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Tariff quotas

Tariff quotas allow the import of agricultural products at a reduced rate under certain conditions. The management and allocation of these quotas are conducted through the electronic system “e-quota”. Goods imported under a quota must undergo mandatory customs declaration using “e-dec Import” or “e-dec web”.

Tariff quotas are commitments in the agricultural sector to grant market access to a specific quantity of products at a reduced rate of duty under certain conditions. A distinction is made between

  • individual allocations by the Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG and
  • collective quotas (preferential tariff quotas, global quotas) of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security FOCBS.

Customs declaration

Tariff quotas are are managed with an electronic system for quota management called “e-quota”. Consequently, merchandise under quota is subject to mandatory customs clearance with “e-dec Import” or “e-dec web”.

Customs declarations are checked and processed accordingly directly when the import customs declaration is transmitted. The IT system “e-dec Import” rejects non-compliant customs declarations.

Status of FOCBS collective quotas, grouped by enactment

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Further info

Information office for customs regulations