Mittetollimaksutõkkeid

Mittetollimaksutõkkeid refer to measures that countries implement to restrict the import or export of goods and services, not through tariffs, but through other non-tariff barriers. These measures can take various forms, including quotas, licensing requirements, technical regulations, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and voluntary export restraints. The purpose of these barriers is often to protect domestic industries, ensure product safety, or address national security concerns. However, they can also serve as protectionist tools, hindering international trade and potentially leading to increased costs for consumers.

Quotas, for instance, limit the quantity of a specific good that can be imported or exported within a given period. Licensing requirements mandate that importers or exporters obtain a special permit before engaging in trade, which can be used to control the flow of certain goods. Technical regulations and standards set specific criteria that imported products must meet, such as safety or quality specifications. While often legitimate, these can sometimes be designed in a way that disadvantages foreign products. Sanitary and phytosanitary standards aim to protect human, animal, or plant life or health, but can also be a source of trade friction if perceived as overly stringent or discriminatory. Voluntary export restraints are agreements where an exporting country agrees to limit its exports to another country, often under pressure from the importing country.

These non-tariff barriers can be complex and their application can significantly impact global supply chains and market access for businesses. International trade agreements, such as those governed by the World Trade Organization, aim to reduce or eliminate many of these barriers to promote free and fair trade.