WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.16
13 October 1999
(99-4344)
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
for Bran, Sharps and other Residues
Outline of systems
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quota for 475,000 tonnes of bran, sharps and other residues of wheat and cereals other
than maize and rice falling within tariff headings 2302 30 10, 2303 30 90, 2302 40 10 and 2302 40 90.
The relevant legislation related to the import licensing system for this tariff quota 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 1.3. The system applies in the European Community to the products mentioned reply 1 originating
in third countries.
4. See reply 1. As referred to in reply 1, the licensing system covers the relevant WTO tariff
quota. The EC considers the method adopted to be the most appropriate to administer this tariff rate
quota.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quota
mentioned in reply 1 is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1897/94 of 27 July 1994 (OJ L 194), as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) 1335/95 of 13 June 1995 (OJ L 129).
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.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.16
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Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6.XI. Questions 6.IX and 6.X are not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of the quota and the formalities for licence
application is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (see reply 5). There is
no derogation from the licensing requirement.
The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota.Applications for import licences have to be s ubmitted to the competent authorities in the
Member States on the first Monday of each month. On the same day, the competent authorities in theMember States inform the Commission of applications submitted. If the quantities applied for exceed
the available quota quantity, the Commission fixes not later than the third working day following the
submission of the applications for import licences a single coefficient for reducing the quantities
applied for. Import licences are issued on the fifth day following the day on which applications are
lodged. Imports are only known to the competent authorities in the Member States to which the
import licence applications have been submitted and to the Commission. Importers must only
approach one administrative organ.
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. See reply 6. Applicant must be entered in a VAT register and there is no registration fee.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 1897/94 of 27 July 1994 (published in OJ L 194,
page 4), as last amended by Commission Regulati on (EC) 1335/95 of 13 June 1995 (published in OJ
L 129, page 3).
11. The import licence.12. No.13. 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 security isreleased when the obligation to import has been fulfilled.
Conditions of licensing
14. Import licences are valid until the end of the th ird month following that of issue. However,
licences are not valid beyond 31 December each year. The period of validity cannot be extended.
15. In case of non-utilisation of an import licence, the security is not released. In the case of
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.16
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16. Import licences are not transferable.
17. No.Other procedural requirements
18. No.19. Not relevant.
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