G/LIC/N/2/USA/6  
 
15 September  2022 
(22-6824) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 5.1 TO 5.4 OF THE AGREEMENT1 
UNITED STATES 
The following notification dated 14 September  2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States . 
 
 Category  Notification details  
1 Notifying Member  United States  
2 Title of new 
legislation/procedure  Earthworm Permits  
3 Date of Publication  20 July 2022 
4 Date of entry into force  1 October 2022 
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import -
information/permits/plant -pests/sa_earthworms  
6 Have you attached a copy of 
the regulation (PDF) to the 
Secretariat  [ ] Yes. ( Please attach a copy of the regulation to the notification. ) 
 
[X] No.  
7 Type of notification  [ ] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure2; (please answer 
question 8 to 14)  
 
[X] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been 
previously notified in document: G/LIC/N/3/USA/18, para graph  
1.1;   
(please answer question 15 and 16 ) 
8 List of products subject to 
licensing  Please provide the HS codes and detailed descriptions of the 
products. In case of a long list, please attach the list as an Annex in 
MS WORD document.  
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic: [ ]  
 
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;  
(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.)  
 
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, a nd those which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  
 G/LIC/N/2/USA/6  
 
- 2 - 
 
   Category  Notification details  
(f)  Quota (including TRQ) administration;  
(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: [ ]  
Address: [ ]  
Website: [ ]  
Telephone: [ ]  
E-Mail: [ ]  
12 Contact point for 
information on eligibility  Ministry/authority and Department: [ ]  
Address: [ ]  
Website: [ ]  
Telephone:  [ ]  
E-Mail: [ ]  
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure   
 
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages    
 
 
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)  
 Beginning 1 October 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant 
Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) will require all stakeholders who 
import earthworm species into the United States to request and 
obtain a PPQ 526 pest permit and to comply with rearing and 
shipping requirements.  
 
Earthworms ingest soil that may contain animal and plant 
pathogens that could be transported inside the worms, putti ng U.S. 
animals and plants at risk. In addition, APHIS considers some 
exotic earthworms plant pests because they disrupt the soil and 
may cause undesirable impacts on plant growth and diversity.  
 
As notified in G/LIC/N/3/USA/18, and outlined in paragraph 1.1 of 
the notification, import permits are required for the importation of 
most plants and some plant products, to protect against the  G/LIC/N/2/USA/6  
 
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   Category  Notification details  
  introduction of pests and diseases. Permits are also required for the 
import, export or re -export of terrestrial plants that are on the 
endangered species list. Permits are only issued to a firm or 
individual resident in the United States. PPQ form 526 is already 
required for plant pests, biocontrol agents, and Federal Noxious 
Weeds.  Earthworms are being  added to the list of plant pests and 
pathogens and host materials requiring a permit.  
 
For more information:  
www.aphis.usda.gov/aphi s/ourfocus/planthealth/import -
information/permits/plant -pests/sa_earthworms  
 
__________