Jordan’s network of trade agreements plays a central role in shaping its global trade relationships. While the FTA Matrix offers a high-level snapshot of the key agreements Jordan is party to, this FTA Insights section takes the next step—offering a more detailed, contextualised analysis of each agreement.

We begin with a concise table summarising the FTAs by enforcement date, type, and partner countries. Following that, you’ll find in-depth insights into each agreement—covering key provisions, rules of origin, export potential, market relevance, and useful links for further reference. This deeper exploration is intended to support businesses, policymakers, and trade analysts in better understanding how each agreement functions, what benefits it offers, and how it may be leveraged for trade and export growth.

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an international economic agreement that grants improved (preferential) market access between two or more member countries on a reciprocal basis. As a cornerstone of the modern global trade system, FTAs may take a bilateral or regional form. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) eliminates or lowers barriers to international trade—particularly tariffs and quantitative restrictions—while enhancing access to foreign markets. Beyond goods, modern FTAs often extend to services and investment and may also include provisions on intellectual property, customs cooperation, and trade facilitation. They can further promote regulatory alignment and encourage cooperation on standards.

Below are Jordan’s FTAs, listed by enforcement date from most recent to oldest:

Agreement Entry into Force Type Members
Jordan–UK Association Agreement 2021 Bilateral FTA Jordan & UK * For more insights, please see the Jordan–UK Association Agreement Factsheet.
Jordan–Canada FTA 2012 Bilateral FTA Jordan & Canada * For more insights, please see the Jordan–Canada Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.
Jordan–United States FTA 2001 (fully implemented 2010) Bilateral FTA Jordan & USA * For more insights, please see the Jordan–US Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.
Agadir Agreement 2004 Regional FTA Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Palestine (the last joined the agreement in 2020) * For more insights, please see the Agadir Agreement Factsheet.
Jordan–Singapore Agreement 2004 Bilateral Agreement (FTA-style) Jordan & Singapore * For more insights, please see the Jordan–Singapore Agreement Factsheet.
Jordan–EFTA FTA 2002 Multilateral FTA Jordan & EFTA States (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) * For more insights, please see the Jordan–EFTA Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.
Jordan–EU Association Agreement 1997 (effective 2002) Multilateral FTA Jordan & EU (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden) * For more insights, please see the Jordan–EU Association Agreement Factsheet.
The Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) 1997 (fully implemented 2005) Multilateral FTA Arab League members including Jordan. * For more insights, please see the Jordan–GAFTA Agreement Factsheet.

Bilateral Trade Agreements

This table presents trade agreements that Jordan has concluded with individual countries, separate from broader regional agreements. They are listed in order of enforcement date, from most recent to oldest:

Agreement Entry into Force Type Members
Jordan–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) 2025 Bilateral Agreement Jordan & UAE
Jordan–Kuwait Agreement 2005 Bilateral Agreement (FTA-style) Jordan & Kuwait
Jordan-Bahrain Agreement 2005 Bilateral Agreement (FTA-style) Jordan & Bahrain
Jordan-Sudan Agreement 2003 Bilateral Agreement Jordan & Sudan
Jordan–UAE Agreement 2001 Bilateral Agreement (FTA-style) Jordan & UAE
Jordan–Tunisia Agreement 1998 Bilateral Agreement Jordan & Tunisia
Jordan–Morocco Agreement 1998 (1999) Bilateral Agreement Jordan & Morocco
Jordan–Egypt Agreement 1998 (1999) Bilateral Agreement Jordan & Egypt
Jordan-Algeria Agreement 1997 (1999) Bilateral Agreement Jordan & Algeria

Sources: ITC Rules of Origin Facilitator; Jordan Customs (Jordan Trade Facilitation Portal); and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply.

Overview of Jordan’s Key Free Trade Agreements

The following section presents the main Free Trade Agreements signed by Jordan with various countries, along with additional valuable details for each.

