Manual on the application of East African Community Rules of Origin.

Abstract

The Manual on the Application of EAC Rules of Origin is an EAC publication which sets out guidelines on the operationalization of the EAC Rules of Origin in order to accord community tariff preferences to goods that meet the origin criteria and are traded between the Partner States. The Manual spells out in detail the application of the four criteria in determining the origin status of goods, procedures of administering the rules, procedures for treatment of small scale cross border trade and institutional framework for the implementation of the Rules of Origin.

This Manual has been developed to enable uniform interpretation and application of the Rules of Origin in EAC. It is designed to enable Customs officers and other officers involved in the clearance of goods understand the mechanisms of according the Community tariff treatment to goods traded in EAC. It also intended to make the traders and other stakeholders understand the procedures and requirements for goods to qualify under the internal trade regime.

The Manual can be used both as an operational instrument and in training of Customs officers and Clearing Agents. Periodical review will be done on the manual to ensure that its consistent with any new changes in trade both at international and regional level for which EAC circumscribes to.