GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 15, 2026

Import Restrictions

An import restriction is a government measure that determines whether and under what conditions specific goods may enter a country.

Last updated: 15 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/lic_e/lic_intro_e.htm

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An import restriction is a government measure that determines whether and under what conditions specific goods may enter a country. The most common forms are quantitative limits (quotas), outright bans, licensing requirements, and tariff-based instruments such as anti-dumping or countervailing duties. The underlying objectives vary widely: 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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Import Restrictions

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