferees. 
4.24.  Each Party shall grant temporary entry to business persons seeking to engage in a business 
activity set out in the Appendix to Annex 11.04
28 on prior request by an enterprise or a business 
association, without requiring an employment authorization provided the person complies with the existing immigration measures applicable to temporary entry. A Party shall also grant temporary 
entry to business persons seeking to engage in a business activity other than those set out in the 
Appendix on a basis no less favourable than that provided under the existing legislation on immigration, extranjería  and related matters, provided the person complies with the existing 
immigration measures applicable to temporary entry.  
4.25.  The Parties may not require labour certification tests or other procedures of similar effect as 
a condition for granting temporary entry with regard to the three categories of business persons covered, nor impose or maintain any numerical restriction in relation to business visitors and 
intra-company transferees. Nevertheless, they ma y require a business person seeking temporary 
entry into the country to obtain a visa or its equivalent prior to entry. The Parties shall consider the possibility of eliminating the requirement for such a visa or equivalent document. Guatemala 
does not require a visa for temporary entry by business persons from the Dominican Republic nor 
does the Dominican Republic for Central American business persons. 
                                               
27 Business person: national of one Party who is engage d in trade in goods, the provision of services or 
the conduct of investment activities. 
28 The temporary entry is designed in particular for business visitors in the following fields: research; 
cultivation, manufacture and production; marketing; sa les; distribution, after-sa les services; and general 
services (Appendix to Annex 11.04). WT/REG305/1 
 
- 43 - 
 
  4.26.  Recourse to dispute settlement is not permi tted with regard to a refusal to grant temporary 
entry under Chapter XI, unless the matter involves a recurrent practice and the business person 
concerned has exhausted the relevant administrative remedies. 
4.27.  The Parties establish a Committee on Temporary Entry of Business Persons comprising 
representatives of the Parties, including immigration officials. The Committee shall meet at least 
once a year to examine the application and ad ministration of the Chapter and to elaborate 
measures to further facilitate temporary entry. 
4.28.  Except as provided in Chapter XI and in the Chapters on initial provisions, general 
definitions, publication, notification and guarante es of hearing and legality, dispute settlement and 
final provisions, no provision in the Agreement shall impose an obligation on a Party regarding its immigration measures. 
4.4  Liberalization commitments 
4.29.  There are no liberalization commitments under the Agreement. 4.30.  Under paragraph 2 of Article 10.13 the Parties shall exchange a list of non-conforming 
measures with Articles 10.4, 10.10 and 10.12 (MFN, local presence and national treatment). 
Additionally, the Parties were to deepen the liberalization achieved in different services sectors through future negotiations in order to eliminate remaining non-conforming restrictions 
(Article 10.15). The Parties have indicated that the exchange of lists had not taken place and that 
negotiations to deepen liberalization had not taken place either. However, they have confirmed that the services and investment Chapters are in force.  
4.31.  A Committee on Trade in Services, composed of representatives of the relevant authorities, 
is established. It shall meet at least once a year or at any time at any Party's request. Its functions 
shall include, supervising the implementation and administration of the Chapter, discussing 
matters relating the cross-border trade in serv ices presented by a Party; analysing matters 
discussed in other international fora; facilitating the exchange of information between the Parties 
and cooperating in giving advice on investment and cross-border trade in services; and establishing working groups or convening panels of  experts on matters of interest to the Parties. 
4.5  Regulatory provisions  
4.5.1  Domestic regulation 4.32.  To ensure that measures relating to requirements and procedures for granting permits, 
authorizations and licenses do not constitute unnecessary barriers to trade, the Parties shall 
endeavour as appropriate to ensure that su ch requirements are based on objective and 
transparent criteria, are not more burdensome than necessary and are not in themselves a restriction on the supply of a service (Article 10.07).  
4.5.2  Recognition 
4.33.  The Annex to Article 10.03 (Professional Services) deals with recognition.  4.34.  Where a Party recognizes, autonomously or  by agreement or arrangement, professional 
degrees obtained in the territory of another Pa rty or a non-Party: (i) nothing in Article 10.04 
(national treatment) shall be construed to require the Party to accord such recognition to professional degrees obtained, in the territory of any other Party; and (ii) it shall afford adequate opportunity for another Party to demonstrate that professional degrees obtained in that other 
Party's territory should be recognized or to negotiate with it an arrangement or agreement with 
similar effects (Article 3 of the Annex). 
4.35.  Under Article 4, the Parties agree that mu tual recognition procedures of degrees and the 
concession of licenses for the exercise of a prof ession shall be based in standards and criteria 
aimed at improving the quality of professional services, protecting consumers and preserving 
public order. The Parties shall encourage relevant entities such as, government officials and 
professional associations to set out such standards and criteria which may cover, inter alia , WT/REG305/1 
 
- 44 - 
 
  education, examinations, experience, conduct and ethics, professional development and 
re-certification, scope of practice, local knowledge and consumer protection, and make recommendations on mutual recognition and licensing. However, consultations with professional associations have not taken place and no recomme ndations on recognition have been made. The 
Parties shall encourage the competent authorities to adopt the recommendations received, as long 
as they are consistent with the provisions of th e Agreement, GATS Article VII and the results the 
WTO negotiations on professional services. Finally , the Parties shall review the implementation of 
the provisions of the Annex at least once a year. The Parties have indicated that a review of the 
implementation of these provisions has not taken place yet. 
4.5.3  Subsidies  4.36.  The Committee on Trade in Services shall set out procedures to establish disciplines on 
trade distorting subsidies and emergency safeguard measures, taking into account work carried 
out in the relevant international organizations (Article 10.20). 
4.5.4  Safeguards 
4.37.  The Committee on Trade in Services is also mandated to establish disciplines on emergency 
safeguard measures. 
4.5.4.1  Balance of Payments restrictions 
4.38.  Under Article 10.09, a Party may adopt restrictions to its trade in services when it faces 
serious difficulties in or threats to its balance of payments, to attain a sufficient level of financial reserves for the implementation of its economic  development or transition programme. Such 
restrictions shall be: non-discriminatory, be compatible with the International Monetary Fund, 
avoid unnecessary damage to the commercial, economic and financial interests of the other Party, 
not be more burdensome than necessary to deal  with the difficulties, and be temporary and 
progressively eliminated as the balance of payments situation improves. 
4.39.  A Party may give priority to essential services for its economic programme, but not impose 
a measure for the purpose of protecting a specific industry or sector. Restrictions must be promptly notified. The Parties applying restrictions shall hold consultations. The Council shall set 
out the procedures for periodic consultations so it can make recommendations, in particular, on 
the progressive elimination of restrictions. In such consultations the IMF statistical or other data on foreign exchange, monetary reserves and ba lance of payments shall be accepted and the 
conclusions shall be based on the IMF's assessment of the situation. 
4.5.5  Exceptions 
4.40.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter X (trade in services) and other Chapters, the 
Parties may adopt measures to protect public order and morals; human, animal and plant life and 
health and the environment; national security and the enforcement of laws and regulations on 
fraudulent practices, on the protection of privac y and on public security; and national artistic, 
historic and archaeological treasures. These measures shall not be applied in a manner that 
constitutes a restriction to sub-regional trade in services or a means to discriminate between 
Parties and non-parties to the Agreement, in which similar conditions prevail (Article 10.08). 
4.5.6  Other 4.41.  As regards anti-competitive business prac tices having adverse effects on competition and 
trade in services inside the Parties, the domestic legislation on competition of each Party as well as 
standards established through international agreements shall apply (Article 10.19).  
4.5.7  Other measures on investment 
4.42.  Each Party shall accord to investments of investors of another Party treatment in 
accordance with international common law, including fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security (9.03). Each Party shall accord to the investors of the other Party whose 
investments have been adversely affected in its territory due to armed conflict, state of WT/REG305/1 
 
- 45 - 
 
  emergency, insurrection, or civil strife, non-di scriminatory treatment on any measure adopted or 
maintained in relation to such losses, in respect of its own and non-Party investments (Article 9.06). 
4.43.  Each Party may adopt, maintain or enforc e any measure that it considers appropriate to 
ensure that investment in its territory is undertaken in a manner sensitive to environmental 
concerns (Article 9.15.)  
4.44.  Under Article 9.17 subrogation is recognized with respect to payments for compensation of 
non-commercial risks relating to an investment.  
4.6  Sector specific provisions on trade in services 4.45.  There are no sector-specific provisions on trade in services under the Agreement. 5  GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT 
5.1  Transparency 
5.1.  Chapter XIX deals with Transparency. Each Party shall designate a contact point to facilitate 
communications between the Parties on any matter  covered by the Agreement and at the request 
of the other Party shall identity the office or the official responsible for a matter. The Parties shall 
ensure that their laws, regulations, procedures, and administrative rulings of general application referring to any matter covered by the Agreement are promptly published or otherwise made 
available so interested persons and the other Part ies become acquainted with them. On request by 
another Party, a Party shall promptly provide info rmation and respond to questions pertaining to 
any actual or proposed measure (Article 19.01-03). 
5.2.  The Parties confirm the guarantees of hearin g, legality and due process established in their 
own laws and shall ensure that in legal and administrative proceedings related to the any measure 
affecting the Agreement all essential formalities are respected (Article 19.04). 
5.3.  Under Article 10.05 of the services Chapter, the Parties shall promptly publish, or otherwise 
make available to the public, and notify to the Co mmittee on Trade in Services and to each Party, 
at the latest upon entry into force of the Agr eement, all measures relating to the Chapter and 
international agreements on trade in services of  which the Parties are party. Each Party shall 
promptly inform other Parties of new laws, regulations and administrative guidelines or 
modifications of existing laws that have a considerable effect on trade in services and shall readily respond to information requests. They shall use national information services established under Article III.4 of the GATS.  
5.2  Current payments and capital movements 
5.4.  Under Article 9.10, each Party shall permit all transfers relating to an investment of an 
investor of one Party in the territory of anothe r Party, to be made freely and without delay 
according to each Party's domestic legislation. Such transfers include: (i) profits, dividends, 
interests, capital gains, royalty payments; (ii) management fees; (iii) proceeds from the sale of all or any part of the investment or from its partial or complete liquidation; (iv) additional 
contributions to capital for maintaining and expa nding an investment; (v) payments made under a 
contract, including a loan agreement; (vi) compen sation payments due to expropriation; and (vii) 
payments arising out of the dispute se ttlement mechanism of the Agreement. 
5.5.  The Parties shall permit transfers in a freely usable currency at the market rate of exchange 
prevailing at the time of transfer, in line with their domestic legislation. They may however request 
foreign exchange transfer reports or other monetary instruments. They may impose temporary controls on foreign exchange operations when facing serious balance of payments problems and 
while applying internationally agreed programmes. The adoption of such restrictions and their 
termination shall be promptly notified to the other Party.  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 46 - 
 
