Proof of origin from GSP States
As of 1 January, 2021, Statements on Origin are the only valid proofs of origin for goods from GSP states. It is not possible to issue new GSP Certificates. Certificates issued prior to 1 January 2021 may be used, for a small number of countries, for the duration of the certificate. There are some states that are not authorised to issue any proof of origin.
When importing goods using a proof of origin from GSP states, you have been required to regularly be aware of any provisions that apply to the GSP states from which you import. Almost all GSP states have made the transition to exclusively use Rex and Statements on Origin. Any state that has not made this transition is not authorised to issue any proofs of origin.
Imports from countries unable to issue proofs of origin are not eligible for GSP based benefits. This situation applies until the states have made their transition to the Rex system.
Older GSP Certificates may be used for the duration of their validity
If you hold a GSP Certificate issued prior to the end of 2020, you can inquire whether this state was authorised to issue GSP Certificates at the time of issue. In such cases, you can use this certificate for as long as it is valid. Consequently, you must track its expiry date.
GSP Certificates are valid for 10 months from the date of issue. For goods placed in a customs warehouse or presented for inward processing or temporary admission respectively, the expiry date may be extended.
Applicable provisions for the country with which you trade
Browse which provisions apply to the country with which you trade in the European Commission’s list. This list contains information about when different countries are ready to use Rex, and countries that have not yet started to use Rex. The list also contains information about countries authorised to issue GSP Certificates until the end of 2020.
The European Commission’s list of Rex registered countries.
Interpreting the European Commission’s list
When a country is ready to use Rex, the text “REX system not yet applied” in the second column is changed to the date when the system can be used.
The third column shows each country’s transition period, i.e., for how long the country was eligible to continue issuing GSP Certificates.
Example 1
Malawi started using the REX System on 1 January 2018 and the country’s transition period ended on 31 December of the same year. Consequently, exporters in Malawi may only issue REX Statements on Origin from 2019.
This situation is showed as follows in the European Commission’s list:
GSP beneficiary countries | Effective application date of the REX system (*) | End of the transition period |
|---|---|---|
Malawi | 01/01/2018 | 31/12/2018 |
Example 2
Currently, Syria is unable to issue any proofs of origin. The country was meant to start using REX in 2018; however, it has not completed its transition. Consequently, the country has been unable to use either REX or GSP Certificates since 2019.
This situation is showed as follows in the European Commission’s list:
GSP beneficiary countries | Effective application date of the REX system (*) | End of the transition period |
|---|---|---|
Syria | REX system not yet applied | 31/12/2018 |
Example 3
Bangladesh is currently only authorised to issue statements on origin. Bangladesh started using the REX System on 1 January 2019 and requested an extension to continue issuing GSP Certificates until 31 December 2020. Consequently, the country could keep issuing GSP Certificates until 31 December 2020. These Certificates may be used until their respective expiry dates.
This situation is showed as follows in the European Commission’s list:
GSP beneficiary countries | Effective application date of the REX system (*) | End of the transition period |
|---|---|---|
Bangladesh | 01/01/2019 | 31/12/2020 |
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