Tariff Intervention in Trade of US and EU Cherry Products: A Guide to Information

The importance of the effects of non-tariff barriers on international agricultural trade has become widely recognized and discussed as WTO negotiation has promoted the reduction of tariff rates around the world. Administrative barriers include the high cost of obtaining accurate information on commodity classification codes and tariff schedules of partner countries. Such information includes commodity classification rules and tariff rates. Cherries are produced worldwide, but in much smaller quantities than apples or oranges, or other more popular fruits. Much trade in tart cherries is still between small producers and buyers who often lack the resources to perform an exhaustive search of customs information, or who rely primarily on brokers. This report outlines the process for collecting customs identification numbers and trade data for tart cherries in the US and EU. In doing so, it highlights many of the difficulties inherent in collecting accurate and timely information for use in trade.