According to UNCTAD’s Global Trade Update (UN Trade and Development), the international trade policy of many countries is becoming more interventionist. Customs duties are rising again, but they do not represent the main obstacle to exports for most countries.
Non-tariff measures (NTMs), such as regulations, mandatory standards or product requirements, are now the main driver of trade costs. They now determine who trades, what is traded, and to which markets.
Customs duties increased sharply in 2025, averaging 10% for developed countries, 16% for developing countries and 18% for the least developed countries.
Yet customs duties do not constitute the main expense item for most countries. NTMs generate export costs higher than customs duties for 88% of exporting countries. They include technical regulations, health and safety requirements, as well as administrative procedures. These measures often generate costs related to compliance, information and procedures.
The challenge lies not only in the measures themselves, but also in the difficulty of identifying and understanding them. The lack of transparency constitutes a hidden barrier to trade. Businesses often struggle to know which rules apply to their products.
UNCTAD emphasizes that non-tariff measures serve important public policy objectives, particularly in terms of health, safety and environmental protection. They cannot simply be negotiated away and removed. The priority should now be to reduce unnecessary costs while maintaining these protections.
Source (English): Invisible barriers are reshaping global trade