Global Trade Alert

The Customs Union Commission Decision #712 from 15 July 2011 has introduced a moratorium on any changes in import tariffs from 25 August 2011 until 1 January 2012. The decision is based on the necessity to develop a new version of the harmonized system (HS2007) to comply with the WTO standards. The analysts also connect this decision with the Russia's (Kazakh and Belorussian) WTO accession process. Thus, the industries will lose the opportunity to influence the implementation of protectionist measures within half a year. The decree, however, keeps the opportunity to introduce import tariff changes as "an emergency measure."