1. Jordan–UK Association Agreement

The Jordan–UK Association Agreement, which came into force in 2021, is largely based on the earlier Jordan–EU Association Agreement. Prior to the UK's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), trade between Jordan and the UK was governed under the broader EU framework. The current agreement was negotiated to maintain continuity and preserve trade preferences, with only minor technical modifications reflecting the UK's new status as an independent trade partner.

  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 815.6 million in 2024.

Goods Tariffs:
Under the Jordan–UK Association Agreement, nearly 94.8% of tariff lines became duty-free from the date of implementation. This broad liberalisation significantly enhances bilateral trade opportunities, particularly for industrial and manufactured goods.

Export Potential:

These products are characterised by strong demand in the UK market and active Jordanian exports globally:

  • Jerseys and pullovers, knitted or crocheted, made of man-made fibres
  • Women’s trousers and shorts, knitted or crocheted, made of synthetic fibres
  • Jerseys and pullovers, knitted or crocheted, made of cotton
  • Jewellery
  • Food preparations
  • Washing and cleaning products
  • Sugar confectionery

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

Rules of Origin:
Products are eligible for preferential treatment if they are either wholly obtained in Jordan or the UK or have undergone sufficient processing within either country. The agreement also allows for cumulation, meaning inputs from other countries may be counted toward origin status under certain conditions. This includes:

  • Bilateral cumulation (between Jordan and the UK)
  • Diagonal cumulation with third-party FTA partners, provided those partners are part of a regional trade agreement consistent with Article XXIV of GATT 1994.

Cumulation is subject to specific transparency procedures and regulatory requirements to ensure clarity and compliance.

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–UK Association Agreement Factsheet.

2. Jordan–Canada Free Trade Agreement

  • A bilateral Free Trade Agreement signed in 2009 and entered into force in 2012.
  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 554.3 million in 2024.
  • Market growth: 1% (2017–2021)
  • Global market share: 2%
  • Import ranking: 14th globally in imports.
  • The first FTA between Canada and an Arab country.
  • The agreement eliminates tariffs on the vast majority of goods traded between the two countries, creating greater business opportunities on both sides.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top products with strong export potential to Canada include:

  • Jerseys and similar garments made of man-made fibres.
  • Women's trousers and shorts of synthetic fibres.
  • Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids.

Among these products, phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids show the widest gap between export potential and actual export performance—highlighting an untapped opportunity to boost exports.

Additional promising sectors include:

  • Food preparations
  • Washing and cleaning products
  • Jewellery of precious metals
  • Air conditioning machines
  • Paints and varnishes
  • Various cosmetic and disinfectant products

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

Structure of the Agreement

  • Preamble
  • Chapter 1: Initial Provisions and General Definitions
  • Chapter 2: National Treatment and Market Access for Goods
  • Chapter 3: Electronic Commerce
  • Chapter 4: Rules of Origin
    • Annex 4-1: Specific Rules of Origin
  • Chapter 5: Customs Procedures
  • Chapter 6: Trade Facilitation
  • Chapter 7: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
  • Chapter 8: Emergency Action
  • Chapter 9: Monopolies and State Enterprises
  • Chapter 10: Environment
  • Chapter 11: Labour
  • Chapter 12: Transparency
  • Chapter 13: Administration of the Agreement
  • Chapter 14: Dispute Settlement
  • Chapter 15: Exceptions
  • Chapter 16: Final Provisions
    • Annex 1: Canada’s Schedule – List of Products Excluded from Tariff Elimination

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–Canada Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.

