Govt looking at non-tariff barriers

To check the inflow of non-essential imports, primarily from China and Hong Kong, the government will focus on non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that are mainly a mix of stricter quality standards, such as mandatory certification requirement from the Bureau of Indian Standards, and imposition of import licence restrictions, according to officials dealing with the matter.

The Commerce & Industry Ministry is in consultations with a number of other line-Ministries to evaluate the best-suited NTBs for imports that are to be regulated including that of consumer items such as footwear, furniture, plastic goods, toys, leather products and sports items.