Non-tariff barriers are government laws, regulations, policies, conditions, restrictions, or specific requirements, and private sector business practices or prohibitions, that protect the domestic industries from foreign competition. They are the means of keeping the foreign goods out of domestic market while abiding by the multilateral agreements that the country has signed through the WTO (World Trade Organization).

Import duties are generally classified into regular (general) duty, preferential duty and free duty. The free and preferential tariff treatments, often called the special tariff status, are designed to promote trade with countries for reasons of foreign policy. Some of the more commonly encountered tariff treatments include MFN, GSP, FT and BPT.

MFN (Most Favored Nation)

The non-discriminatory treatment of all signatory countries to the WTO (World Trade Organization) with the same duty rate for purposes of imports.

GSP (Generalised System of Preferences)

A free or reduced duty granted by the developed countries to certain manufactured goods from the least developed countries, in order to bolster their exports and economic growth. Please see Form A in the GSP Program for related information. (The word "generalised" is also written as "generalized".)

FT (Free Trade)

A free duty and/or gradual tariff rate reductions on specified goods or services over a period of time, such as EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) and NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement).

BPT (British Preferential Tariff)

A preferential duty on goods or services originating from some members of the British Commonwealth.

Shipping the Exhibit Products

The exhibitor must follow the shipping instructions carefully. The fair organizer engages an official customs broker at destination port to handle the customs clearance and the delivery of exhibit cargo to the fair site. The exhibitor must ship the cargo at an appropriate date so that it may reach the destination within the designated time. The cargo shipping mark, which typically includes the name, location and date of exhibition, the name and booth number of exhibitor, and the pack number, must be clearly marked on each package, carton or crate.

The exhibitor may bring the display samples over when they are small in size and quantity and if the booth does not have special or complicated designs, instead of shipping them separately which is time consuming and often costs more. The exhibitor may use the ATA carnet for convenience.

Booth Setup

For safety reasons, the fair organizer may require that the booth be installed by their official contractor, regardless of who designs and builds the booth. The electrical wiring is the job of the official electrician. Nailing and stapling sometimes must be done by the official contractor, the labor cost is charged to the exhibitor's account.

Exhibitors must not assume that all the things ordered, such as display racks and spotlights, will be ready at their booth on time. Lots of follow up with the fair organizer or contractor is often necessary in the booth setup.

Electric Current Characteristics and Plug Types Abroad

The electric current characteristic and plug type used in a foreign country can be different (Please see Electric Plug Types in Domestic and Commercial Use). It is important to verify with the fair organizer before sending any display samples that consume electricity. Make sure that the electrical appliances, machine tools and motors that will be put on demonstration suit the power supply at the fair site. The fair contractor usually can supply the type of plug needed at cost.

Show Time

Make appointments with interested buyers to meet at their office after the fair or at the hotel after closing time.

Never leave the booth unattended during the show. In case of personal necessity, request own staff or the adjacent exhibitor to please watch the booth. Lookout for personal belongings like the attaché case (briefcase) and display samples. In certain countries, the fair organizer may advise exhibitors not to leave the small and expensive display samples at the day's closing time. The organizer may have safety containers for rent.

Competitors and Other Exhibitors

See what the competitors and other exhibitors are doing in preparation for the next fair. Usually you can get new ideas by surveying the fair, but make sure someone is attending to your booth during the show.

End of Fair

Exhibitors not receiving any orders by the end of the fair is not uncommon. Visit the buyer at the appointed time that was arranged during the show.

Return Shipment of Exhibit Products

The return shipment is often costly. It must be planned long before the show. Exhibitors may sell the products by paying the applicable customs duties and taxes, instead of shipping them back.

Courtesy Letter and the Follow Ups

As in any foreign visit, write to each buyer that was visited and thank them for any courtesies extended during the visit. Write and thank the buyers who have placed orders or who have shown an interest in the product. Follow up inquiries received during the show. More often than not, there will be no response to the initial follow-up letter. Write again, and with perseverance, orders may come in at a later date.

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