tariffikiintiöitä

Tariffikiintiöt, often translated as tariff quotas, are a trade policy instrument used by countries to regulate imports. They combine elements of both tariffs and quotas. Specifically, a tariff quota allows a certain quantity of a good to be imported at a lower, or sometimes zero, tariff rate. Once this specified quantity has been imported, any further imports of the same good within a defined period are subject to a higher tariff rate.

These quotas are established for specific products and are typically valid for a set period. The primary purpose of tariff quotas is to provide a degree of market access for certain imports while also protecting domestic industries from excessive competition. For example, a country might set a tariff quota for agricultural products, allowing a certain volume of a specific crop to enter at a low tariff to meet consumer demand or stabilize prices, while imposing a higher tariff on any imports exceeding that limit to safeguard its own farmers.

Tariff quotas can be unilateral, meaning a country imposes them on its own, or they can be part of international trade agreements, such as those negotiated within the World Trade Organization (WTO). They are a flexible tool that allows governments to manage trade flows in response to economic conditions or specific policy objectives without resorting to outright import bans. The administration of tariff quotas involves tracking import volumes to ensure compliance with the established limits.