WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
16 December 2008 
 (08-6171) 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
  
 
    
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
 
Free Trade Agreement between  
the EFTA States and Tunisia 
(Goods) 
 
Report by the Secretariat 
 
Revision  
 
 
  
This report, prepared for the consid eration of the Free Trade Agreement 
between the States of the European  Free Trade Association and the 
Republic of Tunisia has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility and in full consulta tion with the Parties.  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 (document WT/L/671). 
 
Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Ms. Rohini Achary a (tel: 022/739 5874 or email: 
rohini.acharya@wto.org). 
 
  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page iii 
 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 
Page 
 
I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 1  
A. MERCHANDISE TRADE  1 
II. TREATY CHARACTER ISTIC ELEMENTS 4  
A. B ACKGROUND INFORMATION  4 
B. N ATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  5 
1. Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions 5  
(a) General provisions 5 
(b) Overall tariff liberalization 6 
(c) EFTA States' liberalization schedule 7 
(d) Tunisia's liberalization schedule 9 
2. Rules of origin 10  
3. Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions 12  
C. R EGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  12 
1. Standards 12  
(a) Technical barriers to trade 12 
(b) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and food standards 13 
2. Safeguard mechanisms 13  
(a) Bilateral safeguards 13 
(b) Structural adjustment 13 
(c) Safeguard for fish and other marine products 13 
3. Anti-dumping and coun tervailing measures 14  
4. Subsidies and state-aid 15  
5. Other regulations 15  
(a) Customs-related procedures 15 
(b) Current payments and capital movements 15 
(c) Competition policy 15 
(d) Intellectual property 16 (e) Government procurement 16 
(f) Economic co-operation and technical assistance 16 
D. S
ECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  17 
E. G ENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  17 
1. Exceptions and reservations 17  
2. Accession and withdrawal 17  
3. Institutional framework 17  
4. Dispute settlement 17  
5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 18  
ANNEX  20 
  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 1 
 
 
  EFTA STATES-TUNISIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT 
 
Factual Presentation by the Secretariat  
  
I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 
A. 
MERCHANDISE TRADE  
1. The Parties to the EFTA-Tunisia Free Trade Agreement (hereafter the Agreement) are 
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (which comprise EFTA) and Tunisia.  In 2006, the EFTA countries' total merchandise imports fro m the world accounted for US$211.6 billion and 
exports for US$272.9 billion.  In the same year, Tunisia's total imports from the world accounted for 
US$14.9 billion and exports for US$11.5 billion.  In 2006, Tunisia's share in world exports and 
imports was 0.10% and 0.12%, respectively;  th e corresponding shares for the EFTA countries were 
2.6% and 1.7%.  
2. Recent developments in trade between the Parti es are presented in Charts I.1 and I.2.  With 
the exception of the sudden rise in exports in 1999 from EFTA to Tunisia, trade between the Parties 
has remained fairly stable and low in general te rms;  in 2005 trade with EFTA represented 0.85% of 
Tunisia's total trade while Tunisia represen ted only 0.03% of EFTA' s total trade.   
050100150200250
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060246810121416Chart I.1
Tunisia:  merchandise imports from and exports to world and EFTA, 1997-2006
Source :  UNSD, Comtrade database and WTO Secretariat.US$ million US$ billion
Imports from EFTA Exports to EFTALeft-hand scale:
Total imports Total exports Right-hand scale:
 
 
    WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 2  
 
  050100150200250
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006050100150200250300Chart I.2
EFTA:  merchandise imports from and exports to world and Tunisia 1997-2006
Source :  UNSD, Comtrade database.US$ million US$ billion
Imports from Tunisia Exports to TunisiaLeft-hand scale:
Total imports Total exports Right-hand scale:
 
 
3. The commodity structure of trade among the Parti es, as well as of their imports and exports to 
the world on average during 2002-2004, is shown in  Chart I.3, based on Harmonized System (HS) 
sections.  Three product categories (textiles, mach inery and minerals) accounted for over 70% of 
EFTA's imports from Tunisia.  Around 86% of Tunisi a's imports from EFTA during this period were 
classified under five product categories (machinery, prepared foodstuffs, pearls and precious metals, 
chemicals, and textiles). 
4. EFTA's largest export product categories (miner als, chemicals, machinery and optical 
products), which accounted for 70.6% of its total exports to the worl d in this period, made up 43.9% 
of Tunisia's imports from EFTA.  Tunisia's larges t export product categories (textiles, machinery, 
minerals and chemicals), which accounted for 74.3% of  its total exports in this period, made up 75% 
of EFTA's imports from Tunisia, with textiles alone at 47.3%. 
 
     
 
    
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 3 
 
 
Misc. manuf.
4.5Machi nery
23.8
P earls &  precious metals
14 . 8
P lastics, rubber  
4.2
Animal products 
3.0Chart I.3
EFTA and Tunisia: product composition of merchandise trade, average 2002-2004
E FTA's imp orts from Tunisia Tunisia's imp orts from E FTA
Source :  UNSD, Comtrade database.Other 
7.7
Textiles
47.3
Machi nery
14 . 1Mi neral s
10 . 1Per cent
Opti cal  
8.9Vegetables
5.2
Machi nery
22.8Opti cal   3. 9
Ve ge ta ble s
4.5
Base metal s
 7.7Chemi cal s 
14 . 3Prepared 
fo o ds  
22.3
Machi nery  
21 .4
Chemi cal s
16 . 2
Mi neral s
5.5Textiles
5.1Opti cal   4. 4Other
12 . 1
Te xtile s
20.3
Mi neral s
10 . 3Prepared food  
3.4
Chemi cal s
7.1
Base metal s
7.4
V ehi cl es
7.8
Vehicles 3.6Pearl s &  prec.  
metal s 3. 5
Chemi cal s
9.0Base metal s
6.7
Chemi cal s
19 . 6Mi neral s
25.6Base metal s  2. 3
Machi nery
15 . 1Mi neral s
10 . 5Textiles
39.7Other
13 . 0
Machi nery  
16 . 5Fats &  oi l s  3. 4Total:  U S$34.2 million Total:  U S$139.5 million
Total:  U S$145.2 billion Total: U S$10.8 billion
Total:  U S$179.1 billion Total:  U S$8.0 billionPearl s &  prec.
 metal s  4. 6
V ehi cl es 
11. 7P lastics, rubber  2.5
Pl asti cs,  rubber
5.1Mi sc.  
manufactures 3.7
Other
12 . 6
Footw ear   
4.8Raw hides  4.3Textiles
10 . 8
EFTA' s  g l obal  e xpor ts Tunisia's global exportsEFTA' s  g l obal  i mpor ts Tunisia's global imports
V ehi cl es  2. 3Other
7.7
Chemi cal s 3. 6Footw ear 3. 2
Pul p of  w ood   3. 4Other
8.9
Pr epar ed f ood
2.8
 
 
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 4  
 
  II. TREATY CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS 
A. B
ACKGROUND INFORMATION  
5. The EFTA-Tunisia Free Trade Agreement was signed by the four EFTA States – Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – and Tunisi a on 17 December 2004.  The Agreement entered 
into force on 1 June 2005 for Liechtenstein, Swit zerland and Tunisia, on 1 August 2005 for Norway, 
and on 1 March 2006 for Iceland.  Unless otherwise provided for in  the Agreement, its provisions 
apply to trade and economic rela tions between the individual EFTA States on one hand (referred to 
hereafter as one of the two Parties), and Tunisia on the other (referred to hereafter as the other Party), 
but not to trade relations between the EFTA States .  When ratifying the Agreement Norway exempted 
the territory of Svalbard from the application of th e Agreement with the exception of trade in goods in 
accordance with Article 3 and Annex I. 
6. The Agreement establishing a free-trade area w as notified to the WTO by its Parties on 
7 June 2005 under Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 a nd the Understanding on the Interpretation of 
Article XXIV of GATT 1994 (WT/REG201/N/1).  The te rms of reference for the examination of the 
Agreement were adopted by the Council for Trad e in Goods on 15 July 2005 (WT/REG201/2).  The 
text of the Agreement was circulated to the Members as document WT/REG201/1, and is 
also available, together with its Anne xes, on the Parties' official Websites: 
• http://www.secretariat.efta.int/Web/Exter nalRelations/PartnerCountries/Tunisia  
• http://www.cepex.nat.tn/site/index.asp  
7. The Agreement is composed of ten Chapters, as follows: 
Box II.1:  The Agreement 
Chapter I General Provisions 
Chapter II Trade in Goods 
Chapter III Protection of Intellectual Property 
Chapter IV Investment 
Chapter V Services Chapter VI Current Payments and Capital Movements 
Chapter VII Government Procurement 
Chapter VIII Economic Co-operation and Technical Assistance Chapter IX Institutional and Procedural Provisions 
Chapter X Final Provisions
 
