This UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement can take effect on 29 March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, or at the end of an implementation period.
Summary of the agreement
The UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement will serve as the basis for economic and trade relations between the UK and Switzerland. It maintains the effects of the main EU-Switzerland agreements relating to trade in a bilateral context.
The UK-Switzerland agreement covers:
- trade in goods – including provisions on rules of origin, preferential tariffs and quotas, and non-tariff measures
- geographical indications
- government procurement
The agreement does not contain some provisions commonly found in free trade agreements (FTAs). For example, on services and intellectual property rights.
Type of agreement
This is a trade agreement.
When the agreement is active
This agreement can take effect when the EU-Switzerland trade-related agreements no longer apply to the UK.
It is expected that this will be at the end of the implementation period if that withdrawal agreement is ratified, or on 29 March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.
Explanatory memorandum
Information on the trade agreement including:
- ministerial responsibility
- policy considerations
- implementation
Parliamentary report
Details of, and reasons for, any significant differences between the main EU-Switzerland agreements relating to trade and the new UK-Switzerland Trade Agreement.
Treaty text
Agreement establishing a trade agreement between the UK and the Swiss Confederation.
Memorandum of Understanding
Details of commitments that both the UK and Switzerland have agreed to.
Department for International Trade
The Department for International Trade is a UK government department responsible for managing trade agreements between the UK and foreign countries, as well as for encouraging foreign investment and export trade.
