WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.10
14 December 2000
(00-5427)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO THE 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 for
Sweet Potatoes and Manioc Starch
Outline of systems
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quotas mentioned in the answer to question 2.  The relevant legislation related to the
import licensing system for these tariff quotas is mentioned in the reply to question 5.  As regards therequirements for applicants for import licences see reply to question 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See answer to question 1.  The products covered by the tariff rate quotas are as follows:
Description of products Tariff item number(s)
(a) Sweet potatoes
- Other than for human consumption
---------------------------------------------------------------------------(b) Sweet potatoes
- Other than for human consumption
---------------------------------------------------------------------------(c) Manioc starch 0714 20 90
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 0714 20 90
---------------------------------------------------------------------------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 answer to question 1.  As referred to in the answer to question 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:  Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/96 of 17 December 1996 (OJ L 327).
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.10
Page 2
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 answer to
question 5).  There is no 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 fromthat 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 the application 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 beaccepted.  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 related to no quantitative limits 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 included  in the EC Regulations set out in answer to
question 10 of the main notification for 2000.  Regarding the information required in applications, see
the application form 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 is
released when the obligation to import has been fu lfilled and the right to import under the licence hasG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.10
Page 3
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. Licences are not transferable.
17. No.Other procedural requirements
18. No.19. Not relevant.
__________