G/MA/W/168  
 
15 April 2021  
 
(21-3223) Page: 1/23 
Committee on Market Access   
 
 
SUMMARY OF NOTIFIED EXPORT RESTRICTIONS AND  
TRADE FACILITATING MEASURES  RELATING TO THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC  
REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1. At its meeting of 12 and 16 November  2020, the Committee on Market Access requested the 
Secretariat  to prepare a new report summarizing the factual information contained in the 
notifications and other communications that have been submitted by Members to the Committee in 
respect of  trade -related measures introduced in response t o the COVID -19 pandemic .2 As a result, 
this report seeks to summarize the relevant information on export prohibitions and restrictions that 
have been notified by Members under the 2012 Decision on Notification Procedures for Quantitative 
Restrictions3 (QR Decision ), as well as other communications with information on trade -facilitating 
measures  introduced by Members in response to the  pandemic.  It includes all available information 
as of 15 April 2021 . The full list of the notifications and communications that have been analyzed in 
this report is contained in document G/MA/W/157/Rev.2.  
2  NOTIFIED EXPORT PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS  
2. As of the date of this report, a  total of 48 measures  that prohibit or res trict exports  as a result 
of the COVID -19 pandemic have been notified by 29 Members .4 Annex 1 provides an overview of 
the contents of these communications.  With a view to facilitating the analysis of these measures and 
to allow for their comparison, some elements contained were standardized (e.g.  the type of 
measure, covered  products, WTO justification, etc.). For the purpose of this report , a measure is 
counted individually  whenever it can be clearly distinguished from another measure  (e.g., if there 
are two clearly separate national legal instruments) . Any extension , modification or termination of 
the original measure has not been  accounted for as a new measure .  
3. The Secretariat would like to stress that  the information on export prohibitions and restrictions 
presented in this  report  remains incomplete, as it is limited to the measures that have been notified 
by Members pursuant to the QR Decision.  Additional information compiled by the WTO Secretariat 
in the context of the Trade Monitoring Report5 suggest s that 10 additional Members and several 
non-WTO Members have also introduced similar export restricting measures  in response to the  
COVID -19 pandemic , which , to the date of this report , have not yet been notified  under the 
QR Decision .  
2.1  Type s of measure s 
4. The majority of the export restrictive measures that have been introduced by Members in 
response to COVID -19 have taken the form of non -automatic export licensing  schemes  (38.5%), 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement.  
2 G/MA/M/73, paras. 7.16 and 7.17.  
3 G/L/59/Rev.1.  
4 Counting the E uropean Union as one.  
5 The COVID -19 section of the WTO webpage includes a sub -section entitled "COVID -19: Measures 
affecting trade in goods". See 
https://www. wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/trade_related_goods_measure_e.htm . G/MA/W/168  
 
- 2 - 
 
  followed by full bans or prohibitions on exports (34.6%) and conditional prohibitions (25%).  There 
is also one measure that takes the form of a global quota on exports.  See Chart 1.   
Chart 1 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, by Type of Measure ( Percentage)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2.2  Timeline  of date of i ntroduction of the measures  
5. An overwhelming majority of the export prohibiting and restricting measures that have been 
notified were  introduced by Members between February and April 2020  (40 out of 48 measures) . 
This period  coincides with the declaration of a pandemic by the World Health Organization and the 
lockdowns and other health measures imposed by Members in response to COVID -19. It would 
appear that no expor t restricting measures were introduced between  July 2021 and January 2021 
when two  new measures were introduced. See Chart  2. 
Chart 2 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, Timeline  of Date of I ntroduction of the Measures  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
 
  
3 29 
8 
1 2 - - - - - -2 3 Feb 2020
Mar 2020
Apr 2020
May 2020
Jun 2020
Jul 2020
Aug 2020
Sep 2020
Oct 2020
Nov 2020
Dec 2020
Jan 2021
UnspecifiedNo. of measuresG/MA/W/168  
 
- 3 - 
 
  2.3  Duration of the measures  
6. A large proportion of the export restricting measures that have been notified by Members do 
not provide complete  information on the duration of these measures.  For 23 measures, the Member 
provided information on the date of introduction of the measure , but there was no indication of the 
planned duration or a subsequent communication confirming that the measure had e xpired. For the 
25 measures where information  is available , the majority of the restrictions were in place 
between  181 and 270 days (i.e. between six and nine months), followed by seven measures that 
were in place for less than 90 days.  See Chart 3.  
Chart 3 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, By Duration of the Measures  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2.4  Timeline of number of measures  in force , by date  
7. Based on the information on the date of introduction of the measures (Section 2.1) and their 
duration (Section 2.3), it is possible to track the number of measures that were in force for a 
particular date and their evolution.  The available information sugg ests that , at its peak on 
24 April 2020, 38 export restricting measures were in place, which was followed by a steady 
reduction.  Approximately 21 export restricting measures appear to continue to be in place  in 
April 2021, one year after the peak was reach ed. See Chart  4.  
Chart 4 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, Current Status of the Measures  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
G/MA/W/168  
 
- 4 - 
 
  2.5  Covered p roducts  
8. The majority of measures notified by Members prohibited or restricted the exportation of the 
so-called Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), which includes the face and eye protection devices 
(26 measures), protective garments (19 measures) and gloves (19 measures).  Other restricted 
products included  sanitizers and disinfectants including alcohol (15 me asures), pharmaceutical 
products (14 measures), different types of medical supplies (13 measures), medical equipment 
including mechanical respirators (11 measures) and other products.  See Chart 5. 
Chart  5 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, By Covered Products  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
2.6  WTO j ustifications cited  
9. The introduction of almost half of the notified measures have been justified  by Members citing 
both Articles XI:2(c) and Article XX:b of the GATT 1994, which relate to measures temporarily 
applied to prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodstuffs or other essential products and measures 
necessary to protect human, plant or ani mal health, respectively.  Members cited exclusively 
Article  XI:2(c) of the GATT 1994 for 31% of the measures , and referred to certain policy objectives 
without a reference to specific WTO provisions in the remaining cases. See Chart 6.  
Chart 6 QR Notificat ions with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, By WTO Justification Cited 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
26
19
19
15
14
13
11
5
4
3
2
1Face and eye protection
Protective garments
Gloves
Sanitizers/ Disinfectants
Pharmaceuticals
Other medical supplies
Medical devices and equipment
Foodstuffs
COVID-19 Test kits
Vaccines
Soap
Toilet paperPersonal
Protective
Equipment
G/MA/W/168  
 
- 5 - 
 
  2.7  Current status of the measures  
10. Based on the information that has been notified thus far, it would appear that a bit more than 
half of the export prohibitions and export restricting measures continue to be in force  by 
14 April 2021, while the remaining measures expired as initially notified (27%) or the Member 
submitted a notification informing other Members that the measure had been t erminated (21%).  
See Chart 7.  
Chart 7 QR Notifications with Export Prohibitions or Restrictions in Response to 
COVID -19, Current Status of the Measures  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3  OVERVIEW OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH TRADE FACILITATING MEASURES  
11. Annex 2 of this report provides a summary of the contents of all communications with trade 
facilitating measures introduced in response to COVID -19 that have been submitted to the 
Committee on Market Access.  Unlike the export prohibitions and restrictions described i n Section 1, 
which were submitted pursuant a notification requirement, these are communications that have 
been submitted unilaterally by Members for transparency.  As of the date of this report, a  total of 21 
of such communications with 34 measures have bee n submitted by 11 Members . With a view to 
facilitating th e analysis and allow for comparison, and where the information available allowed, some 
of the elements  contained in the communications  have been standardized  (e.g. the types of 
measures) . Additional information compiled by the Secretariat in the context of the Trade Monitoring 
Report6 suggests that several other trade facilitating measures have been adopted by Members, but 
were not taken into account.7 
3.1  Type s of measure s 
12. Accounting for approximately 64.7%, the majority of the trade facilitating measures that have 
been communicated to the Committee concerned  tax-related measures that sought to reduce the 
price of critical imports, thereby increasing their affordability and availability.  For example, more 
than a third of these measures  eliminated,  suspen ded or waiv ed the payment  of customs duties 
(tariffs) on the importation of  products that were considered to be essential to combat the COVID -19 
pandemic  (35.3%) . In addition,  several Members  eliminate d, suspended,  or waive d the payment of 
other taxes and /or duties, such as the value added tax, on these essential products  (17.6%) . With 
a view to providing liquidity to importers, some Members also decided to defer the payment of tariffs 
 
6 The COVID -19 section of the WTO webpage includes a sub -section entitled "COVID -19: Measures 
affecting trade in goods". See 
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/trade_related_goods_measure_e.htm . 
7 For more information, see WTO Secretariat, " How WTO Members have used trade measures to 
expedite access to COVID -19 critical medical go ods and services", Information Note of 18 September 2020. 
See https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/covid19_e/services_report_16092020_e.pdf . 
Termination 
notified
21%
In force
52%Expired
27%G/MA/W/168  
 
- 6 - 
 
  and other taxes on all imported products  (5.9% of the measures) . Beyond these tax -related 
measures, a pproximately 23.8% of the se trade facilitating measures sought to simplify or facilitate 
different  customs procedures includin g, for example, the introduction of  simplified or expedited 
customs clearance procedures (11.8%) , e.g. the establishment of green channels to prioritize the 
importation of critical products,  and the simplification or elimination of certain procedures (11.8 %). 
Finally, approximately 11.8% of the notified measures have to do with other categories , such as the 
establishment of special procedures for the importation of donations (relief goods) or the 
commitment to refrain from imposing export prohibitions or re strictions on essential goods.   
Chart 8 COVID -19 Trade Facilitating Measures Communicated  to the Committee,   
by Types of Measure s 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.2  Duration of measures  
13. The majority of  trade facilitating measures  that were communicated to the Committee  were 
temporary in nature, but in 14 of the 34 measures the Member did not include information on their 
intended duration . For those measures where  Member s did provide information,  the majority seem 
to have been in p lace between 180 and 365 days  (i.e. between six months and one year ), with a 
handful of measures having either  a shorter  or a longer duration.  The measure with the shortest 
duration was in place for 84 days while the one with  the longest duration will be i n place for 425 days.  
It is also worth mentioning that some of the measures were described as "permanent " trade 
facilitating measures  to promote trade in essential products to combat the COVID -19 pandemic . 
See Chart 9.  
G/MA/W/168  
 
- 7 - 
 
  Chart 9 COVID -19 Trade Facilitating Measures Communicated to the Committee,  by 
Duration  of the Measure s 
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.3  Covered  products  
14. The main categories of products covered by the trade facilitating measures appear to be 
similar in nature to those products that we re subject to  export prohibitions and restrictions  
(discussed in Section 2) . Nine of the 11 Members that provided information adopted measures to 
simplify the importation of PPE, which includes the categories of face and eye protection gear 
(e.g. facemasks, face  shields and protective goggles), protective garments, and gloves.  They are 
followed  by measures relating to different types of sanitizers and disinfectants, including different 
types of alcohol used in the preparation of these products. See Chart 10.  
Chart 10 COVID -19 Trade Facilitating Measures Communicated to the Committe e,  
by types of products  (No. of Members)  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.4  Current status  
15. While there is no information on the current status for almost one third of the measures of 
the analysis , the information in those documents  suggests that  approximately 44% of them have 
9
8
7
8
6
6
5
4
3
3
2
1
5
4
2Face and eye protection
Protective garments
Gloves
Sanitizers/ Disinfectants
Medical devices and equipment
Other medical supplies
Soap
COVID-19 Test kits
Foodstuffs
Pharmaceuticals
Vaccines
Toilet paper
Other products
All products
UndefinedPersonal
Protective
EquipmentG/MA/W/168  
 
- 8 - 
 
  expired and that 27% still remain in force , more than one year after the beginning of the COVID -19 
pandemic. See Chart 11.  
Chart 11 COVID -19 Trade Facilitating Measures Communicated to the Committee,  by 
current status of the measures  
 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
  
 
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 9 - ANNEX 1   
NOTIFIED EXPORT PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS  RELATING TO THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC  
Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
Albania  CP-X 08.03.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Pharmaceuticals;  
− Toilet paper;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/ALB/1/Add.1: QR 1  
Argentina  NAL-X 28.03.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/ARG/2: QR 19  
NAL-X 20.03.2020  132  − Medical devices and 
equipment  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/ARG/2: QR 19  
Australia  CP-X 18.03.2020  256  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/AUS/4/Add.1  
 
Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/AUS/4/Add.2  Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/AUS/4/Add.3: QR 1  
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of  P-X,  
NAL-X 25.02.2020  406  − Face and eye protection  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/BHR/1/Rev.1/Add.1: QR 
1-5 
Bangladesh  P-X 12.03.2020  21  − Face and eye protection;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/BGD/1: QR 1 -2 
Brazil  CP-X 24.04.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1: QR 1  
NAL-X 18.03.2020  Unspecified  − COVID -19 Test kits;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1: QR 2  
NAL-X 20.03.2020  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.1: QR 3  
 