3. Jordan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

  • This agreement was signed in 2000, entered into force in 2001, and reached full implementation by 2010.
  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 3.36 billion in 2024.
  • Market growth: 3% (2017–2021).
  • World market share: 13%.
  • Ranked first globally in imports.
  • The first free trade agreement between the United States and an Arab country and the fourth FTA for the United States overall.
  • Grants duty-free status to nearly all Jordanian exports to the United States.
  • Covers trade in both goods and services.
  • Eliminates duties and commercial barriers to bilateral trade in goods and services.
  • Requires that goods contain at least 35% Jordanian content to qualify for duty-free entry under the rules of origin.
  • Includes distinct provisions related to trade and the environment, labour, and electronic commerce. Additional sections address intellectual property rights protection, balance of payments, rules of origin, and safeguards, as well as consultation and dispute settlement procedures.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities to the United States include:

  • Jerseys and similar knit or crocheted garments made from man-made fibres
  • Men’s knit or crocheted shirts made of man-made fibres
  • Men’s knit or crocheted trousers and shorts made of synthetic fibres
  • Medicaments (mixed or unmixed products for retail sale)

Notably, medicaments show the largest gap between export potential and actual exports, indicating a significant opportunity to expand exports.

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–US Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.

4. The Agadir Agreement

  • A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among Arab Mediterranean countries, including Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia. It was signed in February 2004 and entered into force in March 2007. Lebanon and Palestine joined in 2020.
  • Covers trade in industrial goods, agricultural products, and services.
  • Supported by the EU, the agreement adopts European cumulative Rules of Origin, enabling member countries to combine value-added from each other’s inputs and qualify for facilitated access to the EU market.
  • The Agadir Technical Unit, based in Amman, oversees coordination and implementation across member countries.
  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 201.4 million in 2024.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities here include:

  • Chemical Products Preparations and Residual Products
  • Dog or Cat Food
  • Air Conditioning Machines
  • Fertilizers
  • Engines Compression-Ignition
  • Insulated Electric Conductors
  • Machinery Parts

Rules of Origin (RoO):
RoO defines whether a product qualifies as originating from a specific country and is eligible for preferential access. For example, simply repackaging imported Chinese garments in Jordan without meaningful processing does not qualify them as "Made in Jordan".

* For more insights, please see the Agadir Agreement Factsheet.

5. Jordan–Singapore Agreement

The Singapore-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (SJFTA), signed in 2004, has played a significant role in boosting Jordanian exports to Singapore. In 2023 alone, Jordan exported goods worth USD 52 million to the Singaporean market, mainly including chemicals, textiles, tobacco, and various other products.

This agreement is part of a broader network of free trade agreements that Jordan has signed with eight partners, including the US, the UK, Canada, the European Union, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), as well as several Arab and Mediterranean countries. These agreements collectively provide Jordan access to more than 1.5 billion consumers worldwide, facilitating trade and export growth.

As a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Jordan benefits from expanded market access, technical assistance, and greater trade stability. These advantages help reduce economic uncertainty and promote sustainable economic development.

  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 457.6 million in 2024.

Goods tariffs
By the end of the transition period in 2014, all tariffs on industrial and agricultural goods between Jordan and Singapore were completely eliminated, allowing for smoother and more cost-effective trade.

However, certain exceptions apply under the agreement to protect essential security interests, especially related to military services.

Export Potential:
Jordan’s top export opportunities to Singapore include:

  • Fluorine
  • Bromine
  • Phosphoric acid
  • Polyphosphoric acids
  • Jewellery

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

Rules of Origin (RoO):

The rules of origin require that products have a minimum local value content of 35%. Textiles and apparel must also pass specific technical tests, although some exceptions exist for certain subcategories. Additionally, the agreement allows for bilateral cumulation, which means that materials from both countries can be considered as originating in either country for meeting the origin criteria.

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–Singapore Agreement Factsheet.

6. Jordan–EFTA Free Trade Agreement

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan and the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) States was signed in Liechtenstein on 21 June 2001 and entered into force in 2002. The EFTA comprises four European countries: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Among these countries, only Switzerland is recognised as one of the world's top 20 import markets, with imports surpassing USD 300 billion in 2021 and an average growth rate of 4% from 2017 to 2021.

The agreement covers trade in industrial products, fish and marine products, and processed agricultural products. A transitional period for implementation ended in 2014, 12 years after the agreement entered into force.

