WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.10
13 October 1999
(99-4335)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement
on Import Licensing Procedures
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Addendum
Import Licensing Procedures for WTO Tariff Quotas
Covering Sweet Potatoes and Manioc Starch
Outline of system
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quotas mentioned in reply 2. The relevant legislation related to the import licensing
system for these tariff quotas is mentioned in reply 5.  As regards the requirements for applicants for
import licences see reply 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See reply 1. The product covered by the tariff rate quotas are as follows:
Description of products Tariff item number(s)
(a) Sweet potatoes
- Other than for human consumption 0714 20 90
(b) Sweet potatoes- Other than for human consumption 0714 20 90
(c) Manioc starch ex 1108 14 00
3. The system applies in the European Community  to sweet potatoes and manioc starch. The
tariff quota mentioned under (a) in the answer to question 2 is allocated to countries other than China.
The tariff quota mentioned under (b) is allocated to China.  The tariff rate quota mentioned under (c)
is opened for all third countries.
4. See reply 1. As referred to in reply 1, the licensing system covers the relevant WTO tariff
quotas. The EC considers the method adopted to be the most appropriate to administer these tariff rate
quotas.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for these tariff rates quotas
is:
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.10
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Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/96 of 17 December 1996 (OJ L 327).
The licensing is statutorily required. The legislation does not leave designation of products to
be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion. The system cannot be abolished without
legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6.XI and 6.X. Question 6.IX is not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of  the quotas and the formalities for licence
application is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (see reply 5). There isno derogation from the licensing requirement.
The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas.Licence applications have to be lodged with the competent authority in the Member State on
Tuesdays, or if that is a working day on the first such day following. Licence applications and licences
have to show the country of origin and the licence  carries with it an obligation to import from that
country. Licence applications for sweet potatoes originating in China have to be accompanied by an
export certificate issued by the Chinese Government. The competent authorities in the Member States
have to notify to the Commission on the day following the day on which applications are lodged theapplication that have been lodged. The Commission determines and notifies to the competent
authorities in the Member States the extent to which licence applications are to be accepted. If the
quantities applied for exceed those available the Commission applies and notifies a uniform
percentage reduction. The competent authorities issue the import licences as soon as they receive
notification from the Commission.
7. Question 7 is not relevant in the present case.8. The application for an import licence can only be refused if the relevant criteria are not
fulfilled. Applicants can appeal to courts in the Me mber States according to the legislation in force in
the respective Member States.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. There is no specific requirement to be eligible to apply for licences. There is no specific
system of registration necessary for the application of an import licence.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. A specimen of the import licence is set out at Annex XI to the Community’s general
Article 7.3 notification for 1999 (G/L IC/N/3/EEC/2). Regarding the information required, see the
import licence and Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/96 of 17 December 1996 (published in
OJ L 327, page 14).
11. The import licence, in the case of imports of sweet potatoes originating in China, the export
certificate.
12. No.
13. The issuance of the import licence is subject to a security in order to guarantee that the
undertaking to import will be fulfilled during the period of validity of the licence. The security isG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.10
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released when the obligation to import has been fu lfilled and the right to import under the licence has
been exercised, namely on the day the import declaration is accepted and the product concerned put
into free circulation.
Conditions of licensing
14. In the case of the tariff quotas for sweet potatoes, import licences are valid from the date of
issue to the end of the fourth month following. In the case of the tariff quota for manioc starch, import
licences are valid from the date of issue to the end of the third month following.
15. The non-utilisation of an import licence implies that the security is not released. In the case of
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released.
16. No.17. No.
Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Not relevant.
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