Dominican Republic - Central America - United States Free Trade Agreement  *


INDEX
Preamble  
   
CHAPTER ONE INITIAL PROVISIONS
Article 1.1 Establishment of a Free Trade Area
Article 1.2 Objectives
Article 1.3 Relation to Other Agreements
Article 1.4 Extent of Obligations
   
CHAPTER TWO GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Article 2.1 Definitions of General Application
Annex 2.1 County-Specific Definitions
   
CHAPTER THREE NATIONALTREATMENT AND MARKET ACCESS FOR GOODS
Article 3.1 Scope and Coverage
SECTION A NATIONAL TREATMENT
Article 3.2 National Treatment
SECTION B TARIFF ELIMINATION
Article 3.3 Tariff Elimination
SECTION C SPECIAL REGIMES
Article 3.4 Waiver of Customs Duties
Article 3.5 Temporary Admission of Goods
Article 3.6 Goods Re-entered after Repair or Alteration
Article 3.7 Duty-Free Entry of Commercial Samples of Negligible Value and Printed Advertising Materials
SECTION D NON-TARIFF MEASURES
Article 3.8 Import and Export Restrictions
Article 3.9 Import Licensing
Article 3.10 Administrative Fees and Formalities
Article 3.11 Export Taxes
SECTION E OTHER MEASURES
Article 3.12 Distinctive Products
SECTION F AGRICULTURE
Article 3.13 Administration and Implementation of Tariff-Rate Quotas
Article 3.14 Agricultural Export Subsidies
Article 3.15 Agricultural Safeguard Measures
Article 3.16 Sugar Compensation Mechanism
Article 3.17 Consultations on Trade in Chicken
Article 3.18 Agriculture Review Commission
Article 3.19 Committee on Agricultural Trade
SECTION G TEXTILES AND APPAREL
Article 3.20 Refund of Customs Duties
Article 3.21 Duty-Free Treatment for Certain Goods
Article 3.22 Elimination of Existing Quantitative Restrictions
Article 3.23 Textile Safeguard Measures
Article 3.24 Customs Cooperation
Article 3.25 Rules of Origin and Related Matters
Article 3.26 Most-Favored-Nation Rates of Duty on Certain Goods
Article 3.27 Preferential Tariff Treatment for Wool Apparel Goods Assembled in Costa Rica
Article 3.28 Preferential Tariff Treatment for Non-Originating Apparel Goods of Nicaragua
Article 3.29 Definitions
SECTION H INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Article 3.30 Committee on Trade in Goods
SECTION I DEFINITIONS
Article 3.31 Definitions
Annex 3.2 National Treatment and Import and Export Restrictions
SECTION A MEASURES OF COSTA RICA
SECTION B MEASURES OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SECTION C MEASURES OF  EL SALVADOR
SECTION D MEASURES OF GUATEMALA
SECTION E MEASURES OF HONDURAS
SECTION F MEASURES OF NICARAGUA
SECTION G MEASURES OF THE UNITED STATES
Annex 3.3 Tariff Elimination
Annex 3.3.4 Implementation of Modifications Approved by the Parties to Accelerate the Elimination of Customs Duties
Annex 3.3.6
Appendix 3.3.6.4 Exceptions from Preferential Tariff Treatment
Annex 3.11 Export Taxes
Annex 3.15 Agricultural Safeguard Measures
Annex 3.22 Elimination of Existing Quantitative Restrictions
Annex 3.25 Short Supply List
Annex 3.27 Preferential Tariff Treatment for Wool Apparel Goods Assembled in Costa Rica
Annex 3.28 Preferential Tariff Treatment for Non-Originating Apparel Goods of Nicaragua
Annex 3.29 Textile or Apparel Goods Not Covered by Section G
   
CHAPTER FOUR RULES OF ORIGIN AND ORIGIN PROCEDURES
SECTION A RULES OF ORIGIN
Article 4.1 Originating Goods
Article 4.2 Regional Value Content
Article 4.3 Value of Materials
Article 4.4 Further Adjustments to the Value of Materials
Article 4.5 Accumulation
Article 4.6 De Minimis
Article 4.7 Fungible Goods and Materials
Article 4.8 Accessories, Spare Parts, and Tools
Article 4.9 Packaging Materials and Containers for Retail Sale
Article 4.10 Packing Materials and Containers for Shipment
Article 4.11 Indirect Materials Used in Production
Article 4.12 Transit and Transshipment
Article 4.13 Sets of Goods
Article 4.14 Consultation and Modifications
SECTION B ORIGIN PROCEDURES
Article 4.15 Obligations Relating to Importations
Article 4.16 Claims of Origin
Article 4.17 Exceptions
Article 4.18 Obligations Relating to Exportations
Article 4.19 Record Keeping Requirements
Article 4.20 Verification
Article 4.21 Common Guidelines
Article 4.22 Definitions
Annex 4.6 Exceptions to Article 4.6
   
CHAPTER FIVE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION AND TRADE FACILITATION
Article 5.1 Publication
Article 5.2 Release of Goods
Article 5.3 Automation
Article 5.4 Risk Management
Article 5.5 Cooperation
Article 5.6 Confidentiality
Article 5.7 Express Shipments
Article 5.8 Review and Appeal
Article 5.9 Penalties
Article 5.10 Advance Rulings
Article 5.11 Implementation
Article 5.12 Capacity Building
   
CHAPTER SIX SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Article 6.1 Affirmation of the SPS Agreement
Article 6.2 Scope and Coverage
Article 6.3 Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters
Annex 6.3 Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Matters
   
CHAPTER SEVEN TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
Article 7.1 Affirmation of the TBT Agreement
Article 7.2 Scope and Coverage
Article 7.3 International Standards
Article 7.4 Trade Facilitation
Article 7.5 Conformity Assessment
Article 7.6 Technical Regulations
Article 7.7 Transparency
Article 7.8 Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
Article 7.9 Information Exchange
Article 7.10 Definitions
Annex 7.8 Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
   
CHAPTER EIGHT TRADE REMEDIES
SECTION A SAFEGUARDS
Article 8.1 Imposition of a Safeguard Measure
Article 8.2 Standards for a Safeguard Measure
Article 8.3 Administration of Safeguard Proceedings
Article 8.4 Notification and Consultation
Article 8.5 Compensation
Article 8.6 Global Actions
Article 8.7 Definitions
SECTION B ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING  DUTIES
Article 8.8 Antidumping and Countervailing Duties
Annex 8.3 Administration of Safeguard Proceedings
Annex 8.7 Country-Specific Definitions
   
CHAPTER NINE GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
Article 9.1 Scope and Coverage
Article 9.2 General Principles
Article 9.3 Publication of Procurement Measures
Article 9.4 Publication of Notice of Intended Procurement
Article 9.5 Time Limits for the Tendering Process
Article 9.6 Tender Documentation
Article 9.7 Technical Specifications
Article 9.8 Requirements and Conditions for Participating in Procurement
Article 9.9 Tendering Procedures
Article 9.10 Awarding of Contracts
Article 9.11 Information on Contract Awards
Article 9.12 Non-Disclosure of Information
Article 9.13 Ensuring Integrity in Procurement Practices
Article 9.14 Exceptions
Article 9.15 Domestic Review of Supplier Challenges
Article 9.16 Modifications and Rectifications to Coverage
Article 9.17 Definitions
  Annex 9.1.2(b)(i)
  Annex 9.1.2(b)(ii)
  Annex 9.1.2(b)(iii)
   
CHAPTER TEN INVESTMENT
SECTION A INVESTMENT
Article 10.1 Scope and Coverage
Article 10.2 Relation to Other Chapters
Article 10.3 National Treatment
Article 10.4 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment
Article 10.5 Minimum Standard of Treatment
Article 10.6 Treatment in Case of Strife
Article 10.7 Expropriation and Compensation
Article 10.8 Transfers
Article 10.9 Performance Requirements
Article 10.10 Senior Management and Boards of Directors
Article 10.11 Investment and Environment
Article 10.12 Denial of Benefits
Article 10.13 Non-Conforming Measures
Article 10.14 Special Formalities and Information Requirements
SECTION B INVESTOR-STATE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 10.15 Consultation and Negotiation
Article 10.16 Submission of a Claim to Arbitration
Article 10.17 Consent of Each Party to Arbitration
Article 10.18 Conditions and Limitations on Consent of Each Party
Article 10.19 Selection of Arbitrators
Article 10.20 Conduct of the Arbitration
Article 10.21 Transparency of Arbitral Proceedings
Article 10.22 Governing Law
Article 10.23 Interpretation of Annexes
Article 10.24 Expert Reports
Article 10.25 Consolidation
Article 10.26 Awards
Article 10.27 Service of Documents
SECTION C DEFINITIONS
Article 10.28 Definitions
Annex 10-A Public Debt
Annex 10-B Customary International Law
Annex 10-C Expropriation
Annex 10-D Treatment in Case of Strife
Annex 10-E Submission of a Claim to Arbitration
Annex 10-F Appellate Body or Similar Mechanism
Annex 10-G Service of Documents on a Party Under Section B - Costa Rica
   
CHAPTER ELEVEN CROSS-BORDER TRADE IN SERVICES
Article 11.1 Scope and Coverage
Article 11.2 National Treatment
Article 11.3 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment
Article 11.4 Market Access
Article 11.5 Local Presence
Article 11.6 Non-conforming Measures
Article 11.7 Transparency in Developing and Applying Regulations
Article 11.8 Domestic Regulation
Article 11.9 Mutual Recognition
Article 11.10 Transfers and Payments
Article 11.11 Implementation
Article 11.12 Denial of Benefits
Article 11.13 Specific Commitments
Article 11.14 Definitions
Annex 11.9 Professional Services
Annex 11.13 Specific Commitments
SECTION A COSTA RICA
SECTION B THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SECTION C EL SALVADOR
SECTION D GUATEMALA
SECTION E HONDURAS
   
CHAPTER TWELVE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Article 12.1 Scope and Coverage
Article 12.2 National Treatment
Article 12.3 Most-Favored-Nation Treatment
Article 12.4 Market Access for Financial Institutions
Article 12.5 Cross-Border Trade
Article 12.6 New Financial Services
Article 12.7 Treatment of Certain Information
Article 12.8 Senior Management and Boards of Directors
Article 12.9 Non-Conforming Measures
Article 12.10 Exceptions
Article 12.11 Transparency
Article 12.12 Self-Regulatory Organizations
Article 12.13 Payment and Clearing Systems
Article 12.14 Domestic Regulation
Article 12.15 Expedited Availability of Insurance Services
Article 12.16 Financial Services Committee
Article 12.17 Consultations
Article 12.18 Dispute Settlement
Article 12.19 Investment Disputes in Financial Services
Article 12.20 Definitions
Annex 12.5.1 Cross-Border Trade
SECTION A COSTA RICA
SECTION B THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SECTION C EL SALVADOR
SECTION D GUATEMALA
SECTION E HONDURAS
SECTION F NICARAGUA
SECTION G UNITED STATES
Annex 12.9.2 Specific Commitments
SECTION A COSTA RICA
SECTION B THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SECTION C EL SALVADOR
SECTION D GUATEMALA
SECTION E HONDURAS
SECTION F NICARAGUA
SECTION G UNITED STATES
SECTION H SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS OF  COSTA RICA ON INSURANCE SERVICES 
Annex 12.9.3 Additional Information Regarding Financial Services Measures
SECTION A  COSTA RICA
SECTION B  THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SECTION C  EL SALVADOR
SECTION D  HONDURAS
SECTION E NICARAGUA
Annex 12.16.1 Financial Services Committee
   