  5.3  Exceptions 
5.6.  Article XX of GATT 1994 and its interpretive notes are incorporated into and made part of the 
Agreement, provided such measures are not applied in a manner that would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between Parties where the same conditions prevail, or a 
disguised restriction on trade between them (Article 17.1). 
5.7.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed: (i) to require a Party to furnish or allow access 
to any information, the disclosure of which it determines to be contrary to its essential security 
interests; (ii) to preclude a Party from applying measures that it considers necessary to protect its 
essential security interests, including measures, on trade in arms and ammunitions, measures adopted in situations of war, on the non-proliferat ion of nuclear weapons, or measures relating to 
fissionable materials; and (iii) to preclude a Party from applying measures for the fulfilment of its 
obligations under the United Nations Charter for the maintenance of international peace and 
security (Article 17.02). 
5.8.  Additionally, nothing in the Agreement sh all be construed to compel a Party to make 
available or disclose information that may prevent the enforcement or be contrary to its 
Constitution or laws relating to the protection of privacy, financial matters, private persons bank accounts in financial institutions, etc. (Article 17.03). 
5.4  Accession and Withdrawal 
5.9.  Any country or group of countries may accede to the Agreement subject to such terms and 
conditions as may be agreed between such country or countries and the Council and following approval in accordance with the applicable lega l procedures of each Party and acceding country. 
The accession shall enter into force as provided in the instrument of accession (Article 20.05).  
5.10.  Any Party may withdraw from the Agreem ent. Such withdrawal shall enter into force 
180 days after the Party provides notice to the other Party, without prejudice to a different date 
the Parties may agree. If a Party withdraws, the Agreement shall remain in force for the remaining 
Parties, until the withdrawal of the Dominican Republic (Article 20.10). 
5.5  Institutional framework 
5.11.  Chapter XVIII deals with the Administration of the Agreement. 
5.12.  In Article 18.1, the Parties establish the Joint Administration Council, comprising cabinet 
level representatives of the Parties, as set out in Annex I to Article 18.1
29, or their designees.  
5.13.  The Council shall (i) ensure the implementati on of the Agreement; (ii) assess its results and 
oversee its further elaboration; (iii) propose measures for its administration; (iv) negotiate and 
approve trade liberalization of goods and services of the annexes to Article 3.04 and Chapter X (Trade in services); (v) seek to resolve disputes regarding the interpretation or application of the 
Agreement;(vi), supervise the work of all commi ttees and working groups established under the 
Agreement, as set out in Annex II to Article 18.01
30; (vii) establish permanent or ad hoc 
committees, working groups, groups of experts and set up their functions; (viii) draft regulations 
as needed for further development of the Agreemen t, to be approved by the Parties; (ix) fix 
payments to panellists, assistants and experts; and (x) consider any other matter that may affect the operation of the Agreement.  
                                               
29 The Joint Administration Council was constitu ted by CCA/DEC Nº 1/2002 of 3 September 2002 as 
follows: for Costa Rica, the Ministro de Comercio Exterior ; for El Salvador, the Ministro de Economía ; for 
Guatemala, the Ministro de Economía ; for Honduras, the Secretario de Industria y Comercio ; for Nicaragua, the 
Ministro de Economía y Desarrollo ; and for the Dominican Republic, the Secretario de Estado de Industria y 
Comercio ; or their successors. 
30 Committee on Trade in Goods; Committee on Ru les of Origin; Committee on Customs Procedures; 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures; Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade; Committee on 
Trade in Services; Committee on Temporary Entry of Bu siness Persons; Committee on Intellectual Property 
and; Committee on Trade and Free Competition. These Committees were created by Decision of the Joint 
Administration Council CCA/DEC/ Nº2/2002 of 3 September 2002. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 47 - 
 
  5.14.  The Council may seek the advice of independent non-governmental persons or associations 
and, if the Parties agree, may take any other action in the exercise of its functions. The Council shall convene at least once a year in regular session, and at any time upon the Parties' request in special session. It will establish its rules and procedures and will adopt decisions by consensus. 
The Parties shall successively preside over the sessions. 
5.15.  The Council shall establish and oversee a Secretariat composed of the Parties' national 
sections.
31 Each Party shall appoint a permanent office as the National Section of the Secretariat, 
an official responsible for such National Section and notify its address to the Council. The National 
Sections shall assist the Council, provide administrative assistance to arbitral tribunals established under the Agreement and perform any other function entrusted to them by the Council (Article 18.02).  
5.6  Dispute settlement 
5.16.  Chapter XVI refers to dispute settlement. The Parties shall at all times endeavor to agree on 
the interpretation and application of the Agr eement, and shall make every attempt through 
cooperation and consultations to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any matter that 
might affect its operation (Article 16.2). 
5.17.  The provisions of Chapter XVI apply to th e avoidance or settlement of all disputes between 
the Parties regarding the interpretation or app lication of the Agreement or wherever a Party 
considers that an actual or proposed measure of another Party is or would be inconsistent with the obligations of the Agreement or cause nullification or impairment of benefits that could reasonably be expected from the implementation of the Agreement. Under Article 16.04, the complaining 
Party may choose either the Agreement or the WTO as the forum. The chosen forum will be used 
to the exclusion of the other. In disputes relating  to perishables deadlines shall be reduced to the 
minimum by the Parties, the Council or the Arbitral Tribunal. 
5.18.  Each Party may request consultations (Article 16.06) in writing with copies to the Council 
and to the other Parties, on any existing or planned measure which it considers might affect the operation of the Agreement. If the consultations do not settle the dispute within 30 days, the 
Parties may refer the question to the Council, which will meet within ten days. The Council may 
call in technical advisers or create the expert groups it considers necessary, resort to good offices, conciliation, mediation or other dispute settlement procedures, or make recommendations. The Council may consolidate two or more proceedings concerning the same measure or other matters 
that it determines are appropriate to be considered jointly (Article 16.07). 
5.19.  Any consulting Party may request in writing the establishment of an arbitral panel when the 
Council has met and the matter has not been resolved within 30 days after its meeting. The 
requesting Party shall present the complaint to the Council and to the other Parties in writing, 
through its National Section of the Secretariat. The Council shall invite the other consulting Parties to participle in the arbitrage which shall respond within ten days. If a Party decides not to 
participate as a complaining Party it shall refrain from initiating a procedure regarding the same 
matter (Article 16.08). 
5.20.  The Parties shall establish a roster of 30 in dividuals to serve as arbi trators. They shall be 
designated by mutual agreement of the Parties fo r three-year periods and may be reappointed for 
equal periods. The roster shall include three nationals from each Party and 12 who are not 
nationals of the Parties (Article 16.9). The roster members shall: (i) have expertise or experience 
in law, international trade, other matters covered by the Agreement, or the resolution of disputes 
arising under international trade agreements; (ii) be chosen strictly on the basis of objectivity, 
                                               
31 The National Sections were constituted by Decision of the Joint Administration Council CCA/DEC 
Nº 3/2002 of 3 September 2002, as follows: for Costa Rica, the Dirección de Aplicación de Acuerdos 
Comerciales Internacionales  of the Ministerio de Comercio Exterior ; for El Salvador, the Dirección de 
Administración de Tratados Comerciales  of the Ministerio de Economía ; for Guatemala, the Dirección de 
Administración del Comercio Exterior  of the Ministerio de Economía ; for Honduras, the Dirección General de 
Administración de Tratados  of the Secretaría de Estado de Industria y Comercio ; for Nicaragua, the Dirección 
de Integración y Admini stración de Tratados  of the Dirección General de Comercio Exterior  of the Ministerio de 
Fomento, Industria y Comercio ; for the Dominica n Republic, the Dirección de Comercio Exterior y 
Administración de Tratados Comerciales  of the Secretaría de Estado de Industria y Comercio.  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 48 - 
 
  reliability, and sound judgment; (iii) be independent of, and not be affiliated with or take 
instructions from, any Party; and (iv) comply wi th a code of conduct to be established by the 
Council.32 
5.21.  A three-member arbitral panel will be established based on procedures described in 
Article 16.11. The disputing Parties shall endeavor  to agree on the chair of the panel within 
15 days of the request for the establishment of th e panel. If the disputing Parties are unable to 
agree on the chair within this period, the chair shall be designated within five days by one of them 
selected by lot. The chair may not be a national of a disputing Party. Within five days of the 
election of the chair, each disputing Party shall select by lot one arbiter who is a national of the other disputing Party. A disputing Party may challenge any arbiter not selected from the roster. 
5.22.  The Council shall establish Model Rules of  Procedure which shall ensure the right to one 
hearing before the arbitral panel, as well as the opportunity to provide initial and written rebuttals, 
which will be confidential.
33  
5.23.  Within 90 days of the appointment of the last arbiter, unless the Parties agree on another 
time-limit, the arbitral panel will present to the Parties its preliminary resolution, which will contain 
its findings of fact, its determination regarding the measure and the draft report. Following written comments from the disputing Parties within 30 days of the preliminary resolution being presented, 
the final resolution (Article 16.15) will be presente d to them and to the Council within 45 days of 
the presentation of the preliminary resolution. It shall be published within 15 days of its notification to the Parties and the Council. The final resolution will be binding on the Parties on the 
terms and conditions specified therein (Article 16.16). 
5.24.  If in its final resolution an arbitral tribunal has determined that a measure is inconsistent 
with the obligations of the Agreement or causes nullification or impairment and the Party complained against has not complied with the resolution within the deadlines established by the 
tribunal or has not reached agreement with any complaining Party on a mutually satisfactory 
resolution within the time-limit set out by the tribunal, the complaining Party may suspend the application of benefits of equivalent effect until they have reached agreement on a resolution of 
the dispute or the Party complained against has complied with the decision. Once the concessions 
have been suspended, at the written request of one of the Parties, notified to its National Section 
of the Secretariat and to the other Parties, the Council shall establish, within a 25-day time-limit, an arbitral tribunal to determine whether the level of the concessions suspended by the 
complaining Party is excessive. The panel shall present its determination within 60 days after the 
last arbiter is selected or such other period as the disputing Parties may agree. 
5.25.  Chart 5.1 below indicates the steps in the dispute settlement process. 
                                               