1 "In force according to" indicates that either no termination date has been given, or it hasn't been reached yet.  
"Terminated according to" indicates that the measure is terminated according to the end date that was provided in the notific ation.  
"Terminati on notified" indicates that a notification notified the termination of the measure.   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 10 - Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
CP-X 29.06.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.2: QR 1  
NAL-X 01.01.2021  Unspecified  − Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.2: QR 2  
NAL-X 09.06.2020  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/BRA/2/Add.2: QR 3  
Colombia  CP-X 23.03.2020  184  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Pharmaceuticals;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  
− Soap;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/COL/1: QR 1  
CP-X 23.03.2020  184  − Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/COL/1: QR 2  
CP 07.04.2020  61  − Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/COL/1/Add.1: QR 1  
Costa Rica  NAL-X 10.04.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Modification notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/CRI/3/Add.2  In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/CRI/4: QR 18  
Ecuador  P-X 11.03.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves2; 
− Pharmaceuticals2; 
− Protective garments2; 
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants2; 
− Soap2; 
− Other medical supplies2 Article XX(b) of 
the GATT   In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/ECU/1: QR 2  
Egypt  P-X 28.03.2020  283  − Foodstuffs  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.1  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.2  Terminated  according to :  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.2: QR 1  
 P-X 17.03.2020  185  − Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.1  Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.2  
 P-X 17.03.2020  184  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.1  Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EGY/1/Rev.1/Add.2  
 
2 This product category was prohibited for exports until 25 June 2020 only.   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 11 - Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
− Protective garments;  
− Other medical supplies   
European Union  NAL-X 15.03.2020  71  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments;  
 Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.2  Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3  
European Union  NAL-X 31.01.2021  30.06.2021  − Vaccines  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/5/Add.2  
 
Modification notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/5/Add.3  In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/5/Add.2: QR 1  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/5/Add.3: QR 1  
 
European 
Union: Cyprus3 CP-X unspecified  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 1  
European 
Union: Estonia3 P-X unspecified  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 2  
European 
Union: France3 P-X 11.03.2020  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 3  
European 
Union: Greece3 P-X 13.04.2020  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals;  
− Vaccines  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 4  
European 
Union: 
Romania3 CP-X 23.04.2020  Unspecified  − Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Pharmaceuticals  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 5  
European 
Union: Slovak 
Republic3 CP-X 16.03.2020  Unspecified  − COVID -19 Test kits;  
− Pharmaceuticals;  
− Other medical supplies  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 6  
Georgia  CP-X 03.04.2020  Unspecified  − COVID -19 Test kits;  
− Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/GEO/2/Add.2  In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/GEO/2/Add.2 : QR 1  
Hong Kong, 
China  CP-X Several 
dates in Q2 
2020 
 365  − Face and eye protection  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/HKG/5: QR28  
 
3 Measure taken by this Member of the European Union Member only.   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 12 - Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
Israel  NAL-X 04.05.2020  210  − COVID -19 Test kits;  
− Face and eye protection;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/ISR/1/Add.1  
 
Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/ISR/1/Add.2  Terminated  according to :  
G/MA/QR/N/ISR/1/Add.2: QR 1  
 
Korea, Rep. of  CP-X, P-X  06.03.2020  217  − Face and eye protection  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/KOR/2/Add.2  
 
Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/KOR/2/Add.3  
 
Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/KOR/2/Add.4  
 
Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/KOR/2/Add.5  Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/KOR/3/Add.1  
Kyrgyz Republic  P-X 22.03.2020  184  − Foodstuffs;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to :  
G/MA/QR/N/KGZ/1/Add.1: QR 1  
Moldova, Rep. of  P-X 11.03.2020  173  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/MDA/1/Add.2: QR 1  
 
North 
Macedonia  P-X 20.03.2020  41  − Foodstuffs  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Terminated  according to :  
G/MA/QR/N/MKD/1: QR 1  
Norway  NAL-X 15.03.2020  72 − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/NOR/1/Add.1: QR 1  
Paraguay  NAL-X 17.03.2020  365 − Face and eye protection;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Modification notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/PRY/1/Add.1  Terminated  according to :  
G/MA/QR/N/PRY/1/Add.1: QR 1  
Peru NAL-X 09.03.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Protective garments;  
− Other medical supplies  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/PER/2: QR 1   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 13 - Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of  P-X 04.02.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Pharmaceuticals;  
− Protective garments;  
− Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
− Vaccines  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/SAU/1: QR 1  
Switzerland  NAL-X 16.03.2020  97 − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Medical devices and 
equipment;  
− Pharmaceuticals;  
− Protective garments;  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/CHE/3: QR 19  
Thailand  P-X 26.03.2020  35 − Foodstuffs  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  Modification notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.3  Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.3: QR 1  
 P-X 05.02.2020  365 − Face and eye protection  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/THA/2/Add.2: QR 2  
Turkey  NAL-X 04.03.2020  Unspecified  − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/TUR/2/Add.1: QR 1  
NAL-X 18.03.2020  Unspecified  − Protective garments  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/TUR/2/Add.1: QR 2  
Ukraine  NAL-X,  
P-X 14.03.2020  140 − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves;  
− Protective garments  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.5  
 
Extension notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.6  Terminated  according to : 
G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.6: QR 1  
 NAL-X,  
P-X 25.03.2020  51 − Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  Article XI:2(a) and 
XX(b) of the GATT  - Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/UKR/4/Add.2  
United 
Kingdom4 CP-X unspecified  Unspecified  − Pharmaceuticals  Protection of 
human life or 
health, inter alia  
 - In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/EU/4/Add.3: QR 1  
United States  NAL-X 07.04.2020  449 − Face and eye protection;  
− Gloves  
− Protective garments;  
− Other medical supplies  Protection of 
human life or 
health and 
essential security 
interests, inter alia  Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/USA/4/Add.2  
 In force according to:  
G/MA/QR/N/USA/5/Add.1: QR  1 
 
4 The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020. During the transition period, which ends on 31 December 2020, Union law, 
with a few limited exceptions, continues to be applicable to and in the United Kingdom.   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 14 - Member  Measure 
type First 
introduced 
on  
(date)  Duration 
(days)  Covered products  Justification 
cited  Notification of extension/ 
modification  Last notified status1 
Modification and extension 
notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/USA/5/Add.1  
Viet Nam  GQ-X 10.04.2020  20 − Foodstuffs  Article XI:2(a) of 
the GATT  - Termination notified:  
G/MA/QR/N/VNM/1: QR 1  
   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 15 - ANNEX 2   
TRADE FACILITATING MEASURES RELATING TO THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC   
COMMUNICATED  TO THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS  
Member  Measure type  First i ntroduced 
on (date)  Duration  (days)  Covered products  Renewed / extended  / 
modified  Last 
informed  
status  
Australia  - Temporary tariff concession  
(elimination of customs duties)  
(G/MA/W/152)  01.05.2020  425 days 
(until 30.06.2021)  Medical or hygiene products to 
combat COVID -19, including : 
- Face and eye protection  
- Gloves  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Soap 
- Other medical supplies  (viral 
transport media)  On 29.07.2020, the measures 
were extended until 31.12.2020  
(G/MA/W/152/Add.1)  
 
On 14.12.2020, the measure 
was extended until 30.06.2021  
(G/MA/W/165)  In force  
 - Refunds for customs duties paid on 
prescribed goods imported from 
01.02.2020  
(G/MA/W/152)  01.05.2020  244 days  Medical or hygiene products to 
combat COVID -19, including:  
- -Face and eye protection  
- -Gloves  
- -Protective garments  
- -Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- -Soap 
- -Other medical supplies (viral 
transport media)  
-   Expired  
Bangladesh  - Elimination of MFN applied duties 
(G/MA/W/156)  
- Elimination of other taxes, 
including the regulatory duty (RD), 
supplementary duty (SD), value 
added tax (VAT), advanced tax (AT) 
and advanced income tax (AIT) 
(G/MA/W/156)  
- Special conditions to benefit from 
these eliminations were added on 
30.06.2020 (G/MA/W/159).  For 
example, an importer must be an 
Import Registration Certificate (IRC) 
holder of the pharmaceutical 
industry or IRC holder of the medical 
instruments manufacture.  22.03.2020  192 days - COVID -19 Test kits  
- Face and eye protection  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
 
List of covered products extended on  
30.06.2020  to include : 
- parts of Face and eye protection  
(e.g. filaments, fabrics, ear bands 
for masks, etc.)  
- Medical devices and equipment . 
(G/MA/W/159)  On 30.06.2020, the measures 
were extended until 30.09.2020  
(G/MA/W/159)  Expired  
Canada  - Waive r of tariffs on goods imported 
by or on behalf of public health 
agencies, hospitals and testing sites, 
and first response organizations  16.03.2020  Unspecified  All products  imported by covered 
entities, including : 
- Essential medical supplies  
(undefined)  
- Face and eye protection  Confirmed continuation of the 
measure on 11.05.2020 
(G/MA/W/153)  In force   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 16 - Member  Measure type  First i ntroduced 
on (date)  Duration  (days)  Covered products  Renewed / extended  / 
modified  Last 
informed  
status  
 (G/MA/W/145)  
- Waiver of sales tax on goods 
imported by or on behalf of public 
health agencies, hospitals and 
testing sites, and first response 
organizations (G/MA/W/145)  
- Expedited customs clearance 
procedures, where possible  
(G/MA/W/145)    Protective garments    
 - Defer ral of payment of import 
duties and the Goods and Services 
Tax (GST) for March, April, and May 
to 30 June 2020. (G/MA/W/145)  27.03.2020  95 days  All products   Expired  
 - Waive r of customs duties  
(G/MA/W/153)  05.05.2020  Unspecified  Specified medical supplies, 
including:  
- COVID -19 test kits  
- Face and eye protection  
- Gloves  
- Medical consumables  
- Medical devices and equipment  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Soap 
- Toilet paper  
- Other medical supplies  
 
(Canada's list was b ased on the 
WCO-WHO indic ative list plus 
classification guidance by the 
Canada Border Services Agency)  
  In force  
Colombia  - Elimination of MFN customs duties 
(G/MA/W/146)  16.03.2020 and 
22.03.2020  190 days  
(until 22.09.2020 ) - Face and eye protection  
- Gloves  
- Medical consumables  
- Medical devices and equipment  
- Pharmaceuticals  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Soap 
- Other products ( including 
chemical products, inputs for 
water sanitation  and c ertain 
aviation devices )  Expired  
 - Elimination of MFN customs duties 
(G/MA/W/146/Add.1)  07.04.2020  84 days  
(until 30.06.2020 ) - Foodstuffs (r aw materials for the 
food industry, including: yellow  Expired   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 17 - Member  Measure type  First i ntroduced 
on (date)  Duration  (days)  Covered products  Renewed / extended  / 
modified  Last 
informed  
status  
flint maize, sorghum, soya and 
soya bean oil -cake) 
Costa Rica  - Moratorium (deferral) of value 
added tax for the periods March, 
April and May  2020; no interest rate 
or penalty if paid by 31.12.2020  
(G/MA/W/155)  
- Elimination of partial payments of 
the profits tax due in April, May and 
June 2020; no interest rate or 
penalty if paid by 31.12.2020  
(G/MA/W/155)  
- Moratorium (deferral) of selective 
consumption tax for the periods 
March, April and May  2020; no 
interest rate or penalty if paid by 
31.12.2020  (G/MA/W/155)  20.03.2020  286 days  
(until 31.12.2020 ) All products   Expired 
 - Moratorium (deferral) on import 
tariffs during the months of April, 
May and June  2020 on products in 
Chapter 25 -97 of the Central 
American Customs System (SAC). 
Tariffs must be paid by 31.12.2020 . 
(G/MA/W/155)  20.03.2020  286 days  
(until 31.12.2020)  All products in HS Chapters 25 -97  Expired  
 - Exemption from VAT on 
commercial leases for the tax 
periods April, May and June  2020  
(G/MA/W/155)  20.03.2020  286 days  
(until 31.12.2020)  n.a.  Expired  
Chile - Non-requirement of certain 
documents to facilitate imports & 
exports; non imposition of fines for 
modification of customs documents  
(G/MA/W/148)  11.02.2020  Unspecified  All products   Unspecified  
 - Simplification of customs 
procedures and postponement of 
certain deadlines (G/MA/W/148)  18.03.2020  Unspecified  All products  Supplemented on 26.03.2020 
(G/MA/W/148)  
 
Amended on 01.04.2020 
(G/MA/W/148/Add.1)  Unspecified  
 - Priority for the importation of and 
donation of inputs critical for the 
management, diagnosis and 
treatment of COVID -19 
(G/MA/W/148)  26.03.2020  Unspecified  
 Products declared as critical inputs 
by the Health Authority  Supplemented on 08.04.2020 
(G/MA/W/148)  
 Unspecified   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 18 - Member  Measure type  First i ntroduced 
on (date)  Duration  (days)  Covered products  Renewed / extended  / 
modified  Last 
informed  
status  
 - Established procedures for donated 
goods in a state of emergency (relief 
goods)  (G/MA/W/148/Add.1)  13.04.2020  Unspecified  
 All products   Unspecified  
Dominican 
Republic  - Elimination of customs duties on 
imports (G/MA/W/149)  
- Suspension of the tax on the 
transfer of industrialized goods and 
services (ITBIS)  (G/MA/W/149)  17.03.2020  Unspecified  
(for the duration 
of the state of 
national 
emergency ) - Face and eye protection  
- Gloves  
- Medical devices and equipment 
(artificial respiration apparatus)  
- Protective garments   Unspecified  
 - Suspension of the selective 
consumption tax (G/MA/W/149)  17.03.2020  Unspecified  
(for the duration 
of the state of 
national 
emergency)  - Sanitizers/ Disinfectants (e thyl 
alcohol )  Unspecified  
 - Expedited clearance procedures 
and extension of business hours at 
the customs administration  
(G/MA/W/149/Add.1)  16.04.2020 and 
17.04.2020  Unspecified  
(for the duration 
of the state of 
national 
emergency)  All products   Unspecified  
 - Suspension of levies, tax on the 
transfer of industrialized goods and 
services and other duties and 
charges  (G/MA/W/149/Add.1)  16.04.2020  Unspecified  
(for the duration 
of the state of 
national 
emergency)  - Medical devices and equipment  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Other medical supplies  
(thermometers)   Unspecified  
 - Other trade facilitating measures, 
including the surcharge for late 
declaration, extension of dates for 
counting of certain legal periods, 
provision of digital signatures, 
electronic payments, digital 
registration of importers/exporters, 
acceptance of copies of SPS 
certificates, elimination of some 
certificates, improved priorities in 
risk analysis, etc. 
(G/MA/W/149/Add.1)  Various da tes 
starting on 
20.03.2020  Unspecified  All products   Unspecified  
Korea, Rep. of  - Waiver of customs duties on 
imports (G/MA/W/147)  
- Expedited approval and customs 
clearance (G/MA/W/147)  20.03.2020  102 days  
(until 30.06.2020 ) - Face and eye protection (surgical 
and filtering respirators, and melt 
blown filters)   Expired  
New Zealand  - Elimination of customs duties  on 
imports, which would take place 
initially through "tariff concessions" 
and, once in the recovery phase, as 
elimination of MFN applied duties.  15.04.2020  Permanent  Wide range of products including:  
- COVID -19 test kits  
- Face and eye protection  
- Foodstuffs  
- Gloves   In force   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 19 - Member  Measure type  First i ntroduced 
on (date)  Duration  (days)  Covered products  Renewed / extended  / 
modified  Last 
informed  
status  
 (G/MA/W/150)    - Medical consumables  
- Medical devices and equipment  
- Pharmaceuticals  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Soap 
- Vaccines  
- Other medical supplies  
- Other products (e.g. vitamins)  
   
Singapore  - Elimination of MFN applied duties 
for essential goods  (G/MA/W/151)  
- Refrain from imposing export 
prohibitions or restrictions on  
essential goods  (G/MA/W/151)  
- Expedite the movement of 
essential goods through sea and 
airports  
(G/MA/W/151)  15.04.2020  Permanent  Wide range of products including:  
- COVID -19 test kits  
- Face and eye protection  
- Foodstuffs  
- Gloves  
- Medical consumables  
- Medical devices and equipment  
- Pharmaceuticals  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  
- Soap 
- Vaccines  
- Other medical supplies  
- Other products (e.g. vitamins)  
- Most agricultural  products  
  In force  
Switzerland  - Suspension of customs duties  
(G/MA/W/154)  10.04.2020  182 days  
(until 09.10.2020 ) - Face and eye protection  
- Gloves  
- Protective garments  
- Sanitizers/ Disinfectants   Expired  
 
 G/MA/W/ 168 
 
- 20 - 
 
 ANNEX 3  
TYPES OF MEASURES USED IN ANNEX 1  
Symbol  Type s of measures  
CP-X Conditional export prohibition or ban  
GQ-X Global quota  
NAL-X Non-automatic export licensing procedure  
P-X Export prohibition or ban  
 
 
 
   
 G/MA/W/168  
 
- 21 - ANNEX 4  
DEFINITION OF PRODUCT CATEGORIES1 
Product category  HS2017 
codes  Description of the products  
COVID -19 Test kits  3822.00  COVID -19 Test kits 
3002.15  COVID -19 Test kits  
9027.80  COVID -19 Diagnostic Test instruments and apparatus  
3821.00  Swab and Viral transport medium set  
Face and eye protection  4818.90  Cellulose/paper masks  
6307.90  Textile face -masks, without a replaceable filter or mechanical parts, including surgical masks and 
disposable face -masks made of non -woven textiles. This includes the masks known as N95 
Particulate Respirators.  
9020.00  Gas masks with mechanical parts or replaceable filters for protection against biological agents. 
Also includes such masks incorporating eye protection or facial shields.  
9004.90  Protective spectacles and goggles  
3926.90  Plastic face shields (covering more than the eye area)  
Foodstuffs  Various  All substances t hat are used as food or to make food.  
Gloves  3926.20  Plastic gloves  
4015.11  Surgical rubber gloves  
4015.19  Other rubber gloves.  
6116.10  Knitted or crocheted gloves which have been impregnated or covered with plastics or rubber  
6216.00  Textile gloves that are not knitted or crocheted  
Medical devices and equipment  9019.20  Medical ventilators (artificial respiration apparatus), Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation 
(ECMO), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) units, Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPap 
or BPap) units, Oxygen concentrators, Oxygen humidifiers for oxygen therapy applications, 
Oxygen delivery devices to supply oxygen from the device to the patient  
9026.80  Flowmeter, Thorpe tube for oxygen 0 -15L/min  
9019.20  Flow splitters  
9018.19  Pulse oximeters  
9022.12  Computed tomography (CT) scanners  
9018.12  Ultrasound machines  
9018.11  Electrocardiograph  
9018.19  Multiparametric Patient Monitoring devices  
 
1 Whenever possible, product categories are base d on the WCO/WHO HS classification reference for Covid -19 medical supplies 3.01 Edition available at hs-
classification -reference_edition -3_en.pdf (wcoomd.org) .  
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 22 - Product category  HS2017 
codes  Description of the products  
9018.19 or  
9018.90  Laryngoscopes  
9027.80  Colorimetric end tidal CO2 detector  
9025.19  Infrared thermometers/ digital thermometers  
9018.90  Stethoscopes  
9018.90  Magill intubation forceps  
9018.90  Intubation kits  
8413.19 or  
9018.90  Infusion pump, with or without accessories  
9028.20  Electronic drop counter, IV fluids  
9018.90  Medical suction pumps  
9018.90  Medical drills for vascular access  
7324.90  Kidney basins  
Pharmaceuticals  Various of 
Chapters 28, 
29, 30  All medications and pharmaceutical products and ingredients that have specifically been 
mentioned to be in relation with the COVID -19 pandemic.  
Protective garments  3926.20  Protective unisex garments made of plastic sheeting, textile reinforced plastics o r textile backed 
plastics.  
4015.90  Protective unisex garments made of rubber sheeting, textile reinforced rubber or textile backed 
rubber.  
4818.50  Paper or cellulose garments and clothing accessories such as disposable paper hospital gowns, 
paper shoe covers etc. These are covered here provided that they are made of paper, paper 
pulp, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose  
fibres. Please check with the Customs administration in the importing country if they are not solely 
paper or cellulose as they may be classified elsewhere.  
6210.10  Protective ga rments for surgical/medical use made up of felt or nonwovens whether or not 
impregnated, coated, covered or laminated (fabrics of heading 56.02 or 56.03).  This includes 
spun-bonded garments.  
6210.40  Men's protective garments for surgical/medical use made  of woven textiles of that are 
impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics.  
6210.40  Men's protective garments made of rubberised textile fabrics.  
6210.50  Women 's or unisex protective garments for surgical/medical use made of woven textiles of that 
are impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics.  
6210.50  Women 's or unisex protective garments made of rubberised textile fabrics.   
  G/MA/W/168  
 
- 23 - Product category  HS2017 
codes  Description of the products  
3926.20   “Protective a pron” – made of plastic, disposable  
3926.90  
4016.99  Boot covers/overshoes – made of plastic or rubber, disposable  
4818.90  Boot covers/overshoes – made of cellulose/paper, disposable  
6307.90  Boot covers/overshoes – made of non -woven textiles, disposable  
Sanitizers/ Disinfectants  2207.10  Alcohol solution  
2208.90  Alcohol solution  
3808.94  Hand sanitizer  
3808.94  Other disinfectant preparations  
8419.20  Medical, surgical or laboratory sterilisers, including autoclaves  
2847.00  Hydrogen peroxide in bulk  
3004.90  Hydrogen peroxide presented as a medicament  
3808.94  Hydrogen peroxide put up in disinfectant preparations for cleaning surfaces  
3808.94  Other chemical disinfectants  
2905.12  Propan -1-ol (propyl alcohol) and propan -2-ol (isopropyl alcohol)  
2915.11  
2915.12  Formic acid and its salts  
2918.21  Salicylic acid and its salts  
8539.49  Ultra-violet lamps  
8539.50  Ultra-violet LED lamps  
8543.70  Ultra-violet irradiation equipment for disinfection purpose  
Soap 3401.20  Soap 
3401.11  Soap 
3401.30  Liquid or cream hand or skin washes put up for retail sale  
Toilet paper  4803.00  Toilet paper  
4818.10  Toilet paper  
Vaccines  3002.20  Vaccines for human medicine  
3002.30  Vaccines for veterinary medicine  
Other medical supplies  Various  Other medical supplies , such as medical consumable, that are  not part of any of the product 
categories mentioned above.  
 
 
__________