Tariff Measures and Trade Defense

Trade barriers include all measures that restrict international trade. Within the trade barriers, the Common Customs Tariff is one of trade policy instruments to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the industry of the European Union.

The dependence of the European and Spanish industry on the supply of raw materials is constantly growing. Community operators rely on 80% of imported inputs to carry out productive work, and the price of many basic raw materials for the European chemical industry is growing. Therefore, access to raw materials in better economic conditions is a key element for the competitiveness of the Spanish chemical industry.

In this regard, the European Union can adopt, autonomously, temporary and non-discriminatory, suspensions and tariff quotas with the aim of improving the competitiveness of community firms, allowing them the use of supplies with total or partial exemption from normal customs duties on raw materials, semi-finished goods or components not existing in the Community (suspensions) or in insufficient quantities (quotas).

The legal basis for regulating these suspensions and quotas is the Communication from the Commission concerning autonomous tariff suspensions and quotas (2011/C 363/02).

Autonomous Tariff Suspensions

Measure of commercial policy, allowing the exemption of tariffs on imported inputs when there is no Community production.

Autonomous Tariff Quotas

The EU, is an autonomous and non-discriminatory way, can establish autonomous tariff quotas. It is a measure of trade policy, which allows the total or partial exemption from the payment of tariffs on inputs imported within quantitative limits.

The tariff quota is warranted when there is sufficient community production to meet the demands of industry.