G/LIC/N/2/PHL/193  
 
21 February 2023  
(23-1226) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 5.1 TO 5.4 OF THE AGREEMENT1 
PHILIPPINES  
The following notification dated 14 February 2023  is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of the Philippines . 
 
 Category  Notification details  
1 Notifying Member  Philippines  
2 Title of new 
legislation/procedure  DOH-FDA – BOC Joint Circular No.1 – Importation of FDA -DOH 
Regulated Products for Personal Use  
3 Date of Publication  22 June 2015 
4 Date of entry into force  9 July 2015 
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  https://customs.gov.ph/wp -
content/uploads/2015/10/Memorandum -Importation -of-FDA-DOH-
Regulated -Products -For-Personal -Use.pdf  
6 Have you attached a copy of 
the regulation (PDF) to the 
Secretariat  [ X ] Yes. ( Please attach a copy of the regulation to the notification. ) 
 
[    ] No. 
7 Type of notification  [ X ] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure2; (please answer 
question  8 to 14 ) 
 
[    ] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been 
previously notified in document: ______________ ; ( please answer 
question  15 and 16 ) 
8 List of products subject to 
licensing  9033.00.00 - Parts and accessories (not specified or included  
elsewhere in Chapter 90) for machines, appliances,  instruments or 
apparatus of Chapter 90  
 
• In-Vitro Diagnostic Products for Personal Use (except for in -vitro 
diagnostic kits used as maintenance test strips which are sold by 
packs can be up to 100 pieces (1 pc of each type)  
• Medical devices (except for medical devices used as maintenance 
such as insulin needles and lancets which are sold by packs can 
be up to 100 pieces (1 pc of each type)  
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic:  [ X ] 
 
Non-Automatic: [    ] 
10 Administrative 
purpose/measure being 
implemented  (a)  Protect public morals;  
(b)   Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect 
environment;  
(c)  Collect trade statistics or market surveillance;  
 
1 It is understood that the notifying Member has also completed its notification obligations under 
Article  1.4(a) and Article 8.2(b) regarding the relevant law/regulation/procedure notified for by filling this form 
in a full and complete manner.  
2 "New licensing regulation/procedure" is understood to refer to any newly introduced law, regulation or 
procedure, and thos e which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  G/LIC/N/2/PHL/193  
 
- 2 - 
   Category  Notification details  
(d)  Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and 
the prevention of deceptive practices;  
(e)  Pursue obligations under the UN Charter and other 
international treaties ( i.e. CITES, Basel Convention, 
Rotterdam Convention, UNSC Resolutions etc.)  
(f)  Quota (including TRQ) administration;  
(g)  Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable 
materials and safeguard national security;  
(h)  Other:  To provide guidelines on the importation of 
FDA-DOH regulated medical device products for 
personal use  
11 Administrative body(ies) for  
submission of applications  Ministry/authority and Department: Bureau of Customs  
Address:  G/F OCOM Building, 16th Street, South Harbor, Port Area, 
Manila  
Website: https://customs.gov.ph  
Telephone: (02) 87056000  
E-Mail: boc.cares@customs.gov.ph  
12 Contact point for information 
on eligibility  Ministry/authority and Department: Bureau of Customs  
Address:  G/F OCOM Building, 16th Street, South Harbor, Port Area, 
Manila  
Website: https://customs.gov.ph  
Telephone: (02) 87056000  
E-Mail: boc.cares@customs.gov.ph  
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure  Ongoing  
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages  This Joint Circular was issued to regulate the importation of FDA -DOH 
regulate s products for personal use including medical devices.  
15 In the case of 7(b), please 
indicate the type of new 
change(s)  (a)  Termination  
(b)  Suspension  
(c)  Modification o f specific details in existing  
procedures:  
 Product coverage;  
 Administrative purpose;  
 Automatic or Non -automatic;  
 Duration of licensing;  
 Change the nature of quantity/value restriction;  
 Eligibility of applicants;  
 Contact information on eligibility;  
 Administrative body(ies) for submission of application;  
 Documentation requirements (including application form);  
 Period for Application;  
 Administrative body(ies) to issue licence;  
 Processing time for issuing licence;  
 Licence fee/administrative charge;  
 Deposit/advance payment and relevant conditions;  
 Appeal regulations/procedures;  
 Validity of licence;  
 Other conditions of licence (extension, transferability, 
penalty of non -use etc.);  
 Foreign exchange requirements;  
 Other: __________ (please specify).  
 
16 Please elaborate the changes 
in detail (in one of the WTO 
official languages)   
__________