Tunisia - Trade BarriersTunisia - Trade Barriers
Tunisia is a founding member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and submitted a “Category A” notification in September 2014 for the Trade Facilitation Agreement. While maintaining restrictions on designated strategic sectors by requiring prior authorization, the Tunisian government has pursued a program of liberalizing imports. Approximately 97% of imports do not require prior authorization.
Tunisia has non-tariff barriers such as import licenses or quotas on certain products. These particularly apply to consumer goods that compete against locally produced equivalents manufactured by developing industries or to goods for which domestic production is deemed sufficient. The major categories affected by import restrictions are pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars. These import quotas are based to some extent on the amount of Tunisian-produced automobile components utilized in the foreign manufacturer’s automobile designs. Importers have to request an allotment from the GOT in order to receive an import license. Although this quota system is only for cars with small engines, Tunisian consumers may not import foreign vehicles privately due to strict foreign-exchange controls.
Working within the letter of WTO requirements, Tunisia vigorously protects its domestic pharmaceutical industry. All pharmaceutical imports are controlled by the Central Pharmacy, a government entity under the Ministry of Health.
Inconsistent procedures within Tunisian Customs can also be a major obstacle for importers. Importers have experienced extended delays in customs clearance due to legally required, but not uniformly invoked, technical and quality control investigations on various items. Government use of non-tariff barriers has sometimes led to the delay or rejection of goods shipped to Tunisia. However, this is not common practice and is not aimed specifically at goods imported from the United States.
Agricultural products are generally subject to high import duties and in some cases face other import barriers like quotas. Tunisia often gives preferential tariff rates to agricultural products originating in Arab and North African nations.
For more information and help with trade barriers, please contact:
International Trade Administration Enforcement and Compliance
(202)482-0063
ECCommunications@trade.gov
http://trade.gov/enforcement/
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Tunisia has non-tariff barriers such as import licenses or quotas on certain products. These particularly apply to consumer goods that compete against locally produced equivalents manufactured by developing industries or to goods for which domestic production is deemed sufficient. The major categories affected by import restrictions are pharmaceuticals and motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars. These import quotas are based to some extent on the amount of Tunisian-produced automobile components utilized in the foreign manufacturer’s automobile designs. Importers have to request an allotment from the GOT in order to receive an import license. Although this quota system is only for cars with small engines, Tunisian consumers may not import foreign vehicles privately due to strict foreign-exchange controls.
Working within the letter of WTO requirements, Tunisia vigorously protects its domestic pharmaceutical industry. All pharmaceutical imports are controlled by the Central Pharmacy, a government entity under the Ministry of Health.
Inconsistent procedures within Tunisian Customs can also be a major obstacle for importers. Importers have experienced extended delays in customs clearance due to legally required, but not uniformly invoked, technical and quality control investigations on various items. Government use of non-tariff barriers has sometimes led to the delay or rejection of goods shipped to Tunisia. However, this is not common practice and is not aimed specifically at goods imported from the United States.
Agricultural products are generally subject to high import duties and in some cases face other import barriers like quotas. Tunisia often gives preferential tariff rates to agricultural products originating in Arab and North African nations.
For more information and help with trade barriers, please contact:
International Trade Administration Enforcement and Compliance
(202)482-0063
ECCommunications@trade.gov
http://trade.gov/enforcement/