 
8. The Agreement contains six Annexes and two Protocols.  Annexes I-VI deal respectively 
with:  Territorial Application; Products not C overed by the Agreement;  Fish and other Marine 
Products; Elimination of Customs Duties; Protection of Intellectual Property;  and the Constitution of 
an Arbitration Tribunal.  Protocol A lays down the concessions that each Party applies to processed 
agricultural products while Protocol B and the seven a nnexes contained therein, deals with the rules of 
origin.  Product-specific rules of origin are found in Annex II of Protocol B. 
9. No overall implementation period is explicitl y foreseen in the Agreement.  However, 
EFTA countries will abolish customs duties on the covered products upon entry into force, and 
Tunisia will gradually eliminate them over a three-y ear transition period.  By 1 July 2008 customs 
duties on most industrial products will be eliminated.  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 5 
 
 
10. Three bilateral "agricultural protocols" (hereafte r referred to as APs) have been concurrently 
concluded between Tunisia and Iceland,  Norway, and Switzerland/Liechtenstein.1  According to 
Article 4 of the Agreement, the APs form part of the instruments establishing a free-trade area 
between the EFTA States and Tunisia and they all provide for a strict parallelism with the Agreement with respect to entry into force and duration.  
11. Although the APs have not been notified as such  to the WTO, the information contained 
therein has been incorporated in this presentation so  as to offer a complete picture of existing trade 
commitments between the EFTA States and Tunisia.  Therefore, unless expressly specified, market access commitments and disciplines d escribed in this presentation refe r to products covered in both 
the (main) Agreement and the APs. 
B. N
ATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Import duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions 
(a) General provisions 
12. Each Party commits itself to apply internal  taxes and regulations in accordance with 
Article III of the GATT 1994 (Article 11 of the Agreement). 
13. The Agreement covers: industrial products (H S Chapters 25-97), with the exception of 
products listed in Annex II2;  "processed agricultural products" (as defined in Protocol A of the 
Agreement); and "fish and othe r marine products" (Annex III).  Protocol A and Annex III detail 
separate liberalization commitments that apply to each  country with respect to the products included 
therein.  
14. According to Article 6, the Parties cannot introduce new import customs duties or charges 
having equivalent effect on their mutual trade on products covered by the Agreement.3  
EFTA countries agree to eliminate duties on all cove red industrial products as of the date of the 
Agreement's entry into force.  Tunisia will gra dually eliminate them over a three-year period in 
accordance with Annex IV (with tariff reductions taking place on 1 July of each given year), or for a few products, upon a Decision by the Joint Committee.  No such decision has been taken thus far.  As 
agreed in Annex IV, Tunisia grants industrial goods originating in EFTA States treatment no less 
favourable than that afforded to those originatin g in the European Community.  Also, should any 
change in the treatment of the EC occur, T unisia would notify the EFTA States and the Joint 
Committee shall without delay adopt the n ecessary amendments to this Annex.  
15. With regard to processed agricultural products , each country lays down its liberalization 
commitments in Protocol A.  The Parties may levy fixed duties at a level no greater than the 
difference between the domestic and world market pri ce of the agricultural raw material incorporated 
in the product concerned.  Tunisia grants goods originating in the EFTA States no less favourable 
treatment than that accorded to the European  Communities while the EFTA States confer upon 
Tunisian goods the more favourable  treatment between that accorded to the European Community or 
to any of the EFTA States.  
                                                     
 
1 The texts of the APs can be found in the Parties' official Websites (see paragraph II.A.6 above). 
2 The exception applies, depending on the importing EFTA country, to some products of 
headings 35.01, 35.02, 35.05, 35.06, 38.09, 38.23, 38.24, 38.25. 
3 Article 8 specifies that the standstill and liberaliza tion commitments contained in Article 6 apply also 
to customs duties of a fiscal nature. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 6  
 
  16. Table 1 of Annex III covers fish and marine products of Tunisian origin for which the 
EFTA States grant duty free access as of entry into force of the Agreement.
4  For its part, Tunisia 
must reduce duties to 10% within a certain quota lim it on products covered by Table 3 of the Annex.  
17. The base rates used by the Parties for impl ementing tariff liberalization schemes under the 
Agreement are, according to Article 7.1, the WTO bound rates, or if lower, the MFN rates applied as 
of 1 January 2004.5 
18. The Agreement also prohibits the introduction of new quantitative restrictions on imports or 
of measures having equivalent eff ect, and provides for the abolition of such measures from the date of 
entry into force.  This provision does not apply to  a number of products when imported into Tunisia, 
as contained in Annex IV (category "D" products);  this arrangement will be re-examined by the 
Joint Committee four years after the entry into  force of the Agreement.  The prohibition of 
quantitative restrictions is without prejudice to the GATT 1994. 
19. The APs cover a number of products classified  under HS Chapters 1-24, under a positive list 
approach.  Only the Switzerland-Tunisia AP incl udes reciprocal concessions, the other two being 
unilateral concessions granted by EFTA States to Tuni sia.  All concessions under the APs take effect 
as of entry into force Each AP includes a provi sion to hold consultations to promote trade in 
agricultural products.  The parties confirm that they have agreed to periodically review the 
development of their trade in agricultural produ cts within the framework of their respective 
agricultural policies and international obligations.  They will periodically hold consultations to find 
appropriate solutions and possi bly increase concessions to improve bilateral trade relations . 
(b) Overall tariff liberalization6 
20. Concessions vary from country to country, each of them presenting a different tariff 
liberalization schedule.  Liberalization provisions al so vary between the following groups of products:  
(i) all products falling within Chapters 25 to 97 , excluding Annex II; (ii) processed agricultural 
products specified in Protocol A;  (iii) fish and other marine products specified in Annex III;  and 
(iv) agricultural products covered by the APs. 
21. Table II.1A-D shows tariff elimination commitmen ts by the Parties.  With regard to the 
EFTA States, 70.2% of Iceland's tariff was al ready duty-free on an MFN basis, corresponding to 
46.2% of its imports from Tunisia, before the Agr eement entered into force;  in 2006 a further 23.4% 
of tariff lines (53.8% of imports from Tunisia) became duty free for imports from Tunisia, amounting to 93.6% of the tariff, while 6.4% of the tariff is to remain dutiable.  In the case of Norway 83.9% of 
the tariff was already duty free on an MFN basis, corre sponding to 30.4% of imports from Tunisia;  at 
entry into force of the Agreement in 2006, an ad ditional 6.4% of the tariff (69.6% of Norway's 
imports from Tunisia) became duty free for imports from Tunisia with 9.7% of the tariff to remain dutiable.  17.5% of Switzerland's tariff lines we re already duty free on an MFN basis, corresponding 
to 11% of its imports from Tunisia;  in 2006 an ad ditional 62.6% of the tariff (corresponding to 87.9% 
of imports from Tunisia) became duty free for imports from Tunisia, with 19.9% of tariff lines to 
remain dutiable after implementation of the Agreement. 
22. In the case of Tunisia 14.6% of total tariff lines were already duty free on MFN basis.  In 
June 2005 a further 23.2% of the tariff became duty free for imports from the EFTA States.  A further 39.1% of the tariff is to become duty free for imports from the EFTA States in June 2008. 
                                                     
 
4 Switzerland is allowed to keep customs duties on a few products (Article 3 of Annex III). 
5 If a tariff reduction is applied erga omnes , the reduced rate shall apply.   
6 Unless otherwise specified, all statistics, tables and charts contained in this document have been 
prepared on the basis of data  provided by the Parties. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 7 
 
 
Table II.1 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agreement and corresponding average trade 
A: Iceland 
Duty phase-out 
period No. of lines % of total lines in Iceland's 
Tariff Schedule Value of Iceland's imports from 
Tunisia (US$ million) % of total Iceland's 
imports from Tunisia 
MFN duty free 5,736 70.2 0.6 46.2 
2006 1,914 23.4 0.7 53.8 
Remain dutiable 526 6.4 0.0 0.0 
Total 8,176 100.0 1.3 100.0 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the EFTA States' and the Tunisian authorities.  
 
B.  Norway 
Duty phase-out 
period No. of lines % of total lines in Norway's 
Tariff Schedule Value of Norway's imports 
from Tunisia (US$ million) % of total Norway's 
imports from Tunisia 
MFN duty free 6,039 83.9 4.5 30.4 
2006 461 6.4 10.3 69.6 
Remain dutiable 702 9.7 0.0 0.0 
Total 7,202 100.0 14.8 100.0 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the EFTA States' and the Tunisian authorities.  
 
C.  Switzerland 
Duty phase-out 
period No. of lines % of total lines in 
Switzerland's Tariff 
Schedule Value of Switzerland's imports 
from Tunisia (US$ million) % of total 
Switzerland's imports 
from Tunisia 
MFN duty free 1,449 17.5 1.9 11.0 
2006 5,188 62.6 15.2 87.9 
Remain dutiable 1,645 19.9 0.2 1.2 
Total 8,282 100.0 17.3 100.0 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the EFTA States' and the Tunisian authorities.  
 
