GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Aug 25, 2026
Tariff Phase-Out Period
When a free trade agreement enters into force, duties are rarely zero straight away – many tariff lines are subject to a phase-out period.
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Source: Frachtportal-Artikel «Schweiz und China: 99,8 Prozent der Exporte sollen zollfrei werden» (23.08.2026)
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Logistics Concept
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Definition & Explanation
When a free trade agreement enters into force, duties are rarely zero straight away – many tariff lines are subject to a phase-out period. This is the timeframe set out in the agreement over which a duty rate is reduced in annual steps to zero or to a residual rate, typically across three, five, ten or more years. Each product is assigned to a staging category in the parties' tariff concession schedules; sensitive goods – often agricultural products and textiles – receive the longest periods, quota arrangements, or are excluded altogether. For importers and customs departments this means the applicable preferential rate has to be checked per tariff heading and per calendar year, because it changes annually. Not to be confused with a transitional period for procedural rules, which does not affect duty rates.
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