Trade regime variables

Guidance

Use

The Use variable indicates the trade regime used, as reported on the customs declaration, to import a product into the UK.  

The trade regimes are: 

• Most Favoured Nation (MFN) 
• Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS)
• Preferential 

These categories are further broken down to show if the good was imported under a zero or non-zero customs duty.  

There is also an ‘Unknown’ category for cases where there is a mismatch between the preference data recorded on the customs declaration on the tariff data. 

Eligibility

The Eligibility variable indicates the trade regime available, as shown in the UK Tariff, to import a product into the UK.   

The trade regimes are: 

• Most Favoured Nation 
• Developing Countries Trading Scheme
• Preferential 

There is a category where the movement is eligible to use both the Developing Countries Trading Scheme measures and other non-DCTS Preferential measures.  

There is also an ‘Unknown’ category where information is missing from the tariff data. 

Statistical regime

The Statistical Regime variable is compiled using the Customs Procedure Code (CPC), and is coded as follows: 

• 1 - Normal 
• 2 - Inward Processing 
• 3 - Outward Processing 
• 9 – Unknown (no associated Customs Procedure Code)