D.  Tunisia 
Value of Tunisia's imports from 
(US$ million) % of Tunisia's total imports from Duty phase-out 
period No. of 
lines % of total lines 
in Tunisia's 
Tariff Schedule Iceland Norway Switzerland Iceland Norway Switzerland 
MFN duty free 2,344 14.6 0.0 4.0 23.0 .. .. .. 
June 2005 3,716 23.2 0.0 0.5 23.4 .. .. .. 
June 2008 6,265 39.1 0.0 0.6 48.3 .. .. .. 
Remain dutiable 3,690 23.0 0.1 0.3 38.7 .. .. .. 
Total 16,015 100.0 0.1 5.5 133.4       
 
.. Not available. 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by the EFTA States' and Tunisia, and UNSD Comtrade 
database. 
 
(c) EFTA States' liberalization schedule 
 
23. Table II.2 shows the liberalization schedule of each  EFTA State according to HS Section.  As 
of entry into force of the Agreement tariffs on 1,914, 461 and 5,188 lines were liberalized, 
respectively, by Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.  Duties on all products in HS Sections VI-XXI 
become zero for imports from Tunisia as of entry into  force.  In Section VI 16 agricultural chemical 
products are excluded from liberalization by Swit zerland, while Norway excludes 17 lines (of which 
rates on 5 tariff lines are reduced rather than elim inated).  Liberalization for agricultural products 
(Sections I-IV) varies with Iceland liberalizing 273 lines, Norway 138 lines and Switzerland 90 lines.  
At the end of implementation 526, 702 and 1,645 tariff lines, respectively for Iceland, Norway and 
Switzerland remain subject to duty, the majority of which relate to live anim als and animal products;  
vegetable products;  and prepared  foodstuffs and beverages.  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 8  
 
  Table II.2 
EFTA States:  Tariff treatment app lied to Tunisia, by HS Section 
(Number of HS 8-digit tariff lines) 
  Iceland Norway Switzerland 
HS 
Section Description 
MFN duty free 
tariff lines 
Duty free lines 
under the 
Agreement* 
Remain dutiable 
MFN duty free  
tariff lines 
Duty free lines  
under the  
Agreement* 
Remain dutiable 
MFN duty free  
tariff lines 
Duty free lines  
under the  
Agreement* 
Remain dutiable 
I Live animals; animal products 385 3 166 247 1 178 113 28 192 
II Vegetable products 255 14 138 241 63 235 144 28 784 
III Animal or vegetable fat and oils 98 0 4 51 4 70 32 5 152 
IV Prepared foodstuffs, beverages 539 256 217 166 70 202 78 29 501 
V Mineral products 178 0 1 195 0 0 123 64 0 
VI Products of chemical or allied 
industries 840 148 0 958 0 17 421 599 16 
VII Plastics and articles thereof, rubber 240 128 0 304 0 0 30 211 0 
VIII Raw hides and skins, leather 25 103 0 95 0 0 17 60 0 
IX Wood and articles of wood 146 59 0 146 0 0 11 97 0 
X Pulp of wood 139 48 0 181 0 0 21 163 0 
XI Textiles and textile ar ticles 792 382 0 670 323 0 41 1,084 0 
XII Footwear, headgear, um brellas 7 75 0 72 0 0 0 66 0 
XIII Articles of stone, plaster,  cement 108 81 0 177 0 0 2 155 0 
XIV Natural and cultured pearls 43 18 0 54 0 0 7 54 0 
XV Base metals & articles thereof 597 101 0 680 0 0 39 905 0 
XVI Machinery & mechanical 
appliances 829 280 0 1,076 0 0 246 1,056 0 
XVII Vehicles, aircraft, ve ssels 238 37 0 218 0 0 18 181 0 
XVIII Optical, photographic equipment 249 3 0 294 0 0 65 216 0 
XIX Arms and ammunition 6 21 0 27 0 0 0 29 0 
XX Misc. manufactured articles 16 156 0 180 0 0 33 156 0 
XXI Works of art 6 1 0 7 0 0 8 2 0 
Total  5,736 1,914 526 6,039 461 702 1,449 5,188 1,645 
* As of entry into force. 
Source : WTO calculations based on da ta provided by the Parties.  
24. Imports from Tunisia, as from other partners ar e subject to MFN tariff rate quotas for certain 
products.  For Norway, the products include certain  meat products (within HS 0208, and HS 1602) 
imports of which are free from Tunisia within the overall quota amounts of 250 tonnes and 35 tonnes respectively;  for Switzerland imports from Tuni sia up to the overall MFN tariff rate quota amount 
which are exempt from duty include flowers (with in HS 0603), vegetables (within HS 0701, 0707, 
0708 and 0709) and fruits (within HS 0809), cucumbers,  peas, artichokes and apricots.  For potatotes 
(within HS 0701) and olive oil for human consum ption (within HS 1509) Switzerland accorded 
Tunisia preferential quotas of 1,500 and 1,000 tonnes, respectively.  The in quota rates offered by Norway and Switzerland to Tunisia are lower than th e applied MFN rates, thus providing Tunisia with 
additional preferences under the Agreement. 
25. In addition to tariff rate quotas, seasonal rates of zero are applied for imports of certain 
products.  For Norway, such products include:  cu t flowers, vegetables (potatoes, onions, cabbage, 
lettuce, carrots, cucumbers), and fruit (grapes, apples,  pears, apricots, cherries, peaches, strawberries), 
while for Switzerland they include cut flowers and flower buds naturall y dried and otherwise 
prepared, tomatoes, peas and other legumi nous vegetables, artichokes and apricots. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 9 
 
 
(d) Tunisia's liberalization schedule 
26. Table II.3 shows Tunisia's concessions to each EFTA State, organized by HS Section.  
Tunisia offers the same treatment to each EFTA country for industrial products.  For processed 
agricultural products, Article 4 of Protocol A of the Free Trade Agreement states that for products 
listed in Table V, originating in an EFTA State, Tunisia shall accord treatment no less favourable than 
that accorded to the EU.  Accordi ng to the parties, Article 4(2) of the Free Trade Agreement provides 
that arrangements for trade in agricultural produc ts concluded bilaterally between Tunisia and each 
EFTA State constitutes one of the instruments creat ing a free trade area between Tunisia and EFTA.  
In those bilateral agreements, Tunisia commits  to granting concessions on a number of basic 
agricultural products to Switzerland on part with th at accorded to the EU;  no concessions on basic 
agricultural products are provided to Iceland and Norway.   
27. As of entry into force tariffs on 37.18% of a ll industrial products became zero.  Minerals is 
the only group of products that is entirely liberalized as of entry into force.  A liberalization schedule over three years applies on a further 61.94% of the industrial tariff, becoming duty free at the beginning of the fourth year, i.e. 1 June 2008.  Two different liberalization schemes apply to these 
products: products classified as "B" are initially su bject to an 80% reduction from the MFN rate and 
products classified "C" start with a 67% reduction.  Finally, there are 88 chemical and textile products 
(0.88% of industrial products) that are excluded from liberalization.  At the end of the implementation 
period therefore, 3,690 tariff lines (24% of the tariff) will remain dutiable. 
Table II.3 
Tunisia:  Tariff elimination applie d to EFTA States, by HS Section 
Total 
No of 
lines No. of duty-free lines 
under the Agreement  HS section and description MFN 
average 
% 
 MFN 
duty free 
2005 
June 2005 June 2008 Remain 
Dutiable 
I Live animals and animal products 67.6  1,116   10  0  0  1,106 
II Vegetable products 77.5  835   41  0  0  794 
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 44.9  204   0  0  0  204 
IV Prepared food etc. 60.6  1,508  10   0  0  1,498 
V Minerals 8.0  623  315  236  72  0 
VI Chemical and products 14.7  1,903   76  1,236  573  18 
VII Plastics and rubber 19.7  516   142  119  255  0 
VIII Hides and skins 33.7  260   0  74  186  0 
IX Wood and articles 28.4  298   6  72  220  0 
X Pulp, paper etc. 32.5  355  29  42  283  1 
XI Textile and articles 30. 3  1,847  93  335  1,352  67 
XII Footwear, headgear 40.4  146  0  6  140  0 
XIII Articles of stone 31.2  572  3  171  398  0 
XIV Precious stones, etc. 38.4  157  1  4  152  0 
XV Base metals and  products 21.4  1,465  259  481  725  0 
XVI Machinery 16.3  2,438  887  601  948  2 
XVII Transport equipment 17.3  699  254  69  376  0 
XVIII Precision equipment 15.4  589  218  209  162  0 
XIX Arms and ammunition 23.8  41   0  0  41  0 
XX Miscellaneous manufactured articles 37.6  431  0  61  370  0 
XXI Works of art, etc. 17.3  12  0  0  12  0 
         
Total 31.7 16,015  2,344  3,716  6,265  3,690 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by Tunisia. 
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 10  
 
  28. For imports of agricultural products from Switzer land, Tunisia also offers preferential tariffs 
equivalent to those applied on imports from the EC  within an annual quota limit.  The quotas are in 
place for certain dairy products, sugar pr oducts and preparations for animal food.
7   
2. Rules of origin 
 29. Disciplines regarding rules of origin and admi nistrative co-operation on products covered by 
the Agreement are set out in Protocol B.
8  The scheme is part of th e Pan-European-Mediterranean 
cumulation system (see paragraphs 33-37 below).  Ar ticles 2-14 of Annex I deal with the rules of 
origin themselves, while Articles 15-38 relate to other customs-related i ssues (see paragraph 51). 
30. The basic requirements for a product to be c onsidered originating (Articles 2 and 6 of 
Protocol B) are:  
(a) the product is wholly obtained in one of the Parties;  or 
(b) the non-originating materials incorporated in a product have undergone “sufficient 
working or processing” in the Parties, ac cording to specific requirements;  or  
(c) the goods originate in the European Ec onomic Area, in which case they will be 
considered as originating in an EFTA State,  provided there is a free trade agreement 
in force between Tunisia and the European Community;  or 
(d) when the value of all non-originating materials that do not undergo the required 
condition does not exceed 10% of th e ex-works price of the good.9  
31. There are no regime-wide rules of origin, but a list of common specific criteria that 
non-originating materials should meet so that the fi nal (industrial) product acquires originating status, 
as contained in Annex II to Protocol B.  In most cases, origin is granted if the working or processing 
carried out on non-originating materials results in  a change in tariff classification (CTC) on an 
HS basis, at the heading level (CTH 4-digit).  Th is rule requires a change to either "any heading 
except that of the product" or from specific headin gs, although the use of materials from the same 
heading as the final product may be allowed, norma lly within a certain limit (for some petroleum 
products, chemicals, plastics, machinery a nd miscellaneous manufactured articles).   
32. An import content test (MC) can also be provided either as an alternative criteria 
(for chemicals, plastics, base metals, machinery and mechanical appliances, transportation equipment, 
measuring instruments and furniture) or to supplement the CTC (base metals);10 the limit allowed for 
non-originating materials is normally 40%, but diffe rent thresholds may apply (ranging from 20 to 
50%).  A technical test, demanding that some produ ction processes take place in the territory of the 
Parties, is required for some mine rals, chemicals, plastics, wood, te xtiles, hides and skins and glass 
products.  Rules requiring certain materials to be alre ady originating (wholly obtained rules) are used 
in many processed agricultural products. 
                                                      
7 Certain other products such as coffee, tea, fruit juices, and tobacco products are included in the 
bilateral accord between Switzerland and Tunisia but there is no annual quota limit applied to imports of these 
products (Accord bilateral CH-Tunisie sur les produits agricole:  Annexe II). 
8 The APs contain provisions on origin rules applicable to the products covered therein 
(see paragraphs 41-42 below). 
9 This rule does not apply to HS Chapters 50-63. 
10 Column 3 of Annex II to Protocol B describes the specific rule.  When a rule appears in column 4, 
either rule can be applied. The MC requirement esta blishes the maximum value of non-originating materials 
allowed in the final product, expressed as a percentage of the ex-works price of the product. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 11 
 
 
33. Paragraph 4bis of Articles 3 and 4 of the Prot ocol allows for "full cumulation" between the 
Parties - i.e. cumulation in terms of materials and of production processes.  Article 2.1(c) of Protocol B establishes that goods originating in th e EEA are to be considered as originating in an 
EFTA State, which implies full cumulation with the EC.
11 According to paragraph 5 of Article 4 of 
that protocol, these provisions are only applicable as long as identical provisions exist in trade 
relations between Tunisia and the European Community . Paragraph 1 (c) of artic le 2 of Protocol B, 
allows “originating products” according to the EEA agreement to be considered as originating in an 
EFTA State (there are no “EEA” products produced in  - or imported into Switzerland).  The three 
EFTA States concerned have “full cumulation” w ith the EC (as the EEA is considered a single 
territory for achieving “EEA originating status”).  Pa ragraph 3 of Article 2 states that this provision is 
only applicable as long as there is a free trade agreement in force between Tunisia and the EC.  
Further, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Ar ticles 3 and 4 provide for diagonal cumulation with the participants 
of the Pan-Euro-Med cumulation system of origin.12  Article 6 provides for an "absorption principle" 
- i.e. when a non-originating material acquires originating status by meeting the corresponding 
processing requirement, this material is considered to be 100% originating once incorporated into a 
final product.  
34. The "tolerance rule" in Article 6.2 applies to all products except textiles and clothing 
(HS Chapters 50-63).13  It provides that non-originating materials which would otherwise not be 
accepted may nevertheless be used, provided that (i ) their value does not exceed 10% of the ex-works 
price of the product, and (ii) any of the percenta ges provided for in Annex II to Protocol B are not 
exceeded. 
35. A list of minimal, non-qualifying operations or processes carried out in the territory of the 
Parties do not confer origin, as provided for in Article  7 of Protocol B.  Articles 8 defines the unit of 
qualification of the HS nomenclature for each partic ular product;  articles 9-11 deal with how certain 
materials (accessories, spare parts or tools; sets;  and neutral elements) are to be treated/valued when 
determining the origin of the goods.  
36. Articles 12-13 of Protocol B establish that outward processing outside the Pan-Euro-Med area 
is not allowed unless certain conditions are fulfilled.   Not respecting these conditions will result in the 
loss of originating status.   
37. Article 15 provides for a no-drawback rule to be applied as of 31 December 2009;  as 
from that date, tariffs due on non-originating materials wh ich benefited from preferential treatment 
and which have been incorporated in an originatin g product cannot be waived or  paid back.  However, 
drawback is allowed if (i) products obtain orig inating status without application of diagonal 
cumulation and (ii) for Tunisia, subject to the pa yment of a fixed percentage of customs duties. 
38. In each AP, rules of origin are covered by their own Annex; an Appendix to each Annex 
contains the working or processing requirements fo r acquiring originating status. The specific rules 
contained therein vary from AP to AP.  Products no t covered by the list of product specific rules of 
the Appendix, must fulfill the main criteria of the re levant Annex relating to definitions of origin.  A 
number of other  articles in the Annex, however, refer to Pr otocol B to the main Agreement, to be 
applied mutatis mutandis  for the Agriculture Protocol.   The basic disciplines on rules of origin 
                                                      
11 Protocol 4 of the European Economic Agreement establishes that for origin purposes, EEA countries 
(except Liechtenstein) are treated as a single territory.  EEA members are the Europe an Community countries, 
Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. 
12 Participants include: EFTA Member States, th e European Community, Bulg aria, Romania, Turkey, 
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the PLO (for the benefit of the Palestinian 
Authority). 
13 Special "tolerance rules" apply to certain textile products made of a mixture of materials (see notes 5 
and 6 of Appendix 1 to Annex I). WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 12  
 
  applicable to products covered by the APs incorporate mutatis mutandis , and almost in full, those 
contained in the Agreement and described above, w ith one main difference being that the cumulation 
provisions of the Main Agreement are substituted by bilateral cumulation between each of the 
EFTA States and Tunisia.  According to Article 10 of the Norway-Tunisia Agricultural Protocol, the provisions of article 13 of Protocol B to  the main agreement are to be applied mutatis mutandis . This 
means that such products can be transported throug h the territories of the Pan-Euro-Med countries for 
importation into Norway.    
39. Wholly obtained rules are the most co mmonly used in the Norway-Tunisia and 
Iceland-Tunisia APs.  In a few cases, a CTH may be required (in the case of Iceland-Tunisia, subject to restrictions).  Specific rules in the Switzerla nd-Tunisia AP normally require the product to fulfil a 
combination of two criteria, combining wholly obta ined, import content, and CTH type of rules.   
Box II.2:  Rules of Origin:  Basic Features at a Glance 
• No regime-wide rules of origin. 
• Specific rules common to all Parties apply to product s covered in the Agreement.  Bilateral rules for 
products covered in the APs.  
• Product specific criteria: 
              - Wholly obtained or entirely produced goods 
              - In general, CTC at the heading levels               - MC rules used, either alone or as supplementary rules  
              - Two alternative rules for many products 
              - Process rules used in certain cases. 
• Cumulation: 
- Full between EEA countries, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Tunisia 
 - Diagonal under the Pan-Euro-Med cumulation system  - Bilateral cumulation between each EFTA country and Tunisia for products covered in the APs 
• Absorption principle. 
• Tolerance rule at a maximum of 10%.  Diffe rent rule applies to textiles and clothing. 
• No duty drawback as of 31 December 2009.  Tunisia allowed partial drawback 
• Outward-processing not authorized. 
• Similar disciplines apply to products covered by the APs. 
 
 
3. Export duties and charges, and quantitative restrictions 
40. Article 9 of the Agreement provides for the el imination of all customs duties and quantitative 
restrictions to exports between the Parties.  This provision does not appl y to products covered by 
Protocol A (Article 2 of the Protocol). 
41. Following a specific procedure, as contained in Article 20, the Parties are allowed to take 
appropriate measures if the abolition of export duties and export restrictions leads to the 
circumvention of exports duties or restrictions in place towards third countries or to serious shortage 
of an essential product, and these circumstances give rise to major difficulties for the exporting Party. 
C. REGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Standards 
(a) Technical barriers to trade 
42. Article 12 reaffirms the Parties' rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement on 
Technical Barriers to Trade in respect of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 13 
 
 
procedures.  Additional disciplines of this Article provide for enhanced co-operation with a view to 
prepare the ground for mutual recognition agreements.  No mutual recognition agreements have so far 
been entered into and for the initiation of imme diate consultations in the framework of the 
Joint Committee in case of problems arising on  a specific measure taken by a Party.   
(b) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and food standards 
43. Article 13 reaffirms the Parties’ rights and obl igations under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures. 
2. Safeguard mechanisms 
(a) Bilateral safeguards 
44. Article 18 sets out the rules that apply to safe guard measures and reaffirms the Parties' rights 
and obligations under Article XIX of GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.  
Safeguard measures can be adopted when imports fro m another Party constitute a substantial cause of 
serious injury to the domestic industry of like products , or of serious disturbances in any sector of the 
economy, or difficulties which could bring about a seri ous deterioration in the economic situation of a 
region of the importing Party (Table II.4). 
45. Provisions also allow for an examination by the Joint Committee prior to imposition of the 
measure with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.  If the Parties cannot find an 
alternative solution within 30 days from the in itiation of consultations, the importing Party may 
impose safeguard measures in accordance with GATT Article XIX and the WTO Agreement on 
Safeguards.   
46. Provisional safeguard measures may be applied in “critical circumstances” where delay would 
cause damage difficult to repair, on the condition th at consultations take place immediately after 
taking such action. 
(b) Structural adjustment 
47. Under Article 19, Tunisia is permitted a deroga tion, for a limited duration, from Article 6 of 
the Agreement, in the form of in creased duties and under particular circumstances, to protect infant 
industries or sectors undergoing restructuring. Tu nisia will inform the Joint Committee of the 
measures it intends to take, and c onsultations may take place at the request of the EFTA States.  The 
application of exceptional measures regarding structur al adjustment shall cease to apply three years 
after the end of the transition period, subject to change by the Joint Committee.  The EFTA States are 
not aware of any new information in this regard.  
(c) Safeguard for fish and other marine products 
48. Tunisia can, after consultation with the other Pa rties, adopt appropriate measures in case of 
"serious economic, societal or environmental difficulti es in the fisheries sector of a nature liable to 
persist" (Annex III, Articles 5-6).  The adoption of measures without first consulting the other Parties 
is allowed only in exceptional circumstances. (Table II.4). WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 14  
 
  Table II.4 
Synopsis of Safeguard Measures 
Requirements Bilateral safeguard Structural adjustment (Tunisia 
only) Safeguard for fish products 
(Tunisia only) 
Trigger Rise in imports resulting from 
trade liberalization under the agreement (independent from rise in impor ts) (independent from rise in 
imports) 
Criteria  (i) substantial cause of serious 
injury or threat thereof; or 
(ii) substantial cause of economic disturbances in any sector of the economy; or 
(iii) difficulties wh ich could bring 
serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region of 
the importing Party
  Products from: 
(i) infant industries; or 
(ii) sectors undergoing restructuring or facing serious difficulties Serious economic, societal or 
environmental difficulties in 
the fisheries sector 
Measures allowed Reference to GATT Article XIX Increased  customs duties Appropriate measures 
Maximum duration Reference to GATT Article XIX 5 years (unless the Joint Committee 
decides otherwise) - All measures 
should cease to apply three years after the end of the transitional period  Not specified 
Notification prior to 
adoption of the 
measures  Notification to the Joint 
Committee  Notification to the Joint Committ ee  Notification to the Joint 
Committee  
Consultations prior to 
adoption of the 
measures Consultations in the Joint 
Committee (minimum 30 days 
from the initiation of consultations)
  Consultations in the Joint 
Committee at the request of a Party Consultations in the Joint 
Committee (minimum 1 month 
from date of notification)  
Provisional measures Provisional measures can be 
adopted without prior 
consultations in critical 
circumstances - Tunisia may adopt protective 
measures prior examination by 
the Joint Committee in 
exceptional circumstances 
Limitations to the 
type/amount of 
measures The measures adopted should 
"cause least disturbance to the achievement of the objectives" of 
the Agreement Total customs duty can not exceed 
25%, total value of imports affected by the measures can not exceed 
15% Measures should be "restricted 
with regard to their scope and duration to what is strictly 
necessary in order to remedy 
the situation" 
Notification after the 
adoption of the 
measures Notification of adopted measures 
to the Joint Committee Notification of adopted measures to 
the Joint Committee, together with a schedule  providing for a phasing out at equal annual rates, starting at 
the latest 2 years after the 
introduction of the measures Notification of adopted 
measures to the Joint Committee 
Review of the measures Periodic consultations with a 
view to the abolition of the safeguard measures - Consultations in the Joint 
Committee at least once a year with a view to the abolition of 
the measures before the date of 
expiry envisaged, or to the limitation of their scope 
Other requirements Measures should comply with 
GATT Article XIX and with the 
Agreement on Safeguards - Measures will apply with 
regard to all Parties  
3. Anti-dumping and countervailing measures 
49. The Parties declare that their rights and obliga tions in this respect are to be governed by 
Article VI of the GATT and the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the 
GATT (Article 16).  The Parties agree to notify th e Party whose goods will be investigated and allow 
for consultations with a view to find a mutually acc eptable solution before th e investigation starts.  
There is a provision to meet in the Joint Committee w ith a view to review Article 16, upon request of 
any Party.    WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 15 
 
 
4. Subsidies and state-aid 
50. Disciplines on subsidies and state-aid are contained in Article 15, which states that the Parties' 
rights and obligations are governed by the GATT Articles VI and XVI, the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.  The Party considering initiating an investiga tion should notify the Party whose goods  are subject to investigation 
and allow a 30-day period for consultations to find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue.  Under 
Article 15.3. within 10 days of notification the par ties shall meet in the Joint Committee if one of the 
parties so requests.  
5. Other regulations 
(a) Customs-related procedures 
51. Customs procedures related to rules of origin are detailed in Protocol B.  They detail 
administrative questions and disciplines regarding proof  of origin  (Articles 16-31 of the Annex).  An 
EURO-MED certificate shall apply to products obta ining origin through Pan-Euro-Med cumulation 
and a EURO.1 certificate to products originating in EFTA countries or Tunisia.  Articles 32-36 lay 
down the arrangements for administrative co-opera tion to be followed by the Parties’ customs 
authorities, in particular with respect to mutual assi stance, verification of proof of origin, resolution of 
disputes, and confidentiality.  Article 37 of Pr otocol B establishes a Sub-Committee on Customs and 
Origin Matters, which is to report to the Joint Committee.  The Sub-Committee shall, inter alia,  
exchange  information, co-ordinat e positions, prepare technical amendments to the rules of origin and 
assist the Joint Committee on any issue regardi ng rules of origin and customs cooperation. 
(b) Current payments and capital movements 
52. Articles 27 and 28 establish that all current paymen ts for current transactions are to be made 
in a freely convertible currency and all capital related to direct investment in Tunisia is allowed to 
move and to be repatriated freely.  
(c) Competition policy 
53. The Parties, in Article 17, recognize that anti- competitive agreements, decisions or concerted 
practices between undertakings, as well as abuse of dominant position by one or more undertakings, 
in so far as they may affect trade between an EFTA State and Tunisia, are incompatible with the 
proper functioning of the Agreement, as long as they do not create any direct obligation for 
undertakings.  This provision applies also to the activities of public undertakings, in so far as it does 
not obstruct the performance of their particular public task.   
54. Matters arising from anti-competitive behaviour w ill be referred to the Joint Committee.  In 
the absence of a satisfactory conclusion, or 30 days  after referral to the Joint Committee, the Party 
facing difficulties arising from anti-competitive be haviour can adopt appropriate measures in 
accordance with the provisions of Ar ticle 37 (Provisional measures).  
55. A Record of Understanding attached to the Agreement states that no measures can be taken 
against practices, in conformity with the standards of EEA and EC law.  
56. In Article 14, the Parties also undertake to reform any state monopoly with a commercial 
character so as to ensure that no discrimination in  the procurement and mark eting of goods exists 
between nationals of the Parties WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 16  
 
  (d) Intellectual property 
57. In Article 23 and its related Annex V, the Pa rties agree to ensure the non-discriminatory 
protection of intellectual property rights and reaffi rm their conformity with the provisions of the 
WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of In tellectual Property Rights and other related 
multilateral agreements to which they are signatories.  The Parties 
undertake to join various 
international agreements by specific deadlines as contained in Article 2.2 of Annex V while Tunisia will do its utmost to accede to those agr eements to which EFTA States are party.  
According to the Parties, Tunisia is a member of the Hague Agreement concerning the 
International Registration of Industrial Designs (20 October 1930), the International Union for the 
Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) (31 July 2003) and the Budapest Treaty on the 
International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedures (23 May 2004).  
58. Annex V contains specific provisions on patents,  undisclosed information, and designs, while 
reference is made to the corresponding TRIPS provi sions for geographical i ndications, acquisition and 
maintenance, and enforcement of intellectual pr operty rights.  With regard to patents, t he Parties 
ensure to effectively protect inventions in all fields of technology under their national laws.14  
However, Tunisia may exempt methods for treatment or diagnosis of the human and animal body; 
plant and animal varieties other than micro-organisms; and what is provided in Article 27.2 of 
TRIPS (Annex V Article 3) from this requirement.   
59. Upon  request by any Party and subject to consen sus by the Joint Committee, the Parties will 
review the Agreement's provisions on the protection of intellectual property rights, with a view to 
avoiding or remedying trade distortions caused by ac tual levels of intellectual property protection or 
to further improving those levels.   
(e) Government procurement 
60. The Parties restate their objective to recipr ocally and gradually liberalize their public 
procurement markets and provide for the possibility  of entering into consultations in the Joint 
Committee in the case that a Party grants access to  its public procurement markets to a non-Party.15 
(f) Economic co-operation and technical assistance 
61. In Chapter VIII, the EFTA Stat es declare their readiness to e ngage in economic co-operation 
and provide technical assistance to Tunisia, in accordance with their national policy objectives, 
bilaterally or through EFTA programmes in particul ar to improve bilateral trade and investment 
opportunities resulting from the Agreement and to  support Tunisia's own efforts in achieving 
sustainable economic development. The co-ope ration and assistance will be focused on sectors 
suffering from internal difficulties or affected by liberalization of the Tunisian economy, as well as 
sectors likely to bring the economies of the EFTA States and Tunisia closer, in particular those generating growth and employment.  
                                                     
 
14 For Switzerland and Liechtenstein, effective and adequate protection means protection on a level 
corresponding to the one in the European Patent Convention of 5 October 1973;  for Iceland and Norway, to the 
Agreement on the European Economic Area of 2 May 1992; and for Tunisia, to Article 27.1 of the 
TRIPS Agreement. 
15 All the EFTA States are Parties to the WTO plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement, 
Tunisia is not member or observer. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 17 
 
 
D. SECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
62. Agricultural products, whether raw or processed, and fisheries, are subject to different 
provisions, as described in Section B above. 
E. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Exceptions and reservations 
63. Article 21 sets out the general exceptions for tr ade in goods;  it basically incorporates the 
provisions of Article XX of the GATT 1994.  Secur ity exceptions similar to  those under Article XXI 
of the GATT 1994 are included in Article 22, and apply to all Chapters of the Agreement.  Rules on the application of restrictive measures to safeguard a Party’s balance of payments are provided for in Article 29, which, in particular, provides for consultations with the Joint Committee and clarifies that 
any such measure shall be take n in accordance with the conditions established by the relevant 
WTO Agreement and consistent with th e Articles of the IMF Agreement.   
2. Accession and withdrawal 
64. The Agreement is open to accession only for any new EFTA member, following the 
prescribed timetable and under the te rms and conditions negotiated with the Parties (Article 43).  Each 
Party may withdraw from the Agreement six months after written notification to the Depositary.  If an 
EFTA State withdraws from the EFTA Convention, it w ill also cease to be a Party to the Agreement.  
3. Institutional framework 
65. The institutional arrangements for the implemen tation of the Agreement are laid down in 
Chapter IX (Articles 34-38).  The body responsible  for the supervision and administration of the 
Agreement is the Joint Committee, where each Party is represented.   The Joint Committee serves, 
inter alia , as a forum to hold consultations at the request of any Party; it also keeps under review the 
possibility of further removing obstacles to trade be tween the Parties and can make recommendations 
on matters not provided for in the agreement.  The Joint Committee may also set up subordinate 
bodies, such as the Sub-Committee on Customs and Orig in Matters, which is established in Article 37 
of Protocol B.  Meetings of the Joint Committee ta ke place every two years or at the request of any 
Party. 
66. The Agreement contains an evolutionary clau se for further co-operation or to extend the 
Agreement to other areas (Article 39).  Article  41 provides for the possibility of amendments. 
4. Dispute settlement 
67. Article 36 calls on the Parties to resolve di sputes through consulta tion and co-operation, 
which may take place in the Joint Committee at th e request of any Party. If no commonly acceptable 
solution is agreed within three months, the comp laining Party can take "provisional balancing 
measures".  These should be the subject of consulta tions in the Joint Committee and will be abolished 
when conditions no longer justify their maintenance.   
68. If any dispute has not been resolved within  the Joint Committee within 90 days from the 
request for consultations, it may be referred to ar bitration (Article 38).  The rules governing the 
constitution and the functioning of the arbitral tribunal,  as laid down in Annex VI, state that in case of 
failure to agree on the composition of the tribunal, th e President of the International Court of Justice 
can be asked to appoint its members; the awar d should be made within six months after the 
designation of the president of the tribunal and it is binding upon the Parties to the dispute.  WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 18  
 
  5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 
69. The Parties, in Article 42, reaffirm their ri ghts and obligations under the WTO and under any 
other agreement to which they are Party.  Althou gh the Agreement cannot preclude the Parties entry 
into any other customs union, FTA or arrangements fo r frontier trade, consultations can be requested 
of the Party that enters such agreements by anothe r Party.  No such requests for consultations appear 
to have been made. 
70. Table II.5 lists the regional trade agreements (RTAs), notified to the GATT/WTO and in 
force, to which Tunisia and the EFTA States (co llectively or individually) are parties.   
Table II.5 
Tunisia and EFTA States: Participation in othe r RTAs (notified and non-notified in force) 
GATT/WTO Notification Partner/ 
Agreement Date of 
entry  
into force Type of 
agreement Year WTO Provision 
EFTA  STATES - COLLECTIVELY  
Egypt 01.08.07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
Lebanon 01.01.07 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
Republic of Korea 01.09.06 Goods & Services 2006 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Chile 01.12.04 Goods & Services 2004 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Singapore 01.01.03 Goods & Services 2003 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
EFTA 01.06.02 Services 2002 GATS Art. V 
Croatia 01.01.02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
Jordan 01.01.02 Goods 2002 GATT Art. XXIV 
FYROM 01.01.01 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
Mexico 01.07.00 Goods & Services 2001 GATT Art. XXIV & GATS Art. V 
Morocco 01.12.99 Goods 2000 GATT Art. XXIV 
Palestinian Authority 01.07.99 Goods 1999 GATT Art. XXIV 
Israel 01.01.93 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
Turkey 01.04.92 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA  03.05.60 Goods 1959 GATT Art. XXIV 
INDIVIDUAL EFTA  STATES  
Faroe Islands — Switzerland 
EEA 01.03.95 
01.01.94 Goods 
Services 1996 
1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
GATS Art. V 
Faroe Islands — Iceland 01.07.93 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
Faroe Islands — Norway 01.07.93 Goods 1996 GATT Art. XXIV 
EC-Norway 01.07.73 Goods 1973 GATT Art. XXIV 
EC-Iceland 01.04.73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
EC-Switzerland and Liechtenstein 01.01.73 Goods 1972 GATT Art. XXIV 
TUNISIA  
EC GSTP 01.03.1998 
19.04.1989 Goods 
Goods 1999 
1989 GATT Art. XXIV 
Enabling Clause 
Pan Arab FTA 01.01.1998 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
Table II.5 (Cont'd)WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 19 
 
 
GATT/WTO Notification Partner/ 
Agreement Date of 
entry  
into force Type of 
agreement Year WTO Provision 
PTN 11.02.1973 Goods 1971 Enabling Clause 
Egypt 01.03.1999 Goods  Not notified 
Iraq 31.12.1999 Goods   Not notified 
Jordan 01.01.1999 Goods   Not notified 
Libya 19.02.2002 Goods   Not notified 
Morocco 16.03.1999 Goods   Not notified 
EEA:  European Economic Area.  Members are the Europ ean Communities, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 
EFTA:  European Free Trade Association.  
FYROM: Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia.  GSTP: General System of Trade Pref erences among developing countries. 
PTN: Protocol Relating to Trade Ne gotiations among deve loping countries. 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
  
 
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 20  
 
  ANNEX 
 
Indicators of trade liberalization under the Agreement and the APs
 
 
 
1. A comparison between the scheduled elimination of tariffs applied to the Parties' mutual 
imports and the MFN duty rates applied by th e EFTA States and Tunisia in 2005 is shown in 
Tables A.1 (EFTA States) and A.2 (Tunisia) below,  by agricultural, industrial and total products.1   
2. The EFTA States have variable applied MFN tari ffs, with tariffs on agricultural products in 
general higher than those on industrial products.  In 2006, the overall average MFN (unweighted) 
tariff was 4.3% for Iceland, and 1.6% for Norway.  A relatively high share of the tariff was already 
duty free on an MFN basis for Iceland and Norway, 70. 2% and 83.9%, respectively of all tariff lines;  
in comparison only 17.5% of the Swiss tariff was duty free on an MFN basis.  Upon entry into force of the Agreement the share of duty free lines applicable to exports from Tunisia increased, 
respectively, to 93.6%, 90.3% and 80.1% to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.  On entry into force of 
the Agreement, Tunisia's exporters enjoyed a relativ e margin of preference of 24.5% for agricultural 
products and 100% for industrial products over the average MFN tariff applied by Iceland in 2006;  and a relative margin of preference of 20% for agricultural products and 100%  for industrial products 
vis-à-vis  the average MFN tariff applied by Norway in 2006.  As Switzerland applies only specific 
duties it is not possible to include it in the tariff analysis. 
Table A.1  
EFTA States:  Indicators of tariff rates a pplied to MFN and Tunisian imports in 2006 
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural productsa Industrial productsa 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Origin  
of  
goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines  
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines  
(%) Overa ll 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share 
of 
duty-
free 
tariff 
lines  
(%) 
Iceland MFN 4.3 14.5 70.2 11.0 26.1 56.3 2.5 9.6 73.9 
  Tunisia 1.7 31.8 93.6 8.3 31.9 70.2 0.0 0.0 100.0 
            
Norway MFN 1.6 24.1 83.9 8.0 69.0 46.1 0.7 11.5 94.0 
  Tunisia 0.9 74.4 90.3 6.4 75.2 55.2 0.0 15.0 99.7 
             
Switzerland MFN .. .. 17.5 .. .. 17.6 .. .. 17.5 
  Tunisia .. .. 80.1 .. .. 21.9 .. .. 99.7 
.. Not available. a WTO definition.  
b "On dutiable" excludes duty-free tariff lines.  
 Note: Calculations exclude specific and in-quota rates and include the ad valorem  part of alternate and compound rates.   
 
Source: WTO calculations based on da ta provided by the Parties.  
 
3. Tunisia has a variable duty structure with relatively higher MFN rates for agricultural 
products than for industrial products.  Its (unweight ed) average MFN tariff in 2005 was 31.7% (65.7% 
for agricultural and 21.6% for industrial products).  It provides duty free access on an MFN basis for 
14.6% of all tariff lines and only for 1.7% of agricultural tariff lines. 
                                                      
1 Applied MFN duty rates taken from the latest year available in the Integrated Data Base (IDB) served 
as a basis for the comparison. WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 21 
 
 
4. On entry into force of the Agreement (June 2005), exporters from the EFTA States enjoyed a 
relative margin of preference of  77.3% for i ndustrial products but zero for agricultural products 
vis-à-vis  the applied MFN rate in 2005;  the margin of preference is expected to rise to 98.6% for 
industrial products but remain zero for agricultural products by June 2008 (vis-à-vis the applied MFN 
rate in 2005) when the Agreement is implemented fully. 
Table A.2  
Tunisia:  Indicators of tariff rates applied to MFN and EFTA States' imports in 2005  
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products Industrial products 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied tariff Average applied 
tariff Origin  
of  
goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiableb 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff lines 
(%) Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) Share of 
duty-free 
tariff 
lines (%) 
MFN 2005 31.7 37.2 14.6 65.7 66.9 1.7 21.6 26.6 18.5 
            
EFTA States June 
2005 18.8 30.2 37.8 65.7 66.9 1.7 4.9 9.5 48.6 
  June 
2008 15.2 66.1 77.0 65.7 66.9 1.7 0.3 36.7 99.3 
.. Not available   
Source: Data for industrial products on MFN and preferential rates provided by the authorities of Tunisia;  MFN rates on 
agricultural products taken from the last TPRD report as provided by Tunisia.  No preferential rates are applicable 
for WTO agricultural products. 
 
5. Table A.3 shows the market access conditions  in the EFTA States' import markets for 
Tunisia's top 25 exports, which in 2002-2004 account ed on average for 52% of Tunisia's global 
exports.2  For each individual EFTA State, the table specifies the number of HS 8-digit lines involved, 
the average MFN applied rate and the preferenti al rate for Tunisia under the Agreement or the 
corresponding APs.3 
Table A.3 
EFTA States:  Market access opportuniti es for Tunisia's top 25 exports in 2002-04 
ICELAND NORWAY SWITZERLAND 
HS 6-digit and 
description of the product  
Global export 
share (%) MFN 
average 
rate (%) No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable MFN 
average 
rate (%)No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable MFN 
average 
rate (%) No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable
270900  Petroleum oils, oils 
from bituminous minerals, 
crude 6.9 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 2, 0 0 0.0 2, 0 0 
620342  Men's, boys' trousers 
& shorts, of cotton, not knitted 6.5 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 2 0 .. 0, 1 0 
621139  Men's, boys' garments 
nes, of material nes, not knitted 3.8 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
310530  Diammonium 
phosphate, in packs >10 kg 2.9 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
620462  Women's, girls' 
trousers & shorts, of cotton, not 
knitted 2.9 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 2 0 .. 0, 2 0 
Table A.3 (Cont'd)  
                                                      
2 Trade data (2002-2004) were derived from the UNSD COMTRADE database.  Preferential and MFN 
rates are those available in EFTA States' schedules. 
3 Notes have been added to describe those cases wh ere several specific rates are applied to a single 
HS-6 digit export (thus making aggregation difficult). WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 22  
 
  ICELAND NORWAY SWITZERLAND 
HS 6-digit and 
description of the product  
Global export 
share (%) MFN 
average 
rate (%) No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable MFN 
average 
rate (%)No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable MFN 
average 
rate (%) No. of 
duty free 
linesa Remain 
dutiable
150910  Olive oil, virgin 2.9 0.0 2, 0 0 .. 1, 0 1 .. 1, 0 2 
854441  Electric conductors, 
nes < 80 volts, with connectors 2.4 0.0 2, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 1, 1 0 
640610  Footwear uppers and 
parts thereof, except stiffeners 2.0 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 2, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
271019  Petroleum oils, except 
light oils 2.0 0.6 8, 0 1 0.0 20, 0 0 0.0 9, 0 0 
280920  Phosphoric acid and 
polyphosphoric acids 1.9 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
621210  Brassieres and parts 
thereof 1.8 15.0 0, 1 0 6.9 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
621132  Men's, boys garments 
nes, of cotton, not knitted 1.6 15.1 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
610910  T-shirts, singlets and 
other vests, of cotton, knitted 1.6 15.1 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
310310  Superphosphates, in 
packs >10 kg 1.5 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
853690  Electrical switch, 
protector, connecter for < 1kV 
nes 1.4 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 3, 0 0 .. 1, 4 0 
640391  Boots, sole rubber or 
plastic upper leather, nes 1.1 15.0 0, 3 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
853650  Electrical switches for 
< 1,000 volts, nes 1.1 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 4, 0 0 .. 1, 3 0 
854470  Optical fibres and 
cables 1.1 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 
620349  Men's, boys' trousers 
& shorts, material nes, not 
knitted 1.0 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 2 0 .. 0, 2 0 
620520  Men's, boys' shirts, of 
cotton, not knitted 1.0 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
640399  Footwear, sole rubber, 
plastics uppers of leather, nes 1.0 15.0 0, 1 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 4 0 
853890  Parts, electric 
switches, protectors & 
connectors nes 1.0 0.0 1, 0 0 0.0 4, 0 0 .. 0, 4 0 
080410  Dates, fresh or dried 0.9 0.0 2, 0 0 0.0 1, 0 0 .. 0, 1 0 
610990  T-shirts, singlets etc, 
of material nes, knitted 0.8 15.0 0, 2 0 10.7 0, 2 0 .. 0, 1 0 
611020  Pullovers, cardigans 
etc of cotton, knitted 0.7 15.0 0, 1 0 10.7 0, 1 0 .. 0, 1 0 
           
Total of above 51.8  23.15 1  44.14 1  16.34 2 
.. Not available due to use of specific rates. 
a First figure refers to number of lines that are duty free on a MFN basis;  the second figure refers to number of lines that b ecome 
duty free as of entry into force of the preferential agreement. 
Note:  Tariff information is based on 2006 ta riff schedules for all three EFTA States.  
 
Source: WTO calculations based on data provided by the Parties, and UNSD, Comtrade database. 
 
6. Iceland's top 25 exports in 2002-04 to Tunisia acc ounted for almost 87% of its global exports.  
Of these products, 183 tariff lines were subject to MF N duty in 2005.  As a result of implementation 
of the Agreement, 12 lines are to become duty free on a preferential basis in June 2005.  At the end of 
implementation 171 of the 183 tariff lines corresponding to Iceland's top 25 exports to Tunisia are to 
remain subject to MFN rates of duty. 
 
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 23 
 
 
Table A.4a  
Tunisia: Market access opportuniti es for Iceland's top 25 exports 
Access conditions to Tunisia's import markets Iceland's top export products in 2002-2004 
MFN 2005 
Number of tariff lines 
HS number and description of the product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-free Dutiable Duty-
free in 
June 
2005 Duty-
free in 
June 
2008 Remain 
dutiable 
760110 Aluminium, not alloyed 18.5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
030420 Frozen fillets 16.8 42.5 0 33 0 0 33 
230120 Flours, meals and pellets, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates 7.1 17.0 0 6 0 0 6 
030562 Cod, salted 6.8 43.0 0 1 0 0 1 
160520 Shrimps and prawns 5.7 43.0 0 3 0 0 3 
030410 Fish fillets, fresh or  chilled 5.1 41.2 0 18 0 0 18 
030379 Other fish, frozen 3.0 43.0 0 31 0 0 31 
720221 Ferro-silico-manganese, containing by 
weight more than 55% of silicon 2.9 10.0 0 1 1 0 0 
030530 Fish fillets, dried, salted or in brine, 
but not smoked 2.8 43.0 0 8 0 0 8 
300490 Medicaments, other 2.1 13.7 0 9 9 0 0 
150420 Fats and oils and their fractions, of 
fish, other than liver oils 2 20.0 0 2 0 0 2 
030331 Halibut, frozen 1.8 43.0 0 3 0 0 3 
030490 Fish fillets, other 1.6 42.2 0 21 0 0 21 
030551 Cod, dried but not smoked 1.4 43.0 0 2 0 0 2 
300390 Medicaments, other 1.3 8.8 3 2 2 0 0 
030269 Other fish, fresh or chilled 1.2 43.0 0 32 0 0 32 
902139 Artificial parts of the body, excluding 
joints 1.1 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 
030380 Livers and roes 0.9 35.0 0 4 0 0 4 
842320 Scales for continuous weighing of 
goods on conveyors 0.8 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
030250 Cod, fresh or ch illed, excluding livers 
and roes 0.8 43.0 0 2 0 0 2 
890200 Fishing vessels; factory ships and other 
vessels for processing or preserving fishery 
products. 0.8 0.0 8 0 0 0 0 
030262 Haddock, fresh or ch illed 0.6 43.0 0 1 0 0 1 
030520 Livers and roes of fish, dried, smoked, 
salted or in brine 0.6 43.0 0 1 0 0 1 
030612 Lobsters  0.5 43.0 0 3 0 0 3 
843850 Machinery for the preparation of meat 
or poultry 0.5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
        
Total of above  86.7  16 183 12 0 171 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the Tuni sian authorities, and UNSD Comtrade  database. 
 
7. In 2002-04 Norway's top 25 exports to Tunisi a accounted for 74% of its global exports.  For 
these products 276 tariff lines were already duty fr ee on an MFN basis in 2005, while 102 lines were 
dutiable.  As a result of implementation of the Ag reement an additional 12 lines became duty free in 
June 2005 on a preferential basis;  a further 51 lines are to become duty free in June 2008 under the 
Agreement as a result of which 39 out of th e 102 tariff lines are to remain dutiable. 
 
 WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 24  
 
  Table A.4b 
Tunisia: Market access opportuni ties for Norway's top 25 exports 
Access conditions to Tunisia's import markets Norway's top export products in 2002-2004 
MFN 2005 
Number of tariff 
lines 
HS number and description of the product Share 
in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-
free Dutiable Duty-
free in 
June 
2005 Duty-
free in 
June 
2008 Remain 
dutiable 
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude. 43.7 6.0 14 4 4 0 0 
271121 Natural gas 13.0 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 
760120 Aluminium alloys 3.0 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 
271011 Light oils and preparations, ot her than crude 1.7 2.5 70 10 0 10 0 
271019 Petroleum oils, other than crude excluding 
items under heading 271011 and waste oils 1.5 3.8 133 20 0 20 0 
030212 Pacific salmon, fresh or chilled 1.4 43.0 0 1 0 0 1 
750210 Nickel, not alloyed 1.1 10.0 0 1 1 0 0 
271112 Propane 0.9 0.0 12 0 0 0 0 
030420 Frozen fillets 0.6 42.5 0 33 0 0 33 
271113 Butanes 0.6 0.0 10 0 0 0 0 
890190 Other vessels for the transport of goods and 
other vessels for the transport of both persons and 
goods 0.6 0.0 8 0 0 0 0 
890120 Tankers 0.6 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 
292429 Other cyclic amides 0.5 10. 0 3 3 0 0 
480261 Other paper and paperboard, in rolls 0.5 43.0 0 4 0 4 0 
880240 Airplanes and other ai rcraft, of an unladen 
weight exceeding 15,000 kg 0.5 12.8 0 6 0 6 0 
030374 Mackerel, frozen 0.4 43.0 0 2 0 0 2 
030551 Cod, dried but not smoked 0.4 43.0 0 2 0 0 2 
760110 Aluminium, not alloyed 0.4 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
283650 Calcium carbonate 0.3 27.0 0 1 1 0 0 
271600 Electrical energy. 0.3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
030350 Herrings, frozen, excluding livers and roes 0.3 43.0 0 1 0 0 1 
760612 Aluminium sheets > 0.2mm of aluminium 
alloys 0.3 0.0 8 0 0 0 0 
280469 Silicon, containing by  weight < 99.99% of 
silicon 0.3 15.0 0 1 1 0 0 
851750 Other apparatus, for carrier-current line 
systems or for digital line systems 0.3 7.5 2 2 2 0 0 
841370 Other centrifugal pumps 0.3 22.5 10 11 0 11 0 
        
Total of above  73.6  276 102 12 51 39 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the Tuni sian authorities, and UNSD Comtrade  database. 
 
8. In 2002-04 Switzerland's top 25 exports to T unisia accounted for 37% of its global exports.  
For these products, 29 tariff lines were already duty fr ee on an MFN basis while 78 were dutiable.  As 
a result of the Agreement 39 lines became duty free in June 2005 while a further 39 are to become 
duty free in June 2008.  Thus all top 25 exports to Tunisia from Switzerland are to be given duty free 
access as a result of the Agreement. 
 
   WT/REG201/3/Rev.1 
Page 25 
 
 
Table A.4c 
Tunisia: Market access opportunities  for Switzerland's top 25 exports 
Access conditions to Tunisia's import markets Switzerland's top export products in 2002-2004 
MFN 2005 
Number of tariff lines 
HS number and description of the 
product Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Average 
MFN 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-free Dutiable Duty-
free in 
June 
2005 Duty 
free in 
June 
2008 Remain 
dutiable 
300490 Medicaments, other 8.2 1.7 0 9 9 0 0 
300210 Antisera and other blood fractions and modified immunological products 3.4 0.0 4 0 0 0 0 
910221 Wrist watches with automatic 
winding 2.3 43.0 0 1 0 1 0 
711319 Jewellery, of precious metal other 
than silver, whether or not plated or clad with precious metal 2.1 43.0 0 9 0 9 0 
910211 Wrist watches with mechanical 
display only 2.1 43.0 0 1 0 1 0 
271600 Electrical energy. 1.7 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
300420 Medicaments, containing other 
antibiotics 1.3 14.5 0 4 4 0 0 
293399 Heterocyclic compounds with 
nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, other 1.2 15.0 0 6 6 0 0 
711011 Platinum, unwrought or in powder 
form 1.2 43.0 0 1 0 1 0 
294190 Antibiotics, other 1.1 15.0 0 6 0 6 0 
910121 Writs watches with automatic 
winding 1.0 43.0 0 3 0 3 0 
300439 Medicaments, other 1.0 15.4 0 4 4 0 0 
841199 Parts of gas turbines other than 
turbo-jets and turbo-propellers 1.0 10.0 0 1 1 0 0 
293719 Hormones, other 1.0 15.0 0 1 0 1 0 
710239 Non-industrial diamonds, other 1.0 43.0 0 1 0 1 0 
902150 Pacemakers for stimulating heart 
muscles, excluding parts and accessories 0.9 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 
847989 Machines and mechanical 
appliances, not elsewhere specified., other 0.9 0.0 19 0 0 0 0 
293499 Nucleic acids and their salts, other 0.9 10.0 0 8 8 0 0 
880240 Airplanes and other aircraft, of an 
unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg 0.8 12.8 0 6 0 6 0 
880230 Airplanes and other aircraft, of an 
unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg but not 
exceeding 15,000 kg 0.8 12.8 0 6 0 6 0 
910111 Wrist watches, with mechanical 
display only 0.7 43.0 0 3 0 3 0 
970110 Paintings, drawings and pastels 0.7 15.0 0 1 0 1 0 
330290 Mixtures of odoriferous 
substances and mixtures, other than those 
used in the food and drinking industry 0.7 15.0 0 4 4 0 0 
292429 Carboxyamide-function 
compounds; amide-function compounds of 
carbonic acid, other 0.6 10.0 0 3 3 0 0 
902110 Orthopaedic or fracture appliances 0.5 0.0 4 0 0 0 0 
        
Total of above  37.0  29 78 39 39 0 
Source: WTO estimates based on data provided by the Tuni sian authorities, and UNSD Comtrade  database. 
__________