GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jul 19, 2026
Non-Tariff Barriers
Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) are all government measures other than customs duties that impede or restrict cross-border trade in goods.
Quick Answer
Last updated:
Source: https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/agrm9_e.htm
Category
Find a matching partner on this lane
Reading time
1 min
Words
129
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
Non-tariff barriers (NTBs) are all government measures other than customs duties that impede or restrict cross-border trade in goods. They include import licences, quotas, technical standards and certification requirements, labelling and packaging rules, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and lengthy customs procedures. For freight forwarders and customs declarants, NTBs are often more burdensome in daily practice than the actual tariff: if a certificate or licence is missing, the shipment stops at the border — regardless of the duty rate. Free trade agreements therefore increasingly dismantle non-tariff hurdles alongside tariffs, for example through mutual recognition of standards and digital trade documents. The WTO monitors such measures to curb hidden protectionism. Not to be confused with customs tariffs: tariffs work through price, whereas non-tariff barriers work through regulations, procedures and quantitative restrictions.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Connect
Find a matching partner on this lane
Verified forwarders, ranked by coverage and profile — premium capped at 10%.
Related News
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.