WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
11 October 1999
(99-4252)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures2
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
The following notification, dated 28 September 1999, has been received from the Permanent
Delegation of the European Communities.
_______________
Outline of system
1. The Community import licensing system is based on the premise that no import licences are
required except where specific products are subject to quantitative restrictions, safeguard measures or
import surveillance.  The Community applies no quantitative quotas to WTO Members in the
industrial sector except for certain products in the textiles field.  There are also a number of products
subject to Community surveillance with the purpose of strengthening the control on the import trends
of the products concerned, but with no intention of limiting market access.  The coverage of products
subject to Community licensing systems appears in th e annexes referred to in replies to questions 2
and 3.  The relevant legislation is mentioned in reply to question 5.
The import licensing scheme for agricultural products serves statistical purposes and is an
automatic licensing system.  The competent authorities in the Member States issue import licences to
every applicant.  Import licences are subject to a security and are valid in all the Member States of the
Community.  Import licences have to be submitted with the import declaration.
Furthermore, a licence is required in respect of a number of tariff quotas in the agricultural
sector.
                                                     
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.
2 The notification relating to agricultural tariff rate quotas is contained in Addenda to this document:
G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Adds.1-27 (Add.1 - Live bovine animals;  Add.2 - Live young male bovine animals;  Add.3 -High-quality beef & frozen buffalo meat;  Add.4 - Frozen meat of bovine animals;  Add.5 - Frozen beef
intended for processing;  Add.6 - Frozen thin skirt of bovine animals;  Add.7 - Live sheep & goats and meat of
sheep & goats;  Add.8 - Manioc;  Add.9 - Manioc, arrowroot, salep & similar roots & tubers;  Add.10 - Sweetpotatoes & manioc starch;  Add.11 - Broken rice;  Add.12 - Millet;  Add.13 - Cane & beet sugar;  Add.14 - Rawcane sugar for refining;  Add.15 - Preserved mushrooms;  Add.16 - Bran, sharps & other residues;  Add.17 -Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding;  Add.18 - Certain pigmeat products;  Add.19 - Certain pigmeatproducts;  Add.20 - Certain poultry & turkey products;  Add.21 - Eggs, egg albumin, etc.;  Add.22 - Quality
wheat;  Add.23 - Oats;  Add.24 - Worked oats;  Add.25 - Rice;  Add.26 - Bananas;  Add.27 - Grape juice &
grape must).G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 2
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See reply 1.
3. See the following table.
Licensing system Product coverage Country coverage
Quantitative quotas (other than
textiles)None for WTO Members. Not applicable.
Community surveillance (other
than textiles)a.  Certain iron and steel
products. Council Reg.No.2845/98.  See Annex I
3.
b.  Certain ECSC steel products
Council Regs. No. 1002/99,
248/99, 166/99, 288/99,
1093/99, 190/98, 2135/97,1526/97.  See Annex II
3.
c.  Certain agricultural
products.  See Annex III3.Third countries, except EFTA
countries, Turkey and countrieswhich are parties to the EEA.
Bulgaria, Romania, Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Poland,
FYROM, Russia, Ukraine
All third countries.
Textiles: Quantitative limits or
surveillanceSee Annex IV3. See text below.
I. TEXTILES
Under the ATC the Community at present maintains quantitative restrictions in the textile
field against the following third countries, which are Members of WTO: Argentina, Brazil,
Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Paki stan, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea,
Sri Lanka and Thailand (Basic Regulation 3030/93). Consultation levels were established with Egypt.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the Community maintains administrative arrangements
with Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates, all WTO Members,
under which imports into the Community of products falling under a number of categories of textile
products are subject to a double-checking system without quantitative restrictions (surveillance
according to Annex III of Regulation 3030/93).