32 The roster of arbiters has been approved by De cision of the Joint Administration Council CCA/DEC 
Nº 15/2010 of 10 August 2010. 
33 The Model Rules of Procedure have been approved by Decision of the Joint Administration Council 
CCA/DEC Nº 10/2003 of 21 February 2003. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 49 - 
 
  Chart 5.1 Dispute settlement mechanism specific to the Agreement 
 
 
  
 
  Council 
(meeting within a period of 
10 days) (Art. 16.07)  Alternative methods of dispute 
settlement (i.e., good offices, 
conciliation, mediation)  
(Art. 16.07)  
Request for establishment o f
an arbitral tribunal (Art. 16.08)  
Preliminary  
resolution  
(Art. 16.14)  
 
Final resolution
(Art. 16.15)  
Compliance  
(Art. 16.16)  Non-compliance  
Suspension of concessions  
Art. 16.17  30 days30 days 
(less for perishable 
products  
Establishment of the arbitral 
tribunal (Art. 16.11)  
90 days  30 days 
45 days
Time-limit as determined by the tribunal  
Time-limit as determined by the tribunal  
Decision of the tribunal on level of  
suspension  
Report issued  60 days Publication  
(Art. 16.15)  Consultations 
(Art. 16.6)  
Comments by the Parties  
within 30 days  
15 days  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 50 - 
 
  5.26.  Articles 16.18 and 16.19 deal with internal  procedures and the settlement of private trade 
disputes. If a question of interpretation or application arises in a judicial or internal administrative procedure, or a court or administrative body requests the opinion of a Party, the Council will try to agree on an appropriate response. The Party in whose territory the court is located will present the 
interpretation agreed by the Council in conformity with the rules of that forum and, if the Council 
cannot agree on any interpretation or response, an y Party may submit its own opinion. Each Party 
shall encourage and facilitate the use of arbitration and other means of alternative dispute 
resolution for the settlement of international comme rcial disputes between private parties. To this 
end, each Party shall provide appropriate proced ures to ensure observance of international 
agreements on arbitration ratified by each Pa rty and for the recognition and enforcement of 
arbitral awards in such disputes.
34 The Council may establish a Consultative Committee on Private 
Trade Disputes composed of persons with specialized knowledge in this field.35 It shall report to 
the Council and present general recommendations on the use and the efficiency of such procedures.  
5.27.  In the case of disputes between an investor of a Party and a Party, Article 9.20 of 
Chapter IX establishes the time limits and conditions for submitting a claim for arbitration and the procedures that must be followed. The investor may submit the claim for arbitration to: (i) the 
competent tribunals or national arbitrage proceedings in the Party in which the investment was 
made; (ii) the ICSID Convention, if the two Stat es are parties; (iii) the rules of the ICSID 
mechanism, if only one of the States is party to the Convention; or (iv) the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Each Party must give its consent. The choice of one procedure is final and is made to the 
exclusion of the other. The Parties may not address matters relating to disputes having been 
submitted to judicial or arbitration proceedings, except when the other Party does not enforce the 
verdict or arbitral award. 
5.28.  Chapter XVI shall apply disputes between th e Parties relating to the provisions Chapter XII 
(Government Procurement) (Article 12.12). 
5.7  Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 
5.29.  Table 5.1 shows participation by the Parties in other RTAs (notified and not notified). 
Table 5.1 Dominican Republic and Central Am erica countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua): Part icipation in other RTAs (notified and 
non-notified in force), as of 9 May 2016 
RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT/WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
EU - CARIFORUM States EPA 01-Nov-08 Goods & Services 2008 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Mar-07 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Panama 08-Jun-87 Goods 2016 Enabling Clause 
CARICOM - Dominican Republic  n.a. Goods Not notified 
COSTA RICA 
EFTA - Central America (Costa Rica 
and Panama) 19-Aug-14 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
                                               
34 The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are parties to 
the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of  Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958) and to the Inter-
American Convention on International Commercial Arbitration (1975). Furthermore, the Parties legislation on mediation and arbitration are: Costa Rica, Ley sobre arbitraje co mercial internacional , Law Nº 8937 of 27 April 
2011, and Resolución alterna de conflictos y promoción de la paz social RAC , Law Nº 7727 of 9 December 
1997; El Salvador, Ley de Mediación, Conciliación y Arbitraje , published in Diario Oficial  No. 153, Volume 536 
of 21 August 2002; Reglamento General de la Ley de Mediación, Conciliación y Arbitraje: Decreto Ejecutivo Nº 
64 of 2 September 2003;  Guatemala , Ley de Arbitraje (Decreto del Congreso ) Nº 67-95; Honduras, Decree Nº 
161-2000, Ley de Conciliación y Arbitraje , approved on 17 October 2000, in force on 7 March 2001; Nicaragua, 
Ley de Mediación y Arbitraje  Nº 540 of 25 May 2005, in force on 24 June 2005. 
35 Decision CCA/DEC Nº 4/2002 of the Joint Administration Council, the Consultative Committee on 
Private Trade Disputes will be composed by persons designated by the Parties by 3 October 2002. The Parties have not exchanged information on the composition of such Committee. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 51 - 
 
  RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT/WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
EU - Central America 01-Oct-13* Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Costa Rica - Singapore 01-Jul-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 
Costa Rica - Peru 01-Jun-13 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
China - Costa Rica 01-Aug-11 Goods & Services 2012 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 
Panama - Costa Rica (Panama - 
Central America) 23-Nov-08 Goods & Services 2009 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 
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 
EL SALVADOR 
EU - Central America 01-Oct-13* Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Mexico - Central America 01-Sep-12 Goods & Se rvices 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
El Salvador - Cuba 01-Aug-12 Goods 2013 Enabling Clause 
Colombia - Northern Triangle (El  
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) 01-Feb-10 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
El Salvador- Honduras - Chinese 
Taipei 01-Mar-08 Goods & Services 2010 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Mar-06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - El Salvador (Panama - 
Central America) 11-Apr-03 Goods & Services 2005 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Chile - El Salvador (Chile - Central 
America) 01-Jun-02 Goods & Services 2004(G)  
2004(S) 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 
Venezuela - El Salvador [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°27] 09-Jul-86 Goods Not notified 
Cuba - El Salvador [LAIA, AAP.A25 
N°43] n.a. Goods Not notified 
GUATEMALA 
EU - Central America 01-Dec-13* Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Mexico - Central America 01-Sep-13 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Chile - Guatemala (Chile - Central 
America) 23-Mar-10 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Colombia - Northern Triangle (El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) 12-Nov-09 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Guatemala (Panama - 
Central America) 20-Jun-09 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Guatemala - Chinese Taipei 01-Jul-06 Goods & Services 2011 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free Trade 
Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Jul-06 Goods & Services 2006 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 
Cuba - Guatemala [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°36] 18-May-01 Goods Not notified 
Venezuela - Guatemala [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°23]  10-Apr-86 Goods Not notified 
Ecuador - Guatemala [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°42] 19-Feb-13 Goods  Not notified WT/REG305/1 
 
- 52 - 
 
  RTA Name Date of 
entry into 
force Coverage GATT/WTO Notification 
Year WTO Provision 
Mexico - Guatemala [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°37]  n.a. Goods Not Notified 
Belize - Guatemala   04-Apr-10  Goods  Not notified 
 
HONDURAS 
Canada - Honduras 01-Oct-14 Goods & Services 2015 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EU - Central America 01-Aug-13* Goods & Servic es 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Mexico - Central America 01-Jan-13 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Colombia - Northern Triangle (El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) 27-Mar-10 Goods & Services 2012 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Honduras (Panama - 
Central America ) 09-Jan-09 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Chile - Honduras (Chile - Central 
America) 19-Jul-08 Goods & Services 2011 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
El Salvador- Honduras - Chinese 
Taipei 15-Jul-08 Goods & Services 2010 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Apr-06 Goods & Services 2006 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 
Venezuela - Honduras [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°16] 22-Sep-86 Goods Not notified 
NICARAGUA 
EU - Central America 01-Aug-13* Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Chile - Nicaragua (Chile - Central 
America) 19-Oct-12 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Mexico - Central America 01-Sep-12 Goods & Services 2014 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Panama - Nicaragua (Panama - 
Central America) 21-Nov-09 Goods & Services 2013 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Nicaragua - Chinese Taipei 01-Jan-08 Goods & Services 2009 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Dominican Republic - Central 
America - United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 01-Apr-06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Global System of Trade Preferences 
among Developing Countries 
(GSTP) 19-Apr-89 Goods 1989 Enabling Clause 
Central American Common Market 
(CACM) 04-Jun-61 Goods 1961 GATT Art. XXIV 
CACM - Accession of Panama  06-May-13 Goods Not notified 
Venezuela - Nicaragua [LAIA, 
AAP.A25TM N°25]  18-Jan-74 Goods Not notified 
* The notifications made in February 2013 (see WT/REG 332/N/1 and S/C/N/680) stated that: "Provisional 
application of the Agreement by all si gnatory parties is expected 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 
5.30.  Chapter XII establishes general principles to be applied by each Party's entities in their 
covered procurement processes. Annex I to Article 12.02 refers to excluded entities, Annex II to 
Article 12.02 to excluded goods, Annex III to Arti cle 12.02 sets out bilateral coverage and Annex 
IV contains the Dominican Republic public sector procurement system for goods and services.  
5.31.  The Chapter applies to measures adopted or maintained by a Party relating to covered 
procurement of all central government entities, state enterprises, decentralized, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions and municipalities, except those listed in Annex I, and to originating 
goods of the other Party, except those in Annex II and to all originating services notwithstanding 
rights and obligations under Chapter X (Services). This includes procurement of goods and WT/REG305/1 
 
