CAFTA-DR provides market access for U.S. consumer, industrial and agricultural products, improving U.S. competitiveness against third country suppliers and helping expand U.S. exports overall. The agreement requires important reforms of the domestic legal and business environment, which are still ongoing, as well as transparency and efficiency in administering customs procedures, including CAFTA rules of origin.

Honduras did not negotiate any tariff rate quotas when it became a member of the WTO. It does, however, have limitations on imports of rice and white corn in order to protect local production. (Please see Import Tariffs section).

In addition to agricultural products, Honduras maintains some non-tariff barriers for services. Currently, special government authorization must be obtained to invest in the tourism and banking service sectors. Under CAFTA-DR, Honduras allows substantial market access in services across its entire services regime, subject to a few exceptions in the licensed professions. Honduran professional associations heavily regulate the licensing of foreigners to practice law, medicine, engineering, accounting, and other professions requiring certification and industry-specific licensing. For more information on service and investment barriers, please read the annual National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, found under the Reports and Publications section of the Press Office.

For more information and help with trade barriers, please contact:

International Trade Administration

Trade Enforcement and Compliance

https://www.commerce.gov/issues/trade-enforcement

Phone: (202) 482-0063
Email: ECCommunications@trade.gov