Moreover, the Community maintains bilateral agr eements on trade in textile products with the
following non-WTO Members: Armenia, Azerba ijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China (MFA-type
Agreement and Agreement on silk, linen and ramie), Estonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lithuania, Moldova, Nepal, Russian Federation, Ukraine,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam. It should be noted that of these countries only
Belarus, China, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are subject to quantitative restrictions (Basic
Regulation 3030/93).
                                                     
3 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division).G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 3
In addition, the Community maintains autonomous quantitative restrictions on imports from a
number of non-WTO Members with which no bilateral agreements exist: Bosnia-Hercegovina,
Croatia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, North Korea and Taiwan.
For agricultural tariff quotas subject to import licensing see reply to question 6.
4. The Community applies no quantitative quotas to WTO Members in the industrial sector
except for certain products in the textile field where the licensing is intended to restrict the quantity
and/or value of imports.
The purpose of import licensing procedure for products under surveillance is for statistical
reasons and to strengthen control on imports originating from the country concerned and, more
specifically, to improve control on the origin of the products concerned. It is intended to monitor
import trends and not to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  The systems are based on an
automatic licensing.
In some cases a double-checking system is applied (certain textile and steel products) with an
export document issued by third country authoritie s.  The aim of the double-checking system is to
improve transparency and to avoid possible diversion of trade and custom fraud by rapid provision of
information on the trend of trade flows.
See also reply to question 1.
Legislative basis
5. Licensing is statutorily required for the products listed in the relevant legislative texts.
Product coverage is defined in the legislation and is not subject to administrative discretion.  The
system cannot be abolished without legislative ap proval (regulations generally contain provisions
relating to the duration and expiry of the licensing regime).
General
Council Regulation (EC) 519/94 of 7 March 1994 (as last amended by Council Regulation
(EC) No 1138/98 of 25.5.98) established common rules for imports from certain third countries.
II. TEXTILE PRODUCTS
A. TRADE WITH WTO M EMBER COUNTRIES AND COUNTRIES WITH BILATERAL AGREEMENTS :
1. Trade in products not subject to normal GATT rules ("products not integrated" in
WTO):
(a) Basic Regulation: Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ No. L 275, 8.11.93, p. 1) - on
common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries.
[as amended by:
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3289/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 85) – amends
Regulation 3030/93.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1410/96 (OJ No. L 181, 20.7.96, p. 15) - concerning the
partial withdrawal of Regulation 3053/95.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 4
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2231/96 (OJ No. L 307, 28.11.96, p. 1) - amends Annexes I,
II, III, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI to Regulation 3030/93.
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) - list products to be
integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 - amends An nex X to Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to
Regulation 3285/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 447/97 (OJ No. L 68, 8.3.97, p. 16) - quantitative limits -
OPT - China.
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 824/97 (OJ No. L 119, 8.5.97, p. 1) - amends
Regulation 3030/93.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 339/98 (OJ No. L 45, 16.2.98, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, II,
III, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 856/98 (OJ No. L 122, 24.4.98, p. 11) - amends Annexes I,
II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1053/98 (OJ N o. L 151, 21.5.98, p. 10)- amends Annexes II,
III and IX to Regulation 3030/93.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2798/98 (OJ No. L 353, 29.12.98, p. 1) - amends Annexe I
to Regulation 3030/93.]
(b) Derogation from Basic Regulation:
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1087/97 (OJ L 158, 17.6.97, p1) - authorizing imports into
Canary Islands and certain quota products originating in China without quantitative restrictions.
(c) Regulations granting additional limits for European fairs:
- 1998: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 283/98 (OJ No. L 28, 4.2.98, p. 9)- 1999: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 36/1999 (OJ No. L 5, 9.1.99, p. 57)
2. Trade in products subject to normal GATT rules "products integrated" in WTO:
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3285/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 53) – repeals
Regulation 518/94.
[As amended by:- Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/96 (OJ No. L 21, 27.1.96, p. 7) - amends
Regulation 3285/94 and Regulation 519/94 with respect to the uniform Community surveillance
document.
