The IDB CD-ROM contains the PC Integrated Data Base and an application system to retrieve and analyze tariff and import data. It is distributed to WTO Members and other authorized IDB users free of charge each June and December. See also: DISSEMINATION

Import quantities (volumes) in the IDB are recorded in the primary quantity field and in some cases, also in the secondary quantity. Import quantities are expressed in the volume represented by the corresponding quantity unit code (e.g. kilo, thousand kilo, etc).

The secondary (supplementary) quantity should be supplied only when different from the primary one. In cases where the non-ad valorem duty has two units of quantity (e.g. $1 per kilogram plus $2 each; or, $1.20 per litre or $0.20 per litre of absolute alcohol, whichever is the higher) the supplementary quantity should correspond to the second unit.

See QUOTAS

Any governmental measure that has the effect of making import flows smaller than they would be in the absence of the measure. Examples are foreign exchange restrictions, import licensing and import quotas. Import cartels may have the same effect.

Source: Walter Goode: Dictionary of Trade Policy Terms, Fourth Edition, (Cambridge University Press/WTO, 2003), p.175

An attempt by a country to reduce imports (and hence foreign exchange expenditures) by encouraging the development of domestic industries regardless of domestic inefficiencies.  

Source: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/trade/glossdi.htm#freezone

A charge on imports, in addition to the customs duty.

The currency unit used in the IDB to record the import customs values (e.g. U.S. dollars, thousand yen, thousand Euro, forints, etc.).

The average exchange rate of the imports currency unit per United States dollar for the year or period of the IDB import data. The spread is the lowest and highest exchange rate for the same period.

Import customs values are normally defined in terms of c.i.f. or f.o.b. valuations. C.i.f. (costs, insurance and freight) valuations include the value of the goods, the value of services performed to deliver the goods to the border of the exporting country and the value of the services associated with the delivery of goods from the border of the exporting country to the border of the importing country. F.o.b. (free on board) valuations include the value of the goods and the value of services performed to deliver the goods to the border of the exporting country.

Other types of valuations for the delivery of goods frontier to frontier are described in Annex D of the United Nations International Merchandise Trade Statistics - Concepts and Definitions, document ST/ESA/STAT/SER.M/52/Rev.2.

See DUTY.

In strict terms, tariffs levied on manufactures and semimanufactures to distinguish them from tariffs on primary agricultural and mineral commodities. Sometimes used, however, to refer to tariffs on nonagricultural products.

Source: Walter Goode: Dictionary of Trade Policy Terms, Fourth Edition, (Cambridge University Press/WTO, 2003), p.178

The Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products (ITA) was concluded by 29 participants at the Singapore Ministerial Conference in December 1996. The ITA provided for participants to completely eliminate duties on IT products covered by the Agreement by 1 January 2000. Developing country participants have been granted extended periods for some products.

The ITA is solely a tariff cutting mechanism. While the Declaration provides for the review of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), there are no binding commitments concerning NTBs. There are three basic principles that one must abide by to become an ITA participant: 1) all products listed in the Declaration must be covered, 2) all must be reduced to a zero tariff level, and 3) all other duties and charges (ODCs) must be bound at zero. There are no exceptions to product coverage, however for sensitive items, it is possible to have an extended implementation period. The commitments undertaken under the ITA in the WTO are on an MFN basis, and therefore benefits accrue to all other WTO Members.

ITA II

The Ministerial Declaration and the Implementation document provides that participants will periodically review the product coverage (often termed ITA II) specified in the Attachments to the Declaration. The first review commenced in October 1997 when participants were invited to submit lists of additional information technology products for possible additional tariff concessions. In 1998, participants continued to discuss the lists, provide clarification, exchange views, and negotiate with a view to making a decision on whether to revise the Attachments by 30 June 1998. However, no agreement could be reached at that time, and the process continued throughout 1998. At subsequent meetings of the Committee, still no agreement could be reached and to date there has been no products added to the original coverage. Consultations between delegations on the review of product coverage continue.

 

When a concession is first negotiated bilaterally between two countries, the negotiation takes place between the importing country and the country having an interest in the products to be negotiated. If the interested or negotiating country obtains a concession, this concession applies to all WTO Members under the principle of the most favoured nation (MFN) treatment. The negotiating country is recorded in the WTO schedule as holding an initial negotiating right (INR) on the tariff item. A country holding an INR on an item does not have to be among the principal suppliers to enter into negotiations with the importing country under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994 or in subsequent round of tariff negotiations. For the same product there could be several countries holding INRs. (See also Floating INRs and Historical INRs)

The results of multilateral negotiations, protocols of accession, waivers and other decisions taken within the framework of  GATT and the WTO are incorporated in "WTO Legal Instruments".

See DOMESTIC SUPPORT.

Tariff negotiations in which each item is looked at separately. The method is more laborious than formula cuts, linear tariff reductions or sectoral trade negotiations, but it may be only possible method for achieving results, especially if sensitive products are involved.

Source: Walter Goode: Dictionary of Trade Policy Terms, Fourth Edition, (Cambridge University Press/WTO, 2003), p.201