Compared to the Jordan–EU Association Agreement, market access for agricultural products under the Jordan–EFTA FTA is more limited. This is because access terms are not standardised across the bloc but are instead negotiated separately between Jordan and each EFTA member state. These individual bilateral agricultural agreements are nonetheless an integral part of the broader free trade framework.

  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 478.2 million in 2024.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities here include:

  • Sugar confectionery
  • Food preparations
  • Jewellery of precious metals excluding silver.

In the case of Switzerland, the top Jordanian export opportunities include:

  • Jewellery of precious metals
  • Jerseys and similar garments made of man-made fibres (knit or crochet)
  • Human and animal blood, blood fractions, and immunological products.

Structure of the Agreement

The agreement consists of:

  • 41 Articles
  • 7 Annexes
  • 4 Protocols
  • 1 Record of Understanding

The main areas covered include:

  • General Provisions
  • Trade in Goods
  • Public Procurement
  • Intellectual Property
  • Competition
  • State Aid
  • Dispute Settlement
  • Institutional Provisions
  • Final Clauses

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–EFTA Free Trade Agreement Factsheet.

7. Jordan–EU Association Agreement (AA)

Objective:
To establish the conditions for the gradual liberalisation of trade in goods, services, and capital between Jordan and the European Union.

Market Overview:

  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 6.66 billion in 2024.
  • Global market share: 29%

Overview:
The Jordan–EU Association Agreement entered into force in May 2002. In 2006, Jordan and the EU signed an additional agreement covering trade in agricultural and processed agricultural products. Today, the EU grants Jordan duty-free access for nearly all agricultural exports—excluding virgin olive oil and cut flowers, which are subject to tariff-rate quotas (TRQs).

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities to the EU include:

  • Jerseys and similar garments made of man-made fibres (knitted/crocheted).
  • Potassium chloride (fertiliser).
  • Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids.

Among these, jerseys made of man-made fibres show the largest gap between potential and actual export values, indicating untapped export potential.

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

Structure of the Agreement:

The Agreement is composed of eight titles, seven annexe, and four protocols:

  1. Political Dialogue
  2. Free Movement of Goods
    • Basic Principles
    • Chapter 1: Industrial Products
    • Chapter 2: Agricultural Products
    • Chapter 3: Common Provisions
  3. Right of Establishment and Services
    • Chapter 1: Right of Establishment
    • Chapter 2: Cross-border Supply of Services
    • Chapter 3: General Provisions
  4. Payments, Capital Movements, and Other Economic Matters
    • Chapter 1: Payments and Capital Movements
    • Chapter 2: Competition and Other Economic Matters
  5. Economic Cooperation

    Includes cooperation in:

    • Objectives
    • Scope
    • Methods and modalities
    • Regional cooperation
    • Education and training
    • Science and technology
    • Environment
    • Industry
    • Investment promotion
    • Standards and conformity
    • Legal approximation
    • Financial services
    • Agriculture, Transport, Energy, Tourism, and ICT
    • Statistics, Customs, Money laundering, and Drug control
  6. Social and Cultural Cooperation
    • Social dialogue
    • Social initiatives
    • Cultural exchange and information sharing
  7. Financial Cooperation
  8. Institutional, General, and Final Provisions

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–EU Association Agreement Factsheet.

- Agreement on Simplified EU Rules of Origin (RoO)

Jordan’s exports to the EU have historically been low, making up only 3% of the country’s total exports in 2020 (USD 228 million). To tap into the vast EU market, several measures have been introduced to enhance Jordan’s export potential.

Key steps taken include:

  • In 2007, the EU and Jordan expanded their Free Trade Agreement by adding provisions covering agricultural, agri-food, and fisheries products.
  • To further unlock export opportunities under the Jordan-EU Association Agreement, Jordan and the EU agreed in July 2016 to simplify the restrictive Rules of Origin (RoO) that had posed challenges for Jordanian exporters. These rules—established during free trade agreement negotiations—are used to determine the national origin of products and their eligibility for preferential treatment. Recognising the need for greater flexibility, both parties revisited the initiative in December 2018, resulting in further improvements to support Jordan’s access to EU markets.
  • The new RoO agreement eased origin requirements, giving Jordanian industries preferential access to the European market by making it easier for their products to qualify. This initiative is part of the EU’s support for Jordan amid the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, aiming to facilitate Jordan’s exports to the EU.
  • To benefit from these alternative rules, at least 15% of the workforce involved in production must be Syrian refugees.
  • The agreement is valid until December 21, 2030, and applies to a wide range of manufactured goods listed under 52 chapters of the Harmonised System (HS).
  • Following the 2018 review, the EU and Jordan agreed that once Jordan issues 60,000 active work permits to Syrian refugees, the requirement for companies to maintain a minimum 15% Syrian refugee labour will be lifted. After this milestone, all Jordanian companies manufacturing industrial products under the scheme can freely benefit from the simplified Rules of Origin.

Although improvements have been achieved, Jordanian exports to the European Union have grown more slowly compared to exports to the United States over the past 15 years. Jordanian exports to the US have benefited from higher utilisation of tariff preferences, especially in the textiles and apparel sectors. Three main factors explain this difference:

  • The US offers higher adjusted tariff preferences for apparel products than the EU.
  • The EU market faces greater competition from suppliers, mainly Least Developed Countries (LDCs), than the US market.
  • The Rules of Origin requirements under the Jordan–US FTA are simpler and more flexible than those under the Jordan–EU agreement.

8. Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)

The Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) is the first major regional free trade agreement signed by Jordan. It is significant both in terms of the number of participating Arab countries and the breadth of sectoral coverage.

  • Signed: 1997
  • Fully implemented: 2005
  • Primary focus: Trade in goods — both industrial and agricultural products
  • Market size (Imports from the world): approximately USD 1.03 billion in 2024.

The GAFTA goes beyond mere tariff elimination, aiming to facilitate broader trade integration among member states. It addresses the removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), such as monetary, administrative, and quantitative restrictions—including quotas. In addition, the agreement supports the liberalisation of agricultural trade, though this was subject to a transitional period. To ensure clarity in trade eligibility, GAFTA also includes a clearly defined set of Rules of Origin.

In 1997, the Arab League adopted a resolution to establish a Pan-Arab Free Trade Area, also known as GAFTA or PAFTA, with full implementation targeted by 2008. The roadmap included an annual 10% reduction in customs duties as part of a gradual process to ease trade barriers.

  • In January 1998, the agreement officially entered into force.
  • By March 2001, member states agreed to accelerate trade liberalisation.
  • As a result, most tariffs were eliminated by January 1, 2005, among GAFTA members.

Current Member States (18 of 22 Arab League countries):

  • Algeria
  • Bahrain
  • Egypt
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Oman
  • Palestine
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tunisia
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Yemen

Export Potential:
Jordan’s top export opportunities here include:

  • Jewellery of precious metals except for silver
  • Residual products
  • Sinking machinery parts.

As for the products with the greatest export potential from Jordan to Saudi Arabia, for instance:

  • Live sheep
  • Medicaments containing antibiotics
  • Monumental/building stone

* For more insights, please see the Jordan–GAFTA Agreement Factsheet.

Overview of Jordan’s Bilateral Agreements with Arab Countries

Jordan maintains a number of preferential trade and bilateral agreements with various Arab countries. These agreements aim to enhance economic and trade cooperation across the region. While these bilateral treaties operate in parallel with the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), it is important to note that GAFTA generally offers more favourable terms than most bilateral agreements. However, importers and exporters are free to choose the agreement under which they wish to conduct their trade, depending on which provides the most benefit for a given transaction.