- 53 - 
 
  services or both by such methods as purchase, lease or rental, with or without an option to buy. 
The Chapter does not apply to: (i) non contractual agreements or any form of assistance a Party provides, including cooperative agreements, tran sfers, loans, equity transfers, guarantees, 
government supplies of goods and services granted to individuals or to central governments or 
municipalities; (ii) the procurement or acquisit ion of fiscal agency or depository services, 
liquidation or management services for regulated financial institutions or services related to the sale and distribution of public debt. Nothing in  the Agreement shall be construed to prevent any 
Party from taking measures necessary to protect public morals, order or safety; human, animal or 
plant life or health; or measures necessary to protect intellectual property; and measures relating to goods and services of persons with disabiliti es, philanthropic institutions or prison labour, 
provided they are not applied in a discriminatory manner (Article 12.14).  
5.32.  In the bilateral relations of the Dominican Republic with all Central American Parties, the 
Chapter does not apply to: (i) procurement and acqu isition of goods, supplies, works and services 
necessary for the resolution of situations arising fr om an exception status declared by law, and for 
the resolution of situations of national interest or social benefit; (ii) procurement financed by loans 
and donations made by persons, entities, associations or other international organisms or foreign governments for the benefit of any Party, its entities, institutions or municipal governments; 
procurement of goods, services and supplies be tween State agencies, and between those and the 
decentralized, autonomous and municipal entities; and (iii) goods, work concessions, services and supplies, considered as specific exceptions procured  by public entities, such as goods, services and 
contracts by delegations, Embassies and consulates in a foreign territory and individual 
professional services. 
5.33.  The Parties shall not discriminate against a locally established supplier on the basis that the 
goods or services offered by that supplier for a particular procurement are goods or services of 
another Party (Article 12.03). For the purpose of covered procurement the Parties shall not apply 
rules of origin different from those in Chapter IV (Rules of Origin), to imported goods from the other Party (Article 12.04). They shall refrain from taking account of, seeking or imposing any 
offset (Article 12.06). Each Party shall apply its domestic legislation to suppliers' challenges 
relating to covered procurement on the condition that: proceedings be non-discriminatory, timely, transparent and efficient; the contracting entity  or preferably an impartial and independent 
authority may receive and review the challenge, or  the competent jurisdictional bodies; and when 
the administrative proceedings have been exhaus ted suppliers may resort to legal proceedings 
(Article 12.11). 
5.34.  The Chapter also contains general provisions including on technical specifications 
(Article 12.07), procurement procedures (Article 12.08), transparency (Article 12.09), and disposal 
of government entities (Article 12.16), among others. 
5.35.  Upon entry into force of the Agreement a Committee on Government Procurement shall be 
established, composed of representatives of each Party. It shall meet as necessary so the Parties 
may consult on the functioning of the Chapter to enhance the understanding of their respective procurement systems, and promote opportunities fo r their micro, small and medium enterprises. 
5.36.  None of the Parties are party to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA).  
5.9  Competition policy 
5.37.  Chapter XV concerns competition. The Pa rties endeavour to avoid that anti-competitive 
practices impair benefits under the Agreement and to develop common rules to avoid such 
practices. They shall make efforts to establish mechanisms to promote competition policy and 
ensure the implementation of free competition between and in the territory of the Parties 
(Article 15.01). 
5.38.  A Committee on Trade and Free Competition is established, composed of two members of 
each Party. Its function shall be to seek the most appropriate means to implement Article 15.01 or any other task assigned to it by the Council. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 54 - 
 
  5.10  Intellectual property rights 
5.39.  Chapter XIV deals with intellectual Property . The Parties confirm their existing rights and 
obligations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in Annex C of the WTO Agreement.  
5.40.  The Parties establish under the Council a Committee on Intellectual Property, composed of 
representatives of each Party. Its main function shall be to seek the most appropriate ways of implementing the TRIPS Agreement or any other task  assigned to it by the Council. The Council by 
Decision CCA/DEC Nº 11/2003 asked the Committee to establish with the help of the World 
Intellectual Property Organization and the European  Patent Office a plan on technical cooperation 
for the administration and use of the patent system in each country by strengthening national patent offices and establishing modern systems to access national, regional and international 
technological information. 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 55 - 
 
  ANNEX 1 
1. Tables A1.1, A1.2, A1.3, A1.4, A1.5 and A1.6 show tariff liberalization by the Dominican 
Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua by all products, agricultural products and non-agricultural products. 
2. In 2001, the average MFN tariff applied by the Dominican Republic was 6.8%. When the 
Agreement entered into force, the average tariff  fell to 1.2% for imports from El Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Honduras in 2001, and from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in 2002. The average tariff 
applied to agricultural products was reduced from 13% to 1.3% for imports from El Salvador and 
Guatemala, to 1.6% for imports from Honduras and to 1.5% for imports from Costa Rica and 
Nicaragua while that applied to non-agricultural products from 7.9% to 1.2% for El Salvador, 
Guatemala and Honduras, and to 1.1% for Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The tariff applied to 
agricultural products was about 1.6 times that a pplied to non-agricultural products. Salvadoran 
and Guatemalan exporters enjoyed a relative margin of preference of 90% and Honduran 
exporters 87.7% in the case of agricultural prod ucts and 85% in the case of non-agricultural 
products, as compared with the MFN tariff in force. Costa Rican and Nicaraguan exporters enjoyed 
a relative margin of preference of 88.5% for agriculture and 86% for non-agricultural products. The share of duty-free lines with respect to impo rts from El Salvador and Guatemala rose from 
13.5% in the MFN regime to 92.9% (from 17.3% to 91.8% in the case of agricultural products and 
from 12.9% to 93.1% in the case of non-agricultural products) and for imports from Honduras from 13.5% to 92.7% (from 17.3% to 90.2% in the case of agricultural products and from 12.9% 
to 93.1% in the case of non-agricultural products). For imports from Costa Rica and Nicaragua the 
share of duty free lines increased to 92.7% over all, and to 90.2% and 93.1%, respectively, for 
agricultural and non-agricultural products. At th e end of implementation, in 2004 for El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua and 2010 for Co sta Rica, the proportion of duty-free tariff 
lines for imports from El Salvador and Guatemal a increased to 93.5% overall and to 93.9% and 
93.4%, respectively, for agricultural and non-agricu ltural products; for imports from Honduras and 
Nicaragua, the proportion of duty-free tariff li nes increased to 93.3% overall and to 92.3% and 
93.4%, respectively, for agricultural and non-agricultural products; and imports from Costa Rica, 
the proportion of duty-free tariff lines increa sed to 98.3% overall and to 92.3% and 99.4%, 
respectively, for agricultural and non-agricultural products. 
Table A1.1 Dominican Republic: Indicators of MFN tariff rates and preferential rates for 
imports 
Origin of 
goods Year All products Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariffs Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariffs Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariffs 
Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
 MFN 
2002 8.6 10.0 13.5 13.0 15.7 17.3 7.9 9.0 12.9 
Costa Rica 2002 1.2 16.4 92.7  1.5 15.3 90.2 1.1 16.6 93.1  
 2003 1.2 16.0 92.7 1.4 14.2 90.2 1.1 16.5 93.1 
 2004 1.1 17.1 93.3  1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4  
 2005 1.1 17.1 93.3 1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4 
 2006 1.1 17.1 93.3  1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4  
 2007 1.1 17.1 93.3 1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4 
 2008 1.1 17.1 93.3  1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4  
 2009 1.1 17.1 93.3 1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4 
 2010 0.2 13.2 98.3  1.3 16.8 92.3 0.0 5.3 99.4  
MFN 
2001 8.6 10.0 13.5 13.0 15.7 17.3 7.9 9.0 12.9 
El Salvador 2001 1.2 16.6 92.9  1.3 15.8 91.8 1.2 16.8 93.1  
 2002 1.2 16.3 92.9 1.2 14.7 91.8 1.1 16.6 93.1 
 2003 1.1 16.0 92.9  1.1 13.5 91.8 1.1 16.5 93.1  
 2004 1.1 17.0 93.5 1.0 16.4 93.9 1.1 17.1 93.4 
Guatemala 2001 1.2 16.6 92.9  1.3 15.8 91.8 1.2 16.8 93.1  
 2002 1.2 16.3 92.9 1.2 14.7 91.8 1.1 16.6 93.1 
 2003 1.1 16.0 92.9  1.1 13.5 91.8 1.1 16.5 93.1  
 2004 1.1 17.0 93.5 1.0 16.4 93.9 1.1 17.1 93.4 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 56 - 
 
  Origin of 
goods Year All products Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariffs Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariffs Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines 
(%) Average applied 
tariffs 
Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 
Honduras 2001 1.2 16.7 92.7  1.6 16.2 90.2 1.2 16.8 93.1  
 2002 1.2 16.4 92.7 1.5 15.3 90.2 1.1 16.6 93.1 
 2003 1.2 16.0 92.7  1.4 14.2 90.2 1.1 16.5 93.1  
 2004 1.1 17.1 93.3 1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4 
 MFN 
2002 8.6 10.0 13.5  13.0 15.7 17.3 7.9 9.0 12.9  
Nicaragua 2002 1.2 16.4 92.7 1.5 15.3 90.2 1.1 16.6 93.1 
 2003 1.2 16.0 92.7 1.4 14.2 90.2 1.1 16.5 93.1 
 2004 1.1 17.1 93.3 1.3 16.8 92.3 1.1 17.1 93.4 
a WTO definition. 
Note: For tariff lines subject to TRQs, only the out-of-quota duty is included in the tariff-related 
calculations. 
 Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided  by the Dominican Republic authorities. 
3. In 1999, the average preferential tariff applied by Costa Rica to imports from the Dominican 
Republic was 1.8% as compared with an applied MFN rate of 8.2%. In 2000, under the Tariff 
Liberalization Programme the average tariff for agricultural products from the Dominican Republic fell from 17.4% to 3.0% and that applied to non- agricultural products from 6.6% to 1.1%, which 
gave Dominican exporters a relative margin of preference of 83% for both categories, as 
compared with the MFN tariff in force. Costa Rica's share of duty-free tariff lines was 91.1%: 88.0% for agricultural products and 91.6% for non-agricultural products. At the end of the 
implementation period, in 2004, 90% of agricultural  tariffs and 92.2% of non-agricultural tariffs 
were zero for imports from the Dominican Republic. The share of duty-free tariff lines for all products was 91.9%.
 
