TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade)

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) refer to mandatory or non-mandatory technical requirements imposed by a country on imported goods through laws, regulations, standards, and certification procedures, on the grounds of safeguarding national security, protecting human health, animal and plant life, protecting the environment, and preventing deceptive practices. These requirements may constitute disguised trade restrictions and have become a major form of non-tariff barriers. Usage scenarios: commonly seen in fields such as electromechanical products, food, cosmetics, and chemicals, e.g., EU CE certification, US FDA standards, REACH regulation, etc. Precautions: TBT is hidden, flexible, and complex; exporting enterprises need to closely monitor updates to technical regulations in target markets, conduct product testing and certification in advance, and avoid goods being detained or returned. Difference from SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures): SPS targets food safety and animal and plant health, while TBT has a broader scope, covering industrial products and general consumer goods. Unlike tariff barriers, TBT does not directly impose taxes, but it increases compliance costs.