G/LIC/N/2/EU/9  
 
20 October  2016 
(16-5718) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 5 .1-5.4 OF THE AGREEMENTi 
EUROPEAN UNION 
The following notification, dated 4 October 2016, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union . 
 
1. (a) Title / num ber / date of the law or regulation establishing / changing 
the import licensing procedure:  
Two new regulations  in the agricultural sector : 
1. Commission delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237 of 18 May 2016 
supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the E uropean Parliament and 
of the Council with regard to the rules for applying the system of import and 
export licences and supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the rules on the release 
and fo rfeit of securities lodged for such licences, amending Commission 
Regulations (EC) No 2535/2001, (EC) No 1342/2003, (EC) No 2336/2003, 
(EC) No 951/2006, (EC) No 341/2007 and (EC) No 382/2008 and repealing 
Commission Regulations (EC) No 2390/98, (EC) No 134 5/2005, (EC) 
No 376/2008 and (EC) No 507/2008.  
2.  Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1239 of 18 May 2016 laying 
down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the syste m of import 
and export licences . 
   (b) If the notified measure refers to a change in an already notified import 
licensing procedure, please indicate the document symbol of the 
notification to which change(s) has(ve) been introduced. (In this case 
please a lso indicate in Section 3, below, the nature of the changes (i.e. inclusion 
or exclusion of some goods and a list thereof; contact point for information 
and/or administrative body(ies) for submission of applications, etc.)):  
A detailed description of the changes that will be introduced by these regulations 
comparing to the current system is presented in the 2016 EU annual notification 
submitted in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Import Licensing Agreement.  
2.  Information  concerning the institution / ch ange of import licensing procedure:  
 (a) List of products subject to the licensing procedure  (Exact name of the 
products and/or whenever possible HS code and indication of the exact HS 
Nomenclature ( i.e. 1996; 2002 or 2007).  Abbreviations should be avoide d.  In 
the case of a long list of products, please attach the list as an Annex in Microsoft 
Word or compatible software.  Please do not use PDF, or photocopies .) 
  The aim of Regulation (EU) 2016/1239 is to simplify and adapt the provisions 
applicable  to the system of import licenses to the legal framework set by  G/LIC/N/2/EU/9  
 
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    regulation (EU) No1308/2013:  
  - Reduction of the number of products subject to an import licence;  
- Priority for electronic application and issuing procedures; paper copies as 
 second option;  
- Using electronic customs procedures for proof of release for free circulation;  
 Absorbing existing specific rules on hemp and garlic . 
  After the entry into force of these regulation, the agricultural products subject to 
an import licence will be (specif ic products as laid down in Annex II, Part I of 
Reg. 1308/2013):  
  A.   Rice; 
B.   Sugar until 30.09.2017  
C, D and G.  Hemp seeds for sowing, raw hemp, hemp seeds not for sowing;  
E. and F.   Garlic until 30.9.201 7; 
H.   Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.   
  For details please see Annex I to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237.  
  Changes, compared with the legal basis currently in force (Regulation (EC) 
No 376/2008, Annex I), concern the abolition of an import licence for Wheat; 
Spelt; Barley; Maize; Sorgh um; Wheat or Spelt Flour; Residues of processing 
starch, brewing or distilling, citrus, and feed preparations; Olive oil and table 
olives; Beef and Veal; Milk and Milk products. For details please see Annex I to 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008.  
 (b) Contact point for information on eligibility  
  DG Agriculture and Rural Development Unit AGRI C1  
 (c) Administrative body(ies) for submission of applications  (If more than one 
please include the same information for each body.)  
  The licence authorit ies of each EU Member State. Article 2(2) of Implementing 
Regulation (EU) No 1239/ 2016: "The names and addresses of the authorities 
competent for receiving the application and issuing the licence shall be published 
on the official website of those authorities , or on the official website dealing with 
agricultural trade of each Member State."  
  (d) Date and name of publication where licensing procedures are published  
Date of publication:   30.07.2016  
 Source of publication: Official Journal of the European Union , L 206, 30.07.2016   
 (e) Indication of whether the licensing procedure is  
 [X] automatic.   If so please indicate:  (f) the administrative purpose:  collect 
advanced statistical information on the intention to import.  
 [ ] non-automatic.   If so please indi cate:  (g) the measure being 
implemented through the import licensing procedure:  In the case of 
non-automatic licensing procedures, their administrative purpose :   
 N/A 
 (h) Expected duration of the licensing procedure if this can be estimated 
with some p robability, and if not, reason why this information cannot be 
provided  
 It will enter into force on 6 November 2016.  
 
 
 
 
 G/LIC/N/2/EU/9  
 
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  3. Other relevant data or information :  (i.e. complete title and data concerning the 
legislation, inclusion or exclusion of certain p roducts from the import licensing regime 
and list thereof ; changes related to t he administrative body(ies) for submission of 
applications, etc. ) 
  
 
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 i "Members which institute licensing procedures or changes in these proce dures shall notify the 
Committee of such within 60 days of publication [...]" (Art. 5.1).