This issue, SITPRO’s Helpdesk Manager, Aileen Prendergast, explains how to find out about import duties in Europe.
Q. I am looking at exporting to a number of countries outside the European Union and would like to know how much import duty my customers will have to pay. Where can I find this information?
A. You can find this information on the EU's Market Access Database at http://mkaccdb.eu.int/ (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
). This database is provided free of charge by the European Union and is designed to assist EU exporters enter world markets by providing amongst other things information on tariffs and duties and import formalities. By entering the first 4 digits of the commodity code or the product description and the country of import in the relevant fields in the Applied Tariffs section, you will be able to find the duties and taxes applicable. The heading MFN in this section means Most Favoured Nation and is the rate of duty applied under WTO conditions. The heading EU means the rate of duty applied for products that qualify as EU originating goods under the rules set out in a bilateral trade agreement between the EU and a number of other countries. GSP on the other hand is the lower rate of duty applied to goods from developing countries under the Generalised System of Preferences. The Import Formalities section provides details of documentary requirements for the various markets.
Please note that you will not be able to access the above if you are located outside the EU. If your business is located in the EU but the connection goes through a proxy which is located in a non-EU country, you will similarly NOT be able to access the database.
If you need help with a trade procedures query, call Aileen at the SITPRO Helpdesk on
020 7215 8150 or email aileen.prendergast@sitpro.org.uk 
.
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 54, Autumn 2005