# COMESA Preference

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> A COMESA preference is a tariff concession granted between member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), allowing goods to enter at reduced or zero duty rates instead of standard most-favoured-nation tariffs.

A COMESA preference is a tariff concession granted between member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), allowing goods to enter at reduced or zero duty rates instead of standard most-favoured-nation tariffs. COMESA has operated a free trade area since 2000, spanning more than twenty countries across eastern and southern Africa. To claim the preference, exporters must satisfy COMESA rules of origin and present the appropriate preferential certificate of origin to the importing country's customs authority. Sensitive sectors – including agriculture, textiles, and processed foods – are often subject to exclusion lists or tariff-rate quotas rather than full elimination. Unlike WTO-bound concessions, COMESA preferences apply exclusively between contracting parties and depend on demonstrated regional value content.

**Source:** [https://www.comesa.int/free-trade-area/](https://www.comesa.int/free-trade-area/)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | COMESA Preference |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 120 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.comesa.int/free-trade-area/ |

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