Table A1.2 Costa Rica: Indicators of MFN tari ff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Dominican Republic 
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 1999 8.2 8.2 0.2 17.4 17.4 0.0 6.6 6.7 0.3 
Dominican  1999 1.8 19.7 91.1 4.2 34.8 88.0 1.3 16.0 91.6 
Republic 2000 1.4 15.4 91.1 3.0 25.3 88.0 1.1 13.0 91.6 
 2001 1.3 15.0 91.1 2.9 24.0 88.0 1.1 12.8 91.6 
 2002 1.3 14.8 91.2 2.7 22.7 88.0 1.1 12.9 91.8 
 2003 1.3 14.5 91.2 2.6 21.6 88.0 1.0 12.8 91.8 
 2004 1.2 15.4 91.9 2.5 24.9 90.0 1.0 13.3 92.2 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on data pr ovided by the Costa Rican authorities. 
4. In 2001, the average preferential tariff applied by El Salvador to imports from the Dominican 
Republic was 0.3% as compared with an applied MFN rate of 7.4%. The average tariff for agricultural products from the Dominican Republic fell from 12% to 1.7% and that applied to non-
agricultural products from 6.7% to zero, which gave Dominican exporters a relative margin of 
preference of 83% for agricultural products and 100% for non-agricultural products, as compared 
with the MFN tariff in force. El Salvador's share of duty-free tariff lines was 97.9%: 89.6% for 
agricultural products and 99.3% for non-agricultur al products. At the end of the implementation 
period, in 2004, 91.8% of agricultural tariffs and 99.6% of non-agricultural tariffs were zero for WT/REG305/1 
 
- 57 - 
 
  imports from the Dominican Republic. The share of duty-free tariff lines for all products was 
98.5%.  
Table A1.3 El Salvador: Indicators of MFN ta riff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Dominican Republic 
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 2001 7.4 14.1 47.1 12.0 15.9 24.6 6.7 13.6 51.0 
Dominican  2001 0.3 13.4 97.9 1.7 16.6 89.6 0.0 5.5 99.3 
Republic 2002 0.3 12.7 97.9 1.6 15.9 89.6 0.0 4.8 99.3 
 2003 0.3 11.8 97.9 1.6 15.0 89.6 0.0 3.6 99.3 
 2004 0.2 14.9 98.5 1.4 17.6 91.8 0.0 4.1 99.6 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on data prov ided by the El Salvadorian authorities. 
5. In 2001, the average preferential tariff applie d by Guatemala to imports from the Dominican 
Republic was 2.0% as compared with an applied MFN rate of 7.6%. The average tariff for 
agricultural products from the Dominican Republic fell from 10.1% to 2.4% and that applied to non-agricultural products from 7.1% to 1.9%, which gave Dominican exporters a relative margin 
of preference of 76% for agricultural products and 73% for non-agricultural products, as compared 
with the MFN tariff in force. Guatemala's shar e of duty-free tariff lines was 90.9%: 83.8% for 
agricultural products and 92.1% for non-agricultur al products. At the end of the implementation 
period, in 2004, 85.5% of agricultural tariffs and 92.4% of non-agricultural tariffs were zero for 
imports from the Dominican Republic. The share of duty-free tariff lines for all products was 
91.4%.
 
Table A1.4 Guatemala: Indicators of MFN tari ff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Dominican Republic 
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 2001 7.6 14.2 46.7 10.1 13.2 23.3 7.1 14.4 50.6 
Dominican  2001 2.0 21.9 90.9 2.4 14.8 83.8 1.9 24.4 92.1 
Republic 2002 2.0 21.6 90.9 2.3 14.3 83.8 1.9 24.2 92.1 
 2003 1.9 21.4 90.9 2.2 13.8 83.8 1.9 24.1 92.1 
 2004 1.9 22.4 91.4 2.2 15.0 85.5 1.9 24.9 92.4 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Guatemalan authorit ies and WTO-IDB database. 
6. In 2001, the average preferential tariff applie d by Honduras to imports from the Dominican 
Republic was 1.6% as compared with an applied MFN rate of 7.2%. The average tariff for agricultural products from the Dominican Republic fell from 10.5% to 1.9% and that applied to 
non-agricultural products from 6.6% to 1.5%, which gave Dominican exporters a relative margin 
of preference of 82% for agricultural products and 77.2% for non-agricultural products, as compared with the MFN tariff in force. Hondur as' share of duty-free tariff lines was 91.3%: 88% 
for agricultural products and 91.1% for non-agricultural products. At the end of the 
implementation period, in 2004, 90.1% of agricultur al tariffs and 92.2% of non-agricultural tariffs WT/REG305/1 
 
- 58 - 
 
  were zero for imports from the Dominican Republic. The share of duty-free tariff lines for all 
products was 91.9%.  
Table A1.5 Honduras: Indicators of MFN tari ff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Dominican Republic 
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 2001 7.2 7.2 0.0 10.5 10.5 0.0 6.6 6.6 0.0 
Dominican  2001 1.6 18.1 91.3 1.9 16.1 88.0 1.5 18.7 91.9 
Republic 2002 1.6 18.0 91.3 1.8 15.4 88.0 1.5 18.6 91.9 
 2003 1.5 17.7 91.3 1.8 14.7 88.0 1.5 18.5 91.9 
 2004 1.5 18.7 91.9 1.7 16.8 90.1 1.5 19.1 92.2 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided  by Honduras' authoritie s and WTO-IDB database. 
7. In 2002, the average preferential tariff applie d by Nicaragua to imports from the Dominican 
Republic was 1.2% as compared with an applied MFN rate of 5.1%. The average tariff for 
agricultural products from the Dominican Republic fell from 9.9% to 2.5% and that applied to non-
agricultural products from 4.2% to 0.9%, which gave Dominican exporters a relative margin of 
preference of 74% for agricultural products and 78.6% for non-agricultural products, as compared 
with the MFN tariff in force. Nicaragua's share of duty-free tariff lines was 91.3%: 86.1% for agricultural products and 92.3% for non-agricultur al products. At the end of the implementation 
period, in 2004, 88% of agricultural tariffs and 92.5% of non-agricultural tariffs were zero for 
imports from the Dominican Republic. The share of duty-free tariff lines for all products was 
91.8%.
 
Table A1.6 Nicaragua: Indicators of MFN tari ff rates and preferential rates for imports 
from Dominican Republic 
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 2002 5.1 9.7 47.2 9.9 12.6 21.8 4.2 8.8 51.9 
Dominican  2002 1.2 13.6 91.3 2.5 17.8 86.1 0.9 12.2 92.3 
Republic 2003 1.2 13.4 91.3 2.4 17.3 86.1 0.9 12.1 92.3 
 2004 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2005 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2006 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2007 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2008 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2009 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2010 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
 2011 1.1 13.9 91.8 2.3 19.2 88.0 0.9 12.3 92.5 
a WTO Definition. 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. Source:  WTO estimates based on the data provided by the Nicaraguan authorities and WTO-IDB database. 
8. Table A1.7 below shows the market access conditions for Costa Rica's top 25 export 
products in the Dominican Republic. In 1999-2001 Costa Rica's exports of these top 25 products 
accounted for 68.1% of its total exports and covered 65 tariff lines, of which 2, representing 0.7% WT/REG305/1 
 
- 59 - 
 
  of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 53 lines were liberalized upon 
entry into force of the Agreement, another 5 tari ff lines in 2004 and 3 in 2010. At the end of the 
implementation period 2 tariff lines remained subject to duties: coffee, not decaffeinated and 
cane sugar with average applied MFN rates in 2002 of 14% for coffee and 15% for cane sugar. 
Table A1.7 Dominican Republic: Market a ccess opportunities for Costa Rica's top 25 
exports  
Costa Rica's top export products in 1999-2001  Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2002)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product  
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2002 
2004 
2010 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
847330 Parts and accessories of the machines of heading no. 
84.71 29.7 3.0  1 1    
080300 Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried  10.3 20.0  4 4    
090111 Not decaffeinated  4.4 14.0  1    1 
901839 Needles, catheters, cannulae and the like, used in 
medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences  3.1 3.0  1 1    
080430 Pineapples 2.4  20.0  2 2    
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, in 
measured doses or put up for retail sale  2.1 3.0  5  5   
610821 Of cotton 1.5  20.0  1   1   
854390 Parts 1.3 3.0  1 1    
210690 Food preparations, n.e.s. 1.2  10.1  10 10    
620342 Of cotton 1.2 20.0  2 2    
080719 Fresh melons (excl. watermelons) 1.1  20.0  1 1    
621210 Brassieres 1.0 20.0  1   1  
851631 Hair dryers 0.9  20.0  1 1    
060491 Foliage, branches and other parts of plants, without 
flowers or flower buds, grasses, fresh, for bouquets 
or ornamental purposes 0.9 20.0  1 1    
200799 Jams, jellies, marmalades, purees or pastes of fruit, 
obtained by cooking, whether or not containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter  0.8 20.0  17 17    
401693 Gaskets, washers and other seals 0.8 20.0  1 1    
060290 Live plants, incl. their roots, and mushroom spawn  0.7 0.0 2      
854459 Electric conductors, for a voltage > 80 V but <= 
1.000 V, insulated, not fitted with connectors, n.e.s. 0.7 14.0  3 3    
620711 Of cotton 0.7  20.0  1   1   
853650 Other switches 0.6 3.0  3 3    
170111 Cane suga r 0.6  15.0  1    1 
151110 Crude oil 0.6 3.0  1 1    
854250 Electronic microassemblies 0.5  3.0  1 1    
711319 Of other precious metal, whether or not plated or 
clad with precious metal 0.5 20.0  2 2    
200919 Orange juice, unfermented, whether or not 
containing added sugar or other sweetening matter  0.5 20.0  1 1    
Total of above 68.1  2 63 53 5 3 2 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data from the Domi nican Republic authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
9. Table A1.8 below shows the market access conditions for the Dominican Republic's top 25 
export products in Costa Rica. In 1996-1998 Dominican Republic's exports of these top 25 
products accounted for 51% of its total exports and covered 39 tariff lines, none of which were duty-free under the MFN regime. 21 lines were liberal ized upon entry into force of the Agreement. 
At the end of the implementation period 18 tariff lines remained subject to duties relating to 
coffee, not decaffeinated; cane sugar; textiles products; and tobacco, with average applied MFN rates in 1999 of 51% for cane sugar, 15.3 % for coffee, 18% for textiles and 4.8% for tobacco. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 60 - 
 
