The World Tariff Profiles is a joint publication of the WTO, ITC and UNCTAD devoted to market access for goods. This statistical yearbook contains a comprehensive compilation of the main tariff parameters for each of the 164 WTO members plus other countries and customs territories where data is available. Each tariff profile presents information on tariffs imposed by each economy on its imports complemented with an analysis of the market access conditions it faces in its major export markets.
Statistics for all countries and territories are given in standardized tables which allow easy comparisons between countries/territories, between sectors and, specifically for WTO members, between bound and applied tariffs as well. The calculations are based on national tariff schedules and imports in conformity with a standard Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature version. To the extent possible, ad valorem equivalents (AVEs) of nonad valorem tariffs are estimated and are included in the estimation of tariff indicators. Nonetheless, certain caveats apply in the interpretation of these indicators and the reader is advised to read the methodological notes that precede the statistical tables.
The publication is presented in five main parts. The first part shows summary tariff statistics for all countries and territories for all products, as well as a breakdown into agricultural and non-agricultural products. The second part shows for each of these countries and territories one full page with disaggregation by sectors and duty ranges. It also contains a section on the market access conditions faced in their respective major export markets. A new third part has been added to this edition to cover information on non-tariff measures which are of increasing importance in international trade. The fourth part contains the special topic which presents a new subject in each edition. The annexes are in part five and include the data sources and the compilation of “Frequently Asked Questions”.
The summary tariff tables in the first part are designed to allow cross-country comparison as well as comparison of the levels of bound and applied duties. Apart from the standard indicators like tariff averages, maxima, percentage of duty-free tariff lines, peaks and non-ad valorem duties, it also contains indicators of tariff dispersion such as the number of distinct duties and the coefficient of variation. The calculation of these indicators is based, where applicable, on a pre-aggregation to HS six-digit subheadings, which leads to a standardization across countries and thus makes the comparisons more compatible.
Similarly, the summary trade table showing the imports and exports profile facilitates the comparison of selected indicators among the economies listed. The statistics are presented by agricultural and non-agricultural sector as well as for the total economy. The indicators related to the exports profile are based on mirror data reported by the importing economy.
The tariff profiles tables are divided into two blocks covering (A) the domestic market access protection and (B) the protection faced in the major export markets. In part A, information on bound and applied duties is shown by duty ranges and by sectors. Information for agricultural and non-agricultural duties is shown separately. In addition, there are indicators on the occurrence of special safeguards and on tariff quotas. In part B, the trade diversification and market access conditions in the five major export markets are depicted, broken down into agricultural and non-agricultural products.
The third part contains the summary tables on anti-dumping actions, countervailing duties and safeguard measures. The new special topic presented on the fourth part is entitled “Aligning trade and tariff policies with sustainable development.”
The special topic for this edition is “Aligning trade and tariff policies with sustainable development”. The chapter provides statistics on tariffs applied to technological goods that may assist countries in fulfilling certain Sustainable Development Goals, such as SDG 3.9 (“By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination”) and SDG 7.2 (“By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix”).
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