WT/L/ 1106  
 
21 December  2020 
(20-9232) Page: 1/3 
   
 
  
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 2012
  CHANGES INTO  
WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS  
WAIVER DECISION  
Adopted on 1 8 December 20 20 
The General Council,  
Having regard  to Articles IV:2 and IX:3 of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade 
Organization (the "WTO Agreement");  
Recognizing  that the adoption of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System 
(hereinafter referred to as the "Harmonized Syste m") has, in addition to facilitating international trade 
and the analysis of trade statistics, ensured greater uniformity in countries' customs classification, thus 
enabling them to monitor and protect the value of tariff concessions;  
Noting  that, in accor dance with Article 16 of the Harmonized System Convention, the Council of the 
World Customs Organization adopted a Recommendation on 26 June 2009 concerning amendments 
to the Harmonized System which came into force on 1 January 2012 (hereinafter referred t o as 
"HS2012 changes");  
Considering  that the General Council by its decisions of 30 November 20111, 11 December 20122, 
26 November  20133, 11  December  20144, 30  November  20155, 7  December  20166, 
1 December  20177, 13 December 20188, and 10 December 20199, acting pursuant to the provisions 
of Articles  IV:2 and IX:3 of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the provisions of 
Article  II of GATT 1994 for certain Members, from the date of implementation of HS2012 changes for 
those Membe rs until 31  December 2021, to the extent necessary to implement domestically the 
HS2012 changes pending incorporation of such changes into their Schedules of Concessions, subject 
to certain conditions;  
Noting the procedure adopted by the General Council to  introduce HS2012 changes, to Schedules of 
Concessions10, which in certain cases may require negotiations and/or consultations under 
Article  XXVIII of GATT  1994;  
Considering  that the Members listed in the Annex11 to this decision concerned would need more time 
to proceed with consultations or possible Article XXVIII negotiations;  
 
1 WT/L/834.  
2 WT/L/875 and WT/L/875/Add.1.  
3 WT/L/902.  
4 WT/L/947.  
5 WT/L/969.  
6 WT/L/998 and WT/L/998/Add.1.  
7 WT/L/1028.  
8 WT/L/1050.  
9 WT/L/1084.  
10 WT/L/831 . 
11 Column one of the Annex lists the Members and column two indicates the Member's date of 
implementation of HS2012 changes.  WT/L/ 1106 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Considering that other Members not listed in the Annex to this Decision may already have implemented 
domestically the HS2012 changes, or may intend to do so, pending incorporation of such changes into 
their Schedules of Concessions, and may also desire to be covered by this waiver;  
Decides, in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the provisions of 
Article  II of GATT 1994:  
(a) for those Members listed in t he Annex, for a further year until 31  December 20 21; 
and 
(b) for any other Member not listed in the Annex that notifies the Committee on Market 
Access of its wish to be included in the waiver decision from the date of 
implementation of the HS2012 changes for t hat Member until 31 December 20 21;  
to the extent necessary for the purpose of enabling such Members to implement domestically the 
recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature pending incorporation of such 
changes into their Schedules of Co ncessions, subject to the following conditions:  
i. Members covered by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Decision shall, where 
necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and/or consultations with 
interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1 -3 of Article  XXVIII of  GATT  1994;   
ii. The negotiations and/or consultations mentioned above shall, to the extent 
possible, be completed by 31 December 20 21; and  
iii. In accordance with the provisions of Article XXVIII:3 of GATT 1994, applied 
mutatis  mutandis to the present waiver, pend ing the entry into force of the 
results of the negotiations and/or consultations mentioned above, the other 
Members will be free to suspend concessions initially negotiated with the 
Member concerned to the extent that they consider that adequate compensati on 
is not offered by the Member concerned.  WT/L/ 1106 
 
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  ANNEX  
MEMBERS WHICH HAVE REQUESTED TO BE COVERED BY THE WAIVER  
UNDER THE ABOVE DECISION  
Member  Date of Implementation 
of HS2012 changes  
 
1. Argentina  1 February 2012  
2. Australia  1 January 2012  
3. Brazil  1 January 2012  
4. China  1 January 2012  
5. Colombia  1 January 2012  
6. Costa Rica  1 January 2012  
7. Dominican Republic  1 January 2012  
8. Ecuador  1 January 2013  
9. European Union  1 January 2012  
10. Guatemala  1 January 2012  
11. India 1 January 2012  
12. Kazakhstan1 1 January 2012  
13. Korea, Republic of  1 January 2012  
14. Malaysia  1 January 2012  
15. Mexico  1 January 2012  
16. New Zealand  1 January 2012  
17. Norway  1 January 2012  
18. Philippines  18 September 2012  
19. Russian Federation2 3 January 2012  
20. Singapore  1 January 2012  
21. Switzerland  1 January 2012  
22. Thailand  1 January 2012  
23. United States  1 January 2012  
 
__________  
 
1 As Kazakhstan became a WTO Member on 30 November 2015 and assumed WTO rights and obligations 
on that date, the suspension of the ap plication of the provisions of Article II for Kazakhstan will begin as of that 
date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes.  
2 As the Russian Federation became a WTO Member on 22 August 2012 and assumed WTO rights and 
obligations on t hat date, the suspension of the application of the provisions of Article II for the Russian  Federation 
will begin as of that date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes.