GATT
TARIFF
Tariffs, also called "customs duties", are the most
common and widely used barrier to market access for goods.
Tariffs can be specific, ad valorem, or mixed. A specific
tariff is an amount based on the weight, volume or quantity of product, for example, US$ 7 per kilo. Ad
valorem tariff refers to the tax levied as a percentage of
SCHEDULE OF CONCESSION
The schedules consist of a list of products for which a
maximum applicable customs duty has been agreed by the Member concerned.
The product is identified by a code and its description is usually based on theHarmonized Commodity
Description and Coding System of Classification (HS). This maximum applicable customs duty represents the
NON
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TARIFF BARRIERS
Non-tariff barriers also restrict the market access of goods. Non-tariff barriers include quantitative restrictions (such as quotas) and other barriers (for example, lack of transparency in trade
1.
QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS
Quantitative restrictions are a ban on imports or exports after a determined quantity (the quota) has entered the territory.
According to Article XI:1 of GATT, quantitative restrictions should not be maintained by WTO Members.
The prohibition means that only import duties can be used to regulate goods trade at
SPECIFIC QR EXCEPTIONS
The specific exceptions to the general prohibition against the use of QRs are to:
1.Prevent critical shortage of foodstuffs or other essential products (GATT Article XI:2a);
2.Remove temporary surpluses of a domestic like product for which the imported product is a
directsubstitute (GATT Article XI:2b);
OTHER NON TARIFF BARRIERS
1.Sanitary and phytosanitary measures set out in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the "SPS
Agreement");
2.Technical barriers to trade set out in the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the "TBT Agreement");
1.
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND
STANDARDS
Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement provides that "Members shall ensure that technical regulations are not prepared, adopted or applied with a view to or with the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to international trade". Technical regulations shall not be more trade-restrictive
than necessary to fulfil a legitimate objective, taking account of the risks non-fulfilment would cause.
In assessing such risks, relevant elements of consideration are, inter alia: available scientific and technical
2.
SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY
MEASURES
to use different standards and different methods for inspecting products
Not misused for protectionist purposes and do not result in unnecessary barriers to international trade.
3.
CUSTOMS FORMALITIES AND
PROCEDURES
need for minimizing the incidence and
complexity of import and export
formalities.
4.
PRE
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SHIPMENT INSPECTION
the practice of employing specialized private companies to check shipment details
(essentially price, quantity, quality) of goods to be shipped overseas.
to safeguard national financial interests
(prevention of capital flight and commercial fraud as well as customs duty evasion, for
5.
RULES OF ORIGIN
Rules of origin are used:
1.To determine whether imported products shall receive most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment or preferential treatment;
2.To implement measures and instruments of
commercial policy such as anti-dumping duties and safeguard measures;
3.For the purpose of trade statistics; and
