notariff

Notariff is a term used in discussions of international trade policy to describe measures that influence cross-border trade without employing tariffs. It is often treated as synonymous with non-tariff barriers (NTBs) or as a subset focusing specifically on regulatory and procedural instruments. The idea behind notariff measures is that governments can affect the volume, price, or composition of imports through means other than tariff taxation.

Examples include import licenses and quantity controls, standards and technical regulations, testing and certification requirements, packaging and labeling rules, complex customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, subsidies to domestic producers, and procurement preferences. These instruments may be justified on public health, safety, environmental, or consumer protection grounds, but they can also operate as protective measures or negotiation constraints.

Evaluating notariff policies involves similar tools as NTB analysis: tracing impacts on prices, supply, and competition; examining transparency and admin procedures; and considering their effect on development and welfare. International trade organizations and agreements monitor non-tariff measures and provide dispute settlement or guidance to reduce unwarranted restrictions.

Etymology and usage: Notariff is not a universally standardized term; in many contexts traders and scholars simply refer to non-tariff barriers. The term appears in policy debates and academic literature as a convenient shorthand for non-tariff regulatory mechanisms that influence trade without tariffs.