Non-tariff barriers to trade

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Non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs; also called non-tariff measures, NTMs) are trade barriers that restrict imports or exports of goods or services through measures other than the imposition of tariffs. Such barriers are subject to controversy and debate, as they may comply with international rules on trade yet serve protectionist purposes.^[1] Sometimes, uniformly applied rules of trade may be more burdensome to some countries than others, e.g. for countries with developing economies.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) defines a non-tariff barrier as "any obstacle to international trade that is not an import or export duty. They may take the form of import quotas, subsidies, customs delays, technical barriers, or other systems preventing or impeding trade".^[2] According to the World Trade Organization, non-tariff barriers to trade include import licensing, rules for valuation of goods at customs, pre-shipment inspections, rules of origin ('made in'), and trade prepared investment measures.^[3] A 2019 UNCTAD report concluded that trade costs associated with non-tariff measures were more than double those of traditional tariffs.^[4]