Imports Under EPA Will Not Attract Internal Taxes in Excess of Those Applied to Like Domestic Products

Imports originating from the European Union to CARIFORUM countries and vice versa, will not be subject, either directly or indirectly, to internal taxes or other internal charges of any kind, in excess of those applied directly or indirectly, to like domestic products.
This is according to provisions under the non-tariff measures aspect of the European states, under the services and establishment section of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and CARIFORUM. In addition, the party and the signatory CARIFORUM states have agreed not to otherwise apply internal taxes or other internal charges so as to afford protection to like domestic products.
It is expected that originating imports will be accorded treatment that is no less favourable than that which is accorded to like domestic products in respect of all laws, regulations, and requirements affecting their internal sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use. These provisions however, will not prevent the application of differential internal transportation charges, which are based exclusively on the economic operation of the means of transport and not on the nationality of the product.
The agreement further outlines that no party or signatory CARIFORUM state should establish or maintain any internal quantitative regulation relating to the mixture, processing or use of products in specified amounts or proportions which requires, directly or indirectly, that any specified amount or proportion of any product which is the subject of the regulation must be supplied from domestic sources. Moreover, no CARIFORUM state must otherwise apply internal quantitative regulations so as to afford protection to domestic production. Furthermore, no new subsidy programme may be introduced, which is contingent upon export, or increase any existing subsidy of this nature on agricultural products destined for the territory of the other party.
As it relates to agricultural export subsidies, it has been agreed that no party or Signatory CARIFORUM State is allowed to introduce any new subsidy programme, which is contingent upon export, or increase any existing subsidy of this nature on agricultural products destined for the territory of the other party.