GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026
Import Restrictions
An import restriction is a government measure that determines whether and under what conditions specific goods may enter a country.
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Source: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/lic_e/lic_intro_e.htm
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Definition & Explanation
An import restriction is a government measure that determines whether and under what conditions specific goods may enter a country. Common forms include quantitative limits (quotas), licensing requirements, and tariff-based instruments such as anti-dumping or countervailing duties. The underlying objectives vary: protecting domestic producers, ensuring biosecurity, safeguarding consumers, or pursuing foreign-policy goals. For freight forwarders, import restrictions translate into additional procedural steps – such as presenting an import licence or notifying a specialist agency – before customs clearance can proceed. Import restrictions differ from import bans: a ban excludes entry entirely, whereas a restriction permits it under defined conditions.
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