The ECOWAS common market within your reach
The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) allows products originating in the region to move free of customs duties. With the Common External Tariff (CET), ECOWAS offers a harmonised framework for trade with a market of more than 400 million consumers.
Schéma de Libéralisation des Échanges (SLEC)
The ETLS allows industrial and handicraft products originating in ECOWAS to move freely between Member States without customs duties or quantitative restrictions. Unprocessed agricultural products and traditional handicrafts also benefit from this preferential regime.
Tarif Extérieur Commun (TEC)
The CET is a unified customs tariff applied by all ECOWAS Member States to imports from third countries. It has 5 tariff bands (0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 35%) depending on the product category, creating a predictable trading environment.
Certificat d'origine CEDEAO
The certificate of origin is the key document for benefiting from the ETLS. It certifies that your product originates in the ECOWAS area and allows you to export duty-free to the other Member States. The Resident Representation guides you through the procedure for obtaining it.
A market of 400 million consumers
The ECOWAS area represents a considerable market for Senegalese businesses. Thanks to regional trade agreements, you can reach new customers in 11 other countries without customs barriers. The Resident Representation supports your regional expansion.
The steps to export within the ECOWAS area
Check eligibility
Make sure your product meets the ECOWAS rules of origin: manufactured or substantially processed in a Member State with at least 30% local value added.
Obtain the certificate
Apply for your ECOWAS certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce or the Ministry of Trade. This document is essential to benefit from the customs duty exemption.
Prepare your documents
Gather the required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, customs declaration and any certificate specific to your product (sanitary, phytosanitary, etc.).
Ship your products
Export using your chosen mode of transport. Your goods will enter the destination country duty-free thanks to the ECOWAS certificate of origin.