Freeports, special economic zones and the WTO


Published by a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô International Trade expert
Practice notes

Freeports, special economic zones and the WTO


Published by a ³ÉÈËÓ°Òô International Trade expert

Practice notes
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This Practice Note gives practical guidance on the WTO’s legal framework that is relevant to freeports. It provides guidance on the relevant considerations under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures Agreement, the Agreement on Trade-related Investment Measures, the Agreement on Trade Facilitation and the General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Introduction

Freeports, special economic zones, free zones, free economic zones are all terms used to describe the same arrangement within a specific country. Although there is no agreed definition, these arrangements all provide some relief from customs duties, certain taxes (such as import VAT) as well as a reduction in regulatory and bureaucratic compliance. In other words, it is specifically designated areas where different economic regulations apply than in the rest of the country where the arrangement is located. In the UK, these arrangements are referred to as freeports and this term is used in this Practice Note.

Freeports and the WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) does directly regulate freeports through a treaty. However, this does not imply that Member States are free to design

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United Kingdom

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