WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/REG240/1 
31 March 2009 
 
 (09-1600) 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
  
 
  
 
 
FACTUAL PRESENTATION 
 
Free Trade Agreement between  
Turkey and Albania 
(Goods) 
 
Report by the Secretariat 
 
 
 
 This report, prepared for the considera tion of the Free Trade Agreement between 
Turkey and Albania has been drawn up by the WTO Secretariat on its own responsibility and in full consultation with th e Parties.  The report has been drawn up 
in accordance with the rul es and procedures contained in the Decision for a 
Transparency Mechanism for Regiona l Trade Agreements (WT/L/671).  
 Any technical questions arising from this report may be addressed to Ms. Jo-Ann Crawford (tel: +41 22 739 5422).  WT/REG240/1 
Page iii  
 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
  Page 
 
 
I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 1  
II. CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT 4  
A. B ACKGROUND INFORMATION  4 
III. NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 4  
A. I MPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  4 
1. General provisions 4  
2. Liberalization of tariff lines and trade 5  
3. Albania's liberalization schedule 6  
4. Turkey's Liberalization Schedule 8  
B. R ULES OF ORIGIN  9 
C. E XPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  11 
D. R EGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  12 
1. Standards 12  
(a) Technical barriers to trade 12 
(b) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 12 
2. Safeguard mechanisms 12  
(a) Global Safeguard Measures 12 
(b) Structural Adjustment 12 
(c) Restrictions to safeguard balance of payments 12 
3. Anti-dumping 12  
4. Subsidies and countervailing measures 13  
5. Other regulations 13  
(a) Customs-related procedures 13 
(b) Government Procurement 13 
(c) Rules on Competition 13 (d) Other 13 
IV. PROVISIONS AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS 14  
A. I
NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  14 
B. S ECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  14 
C. I NSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  14 
1. Exceptions and reservations 14  
2. Accession 14  
3. Institutional framework 14  
4. Dispute settlement 14  
5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 15  
ANNEX I 16 
ANNEX II 20 
 
 
 WT/REG240/1 
Page 1  
 
 
  FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ALBANIA (GOODS) 
 
Factual Presentation by the Secretariat  
  I. TRADE ENVIRONMENT 
1. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Turkey and Albania (hereafter "the Agreement") 
is Turkey's 14th and Albania's third regional tr ade agreement (RTA) notified to the WTO.  The 
countries are quite different in terms of population size but similar in economic structure.  In 2006, manufactures accounted for 81.2% and agricultura l products for 10.1% of Turkey's merchandise 
exports, while for Albania the corresponding figures were 73.8% and 9.8%.
1   
2. Turkey's GDP was US$402.7 billion in 2006, while that of Albania reached US$9.1 billion.2  
With total merchandise exports of US$85.6 billion an d imports of US$139.6 billion, Turkey ranked in 
2006 as the 34th top exporter and the 20th top importer;  with merchandise exports of US$798 million 
and imports of US$3.1 billion, Albania ranked as the 147th top exporter and the 115th top importer in 
that year.  The two economies showed similar aver age trade/GDP ratios in 2004-2006 with Turkey's 
ratio 63.0 and Albania's 68.8. 
3. Developments in recent years in global and in tra-Party merchandise trade are presented in 
Charts I.1 and I.2.  Over the period surveyed ( 1999-2006), Albania has run a consistent and growing 
trade deficit with Turkey and the world. 
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006050100150200250300350US$billion US$millionChart I.1 - Albania: Merchandise im ports from and exports to world 
and Turkey, 1999-2006
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database.Imports from Turkey
Exports to TurkeyTotal imports
Total exportsLeft hand sale: Right hand sale:
 
 
                                                      
1 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles. 
2 WTO Statistics Database, Trade Profiles. WT/REG240/1 
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  0102030405060708090100110120130140
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060255075100125150175200225250275300325350US$billion US$millionChart I.2 - Turkey: Merchandise im ports from and exports to world 
and Albania, 1999-2006
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database.Imports from Albania
Exports to AlbaniaTotal imports
Total exportsLeft hand sale: Right hand sale:
 
 
4. The commodity structure of trade among the Parti es, as well as of their imports and exports to 
the world in the period 2004-06, is shown in Chart I.3, on the basis of HS section product categories. 
5. Three product categories – base metals, minerals and raw hides - accounted for 66% of 
Turkey's imports from Albania in  the period 2 004-2006;  vegetables and vehicles accounted for a 
further 8.7%.  Albania's three largest export product categories – textiles, footwear and base metals - made up 72.9% of its total expor ts in 2004-2006 and accounted for 37.7% of Turkey's imports from 
Albania. 
6. Four product categories – base metals, textiles,  prepared foods and minerals - accounted for 
64.6% of Albania's imports from Turkey in the period 2004-2006.  Turkey's three largest export product categories – textiles, base metals and machin ery - made up 45.9% of its total exports in the 
period 2004-2006 and accounted for 49.2%  of Albania's imports from Turkey. 
  WT/REG240/1 
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  Chart I.3
Turkey and Albania: product compos ition of merchandise trade, annual 
average (2004-06)
Turkey's imports from Albania A lbania's imports from Turkey
 Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database.Per cent
Total:  US$14.8 million Total:  US$197.5 million
Total:  US$117.6 billion Total: US$2.7 billion
Total:  US$74 billion Total:  US$684.5 millionTurkey's global exports Albania's global exportsTurkey's global imports Albania's global importsOther
25.3
Chemicals  
5.7
Raw Hides 12.6Machinery 10.2Other 
6.1
Base metals
24.0
Other 
26.6Machinery
16.1
Chemicals 
7.1Base metals
11.1Plastics 3.3Other
6.3
Minerals
12.4Animals 2.9Machinery
18.7
Vehicles 
8.4Chemicals 
8.2Textiles 5.4
Base metals 
11.2
Prepared foods  4.5
Vegetables 4.5Textiles  
30.6Plastics 5.5Vehicles
 6.2
Other 
25.4Other 
6.1
Vehicles
 10.2Chemicals 2.1
Base metals 11.3Stone, Cement  2.3
Plastics 2.9
Base metals 15.3Minerals
5.8Machinery 3.6Minerals 
12.3Footwear 2.8
Textiles 
9.6Pearls 3.5Vegetables  6.2Miscellaneous 2.7
Base metals 37.1
Minerals 16.3Textiles 15.0
Minerals 11.3
Prepared foods  7.8
Textiles
 23.6
Machinery 
11.0Minerals 3.4
Prepared foods  3.4
Footwear  27.0Miscellaneous 2.1Vegetables 5.6Vehicles  3.1
Prepared foods  14.3Vegetables  3.9Plastics 3.7Stone, Cement  3.0
Stone, Cement  3.7Miscellaneous 2.3Raw Hides 2.3
Vegetables 3.0Raw Hides 2.0
 
 WT/REG240/1 
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  II. CHARACTERISTIC ELEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENT 
A. B
ACKGROUND INFORMATION  
7. The Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Albania was signed by the Republic of 
Turkey and the Republic of Albania (the Parties)  on 22 December 2006;  it entered into force on 
1 May 2008.  On 9 May 2008, the Parties notified the Agreement to the WTO under 
Article XXIV:7(a) of the GATT 1994 (WT/REG240/N/1).  The text of the Agre ement is available at 
the following internet links:   
Albania:  
http://www.mete.gov.al/r ub.php?idr=239&l=e  
 
Turkey: http://www.dtm.gov.tr/dtmweb/index.cfm?acti on=detayrk&yayinID=386& icerikID=486&dil=EN
 
8.   The Agreement is composed of 37 Articles, 2 Annexes and 2 Protocols, as follows:   
Box II.1  Table of Contents of the Agreement 
Chapter I  Industrial Products  
Chapter II  Agricultural and Fishery Products 
Chapter III Services and Investments 
Chapter IV  Common Provisions 
Annex I  List of Products referred to in Articles 3 and 9 
Annex II Albanian Tariff Concession for Industrial Products originating in Turkey 
Protocol I List of Products referred to in Article 9 
Protocol II Definition of the Concept of "Originating Products" and Methods of 
Administrative Cooperation  
Source:  Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Albania. 
9. Article 1 of the Agreement provides for the gradual establishment of a free-trade area over 
a transitional period lasting a maximum of five y ears from the date of entr y into force, i.e. by 
1 January 2013.  Duty reductions take place on the da te of entry into force of the Agreement and on 
1 January in the following years. 
III. NATIONAL TREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS 
A. IMPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  
1. General provisions 
10. The Parties agree to abolish customs duties and charges or measures having equivalent effect, 
on imports of industrial goods in acco rdance with Article 4 and Annex II.3  The Parties agree to 
abolish quantitative restrictions, and charges or measures having equivalent effect on imports of 
industrial goods from the date of entry into for ce of the Agreement.  No new customs duties or 
quantitative restrictions on imports of industrial pr oducts, and charges or me asures having equivalent 
effect, may be introduced (Articles 4 and 7).   
                                                      
3 Industrial goods are defined by the Parties as those falling within Chapters 25-97 of the Harmonized 
System with the exception of products listed in Annex I of the Agreement (which are treated as agricultural 
products under the Agreement).    WT/REG240/1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  11. In the case of Turkey, the Agreem ent provides for the elimination of duties on imports of all 
industrial goods originating in Alba nia upon the date of entry into force.  In the case of Albania, the 
Agreement provides for the elimination of duties on imports of all industrial goods except for those listed in Annex II which are subject to 20% annual reductions in duties from the date of entry into 
force of the Agreement until the elimin ation of duties on 1 January 2013. 
12. The Parties agree to exchange concessions on cer tain basic agricultural,  processed agricultural 
and fishery products in accordance with Protocol I.  Annexes I and II to this Protocol list the products 
where preferential treatment has been granted by Albania and Turkey, respectively.  In both cases 
concessions are in the form of elimination of in -quota duties on a limited number of agricultural 
products;  for some products the quota is also remove d (see Annex II of this report for further details).  
In Article 10.2, the Parties agree to examine the possibility of granting each other further concessions 
in agricultural products within the Joint Committee.
4   
13. The basic duty to which successive reductions a pply is the MFN applied duty in force as of 
the date of entry into force of the Agreement, i.e. 1 May 2008.  If a Party reduces its MFN rate 
thereafter, such reduced duties will replace the basic duties as from the date when such reductions are 
applied (Article 2). 
2. Liberalization of tariff lines and trade5 
14. The elimination of tariffs applicable between  the Parties is detailed in the corresponding 
Parties' schedules.  Tariff elimin ation started on 1 May 2008, from th e MFN rates applied on that date. 
15. The overall tariff elimination under the Agreem ent is depicted in Tables III.1A and III.1B 
below.6  In the case of Albania, 35.6% of total tari ff lines were already duty-free on an MFN basis in 
2008.7  A further 45.5% of tariff lines became duty-free for imports from Turkey in 2008;  in terms of 
imports from Turkey for the period 2005-20 07, these figures amount to 20.5% and 45.4%, 
respectively.  By the end of the transition period in 2013, a further 1.3% of tariff lines are to be 
liberalized, accounting for 24.2% of imports from Tu rkey for the period 2005-2007.  Thus, a total of 
82.4% of tariff lines are liberalized under the Agreem ent, corresponding to 90.1% of imports by value 
from Turkey for the period 2005-2007. 
Table III.1 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agree ment and corresponding average trade values 
A. Albania 
Duty phase-out period Number of 
lines % of total lines in 
Albania's tariff 
schedule Value of Albania's imports 
from Turkey (2005-2007) 
in million US$ % of Albania's total 
imports from Turkey 
2005-2007 
MFN duty free (2008) 3,623 35.6 49.7 20.5 
2008 4,631 45.5 110.2 45.4 
2011 6 0.1 0.8 0.3 
2013 126 1.2 58.0 23.9 
Remain dutiable 1,789 17.6 24.2 9.9 
Total 10,175 100.0 242.9 100.0 
Note: Calculations exclude tari ff lines having an in-quota rate. 
Only trade falling under HS Chapter 1-97 is included. 
Source : WTO estimates based on da ta provided by Albania. 
                                                      
4 According to the Parties, as of March 2009 no further concessions in agriculture have been granted. 
5 Unless otherwise specified, all statistics, tables and charts contained in this document have been 
prepared on the basis of data  provided by the Parties. 
6 Tariff lines containing in-quota duties are excluded from all the tariff-related calculations.  Lines 
subject to specific duties are taken into account in the number of lines liberalized where relevant, but are not 
included in the tariff analysis. 
7 Albania's tariff is composed of 10,175 tariff lines at the HS 8-digit level, all of which have ad valorem  
rates.   WT/REG240/1 
Page 6  
 
  16. In the case of Turkey, 23.8% of total tariff lines were already duty-free on an MFN basis in 
2008.
8  A further 61.1% of tariff lines became duty-free for imports from Albania in 2008;  in terms of 
imports from Albania for the period 2005-2007, these figures amount to 59.5% and 33%, respectively.  
There is no tariff phase down in the case of Turkey, t hus, a total of 84.9% of tariff lines are liberalized 
under the Agreement as of its date of entry into force, corresponding to 92.5% of imports by value 
from Albania for the period 2005-2007. 
Table III.2 
Tariff elimination commitments under the Agree ment and corresponding average trade values 
B. Turkey 
Duty phase-out 
period Number of lines % of total lines in 
Turkey's tariff 
schedule Value of Turkey's imports 
from Albania (2005-2007) 
in million US$ % of Turkey's total 
imports from Albania 
2005-2007 
MFN duty free 
(2008) 4,335 23.8 10.4 59.5 
2008 11,146 61.1 5.8 33.0 
Remain dutiable 2,758 15.1 1.3 7.5 
Total 18,239 100.0 17.5 a 100.0 
a Only trade falling under HS Chapter 1-97 is included. 
 
Note:  For tariff lines subject to TRQs only the out-of-quota dut y is included in the tariff-related calculations; for the calc ulation of 
 MFN averages specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  part of alternate rates are included. 
 
3. Albania's liberalization schedule 
17. The base rates used by Albania for implementi ng its tariff liberalization scheme provided for 
35.6% of tariff lines being duty free before the entry into force of the Agreement.  As can be seen 
from Chart III.1, the lines freed of duties in 2008, 20 11 and 2013 are subject to rates of 20% or less.  
The 1,789 tariff lines which remain subject to duties have a range of 2% to 15%.   
                                                      
8 Turkey's tariff is composed of 18,239 tariff lines at the HS 12-digit level, of which 17,956 are subject 
to ad valorem  rates; 30 are subject to specific duties;  113 to compound duties;  56 to mixed duties; and 84 are 
other duties.    WT/REG240/1 
 Page 7 
 
 
  0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 9,000200820112013Chart III.1
Albania's duty eliminat ion under the AgreementYear of duty free treatment   
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by Albania.Number of duty-free lines (cumulative)
Duty-free <10% <20% MFN is:
 
 
18. Table III.3 shows Albania's trade liberaliza tion commitments under the Agreement on the 
basis of products' treatment at the HS 8-digit level organized by HS section product categories.  Of the 
10,175 tariff lines forming Albania's tariff schedule, 3,623 tariff lines were already duty-free on an MFN basis in 2008;  the lines liberalized upon entr y into force of the Agreement and in 2011 and 
2013 cover a wide range of HS sections.  The lines which remain subject to duties are mostly agricultural products, but also include chemicals, hi des and skins, and textiles.  The average final 
tariff on dutiable items ranges from 2% to 12.5%. 
Table III.3 
Albania: Tariff elimination unde r the Agreement, by HS section 
Number  of duty-free 
lines  HS section and description  MFN 
average
% Total 
No of 
lines  MFN 
duty-
free 
2008  2008  2011  2013  Lines 
Remaining 
dutiable  Average Final 
Tariff  on 
Dutiable Lines  
I Live animals and animal products 5.5 805 328    477 9.4 
II Vegetable products 8.2 560 32 22   506 8.7 
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 2.2 125 92    33 8.3 
IV Prepared food etc. 10.1 843 135 63   645 12.5 
V Minerals 4.4 248 28 209 1 10   
VI Chemical and products 1.6 1,284 633 564 4 17 66 5.2 
VII Plastics and rubber 5.6 368 48 299  21   
VIII Hides and skins 8.6 155  127   28 2.0 
IX Wood and articles 1.0 189 163 26     
X Pulp, paper etc. 0.0 226 226      
XI Textile and textile artic les 9.7 1,288  1,254   34 2.0 
XII Footwear, headgear 14.3 111  92  19   
XIII Articles of stone 10.1 255 6 230  19   
XIV Precious stones, etc. 6.1 63  63     
XV Base metals and  products 5.8 1,020 226 763 1 30   
XVI Machinery 1.3 1,679 1,339 330  10   
XVII Transport equipment 4.0 292 79 213     
Table III.3 (Cont'd)  WT/REG240/1 
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  Number  of duty-free 
lines  HS section and description  MFN 
average
% Total 
No of 
lines  MFN 
duty-
free 
2008  2008  2011  2013  Lines 
Remaining 
dutiable  Average Final 
Tariff  on 
Dutiable Lines  
XVIII Precision equipment 3.5 392 191 201     
XIX Arms and ammunition 15.0 28  28     
XX Misc. manufactured articles 8.6 237 90 147     
XXI Works of art, etc. 0.0 7 7      
Total 5.4 10,175 3,623 4,631 6 126 1,789 9.9 
Note: For  tariff lines subject to TRQs only the out-of-quota duty is included in the tariff-related calculations. 
 
Source : WTO estimates based on da ta provided by Albania. 
 
4. Turkey's Liberalization Schedule 
19. The base rates used by Turkey  for implementing its tariff liberalization scheme already 
provided for 23.8% of tariff lines being duty free before the entry into force of the Agreement.  As can 
be seen from Chart III.2, most of the additional 61. 1% of tariff lines freed upon entry into force held 
base rates of 10% or less.  The 2,758 tariff lines whic h remain subject to duties have a range of 1% to 
225%.9 
0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000 16,0002008Chart III.2
Turkey's duty elimination under the Agreement
Year of duty free treatment   
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data provided by Turkey.Number of duty-free lines (cumulative)
Duty-free <10% <20% <30% MFN is: Non ad valorem duty
 
20. Table III.4 shows Turkey's trade liberalizati on commitments under the Agreement at the 
HS 12-digit level organized by HS section product categories.  Of the 18,239 lines forming Turkey's 
tariff schedule, 4,335 lines were already MFN duty-free in 2008;  an additional 11,146 tariff lines 
were liberalized upon entry into fo rce of the Agreement (comprising for the most part industrial 
                                                      
9 For those items subject to ad valorem  duties.  WT/REG240/1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  products).  A total of 2,758 tariff lines covering a ll HS sections remain dutiable under the Agreement 
with the average final tariff on dutiable items ranging from 1.0 to 82.2%.  
Table III.4 
Turkey: Tariff elimination under the Agreement, by HS section 
Number  of 
duty-free 
lines  HS section and description MFN 
average%  Total No 
of lines  MFN 
duty-free 
2008  
2008  Lines 
Remaining 
Dutiable Average Final 
Tariff  on 
Dutiable Lines 
I Live animals and animal products 72.7 912 106  806 82.2a 
II Vegetable products 28.8 836 82  754 31.9a 
III Animal or vegetable fats and oils 21.6 198 30  168 25.4a 
IV Prepared food etc. 47.0 1,095 75 64 956 52.8a 
V Minerals 0.9 458 310 148   
VI Chemicals and chemical products 4.4 3,218 821 2,326 71 7.9a 
VII Plastics and rubber 4.4 570 121 449   
VIII Hides and skins 3.0 225 60 165   
IX Wood and articles 1.7 349 203 143 3 1.0a 
X Pulp, paper etc. 0.0 476 476    
XI Textiles and textiles ar ticles 7.9 3,028 104 2,924   
XII Footwear, headgear 7.6 205 3 202   
XIII Articles of stone 3.8 447 53 394   
XIV Precious stones, etc. 1.0 104 73 31   
XV Base metals and base metals 
products 3.9 1,902 634 1,268   
XVI Machinery 2.1 2,647 768 1,879   
XVII Transport equipment 5.0 470 57 413   
XVIII Precision equipment 2.0 675 263 412   
XIX Arms and ammunition 2.3 34 5 29   
XX Misc. manufactured articles 2.6 376 77 299   
XXI Works of art, etc. 0.0 14 14    
Total 11.5 18,239 4,335 11,146 2,758 52.8 
 
a Combination of ad valorem  and specific duties (for tariff lines with non ad valorem  components, only the ad valorem  part of the 
rate was included in the calcula tion of the tariff averages). 
 Note:  In-quota tariff lines are excluded. 
 
Source : WTO estimates based on da ta provided by Turkey. 
 
B. RULES OF ORIGIN  
21. Disciplines regarding rules of origin and admi nistrative co-operation on products covered by 
the Agreement are set out in Protocol II.  Protoc ol II is modelled on the Pan-European-Mediterranean  
system.  Articles 2-15 of Protocol II deal with th e rules of origin themselves, while Articles 16-35 
relate to other customs-related issues. 
22. The basic requirements for a product to be c onsidered originating (Articles 2 and 6 of 
Protocol II) are:  
(a) the product is wholly obtained in one of the Parties10;  or 
(b) the product obtained incorporates materials which have undergone sufficient working 
or processing in one of the Parties, according to specific requirements. 
                                                      
10 This concept applies to mineral products extracted from their soil or seabed;  vegetable products;  
live animals born and raised in the Party;  products from live animals in the Party;  products obtained from 
hunting of fishing in the Party;  products of sea fishing and other products taken from the sea outside the territorial waters of Turkey or of Albania by their vessels;  products made aboard factory ships;  used articles fit 
only for the recovery of raw materials, including used tyres fit only for retreading or for use as waste;  waste and 
scrap resulting from manufacturing operations conducted in  the Parties;  products extracted from marine soil or 
subsoil outside the Parties' territorial waters provided that  they have sole rights to work that soil or subsoil;  and 
goods produced using the aforementioned products. WT/REG240/1 
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  23. There are no regime-wide rules of origin, but a list of specific criteria that non-originating 
materials should meet so that the final product acqui res originating status, as contained in Annex II of 
Protocol II.  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).  This rule requires changes fro m either "any heading except that of the product" 
or from a specific heading or material, as is th e case in prepared foodstuffs, wood and wood pulp, 
textiles, footwear, articles of stone and plaster, pear ls and base metals.  In some cases, materials from 
the same heading may be allowed, normally w ithin a certain limit (some petroleum products, 
chemicals, plastics, machinery, and miscellaneous manufactured articles).  In a few cases, there are some headings from which the product cannot be manufactured.  
24. An import content test (MC) can also be provided either to supplement the CTH (for some 
prepared foodstuffs, wood pulp, base metals , machinery, transport equipment and measuring 
instruments, and musical instruments) or as a st andalone rule (for some vegetables, prepared 
foodstuffs, chemicals, plastics, footwear, machin ery and mechanical appliances, transportation 
equipment, measuring instruments, arms and ammunition, and furniture);
11  in the case of chemicals, 
plastics, machinery and mechanical  appliances, transportation equipm ent, measuring instruments, and 
furniture the MC test is offered as an alternative criterion;12  the permissible limit for non-originating 
materials is normally 40%, but different thres holds may apply (ranging from 20% to 50%).  A 
technical test or process rule, requiring that some  production processes take place in the territory of 
the Parties, is required for some minerals, chemical s, plastics, wood, textiles, hides and skins, glass 
products and base metals.  In the case of textiles a nd glass products, the technical test is offered as an 
alternative rule in combination with an import cont ent test.  Rules requiring certain materials to be 
obtained in the territory of the Parties (wholly  obtained rules) are used for many processed 
agricultural products.  
25. Articles 3 and 4 provide for bilateral cumulati on between the Parties.  There is no provision 
in the Agreement for diagonal cumulation with  the other countries participating in the 
Pan-Euro-Mediterranean protocol on rules of origin.    
26. Article 6 of Protocol III provides for an "absorp tion principle".  Accordingly, if a product  has 
acquired originating status by meeting the corr esponding processing requirement , no account is taken 
of the non-originating materials which may have been used in its manufacture  once incorporated into 
a final product. 
27. The "tolerance rule" in Article 6.2 provides that non-originating materials which would 
otherwise not be accepted may, nevertheless, be u sed provided that (i) their total value does not 
exceed 10% of the ex-works price of the product, and (ii) any of the percentages given in the list for 
the maximum value of non-originating materials are not exceeded.  This rule applies to all products 
except textiles and clothing (HS Chapters 50-63).13 
28. Article 7 lays down a list of insufficient working or processing operations carried out in the 
territory of the Parties that do not confer origin, whether or not the product meets the tolerance rule.  
Article 8 defines the unit of qualification to be used when determining classification using the 
HS nomenclature;  Articles 9-11 deal with how certain materials (accessories, spare parts or tools, sets, and neutral elements) are to be treated or valued when determining the origin of the goods. 
                                                     
 
11 The MC requirement establishes the maximum value of non-originating materials allowed in the 
final product, expressed as a percentage of the ex-works price of the product. 
12 Column 3 of Annex II to Protocol II describes the specific rule. When an alternative rule appears in 
column 4, either rule can be applied. 
13 Special "tolerance rules" apply to certain textile products made of a mixture of materials (see notes 5 
and 6 of Annex I to Protocol II).  WT/REG240/1 
 Page 11 
 
 
  29. Articles 12-13 of Protocol II establish that outwa rd processing outside Turkey or Albania is 
not allowed unless certain conditions are fulfilled.  These conditions allow retention of originating 
status provided that it can be demonstrated that th e returning goods are the same as those exported and 
that they have not undergone any operation beyond th at necessary to preserve them in good condition;  
with respect to the latter a tolerance rule of 10% of the ex-works price of the end product applies.   
Non compliance with these conditions will result in th e loss of originating status.  The provisions on 
outward processing do not apply to te xtile products in HS Chapters 50-63.  Articles 13 and 14 deal, 
respectively, with the direct transport of goods and goods sent for exhibitions. 
30. Article 15 provides for a no-drawback rule of customs duties applicable to non-originating 
materials used in products benefiting from prefer ential treatment and having obtained originating 
status in Turkey or Albania.  The drawback prohibition only applies when products are exported and 
not when they are retained for home use.   
Box II.3:  Rules of Origin: Basic Features at a Glance 
• No regime-wide rules of origin 
• Specific rules common to both Parties apply to products covered in the Agreement 
• 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: 
− Bilateral cumulation between Albania and Turkey 
• Absorption principle 
• Tolerance rule at a maximum of 10%.  Does not apply to textiles and clothing. 
• No duty drawback  
• Outward-processing not authorized. 
C. EXPORT DUTIES AND CHARGES , AND QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  
31. Article 6 of the Agreement provides for the elimination of all customs duties or charges 
having equivalent effect on exports of industrial products in trade between the Parties and prohibits 
the introduction of any new such duties from the date of  entry into force of the Agreement.  Similarly, 
Article 7 provides for the elimination of all quan titative restrictions or measures having equivalent 
effect on exports of industrial products in trade be tween the Parties and prohibits the introduction of 
any new quantitative restrictions from the date  of entry into force of the Agreement.    
32. Article 19 allows the Parties to take appropria te measures, in cases where compliance with the 
provisions of Articles 6 and 7 leads to re-export to wards a third country against which the exporting 
Party maintains for the product concerned quantitativ e export restrictions or serious shortages that 
cause or are likely to cause, major di fficulties for the exporting Party.  In  the event of such difficulties, 
the Party may take appropriate measures under the conditi ons laid out in Article 21 of the Agreement.  
33. There is no provision in the Agreement for the elimination and prohibition of customs duties 
and quantitative restrictions on e xports of agricultural products. 
34. Article 14 provides that products exported to th e Parties may not benefit from repayment of 
internal taxes in excess of the amount of indirect taxes imposed on them. WT/REG240/1 
Page 12  
 
  D. R
EGULATORY PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Standards 
(a) Technical barriers to trade 
35. In Article 8 the Parties state that their rights a nd obligations relating to standards or technical 
regulations and related measures are governed by the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to 
Trade. 
(b) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
36. In Article 11, the Parties agree to apply their sanitary measures in accordance with the 
WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary M easures.  Measures concerning veterinary and 
phytosanitary control among the Parties are to be harmonized on the basis of EU legislation.   
2. Safeguard mechanisms 
(a) Global Safeguard Measures 
37. According to Article 18, the Parties retain th eir rights and obligations under Article XIX of 
GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.   
(b) Structural Adjustment 
38. Article 16 provides for the Parties to take ex ceptional measures of limited duration in the 
form of increased duties in the case of infant industries, or certain sectors undergoing restructuring or 
facing serious difficulties, particularly where these difficulties produce important social problems.  Customs duties applicable on imports intr oduced by these measures may not exceed 25% ad valorem  
and should maintain an element of preference for the other Party.  The total value of imports of the 
products subject to these measures may not exceed 15%  of total imports of industrial products from 
the other Party during the last year for which statis tics are available.  Such measures may be applied 
for a period not exceeding five years unless a longer duration is authorized by the Joint Committee and shall cease to apply at the latest on the expiry  of the transitional period.  No measures can be 
introduced in respect of a product if more than thr ee years have elapsed since the elimination of all 
duties and quantitative restrictions or changes or measures having equivalent effect concerning that 
product.   
(c) Restrictions to safeguard balance of payments 
39. In accordance with Article 25, where either Party is in serious balance of payments 
difficulties or under imminent threat thereof, they may adopt restrictive measures in accordance with 
the WTO Agreement.  Any restrictive measures shall not apply to transfers related to investment and 
to the repatriation of investment. 
3. Anti-dumping  
40. The Parties may take appropriate measures ag ainst anti-dumping or in accordance with the 
WTO Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994  (Article 17).    WT/REG240/1 
 Page 13 
 
 
  4. Subsidies and countervailing measures 
41. The Parties may take countervailing measures in accordance with the WTO Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures and the Parties'  own related internal legislation (Article 17).  
In Article 20, they agree to progressively adjust any state monopoly of a commercial character so as 
to ensure that no discrimination regarding th e conditions under which goods are procured and 
marketed will exist between nationals of the Parties,  by the end of the fourth year following the entry 
into force of the Agreement, i.e. by December 2011.  
5. Other regulations 
(a) Customs-related procedures 
42. Customs procedures related to rules of origin ar e detailed in Titles V and VI of Protocol II;  
Title V (Articles 16-30) details the administrative qu estions and disciplines regarding proof of origin.  
Proof of origin in the form of a movement cer tificate (EUR.1) is to be issued by the exporting 
authorities at the request of the exporter.  Title VI (Articles 32- 36) lays down the arrangements for 
administrative co-operation to be followed by the Pa rties’ customs authorities, in particular with 
respect to mutual assistance, verification of proof of  origin, resolution of disputes, penalties, and free 
zones. 
(b) Government Procurement 
43. In Article 27, the Parties agree on the objective of a progressive liberalization of public 
procurement.  They agree to progressively develop their respective rules, conditions and practices on 
public procurement with a view to granting supplie rs of the other Party access to contract award 
procedures on their respective public procurement ma rkets not less favourable than that accorded to 
companies of any country or territory.  The Parti es shall try to accede to the relevant Agreements 
negotiated under the auspices of the GA TT 1994 and the Marrakesh Agreement. 
(c) Rules on Competition 
44. Article 24 lays out the practices relating to rules of competition which are incompatible with 
the proper implementation of the Agreement in cluding all agreements between undertakings, 
decisions by associations of undertakings an d concerted practices between undertakings which 
prevent, restrict or distort competition;  abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in 
the territories of the Parties as a whole or in a substant ial part thereof;  and any state aid which distorts 
or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain 
goods.  The Parties agree to ensure transparency in the area of state aid and shall provide information 
on cases of state aid upon request.  In the event that a Party considers a particular practice 
incompatible with the Agreement, it may take appr opriate measures after consultation within the Joint 
Committee or after thirty working days fo llowing referral for such consultation.  
(d) Other 
45. In Article 13 the Parties agree to cooperate with  the aim of further promoting investment and 
achieving a progressive liberalization and mutual opening of their markets for investment and trade in 
services, taking into account the relevant provisions of  the General Agreement on Trade in Services.   WT/REG240/1 
Page 14  
 
  IV. PROVISIONS AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS 
A. I
NTELLECTUAL PROPERTY  
46. In Article 26, the Parties agree to grant and ensure adequate, effective and non-discriminatory 
protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.  Furthermore they agree to accord each 
other national treatment no less favourable than that accorded to their own nationals and to nationals 
of any other country.  Exceptions to national treatme nt must be in accordance with the provisions of 
the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, in particular Articles 4  and 5.  The Parties agree to regularly review the implementation of the provisions of this 
Article.   
B. S
ECTOR -SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
47. There are no sector-specific provisions in the Agreement. 
C. INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT  
1. Exceptions and reservations 
48. Article 31 incorporates general exceptions simi lar to those found in Article XX of the 
GATT 1994 into the Agreement.  Article 30 contains  security exceptions similar to those found in 
Article XXI of the GATT 1994. 
2. Accession 
49. There is no provision in the Agreement for the accession of third parties. 
3. Institutional framework 
50. Articles 28-29 deal with the administration of the Agreement;  in particular, they establish a 
Joint Committee responsible for the administration a nd proper implementation of the Agreement.  The 
Committee may take decisions in cases provided for in the Agreement and make recommendations on 
any other matter.  It is also manda ted to serve as the forum for Partie s' consultations and to keep under 
review the possibility of further removal of obst acles to trade between the Parties.  The Committee 
meets whenever necessary at the request of the Part ies, but at least once a year;  it acts by common 
agreement. 
51. No general review of the Agreement is foreseen; however, Article 33 provides for an 
evolutionary clause through which one Party may submit a request to extend the scope of the Agreement to the other Party.  The Parties may then instruct the Joint Committee to examine the 
request and, where appropriate, ma ke recommendations to them, partic ularly with a view to beginning 
negotiations.  Any agreement resulting from such a pr ocess will be subject to ratification or approval 
by the Parties in accordance with  their national legislation. 
4. Dispute settlement 
52. Article 21 sets out the procedures that apply to th e settlement of disputes between the Parties.  
Before initiating the procedure for the application of  measures, the Parties agree to try to solve any 
differences through direct consu ltations.  If consultations in th e Joint Committee do not yield a 
decision within one month of the matter being refe rred to it, the concerned Party may adopt measures 
it considers necessary to remedy the situation.  Su ch measures shall be notified immediately to the  WT/REG240/1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Joint Committee and shall be the subject of regular  consultations within the Joint Committee with a 
view to their relaxation or abolition when cond itions no longer justify their maintenance.   
53. When exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior examination 
impossible, the Party concerned may take precautionary measures strictly necessary to remedy the situation.  Such measures shall be notifie d without delay to the Joint Committee.  
5. Relationship with other agreements concluded by the Parties 
54. The Agreement does not prevent the mainte nance or establishment of customs unions, 
free-trade areas or arrangements fo r cross-border trade with third c ountries to the extent that such 
agreements do not negatively affect the trade regime  and in particular the provisions concerning rules 
of origin provided for in the Agreement (Article 15). 
55. Table IV.1 lists the RTAs, notified and non-notified to the GATT/WTO and in force, to 
which Albania and Turkey are parties.   
Table IV.1 
Turkey and Albania:  Participation in other RTAs (n otified and non-notified in force), as of March 2009  
Partner /Agreement GATT/WTO Notification 
 Date of entry  
into force Type of 
agreement Year WTO Provision 
TURKEY 
Georgia 01.11.08 Goods 2009 GATT Art. XXIV 
Egypt 01.03.07 Goods 2007 Enabling Clause 
Syria 01.01.07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
Morocco 01.01.06 Goods 2006 GATT Art. XXIV 
Tunisia 01.07.05 Goods 2005 GATT Art. XXIV 
Palestinian Authority 01.06.05 Goods 2005 GATT Art. XXIV 
Croatia 01.07.03 Goods 2003 GATT Art. XXIV 
Bosnia and Herzegovina 01.07. 03 Goods 2003 GATT Art. XXIV 
FYROM 01.09.00 Goods 2001 GATT Art. XXIV 
Israel 01.05.97 Goods 1998 GATT Art. XXIV 
European Communities 01.01.96 Goods 1995 GATT Art. XXIV 
EFTA 01.04.92 Goods 1992 GATT Art. XXIV 
PTN 11.02.73 Goods 1971 Enabling Clause 
ECO Signed 17.07.03 
not implemented Goods 1992 Enabling Clause 
ALBANIA 
CEFTA 01.05.07 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
European Communities 01.12.06 Goods 2007 GATT Art. XXIV 
Source: WTO Secretariat.  
 
EFTA: European Free Trade Area. 
PTN: Protocol relating to Trade Ne gotiations among deve loping countries. 
ECO: Economic Cooperation Organization. 
FYROM: Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia.  CEFTA: Central European Free Trade Agreement. 
 
 WT/REG240/1 
Page 16  
 
  ANNEX I 
 
Indicators of Trade Liberalization under the Agreement
 
  
1. A comparison between the scheduled elimination of tariffs applied to the Parties' mutual 
imports and the duty rates applied by them on MFN imports is shown in Tables AI.1 (Albania) and 
AI.2 (Turkey), by agricultural (WTO definition), non-agricultural and total products.  Applied MFN 
duty rates in 2008 serve as a comparison. 
2. In 2008 Albania's (unweighted) average MFN rate was 5.4%;  the tariff applied to agricultural 
products is almost double that applied to non-agricult ural products.  35.6% of Albania's tariff lines are 
duty-free at an MFN level.  On entry into force of the Agreement, Turkey's exporters enjoyed a 
relative margin of preference of 97.7% on non-agricultural products vis-à-vis  the prevailing average 
MFN tariff in 2008, and a relative margin of preference of 4.5% in agricultural goods.  By the end of the transition period in 2013, the average tariff faced by Turkey's exporters on all products is set to be 
1.7%, with the share of duty-free tariff lines incr easing from 35.6% to 82.4%, although the share of 
duty-free tariff lines on agricultural produc ts rises from 10.3% to only 14.7%.   
Table AI.1 
Albania: Indicators of MFN tariff rates a nd preferential rates for imports from Turkey 
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural productsa Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Origin 
of goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 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 2008 5.4 8.3 35.6 8.8 9.8 10.3 4.5 7.8 42.2 
Turkey 2008 1.8 9.7 81.1 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.1 7.3 98.3 
 2009 1.8 9.6 81.1 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.1 5.6 98.3 
 2010 1.8 9.4 81.1 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.1 3.7 98.3 
 2011 1.8 9.3 81.2 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.0 2.0 98.4 
 2012 1.8 9.3 81.2 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.0 1.5 98.4 
 2013 1.7 9.9 82.4 8.4 9.9 14.7 0.0 5.3 99.9 
 
a WTO Definition. 
 Note:  For tariff lines subject to TRQs only the out-of-qu ota duty is included in the tariff-related calculations. 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Albania. 
 
3. Turkey has a variable MFN tariff structure.  Its (unweighted) average MFN rate (2008) is 
11.5% on all goods, with an average tariff applied to  agricultural goods almost ten times that applied 
to non-agricultural products.  23.8% of Turkey's tariff lines are duty-free at an MFN level.  On entry into force, Albania's exporters enjoyed a relativ e margin of preference of 82% on non-agricultural 
products vis-à-vis  the prevailing average MFN tariff in 2008, and a relative margin of preference of 
0.64% in agricultural goods.  The share of duty -free tariff lines on all products increases from 23.8% 
to 84.9% upon entry into force of the Agreemen t, while the share of duty-free tariff lines in 
agricultural products is expected to rise from 13.3% to only 15.9%.  
 
     
  WT/REG240/1 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Table AI.2 
Turkey:  Indicators of MFN tariff rates a nd preferential rates for imports from Albania 
ALL PRODUCTS Agricultural products a Non-agricultural products 
Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Average applied 
tariff Origin of 
goods Year 
Overall 
(%) On 
dutiable 
(%) 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 2008 11.5 15.0 23.8 46.8 54.1 13.3 5.0 6.7 25.8 
Albania 2008 8.0 52.8 84.9 46.5 55.2 15.9 0.9 37.1 97.6 
 a WTO Definition.  
Note: Calculations exclude specific and in-quota rates and include the ad valorem  part of alternate rates. 
 
Source : WTO Secretariat estimates based on data provided by Turkey. 
 
4. Table A.3 shows the market access opportunities in  Albania for Turkey's top 25 exports, 
which in 2005-2007 accounted on av erage for 22.5% of Turkey's globa l exports.  The table shows at 
which year all HS 8-digit tariff lines corresponding to the product definition (i.e. applying to the 
6-digit HS code used to capture the volume of trade) will become duty-free in Albania. 
5. Turkey's top 25 exports cover a total of 95 HS 8-digit tariff lines.  Seven of Turkey's top 
25 exports already benefited from zero MFN duties in Albania's market:  in 2008, 17 products 
(accounting for 79 tariff lines and 17.7% of Turk ey's average global exports) gain immediate 
duty-free access.  One product – cotton not carded or combed – is excluded from tariff liberalization.  The margin of preference granted to Turkey by Albania under the Agreement varies from 1.3 to 
10 percentage points. 
Table AI.3 – Market access opportunities und er the agreement for Turkey's top 25 exports 
Access Conditions to Albania's import markets  
MFN (2008)  Turkey's top export products in 2005-2007  Number of tariff 
lines  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 
2008  Remain 
Dutiable  
870323 Motor cars of a cylinder capacity exceeding 
1,500 cc but not exceeding 3,000 cc 0.7 6.3  3 3  
720839 Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy 
steel, of a thickness of less than 3 mm 0.6 2.0  1 1  
870421 Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, 
g.v.w. not exceeding 5 tonnes 0.5 2.0  5 5  
760110 Aluminium, not alloyed 0.5 0.0 1    
870332 Motor cars, of a cylinder capacity exceeding 
1,500 cc but not exceeding 2,500 cc 0.5 6.3  3 3  
847130 Portable digital automatic data processing 
machines, weighing not more than 10 kg 0.4 0.0 1    
870331 Motor cars of a cylinder capacity not 
exceeding 1,500 cc 0.4 8.5  2 2  
870829 Parts and accessories of motor vehicles of 
headings 87.01 to 87.05, other 0.4 2.0  2 2  
390410 Poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any 
other substances 0.4 2.0  1 1  
840820 Engines of a kind used for the propulsion of 
vehicles of Chapter 87 0.4 1.3 3 5 5  
271011 Light oils and preparations 0.4 4.5 5 7 7  
390120 Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 
0.94 or more 0.4 0.0 2    
870899 Parts and accessories of motor vehicles of 
headings 87.01 to 87.05, other 0.4 2.0  6 6  
760120 Aluminium alloys 0.3 0.0 3    
710812 Gold, non-monetary, other unwrought forms 3.0 2.0  1 1  
271019 Other petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals other than light oils and 
preparations 2.7 4.0 11 14 14  WT/REG240/1 
Page 18  
 
  Access Conditions to Albania's import markets  
MFN (2008)  Turkey's top export products in 2005-2007  Number of tariff 
lines  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 
2008  Remain 
Dutiable  
720449 Other waste and scrap other than turnings, 
shavings, chips, milling waste, sawdust, 
filings, trimmings and stampings  2.7 1.3 1 2 2  
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude. 2.0 10.0  2 2  
270112 Bituminous coal 1.0 6.0  2 2  
271119 Other liquefied petrol eum gases 1.0 10.0  1 1  
300490 Other medicaments 1.0 0.0 4    
390210 Polypropylene 0.8 0.0 1    
520100 Cotton, not carded or combed. 0.7 2.0  2  2 
740311 Cathodes and sections of  cathodes 0.7 10.0  1 1  
852520 Transmission apparatus incorporating 
reception apparatus 0.7 0.0 3    
Total of above 22.5  35 60 58 2 
Source : WTO estimates based on data provided by Albania and UNSD, Comtrade data. 
 
6. Table A.4 shows the market access opportuniti es in Turkey for Albania's top 25 exports 
(at the HS 6-digit level), which accounted on average for 64.5% of Albania's exports to the world in 
2005-07.  The table shows at which year all HS 12-digit tariff lines corresponding to the product definition (i.e. applying to the 6-digit HS code us ed to capture the volume of trade) will become 
duty-free in Turkey.   
 
7. Albania's top 25 exports cover a total of 129 HS 12-digit tariff lines.  Seven of Albania's top 
25 exports (which account for 20 HS 12-digit lines a nd 13.7% of Albania's average global exports in 
the period 2005-07) already benefit from zero MFN du ties in Turkey's market;  a further 16 products, 
accounting for 97 HS 12-digit lines and 46.7% of Albania's average global exports in the period 2005-
2007 are granted duty-free access in 2008.  Two of Al bania's top 25 export products – anchovies and 
other plants and parts of plants used primarily in perfumery – are excluded from tariff liberalization 
under the Agreement.  The margin of preference granted to Albania by Turkey under the Agreement 
varies from 2.7 to 12 percentage points.  
Table AI.4  
Turkey:  Market access opportunities under the agreement for Albania's top 25 exports 
Access Conditions to Turkey's import markets 
MFN (2008) Albania's top export products in 2005-2007 Number of tariff 
lines Number of Tariff 
Lines 
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Avg. 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-
free Dutiable  Duty-
free in 
2008 Remain 
Dutiable 
640610 Parts of footwear, uppers and parts thereof, 
other than stiffeners 13.7 3.0  4 4  
620342 Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and 
shorts, of cotton 7.3 12.0  11 11  
620520 Men's or boys' shirts, of cotton 3.6 12.0  3 3  
270900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from 
bituminous minerals, crude. 3.4 0.0 2    
830140 Other locks 3.2 2.7  7 7  
261000 Chromium ores and concentrates. 2.9 0.0 2    
740400 Copper waste and scrap. 2.6 0.0 3    
640510 Other footwear, with uppers of leather or 
composition leather 2.4 3.5  12 12  
160416 Anchovies 2.3 80.0  1  1 
Table AI.4 (Cont'd)   WT/REG240/1 
 Page 19 
 
 
  Access Conditions to Turkey's import markets 
MFN (2008) Albania's top export products in 2005-2007 Number of tariff 
lines Number of Tariff 
Lines 
HS number and description of the product  Share in 
global 
exports 
(%) Avg. 
applied 
rate 
(%) Duty-
free Dutiable  Duty-
free in 
2008 Remain 
Dutiable 
640359 Other footwear with outer soles of leather other 
than covering the ankle 2.1 7.7  11 11  
610910 T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or 
crocheted, of cotton 2.1 12.0  1 1  
121190 Other plants and parts of plants (including seeds 
and fruits), of a kind used primarily in 
perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, 
fungicidal or similar purposes. 1.9 32.7  11  11 
721420 Other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel 
containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other 
deformations  1.9 15.0  7 7  
610610 Women's or girls' blouses, shirts and shirt-
blouses, knitted or crocheted, of cotton 1.7 12.0  1 1  
720241 Ferro chromium containing by weight more than 
4% of carbon 1.6 4.0  3 3  
610821 Briefs and panties, of cotton 1.5 12.0  2 2  
640590 Other footwear 1.4 10.5  6 6  
760200 Aluminium waste and scrap. 1.3 0.0 3    
610711 Men's or boys' underpants, of cotton 1.2 12.0  2 2  
720449 Other waste and scrap 1.2 0.0 4    
271320 Petroleum bitumen 1.2 0.0 3    
640351 Other footwear with outer soles of leather, 
Covering the ankle 1.1 8.0  7 7  
481940 Other sacks and bags, including cones 1.1 0.0 3    
640391 Other footwear covering the ankle 1.1 7.6  17 17  
610990 T-shirts, singlets and other vests, knitted or 
crocheted, of other textile materials 0.8 12.0  3 3  
Total of above  64.5  20 109 97 12 
 
Source:  WTO estimates based on data provided by Turkey and UNSD, Comtrade data. 
 
 WT/REG240/1 
Page 20  
 
  ANNEX II 
 
TRQs under the Turkey-Albania Agreement
 
 1. Tables AII.1 and 2 contain the TRQs maintain ed by the Parties under the Agreement.  
Albania has no TRQs on an MFN basis.  For Turk ey these TRQs are specific to the Agreement. 
Table AII.1  
Albania's TRQs on imports originating from Turkey 
HS Code Product Description TRQs on entry into force 
(2008) 
  Quota 
(Tonne) In-quota 
duty % Average 
MFN 2008 
0406.30 Processed cheese, not grated or powdered 200 0 10.0 
0406.90 Other cheese 100 0 10.4 
0407.00.11,19 Eggs for hatching 5,000,000 
pieces 0 2.0 
0409 Honey 100 0 10.0 
0702.00 Tomatoes, fresh or chilled 200 0 10.0 
0709.60 Fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta 200 0 10.0 
0710.80 Other vegetables, frozen 200 0 10.0 
0712.90 Other vegetables; mixtures  of vegetables, dried 200 0 10.0 
0713.20 Chickpeas 150 0 10.0 
0713.33 Kidney beans, including white pea beans 100 0 3.5 
0713.40 Lentils 150 0 10.0 
0802.32 Walnuts 100 0 10.0 
0802.40 Chestnut 100 0 10.0 
0804.20 Figs 200 0 10.0 
0806.10 Grapes 200 0 12.5 
0807 Melons (including watermelons) 200 0 10.0 
0808.10 Apples 400 0 10.0 
0809.20 Cherry (including sour cherry) 200 0 10.0 
0809.30 Peaches 100 0 10.0 
0811.10 Strawberries, frozen 200 0 10.0 
0811.90 Other fruits, frozen 50 0 10.0 
0813.10 Dried apricot 100 0 10.0 
0904 Pepper of the genus Piper; dried or crushed or ground fruits of the genus 
Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta 0 15.0 
0909 Seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriander, cumin or caraway; juniper 
berries 0 15.0 
0910 Ginger, saffron, turmeric (curcuma),  thyme, bay leaves, curry and other 
spices 50 
0 14.6 
1704 Sugar confectionery, not containing cocoa 1,000 0 10.0 
1806 Chocolate and other food prepara tions containing cocoa 3,500 0 10.0 
2001.10 Cucumber and gherkins, prepared or preserved 0 15.0 
2001.90 Other prepared or preserve d vegetables and fruits 0 15.0 
2002 Tomatoes prepared or preserved otherwis e than by vinegar or acetic acid 0 15.0 
2005.90 Other vegetables and mixtures of vegetables, prepared or preserved 0 15.0 
2007 Jams and jellies 0 9.3 
2008 Prepared or preserved fruit, nuts a nd other edible parts of plants 0 14.2 
2009 Fruit juices 1,100 
0 15.0 
2105 Ice cream 50 0 15.0 
 
Source:  Turkey-Albania FTA and data provided by Albania. 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
 
  
  WT/REG240/1 
 Page 21 
 
 
  Table AII.2  
Turkey's TRQs on imports originating from Albania 
HS Code Product Description TRQs on entry into force 
(2008) 
  Quota (Tonne) In-quota duty % Average MFN 
2008 
0406 Cheese and curd 100 0 124.5 
0407 Eggs 2,000,00 0 pieces 0 24.4 
0409.00  Honey 100 0 38.5 
0602 Other live plants (including roots) cuttings and slips; 
mushroom spawn 300 0 5.3 
0702.00 Tomatoes, fresh or chilled 200 0 48.6 
0703.00 Onions and fresh onions 100 0 49.5 
0704.00 Cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar 
edible brassicas, fresh or chilled 200 0 19.5 
0706.10 Carrots 100 0 36.9 
0707.00 Cucumber 100 0 29.7 
0708.20 Beans 150 0 19.5 
0710.80 Other vegetables, frozen 200 0 19.5 
0712.90 Other vegetables; mixtures  of vegetables, dried 200 0 18.5 
0713.10 Peas, 'pisum sativum', drie d and shelled, whether or not 
skinned or split (excl. Peas for sowing) 150 0 9.7 
0910 Ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves, curry, 
origanum, drill and omp; other spices 25 0 86.4 
0807 Melons (including wa ter melons) 200 0 21.6 
0811.90     
(excl. 0811.90.75) Other fruits, frozen 300 0 30.0 
1211                          
(excl.1211.40, 1211.90.97.00.13) Plants and parts of plants 
300 0 35.0 
1604  Prepared or preserved fish 400 0 80.1 
1806 Chocolate and other products  containing cocoa 3,500 0 8.6 
2001.10 Cucumber and gherkins, prepared or preserved 0 39.0 
2002  
(excl. 2002.90) Peeled tomatoes, whole or in pieces, prepared or 
preserved (otherwise than vinegar or acetic acid) 0 135.9 
2007 Jams and jellies 0 54.0 
2008 Prepared or preserved fruit, nuts and other edible parts 
of plants 0 57.2 
2009 Fruit juices 1,000 
0 58.5 
2002.90 Tomato paste  100 0 135.9 
2105 Ice cream 50 0 8.2 
2204 Wine of fresh grapes 250 hl 0 67.5 
 
Note: For the calculation of  MFN averag es specific rates are excluded and the ad valorem  part of alternate rates are included. 
 
Source:  Turkey-Albania FTA and data provided by Turkey. 
 
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