Market Access

This section should contain summary information on trade control measures which affect market entry: tariffs and non-tariff measures which regulate imports of the product concerned in the target import market. In particular, details should be provided on customs duties and other import charges, quantitative restrictions (quotas), sanitary and safety regulations, technical standards, etc.

Although it is the importer who bears the import charges and who ensures that imports conform to national standards, information on market access conditions allows the exporter to:

• Evaluate the competitiveness of his/her products in comparison with suppliers from other countries under different tariff schemes

An importer is more likely to purchase the same quality of products from a source for which he/she has to pay lower tariffs than from a high-tariff source.

• Select markets/market segments in which his/her product has the best prospects

• Adapt, where necessary, his/her products to conform to the target markets import regulations, thus increasing his/her competitive edge when negotiating contracts with potential importers

Sources of Information

I. Customs Tariffs

I.1 Reference

Market Access Map - ITC's interactive database of tariff information

ITC Guide on Import Tariffs - Basic Information and Customs Sources

Countryman McDaniel - Index To Customs Resources

Customs Guides to all Countries

I.2  Officially committed "Bound Rates" during the Uruguay Round Negotiations

Uruguay Round Agreement tariff schedules according to country or chapter I.3 Tariffs - worldwide coverage 

Online:  Worldtariff On-Line

On CD-ROM: Tariffic

I.4  Tariffs -  Africa

COMESA ASYCUDA Customs Tariffs

Cargoinfo Africa - South African Customs tariffs

I.5 Tariffs - Asia - Pacific

APEC Tariff Database  Customs tariffs of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua NewGuinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United States of America, Vietnam


India - Central Board of Excise and Customs


Pakistan Business Recorder -- Imports and Customs
JAPAN - (Japan's Generalized System of Preferences)
Import Tariff of VietNam

I.6 Tariffs - European Union

Customs Tariffs of the European Union  Unofficial site providing updated customs tariffs of the European Union.


For reference information on EU Customs and Tariffs see also The European Union Customs Tariffs

I.7 Tariffs - Other European Countries

Customs Tariffs of Lithuania
Malta Customs Tariffs

I.8 Tariffs - Middle East

Jordan Customs Departments - About the Customs

I.9 Tariffs - Latin America

ALADI, Aranceles Vigentes por Item Arancelario

Free Trade Area of the Americas - Hemispheric Trade and Tariff Data Base

I.9 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Within the 'Generalized System of Preferences' or GSP, selected products originating in developing countries can be exported to developed countries' markets at lower or zero tariff rates. The UNCTAD website on GSP provides all the information the exporter or the entrepreneur needs to benefit from the various GSP schemes currently in operation.

II.3 Quotas

European Union

The Taxation and Customs Union Directorate General of the European Union maintains a database for tariff quotas and ceilings on the EUROPA web-site. It displays the balances of each tariff quota and ceiling applicable in the present year and in the past year. It also indicates certain other important information, such as the date when a particular tariff quota or ceiling is reached. This information is subject to constant change as a result of the daily operations which take place. The information on the EUROPA web-site is taken on the evening of each working day and is therefore correct at that time. It remains on the web-site until the evening of the following working day.

The SIGL (Système Intégré de Gestion de Licenses) provides information on quota levels for imports of clothing and steel products applied in the European Community.

United States

The U.S Customs Services provides information both on commodities subject to quotas administered by Customs and by other government agencies. In the page on Quota Information, information is available on the Current Textile Status of all countries exporting textiles to the United States.

II.4 Technical Barriers to Trade

The World Trade Organisation maintains a site on Technical Barriers to Trade. The Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade tries to ensure that regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to market access.

Under the provisions of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), all Members are required to establish and identify at least one Enquiry Point to respond to requests for information regarding national technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.

II.5 Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations

Under the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, WTO members have agreed to establishing disciplines on the use of sanitary and phytosanitary measures. See the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) for information on the legal text and further information on the agreement.

Under the provisions of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), all Members are required to establish and identify one National Enquiry Point National Enquiry Point to respond to requests for information regarding sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

The Centre for Environmental and Regulatory Information Systems (CERIS), of Purdue University, maintains the Export Certification Project database (EXCERPT). It contains information needed for the preparation of phytosanitary certificates accompanying plants exported from the USA to more than 250 countries . Full search access to the EXCERPT database is by annual subscription.

The Kern County Phytosanitary Export Information Index provides, free of charge, phytosanitary requirements of selected countries on selected products.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides information on country regulations related to live animals, animal products and organisms.

The USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine also provides information on regulations related to the importation of plants into the USA.

Product-related sites for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations information

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand provides information on Forest Products Export Standards and a collection of standards for the import and export of animals meat, seafood, plants, game, poultry and their products. The Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service