Tariff Barrier

A tariff barrier refers to a trade protection measure by which a country's government imposes import tariffs to raise the cost of imported goods, thereby restricting foreign goods from entering its domestic market. Its core forms include ad valorem duties, specific duties, and compound duties. It is commonly used to protect domestic infant industries, maintain balance of payments, or serve as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. Note: tariff barriers must comply with WTO bound tariff commitments, otherwise they may trigger trade disputes; also, tariff barriers must be distinguished from non-tariff barriers (such as quotas and technical standards), which are more covert. Unlike export subsidies and anti-dumping duties, tariff barriers are general import restrictions rather than measures targeting specific countries or enterprises. Foreign trade practitioners should monitor changes in tariff rates in target markets, use rules of origin under free trade agreements to reduce tax burdens, and assess the impact of tariff costs on quotations and supply chains.