MONET 2030: Duty-free imports from developing countries

SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Goal description

"The international community has made significant strides towards lifting people out of poverty. […] However, inequality still persists and large disparities remain in access to health and education services and other assets. Additionally, while income inequality between countries may have been reduced, inequality within countries has risen. […]"

Swiss target 10.a: The Confederation recognises the WTO Agreements on “special and differential treatment provisions” for developing countries and in particular the least developed countries. It implements them and participates in further negotiations to review the provisions and make them more precise.

Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the share of goods (excluding armaments) that can be imported duty-free into Switzerland, by countries' income category. It indicates Switzerland's willingness to ensure that access to its markets is fairly distributed. An increase in duty free imports is in line with sustainable development.

Help for interpretation
This indicator does not provide information on the social and environmental effects of market opening in Switzerland or abroad.

International comparability
The indicator is comparable to the indicator selected by UN for the global monitoring of the SDGs (IAEG-SDG 10.a.1).

Synthesis

Comments: Calculation of the change in % on the least developed countries category. Due to a break in the time series, the change in % is calculated only from 2013.

The indicator shows the share of goods that are imported duty-free into Switzerland, by countries' income category.

Data come from the foreign trade statistics compiled by the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security based on an exhaustive survey using data contained in import and export declarations for customs clearance. The countries' income categories were defined by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Countries are classified by per capita gross national income.

Imports into Switzerland of goods produced in other countries (CIF values)
Goods (incl. freight, insurance and transport to Swiss border). Revenue from labour or investment are excluded. This figure corresponds to the "Total 2" according to the domestic concept of the Swiss Customs Administration.

OECD – Development Co-operation Directorate (DCD-DAC)

FOCBS – Swiss foreign trade statistics

Swiss target 10.a: The Confederation recognises the WTO Agreements on “special and differential treatment provisions” for developing countries and in particular the least developed countries. It implements them and participates in further negotiations to review the provisions and make them more precise.

International target 10.a: Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements.