The harmonized system as a technical barrier: analysis of the case of the cachaça in the period 2002–2007

Abstract

This paper presents the conflicts arising in Brazilian exports of cachaça from its classification in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) in the period 2002–2007; and evaluates whether the HS was used to camouflage tariff and non-tariff barriers due to protectionist policies, behaving like a new kind of technical barrier. In the specific case of cachaça sold to USA, it was concluded that, in fact, the guidelines of cachaça in HS as a simple sugar cane liquor, when sugar cane liquor is also rum, generated export barriers to the Brazilian drink to this country. However, efforts made by technicians from the Brazilian government, employers and representative bodies of the product to reverse the conflicts that affected its exports, had positive effects, limiting the USA protectionist actions on the entrance of cachaça in its market.