Non-tariff measures are generally defned as policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both (UNCTAD/DITC/ TAB/2009/3). Since this defnition is broad, a detailed classifcation is of critical importance so as to better identify and distinguish among the various forms of non-tariff measures.
The classifcation of non-tariff measures presented here is a taxonomy of all those measures considered relevant in today’s situation in international trade. It is based on the UNCTAD Coding System and was developed by several international organizations forming what was called the MAST group (Multi- Agency Support Team) to support the Group of Eminent Persons on Non-tariff Barriers established by the Secretary General of UNCTAD in 2006. The fnal proposal by the MAST group was revised by UNCTAD and all relevant Divisions of the WTO Secretariat. The classifcation was tested in the feld by UNCTAD and ITC for data collection. The work ranged from 2007 to 2012. This version is presented as the 2012 version, the outcome of that discussion and testing. The classifcation is seen as evolving and should adapt to the reality of international trade and data collection needs.
The MAST team discussed and proposed this classifcation, and is composed of: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, International Trade Centre, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO).
This classifcation comprises technical measures, such as sanitary or environmental protection measures, as well as others traditionally used as instruments of commercial policy, e.g. quotas, price control, exports restrictions, or contingent trade protective measures, and also other behind-the-border measures, such as competition, trade-related investment measures, government procurement or distribution restrictions.
This classifcation does not judge on legitimacy, adequacy, necessity or discrimination of any form of policy intervention used in international trade. It acknowledges existence and is designed to organize information in a database format. Transparent, reliable and comparable information can contribute to an understanding of the phenomenon and help exporters worldwide to access information, as it happens with tariffs. Transparent information is also needed for any negotiations that could lead to harmonization and mutual recognition and thus enhance trade.
The International Classifcation develops a tree/branch structure where measures are categorized into chapters, depending on their scope and/or design. Then each chapter is further differentiated into several subgroups to allow a fner classifcation of the regulations affecting trade. The classifcation of non-tariff measures encompasses 16 chapters (A to P), and each individual chapter is divided into groupings with depth up to three levels (one, two and three digits, following the same logic of the Harmonized System classifcation for products).1 Although a few chapters reach the three-digit level of disaggregation, most of them stop at two digits. The chapters of the classifcation are illustrated in the table below. All chapters reflect the requirements of the importing country on its imports, with the exception of measures imposed on exports by the exporting country (chapter P).
| # | Title | Download |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNCTAD International Classification of Non-Tariff Measures 2010 Version |  PDF |
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