November 8, 2026 The aid organization, GAIN, or the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is promoting waivers of the tarrifs, VATs, and other charges for entry into countries of life-saving vitamin and mineral “premixes” that are used to fortify foods on a large scale, public-health basis.
The map displayed above, showing the current taxes on these imports, is from: https://www.fortificationdata.org/premix-taxes/#toc_Premix_Tax_and_Tariff_Index_Map
Details of the tarrifs are found in the new “Premix Tax and Tariffs Index” at GAIN Premix Tax and Tariff Index .
Premix taxation is a public health issue: As GAIN notes, tarrifs, VATs and other charges on premix is a charge on essential ingredients that make food fortification possible to reduce the massive scale of micronutrient deficiency diseases (vitamins and minerals) throughout the developing world. Taxes and tariffs increase the cost of fortification for food producers, making it harder to deliver essential vitamins and minerals to the populations who need them.
The World Customs Organization oversees a Harmonized System of codes to track tarrifs. Premix now has a dedicated code: 2106.20 for the first time. WCO adopted the amendments, including provision 2106.20 are set to be global standards, including the regional EAC, ECOWAS, CEMAC and SACU regional trade groups.
The goal is to reduce duties from 30% to zero as poor countries strive to prevent micronutrient deficiency diseases.
By engaging governments as they update their tariff schedules, advocates can help shape the cost of food fortification for years to come.
To support this advocacy effort, contact: Florencia Vasta vasta@gainhealth.org and Kristin Sundell ksundell@gainhealth.org
see also: Premix Taxes and Tariffs Intro Video
for more country by country data:
Contributed by WHES board member, Steven Hansch
