Fact Sheet
Questions free trade agreements with Georgia
Apr 30, 2026
Following ratification by the individual countries, the free trade agreement between the EFTA (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Georgia entered into force on May 1, 2018. All import duties are immediately lifted for almost all industrial products. Imported processed and unprocessed food products are subject to a substantial tariff reduction.
How does tariff reduction work when importing to Switzerland or Georgia?
Most duties were lifted in one step when the agreement entered into force. At the same time, Georgia's status as a GSP developing country was abolished. Exceptions remain in place for various agricultural products as well as fish and seafood products.
What rules of origin apply in this agreement?
Those of the PEM Convention — the pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.
What is considered proof of origin in this FTA?
The accepted proofs are EUR.1 movement certificates and the declaration of origin on the invoice. EUR-MED movement certificates and the declaration of origin on the EUR-MED invoice are also accepted, but for the time being only without (PEM) accumulation.
Wording of the declaration of origin
The wording prescribed by the PEM Convention should be used.
Can I cumulate in this FTA?
Yes. Bilateral cumulation (EFTA–Georgia) has been possible since the free trade agreement came into force. The agreement stipulates the application of the PEM Convention's rules of origin, and since Georgia has joined the pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention, diagonal cumulation with joint free trade partners within the Euro-Med system is possible in theory. As of September 2018, however, the legal foundation was lacking to a certain extent, so generally only bilateral cumulation (EFTA–Georgia) was possible. With effect from 1 June 2018, diagonal cumulation (EFTA–Georgia–EU) became possible, including for basic and processed agricultural products.
What is special about this FTA?
The agreement covers all goods. There are no additional bilateral agricultural agreements.
Drawback ban
The drawback ban applies to this agreement. This means that originating products in Switzerland may not be produced with non-originating materials that are subject to a refund of customs duties (for example, goods imported and subsequently re-exported in processing).
As a Swiss company, what other benefits do I gain with this FTA?
Swiss companies are no longer disadvantaged compared to their competitors from the EU, which has had its own FTA with Georgia in force since 2016.
Swiss companies are now no longer disadvantaged compared to their competitors from the EU. The EU also has an FTA with Georgia, which has been in force since 2016.
Important documents and more information regarding application:
The complete agreement between the EFTA and Georgia is available on the EFTA homepage (in English) via the following link.
The currently valid preferential tariffs as well as the rules of origin and list rules are available in the customs database via the following link.
Please contact our ExportHelp team should you have any further questions:
