Origin

The Principality of Liechtenstein (LI) joined the European Economic Area (EEA) on May 01, 1995, and since then has been part of its area of origin, in which the rules of origin listed in Protocol 4 to the Agreement on the EEA (EEA) apply.

Switzerland (CH), on the other hand, decided not to join the EEA at that time, as a result of which the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of CH with the European Union (EU) became bilateral, but continues to apply to LI due to the customs treaty. Thus, LI belongs, in addition to the EEA, also to the area of origin of CH, in which the rules of origin of Protocol 3 to this FTA apply.

As a result, two economic areas or areas of origin coexist in parallel in LI with regard to cross-border trade in goods with the member states of the EU. Since both Prot. 4 EWRA and Prot. 3 of the FTA CH-EU apply the rules of the PEM Convention, there are practically no substantial differences. Where deviations are found - especially of a formal nature - and how these are to be handled is explained in this fact sheet.

Comprehensive information on the subject of Free trade agreements and origin is provided by the Federal Customs Administration on its website.

Merkblatt betreffend EWR-Ursprung