1. Jordan–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have taken a major step in strengthening their economic ties through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on October 6, 2024, and effective as of May 15, 2025. Marking the UAE’s first CEPA with an Arab country, this agreement sets the stage for deeper trade and investment cooperation across a wide range of sectors.

The agreement covers both goods and services, with preferential tariff rates applying to over 98% of tariff lines, including more than 99.5% of UAE exports to Jordan. It also facilitates customs procedures, ensures compliance with origin and safety standards, and allows for trade remedies in line with WTO rules.

In services, CEPA paves the way for gradual liberalisation across sectors such as professional, financial, logistics, tourism, and air transport. The agreement further enhances cooperation in digital trade, intellectual property rights, and investment—including the establishment of a joint Technical Council to promote and protect cross-border investments.

Recognising the importance of SMEs, CEPA includes targeted support to help small and medium-sized enterprises grow, access information, and integrate into new markets. A state-to-state dispute settlement mechanism and regular joint committee meetings ensure the agreement’s smooth implementation.

In essence, CEPA is a forward-looking framework designed to boost trade flows, attract investment, and deepen economic collaboration between Jordan and the UAE.

For more details, please see this source.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities to the UAE include:

  • Jewellery of precious metal (not elsewhere specified)
  • Unwrought gold for non-monetary purposes
  • Bromides of sodium and potassium

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

2. Agreement with the State of Kuwait

Date of Signing: 25 December 2001
Date of Entry into Force: 9 April 2005

Exemption from customs duties and taxes of similar effect on all industrial and agricultural products originating from either contracting party.

Export Potential
The products with the greatest export potential from Jordan to Kuwait include:

  • Live sheep.
  • Fresh tomatoes.
  • Jewellery made of precious metals (nes: not elsewhere specified).

Jordan has the highest supply capacity in monumental/building stone (nes). Among these, jewellery made of precious metals (nes) shows the strongest demand potential in Kuwait.

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

3. Agreement with the Kingdom of Bahrain

Date of Signing: 21 July 2001
Date of Entry into Force: 29 May 2005

All Jordanian and Bahraini goods, whether industrial or agricultural, originating in either country are exempt from customs duties and taxes of similar effect, with the exception of the following:

  • Tobacco and tobacco substitutes and related products (Chapter 24).
  • Alcoholic beverages.
  • Tractors and vehicles (Chapter 87).

Export Potential

The products with the greatest export potential from Jordan to Bahrain include:

  • Live sheep.
  • Fresh tomatoes.
  • Fluoride of aluminium

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

4. Agreement with the Republic of Sudan

Date of Signing: 6 February 2003
Date of Entry into Force: 29 August 2003

Starting from the date the agreement entered into force, all Sudanese-origin products exported directly to Jordan are exempt from customs duties and other taxes of similar effect.

For Jordanian-origin goods exported to Sudan, customs duties and taxes of similar effect are reduced gradually as follows:

  • 25% reduction effective 1 January 2005.
  • 40% reduction effective 1 January 2006.
  • 70% reduction effective 1 January 2007.
  • Full exemption (100%) effective 1 January 2008.

5. Agreement with the United Arab Emirates

Date of Signing: 21 May 2000
Date of Entry into Force: 24 November 2001

Exemption from customs duties and equivalent taxes on all goods of Jordanian and UAE origin, effective from 1 January 2003.

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities to the UAE include:

  • Jewellery of precious metal (not elsewhere specified)
  • Unwrought gold for non-monetary purposes
  • Bromides of sodium and potassium

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

6. Agreement with the Republic of Tunisia

Date of Signing: 22 April 1998
Date of Entry into Force: 16 June 1999

Exemption from customs duties and other taxes of equivalent effect applies to goods of Tunisian origin listed in Annex (1) and goods of Jordanian origin listed in Annex (2), effective from the agreement’s entry into force. Except for the goods mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the agreement, customs duties on goods of Jordanian and Tunisian origin are gradually reduced by 10% annually, starting from the date the agreement entered into force.

