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October 14, 2019
2019-6264

MERCOSUR decision allows goods to retain origin quality when passing through a free trade zone

MERCOSUR Decision No. 33/015 entered into force on 21 July 2019 and allows goods that enter a free trade zone for transportation or warehousing to retain their MERCOSUR origin quality.

Background

MERCOSUR is a trade bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In general terms, goods are considered to have MERCOSUR origin quality when they are fully or mostly manufactured with materials coming from one or more MERCOSUR countries. Goods with MERCOSUR origin are supposed to be granted preferential tax treatment (i.e., lower customs taxation) when being traded between the MERCOSUR countries.

Before Decision No. 33/015, however, goods from MERCOSUR that entered a free trade zone lost their origin and could not benefit from the preferential tax treatment.

Decision No. 33/015

Decision No. 33/015 allows goods to retain their MERCOSUR origin quality and benefit from the preferential tax treatment, provided the goods enter the free trade zone for transportation or warehousing.

In addition, goods from a country outside of MERCOSUR may receive the same preferential tax treatment, provided the goods are on the MERCOSUR Commerce Commission’s approved list and the country has the same origin rules for goods that enter into all MERCOSUR states as a result of a trade agreement with MERCOSUR.

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young Uruguay, Montevideo
  • Martha Roca | martha.roca@uy.ey.com
  • María Inés Eibe | ines.eibe@uy.ey.com
Ernst & Young, LLP (United States), Latin American Business Center, New York
  • Ana Mingramm | ana.mingramm@ey.com
  • Enrique Perez Grovas | enrique.perezgrovas@ey.com
  • Pablo Wejcman | pablo.wejcman@ey.com
Ernst & Young LLP (United Kingdom), Latin American Business Center, London
  • Jose Padilla | jpadilla@uk.ey.com
Ernst & Young Tax Co., Latin America Tax Desk, Japan & Asia Pacific
  • Raul Moreno, Tokyo | raul.moreno@jp.ey.com
  • Luis Coronado, Singapore | luis.coronado@sg.ey.com

ATTACHMENT

 
 

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