  Table A1.8 Costa Rica: Market access oppo rtunities for Dominican Republic's top 25 
exports  
Dominican Republic's top export products in 1996-1998  Access conditions to Cost a Rica's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 1999  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(1999) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
720260 Ferro-nickel 6.9  1.0  1 1  
620342 Men's or boys' trousers, bib and 
brace overalls, breeches and 
shorts, of cotton  5.3 18.0  1  1 
170111 Cane suga r 4.7  51.0  1  1  
240210 Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos, 
containing tobacco 3.7 17.0  1 1  
901890 Other instruments and appliances 3.7  1.0  1 1  
640610 Uppers and parts thereof, other 
than stiffeners 2.9 12.0  2 2  
620462 Women's or girls' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton  2.5
 18.0  1  1  
090111 Not decaffeinated  2.3 15.3  4  4 
180100 Cocoa beans, whole or broken, 
raw or roasted 2.3 7.0  1 1  
621210 Brassieres 1.9 18.0  1  1 
620343 Of synthetic fibres 1.9  18.0  1  1  
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other vests 
of cotton, knitted or crocheted 1.8 18.0  1  1 
711319 Of other precious metal, whether 
or not plated or clad with precious metal 1.6
 17.0  1 1  
610711 Men's or boys' underpants and 
briefs of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 1.2 18.0  1  1 
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, 
waistcoats and similar articles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted 1.0
 18.0  1  1  
710813 Other semi-manufactured forms 0.9 6.0  1 1  
240110 Tobacco, not stemmed/ stripped 0.9  5.0  4 4  
080300 Bananas, including plantains, 
fresh or dried 0.8 17.0  4 4  
853620 Automatic circuit breakers 0.8  6.5  2 2  
620333 Of synthetic fibres 0.8 18.0  1  1 
240120 Tobacco, partly or wholly 
stemmed/ stripped 0.8 4.8  4  4  
853690 Other apparatus  0.6 1.0  1 1  
610821 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of cotton, knitted or crocheted 0.6
 18.0  1  1  
650590 Hats and other headgear, knitted 
or crocheted, or made up from 
lace, felt or other textile fabric, in 
the piece (but not in strips), 
whether or not lined or trimmed  0.6 17.0  1 1  
293212 2-furaldehyde (furfuraldehyde) 0.5  1.0  1 1  
Total of above 51.0  0 39 21 18 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by  the Costa Rican authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
10. Table A1.9 below shows the market access conditions for El Salvador's top 25 export 
products in the Dominican Republic. In 1998-2000 El Salvador's exports of these top 25 products accounted for 36.8% of its total exports and covered 61 tariff lines, of which 2, representing 0.9% 
of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 30 lines were liberalized upon WT/REG305/1 
 
- 61 - 
 
  entry into force of the Agreement and another 8 tariff lines in 2004. At the end of the 
implementation period 21 tariff lines remained subject to duties: coffee, not decaffeinated; cane sugar; petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, other than crude; and textiles products, with average applied MFN rates in 2001 of 14% for coffee, 15% for cane sugar, 
6.7% for petroleum oils and 20% for textiles.  
Table A1.9 Dominican Republic: Market acce ss opportunities for El Salvador's top 25 
exports 
 
El Salvador's top export products in 1998-2000 Access Conditions to Dominican 
Republic's import markets 
MFN (2001)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff lines 
Duty-free 
Dutiable 
2001 
2004 
090111 Not decaffeinated 16.1 14.0  1   1 
170111 Cane sugar 2.6 15.0  1   1 
210690 Food preparations, n.e.s. 1.7 10.1  10 10   
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for 
therapeutic or prophylactic purposes, in measured doses or 
put up for retail sale  1.6 3.0  5  5  
030613 Shrimps and prawns 1.3 20.0  2  2  
271000 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, 
other than crude; preparations not elsewhere specified or 
included, containing by weight 70 % or more of petroleum 
oils or of oils obtained from bitumen 1.3 6.7  18 1  17 
630260 Toilet linen and kitchen linen, of terry towelling or similar 
terry fabrics, of cotton 1.1 20.0  1   1 
340119 Soap and organic surface-active products and preparations, 
in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, and 
paper, wadding, felt and nonw ovens, impregnated, coated 
or covered with soap or detergent  0.8 20.0  1 1   
220210 Waters, including mineral waters and aerated waters, 
containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured 0.8 20.0  1 1   
481910 Cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or 
paperboard 0.8 20.0  1 1   
190410 Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of 
cereals or cereal products 0.8 20.0  1 1   
170490 Sugar confectionery not containing cocoa, incl. white 
chocolate (excl. chewing gum) 0.8 20.0  2 2   
340220 Preparations put up for retail sale 0.7 14.0  2 2   
760720 Aluminium foil, backed, of a thickness "excl. any backing" of 
<= 0,2 mm  0.7 3.0  1 1   
481810 Toilet paper 0.7 20.0  1  1  
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other vests of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 0.6 20.0  1   1 
300420 Containing other antibiotics 0.6 3.0  1 1   
841821 Compression-type 0.6 20.0  1 1   
330610 Dentifrices 0.5 20.0  1 1   
760429 Other 0.5 3.0  1 1   
520512 Measuring less than 714.29 decitex but not less than 232.56 
decitex  0.5 0.0 1     
481920 Folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper 
or paperboard 0.4 14.0  1 1   
340290 Surface-active preparations, washing preparations, incl. 
auxiliary washing preparations and cleaning preparations  0.4 10.3  3 3   
040700 Birds¿ eggs, in shell, fr esh, preserved or cooked 0.4 10.0 1 1 1   
481940 Other sacks and bags, including cones 0.4 14.0  1 1   
Total of above 36.8  2 59 30 8 21 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data from the Domi nican Republic authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 62 - 
 
  11. Table A1.10 below shows the market access cond itions for the Dominican Republic's top 25 
export products in El Salvador. In 1998-2000 th e Dominican Republic's exports of these top 25 
products accounted for 66.3% of its total exports and covered 30 tariff lines, of which 4, representing 13.7% of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 25 lines were 
liberalized upon entry into force of the Agreement.  At the end of the implementation period 1 tariff 
line remained subject to duties, cane sugar, with an average applied MFN rate in 2001 of 40%. 
Table A1.10 El Salvador: Market access o pportunities for Dominican Republic's top 
25 exports
 
Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to El Salvador's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free 
under the 
Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
620342 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of cotton  9.8 25.0  1 1  
901890 Other instruments and 
appliances 7.0 0.0 1    
240210 Cigars, cheroots and 
cigarillos, containing tobacco 4.8 20.0  1 1  
620462 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, 
breeches and shorts of cotton  4.7 25.0  1 1  
720260 Ferro-nickel 3.9 0.0 1    
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other 
vests of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 3.7 25.0  1 1  
620343 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  3.6 25.0  1 1  
640610 Uppers and parts thereof, 
other than stiffeners 3.5 10.0  2 2  
621210 Brassieres 3.3 25.0  1 1  
711319 Of other precious metal, 
whether or not plated or clad 
with precious metal 3.0 15.0  1 1  
610711 Men's or boys' underpants 
and briefs of cotton, knitted or crocheted 2.4 25.0  1 1  
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, 
waistcoats and similar 
articles, of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted  2.2 25.0  1 1  
170111 Cane sugar 1.8 40.0  1  1 
853620 Automatic circuit breakers 1.7 5.0 1 1 1  
620333 Men's or boys' jackets and 
blazers of synthetic fibres  1.2 25.0  1 1  
650590 Hats and other headgear, 
knitted or crocheted, or made 
up from lace, felt or other 
textile fabric, in the piece 
(but not in strips), whether or 
not lined or trimmed  1.1 15.0  1 1  
853690 Other apparatus 1.1 0.0 1    
610821 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 1.0 25.0  1 1  
080300 Bananas, including plantains, 
fresh or dried 1.0 15.0  4 4  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 63 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to El Salvador's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free 
under the 
Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
611592 Full-length or knee-length 
stockings, socks and other 
hosiery, incl. stockings for 
varicose veins and footwear 
without applied soles, of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted  1.0 25.0  1 1  
180100 Cocoa beans, whole or 
broken, raw or roasted 0.9 5.0  1 1  
640399 Footwear with outer soles of 
rubber, plastics or 
composition leather, with 
uppers of leather  0.9 20.0  1 1  
610822 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted 0.9 25.0  1 1  
611120 Babies' garments and 
clothing accessories of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted 0.8 25.0  1 1  
620463 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  0.8 25.0  1 1  
Total of above 66.3  4 26 25 1 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the El Salvadorian authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database (mirror data). 
12. Table A1.11 below shows the market access conditions for Guatemala's top 25 export 
products in the Dominican Republic. In 1998-2000 Guatemala's exports of these top 25 products 
accounted for 63.4% of its total exports and covered 39 tariff lines, of which 5, representing 2.2% of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 25 lines were liberalized upon 
entry into force of the Agreement and another 7 tariff lines in 2004. At the end of the 
implementation period 2 tariff lines remained subject to duties: coffee, not decaffeinated and cane 
sugar, with average applied MFN rates in 2001 of 14% for coffee and 15% for cane sugar. 
Table A1.11 Dominican Republic: Market a ccess opportunities for Guatemala's top 25 
exports 
 
Guatemala's top export products in 1998-2000 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2001)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2001 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
090111 Not decaffeinated 22.3 14.0  1   1 
170111 Cane sugar 9.1 15.0  1   1 
080300 Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried 6.7 20.0  4 4   
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals, crude 3.9 3.0  1 1   
090830 Cardamoms 2.2 14.0  4 4   WT/REG305/1 
 
- 64 - 
 
  Guatemala's top export products in 1998-2000 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2001)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2001 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
300490 Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed 
products for therapeutic or prophylactic 
purposes, in measured doses or put up for retail 
sale  2.1 3.0  5  5  
210410 Soups and broths and preparations therefor 1.6 20.0  2 2   
080719 Fresh melons (excl. watermelons) 1.4 20.0  1 1   
340600 Candles, tapers and the like 1.3 20.0  1 1   
240120 Tobacco, partly or wholly stemmed/ stripped 1.3 14.0  1 1   
701091 Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and 
other containers, of glass, of a kind used for the commercial conveyance or packing of goods, and preserving jars, of glass, of a nominal capacity of > 1 l  1.1 8.0  1 1   
190410 Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or 
roasting of cereals or cereal products 1.1 20.0  1 1   
340111 For toilet use (including medicated products) 1.0 20.0  1 1   
380830 Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-
growth regulators 0.9 0.0 2     
030613 Shrimps and prawns 0.9 20.0  2  2  
721041 Corrugated 0.9 3.0  1 1   
070410 Cauliflowers and headed broccoli 0.8 20.0  1 1   
481910 Cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or 
paperboard 0.7 20.0  1 1   
120740 Sesamum seeds 0.7 0.0 2     
330610 Dentifrices 0.7 20.0  1 1   
400110 Natural rubber latex, whether or not pre-
vulcanised 0.6 20.0  1 1   
730630 Other, welded, of circular cross-section, of iron 
or non-alloy steel 0.6 8.0  1 1   
521213 Dyed 0.6 0.0 1     
300420 Containing other antibiotics 0.5 3.0  1 1   
340119 Soap and organic surface-active products and 
preparations, in the form of bars, cakes, 
moulded pieces or shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent  0.5 20.0  1 1   
Total of above 63.4  5 34 25 7 2 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data from the Domi nican Republic authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
13. Table A1.12 below shows the market access conditions for the Dominican Republic's top 
25 export products in Guatemala. In 1998-2000 the Dominican Republic's exports of these top 
25 products accounted for 66.3% of its total exports and covered 30 tariff lines, of which 4, representing 13.7% of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 11 lines were 
liberalized upon entry into force of the Agreem ent. At the end of the implementation period 
15 tariff lines remained subject to duties relating to textiles and clothing; other instruments and appliances; and cigars and cheroots; , with average applied MFN rates in 2001 of 15% for cigars, 
20% for sugar and 26% for textiles. WT/REG305/1 
 
