Tullikiintiöitä

Tullikiintiöitä, also known as tariff rate quotas, are a trade policy tool used by countries to manage imports. They allow a certain quantity of a specific good to be imported at a lower tariff rate during a defined period. Once this quota is filled, any further imports of that good are subject to a higher tariff rate. This mechanism aims to balance the benefits of lower-priced imports with the protection of domestic industries.

The primary purpose of tullikiintiöitä is to provide a degree of market access for foreign suppliers while still offering some protection to domestic producers against a sudden surge of imports. They are often applied to sensitive agricultural products or goods where a country wishes to support its own production. For example, a country might set a tullikiintiö for beef, allowing a certain amount in at a low tariff to satisfy consumer demand, but applying a much higher tariff to any beef imported beyond that quota to make it less competitive with domestically produced beef.

Tullikiintiöitä can be allocated in various ways. They can be administered on a first-come, first-served basis, through country-specific allocations, or by historical import volumes. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has rules governing the administration of tullikiintiöitä to ensure they are applied in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. Understanding tullikiintiöitä is crucial for businesses involved in international trade, as they directly impact the cost of importing certain goods.