Non-Tariff Barrier (NTB) refers to all measures other than tariffs that restrict imports, including quotas, licenses, technical standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, anti-dumping, subsidies, government procurement, etc. Usage scenarios: After tariff reductions, importing countries often use NTBs to protect domestic industries, such as the EU's pesticide residue standards for agricultural products and the US anti-dumping duties on steel. Precautions: NTBs are highly concealed and flexible, easily trigger trade disputes, and often conflict with WTO rules; companies need to monitor regulatory updates in target markets and ensure compliance in advance. Difference from tariff barriers: Tariffs are price-based measures, transparent and quantifiable; NTBs are quantity- or administrative-based measures, diverse in form, and harder to predict. Foreign trade practitioners should be familiar with agreements such as TBT and SPS, use rules of origin in free trade agreements to circumvent them, and retain evidence to respond to unreasonable barriers.
📝 Examples
1. Our exported electronic products were identified as subject to a non-tariff barrier due to non-compliance with the EU's newly issued energy efficiency labeling directive, resulting in customs clearance delays. (Note: Technical standards constitute an NTB and affect market access.)
2. The United States imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese photovoltaic products, which is a typical non-tariff barrier; we need to join forces with the chamber of commerce to defend our case. (Note: Trade remedy measures are a common form of NTB and require legal response.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
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