- 65 - 
 
  Table A1.12 Guatemala: Market access oppo rtunities for Dominican Republic's top 25 
exports  
Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to Guatemala's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
620342 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of cotton  9.8 26.0  1  1 
901890 Other instruments and 
appliances 7.0 0.0 1    
240210 Cigars, cheroots and 
cigarillos, containing tobacco 4.8 15.0  1  1 
620462 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, 
breeches and shorts of cotton  4.7 26.0  1  1 
720260 Ferro-nickel 3.9 0.0 1    
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other 
vests of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 3.7 26.0  1  1 
620343 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  3.6 26.0  1  1 
640610 Uppers and parts thereof, 
other than stiffeners 3.5 10.0  2 2  
621210 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  3.3 26.0  1  1 
711319 Of other precious metal, 
whether or not plated or clad 
with precious metal 3.0 15.0  1 1  
610711 Men's or boys' underpants 
and briefs of cotton, knitted or crocheted 2.4 26.0  1  1 
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, 
waistcoats and similar 
articles, of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted  2.2 26.0  1  1 
170111 Cane sugar 1.8 20.0  1  1 
853620 Automatic circuit breakers 1.7 5.0 1 1 1  
620333 Men's or boys' jackets and 
blazers of synthetic fibres  1.2 26.0  1  1 
650590 Hats and other headgear, 
knitted or crocheted, or made 
up from lace, felt or other 
textile fabric, in the piece 
(but not in strips), whether or 
not lined or trimmed  1.1 15.0  1 1  
853690 Other apparatus 1.1 0.0 1    
610821 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 1.0 26.0  1  1 
080300 Bananas, including plantains, 
fresh or dried 1.0 15.0  4 4  
611592 Full-length or knee-length 
stockings, socks and other 
hosiery, incl. stockings for 
varicose veins and footwear 
without applied soles, of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted  1.0 26.0  1  1 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to Guatemala's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
180100 Cocoa beans, whole or 
broken, raw or roasted 0.9 5.0  1 1  
640399 Footwear with outer soles of 
rubber, plastics or 
composition leather, with 
uppers of leather  0.9 28.0  1 1  
610822 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted 0.9 26.0  1  1 
611120 Babies' garments and 
clothing accessories of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted  0.8 26.0  1  1 
620463 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  0.8 26.0  1  1 
Total of above 66.3  4 26 11 15 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by  the Guatemalan authorit ies, WTO-IDB and UNSD, 
Comtrade database (mirror data). 
14. Table A1.13 below shows the market access conditions for Honduras' top 25 export products 
in the Dominican Republic. In 1998-2000 Honduras ' exports of these top 25 products accounted 
for 68.4% of its total exports and covered 39 tariff lines, none of which were duty-free under the 
MFN regime. 32 lines were liberalized upon entry into force of the Agreement and another 3 tariff 
lines in 2004. At the end of the implementation period 4 tariff lines remained subject to duties: coffee, not decaffeinated; cane sugar; palm oil and its fractions; and red beans, with average applied MFN rates in 2001 of 14% for coffee, 15% for cane sugar, 20% for palm oil and 25% for 
small red beans.  
Table A1.13 Dominican Republic: Market access opportunities for Honduras' top 25 
exports 
 
Honduras' top export products in 1998-2000 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2001)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2001 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
090111 Not decaffeinated 12.3 14.0  1   1 
090190 Coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes 
containing coffee in any proportion 10.6 14.0  2 2   
080300 Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried 9.8 20.0  4 4   
030613 Shrimps and prawns 8.4 20.0  2  2  
080719 Fresh melons (excl. watermelons) 4.4 20.0  1 1   
340111 For toilet use (including medicated products) 1.9 20.0  1 1   
030611 Rock lobster and other sea crawfish  1.9 20.0  1 1   
790390 Zinc powders and flakes  1.8 3.0  1 1   
080430 Pineapples 1.7 20.0  2 2   
151110 Crude oil 1.6 3.0  1 1   WT/REG305/1 
 
- 67 - 
 
  Honduras' top export products in 1998-2000 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2001)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2001 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
440710 Coniferous 1.6 3.0  3 3   
080119 Fresh coconuts, whether or not shelled or peeled 1.3 20.0  1 1   
340120 Soap in other forms 1.3 20.0  1 1   
170310 Cane molasses 1.3 8.0  1 1   
170111 Cane sugar 1.1 15.0  1   1 
441700 Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush 
bodies and handles, of wood; boot or shoe lasts 
and trees, of wood 1.0 4.3  4 4   
151190 Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined  0.9 20.0  1   1 
080711 Watermelons 0.8 20.0  1 1   
940360 Other wooden furniture 0.8 20.0  1 1   
071332 Small red (adzuki) beans  0.7 25.0  1   1 
441300 Densified wood, in blocks , plates, strips or profile 
shapes 0.7 3.0  1 1   
210320 Tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces 0.7 20.0  1  1  
320990 Paints and varnishes, incl. enamels and lacquers, 
based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium  0.6 17.0  4 4   
790111 Containing by weight 99.99 % or more of zinc 0.6 8.0  1 1   
440410 Hoopwood; split poles; piles, pickets and stakes 
of wood, pointed but not sawn lengthwise; wooden sticks, roughly trimmed but not turned, bent or otherwise worked, suitable for the manufacture of walking-sticks, umbrellas, tool handles or the like; chipwood and the like, of coniferous wood  0.6 3.0  1 1   
Total of above 68.4  0 39 32 3 4 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data from the Domi nican Republic authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
15. Table A1.14 below shows the market access conditions for the Dominican Republic's top 
25 export products in Honduras. In 1998-2000 th e Dominican Republic's exports of these top 
25 products accounted for 66.3% of its total exports and covered 30 tariff lines, none of which were duty-free under the MFN regime. 16 lines we re liberalized upon entry into force of the 
Agreement. At the end of the implementation period 14 tariff lines remained subject to duties 
relating to textiles and clothing; and cane sugar, with average applied MFN rates in 2001 of 20% 
for textiles and 40% for sugar. 
Table A1.14 Honduras: Market access opport unities for Dominican Republic's top 25 
exports
 
Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to Ho nduras' import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
620342 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of cotton  9.8 20  1  1 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 68 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to Ho nduras' import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
901890 Other instruments and 
appliances 7.0 1  1 1  
240210 Cigars, cheroots and 
cigarillos, containing tobacco 4.8 15  1 1  
620462 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, 
breeches and shorts of cotton  4.7 20  1  1 
720260 Ferro-nickel 3.9 1  1 1  
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other 
vests of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 3.7 20  1  1 
620343 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  3.6 20  1  1 
640610 Uppers and parts thereof, 
other than stiffeners 3.5 10  2 2  
621210 Brassieres of all types of 
textile materials, whether or not elasticated, incl. knitted or crocheted 3.3 20  1  1 
711319 Of other precious metal, 
whether or not plated or clad 
with precious metal 3.0 15  1 1  
610711 Men's or boys' underpants 
and briefs of cotton, knitted or crocheted 2.4 20  1  1 
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, 
waistcoats and similar 
articles, of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted  2.2 20  1  1 
170111 Cane sugar 1.8 40  1  1 
853620 Automatic circuit breakers 1.7 5.5  2 2  
620333 Men's or boys' jackets and 
blazers of synthetic fibres  1.2 20  1  1 
650590 Hats and other headgear, 
knitted or crocheted, or made 
up from lace, felt or other 
textile fabric, in the piece 
(but not in strips), whether or 
not lined or trimmed  1.1 15  1 1  
853690 Other apparatus 1.1 1  1 1  
610821 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted 1.0 20  1  1 
080300 Bananas, including plantains, 
fresh or dried 1.0 15  4 4  
611592 Full-length or knee-length 
stockings, socks and other 
hosiery, incl. stockings for 
varicose veins and footwear 
without applied soles, of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted  1.0 20  1  1 
180100 Cocoa beans, whole or 
broken, raw or roasted 0.9 5  1 1  
640399 Footwear with outer soles of 
rubber, plastics or 
composition leather, with 
uppers of leather  0.9 20  1 1  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 69 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1998-2000  Access conditions to Ho nduras' import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2001  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2001) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
610822 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted 0.9 20  1  1 
611120 Babies' garments and 
clothing accessories of 
cotton, knitted or crocheted  0.8 20  1  1 
620463 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  0.8 20  1  1 
Total of above 66.3  0 30 16 14 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by th e Honduras' authorities, WTO-IDB and UNSD, Comtrade 
database (mirror data). 
16. Table A1.15 below shows the market access conditions for Nicaragua's top 25 export 
products in the Dominican Republic. In 1999-2001 Nicaragua's exports of these top 25 products accounted for 82.4% of its total exports and cove red 34 tariff lines, of which 3 were already 
duty-free under the MFN regime. 30 lines were liber alized upon entry into force of the Agreement 
and another 6 tariff lines in 2004. At the end of the implementation period 4 tariff lines remained subject to duties: coffee, not decaffeinated; cane or  beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose; cane 
sugar; and red beans with average applied MFN rates in 2002 of 14.% for coffee, 15%-20% for 
sugar and 25% for red beans.  
Table A1.15 Dominican Republic: Market a ccess opportunities for Nicaragua's top 25 
exports 
 
Nicaragua's top export products in 1999-2001 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2002)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2002 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
090111 Not decaffeinated 24.2 14.0  1   1 
030613 Shrimps and prawns 7.7 20.0  2  2  
030611 Rock lobster and other sea crawfish (palinurus 
spp., panulirus spp., jasus spp.) 5.4 20.0  1 1   
710812 Other unwrought forms 5.0 8.0  1 1   
170199 Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, 
in solid form  4.8 20.0  1   1 
120220 Shelled, whether or not broken 4.6 0.0 1     
020230 Frozen, boneless meat of bovine animals 4.3 22.5  2  2  
020130 Fresh or chilled bovine meat, boneless 4.2 40.0  1  1  
010290 Live bovine animals (excl. pure-bred for 
breeding) 4.0 8.0  2 2   
080300 Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried 2.3 20.0  4 4   
170111 Cane sugar 2.0 15.0  1   1 
040610 Fresh (unripened or uncured) cheese, including 
whey cheese, and curd 2.0 20.0  1 1   
071332 Small red (adzuki) beans  1.4 25.0  1   1 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 70 - 
 
  Nicaragua's top export products in 1999-2001 Access Conditions to Dominican Republic's 
import markets 
MFN (2002)  Duty-free  
Under the 
Agreement: 
Remain Dutiable HS number and description of the product 
Share in global 
exports (%) 
Average MFN 
applied rate 
(%) No. of 
tariff 
lines 
2002 
2004 Duty-free 
Dutiable 
210112 Preparations with a basis of extracts, essences or 
concentrates or with a basis of coffee 1.3 20.0  1 1   
240210 Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos, containing 
tobacco 1.2 14.0  1 1   
030269 Fresh or chilled freshwater and saltwater fish  1.2 20.0  1 1   
691010 Of porcelain or china 1.2 16.6  5 5   
020110 Carcasses and half-carcasses 1.0 40.0  1  1  
440710 Coniferous wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, 
sliced or barked, whether or not planed, sanded 
or finger-jointed, of a thickness of > 6 mm 0.9 3.0  3 3   
240110 Tobacco, not stemmed/ stripped 0.7 8.0  1 1   
410422 Bovine leather, otherwise pre-tanned 0.6 8.0  1 1   
040630 Processed cheese, not grated or powdered 0.6 20.0  1 1   
120740 Sesamum seeds 0.6 0.0 2     
080450 Guavas, mangoes and mangosteens 0.5 20.0  5 5   
190590 Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' 
wares, whether or not containing cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products  0.5 20.0  2 2   
Total of above 82.4  3 40 30 6 4 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data from the Domi nican Republic authorities and UNSD, Comtrade 
database. 
 
17. Table A1.16 below shows the market access cond itions for the Dominican Republic's top 25 
export products in Nicaragua. In 1999-2001 th e Dominican Republic's exports of these top 25 
products accounted for 66.4% of its total exports and covered 41 tariff lines, four of which, 
representing 14.1% of total exports, were already duty-free under the MFN regime. 13 lines were liberalized upon entry into force of the Agreement. At the end of the implementation period 15 
tariff lines remained subject to duties including textiles and clothing; and cane sugar; , with 
average applied MFN rates in 2002 of 15% for textiles and 55% for cane sugar. 
Table A1.16 Nicaragua: Market access oppo rtunities for Dominican Republic's top 25 
exports
 
Dominican Republic's top export products in 1999-2001  Access conditions to Nicaragua's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2002  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2002) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
620342 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, of cotton  10.1 15.0  1  1 
901890 Other instruments and 
appliances 7.4 0.0 1    
620462 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of cotton  4.6 15.0  1  1 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 71 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1999-2001  Access conditions to Nicaragua's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2002  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2002) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
240210 Cigars, cheroots and 
cigarillos, containing tobacco 4.6 15.0  1 1  
620343 Men's or boys' trousers, bib 
and brace overalls, breeches and shorts of synthetic fibres  4.0 15.0  1  1 
720260 Ferro-nickel 3.9 0.0 1    
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other 
vests of cotton, knitted or crocheted 3.6 15.0  1  1 
621210 Brassieres 3.2 15.0  1  1 
711319 Of other precious metal, 
whether or not plated or clad with precious metal 3.2 15.0  1 1  
640610 Uppers and parts thereof, 
other than stiffeners 2.9 5.0  2 2  
610711 Men's or boys' underpants 
and briefs of cotton, knitted or crocheted 2.7 15.0  1  1 
611020 Jerseys, pullovers, cardigans, 
waistcoats and similar 
articles, of cotton, knitted or 
crocheted  2.4 15.0  1  1 
853620 Automatic circuit breakers 1.9 2.5 1 1 1  
170111 Cane sugar 1.5 55.0  2 1 1 
650590 Hats and other headgear, 
knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed  1.2 15.0  1 1  
080300 Bananas, including plantains, 
fresh or dried 1.2 15.0  5 5  
620333 Men's or boys' jackets and 
blazers of synthetic fibres  1.0 15.0  1  1 
853690 Other apparatus 0.9 0.0 1    
611592 Full-length or knee-length 
stockings, socks and other hosiery, incl. stockings for varicose veins and footwear without applied soles, of cotton, knitted or crocheted  0.9 15.0  1  1 
640399 Footwear with outer soles of 
rubber, plastics or 
composition leather, with 
uppers of leather  0.9 15.0  1 1  
610822 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of man-made fibres, knitted or crocheted 0.9 15.0  1  1 
620463 Women's or girls' trousers, 
bib and brace overalls, 
breeches and shorts of 
synthetic fibres  0.8 15.0  1  1 
610821 Women's or girls' briefs and 
panties of cotton, knitted or crocheted 0.8 15.0  1  1 
611241 Women's or girls' swimwear 
of synthetic fibres, knitted or 
crocheted 0.8 15.0  1  1 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 72 - 
 
  Dominican Republic's top export products in 1999-2001  Access conditions to Nicaragua's import markets  
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) MFN 2002  
Duty-free under 
the Agreement 
(2002) 
Remaining 
dutiable lines Average 
MFN 
applied rate 
(%) Duty 
Free Dutiable 
Lines 
620211 Women's or girls' overcoats, 
raincoats, car-coats, capes, cloaks and similar articles, of wool or fine animal hair  0.8 15.0  1  1 
Total of above 66.4  4 28 13 15 
Note: Based on the HS 1996 nomenclature. 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the Nicaraguan authorities, WTO-IDB and UNSD, 
Comtrade database (mirror data). 
 WT/REG305/1 
 
- 73 - 
 
  ANNEX 2 
TARIFF RATE QUOTAS UNDER THE AGREEMENT 
Table A2.1 Dominican Republic's TRQs  for imports from Central America 
Partner Description 
of products (HS) Tariff Code 
 Quota In-quota 
tariff rate WTO 
in-
quota  
rate MFN 
2014 
(average)  Year Quantity 
Metric 
tonnes 
For Central 
America Chicken 
breasts 0207.13.91 
0207.14.91 1999 
2000 
2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
 1,420 
1,639 
1,857 
2,076 
2,294 
2,513  
 
 
12.5%  
 
 
25%  
 
 
25% 
For  
Costa Rica Chicken 
breasts 0207.13.91 
0207.14.91 1999 
2000 2001 2002 
2003 
2004 1,170 
1,350 1,530 1,710 
1,890 
2,070  
  
12.5%  
  
25% 
  
  
25% 
Dairy Produce 0402.10 
0402.21 
0402.29 
  
  
2,200  
10%  
20% 
  
25% 
For 
Nicaragua Bovine meat 020110.00 
020120.00 
020130.00 
020210.00 
020220.00 
020230.10 
020230.90 
  1,500  
2001  6% 
2002  4% 
2003  2% 
2004  0% 
 - 
 36.8% 
Shrimp and 
other decapod 
Natantia 030613.10 
030613.90 
030619.10  250 MT  
 2001  9% 
2002  6% 
2003  3% 
2004  0% 25% 20% 
Chicken 
Breastsa 020713.00 
020714.91 2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
 327 
365 
404 
443 10% 25% 20% 
25% 
Onions and 
shallotsa 0703.1000 2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
 350 
337.5 
362.5 
375 7.5% 25% 25% 
Beansa 071331.00 
071332.00 
071333.00 2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
 1,620 
1,680 
1,720 
1,800 10% 25% 25% 
_  Not included in WTO document G/AG/N/DOM/22. 
a The Agreement entered into force without agreement by the Parties on the preferential tariff to be 
applied. 
Source: Prepared by the WTO Secretariat, based on Tabl es Nº 4a, and 4c of the Protocol to the Free Trade 
Agreement between the Dominican Republic and Central America, Table 4b of the Protocol of Accession of Nicaragua to the Agreement, WTO-IDB. 
 
 
 
  WT/REG305/1 
 
- 74 - 
 
  Table A2.2 TRQs on imports from the Domini can Republic by Costa Rica and Nicaragua  
Partner Description of 
products (HS) Tariff 
Code Quota In-quota Tariff 
rate WTO  
in-quota 
rate MFN 
2014 
(aver 
age) Year  Quantity 
Metric  
Tonnes 
By Costa 
Rica Chicken breasts 0207.13.91 
0207.14.91 1999 
2000 
2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
 1,170 
1,350 
1,530 
1,710 
1,890 
2,070 1999 25.5% 
2000 25% 
2001 24.5% 
2002 24% 
2003 23.5% 
2004 23% 51% 
50% 
49% 
48% 
47% 
46% 40% 
Dairy products 0402.10 
0402.21 
0402.29 
 As of 
1999 2,200 19.5% 39% 59.4% 
56.0% 
58.8% 
By 
Nicaragua  Bovine meat 020110.00 
020120.00 020130.00 020210.00 020220.00 020230.00 
 As of 
2001 1,500   
2001  5% 2002  4% 2003  2% 2004  0% - 
 30% 
 
Shrimp and 
other decapod 
Natantia 030613.11 
030613.19 030619.90 
 As of 
2001 250 2001  5% 
2002  4% 2003  2% 2004  0% 
 - 10% 
Chicken 
breastsa 020713.91 020714.91 2001 
2002 2003 2004 327 
365 404 443  
10%  
50%  
35% 
Onions and 
shallotsa 070310.11 070310.12 070310.13 070310.19 070310.20 
 2001 
2002 2003 2004 337.5 
350 362.5 375  
 
7.5%  
 
15%  
 
15% 
Beansa 071331.10 071331.90 071332.00 071333.10 
071333.20 
071333.90 2001 
2002 2003 
2004 1,620 
1,680 1,740 
1,800 10% 20% 21.7% 
-  quotas do not apply as indicate d in WTO document G/AG/N/NIC/41. 
a The Agreement entered into force without agreement by the Parties on the preferential tariff to be 
applied. 
Source: Prepared by the WTO Secretariat, based Tabl e 4b of the Protocol to the Free Trade Agreement 
between the Dominican Republic an d Central America, Table 4a of the Protocol of Accession of 
Nicaragua to the Agreement, WTO-IDB. 
 
__________