Removal of tariff barriers
The ETLS aims to remove customs duties and taxes of equivalent effect on goods originating in Member States.
Promoting intra-Community trade
The ETLS encourages trade between ECOWAS Member States by easing access to the regional market.
Harmonised, simpler procedures
Simplified origin procedures to make trade easier across the ECOWAS area.
About the ETLS
Between 2018 and 2021, ECOWAS revised its legal instruments on rules of origin, origin recognition procedures and certification of origin.
The revision updates and simplifies the texts governing the ECOWAS trade liberalisation regime, taking into account developments at continental level and the commitments made by Member States to international organisations such as the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
These legal texts are available in the “Resources” section.
Origin recognition procedure
-
Application
The company submits its application to the National Committee for Recognition of Community Origin.
-
Review by the national committee
The national committee selects the products that meet the Community origin criteria.
-
Approved files sent
The committee sends the list of products recognised as originating to the ECOWAS Commission.
-
Member States notified
The Commission notifies the other Member States of the products recognised as originating.
News
La Task Force sur le Schéma de Libéralisation des échanges de la CEDEAO salue les échanges au Sommet entre le Bénin et le Niger afin de promouvoir la libre circulation des personnes et des biens entre les deux Etats.
Read more : La Task Force sur le Schéma de Libéralisation des échanges de la CEDEAO salue les échanges au Sommet entre le Bénin et le Niger afin de promouvoir la libre circulation des personnes et des biens entre les deux Etats.SCHEMA DE LIBERALISATION DES ECHANGES DE LA CEDEAO (SLE) : ATELIER REGIONAL SUR LA LIBRE CIRCULATION DE L’HUILE DE PALME SOUS LE REGIME DE TRAITEMENT PREFEREN-TIEL
Read more : SCHEMA DE LIBERALISATION DES ECHANGES DE LA CEDEAO (SLE) : ATELIER REGIONAL SUR LA LIBRE CIRCULATION DE L’HUILE DE PALME SOUS LE REGIME DE TRAITEMENT PREFEREN-TIELEvents
80th ECOWAS Council of Ministers 13 – 14 November 2018 “Memorandum on the meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance on the Consolidation of ECOWAS Customs Union”
Read more : 80th ECOWAS Council of Ministers 13 – 14 November 2018 “Memorandum on the meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Finance on the Consolidation of ECOWAS Customs Union”Organisation de l’atelier de formation du portail web du schéma de libéralisation des échanges de la CEDEAO sur les procédures d’agrément au SLE du 6 au 10 Juin 2022 à Lomé, Togo
Read more : Organisation de l’atelier de formation du portail web du schéma de libéralisation des échanges de la CEDEAO sur les procédures d’agrément au SLE du 6 au 10 Juin 2022 à Lomé, TogoPhoto gallery
Full gallery
ETLS in figures
- 15+ Member States
- 2 981+ Approved companies
- 8 146+ Approved products
