WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/7
14 February 2001
(01-0715)
Committee on Import Licensing
THIRD BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION
OF THE AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Article 7.1 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures requires the Committee to review
as necessary, but at least once every two years, the implementation and operation of the Agreement,
taking into account the objectives thereof, and the rights and obligations contained therein.  Article 7.2
states that as a basis for the Committee review, th e Secretariat shall prepare a factual report based on
information provided under Article 5, responses  to the annual Questionnaire on Import Licensing
Procedures and other relevant reliable information wh ich is available to it, and that this report shall
provide a synopsis of the aforementioned information, in particular indicating any changes or
developments during the period under review, and incl uding any other information as agreed by the
Committee.
At its meeting on 11 October 2000, the Committee conducted the third biennial review under
Article 7.1 of the Agreement on the basis of docum ent G/LIC/W/14.  The present document takes into
account the points made during that review.  The Comm ittee's main concern was the lack of
compliance of Members with notification obligations under the Agreement, in respect of whichseveral proposals were made by Members to remedy the situation.
The information contained in this document covers the period from 7 November 1998 to
11 October 2000.G/LIC/7
Page 2
The contents of this document are as follows:
Page
I. COMMITTEE ON IMPO RT LICENS ING........................................................................ 3
A. OFFICERS , MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS ..................................................................................... 3
B. MAIN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE DURING THE PERIOD
COVERED ............................................................................................................................... ... 4
II. NOTIFICATIONS............................................................................................................... .. 5
A. INVOCATION OF DELAYED APPLICATION PROVISIONS BY DEVELOPING COUNTRY
MEMBERS (FOOTNOTE 5 TO ARTICLE 2.2) ................................................................................ 5
B. N OTIFICATIONS OF PUBLICATIONS AND /OR LEGISLATION (ARTICLES 1.4( A) AND/OR
8.2( B)) ............................................................................................................................. ......... 6
C. N OTIFICATIONS OF IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (ARTICLES 7.3 AND 5).......................... 8
III. CONSULTATION AND DI SPUTE SETTLE MENT....................................................... 12
ANNEX I…………………………………………………………………………………………….14
ANNEX II……………………………………………………………………………………………17
ANNEX III…………………………………………………………………………………………..18G/LIC/7
Page 3
I. COMMITTEE ON IMPORT LICENSING
A. OFFICERS , MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS
1. Officers:
Chairperson (1999):  Mrs. Marie Gosset (Côte d'Ivoire)
Vice-Chairperson (1999):  Mr . Lars Andersen (Norway)
Chairperson (2000): Mr. Al bert Wright (Denmark)
Vice-Chairperson (2000): Ms. Fonny Shek (Hong Kong, China)
2. Members (138)1
                                                     
1 Members on 11 October 2000.Albania
AngolaAntigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
BahrainBangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
BeninBolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
BulgariaBurkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Rep.Chad
Chile
Colombia
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
CubaCyprus
Czech Rep.
Dem. Rep. of Congo
Denmark
DjiboutiDominicaDominican Rep.
ECEcuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
FijiFinland
France
Gabon
Georgia
GambiaGermany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
GuatemalaGuinea Bissau
Guinea, Rep. of
Guyana
Haiti
HondurasHong Kong, China
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
IsraelItaly
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
KenyaKoreaKuwait
Kyrgyz Rep.Latvia
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macau, ChinaMadagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
MaliMalta
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
MongoliaMorocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
NetherlandsNew Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
PanamaPapua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
PolandPortugalQatar
RomaniaRwanda
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent &
Grenadines
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovak Republic
SloveniaSolomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
SurinameSwaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
TanzaniaThailandTogo
Trinidad & Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
United Arab
Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Venezuela
ZambiaZimbabweG/LIC/7
Page 4
3. Observers
Observer Governments (34)2
Algeria
AndorraArmenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Belarus
Bhutan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
CambodiaCape Verde
China
CroatiaEthiopia
Former Yugoslav Rep. of    Macedonia
Holy See
Kazakhstan
Lao Dem. Rep.
Lebanon
Lithuania
MoldovaNepal
Oman
Russian FederationSamoa
Saudi ArabiaSeychelles
Sudan
Chinese Taipei
Tonga
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
VanuatuVietnam
Yemen
Observer organizations
IMF
UNCTAD
World Bank
B. MAIN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE DURING THE PERIOD COVERED
4. During the reporting period, the Committee held its ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth
meetings on 29 April and 21 October 1999, and 11 April and 11 October 2000.  The minutes of these
meetings are contained in docum ents G/LIC/M/9-12, respectively.
5. During the period covered, the Committee received notifications of legislation and/or
publications submitted by 20 Members, replies to the Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures
submitted by 37 Members3 and notifications relating to the institution of import licensing procedures
or changes in these procedures submitted by seven Members;  carried out the third biennial review ofthe implementation and operation of the Agreement under Article 7.1 on the basis of a factual report
prepared by the Secretariat (G/LIC/W/14 & G/LIC/7);  adopted its annual reports for 1999 and 2000
to the Council for Trade in Goods in accordan ce with Article 7.4 of the Agreement (G/L/336 and
G/L/403); took note of the response of the Chairperson to the Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods summarizing the discussion held in this Committee at the request of the CTG on the subject of
trade facilitation (G/C/W/149, paragraph 7 and G/LIC/M/9);  heard concerns expressed by several
delegations regarding the compatibility with the Agreement of certain modifications introduced inAugust 1998 by Brazil to its non-automatic import licensing system which had not yet been notified
to the Committee (G/LIC/M/9-12); and discussed the matter of the lack of compliance with
notification obligations and how this situation could be improved.
6. It was noted that, in spite of numerous reminders and urging from the Committee, the
situation had not improved.  Out of a current Membership of 138, a total of only 81 Members had
submitted notifications of laws, regulations and administrative procedures relevant to import licensing
under Articles 1.4(a) and 8.2(b), and only 82 Members had submitted replies to the Questionnaire
under Article 7.3 since the entry into force of the WTO Agreement.  Though the Agreement required
all Members to provide replies to the Questionnaire on an annual basis, the total notified each year
                                                     
2 Observers on 11 October 2000.G/LIC/7
Page 5
was much less than the Membership of the WTO, accounting for only 11 Members in 1995, 22 in
1996, 40 in 1997, 25 in 1998, 35 in 1999 and 20 up to now in 2000.  Members as a whole were
delaying more and more their notifications under Articles 1.4(a), 5, 8.2(b) and 7.3 of the Agreement,
thereby reducing the usefulness of the information once it was finally notified.  It was also noted that
many Members have not submitted any notification at all since joining the WTO, which can lead to a
situation where Members which have fulfilled their obligations come under close scrutiny of thosethat have not yet submitted their notifications.
7. Several Members suggested possible ways of remedying the problem.  It was suggested that
Members which had not yet done so make a special commitment to bring themselves fully up to date
regarding the notification of their legislation and publications;  and as regarded the annual
Questionnaire, Members with more than one notification due should make a single "best efforts"
notification covering all of the time periods for which a notification was due, putting most emphasison the most recent period.  It was suggested that the Secretariat and other Members provide assistance
to the newest Members of the Committee as well as those that had never notified and, in particular,
those that used import licensing to operate tariff rate quotas on agricultural products, to encourage
compliance for the next meeting.  Sending out letters to delegations indicating what their notification
obligations were might also be considered.  It was also suggested that Members who had difficultiesin notifying should inform the Committee or the Secretariat to see how assistance could be provided.
Members were encouraged to participate more fully in reviewing the notifications that were made and
were invited to submit further proposals for consideration by the Committee with a view to agreeing
how to ensure full compliance of all Members with the obligations to notify import licensing
procedures (G/LIC/M/12).
II. NOTIFICATIONS
A. 
INVOCATION OF DELAYED APPLICATION PROVISIONS BY DEVELOPING COUNTRY MEMBERS
(FOOTNOTE 5 TO ARTICLE 2.2)
8. Pursuant to footnote 5 to Article 2.2 of th e Agreement, a developing country Member, other
than a developing country Member which was a party to the Agreement on Import Licensing
Procedures done on 12 April 1979, which  has specific difficulties complying with the requirements
of subparagraph (a)(ii) (which requires applications for automatic import licences to be accepted on
any working day prior to the customs clearance of the goods) and subparagraph (a)(iii) (which
requires applications for automatic import licences when submitted in appropriate and complete formto be approved within a maximum of ten working days) may, upon notification to the Committee,
delay the application of these provisions by not more than two years from the date of entry into force
of the WTO Agreement for such Member.
9. The Committee did not receive any notifications under the above provision during the
reporting period. Listed below are the 24 developing country Members which had invoked the
delayed application provisions since the entry into force of the WTO Agreement and (in brackets) thedate of entry into force of the WTO Agreement for the Member concerned (G/LIC/1 and Adds.1-3).
10. The two-year period of delay allowed under the Agreement has expired for all these Members,
and accordingly the obligations of Article 2.2(a)(ii) a nd (a)(iii) apply to all current WTO Members.  It is
recalled that the invocation of the above provisi ons does not exempt Members from the obligation to
notify under Articles 1.4(a), 8.2(b) , 5 and 7.3 of the Agreement.
Developing country
MemberFootnote 5 to Article 2.2
Two-year delayed application
(date of WTO Membership)Developing country
MemberFootnote 5 to Article 2.2
Two-year delayed application
(date of WTO Membership)
Bangladesh G/LIC/1 (1.1.95) Honduras G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)G/LIC/7
Page 6
Developing country
MemberFootnote 5 to Article 2.2
Two-year delayed application
(date of WTO Membership)Developing country
MemberFootnote 5 to Article 2.2
Two-year delayed application
(date of WTO Membership)
Bolivia G/LIC/1/Add.2 (13.9.95) Indonesia G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Brazil G/LIC/1/ (1.1.95) Kenya G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Burkina Faso G/LIC/1/Add.1 (3.6.95) Malaysia G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Cameroon G/LIC/1/Add.3 (13.12.95) Myanmar G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Colombia G/LIC/1 (30.4.95) Sri Lanka G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Costa Rica G/LIC/1 (1.1.95) Thailand G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Côte d’Ivoire G/LIC/1 (1.1.95) Tunisia G/LIC/1 (29.3.95)
Dominican Rep. G/LIC/1/Add.2 (9.3.95) Turkey G/LIC/1 (26.3.95)
El Salvador G/LIC/1 (7.5.95) United Arab Emirates G/LIC/1/Add.3 (10.4.96)
Gabon G/LIC/1 (1.1.95) Uruguay G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
Guatemala G/LIC/1/Add.1 (21.7.95) Venezuela G/LIC/1 (1.1.95)
B. NOTIFICATIONS OF PUBLICATIONS AND /OR LEGISLATION (ARTICLES 1.4( A) AND/OR 8.2( B))
11. Paragraph 4(a) of Article 1 and paragraphs 3, 4, 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) of Article 3 require
Members to publish certain information "for other Members and traders to know the basis for granting
and/or allocating licences", or "in such a manner as to enable governments and traders to become
acquainted with them".  Article 1.4(a) requires Members to notify to the Committee the sources in
which the information concerning import licensing procedures are published, and to make copies ofthese publications available to the Secretariat.
12. Paragraph 2(a) of Article 8 provides that "each Member shall ensure, not later than the date of
entry into force of the WTO Agreement for it, the conformity of its laws, regulations and
administrative procedures with the provisions of this Agreement";  paragraph 2(b) states that "eachMember shall inform the Committee of any changes in its laws and regulations relevant to this
Agreement and in the administration of such laws and regulations".
13. The Committee agreed that in cases where the publications or legislation were not in a WTO
official language, Members shall provide, together with such publications or legislation, a summary of
the notification in one of the WTO languages.  Other Members may ask for a full translation if they so
wish, or seek any additional information on a bilateral basis.  Any issues that cannot be solved on abilateral basis may be brought to the attention of the Committee.  It was also agreed that the first
notification under Article 8.2(b) shall contain the full text of relevant laws and regulations in effect on
the entry into force of the WTO Agreement for the Member concerned (G/LIC/M/2 and G/LIC/3).
14. Since the entry into force of the WTO Agreem ent, notifications pursuant to Articles 1.4(a)
and/or 8.2(b) have been received from 66 Members (European Communities and its member States
counted as one Member) and have been circulated in  the G/LIC/N/1/- series.  Copies of publications
and/or legislation submitted with these notifications are available for consultation in the Secretariat.
The current status of notifications is contained in the table below.
Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)
Albania Not notified Kyrgyz Rep. G/LIC/N/1/KGZ/1 (6.1.00)
Angola Not notified Latvia G/LIC/N/1/LVA/1 (18.5.99)
Antigua & Barbuda Not notified Lesotho Not notified
Argentina G/LIC/N/1/ARG/1/Rev.1
 G/LIC/N/1/ARG/2 (19.12.97)Liechtenstein G/LIC/N/1/LIE/1 (18.4.97)
Australia G/LIC/N/1/AUS/1 & Add.1
(28.4.97)Macau, China Not notified
Bahrain G/LIC/N/1/BHR/1 (27.5.97) Madagascar G/LIC/N/1/MDG/1-2 (31.3.00)
Bangladesh G/LIC/N/1/BGD/1 (31.3.00) Malawi G/LIC/N/1/MWI/1 (10.5.99)
Barbados G/LIC/N/1/BRB/1 (4.10.96) Malaysia Not notifiedG/LIC/7
Page 7
Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)
Belize Not notified Maldives Not notified
Benin G/LIC/N/1/BEN/1 (18.12.96) Mali Not notified
Bolivia G/LIC/N/1/BOL/1 (29.5.97) Malta G/LIC/N/1/MLT/1 (29.5.96)
Botswana Not notified Mauritania Not notified
Brazil G/LIC/N/1/BRA/1 (24.4.98) Mauritius G/LIC/N/1/MUS/1 & Adds.1-3
(4.5.98)
Brunei Darussalam Not notified Mexico Not notified
Bulgaria G/LIC/N/1/BGR/1 (20.3.97) Mongolia Not notified
Burkina Faso G/LIC/N/1/BFA/1 (8.1.97) Morocco G/LIC/N/1/MAR/1 (3.7.96)
Burundi Not notified Mozambique Not notified
Cameroon Not notified Myanmar Not notified
Canada G/LIC/N/1/CAN/1 (29.1.96) Namibia Not notified
Central African Rep. Not notified New Zealand G/LIC/N/1/NZL/1 (2.8.96)
Chad G/LIC/N/1/TCD/1-2 (18.7.00) Nicaragua G/LIC/N/1/NIC/1 (18.7.96)
Chile G/LIC/N/1/CHL/1 (16.7.96) Niger G/LIC/N/1/NER/1 (10.12.97)
Colombia G/LIC/N/1/COL/1 (12.1.96) Nigeria G/LIC/N/1/NGA/1 (16.2.98)
Congo Not notified Norway G/L IC/N/1/NOR/1-2 (3.11.97)
Congo, Dem. Rep. of Not notified Pakistan G/LIC/N/1/PAK/1 (6.5.96)
Costa Rica G/LIC/N/1/CRI/1 (21.11.95) Panama G/LIC/N/1/PAN/1-2 (19.10.98)
Côte d’Ivoire Not notified Pap ua New Guinea Not notified
Cuba G/LIC/N/1/CUB/1 (11.1.96) Paraguay Not notified
Cyprus G/LIC/N/1/CYP/1 (30.5.96) Peru G/LIC/N/1/PER/1 (13.2.96)
Czech Re public G/LIC/N/1/CZE/1+Add.1
(24.1.00)Philippines G/LIC/N/1/PHL/1 (6.4.98)
Djibouti Not notified Poland Not notified
Dominica Not notified Qatar G/LIC/N/1/QAT/1 (24.3.98)
Dominican Republic Not notified Romania G/LIC/N/1/ROM/1-2 (1.3.99)
Ecuador Not notified Rwanda Not notified
Egypt Not notified St. Kitts & Nevis G/LIC/N/1/KNA/1 (17.7.98)
El Salvador Not notified St. Lucia Not notified
Estonia G/LIC/N/1/EST/1+Add.1
(10.5.00)St. Vincent & Gren. Not notified
European Communities G/L IC/N/1/EEC/1/Rev.2 +
Adds.1-2 & EEC/2 + Adds.1-2
(10.1.00)Senegal Not notified
Fiji G/LIC/N/1/FJI/1 (30.7.97) Sierra Leone Not notified
Gabon Not notified Singapore G/LIC/N/1/SGP/1-3 (23.2.00)
Gambia Not notified Slovak Republic Not notified
Georgia Not notified Slovenia G/LIC/N/1/SVN/1 (27.11.96)
Ghana Not notified Solomon Islands Not notified
Grenada Not notified South Africa Not notified
Guatemala G/LIC/N/1/GTM/1-2 (20.1.00) Sri Lanka Not notified
Guinea, Republic of Not notified Suriname Not notified
Guinea Bissau Not notified Swaziland G/LIC/N/1/SWZ/1 (19.8.96)
Guyana Not notified Switzerland G/LIC/N/1/CHE/1-2 (21.9.00)
Haiti G/LIC/N/1/HTI/1 (8.10.99) Tanzania Not notified
Honduras G/LIC/N/1/HND/1 (31.10.96) Thailand Not notified
Hong Kong, China G/LIC/N/1/HKG/1-4 (20.4.98) Togo Not notified
Hungary G/LIC/N/1/HUN/1-3 (7.3.00) Trinidad & Tobago G/LIC/N/1/TTO/1 (28.10.98)
Iceland G/LIC/N/1/ISL/1 (8.1.9 9) Tunisia G/LIC/N/1/TUN/1+Add.1
(21.1.99)
India G/LIC/N/1/IND/1/Rev.1
G/LIC/N/1/IND/2 (6.9.99)Turkey G/LIC/N/1/TUR/1-TUR/2/Rev.1
G/LIC/N/1/TUR/ 3 (29.6.99)
Indonesia G/LIC/N/1/IDN/1 (27.10.98) Uganda G/LIC/N/1/UGA/1 (16.8.96)
Israel Not notified United Arab Emirates G/LIC/N/1/ARE/1 (19.3.97)
Jamaica G/LIC/N/1/JAM/1 (1.7.96) Un ited States G/LIC/N/1/USA/1 & Rev.1
(1.10.96)
Japan G/LIC/N/1/JPN/1 &
JPN/2/Rev.1 (7.1.97)Uruguay G/LIC/N/1 /URY/1 (4.9.96)G/LIC/7
Page 8
Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)Member Art. 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)
publications and/or legislation
(date of latest communication)
Jordan G/LIC/N/1/JOR/1 (2.10.00) Venezuela Not notified
Kenya G/LIC/N/3/KEN/1 (10.11.97) Zambia Not notified
Korea G/LIC/N/1/KOR/1-3 (3.4.98) Zimbabwe G/LIC/N/1/ZWE/1-2 (21.9.98)
Kuwait Not notified
TOTAL NOTIFIED 663
C. NOTIFICATIONS OF IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (ARTICLES 7.3 AND 5)
15. Article 2.1 of the Agreement defines automatic import licensing as "import licensing where
approval of the application is granted in all cases, and in accordance with the requirements of
paragraph 2(a)".  Paragraph 2(a) of Article 2 states that "automatic import licensing procedures shall
not be administered in such a manner as to have restricting effects on imports subject to automatic
licensing ...".4 Article 3 defines non-automatic import licensing as "import licensing not falling within
the definition contained in paragraph 1 of Article 2".5
16. Pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Agreement, Members undertake to complete the annualQuestionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures
6 promptly and in full.  At its meeting in October 1995,
the Committee established a time-limit of 30 September each year to submit these notifications
(G/LIC/M/2 and G/LIC/3).
17. Article 5.1 of the Agreement requires Members which institute licensing procedures or
changes in these procedures to notify the Committee of such within 60 days of publication.  Pursuant
to Article 5.2, the notifications shall include: the list of products subject to licensing procedures;
contact point for information on eligibility;  administrative body(ies) for submission of applications;date and name of publication where licensing procedures are published;  indication of whether the
licensing procedure is automatic or non-automatic according to definitions contained in Articles 2 and
3;  in the case of automatic licensing procedures, their administrative purpose;  in the case of
non-automatic licensing procedures, indication of the measure being implemented through the
licensing procedure;  and expected duration of the licensing procedure if this can be estimated with
some probability, and if not, reason why this information cannot be provided.  Article 5.4 requires
Members to notify the Committee of the publications in which the information required in Article 1.4will be published.
18. In addition, pursuant to Article 5.5 any interested Member which considers that another
Member has not notified the institution of a licensing procedure or changes therein in accordance with
the provisions of Articles 5.1-5.3 may bring the matter to the attention of such other Member.  Ifnotification is not made promptly thereafter, such  Member may itself notify the licensing procedure or
changes therein, including all relevant and available information.
7
19. During the period covered, 37 Members (European Communities and its member States
counted as one Member) have submitted replies to the Questionnaire pursuant to Article 7.3 of theAgreement and seven Members have notified the institution of import licensing procedures or changes
                                                     
3 The European Communities and its member States counted as one Member.
4 A concordance between the provisions the Agreement relating to automatic licensing procedures and the
Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures is contained in Annex II.
5 A concordance between the provisions of the Agreement relating to non-automatic licensing procedures
and the Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures is contained in Annex III.
6 The Questionnaire is annexed to document G/LIC/3 and is reproduced in Annex I.
 7So far, the Committee has not received any notifications under this provision.G/LIC/7
Page 9
in these procedures pursuant to Article 5 (circulated in the G/LIC/N/3/- and G/LIC/N/2/- series,
respectively).  The status of notifications under these two provisions since the entry into force of the
Agreement is as follows:
Member Article 7.3
Replies to Questionnaire - Annual
(date of latest communication)Article 5 - Ad hoc
(date of latest communication)
Albania Not notified
Angola Not notified
Antigua & Barbuda Not notified
Argentina G/LIC/N/3/ARG/1 + Corr.1 & ARG/2
(19.12.97)G/LIC/N/2/ARG/1-6 (26.11.99)
Australia G/LIC/N/3/AUS/1 & Rev.1 (28.4.97)
Bahrain G/LIC/N/3/BHR/1 (5.9.00)
Bangladesh G/LIC/N/3/BGD/1 (31.3.00)
Barbados G/LIC/N/3/BRB/1 (15.9.95)
Belize Not notified
Benin Not notified
Bolivia G/LIC/N/3/BOL/1-3 (20.6.00)
Botswana Not notified
Brazil G/LIC/N/3/BRA/1 (24.4.98) G/LIC/N/2/BRA/1 (24.4.98)
Brunei Darussalam G/LIC/N/3/BRN/1 (4.3.97)
Bulgaria G/LIC/N/3/BGR/1 (20.3.97)
Burkina Faso G/LIC/N/3/BFA/1 (8.1.97)
Burundi Not notified
Cameroon Not notified
Canada G/LIC/N/3/CAN/1-3 (2.9.99)
Central African Rep. Not notified
Chad G/LIC/N/3/TCD/1 (18.7.00)
Chile G/LIC/N/3/CHL/1 & Adds.1-2 (3.2.99)
Colombia G/LIC/N/3/COL/1 & Add.1 (2.11.96)
Congo Not notified
Congo, Dem. Rep Not notified
Costa Rica G/LIC/N/3/CRI/1-2 (7.5.98)
Côte d'Ivoire Not notified
Cuba Not notified
Cyprus G/LIC/N/3/CYP/1+ Rev.1 & CYP/2
(28.8.98)
Czech Republic Not notified
Djibouti Not notified
Dominica Not notified
Dominican Rep. Not notified
Ecuador G/LIC/N/3/ECU/1 (1.8.95)
Egypt Not notified
El Salvador Not notified
Estonia G/LIC/N/1/EST/1 (5.10.00)
European Communities G/LIC/N/3/EEC/1+Add.1
G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2+ Add.s.1-27
G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3+Adds.1-26 (6.10.00)G/LIC/N/2/EEC/1-2 (4.7.97)
Fiji G/LIC/N/3/FJI/1 (1.4.97)
Gabon Not notified
Gambia G/LIC/N/3/GMB/1 (31.10.97)
Georgia Not notified
Ghana G/LIC/N/3/GHA/1 (28.4.99)
Grenada Not notified
Guatemala G/LIC/N/3/GTM/1 (20.1.00)
Guinea, Rep. of Not notified
Guinea Bissau Not notified
Guyana Not notified
Haiti G/LIC/N/3/HTI/1-2 (27.4.00)
Honduras Not notifiedG/LIC/7
Page 10
Member Article 7.3
Replies to Questionnaire - Annual
(date of latest communication)Article 5 - Ad hoc
(date of latest communication)
Hong Kong, China G/LIC /N/3/HKG/1 + Rev.1-2,
G/LIC/N/3/HKG/2-3+Corr.1G/LIC/N/3/HKG/4 (29.9.00)G/LIC/N/2/HKG/1-2 (27.1.98)
Hungary G/LIC/N/3/HUN/1-3 (7.3.00) G/LIC/N/2/HUN/1 (19.1.98)
Iceland G/LIC/N/3/ISL/1-2 (5.6.00)
India G/LIC/N/3/IND/1-3 (14.10.99) G/LIC/N/2/IND/1-2 (6.9.99)
Indonesia G/LIC/N/3/IDN/1 (27.10.98)
Israel Not notified
Jamaica G/LIC/N/3/JAM/1+Add.1 (14.3.00)
Japan G/LIC/N/3/JPN/1 + Corr.1 (2.4.98) G/LIC/N/2/JPN/1-2 (18.8.98)
Jordan G/LIC/N/3/JOR/1 (2.10.00)
Kenya G/LIC/N/3/KEN/1 (10.11.97)
Korea G/LIC/N/3/K OR/1-2 (6.4.98)
Kuwait Not notified
Kyrgyz Rep. G/LIC/N/3/KGZ/1 (11.4.00)
Latvia G/LIC/N/3/LVA/1 (18.5.99)
Lesotho Not notified
Liechtenstein G/LIC/N/3/LIE/1+Add.1 (9.11.98) G/LIC/N/2/LIE/1 (18.4.97)
Macau, China G/LIC/N/3/MAC/1-2 (16.11.99)
Madagascar Not notified
Malawi G/LIC/N/3/MWI/1 (10.5.99)
Malaysia G/LIC/N/3/MYS/1 (4.12.97) G/LIC/N/2/MYS/1-2 (21.7.99)
Maldives Not notified
Mali G/LIC/N/3/MLI/1 (9.5.97)
Malta G/LIC/N/3/MLT/1-2+Corr.1&Add. 1
(6.6.00)
Mauritania Not notified
Mauritius G/LIC/N/3/MUS/1 (2.11.95)
Mexico Not notified G/LIC/N/2/MEX/1 (16.10.98)
Mongolia Not notified
Morocco G/LIC/N/3/MAR/1-2 +Add.1 (18.2.99)
Mozambique Not notified
Myanmar Not notified
Namibia G/LIC/N/3/NAM/1-3 (30.3.00)
New Zealand G/LIC/N/3/NZL/1 + Add.1 (24.3.98)
Nicaragua Not notified
Niger Not notified
Nigeria G/LIC/N/3/NGA/1-2 (16.2.98) G/LIC/N/2/NGA/1-2 (16.2.98)
Norway G/LIC/N/3/NOR/1 + Corr.1 & NOR/2 +
Adds.1-2 (7.4.00)
Pakistan Not notified G/L IC/N/2/PAK/1 (6.5.96)
Panama G/LIC/N/3/PAN/1 (22.1.99) G/LIC/N/2/PAN/1 (21.7.98)
Papua New Guinea Not notifie d G/LIC/N/2/PNG/1 (6.2.98)
Paraguay Not notified
Peru G/LIC/N/3/PER/1-2+Add.1 (4.10.99)
Philippines G/LIC/N/3/PHL/1-3+Corr.1 (11.1.00)
Poland G/LIC/N/3/POL/1 (7.10.97)
Qatar G/LIC/N/3/QAT/1 (24.3.98)
Romania G/LIC/N/3/ROM/1-2 (6.7.99) G/LIC/N/2/ROM/1-2 (6.7.99)
Rwanda Not notified
St. Kitts & Nevis Not notified
St. Lucia Not notified
St. Vincent & Grenadines Not notified
Senegal G/LIC/N/3/SEN/1 (20.1.97)
Sierra Leone Not notified
Singapore G/LIC/N/3/SGP/1-2 (17.11.97) G/LIC/N/2/SGP/1-2 (23.2.00)
Slovak Republic Not notified
Slovenia G/LIC/N/3/SVN/1 (6.6.97)
Solomon Islands Not notifiedG/LIC/7
Page 11
Member Article 7.3
Replies to Questionnaire - Annual
(date of latest communication)Article 5 - Ad hoc
(date of latest communication)
South Africa G/LIC/N/3/ZAF/1-2 ( 20.9.99) G/LIC/N/2/ZAF/1 (9.7.97)
Sri Lanka Not notified
Suriname Not notified
Swaziland Not notified
Switzerland G/LIC/N/3/CHE/1-3 (21.9.00) G/LIC/N/2/CHE/1-2 (21.9.00)
Tanzania Not notified
Thailand Not notified
Togo Not notified
Trinidad & Tobago G/LIC/N/3/TTO/1-2 (28.10.98)
Tunisia G/LIC/N/3/TUN/1-3 (23.11.99)
Turkey G/LIC/N/3/TUR/1-2 + Corr.1
G/LIC/N/3/TUR/3 (29.6.99)
Uganda G/LIC/N/3/UGA/1 (17.6.97)
United Arab Emirates G/LIC/N/3/ARE/1 (11.4..00)
United States G/LIC/N/3/USA/1-2 (1.10.98)
Uruguay G/LIC/N/3/URY/1+Add-1 (27.1.99)
Venezuela Not notified G/LIC/N/2/VEN/1 (28.2.00)
Zambia Not notified
Zimbabwe G/LIC/N/3/ZWE/1/Add.1 (22.9.00)
TOTAL NOTIFIED867 19
                                                     
8 The European Communities and its member States counted as one Member.G/LIC/7
Page 12III. CONSULTATION AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Dispute Request for consultations Request to join
consultationsMutually
agreed
solutionPanel
establishedPanel report
circulatedNotice of
appealAppellate Body Report
circulated
Brazil – Measures on minimumimport prices30.5.00
United States
(WT/DS197)(G/LIC/D/131)European Communities
Brazil – Measures on import
licensing and minimum importprices14.10.99
European Communities(WT/DS183)(G/LIC/D/30)United States
Brazil – Measures affecting
payment terms for imports9.1.98
European Communities(WT/DS116)(G/LIC/D/17)Australia, Japan, Korea,
Switzerland, UnitedStates
Canada – measures affecting theimportation of milk and theexportation of dairy products8.10.97
United States(WT/DS103)
(G/LIC/D/13)25.3.98 17.5.99 15.7.99 13.10.99
European Communities –
Regime for the importation, saleand distribution of bananas II20.1.99
Guatemala, Honduras,Mexico,  Panama
United States
(WT/DS158)(G/LIC/D/27)Belize, Ecuador
European Communities –
Regime for the importation, saleand distribution of bananas24.10.97
Panama(WT/DS105)(G/LIC/D/15+Adds.1-2)Colombia, Costa Rica,
Côte d'Ivoire, DominicanRep., Ecuador,Guatemala, Honduras,
Mexico, United StatesRecourse to DSU Art.
21.5 on 31.8.98.
European Communities –Measures affecting butterproducts24.3.97
New Zealand(WT/DS72)
(G/LIC/D/4)11.11.99 18.11.97
European Communities –
Measures affecting import
duties on rice28.5.98
India
(WT/DS134)
(G/LIC/D/23+Corr.1)
India – Quantitative restrictionson imports of agricultural,
textile and industrial products15.7.99
United States
(WT/DS90)
(G/LIC/D/6)18.11.97 6.4.99 26.5.99 23.8.99G/LIC/7
Page 13Dispute Request for consultations Request to join
consultationsMutually
agreed
solutionPanel
establishedPanel report
circulatedNotice of
appealAppellate Body Report
circulated
India – Quantitative restrictionson imports of agricultural,textile and industrial products16.7.97
New Zealand(WT/DS93)
(G/LIC/D/9)Australia, Canada, EC,
Japan, Switzerland,United States1.12.98
India- Import restrictions 28.10.98
European Communities
(WT/DS149)
(G/LIC/D/25)Australia, Japan,
Switzerland, United
States
Japan – Tariff quotas and
subsidies affecting leather8.10.98
European Communities
(WT/DS147)
(G/LIC/D/24)
Korea - Measures affecting
imports of fresh, chilled and
frozen beef1.2.99
United States
(WT/DS161)(G/LIC/D/28)Australia, Canada, New
Zealand26.5.99 31.7.00
Korea - Measures affecting
imports of fresh, chilled andfrozen beef13.4.99
Australia(WT/DS169)(G/LIC/D/29)Canada, New Zealand,
United States26.7.99 31.7.00
Slovak Republic – Measures
concerning the importation ofdairy products and the transit ofcattle11.5.98
Switzerland(WT/DS133)(G/LIC/D/22)United States
United States – Tariff rate quota
for imports of groundnuts19.12.97
Argentina(WT/DS111)
(G/LIC/D/16)Canada, JapanG/LIC/7
Page 14
ANNEX I
QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
The present questionnaire is designed to elicit information on import licensing and similar
administrative procedures1 maintained in and applied to the customs territories to which GATT 1994
applies.  If different procedures or methods of licen sing or similar administrative procedures are applied
to different categories of products, to different count ries of supply or to different modes of importation,
they should be separately described in respect of each question as relevant.
Outline of systems
1. Give a brief description of each licensing syst em as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to
the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence
together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described
are also present in another system.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. Identify each licensing system maintained a nd state what products, appropriately grouped, are
covered.
3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity  or value of imports, and if not, what are its
purposes?  Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which?
Why have they not been adopted?
5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained.  Is
the licensing statutorily required?  Does the legisla tion leave designation of products to be subjected to
licensing to administrative discretion?  Is it po ssible for the government (or the executive branch) to
abolish the system without legislative approval?
Procedures
6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally
or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing
applications for licences?  If not, how is it broug ht to the attention of possible importers?  Of
governments and export promotion bodies of  exporting countries and their trade
representatives?  Is the overall amount published?  The amount allocated to goods from each
country?  The maximum amount allocated to each importer?  How to request any exceptions or
derogations from the licensing requirement?
II. How is the size of the quotas determined:  on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis?  Are
there cases where the size of quota is determined  on a yearly basis but licences are issued for
imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?  In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to
apply for fresh licence on a six- monthly or quarterly basis?
