UK pharmaceutical and medical device shipments released at Mongolian border following customs resolution
in MongoliaTrade barrier summary
Pharmaceutical exporters had faced repeated customs clearance delays at the Mongolian border. This was due to a mismatch between licence codes issued by the national pharmaceutical agency and the international codes used for UK-origin goods. Customs officials rejected shipments based on this discrepancy, citing regulatory constraints. The pharmaceutical agency explained that its coding system is based on a limited set of nationally prescribed codes, which are narrower in scope than international standards.
Following consultations with the relevant Mongolian authorities, facilitated by UK government officials, the issue has now been resolved. The release of the affected shipments marks a positive step toward improving regulatory alignment and easing future trade flows.
Sectors affected
- Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Resolved
Yes - July 2024
Date reported
5 June 2024
Last updated
24 October 2025
Public ID
PID-9JZ3XB
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