Certain goods are excluded from the gradual tariff reduction process, specifically Tunisian goods listed in Annex (3) and Jordanian goods listed in Annex (4). For these products, the liberalisation process and tariff reductions have been postponed.

Export Potential:
Jordan’s top export opportunities to Tunisia include:

  • Medicaments containing antibiotics
  • Nitrate of potassium
  • Pullovers, of man-made fibres, knit/crochet

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

7. Jordan–Morocco Agreement

Date of Signing: 16 June 1998
Date of Entry into Force: 3 October 1999

The agreement grants immediate exemption from customs duties and equivalent taxes on all goods of Jordanian and Moroccan origin specified in Annex (1), which encompasses 56 product categories, as well as on goods that are subject to customs duty brackets of 0–25%.

For goods with customs duties exceeding 25%, the agreement specifies gradual annual reductions over a period of five years from the date of entry into force. The reduction schedules are outlined in Annex (2) for Jordan and Annex (3) for Morocco. The final objective is to lower these duties to 25%, along with other taxes having similar effects.

The agreement also includes exclusion lists: Moroccan products exempted from tariff reductions are detailed in Annex (4), while excluded Jordanian products are listed in Annex (5).

Export Potential:

Jordan’s top export opportunities to Morocco include:

  • Potassium chloride as fertiliser
  • Nitrate of potassium
  • Dates

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

8. Jordan–Egypt Agreement

Date of Signing: 10 December 1998
Date of Entry into Force: 28 December 1999

  • Full exemption from customs duties and equivalent taxes on all traded goods originating from Jordan and Egypt.
  • Exceptions: Textiles, garments, and rebar products (as listed in Table 1 of the agreement).

Export Potential

Jordan’s top products with high export potential to Egypt include:

  • Potassium chloride (used as fertiliser).
  • Phosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acids.
  • Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for retail sale.

Jordan also holds competitive export capacity in halogen-containing derivatives, while medicaments face the strongest demand potential in the Egyptian market.

* For more information, please see the export potential map.

9. Agreement with the Algerian Republic

Date of Signing: 19 May 1997
Date of Entry into Force: 31 January 1999

Products of Jordanian and Algerian origin are exempted from customs duties and other taxes of similar effect, except for goods listed in Annex (1) of the agreement.

Sustainability in Jordan´s Free Trade Agreements

A key part of Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) is sustainability, which supports its goals for economic growth and improving quality of life, aiming for a “Green Jordan.” Jordan’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) provide access to over 1 billion consumers, and many modern FTAs include provisions related to social, labour, and environmental sustainability.

However, not all FTAs signed by Jordan have strong sustainability elements; for example, GAFTA, the Agadir Agreement, and agreements with Singapore and EFTA lack significant sustainability provisions. On the other hand, the EU-Jordan and Jordan-UK agreements include limited environmental cooperation but predate newer EU trade standards focused on sustainable development.

The FTAs with Canada and the US are more aligned with the EMV’s sustainability goals, containing specific chapters on labour and environment as well as agreements on cooperation in these areas. These reflect international trends where labour protections are often linked to strong International Labour Organisation (ILO) frameworks, while environmental and social issues vary more widely.

For more information, please refer to JO-FTAs-Sustainable_JE-Information_12-2024.

Choosing the Most Suitable Trade Agreement: Egypt as an Example

The most suitable agreement depends on the specific product or sector (e.g., pharmaceuticals). However, key considerations include:

  • Jordan–Egypt Bilateral Agreement
    • Requires a minimum of 40% local value added under rules of origin (RoO) — the same as GAFTA.
  • COMESA Agreement
    • Offers a lower threshold for local content: only 35% required.
  • Agadir Agreement
    • Allows for regional (diagonal) cumulation under EU rules of origin, which is useful for exports targeting the EU market.
  • GAFTA
    • Generally provides more preferential treatment than most bilateral Arab agreements.