Ofvédvámok

Ofvédvámok, often translated as "protective duties" or "safeguard duties," are a type of trade restriction that can be imposed by a country on imports. These duties are specifically designed to provide temporary relief to domestic industries that are experiencing serious injury or threat of injury due to a sudden and significant increase in imports. The primary justification for implementing ofvédvámok is to allow these domestic industries time to adjust and regain competitiveness.

Unlike anti-dumping duties, which address unfairly priced imports, or countervailing duties, which target subsidized imports, ofvédvámok are typically applied when imports increase to such levels, in absolute or relative terms, that they cause or threaten to cause serious injury to the domestic industry producing like or directly competitive products. The decision to impose these duties usually involves an investigation by a national authority to determine if the conditions for applying safeguards are met.

The imposition of ofvédvámok is subject to international rules, primarily those of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO Agreement on Safeguards outlines the conditions under which member countries can apply safeguard measures, including the requirement for an investigation, the demonstration of serious injury, and limitations on the duration and scope of the measures. These duties are intended to be temporary and must be phased out over time.