Overseas Countries and Territories

Overseas Countries and Territories

Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)

Aruba, together with all the other islands of the former Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius) have the status of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). Oct countries are non-European countries and territories which have special relations with the European Union (EU). This special relationship is designed to bring about economic and social development of OCTs countries and is regulated in the Overseas Association Decision.

The Overseas Association Decision provides, under certain conditions, for a more favorable customs tariff or exemption from import duties on goods imported from a OCTs-country in the EU. It is important that these goods are originating in a OCTs country.

When will my goods be regarded as goods originating in Aruba?

Your goods can get the status of OCTs origin if the product comply with the rules of origin.

For goods wholly obtained or produced entirely in Aruba it is quite easy to confirm because those rules are applicable and valid. For goods obtained outside Aruba and who have undergone a certain treatment or processing in Aruba it is a bit more difficult to determine whether those rules are applicable and valid.

For an application ‘status originating OCTs’ the following documents have to be submitted to the Departamento di Aduana:

  • A recent extract of the registration of your business with the Chamber of Commerce;
  • A description of the production process and a list of the types and quantities of raw materials,    auxiliary materials and semi-finished goods with corresponding codes;
  • Ex-works price of the finished product and the commodity code;
  • A description of the method of calculation of the cost price in your company manufactured    products; and
  • A list of the persons who have the authority to act on behalf of the company to sign the export   declaration and EUR. 1 certificates, as well as a picture of their signature for our administration.

 

Where can I find the rules of origin?

The OCT origin rules are set out in the Overseas Association Decision (LGO-besluit).

How can I prove in the EU that my goods have the “origin OCT” status?

If your goods meet the rules of origin you can collect the certificate of origin (EUR. 1) for the export. As evidence of the originating status “OCT” you can use in the country of import the EUR. 1 certificate.