FTAs vs GSP: understanding key differences and practical implications for companies
Attorney at Law, Customs and Trade Compliance, nettes`globaltrade, Germany
Managing Editor, CustomsClear, Ukraine
Published 23 Apr 2026
This article explores the practical differences between free trade agreements (FTAs) and the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) scheme. As they operate in fundamentally different ways, they also influence internal company processes differently. It explains why origin information relevant to the GSP may still be included in suppliers’ declarations and examines the concepts of bilateral and regional cumulation within the GSP framework, among other aspects.
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