WTO extends moratorium on customs duties for e-commerce until 2026

Abu Dhabi: In a major development at its 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in Abu Dhabi, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) extended the moratorium on customs duties for e-commerce until the convening of the 14th Ministerial Conference in 2026

The decision represents a significant achievement for the MC13 , which also saw extensive discussions on key issues shaping the future of global trade.

Under a WTO moratorium, countries do not impose customs duties on cross-border e-commerce transactions. Since 1998, WTO member nations have periodically agreed to extend the moratorium. The last extension was agreed upon during the previous MC in June 2022.