                                                     
1 Similar procedures are understood to include tech nical visas, surveillance systems, minimum price
arrangements, and other administrative reviews effected as a prior condition for entry of imports.G/LIC/7
Page 15
III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods?  What
steps are taken to ensure that licences allocat ed are actually used for imports?  Are unused
allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period?  Are the names of importers to whom
licences have been allocated made known to  governments and export promotion bodies of
exporting countries upon request?  If not, for what  reason?  (Indicate products to which replies
relate.)
IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas , as indicated in I above, what is the period
of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of
opening of the period of importation?
VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected  by a single administrative organ?  Or must the
application be passed on to other organs for visa , note or approval?  If so, which?  Does the
importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
VIII. If the demand for licences cannot  be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants
made?  First come, first served?  Past performance?  Is there a maximum amount to be allocatedper applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined?  What provision is made for new
importers?  Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued
by exporting countries, are import licences al so required?  If so, are licences issued
automatically?
X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing
country informed of the effect given by th e exporting countries to the understanding between
the two countries?
XI. Are there products for which licences are issu ed on condition that goods should be exported and
not sold in the domestic market?
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular
country:
(a) How far in advance of importation must  application for a licence be made?  Can
licences be obtained within a shorter time-lim it or for goods arriving at the port without
a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
(b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?(c) Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for
licence and/or importation may be made?  If so, explain.
(d) Is consideration of licence applications eff ected by a single administrative organ?  Or
must the application be passed on to other or gans for visa, note or approval?  If so,
which?  Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?G/LIC/7
Page 16
8. Under what circumstances may an application fo r a licence be refused other than failure to meet
the ordinary criteria?  Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant?  Have applicants a right of
appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence a nd, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. Are all persons, firms and institu tions eligible to apply for licences:
(a) under restrictive licensing systems?(b) under non-restrictive systems?
If not, is there a system of registration of persons  or firms permitted to engage in importation?  What
persons or firms are eligible?  Is there a registration fee?  Is there a published list of authorized
importers?
Documentational and other requirem ents for application for licence
10. What information is required in applications?  Submit a sample form.  What documents is the
importer required to supply with the application?
11. What documents are required upon actual importation?12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative ch arge?  If so, what is the amount of the fee or
charge?
13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requireme nt associated with the issue of licences?  If
so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refunda ble, the period of retention and the purpose of the
requirement.
Conditions of licensing
14. What is the period of validity of a licence?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  How?
15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
16. Are licences transferable between importers?  If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to
such transfer?
17. Are any other conditions attached to the issu e of a licence:  (a)  for products subject to
quantitative restriction?  (b)  for products  not subject to quantitative restriction?
Other procedural requirements
18. Are there any other administrative proce dures, apart from import licensing and similar
administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided  by the banking authorities for goods to be
imported?  Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?  Is foreign exchange
always available to cover licences issued?  What form alities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign
exchange?G/LIC/7
Page 17
ANNEX II
Generally, information concerning the administ ration of automatic import licensing procedures
can be found under the following headings of th e replies to the Questionnaire on Import Licensing
Procedures:
Relevant Article Relevant Question
in Agreement in Questionnaire
1. Purposes of maintaining automatic
import licensing procedures Article 2.2(b) No. 4
2. Product coverage Article 1.4(a) No. 23. Eligibility of importers to apply
for automatic licences Articles 2.2(a)(i) No. 9(b)
and 1.4(a)
4. Period of submission and processing
of applications Articles 2.2(a)(ii) Nos. 7(a), 7(b)
and 2.2(a)(iii) and 7(c)
5. Administrative body to be approached Article 1.6 No. 7(d)
6. Refusal of applications Article 1.7 No. 8
7. Application forms and other documents
required on application Article 1.5 No. 10
8. Availability of foreign exchange for
imports Article 1.9 No. 19G/LIC/7
Page 18
ANNEX III
Generally, information concerning the admi nistration of non-automatic import licensing
procedures can be found under the following headin gs of the replies to the Questionnaire on Import
Licensing Procedures:
Relevant Article Relevant Question
in Agreement in Questionnaire
1. Purpose Articles 3.1 No. 4
and 3.3
2. Product coverage under each
non-automatic licensing system Article 1.4(a) No. 2
3. Distribution of licences among
supplying countries Articles 3.5(a)(iii) No.3
and 3.5(c)
4. Size of quotas Articles 3.5(h), 3.5(i) Nos. 6(I), 6(II)
and 3.5(l) and 6(III)
5. Eligibility of importers to apply
for non-automatic licences Article 3.5(e) No. 9(a)
6. Allocation of licences to applicants Article 3.5(j) Nos. 6(III) and
6(VIII)
7. Period of processing of applic ations Article 3.5(f) Nos. 6(V) and
6(VIII)
8. Period of licence validity Article 3.5(g) Nos. 6(VI) and 149. Application forms and other documents
required on application Article 1.5 No. 10
10. Administrative body to be approached Article 1.6 No. 6(VII)
11. Refusal of applications Article 1.7 No. 812. Availability of foreign exchange for
imports Article 1.9 No. 19
__________