CHAPTER THIRTEEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Article 13.1 Scope and Coverage
Article 13.2 Access to and Use of Public Telecommunications Services
Article 13.3 Obligations Relating to Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services
Article 13.4 Additional Obligations Relating to Major Suppliers of Public Telecommunications Services
Article 13.5 Submarine Cable Systems
Article 13.6 Conditions for the Supply of Information  Services
Article 13.7 Independent Regulatory Bodies and Government-Owned Telecommunications Suppliers
Article 13.8 Universal Services
Article 13.9 Licenses and Other Authorizations
Article 13.10 Allocation and Use of Scarce Resources
Article 13.11 Enforcement
Article 13.12 Resolution of Domestic Telecommunications Disputes
Article 13.13 Transparency
Article 13.14 Flexibility in the Choice of Technologies
Article 13.15 Forbearance
Article 13.16 Relationship to Other Chapters
Article 13.17 Definitions
Annex 13 Specific Commitments of Costa Rica on Telecommunications Services
Annex 13.3 Rural Telephone Suppliers
Annex 13.4.5 Interconnection
Annex 13.4.8 Access to Rights-of-Way
   
CHAPTER FOURTEEN ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
Article 14.1 General
Article 14.2 Electronic Supply of Services
Article 14.3 Digital Products
Article 14.4 Transparency
Article 14.5 Cooperation
Article 14.6 Definitions
   
CHAPTER FIFTEEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Article 15.1 General Provisions
Article 15.2 Trademarks
Article 15.3 Geographical Indications
Article 15.4 Domain Names on the Internet
Article 15.5 Obligations Pertaining to Copyright and Related Rights
Article 15.6 Obligations Pertaining Specifically to Copyright
Article 15.7 Obligations Pertaining Specifically to Related Rights
Article 15.8 Protection of Encrypted Program-Carrying Satellite Signals
Article 15.9 Patents
Article 15.10 Measures Related to Certain Regulated Products
Article 15.11 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
Article 15.12 Final Provisions
Annex 15.11 Procedures and Remedies Concerning Broadcast or Cable Transmissions or Retransmissions in the Dominican Republic
   
CHAPTER SIXTEEN LABOR
Article 16.1 Statement of Shared Commitment
Article 16.2 Enforcement of Labor Laws
Article 16.3 Procedural Guarantees and Public Awareness
Article 16.4 Institutional Arrangement
Article 16.5 Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism
Article 16.6 Cooperative Labor Consultations
Article 16.7 Labor Roster
Article 16.8 Definitions
Annex 16.5 Labor Cooperation and Capacity Building Mechanism
   
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ENVIRONMENT
Article 17.1 Levels of Protection
Article 17.2 Enforcement of Environmental Laws
Article 17.3 Procedural Matters
Article 17.4 Voluntary Mechanisms to Enhance Environmental Performance
Article 17.5 Environmental Affairs Council
Article 17.6 Opportunities for Public Participation
Article 17.7 Submissions on Enforcement Matters
Article 17.8 Factual Records and Related Cooperation
Article 17.9 Environmental Cooperation
Article 17.10 Collaborative Environmental Consultations
Article 17.11 Environmental Roster
Article 17.12 Relationship to Environmental Agreements
Article 17.13 Definitions
Annex 17.9 Environmental Cooperation
   
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN TRANSPARENCY 
SECTION A TRANSPARENCY
Article 18.1 Contact Points
Article 18.2 Publication
Article 18.3 Notification and Provision of Information
Article 18.4 Administrative Proceedings
Article 18.5 Review and Appeal
Article 18.6 Definitions
SECTION B ANTI-CORRUPTION
Article 18.7 Statement of Principle
Article 18.8 Anti-Corruption Measures
Article 18.9 Cooperation in International Fora
Article 18.10 Definitions
   
CHAPTER NINETEEN ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING
SECTION A ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGREEMENT
Article 19.1 The Free Trade Commission
Article 19.2 Free Trade Agreement Coordinators
Article 19.3 Administration of Dispute Settlement Proceedings
SECTION B TRADE CAPACITY BUILDING
Article 19.4 Committee on Trade Capacity Building
Annex 19.1 The Free Trade Commission
Annex 19.1.4 Implementation of Modifications Approved by the Commission
Annex 19.2 Free Trade Agreement Coordinators
Annex 19.3 Remuneration and Payment of Expenses
   
CHAPTER TWENTY DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
SECTION A DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 20.1 Cooperation
Article 20.2 Scope of Application
Article 20.3 Choice of Forum
Article 20.4 Consultations
Article 20.5 Commission � Good Offices, Conciliation, and Mediation
Article 20.6 Request for an Arbitral Panel
Article 20.7 Roster
Article 20.8 Qualifications of Panelists
Article 20.9 Panel Selection
Article 20.10 Rules of Procedure
Article 20.11 Third Party Participation
Article 20.12 Role of Experts
Article 20.13 Initial Report
Article 20.14 Final Report
Article 20.15 Implementation of Final Report
Article 20.16 Non-Implementation − Suspension of Benefits
Article 20.17 Non-Implementation In Certain Disputes
Article 20.18 Compliance Review
Article 20.19 Five-Year Review
SECTION B DOMESTIC PROCEEDINGS AND PRIVATE COMMERCIAL DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 20.20 Referral of Matters from Judicial or Administrative Proceedings
Article 20.21 Private Rights
Article 20.22 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Annex 20.2 Nullification or Impairment
Annex 20.17 Inflation Adjustment Formula for Monetary Assessments
   
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE EXCEPTIONS
Article 21.1 General Exceptions
Article 21.2 Essential Security
Article 21.3 Taxation
Article 21.4 Balance of Payments Measures on Trade in Goods
Article 21.5 Disclosure of Information
Article 21.6 Definitions
Annex 21.3 Competent Authorities
   
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 22.1 Annexes, Appendices, and Footnotes
Article 22.2 Amendments
Article 22.3 Amendment of the WTO Agreement
Article 22.4 Reservations
Article 22.5 Entry into Force
Article 22.6 Accession
Article 22.7 Withdrawal
Article 22.8 Depositary
Article 22.9 Authentic Texts
   
Market Access Appendix 3.3.6

Text [PDF, 82 KB]

Annex 4.1 (Product-Specific Rules of Origin)

Text [PDF, 220 KB]

Annex I

Formatting Note  [PDF, 11 KB]
Costa Rica Schedule   [PDF, 99 KB]
Dominican Republic Schedule  [PDF, 69 KB]
El Salvador Schedule  [PDF, 47 KB]
Guatemala Schedule  [PDF, 28 KB]
Honduras Schedule   [PDF, 77 KB]
Nicaragua Schedule  [PDF, 55 KB]
U.S. Schedule  [PDF, 27 KB]

Annex II

Text      [PDF, 67 KB]

Annex III (Financial Services Non-Conforming Measures)

Text  [PDF, 149 KB]

Tariff Schedules

Costa Rica General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 32 KB]
Schedule of Costa Rica to Annex 3.3  [PDF, 613 KB]
Dominican Republic General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 44 KB]
Schedule of Dominican Republic to Annex 3.3  [PDF 648 KB]
El Salvador General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 42 KB]
Schedule of El Salvador to Annex 3.3  [PDF, 617 KB]
Guatemala General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 33 KB]
Schedule of Guatemala to Annex 3.3  [PDF, 612 KB]
Honduras General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 44 KB]
Schedule of Honduras to Annex 3.3 [PDF, 530 KB]
Nicaragua General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 162 KB]
Schedule of Nicaragua to Annex 3.3  [PDF 556 KB]
U.S. General Notes and Appendix I [PDF, 47 KB]
Schedule of U.S. to Annex 3.3  [PDF, 1,071 KB]

Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative