G/LIC/N/2/PHL/149  
 
19 December 2022  
(22-9476) 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 , originally received on  3 Novem ber 2022, 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  Memorandum Circular No.004, Series of 2019  - Exemption in the 
Filing of Commodity Clearance for Exportation/Importation/  
Transshipment of Tobacco Free Products Whether for Personal 
Consumption or For Sale/Distribution  
3 Date of Publication  26 September 2019 
4 Date of entry into force  26 September 2019 
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  https://www.nta.da.gov.ph/wp -
content/uploads/2020/12/Memorandum -Circular -004-Series -of-
19.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  Tobacco -free products: Snus; E -liquid; Pod; Other similar tobacco -
free products.  
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic: [  ] 
 
Non-Automatic: [ X] 
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;  
(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;  
 
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 r egulation/procedure" is understood to refer to any newly introduced law, regulation or 
procedure, and those which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  
 G/LIC/N/2/PHL/149  
 
- 2 - 
 
   Category  Notification details  
(g)  Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable 
materials and safeguard national security;  
(h)  Other: ______________ (please specify)  
11 Administrative body(ies) 
for 
submission of applications   
 Ministry/authority and Department: National Tobacco Administration 
– Regulation Department   
Address: 1184 Ben -Lor Bldg. 4th Floor Quezon Ave., Quezon City, 
Philippines   
Website: www.nta.da.gov.ph    
Telephone: 02 – 8372-3178/8372 -3186 
E-Mail: rd_nta07@yahoo.com  
12 Contact point for 
information on eligibility  Ministry/authority and Department: National Tobacco Administration 
– Regulation Department  
Address: 1184 Ben -Lor Bldg. 4th Floor Quezon Ave., Quezon City, 
Philippines  
Website: www.nta.da.gov.ph   
Telephone: 02 – 8372-3178/8372 -3186 
E-Mail: rd_nta07@yahoo.com   
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure  Ongoing  
 
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages   Exemption in the Filing of Commodity Clearance for 
Exportation/Importation/Transshipment of Tobacco Free Products 
Whether for Personal Consumption or For Sale/Distribution  
15 In the case of 7(b), please 
indicate the type of new 
change(s)  (a)  Termination  
(b)  Suspension  
(c)  Modification of 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)   
 
__________