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) - list of products to be
integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 and amends An nex X to Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to
Regulation 3285/94.]G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 5
B. IMPORTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ("AUTONOMOUS REGIME "):
1. Basic Regulation: Council Regulation (EC)  No. 517/94 (OJ No. L 67, 10.3.94, p. 1) - on
common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered
by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific
Community import rules
[As amended by:
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1470/94 (OJ No. L 159, 28.6.94, p. 14) - opens quantitative
import quotas for products (cat. 160) from  China and amends Annexes IV and V to
Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1756/94 (OJ No. L 183, 19.7.94, p. 9) - opens quantitative
import quotas (cat. 122, 123, 124, 125 B, 140 and 146 C) from China and amends Annexes IV and V
of Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2612/94 (OJ No. L 279, 28.10.94, p. 7) - opens quantitative
import quotas (cat. 127 B and 145) from China and amends Annexes IV and V to Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2980/94 (OJ No. L 315, 8.12.94, p. 2) - opens quantitative
import quotas (cat. 146A and 146B) from China and am ends Annexes IV and V to Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) - establishes in the
field of application of Regulation 517/94 a Community import licence and amending certain
provisions of the Regulation.
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1325/95 (OJ No. L 128, 13.6.95, p. 1) - amends
Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/95: (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) - amends
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the field of  517/94 a Community import licence and amends
certain provisions of the Regulation.
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 538/96 (OJ No. L 79, 29.3.96, p.1) - amends Regulation 517/94
concerning imports of products - Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/96 (OJ No. L 188, 27.7.96, p. 4) - opens quotas for
imports of products falling within cat. 87 and 109 originating in North Korea and amends Annexes IV
and V to Regulation 517/94.
(corrigendum in OJ No. L 225, 6.9.96, p. 11)
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1937/96 (OJ No. L 255 , 9.10.96, p. 4) - amends Annexes III
B and VI to Regulation 517/94.
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1457/97 (OJ No. L 199, 26.7.97, p. 6) – amends annexes
IIIB, IV and VI to Regulation 517/94.]G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 6
2. Regulations concerning the import licence:
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) - establishes in the
field of application of Regulation 517/94 a Community import licence and amending certain
provisions of the Regulation.
[As amended by:- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/95 (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) - amends
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the field of app lication of Regulation 517/94 a Community import
licence and amends certain provisions of the Regulation.]
3. Regulations concerning the distribution of quotas:
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2458/97 (OJ No. L 340, 11.12.97, p. 31) – (end 31.12.98) -
distribution of quotas for 1998 pursuant to Regulation 517/94.
4. Imports from Taiwan:
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 47/1999 (OJ No. L 12, 16.1.99, p. 1) – arrangements for imports
- Taiwan
C. O
UTWARD PROCESSING TRAFFIC (OPT):
1. Basic Regulation: Council Regulation (EC) No. 30 36/94 (OJ No. L 322, 15.12.94, p. 1) -
establishes economic outward processing arrangements to products reimported into theCommunity after working in certain third countries.  (corrigenda in OJ No. L 135,
6.6.96, p. 35)
2. Implementing Regulation: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3017/95 (OJ No. L 314,
28.12.95, p. 40) - repeals Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1816/95 (OJ No. L 175,
27.7.95, p.21)
D. O
THER COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATIONS :
- OJ No. C 52, 19.2.98, p.3: List of national competent authorities.
- OJ No. C 71, 7.3.98, p.2: List of Memb ers of the World Trade Organization.
- OJ No. C 321, 20.10.98, p. 27: Notice on SIGL Website (information on quota levels for
textile products).
III. STEEL PRODUCTS
Community prior surveillance: Commission Re gulation (EC) No. 2845/98 of 22.12.98, OJ L
354 of 30.12.98, p. 55.
Double-checking systems without quantitative limits: Council Regulations (EC) No.1002/99
(Bulgaria OJ L 123 OF 13.5.99, p. 18), 248/99 (Czech Republic, OJ L 129 of 3.2.99, p.1), 166/99
(Romania OJ L 166 of 26.1.99), 288/99 (Slovaki a OJ L 36 of 10.2.99, p. 1), 1093/99 (Poland OJ L
133 of 28.5.99), 190/98 (FYROM, OJ L 20 of 27.1.98, p. 20), 2135/97 (Russia, OJ L 300 of 4.11.97),
1526/97 (Ukraine, OJ L 210 of 4.8.97).G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 7
IV. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
In the agricultural sector, the following legislation includes provisions related to import licensing:
A. GENERAL :
Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 3719/88 la ying down common detailed rules for the
application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agriculturalproducts as amended.
B. C
EREALS AND RICE :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common market organization
for cereals as amended (Article 9).
Council Regulation (EC) No. 3072/95 of 22 December 1995 on the common organization of
the market in rice as amended (Article 9).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1162/95 of 23 May 1995 laying down special detailed rules
for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and rice.
C. BEEF AND VEAL :
Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/99 of 17 May 1999 on the common market organization in
the beef sector as amended (Article 29).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1445/95 of 26 June 1995 on rules of application for import
and export licences in the beef and veal sector and repealing Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/80 as
amended.
D. SHEEPMEAT AND GOATMEAT :
Council Regulation (EC) No. 2467/98 of 3 November 1998 on the common organization of
the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat as amended (Article 14).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1439/95 of 26 June 1995 laying down detailed rules for the
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3013/89 as regards the import and export of products in
the sheepmeat and goatmeat sector as amended.
E. MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 804/68 of 27 J une 1968 on the common market organization
in the milk and milk product sector as amended (Article 13).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1374/98 of 29 June 1998 laying down detailed rules for the
application of the import arrangements and opening tariff quotas for milk and milk products as
amended.
F. SUGAR :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1785/81 of 30 June 1981 on the common organization of the
markets in the sugar sector as amended (Article 13).G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 8
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1464/95 of 27 June 1995 on special detailed rules for the
application of the system of import and export licences in the sugar sector as amended.
G. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES , PROCESSED :
Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/96 of 28 October 1996 on the establishment of a common
organization of the market of products processed from fruit and vegetables (Article 11).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1921/95 of 3 August 1995 laying down detailed rules for
the application of the system of import licences for products processed from fruit and vegetables as
amended.
H. BANANAS :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 404/93 of 13 February 1993 on the common organization of
the market of bananas as amended (Article 17) by Council Regulation (EC) 1637/98 of 20 July 1998.
Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2362/98 of 28 October 1998, laying down detailed rules
for the application of the arrangement for importing bananas into the Community.
I. OIL AND FATS :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 136/66 of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a
common organization of the market in oils and fats as amended (Article 2).
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/95 la ying down special detailed rules for the
application of the system of import licences in the olive oil sector.
J. SEEDS :
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2358/71 of 26 October 1971 on the common organization of
the market in seeds as amended (Article 4).
Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1117/79 of 6 June 1979 specifying the products in the
seed sector to be subject to the system of import licences as amended.
K. WINE:
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the Common market
organization for wine as amended (Article 52).
Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 3388/81 of 27 November 1981 laying down special
detailed rules in respect of import and export licences in the wine sector as amended.
Procedures
6. (The answers provided to question 6, I-XI, rela te exclusively to textiles, with the exception of
the reference to agricultural tariff quotas).
I. Information related to the allocation of the quotas, the formalities for licence applications and
the amount of goods allocated to each country is published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities (see reply 5). There is no derogation from the licensing requirement.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 9
II. The size of textile quotas is determined on a yearly basis.  There are no cases where the size
of the quota is determined on a yearly basis and where import authorisations would be issued for
imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis.
III. The issuing of import authorisations is not limited to domestic producers of like goods.  The
competent licensing authorities notify the Commission immediately after having been informed ofany quantity that is not used during the duration of validity of the import authorisation.  Such unused
quantities are automatically transferred into the remaining quantities of the total of the Community
quantitative limit for each category products and each third country concerned.  Names of importers
to whom import authorisations have been allo cated are not made known to governments and
exporting countries for privacy protection reasons.
IV. The authorised imports are charged against the quantitative limits laid down for the year in
which the products are shipped in the supplier coun try concerned.  An import authorisation is issued
upon presentation of an export licence issued by the exporting country.  This presentation must be
effected not later than 31 March of the year follow ing that in which the goods covered by the licence
have been shipped.  In exceptional circumstances a Member State may put the deadline for
presentation of the export licence back to 30 June on a duly motivated request.
V. The licensing authorities have to issue an import authorisation within a maximum of five
working days of the presentation by the importer of the original of the corresponding export licence.
VI. Import authorisations are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue.
VII. Each Member State has only one national competent authority for the issuing of import
authorisations.
VIII. Import authorisations are issued on a "first-come, first-served" basis.  There are no special
provisions for new importers.  Applications are examined on receipt.
IX. Concerning trade with WTO Members and with countries with bilateral agreements, the so-
called double-checking system applies.  The competent authorities of the supplier countries issue an
export licence in respect of all consignments of textile products subject to quantitative limits, up to the
level of those limits.  The importer shall present the original of the export licences for the purposes ofthe issue of the import authorisation.  An import authorisation is not issued automatically but only
after the Commission has confirmed that the amount requested is available within the quantitative
limit in question.
X. There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only.
XI. There are no products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be
exported and not sold in the domestic market.
Agricultural tariff quotas subject to import licensing:Some of the Community's agricultural tariff quotas are subject to import licensing.  Licences
may be issued on a pro-rata or an historical basis, or related to quotas administrated by exporting
countries.  Details have already been notified to this Committee in respect of certain poultry andG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 10
turkey products (document G/LIC/ N/3/EEC/1/Add.1).  Details of other agricultural tariff quotas
subject to import licensing are being notified in parallel to this general notification.4
7. For products subject to Community surveillance (other than textiles):
(a)-(b) It is up to the applicant to decide when to  apply for a licence, knowing that the document will
be issued within a maximum of five working days of receipt of the application.  Normally an importlicence is presented at the moment of the import declaration and licences are granted immediately
(except for sheepmeat and goatmeat and milk products).
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year during which applications may be made.
(d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent
authorities in the Member States delivering import licences is published in the "C" series of the
Official Journal.  The application must not be pa ssed on to other organs for approval and the importer
has to approach only one administrative organ.
For textile products subject to Community surveillance the following applies:
(a) The licensing authorities have to issue a surveillance document within a maximum of five
working days:
- of the presentation by the importer of the original of the corresponding export licence (in the
case of a double-checking system);
- of a request being submitted by the importer (in the case of a single-checking system).
(b) Surveillance documents are issued on the basis of "first-come, first-served".
(c) There are limitations as to the time of year during which applications may be made.
(d) A single administrative organ effects consideration of licence applications.  The Commission
services collect statistical information on products subject to simple or double-checking surveillance(SIGL electronic system).
For agricultural products the rules are as follows:
(a)-(b) Import licences must be presented to the customs authorities at the moment of acceptance of
the import declaration.  Import licences can be granted immediately, except for some products
(sheepmeat and goatmeat and milk and milk products).
(c) No.
(d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent
authorities in the Member States delivering import licences is published in the "C" series of the
Official Journal.  The application must not be passed on to other organs for approval and the importer
has to approach only one administrative organ.
8. Failure to meet the ordinary criteria is the only circumstance in which licence applications
may be refused.
                                                     
4 The notification relating to agricultural tariff rate quotas is contained  in Addenda to this document:
G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Adds.1-27.  See also footnote 2.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 11
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. Import licences are issued without discrimination to any importer in the Community wherever
the place of his establishment may be in the Community, without prejudice to compliance with the
other conditions required under current rules.  All persons are eligible to become importers.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. For certain EC and ECSC steel products the Co mmunity applies a dual licensing arrangement.
In addition to the presentation of an import document issued by the competent authorities of the
Member states, imports are subject to the issue of an export document issued by the competent
authorities of the exporting country. (See questions 2 and 3.)
For textile products subject to quantitative limits:  For information required in application see
Annex V5.  Sample form attached at Annex VI5.
The applicant is required to supply a copy of the bill of lading and of the purchase contract.
For textile products subject to Community surveillance :  For information required in
application see Annexes VII5 and VIII5.  Sample form attached at Annex VI5.
Concerning the application for the import authorisation in the case of a double-checking
system for textiles, the applicant is required to supply a copy of the bill of lading and of the purchase
contract.  Concerning the application for the import authorisation in the case of a single-checkingsystem the applicant is required to supply a certified copy of the bill of lading, letter of credit,
contract, or any other commercial document indica ting a firm intention to carry out the importation.
Applications for surveillance document (other than textile) shall be sent to or lodged with the
competent administrative authorities in the Member  States.  Regarding the information required in
applications see Annex IX5.  A surveillance document sample form is attached as Annex X5.
In the agricultural field the application for an import licence has to be forwarded to or lodged
with the competent authorities in the Member States conforming to the specimen set out in
Annex XI5.
11. The licence/surveillance document itself or an extract is required upon importation. For textileproducts subject to quantitative limits/surveillance there is also, if needed, a requirement for acertificate of origin upon actual importation.
12. There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.
13. In general, there is no deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of
import authorisations.  However, in the agricultural field the issuance of 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 amount of the security depending on the products is laid down in the
specific Community provisions applicable to the relevant product sector.  The security is releasedwhen the obligation to import is considered to have been fulfilled and the right to import under the
licence is considered to have been exercised namely on the day the import declaration is accepted and
the product concerned put into free circulation.
                                                     
5 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division).G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2
Page 12
Conditions of licensing
14. For textile products subject to quantitative limits/surveillance, import
authorisations/surveillance documents are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue.
Upon a duly motivated request by an importer, th e competent authorities of a Member State may
extend the duration of validity for a further period of three months.  In exceptional circumstances, animporter may request a second period of extension.  These exceptional requests may only be granted
by a decision of the textile committee, composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired
by a Commission.  The period of validity of the import licences depends on the products, please refer
to Annex IV.  The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of  " force majeure".
For agricultural products the period of validity of the import licences depends on the products.
(See Annex XII6.   The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of  "force majeure".
For steel products subject to prior surveillance and double-checking without quantitative
limits, the period of validity of a surveillance document is four months and it could be renewed for
four months.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of an import authorisation/surveillance document or
a portion of it.  However, for a licence in the agricultural field, the security is forfeit in whole or in
part if import is not carried out, or only partly carried out during the period of validity of the licence.
16. Import authorisations are not transferable between importers.  Import licences constitute an
authorisation and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity.
Obligations deriving from licences are not transferable but the rights deriving are transferable by the
titular holder of the licence during its period of validity.
17. No other conditions are attached to the issue of an import authorisation for products subject to
or not subject to quantitative restrictions.
Other procedural requirements
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative
procedures are required prior to importation.
19. The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as
well as to cover import licences.  A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign
exchange.
__________
                                                     
6 Period of validity of import licences:  Cereals and rice: 45 days from the date of issue, except for
broken rice where the import licence is valid 30 days;  beef and veal : 90 days from the date of issue;  sheepmeat
and goatmeat: 3 months from the date of issue;  sugar, milk and milk products : from the date of issue until the
end of the month;  fruits and vegetables, processed: 3 months from the date of issue, except for preserved
mushrooms: 9 months from the date of issue and validity cannot be extended beyond the year in which the
licence is issued;  bananas: seventh day of the fourth month after the month of issue;  oils and fats : 60 days from
the date of issue;  wine: 4 months from the date of issue.