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Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry
Free Trade Agreements/Partnerships

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ESFTA)

Enhancing economic cooperation between Singapore and the EFTA States to create greater trade and investment opportunities for our businesses.

About the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (ESFTA)

As Singapore’s first FTA with a European partner, the ESFTA underscores the robust and longstanding economic relationship between Singapore and the EFTA States, which comprises Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The ESFTA was signed on 26 June 2002, and entered into force on 1 January 2003.

The ESFTA is a comprehensive FTA removing most tariffs on both sides and contains chapters on intellectual property, liberalising services and investment market access, government procurement, and competition. It lowers barriers to trade and investment between Singapore and the EFTA States, and provides certainty and predictability for business communities on both sides.

Key Features of the ESFTA

Tariff elimination

Eliminates tariffs for 99.8% of Singapore’s exports to the EFTA States, and eliminates tariffs on all EFTA-originating exports to Singapore. Exporters can enjoy preferential tariffs based on their declaration of their product’s origin, and no further application is required.

Flexible rules of origin (ROO)

Exporters can benefit from flexible ROO that make it easier for exports between Singapore and the respective markets of EFTA States to qualify for tariff-free treatment.

Elimination of anti-dumping measures

Prohibition of the use of anti-dumping measures on another Party’s originating products, which provides exporters greater assurance.

Enhanced market access to services sectors

Such as research and development; maritime transport; road freight transport; courier; construction; engineering; and real estate services.  

Investment opportunities and protection

Facilitates access for investors to the respective markets and provides protection for both existing and future investments.

Protection of intellectual property

Enhanced protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), beyond what is stipulated under the WTO Agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) in some areas.