G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
25 September 2019  
(19-6171) Page: 1/43 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 REPLIES TO QUESTIONN AIRE ON IMPORT LICEN SING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 7.3 OF THE AG REEMENT  
 ON IMPORT LICENSING  PROCEDURES - 2019 
EUROPEAN UNION 
The following communication, dated 23 Septem ber 201 9, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Table of contents              Page 
1   TEXTILES ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  2 
1.1   An autonomous regime governing imports from other countries  ................................ ....... 2 
1.2   A surveillance regime  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 3 
2   AGRICULTURE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  3 
2.1   Cereals  and rice  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  7 
2.2   Sugar (cane or beet)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 9 
2.3   Milk and milk products  ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
2.4   Beef and veal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  11 
2.5   Pigmeat ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  13 
2.6   Poultry meat  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  14 
2.7   Eggs and products in the egg sector and egg albumin  ................................ ...................  15 
2.8   Garlic  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  15 
2.9   Preserved mushrooms  ................................ ................................ ...............................  15 
2.10   Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin  ................................ ................................ .............  16 
2.11   Hemp  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  16 
3   STEEL  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  17 
4   ALUMINIUM  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  19 
5   OZONE -DEPLETING SUBSTANCES – ODS – (CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE S) .................  20 
6   FLUORINATED GASE S INCLUDING HYDROFLU OROCARBONS (HFCS)  .......................  26 
7   IMPORT OF ROUGH DIAMONDS  ................................ ................................ ................  31 
8   IMPORT OF WASTE SHIPMENT  ................................ ................................ .................  33 
9   IMPORT OF HARVES TED TIMBER  ................................ ................................ ..............  36 
10   IMPORT OF ENDAN GERED SPECIES (CITES ) ................................ ...........................  38 
11   IMPORT IN THE F IELD OF DRUG PRECURS ORS ................................ .......................  41 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Introduction  
The EU import licensing system is based on the general premise that no import licences are required. 
However, some exceptions are applicable; in particular: i) for products that may be subject to 
safeguard measures against injurious imports; ii) for a numb er of products subject to EU surveillance 
with the purpose of improving transparency of import trends of the products concerned, without 
limiting the access to the EU market; iii) for certain agricultural products imported under Tariff Rate 
Quotas (TRQs).  
Furthermore, import licences may also be required for the importation of certain goods in compliance 
with international commitments (e.g. CITES, FLEGT, Kimberly certificate scheme).  
Outline of system  
Import licences are issued by the competent authorities  in the EU Member States or by the European 
Commission and are valid for a certain period which varies depending upon the different products.   
Licensing is statutorily required for the products listed in the relevant legislative texts that also define 
the product coverage without leaving any administrative discretion. Relevant regulations contain 
provisions relating to the duration and expiry of the licensing regime and a licensing system can only 
be abolished by legislative act.  
 
Further detailed informat ion as well as replies to the remaining questions have been organized by 
the different legislative instruments owing to the different products involved.  
  
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing  
 
Please refer to each section below.  
 
1  TEXTILES   
Outline of the system  
1.  The following import regime s chemes are maintained:  
 
- An autonomous regime governing imports from one non-WTO Member, namely Democratic 
People’s Republic of Korea  (DPRK) , with which no bilateral agreements, protocols, other 
arrangements or spec ific EU import rules exist.  
 
-  A surveillance  regime.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
Replies to questions 2 to 5:  
 
1.1  An autonomous regime governing imports from other countries   
The legal basis is Regulation (EU) No 2015/936 of the European  Parliament and of the Council  
(OJ L 160, 25.6.2015, p. 1) on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third 
countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific 
Union import rules  and its am endments . This is the recast version of former Council Regulation (EC) 
No 517/94 (OJ L 67, 10.3.94, p.  1). A consolidated version of Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02015R0936 -20180226 .  
 
The system establishes quantitative restrictions on imports of certain textile products originating in  
certain third countrie s, namely DPRK , to be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  For 2019, 
while the system is maintained, no quotas have been fixed. Further to UN Security Council 
Resolution  2375 (2017) of  11 September  2017, Council of the European Union adopted Regu lation 
(EU) 2017/1836  amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 concerning restrictive measures against the G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 3 - 
 
  Democratic People's Republic of Korea  (OJ L 261, 11.10.2017, p. 1 ). Regulation prohibits to import, 
purchase of transfer, directly or indirectly, textiles,  <…> from the DPRK, whether or not originating 
in the DPRK.  It can be consulted at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2017:261:TOC . 
 
1.2  A surveillance regime   
A surveillance mechanism is in place in case textile imports from third countries threaten to cause 
damage to the EU production of like or directly competitive products. The Commission, at the request 
of a Member State or on its own initiative may decide t o introduce retrospective surveillance or make 
certain imports subject to prior EU surveillance.  
 
The legal basis is Regulation (EU) 2015/ 936 (OJ L 160, 25.6.2015, p. 1) on common rules for imports 
of textile products from certain third countries not cove red by bilateral agreements, protocols or 
other arrangements, or by other specific U nion import rules . A consolidated version can be consulted 
on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02015R0936 -20180226 . 
 
Currently, no third country is under this surveillance mechanism.  
 
As the above -mentioned, the two import regime schemes are currently not appli ed.  
 
For details on the procedures applicable, the eligibility of importers to apply for a licence, the 
documentational and other requirements for application for a licence and the conditions of licensing, 
please refer to the previous EU notification (G/L IC/N/3/EU/6).  
 
2  AGRICULTURE  
Outline of system  
1. The import licensing scheme for agricultural products serves statistical purposes and is an 
automatic licensing system. As a general rule, the competent authorities in the Member States issue 
import licences to any applicant , which is registered on their territory for the Value Added Tax (VAT) 
purposes. Import licences are subject to lodging a security and are valid in all the Member States of 
the EU. Import licences have to be submitted  at the same time  with the import declaration.   
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
Replies to questions 2 to 5:  
 
The system applies in the EU to the agricultural products described below originating in third 
countries , notably  for the administration of the relevant WTO tariff ra te quotas. The EU considers 
the method adopted to be the most appropriate to administer these tariff rate quotas.  
 
When agricultural tariff quotas are managed by import licen ces, the European Commission's 
Directorate -General responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development  shares its management with 
Member States' licence issuing authorities.   
 
These import licences allow the EU authorities to moni tor trade flows and administer import tariff 
rate quotas . To obtain a n import  licence, importers must apply to the competent authorities of the 
EU Member State where they are registered for VAT purposes and lodge a security (returnable on 
giving proof of i mport).  
 
The Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council 
(cited below) and various EU Regulations contain the specific provisions for the management of 
these tariff quotas; some of them are general and other ones are specific to certain products.  
 
The legal basis governing the import licences procedures in the agriculture sector is:  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 4 - 
 
  • Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of  the markets in agricultural 
products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) 
No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671), the so -called CMO 
Regulation.  
 
Article 176 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 lists the agricultural sectors that may be subject 
to the presentation of a licence. A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted 
on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1407745063390&uri=CELEX:02013R1308 -20190101 . 
 
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237 of 18 May 2016 s upplementing 
Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European 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 Coun cil with regard 
to the rules on the release and forfeit 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 C ommission 
Regulations (EC) No 2390/98, (EC) No 1345/200 5, (EC) No 376/2008 and (EC) No  507/2008  
(OJ L 206, 30.7.2016, p. 1 –14). A consolidated version of the Regulation can be found at 
the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R1237 -20171029  
 
• 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 system of import and export licences  (OJ L 206, 30.7.2016, p. 
44). A consolidated version of the Regulation can be found at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02016R1239 -20171029  
 
The aim of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1239 is to simplify and adapt 
the provisions applicable to the sy stem of import (and export) licen ces to the legal 
framework set by Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013:  
 
• Reduction of the number of products subject to an import (or export) 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;  
• The modernisation and streamlining enabled repealing 4 existing regulations.  
 
Subject to an import licence:   
 
 A.    Rice; 
 B. C. and D.    Hemp seeds for sowing, raw hemp, hemp seeds not for sowing;  
F.  Ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin.  
 
For details please see Annex , Part I to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)  2016/1237.  
 
Note:   While as from 6 November 2016 the obligation for an import licen ce has expire d for certain 
products, the system of import licences continues to apply for those products whe re a Tariff Rate 
Quota is applied for. Notably:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 130 1/2006 of 31 August 2006 laying down common rules 
for the administration of import tariff quotas for agricultural products managed by a system 
of import licences and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by 
Commission Regulation (E U) No 519/2013  of 21 February 2013  (OJ. L 158, 10.06.2013 ). A 
consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the 
following address:  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 5 - 
 
  http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02006R1301 -
20130701&qid=1504519395296&from=EN   
 
Procedures  
6. The EU does  not apply restrictions on the imports of agricultural products. However, imports of 
agricultural products at a lower duty rate than the EU bound rate is possible under Tariff Rate Quotas 
(TRQs). Imports under tariff rate quotas m ay be subject to an import  licence.  
 
I. Article 184 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (the CMO Regulation) lists the 3 main 
management methods for tariff rate quotas:  
 
a. First come first served . 
b. Simultaneous examination method (licences) . 
c. Traditional/newcomer method (licences ). 
 
 The above -mentioned Regulations, governing the import licences procedures in the agriculture 
sector , as well as the sector -specific Regulations bear information on formalities and filing in 
applications for licences; they are all published in the Offi cial Journal. Information concerning 
allocation on the basis of licence applications is published in aggregated format on the official 
website CIRCABC and on the website of the Directorate General for Agriculture and Rural 
Development  (https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/tariff -rate-quotas -trqs_en ) which is publicly 
accessible for any interested party. Amounts allocated to each importer are not published or 
communicated to external par ties, as this concerns commercial confidentiality. Exceptions or 
derogations from the licen sing requirement are not systematic, and if required they could be 
arranged by Regulation through the Committee procedure (Article 187 of Regulation (EU) 
No 1308/2013).  
 
II. The tariff quotas are opened on a yearly basis and their administration may differ, depending 
upon the product. For details, please refer to the specific products below. There are cases 
where the total quantity of the quota is divided in sub-periods, and where import licen ces 
would be issued for imports on a six -monthly or quarterly basis. In addition to quarterly basis 
there are licences issued on a monthly or weekly basis.  
 
III. Licences are allotted to any applicant irrespective of the ir place of establishment in the EU. To 
ensure that allocated licences are actually used, a system of securities applies. If imports are 
not or partially not realised, the licence holder's security is forfeited or partially forfeited.  
 
IV. The minimum tim e for applying for an import licence for a certain quota is usually one week 
after publication of the opening of the quota.  
 
V. After the closing hour for application for an import licence for a quota, the licensing authorities 
issue an import licence  usually within two weeks (see reply VIII).  
 
VI. The time between granting a n import licence and the date of opening of the period of 
importation is usually one week.  
 
VII. Licence applications fall under the responsibility of a single competent authority without 
passing via other authorities . However, some EU Member States have different competent 
licence authorities depending on their sectoral or regional organisation. The addresses and 
competences of the competent authorities  issuing import licences are published in the Official 
Journal, C series.   
 
VIII. Within the tariff rate quotas managed by import licences, the allocation to applicants is 
normally made by simultaneous examination. The Member States communicate a few days  
after the application closing date on aggregate basis to the Commission the total quantity 
under licence applications received. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, the 
Commission calculates to what extend the total quantity can be alloca ted, and fixes a uniform 
allocation coefficient valid for each import licence (Article 188 of Regulation (EU) 
No 1308/2013). If applicants are new importers and the tariff rate quota is subject to the 
traditional/newcomer management method (Article 184(2)( c) of Regulation (EU) 
No 1308/2013) the eligibility for the tariff quotas is fixed in advance for a percentage to G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 6 - 
 
  newcomers and for a percentage to traditional importers. Consequently, the newcomer and 
traditional part of the tariff rate quotas application  is subject to its own allocation coefficient.  
 
IX. When export permits are issued by exporting countries, the tariff rate quotas are primarily 
managed by the exporting country. In th is case the competent EU authority needs proof of 
the products being sub ject to the issuing of export licence or document by the exporting 
country authority. Therefore the importer when applying for the import licence must submit 
the respective export licen ce or document to the competent authority as a condition for issuing 
the EU import licence. The import licences are issued automatically.  
 
X. There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only.  
 
XI. There are no products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported 
and not sold in the domestic market.  
 
7.      N/A. 
 
8. The legislation does not give arguments for refusal of an application for a licence other than failure 
to meet the ordinary criteria.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Import licences are  issued without discrimination to any importer in the EU wherever the place of 
his establishment may be in the EU, without prejudice to compliance with the other conditions 
required under current rules. A nybody is eligible to become importer.  
 
Documentatio nal and other requirements for application for licence  
Replies to questions 10 to 13:  
 
In the agricultural field the application for an import licence has to be forwarded to or lodged with 
the competent authorities in the Member States conforming to the sp ecimen set out in Annex I of 
the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1239 . 
 
In general, there is no deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of import 
authorisations. However, in the agricultural field the issuance of import licence is subject to a security 
in order to guarantee that commitment to import will be fulfilled during the period of validity of the 
licence, in case of tariff quotas also contributing to the enforcement of the quota fill in the interest 
of the exporting country.  The amount of the security depends on the products and is laid down in 
the specific EU provisions applicable to the relevant product /sector. The security is released when 
the obligation to import is considered to have been fulfilled and the right to import under the licence 
is considered to have been exercised on the day the imp ort declaration is accepted and the product 
concerned is put into free circulation. Specific rules are set in Article 4(1) of Commission Delegated 
Regulation (EU) 2016/ 1237 and specific amounts for each product are set in Annex II of Commission 
Implementin g Regulation (EU) 2016/ 1239.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. For agricultural products the period of validity of the import licences depends on the product 
subject to licensing. General periods of validity are set in Commission Implementing Regulation (E U) 
2016/1239, in its annex II. The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of " force majeure ". 
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilisation of an import authorisation/surveillance document or 
a portion of it. However, for a licence in the agricultural field, the security is forfeited in whole or in 
part if import is not carried out, or only partly carried out during the period of validity of the licence.  
 
16. Import authorisations are only once transferable between importers. Import licence s constitute 
a right and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. As a 
general rule, rights deriving from licences are transferable once by the titular holder of the licence G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 7 - 
 
  during the period of its validity1, but obligations deriving from licences are not transferable.  The 
transfer of a licence is laid down  in Art icle 11 of Commission Implementing Regulation 
(EU) 2016/ 1239.  
 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issu ance of an import authorisation for prod ucts subject 
to or not subject to quantitative restrictions.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation.  
 
19. The banking author ities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as well 
as to cover import licences. A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.  
 
Legal basis, coverage and specific procedures product by product  
Remark on c overage: products listed hereafter are related to the specific sectorial Regulations 
mentioned for each product. For the overall list of products concerned by the EU licensing system, 
please refer to the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237  menti oned in the section 
above "Purpose and coverage of licensing in Agriculture".  
 
2.1  Cereals  and rice  
Note : the overall obligation for an import licence for cereals expir ed as of 6 November 2016 
(Article  14 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237).  However, for the management of 
certain  tariff rate quotas , an import licen ce is required . 
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 1342/2003 of 28 July 2003 laying down special  detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and rice (OJ 
L 189, 29.7.2003, p. 12)  and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be co nsulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02003R1342 -20161106  
 
• Commission Regulation ( EC) No 1067/2008 of 30 October 2008 opening and providing for 
the administration of Community tariff quotas for common wheat of a quality other than 
high quality from third countries (and derogating from Council Regulation (EC) 
No 1234/2007 ) (OJ L 290, 31. 10.2008, p. 3 ) and its subsequent amendments. A 
consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the 
following address:  
 
https:/ /eur-lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02008R1067 -20190507  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2305/2003 of 29 December 2003 opening and providing for 
the administration of a Community tariff quota for imports of barley from third countries (OJ 
L 342, 29.12.2003, p. 7) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02003R2305 -20120101  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 969/2006 of 29 June 2006 opening and providing for the 
administration of a Community tariff quota for imports of maize from third countries (OJ L 
176, 30.6.2006, p. 44 ) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
                                                
1 For ease of reference, the following is an indicative summary  of the various durations: Cereals and rice: 
until the end of the second month following the month of the actual day of issue of the licence; beef and veal: 
until the end of the third month following the month of the day of issue of the licence; milk and m ilk products: 
until the end of the third month following the month of the day of issue of the licence . G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 8 - 
 
  https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566833384905&uri=CELEX:02006R0969 -20120101  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 1296/2008 of 18 Dece mber 2008 laying down detailed rules 
for the application of tariff quotas for imports of maize and sorghum into Spain and imports 
of maize into Portugal (OJ L 340, 19.12.2008, p. 57 ) and its subsequent amendments. A 
consolidated version of the Regulation c an be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the 
following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566834029245&uri=CELEX:0 2008R1296 -20180126  
 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1273/2011 of 7 December 2011 opening and 
providing for the administration of certain tariff quotas for imports of rice and broken rice 
(OJ L 325, 8.12.2011, p. 6 ) and its subsequent amendment.  A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406205020101&uri=CELEX:02011R1273 -20130701  
 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 480/2012  of 7 June 2012 opening and 
providing for the management of a tariff quota for broken rice of CN code 10064000 for 
production of food preparations of CN code 19011000 (OJ L 148, 8.6.2012, p. 1 ) and its 
subsequent amendment.   A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=14062048789 44&uri=CELEX:02012R0480 -20130701  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 972/2006 of 26 June 2006 laying down special rules for 
imports of Basmati rice and a transitional control system for determining their origin (O.J. L 
176, 30.6.2006, p. 53) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02006R0972 -
20140901&qid=1501085003118&from=EN   
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Spelt, common wheat and meslin  other than seed, 
including products imported under tariff quotas  ex 1001 99 00  
Barley, imported under tariff quotas  1003 90 00  
Maize other than hybrid seed  imported under tariff 
quotas  1005 90 00; 1005 10 90  
Grain sorghum, imported under tariff quotas  1007 90 00  
Husked (brown) rice  1006 20  
Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not 
polished or glazed  1006 30  
Broken rice  1006 40 00  
Certain varieties of basmati rice in husked form  Certain products falling under 1006 20 17; 1006 20 98 
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 9 - 
 
  2.2  Sugar  (cane or beet)  
Note:  the overall obligation for an import licence for sugar expir ed on 30 September 2017 (Annex  I 
to Commission Delegated  Regulation (EU) 2016/ 1237).  However, for the management of certain 
tariff rate quotas , an import licen ce is required . 
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) N o 891/2009 of 25 September 2009 opening and providing for 
the administration of certain Commun ity tariff quota in the sugar sector (OJ L 254 , 
26.09.2009 , p. 82 ); and its subsequent amendments.  A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566834821223&uri=CELEX:02009R0891 -20171001  
 
The last amendment of the Regulation - Commission  Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/82 
of 19 January 2018 - can be consulted at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:32018R0082  
 
Coverage:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.3  Milk and milk products  
Note:  the overall obligation for an import licence expire d as of 6 November 2016 (Article 14 of 
Delegated Regulation (EU)  2016/1237 ). However for the management of certain tariff rate quotas , 
an import licen ce is required . 
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2535/2001 of 14 December 2001 laying down detailed rules 
for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as r egards the import arrangements for 
milk and milk products and opening tariff quotas (OJ L 341, 2.12. 2001, p 29) and it 
subsequent amendments A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566835450916&uri=CELEX:02001R2535 -20181001   
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80% but less than 85%, 
manufactured directly from milk or cream without the 
use of stored materials, in a single, self -contained and 
uninterrupted process  ex 0405 10 11;  
ex 0405 10 19  
 
Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80 % but less than 85 %, 
manufactured directly from milk or cream without the 
use of stored materials, in a single, self -contained and 
uninterrupted process which may involve the c ream ex 0405 10 30  Product  CN codes  
Raw cane sugar for refining  1701 13 10; 1701 14 10  
Cane or beet sugar  1701 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 10 - 
 
  Product  CN codes  
passing through a stage where the butterfat is 
concentrated and/or fractionated (the processes 
referred to as "Ammix" and "Spreadable")  
Cheese for processing  
 0406 90 01  
 
Whole Cheddar cheeses (of the conventional flat 
cylindrical shape of a net weight of not less than 33 kg 
but not more than 44 kg and cheeses in cubic blocks or 
in parallelepiped shape, of a net weight of 10 kg or 
more) of a fat content of 50% or more by weight in the 
dry matter, matured for at least thr ee months  ex 0406 90 21  
Skimmed -milk powder  
 0402 10 19  
 
Butter and other fats and oils derived from milk  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 0405 10 11   
0405 10 19   
0405 10 30   
0405 10 50   
0405 10 90   
0405 90 10   
0405 90 90  
 
Processed Emmentaler  
 ex 0406 30 10  
 
Emmentaler  0406 90 13  
Processed Gruyère  
 ex 0406 30 10  
 
Gruyère, Sbrinz  
 0406 90 15  
 
Cheddar  
 0406 90 21  
 
Pizza cheese, frozen, cut into pieces each weighing not 
more than 1 g, in containers of a net content of 5 kg or 
more, of a water content, by weight, of 52% or more, 
and a fat content by weight in the dry matter of 38% 
or more  ex 0406 10 30  
ex 0406 10 50  
ex 0406 10 80  
 
 
Fresh (unriped  or uncured) cheese including whey 
cheese, and curd, other than pizza cheese  
 
 
Grated  or powdered cheese  
  
Other processed cheese , not grated or powdered  
 ex 0406 10 30   
ex 0406 10 50  
ex 0406 10 80  
 
0406 20 00  
 
0406 30 31   
0406 30 39   
0406 30 90  
Blue-veined cheese  and other cheese containing veins 
produced by Penicillium roqueforti  
 
 
 
Bergkäse and Appenzell  
Fromage fribourgeois, Vacherin Mont d'Or and Tête de 
Moine   
Edam  
Tilsit 
Kashkaval  
Feta   
Kefalo -Tyri 0406 40 10   
0406 40 50   
0406 40 90  
 
0406 90 17  
0406 90 18  
 
0406 90 23  
0406 90 25  
0406 90 29  
0406 90 32  
0406 90 35  
Finlandia  
Jarlsberg   
Cheese of sheep’s milk or buffalo milk  in containers 
containing brine, or in sheepskin or goatskin bottles  0406 90 37  
0406 90 39  
0406 90 50  
Pecorino  
Other  
Provolone  
Maasdam  
Caciocavallo  
Danbo, Fontal, Fynbo,Havarti, Maribo, Samso  ex0406 90 63  
0406 90 69  
0406 90 73  
0406 90 74   
ex0406 90 75   
ex0406 90 76   G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 11 - 
 
  Product  CN codes  
Gouda  
Esrom, Italico, Kernhem, Saint -Paulin   
Cheshire, Wensleydale, Lancashire, Double Gloucester, 
Blarney, Colby, Monterey  
Camembert  
Brie 
Other cheese of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 
40% and a water content, by weight, in the non -fatty 
matter, e xceeding 47% but not exceeding 52%  
Other cheese of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 
40% and a water content, by weight, in the non -fatty 
matter, e xceeding 52% but not exceeding 62%  
Other cheese of a fat content, by weight, not exceed ing 
40% and a water content, by weight, in the non -fatty 
matter, e xceeding 62% but not exceeding 72%  
Other cheese of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 
40% and a water content, by weight, in the non -fatty 
matter, e xceeding 72%  
Other  cheese of a fat co ntent, by weight, exceeding 
40% 0406 90 78  
ex0406 90 79   
ex0406 90 81   
  
0406 90 82  
0406 90 84  
0406 90 86  
 
 
0406 90 89  
 
 
0406 90 92  
 
 
0406 90 93  
 
 
0406 90 99  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.4  Beef and veal  
Note:  the overall obligation for an import licence expire d as of 6 November 2016 (Article 14 of 
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/ 1237) . However, for the management of certain tariff rate quotas , 
an import licen ce is required . 
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Council Regulation (EC) No 1149/2002 of 27 June 2002 opening an autonomous quota for 
imports of high -quality beef (OJ L 170, 29 .6.2002, p. 13):  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406122170876&uri=CELEX:32002R1149   
 
• Council Regulation (EC) No 1532/2006 of 12 October 2006 on the condi tions for certain 
import quotas of high-quality  beef (OJ L 283, 14 .10.2006, p. 1):  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406122268070&uri=C ELEX:32006R1532  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 382/2008 of 21 April 2008 on rules of application for import 
and export licences in the beef and veal sector (Recast) (OJ L 115, 29 .4.2008, p.  10) and 
its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the R egulation can be consulted on 
the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566891397107 &uri=CELEX:02008R0382 -20161106  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 412/2008 of 8 May 2008 opening and providing for the 
administration of an import tariff quota for frozen beef intended for processing (OJ L 125, 
9.05.2008, p. 7) and its subsequent amendments. A  consolidated version of the Regulation 
can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
conten t/EN/TXT/?qid=1406122821177&uri=CELEX:02008R0412 -20121201  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 431/2008 of 19 May 2008 opening and providing for the 
administration of an import tariff quota for frozen meat of bovine animals covered by CN G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 12 - 
 
  code 0202 and products c overed by CN code 0206  29 91 (OJ L 130, 20.5.2008, p. 3 ). A 
consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the 
following address:   
 
 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566891555513&uri=CELEX:02008R0431 -20170101  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 748/2008 of 30 July 2008 on the opening and administration 
of an import tariff quota for frozen thin ski rt of bovine animals falling within CN code 0206  
29 91 (Recast)  (OJ L 202, 31.7.2008, p. 28 ). A consolidated version of the Regulation can 
be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528212794200&uri=CELEX:02008R0748 -20170626  
 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 593/2013 of 21 June 2013 opening and 
providing for the administration of tariff quotas for high -quality fresh, chilled and frozen beef 
and for frozen buffalo meat (OJ L 170, 22.6.2013, p. 32) . A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on th e EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1527241517964&uri=CELEX:02013R0593 -20170921   
 
Coverage:  
I. (a) Meat of bovine animals, frozen  
- Boneless  
-- Buffalo meat  
 
II. (a) Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  
Meat of bovine animals, frozen   
 
ex 0202 30 90  
 
ex 0201  
ex 0202  
Edible offal  
- Of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  
-- Thick skirt and thin skirt  
- Of bovine animals, frozen  
--Thick skirt and thin skirt  
 
II.(b) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  
Edible offal of bovine animals: thick skirt and thin skirt, 
fresh or chilled   
 
ex 0206 10 95  
 
ex 0206 29 91  
 
ex 0201 30 00 
 
ex 0206 10 95  
 
II.(c) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  
Boneless meat of bovine animals, frozen:  
- Other  
Edible offal of bovine animals:  
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled  
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, frozen  
 
II.(d) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled  
Boneless meat of bovine animals, frozen:  
- Other  
Edible offal of bovine animals:  
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled  
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, frozen  ex 0201 30 00  
  
ex 0202 30 90  
 
ex 0206 10 95  
ex 0206 29 91  
 
ex 0201 30 00  
  
 
ex 0202 30 90  
 
ex 0206 10 95  
ex 0206 29 91  
II.(e) Meat of bovine animals, fresh, chilled or frozen  
Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled:  
- Other cuts with bone in, other  
- Boneless  
Meat of bovines animals, f rozen:  
- Other cuts with bone in, other  
- Boneless  
Thick and thin bovine skirt, fresh or chilled  
Thick and thin bovine skirt, frozen  
  
 
ex 0201 20 90  
ex 0201 30 00  
ex 0202 20 90  
ex 0202 30  
ex 0206 10 95  
ex 0206 29 91  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 13 - 
 
  II.(f) Meat of bovine animals, fresh,  chilled or frozen  
Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled :  
- Other cuts with bone in, other  
- Boneless  
Meat of bovine animals, frozen:  
- Other cuts with bone in, other  
- Boneless  
Thick and thin bovine skirt, fresh or chilled  
Thick and thin bovine skirt, frozen   
 
ex 0201 20 90  
ex 0201 30 00  
 
ex 0202 20 90  
ex 0202 30  
ex 0206 10 95  
ex 0206 29 91  
Meat of bovine animals, frozen  
Edible offal : 
- Of bovine animals, frozen : 
-- Thick skirt and thin skirt  ex 0202  
 
 
ex 0206 29 91  
Meat of bovine animals, frozen  
-Unseparated or separated forequarters  
- Boneless  
Edible offal : 
- Of bovine animals, frozen : 
-- Thick skirt and thin skirt   
ex 0202 20 30  
ex 0202 30  
 
 
ex 0206 29 91  
Edible offal : 
- Of bovine animals, frozen : 
-- Thin skirt (whole)   
 
ex 0206 29 91  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.5  Pigmeat  
Note:  The import of pigmeat  is not generally subject to an import licence. However, for the 
management of certain Tariff Rate Quotas, an import licence is required.  
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 442/2009 of 27 May 2009 opening and providing for the 
administration of Community tariff quotas in the pigmeat sector (OJ L 129, 28.5.2009 , p. 
13) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the Regulation can be 
consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1527241604073&uri=CELEX:02009R0442 -20170921  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Cuts of domestic swine , fresh, chilled or 
frozen, with or without bone, excluding 
tenderloin presented alone  
 
Loins and hams boneless, fresh, chilled or 
frozen  
 
Tenderloins, fresh, chilled or frozen   
 
ex 0203  
 
 
ex 0203 19 55; ex 0203 29 55  
 
ex 0203 19 55; ex 0203 29 55  
Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen:  
- Fresh or chilled:  
--- Of domestic swine : 
---- loins and cuts thereof, bone -in 
- Frozen:  
---Of domestic swine : 
----Bellies (streaky ) and cuts thereof   
 
0203 19 13  
 
 
0203 29 15  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 14 - 
 
  2.6  Poultry  meat  
Note: The import of poultry meat is not generally subject to an import licence. However, for the 
management of certain Tariff Rate Quotas, an import licence is required.   
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 533/2007 of 14 May 2007 opening and providing for the 
administration of tariff quotas in the poultry meat sector (OJ L 125, 15.5.2007, p. 9) and its 
subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of th e Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406120004250&uri=CELEX:02007R0533 -20130701  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 536/2007 of 15 May 20 07 opening and providing for the 
administration of a tariff quota for poultry meat allocated to the United States of America 
(OJ L 128, 16.5.2007, p. 6) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406120081867&uri=CELEX:02007R0536 -20130701  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 616/2007 of 4 June 2007 opening and providing for the 
administration of Community tariff quotas in the sector of poultry  meat originating in Brazil, 
Thailand and other third countries (OJ L 142, 5 .6.2007, p. 3) and its subsequent 
amendme nts. A consolidated version of the Regulation  can be consulted on the EUR -Lex 
web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/le gal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566892243081&uri=CELEX:02007R0616 -20190401  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 1385/2007 of 26 November 2007 laying down detailed rules 
for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 774/94 as regards opening and providing 
for the ad ministration of certain Community tariff quotas for poultry meat (OJ L 309, 
27.11.2007, p. 47) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528212926955&uri=CELEX:02007R1385 -20170630  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Chicken carcass, fresh, chilled or frozen  0207 11; 0207 12  
Chicken cuts, fresh, chilled or frozen  ex 0207 13; ex 0207 14  
Turkey meat, fresh, chilled or frozen  0207 24; 0207 25; ex 0207 26; ex 
0207 27  
Poultry meat, salted or in brine  ex 0210 99 39  
Preparations of chicken meat  1602 32 11; 1602 32 19; 1602 32 30; 
1602 32 90  
Preparations of turkey  1602 31  
Preparation of poultry meat other than chicken 
and turkey  1602 39 21; 1602 39 29; ex 1602 39 
85, 1602 39 85  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned regulation s for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 15 - 
 
  2.7  Eggs and products in the egg sector and egg albumin  
Note:  eggs and products in the egg sector and egg albumin are not generally subject to an import 
licence. However, for the manage ment of certain Tariff Rate Quotas, an import licence is required.  
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 539/2007 of 15 May 2007 opening and providing for the 
administration of tariff quotas in the egg sector and for egg albumin (OJ L 128, 16.5.2007 , 
p. 19 ) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the Regulation can be 
consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406120325307&uri=CELEX:02007R0539 -20130701  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Poultry eggs, for consumption, in shell
  0407 21 00; 0407 29 10; 0407 
90 10  
 
Eggs yolks  0408 11 80; 0408 19 81; 0408 
19 89  
Bird eggs, not in shell  0408 91 80; 0408 99 80  
Egg albumin  3502 11 90; 3502 19 90  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned  regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.8  Garlic  
Note: the obligation for an import licence for garlic expire d on 30 September 2017 (Annex I to 
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237 ). However, for the management of Tariff Rate 
Quotas, an import licence is still required.  
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 341/2007 of 29 March 2007 opening and providing for the 
administration of tariff quotas and introducing a system of import licences and certificates 
of origin for garlic and certain other agricultural products imported from th ird countries (OJ 
L 90, 30.3.2007, p. 12 ). A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528212969033&uri=CELEX:02007R0341 -20170101  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Fresh and chilled garlic  0703 20 00  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned  regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.9  Preserved mushrooms  
Note:  preserved mushrooms  are not generally subject to an import licence. However, for the 
management of Tariff Rate Quotas, an import licence is required.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Legal basis:  
 
• Comm ission Regulation (EC) No 1979/2006 of 22 December 2006 opening and providing for 
the administration of tariff quotas for preserved mushrooms imported from third countries 
(OJ L 368, 23.12.2006, p. 91 ) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of 
the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566892496150&uri=CELEX:02006R1979 -20170101  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Preserved mushrooms of the genus Agaricus  
classifiable within CN codes  0711 51 00, 2003 10 20; 2003 10 30  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned  regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.10  Ethyl alcohol  of agricultural o rigin  
Legal basis:  
 
As from 6 November 2016, with the entry into force of Commission Delegated and Implementing 
Regulations 2016/1237 and 2016/1239, the coverage is the following one:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume of 80 % vol or higher  obtained from the 
agricultural products listed in Annex I to the Treaty  ex 2207 10 00  
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any 
strength , obtained from the agricultural products listed in 
Annex I to the Treaty  ex 2207 20 00  
Undenatured ethyl a lcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume of less than 80 % vol, obtained from the 
agricultural products listed in Annex I to the Treaty , in 
containers holding less than 2 litres  ex 2208 90 91  
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume o f less than 80 % vol, ., obtained from the 
agricultural products listed in Annex I to the Treaty , in 
containers holding more than 2 litres  ex 2208 90 99  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned  regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.11  Hemp  
Legal basis:  
• Article 9 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1237  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product  CN codes  
Seed of the varieties of hemp, for sowing  ex 1207 99 20  
Hemp seeds other than for sowing       1207 99 91  
True hemp, raw or retted       5302 10 00  
 
Procedures:  
 
Please refer to the above -mentioned  regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 17 - 
 
  3  STEEL  
Outline of system  
1. The EU has in place a prior surveillance system without quantitat ive restrictions since 
30 April 2016 (see notification s G/LIC/N/1/EU/8 and G/LIC/N/2/EU/8)  as further amended in 
June 2017 (see notifications G/LIC/N/1/EU/11 and G/LIC/N/2/EU/11).  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensin g 
2. The prior surveillance system applies to the importation of certain iron and steel products whose 
net weight exceeds a certain amount established for each individual TARIC code subject to prior 
surveillance (5  000 kg for products falling under HS head ing 7318 and 2  500 kg for all other steel 
products listed in the Regulation) . 
 
3. The system applies to imports of any origin (except the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland 
and Liechtenstein) ). 
 
4. The purpose of this prior surveillance scheme is to collect information about the intentions to 
import from all non -EU member countries. Rapid and anticipated trade data is necessary to deal with 
the vulnerability of the EU steel market to sudden change s on world steel markets.  
 
5. The legal basis is : 
• Regulation (EU) No 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 
on common rules for imports (OJ L 83, 27.3.2015, p.16). The Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
 
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1469716202116&uri=CELEX:32015R0478  
 
• Regulation (EU) No 2015/755 of the European  Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 
on common rules for imports from certain third countries (OJ L 123, 19.5.2015, p.33)  and its 
subsequent amendment . A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -
Lex web page at the following address: .  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566893017557&uri=CELEX:02015R0755 -20170519   
 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/670 of 28 April 2016 introducing prior Union 
surveillance of imports of certain iron and steel products origination in certain third countries (OJ 
L 115, 29.4.2016 , p. 37 ) and its subsequent amendment . A consolidated version of the Reg ulation 
can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566893173740&ur i=CELEX:02016R0670 -20170711  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7. 
a) The surveillance document is issued automatically by the competent authorities of the EU 
Member States, without charge and for any quantities requested, within 5 working days of 
presentation of an application by any importer into the Union, wherever he may be established 
in the Union. This application shall be deemed to have been received by the competent 
national authority no later than 3 working days after submission, unless it is proven otherwise . 
 
b)  See above.  
 
c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which permit application s may be 
made . 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 18 - 
 
  d)  The competent authorities in the EU Member States, responsible for issuing the surveillance 
document, are listed in Annex II of the Regulation (EU) 2016/670.  
 
8. Granting of a licen ce can only be refused if the ordinary criteria specified in Regulation 
(EU) 2016/ 670 are not met. The Regulation does not explicitly describe the detailed procedures 
applicable in case of refusal of an application,  but they are in line with the overall ad ministrative 
practices applicable in the EU. Thus, it is ensured that the reasons for a refusal will be given to the 
applicant and that the applicants have the right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  Any person, firm or institution may apply for a licence . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The importer's application for a surveillance document shall include the following elements:  
 
(a)  The full na me and address of the applicant (including telephone and e -mail or fax numbers 
and any number identifying the applicant to the competent national authority), plus the 
applicant's VAT registration number if he is liable for VAT;  
(b)  Where appropriate, the full name and address of the declarant or of any representative 
appointed by the applicant (including telephone and e -mail or fax numbers);  
(c)  A description of the goods giving their: (1) trade name; (2) the TARIC code; (3) place of orig in 
and place of consignment;  
(d)  The quantity declared, in kilograms, and, where appropriate, any other additional unit (pairs, 
items, etc.);  
(e)  The value of the goods, CIF at the Union frontier, in euro;  
(f) The following statement, dated and signed  by the applicant, with the applicant's name spelt 
out in capital letters: "I, the undersigned, certify that the information provided in this 
application is true and given in good faith, and that  I am established in the Union".  
 
The importer shall also sub mit commercial evidence of the intention to import, such as a copy of the 
contract of sale or purchase or of the pro forma invoice. If so requested, for example in cases where 
the goods are not directly purchased in the country of production, the importer shall present a 
certificate of production issued by the producing steel mill.  
 
11. A surveillance document should be presented  upon actual importation . 
 
12. N o licensing fees are applicable.  
 
13. N either a  deposit nor an advance payment is requested . 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The surveillance document is valid for 4 months. Unused or partly used surveillance document 
may be renewed for an equal period.   
 
15. No.  
 
16. No . 
 
17. No.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No.  
 
19. Not applicabl e. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 19 - 
 
  4  ALUMINIUM  
Outline of system  
1. The EU has in place a prior surveillance system without quantitative restrictions since 12 May  2018 
(see notifications G/LIC/N/1/EU/ 12 and G/LIC/N/2/EU/ 12). 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. The prior surveillance system applies to the importation of certain aluminum products  (HS: 7601 
7604 7605 7606 7607 7608 7609 7616.99 ) whose net weight exceed 2500 kilograms . 
 
3. The system applies to imports of any origin (except the European Economic Area (N orway, Iceland 
and Liechtenstein).  
 
4. The purpose of this prior surveillance scheme is to collect information about the intentions to 
import from all non -EU member countries. Rapid and anticipated trade data is necessary to deal with 
the vulnerability of the EU aluminium  market to sudden changes on world  aluminium  markets.  
 
5. The legal basis is : 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 201 8/640 of 25 April 2018 introducing prior Union 
surveillance of imports of certain aluminium products origi nating in certain third countries  (OJ L 106, 
26.4.2018, p. 7 ): 
https:/ /eur-lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1527863654373&uri=CELEX:32018R0640  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7. 
a) The surveillance document is issued automatically by the competent authorities of the EU 
Member States, without charge and for any quanti ties requested, within 5 working days of 
presentation of an application by any importer into the Union, wherever he may be established 
in the Union. This application shall be deemed to have been received by the competent 
national authority no later than 3 working days after submission, unless it is proven otherwise . 
 
b)  See above.  
 
c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which permit application s may be 
made . 
 
d)  The competent authorities in the EU Member States, responsible for issuing the surveillance 
document, are listed in Annex II of the Regulation (EU) 2018/640.  
 
8. Granting of a licence can only be refused if the ordinary criteria specified in Regulation 
(EU) 2018/640  are not met. The Regulation does not explicitly describe the detailed procedures 
applicable in case of refusal of an application,  but they are in line with the overall administrative 
practices applicable in the EU. Thus, it is ensured that the r easons for a refusal will be given to the 
applicant and that the applicants have the right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9.  Any person, firm or institution may apply for a licence . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The importer's application for a surveillance document shall include the following elements:  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 20 - 
 
  (a)  The full name and address of the applicant (including telephone and e -mail or fax numb ers 
and any number identifying the applicant to the competent national authority), plus the 
applicant's VAT registration number if he is liable for VAT;  
(b)  Where appropriate, the full name and address of the declarant or of any representative 
appointed by the applicant (including telephone and e -mail or fax numbers);  
(c)  A description of the goods giving their: (1) trade name; (2) the TARIC code; (3) place of origin 
and place of consignment;  
(d)  The quantity declared, in kilograms, and, where appropri ate, any other additional unit (pairs, 
items, etc.);  
(e)  The value of the goods, CIF at the Union frontier, in euro;  
(f) The following statement, dated and signed by the applicant, with the applicant's name spelt 
out in capital letters: "I, the undersigned, certify that the information provided in this 
application is true and given in good faith, and that  I am established in the Union".  
 
The importer shall also submit commercial evidence of the intention to import, such as a copy of the 
contract of sale or purchase or of the pro forma invoice. If so requested, for example in cases where 
the goods are not directly purchased in the country of production, the importer shall present a 
certificate of production issued by the aluminium producer . 
 
11. A surveillance document should be presented  upon actual importation . 
 
12. N o licensing fees are applicable.  
 
13. N either a  deposit nor an advance payment is requested . 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The surveillance document is valid for 4 months. Unused or partly used surveillance document 
may be renewed for an equal period.   
 
15. No.  
 
16. No . 
 
17. No.  
 
Other procedural requi rements  
18. No.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
5  OZONE -DEPLETING SUBS TANCES – ODS – (CONTROLLED SUBSTA NCES)  
Outline of the system  
1. The import of ozone -depleting substances (ODS) is subject to licensing. In the context of the 
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on the substances 
that deplete the ozone layer, the European Commission issues ODS licences based on applications 
submitted via the ODS Licensing System. Imports (as well as exports) of controlled substances, 
referred to hereby as ozone depleting substances (ODS) and products and equipment containing or 
relying on ODS are prohibited. However, there are exemptions to this prohibition. Below, the 
responses to the questionnaire focus on the procedures in place for the importation of controlled 
substances.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
Replies to questions 2 to 5:  
 
Legal basis:  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 21 - 
 
  • Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
16 September 2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (OJ L 286, 31.10.2009 , 
p. 1). A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page 
at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566893918935&uri=CELEX:02009R1005 -20170419  
 
For information on types of imports of ODS, which are exempted from the general prohibition in the 
European Union, see Article 15 of the Regulation. Article 15(2) outlines which types of ODS imports 
are allowed. The types are listed based on the use of the ODS. Furthermore, Article 15(3) of the 
Regulation indicates that a licence is required for activities listed in Article 15(2). The exemption to 
the licen sing requirement is also outlined in Article 15(3). Four customs procedures are exempted 
from the licence requirement under the 45-day re-export rule.  
 
Annex I to the Regulation outlines the controlled substances. The import of these substances is 
subject to  licensing. Substances listed in Annex II to the Regulation (i.e. new substances) are not 
controlled substances and are not covered under Article 15 of the Regulation; therefore are not 
subject to licensing.  
 
Although import for activities outlined in Art icle 15(2) are allowed under the condition of a licence, 
this may be overruled by Article 20(1) prohibiting the import of controlled substances and of products 
& equipment containing or relying on controlled substances from any State not party to the Montr eal 
Protocol.  
 
Licensing System:  
 
A licence is required in case of import of ODS. Licences are issued by the European Commission with 
the use of a software called the ODS Licensing System. A licence is required for the import of the 
substance itself, a mi xture containing ODS and a product or equipment containing or relying on ODS.  
 
Coverage:  
The following goods are covered by the ODS licensing system:  
Substances (ODS)  CN /TARIC code  
CFC-11 2903 77 60  
CFC-12 2903 77 60  
CFC-113 2903 77 60  
CFC-113a 2903 77 60 10  
CFC-114 2903 77 60  
CFC-115 2903 77 60  
CFC-13 2903 77 90 60  
CFC-111 2903 77 90 15  
CFC-112 2903 77 90 20  
CFC-211 2903 77 90 25  
CFC-212 2903 77 90 30  
CFC-213 2903 77 90 35  
CFC-214 2903 77 90 40  
CFC-215 2903 77 90 45  
CFC-216 2903 77 90 50  
CFC-217 2903 77 90 55  
Halon -1211 2903 76 10  
Halon -1301 2903 76 20  
Halon -2402 2903 76 90  
Carbon tetrachloride  2903 14 00  
1,1,1 -trichloroethane  2903 19 00 10  
Methyl bromide  2903 39 11  
HBFC -21 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -22 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -31 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -121 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -122 B3  2903 79 30  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Substances (ODS)  CN /TARIC code  
HBFC -123 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -124 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -131 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -132 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -133 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -133a B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -141 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -142 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -151 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -221 B6  2903 79 30  
HBFC -222 B5  2903 79 30  
HBFC -223 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -224 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -225 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -226 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -231 B5  2903 79 30  
HBFC -232 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -233 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -234 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -235 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -241 B4  2903 79 30  
HBFC -242 B3  2903 79 30  
HBFC -243 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -244 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -251 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -252 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -253 B1 (CAS: 421 -46-5) 2903 79 30  
HBFC -253 B1 (CAS: 460 -32-2) 2903 79 30  
HBFC -261 B2  2903 79 30  
HBFC -262 B1  2903 79 30  
HBFC -271 B1  2903 79 30  
HCFC -21 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -22 2903 71 00  
HCFC -31 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -121 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -121a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -122 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -123 2903 72 00  
HCFC -123a 2903 72 00  
HCFC -124 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -124a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -131 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -132 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -133 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -133a 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -141 2903 73 00  
HCFC -141b 2903 73 00  
HCFC -142 2903 74 00  
HCFC -142b 2903 74 00  
HCFC -151 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -221 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -222 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -223 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -224 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -225 2903 75 00  
HCFC -225ca  2903 75 00  
HCFC -225cb  2903 75 00  
HCFC -226 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -231 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -232 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -233 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -234 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -235 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -241 2903 79 30 90  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 23 - 
 
  Substances (ODS)  CN /TARIC code  
HCFC -242 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -243 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -244 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -251 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -252 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -253 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -261 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -262 2903 79 30 90  
HCFC -271 2903 79 30 90  
Bromochloromethane  2903 79 30 20  
 
Mixtures of substances containing ODS  CN /TARIC code  
Deuterium and compounds thereof; ...; mixtures and 
solutions containing these products  2845 90 10  
Isotopes other than those of heading 2844;...other, other  2845 90 90 90  
Preparations and charges for fire -extinguishers … for use 
in certain types of aircraft  3813 00 00  
Preparations and charges for fire -extinguishers … other  3813 00 00  
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents  ...; certified reference 
materials  3822 00 00  
Mixtures containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), whether 
or not containing (HCFCs), (PFCs) or (HFCs)  3824 71 00  
Mixtures containing bromochlorodifluoromethane, 
bromotrifluoromethane or dibromotetrafluoroethanes 
(Halons)  3824 72 00  
Mixtures containing hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)  3824 73 00  
Mixtures containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), 
..., but not con taining chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)  3824 74 00  
Mixtures containing carbon tetrachloride  3824 75 00  
Mixtures containing 1,1,1 -trichloroethane (methyl 
chloroform)  3824 76 00  
Mixtures containing bromomethane (methyl bromide) or 
bromochloromethane  3824 77 00  
 
 
Products & equipment containing or relying on 
ODS CN code  
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or 
not charged - for use in civil aircraft  8424 10 00  
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or 
not charged – other  8424 10 00  
Mechanical appliances ... fire extinguishers... - Parts 8424 90 80  
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, 
whether or not fitted with weapons, and p arts of such 
vehicles  8710 00 00  
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight not 
exceeding 2 000 kg  8802 11 00  
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight 
exceeding 2 000 kg  8802 12 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight not 
exceeding 2 000 kg  8802 20 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight 
exceeding 2 000 kg but not exceeding 15 000 kg  8802 30 00  
Other aircraft... aeroplanes of an unladen weight 
exceeding 15 000 kg  8802 40 00  
Cruise sh ips, excursion boats and similar vessels 
principally designed for the transport of persons; ferry -
boats of all kinds - seagoing  8901 10 10  
Refrigerated vessels other than those of 8901 20 – 
seagoing  8901 30 10  
Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels for ... 
fishery products - seagoing  8902 00 10  
Yachts and other vessels for pleasure or sports; rowing 
boats and canoes , other than inflatable  8903 91 00  
Motor boats, other than outboard motor boats  8903 92 00  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Products & equipment containing or relying on 
ODS CN code  
Tugs and pusher craft  8904 00 00  
Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms  8905 20 00  
Warships  8906 10 00  
Component parts of complete industrial plant in the 
framework of external trade (Commission Regulation EC 
No 113/2010 of 9.02.2010)  9880 00 00  
 
Customs procedure:  
 
The licensing requirement does not apply in rare cases when the ODS goods remain in the EU no 
longer than 45 days and are not subsequently presented for release for free circulation in the 
European Union, destroyed or processed. Four cu stoms procedures are exempted from the licen sing 
requirement under the 45-day re-export rule.  
 
The customs procedures exempted under the 45-day re-export rule are:  
 
• Transit;  
• Temporary storage;  
• Customs warehousing;  
• Free zone procedure.  
 
Country restricti ons: 
 
An ODS licence will not be issued in cases of export of certain substance groups to certain countries 
as a consequence of an exclusion defined in the Regulation.  The Regulation under Article  20 (1) 
prohibits the import of ODS and of products and equipment containing or relying on ODS from any 
country not party to the Montreal Protocol.  
 
Restrictions in ODS trade are imposed by the Protocol and its amendments. The amendments to the 
Protocol provide specific limitations for different substance groups. A particular group of ODS can be 
imported from a country if this country has ratified the relevant amendment to the Montreal Protocol. 
It is possible that a country may  be party to the Protocol for one substance group but not for another. 
This requirement is applicable to all Montreal Protocol signatories. In short trade of ODS with 
countries which have not ratified a certain amendment of the Montreal Protocol is not all owed.  
 
Some territories of Member States of the EU are excluded from ratification of the Montreal Protocol 
or its amendments and therefore trade with these territories may be limited or prohibited.  
 
Procedures:  
6. An importer must hold quota for the impor t of the ODS in the case of some imports. Quota is 
allocated annually for the next calendar year.  
 
Imports for the following uses require quota:  
• Essential laboratory and analytical uses;  
• Halons for critical uses;  
• Feedstock uses;  
• Process agent uses.  
 
I. At the beginning of each year the Commission publishes a notice in the Official Journal of the 
European Union about the quota procedure for the following year. The notice informs about 
the relevant details of the quota application process for the following y ear including the 
deadline for applying for quota. Importers and producers request quota for the period from 1 
January to 31 December of the following year.  
 
II. Quota is determined on yearly basis.  
 
III. The unused quota is not added to next quota perio d. The Commission notifies importers of 
the quantity of the ODS and the use for which the import is authorised for the following year. 
The competent authorities of Member States also receive this information.  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 25 - 
 
  IV. Usually it is about 1 month where companies  can apply for quota. The exact timeframe is 
defined annually and notified in the notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.  
 
V. The Commission processes the applications in about 5 -10 working days.  
 
VI. It is usually approximately a 3-month period between the vote of the Member States on 
allocating quota and the beginning of the quota year.  
 
VII. The importer must approach only one organ which is the European Commission.  
 
VIII. The decision on how much quota an importer or producer re ceives is made in accordance with 
the quota allocation procedure set out in Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009, Article 10 and 
Commission Regulation (EU) No 537/2011.  
 
IX. Export licences are not issued automatically if import licence is required.  
 
X. Not applic able. 
 
XI. Licences for imports of HCFC are issued under the condition that the good is later exported. 
The imported good is to be re -packaged and re -exported. More detail is provided in Regulation 
(EC) No 1005/2009, Article 15 2 (e).  
 
7. Applications for  licences can be made all year long. The Commission must take a decision whether 
or not to issue a licence no later than 30 days after having received a correct application. Yet, in 
urgent cases the Commission endeavours processing the licences upon reques t. 
 
8. The reason for rejection is always provided in the licence application form and it is the failure to 
meet ordinary criteria.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any undertaking which is defined as natural or legal person can register i n the ODS Licensing 
System and after verification apply for ODS licences. This service is free of charge.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The general content of a licence form is the following:  
• Consignee;  
• Country of  destination;  
• Consignor/ Exporter;  
• Country of export;  
• Customs  of entry;  
• Customs  of import;  
• Customs  procedure;  
• Commercial  description;  
• Substance name;  
• Use; 
• CN code;  
• CAS-number;  
• GROSS  mass;  
• NET mass;  
• Number of units;  
• Nature of substance.  
 
11 to 13: Not applicable . 
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The licence cannot be extended or transferred. The undertaking must cancel an expired licence 
and apply for a new licence.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Most import licences have a maximum validity of 28 days (7 days before and 21 days after t he 
estimated date of import). In cases where this validity period exceeds the licensing year (before 
1 January and after 31 December), the validity period is cut accordingly. The validity of the licence 
is also cut when the date of issue is less than seven  days before the estimated date of import or if 
the licence is issued after that date.  
 
Different rules apply to the validity period for the import licences for fire extinguishers containing 
halon for use on aircrafts. Such licence is valid from the day it  is issued until the end of the calendar 
year for which it was issued. In cases where the application proceeds the licensing year (i.e. it is 
issued before 1 January), the validity period starts 1 January the following year.  
 
15. Not applicable . 
 
16. Not a pplicable . 
 
17. Not applicable . 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Not applicable.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
6  FLUORINATED GASES IN CLUDING HYDROFL UOROCARBONS (HFCS)  
Outline of system  
1. Companies must have a prior valid license registration to import and export fluorinated gases (f -
gases) into and from the European Union. Further, for import of bulk hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) it 
is a requirement that the quantity of HFCs placed on the m arket are covered by quota on an annual 
basis.  
 
In addition, importers placing on the market (e.g. import released for free circulation) refrigeration, 
air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with HFCs must also be registered and the 
quantities o f HFCs must be accounted for within the quota system at the time of import. This must 
be documented and a declaration of conformity must be drawn up in this respect.  
 
Also, the placing on the market of certain products and equipment containing f -gases wit h a certain 
global warming potential are prohibited and the placing on the market of non -refillable containers of 
fluorinated gases is forbidden. Equipment, products and containers with fluorinated gases must be 
labelled appropriately.  
 
The replies below f ocus on the procedures in place for import of bulk HFCs and HFCs imported 
refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment pre -charged with HFCs.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
Replies to questions  2 to 5:  
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Regulation (EU) No  517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16  April 2014 
on fluorinated greenhouse gases (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, p. 195)  (‘the F-gas Regulation ’): 
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2014:150:TOC  
 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No  1191/2014 of 30  October 2014 determining 
the format and means for submitting the report referred to in Article 19 of Regulation (EU) 
No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on fluorinated greenhouse gases  
(OJ L 318, 5.11.2014, p. 5 ) and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the fo llowing address:  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 27 - 
 
  https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566894158913&uri=CELEX:02014R1191 -20190417  
HFCs are together with perfluor ocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)  a fluorinated 
greenhouse gas (F -gas). F-gases are powerful greenhouse gases, with a global warming effect up 
to 23 000 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). HFC is the most relevant F -gases from a climate 
perspective.  Reducing emissions from fluorinated greenhouse gases is a part of EU's effort to 
implement the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change . 
 
Article s 17 and 19 of the F -gas Regulation  together with  Commission  Implementing Regulation (EU) 
No 1191/2014  establish an obligation for actors in the HFCs market to register in the F -gas Portal – 
an electronic registry for quotas for placing HFCs on the market and for reporting. Only companies 
with a prior valid registr ation can import and export HFCs into and from the European Union.  
 
Article 15 of the F -gas Regulation establishes the quota requirements regarding bulk HFCs , 
applicable since 1 January 2015.  
 
The quota requirement does not apply to quantities of less than  100 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of 
HFC per year and also not to the following categories of HFCs:  
 
a) imported into the Union for destruction;  
 
b) used by a producer as feedstock;  
 
c) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to undertakings, for export out of t he Union, 
where those HFCs are not subsequently made available to any other party within the Union, 
prior to export;  
 
d) supplied directly by a producer or an importer for use in military equipment;  
 
e) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to an undertaking using it for the etching of 
semiconductor material or the cleaning of chemicals vapour deposition chambers within the 
semiconductor manufacturing sector;  
 
f) supplied directly by a producer or an importer to an undertaking producing metered dose 
inhalers for the delivery of pharmaceutical ingredients (only as from 1 January 2018).  
 
However, registration requirements remain for companies importing for the exempted uses listed 
above (except for the amounts <100t CO2).  
 
The licence registration and th e quota system implements the requirements related to HFCs under 
the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the ozone layer, and in particular its so -called 
Kigali Amendment that added HFCs to the list of controlled substances and agreed to a glo bal 
phase -down of production and consumption of HFCs and required the implementation of a licensing 
system for import and export of HFCs.  
 
Pursuant to Article 16 of the F -gas Regulation, the quotas of HFCs are allocated to the undertakings 
annually by the  European Commission based on a system that takes into account amounts 
historically placed on the market by certain companies and declarations made by any undertaking 
intending to place HFCs on the market. The phase -down steps are defined in accordance wit h 
Annex  V of the F -gas Regulation and the mechanism to calculate the size of the quotas is laid down 
in Annex VI.  
 
Undertakings can be EU and non -EU companies. Non -EU companies must nominate an only 
representative established in the EU for the purpose of compliance with the requirements of the 
F-gas Regulation.  
 
Article 14 of the F -gas Regulation establishes the requirements related to the placing on the market 
of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with HFCs, inter alia the lin k to 
the quota system and the declaration of conformity to this end. These conditions apply to all placing 
on the market, including for imported equipment released for free circulation. The purpose of this 
provision is to safeguard the environmental integr ity of the phase -down of bulk HFCs.  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 28 - 
 
  Coverage:  
 
The following HFC's are listed in Annex I, Section 1, of the  F-gas Regulation :  
 
Substances (HFCs)  CN/TARIC code  
HFC-23 - trifluoromethane (fluoroform)  2903392300 80  
HFC-32 – difluoromethane  2903392100 80  
HFC-41 - fluoromethane (methyl fluoride)  2903392990 80  
HFC-125 - pentafluoroethane  2903392410 80  
HFC-134 - 1,1,2,2 -tetrafluoroethane  2903392990 80  
HFC-134a - 1,1,1,2 -tetrafluoroethane  290339269080  
HFC-143 - 1,1,2 -trifluoroethane  2903392990 80  
HFC-143a - 1,1,1 -trifluoroethane  2903392490 80  
HFC-152 - 1,2-difluoroethane   2903392990 80  
HFC-152a - 1,1-difluoroethane  2903392500 80  
HFC-161 - fluoroethane (ethyl fluoride)   2903392990 80  
HFC-227ea - 1,1,1,2,3,3,3 -heptafluoropropane  2903392790 80  
HFC-236cb - 1,1,1,2,2,3 -hexafluoropropane  2903392790 80  
HFC-236ea - 1,1,1,2,3,3 -hexafluoropropane  2903392790 80  
HFC-236fa - 1,1,1,3,3,3 -hexafluoropropane  2903392790 80  
HFC-245ca - 1,1,2,2,3 -pentafluoropropane  2903392790 80  
HFC-245fa - 1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluoropropane  2903392710 80  
HFC-365 mfc - 1,1,1,3,3 -pentafluorobutane   2903392990 80  
HFC-43-10 mee -1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5 -
decafluoropentane   2903392990 80  
 
Customs procedure:  
 
Normal customs procedures apply.  
 
Country restrictions:  
 
None. 
 
Procedures:  
6. Guidance on procedures for quota allocation and licences can be found on the European 
Commission web page: https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/f -gas/reporting_en . 
Companies intending to import in bulk or import refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump 
equipment charged with HFCs can request registration (licence) in the registry. The detailed 
requirements for registration s are laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/661 
of 25 April 2019 ensuring the smooth functioning of the electronic registry for quotas for placing 
hydrofluorocarbons on the market ( OJ L 112, 26.4.2019, p. 11 ).  
At the beginning of each year the European Commission publishes a notice in the Official Journal of 
the European Union about the annual quota procedu re for the following year. The notice is also 
posted on the HFC Registry information -board and on the European Commission’s web -site. The 
notice informs about the relevant details of the quota application process including the deadlines.  
Companies report on quantities imported and exported by 31 March in the year following the activity. 
The reporting is done directly in a reporting tool. The reporting format is based on Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No  1191/2014.  
I.  Reference va lues for the quota allocation are published in a Commission Decision every 
3 years and the quota is updated annually. The names of the undertakings having a reference 
value are publicly available, whereas the values are commercially confidential.   
 
II. Quota is determined on  a yearly basis. It is based on the account amounts historically placed 
on the market (tri-annual reference values) since 2015 and annual declarations made 
regarding the intention to place additional HFCs on the market . The quotas are calculated in G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 29 - 
 
  accordance with the phase -down schedule in Annex V of the F -gas Regulation and by applying 
an allocation mechanism laid down in Annex VI to the F -gas Regulation.  
III. Unused quota is valid only for the year it is allocated  and can only be use d for either import 
or production .  
IV. The validity of the licence is in principle time unlimited. The timeframe for the license registry 
can vary depending on information provided by the company , but is usually completed within 
a few working days if the provided information is accurate and complete . Companies must be 
registered (have a licence) before they can get a quota.   
V. Min and max length of license registry requests – 1day to a few months – depending on 
completeness and accurateness of informa tion provided.   
VI. Import may only occur when a company is having sufficient quota after having been licenced 
to import. Hence, it the annual quota allocation cycle that is decisive. Us ually the declaration 
deadline is in June/July in the year preceding t he year where the quota is becoming valid.  
VII. Only the European Commission  is involved in the processes.  Member States are involved via 
an implementing Committee as regards the determination of the tri -annual reference values.  
VIII. Quota is allocated ba sed on historic amounts placed on the market ( tri-annual reference value) 
since 2015 and annual declarations on the intention to place on the market. The latter quotas 
are allocated on a pro rata basis. See Article 16 and Annex VI of the F -gas Regulation.  
 
IX. Not applicable  
 
X. Not applicable.  
 
XI. Not applicable.  
 
7. Registration in the F -gas Registry can happen all year long. Applications for  quota  can only be 
made during a declaration period to be determined annually by the Commission through a notice  
published in the Official Journal of the Commission.  
 
8. Companies that meet the ordinary criteria  set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 
2019/661 ensuring the smooth functioning of the electronic registry for quotas for placing 
hydrofluoroca rbons on the market are being registered (licensed). The Commission may refuse, 
suspend or cancel a registration if the conditions are not fulfilled.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. An undertaking that constitutes a natural or legal person can request registration in the F -gas 
Portal and Licensing System and may after validation apply for HFC quota.  
 
Registration is compulsory for the following:  
 
(a) producers and importers to which a q uota for the placing on the market of 
hydrofluorocarbons has been allocated in accordance with Article 16(5);  
 
(b) undertakings to which a quota is transferred in accordance with Article 18;  
 
(c) producers and importers declaring their intention to submit a declar ation pursuant to 
Article  16(2);  
 
(d) producers and importers supplying, or undertakings in receipt of hydrofluorocarbons for the 
purposes listed in points (a) to (f) of the second subparagraph of Article 15(2);  
 
(e) importers of equipment placing pre -charged equi pment on the market where the 
hydrofluorocarbons contained in the equipment have not been placed on the market prior to 
the charging of that equipment in accordance with Article 14;  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 30 - 
 
  (f) any undertaking importing fluorinated gases needs to be registered before  undertaking such 
activities in accordance with Article 19 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 
2014/1191.  
 
This service is free of charge. The list of companies having quota reference values is being published 
in tri-annual Commission Decisions.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The general information requirements for a registration licence is laid down in Article 3 of 
Commission Imple menting Regulation (EU) 2019/661.  
 
For undertakings established in the Union : 
 
a) name and legal form of the undertaking;  
 
b) full address;  
 
c) telephone number;  
 
d) VAT number;  
 
e) Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number;  
 
f) the full name of one contact person;  
 
g) a description of the undertaking's business activities;  
 
h) written confirmation of the undertaking's intention to register in the registry signed by a 
beneficial owner or employee of the undertaking;  
 
i) bank account details – and validated.  
 
For undertakings  established outside the Union (and that have mandated an only representative as 
referred to in Articl e 16(5) of the F -gas Regulation):  
 
(a) the information listed in points (a), (b) and (c) above;  
 
(b) the information listed in points (d), (e) and (i) above,  but with respect to the only 
representative rather  than the undertaking;  
 
(c) the full name of one contact who satisfies the conditions in points f) (i) and (ii) above , and 
an individual electronic address used for professional purposes by that person;  
 
(d) an electronic address for the only representative;  
 
(e) a description of the undertaking's business activities;  
 
(f) the written confirmation listed in point (h) above but signed additionally by a beneficial 
owner or employee of the only representative.  
 
11. Upon importation of bulk HFCs no additional documents are r equired. Upon importation of 
refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment charged with HFCs a declaration of 
conformity must be available.  
 
12 to 13. There is no fee.  
 
Conditions of licensing and quota allocation  
14. Registration license is val id until cancelled by the Commission or the company. Bulk quotas are 
valid only for the year for which they are allocated.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 31 - 
 
  15. There is no penalty for unused licences or quota.  Undertakings that have exceeded their quota 
are allocated a reduced quota allo cation for the allocation period after the excess has been detected. 
The amount of reduction is calculated as 200 % of the amount by which the quota was exceeded . 
 
16. According to Article 18 of the F -gas Regulation bulk quota allocated can be transferred to other 
bulk importers or producers.  Only the part of quota based on reference values can be transferred. 
The part based on declarations cannot be transferred. This is to prevent declarations for quota with 
the sole purpose of selling the quota.  
 
17. Not  applicable.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Not applicable.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
7  IMPORT OF ROUGH DIAM ONDS  
Outline of system  
1. The EU as a whole is a single Participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The 
Kimberley Process establishes minimum requirements for an international scheme of certification for 
rough diamonds with a view to breaking the link between arme d conflict and the trade in rough 
diamonds.  
 
The system applies to rough diamonds originating in and coming from a participant. A participant is 
defined as a State, international organization of States or dependent territory of a State, or a 
customs terri tory. 
 
Rough diamonds may legally be exported to or imported from any of the 28 Member States. Every 
person who imports rough diamonds must ensure that the diamonds are in a container that meets 
the requirements of the regulations and are accompanied by a valid Kimberley Process Certificate 
that was issued by a participant, has not been invalidated by the participant and that contains 
accurate information. In -transit rough diamonds are deemed not to be imported or exported. Since 
30 March 2014, Greenland, o ne of the overseas countries and territories participates in the Kimberley 
Process Certification Scheme through its cooperation with the EU.  
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
Replies to questions 2 to 5:  
 
Legal basis:  
 
• Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2 002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the Kimberley 
Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds. (OJ L 358, 
31.12.2002, p. 28) and its amendments. The latest  consolidated version of the Regulation 
can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02002R2368 -20180418   
 
The last amendment of the Regulation - Comm ission Implementing Regulation 2019/1189 
of 8 July 2019 - can be consulted at the following address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid =1566469141054&uri=CELEX:32019R1189   
 
The Regulation provides for controls on the import, export or transit across the EU of rough diamonds 
in order to meet the EU's obligations under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.   
 
Article 3 of Council Regu lation  (EC) No 2368/2002 provides that the import of rough diamonds into 
the EU shall be prohibited unless all of the following conditions are fulfilled:  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 32 - 
 
  (a) The rough diamonds are accompanied by a certificate validated by the competent authority of 
a participant (i.e. of the Kimberley Process);  
 
(b) The rough diamonds are contained in tamper -resistant containers, and the seals applied at 
export by that partici pant are not broken;  
 
(c)  The certificate clearly identifies the consignment to which it refers.  
 
Importers or economic operators can freely choose a point of entry at an external border of the EU 
for the import of rough diamonds.  However, every import of rough diamonds must first be verified 
by an EU authority, including those destined to Greenland. An EU authority is a competent authority 
designated by a Member State and agreed by the Commission to fulfil certain tasks in connection 
with the implementa tion of the KPCS, namely the verification of incoming shipments and KP 
certificates for conformity with KP rules.  
 
Acceptance of a customs declaration for release for free circulation of rough diamonds pursuant to 
Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the Europea n Parliament and of the Council can only happen after 
the containers and certificates had been verified by an EU authority.  
 
Article 4 of the Regulation provides:  
 
1. Containers and the corresponding certificates shall be submitted for verification, together and at 
the earliest opportunity, to a Union authority either in the Member State where they are imported 
or in the Member State for which they are destined, as i ndicated in the accompanying documents.  
 
2. In cases where rough diamonds are imported into a Member State where there is no Union 
authority, they shall be submitted to the appropriate Union authority in the Member State for which 
they are destined. If a Union authority exists neither in the importing Member State nor in the 
Member State of destination, or with regard to rough diamonds coming from/destined to Greenland, 
they shall be submitted to an appropriate Union authority in another Member State.  
 
3. The Member State where the rough diamonds are imported shall ensure their submission to the 
appropriate Union authority provide for in paragraphs 1 and 2. Customs transit may be granted to 
that effect. If such customs transit is granted, the verification provide d for by this Article shall be 
suspended until arrival at the appropriate Union authority.  
 
There are currently Union Authorities in: Antwerp (Belgium); London (United Kingdom); Idar - 
Oberstein (Germany); Prague (Czech Republic); Bucharest (Romania ); Lisbon (Portugal) ; Dublin 
(Ireland) .  
Contact details are provided in Section 10 of the "Guidelines on Trading with the EU" – see below - 
and are also available in Annex III of Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002.  
 
Licensing System:  
 
An administrative procedure used for the operation of import of rough diamonds, i.e. the act of the 
verification of a KP certificate is required. Some EU member states with Union authorities also require 
that diamond traders be licen ced. 
 
Coverage:  
 
A rough diamond is defined as a diamond that is unsorted, unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or 
bruted, and that falls under subheading 7102  10 00, 7102  21 00 or 7102  31 00 of the Combined 
Nomenclature (Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and s tatistical nomenclature and 
on the Common Customs Tariff ( OJ L 256, 7.9.1987, p. 1  ) and its subsequent amendments. A 
consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following 
address:  
  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566901287584&uri=CELEX:01987R2658 -
20190101  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 33 - 
 
  Procedures  
6. Not applicable. Quantity and value restrictions, beyond the minimum requirements. For 
Certificates in Annex I of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme Document, do not apply to 
imports of rough diamonds.  
 
7. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is implemented through the national  legislation of 
the respective participants. The European Commission represents the European Union and 
Greenland in the Kimberley Process certification scheme.  
 
8. If an application for a n EU licen ce for imports does not meet the criteria, each EU Member S tate 
imposes its own sanctions.  
 
9. Import licen ces are issued by an EU authority.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The Kimberley Process Certificate means a forgery resistant document with a particular format 
which  identifies a shipment of rough diamonds as being in compliance with the requirements of the 
Certification Scheme, and is issued by the competent authority of a participant of the Kimberley 
Process. After verification by a Union authority, the goods are su bmitted to the relevant national 
customs authorities for regular customs procedures . 
 
11. The import of rough diamonds into the Union shall be prohibited unless all of the following 
conditions are fulfilled: a) the rough diamonds are accompanied by a certi ficate validated by the 
competent authority of a participant ( i.e. of the Kimberley Process ); b) the rough diamonds are 
contained in tamper -resistant containers and the seals applied at export by that participant are not 
broken; c) the certificate clearly identifies the consignment to which it refers. Every import must be 
verified by a Union authority, which fulfils the task of verifying incoming shipments and Kimberley 
Process Certificates for conformity with the Kimberley Process  requirements.  
 
12. Not a pplicable. However, it is to be noted that Union Kimberley Process authorities may charge 
fees for issuing export certificates.   
 
13. Not applicable.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Authentic accompanying the Kimberley Process  certificate, within the period of validity; this may 
vary depending on the issuing country.  The certificate must be valid for the shipment to be accepted 
in the EU.  
 
15. Not applicable.  
 
16. Not applicable.  
 
17. Tamper resistant container.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18. Not applicable.  
 
19. Not applicable.  
 
8  IMPORT OF WASTE SHIP MENT  
Outline of system  
1. This section provides a description of the EU waste shipment notification scheme as established 
by the EU rules and procedures for the transbou ndary shipments of waste.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 34 - 
 
  The import of waste in to the EU is for some waste controlled under a permit system2 administered 
by the national competent authorities. Its requirements are tied in with those of the Basel Convention 
on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.   
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. In accordance with  the EU's obligations under the Basel convention and in the organization for 
Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD), the regulation applies to hazardous wastes and 
other wastes as listed in the schedules of the Basel Convention.  
 
3. The system applie s to hazardous wastes and other wastes as listed in the schedules of the Basel 
Convention originating in and coming from all countries that are a party to the Basel Convention or 
OECD3.  
 
4. The notification system ensures that the EU's commitments as a pa rty to the Basel Convention 
are upheld. To that effect, transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and other wastes is to 
be reduced to the minimum consistent with the environmentally sound and efficient management of 
such wastes and to be conducted in su ch a manner which will protect human health and the 
environment against the adverse effects which may result from such movement. The EU procedures 
applicable for the shipment of hazardous wastes are not intended to restrict the quantity or value of 
imports . 
 
5. The internal EU legal framework for this scheme is Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste (OJ L 190, 12.07.2006 , p. 1 ).  
A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following 
address:  
 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566901544059&uri=CELEX:02006R1013 -
20180101  
 
Licensing is a statutory requirement for the import of any hazardous waste listed in schedules to the 
Basel Convention or OECD Council Decisions.  
 
Procedures  
6. The wastes concerned are not unde r restriction as to the quantity or value of imports. Replies 
from I to XI below are therefore not pertinent.  
 
7. 
a) Permit4 applications should be lodged in advance of the importation  to allow for sufficient time 
for the competent authorities to produce a  response. Deadlines to be respected are laid down 
in the EU legislation. Within these time constraints still, the processing time for a notification  
varies from case to case, depending primarily on the time taken by the competent authorities 
of the exporting economies concerned to provide feedback for the application, and on whether 
the application form is duly completed and lodged with all the required supporting documents.  
 
b)  Permits  are issued only after the consent by the competent authorities in each involved EU 
Member State with a requirement under the Regulation for determination of the justification 
for import and the fitness of the processing organisation to treat the material in an 
environmentally sound manner.  
 
c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which permit application may be 
made . 
 
d)  For notifiable shipments of waste, the submission of a notification is made by the notifier to 
the competent au thorities of the country of dispatch and a prior consent for the shipment 
                                                
2 Procedure of 'prior written notification and consent' pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) 
No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste.  
3 This system applie s also for the import of all non -hazardous wastes which are destined for a disposal  
operation in the EU and some waste destined for a recovery operation in the EU . 
4 As permit it should be understood the "procedure of prior written notification and consent"  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 35 - 
 
  needs to be obtained from the competent authorities of all countries concerned (dispatch, 
transit and destination). The competent authorities in the EU Member states are listed here:  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/shipments/links.htm . 
 
8. Apart from statutory requirements, there are requirements under the Basel Convention for all 
States of Transit to control the trans -boundary movement of hazardous waste. Refusal to accept the 
movement by any such state shall cause the State of export to  deny a permit. According to 
Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste, the reasons for objection to shipments for 
disposal and for recovery are listed in Articles 11 and 12 of the Regulation, respectively.   
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for  licence  
9. 
(a) Not applicable.  
 
(b)  Any natural or legal person, firm or institution may apply for a permit.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. In accordance with Art icle 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste, the 
notification shall be effected by means of the notification document set out in Annex IA and the 
movement document set out in Annex IB of the Regulation. Together with Annex IA and IB, the 
notifier shall also supply the information listed in Annex II, Part 1 and Part 2 of the Regulation, 
respectively. Competent authorities may require additional information and documentation as listed 
in Annex II, Part 3 of the Regulation.  
 
11. The import permit is required and a valid export permit from the country of origin may be 
required as a condition of this permit.  
 
12. In accordance with Article 29 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006, appropriate and proportionate 
administrative costs of implementing the notif ication and supervision procedures and usual costs of 
appropriate analyses and inspections may be charged to the notifier.  
 
13. A financial guarantee, or equivalent insurance, shall be established by the notifier or by another 
natural or legal person on it s behalf and shall be effective at the time of the notification or, if the 
competent authority which approves the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance so allows, at 
the latest when the shipment starts, and shall apply to the notified shipment at the  latest when the 
shipment starts. This financial guarantee or equivalent insurance shall cover: (a) costs of transport; 
(b) costs of recovery or disposal, including any necessary interim operation; and (c) costs of storage 
for 90 days pursuant to Art icle 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 on shipments of waste.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. Under the Regulation the import permit is valid for a period of up to 12 months, with the 
possibility of an extension up to 36 months and covers the amount and number of shipments of the 
hazardous waste as noted in the application.  
 
15. No penalty for non -utilization.  
 
16. Permits/licen ces are not transferable between importers.  
 
17. All applications must identify the maximum amount of the hazardous wastes that i s intended to 
be covered by the permit. This limit cannot be exceeded. In addition, the applicant is provided with 
specific conditions that form part of the permit that usually relate specifically to the transport, 
treatment and/or disposal of the hazardou s waste.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. None (the EU Waste Shipment Regulation does not allow additional requirements at national 
level).  
 
19. Not applicable . G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 36 - 
 
  9  IMPORT OF HARVESTED TIMBER  
Outline of system  
1. This section provides a description of the EU FLEGT licensing scheme as established under the EU 
FLEGT Action Plan.  
 
The EU FLEGT licensing scheme is a voluntary scheme to ensure that only legally harvested timber 
is imported into the EU from countries  with which the EU concludes bilateral FLEGT Voluntary 
Partnership Agreements. Under the scheme a partner country issues FLEGT licences for every 
shipment of timber products covered by the agreement exported to the EU.  The release for free 
circulation in the EU of such shipments is conditional on the acceptance by EU competent authorities 
of the FLEGT licence.  EU competent authorities may verify the authenticity of the FLEGT licence and 
its conformity with the shipment that it covers.   
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Under the FLEGT licensing scheme the EU has concluded FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements 
(VPAs) with a number of countries.  Timber products (defined in the Agreements by HS codes) 
exported from FLEGT partner count ries to the EU are covered by a FLEGT licence issued by the 
licensing authority of that country. The FLEGT licen ce demonstrates that the timber products have 
complied with relevant legislation as set out in the corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPAs. Once 
operational the implementation of the licensing scheme requires that imports of relevant timber 
products into the EU be made subject to a system of checks and controls so that only FLEGT licen ced 
timber will be imported to the EU.   
 
3. The FLEGT licensing sch eme applies only to imports from partner countries with which the EU has 
concluded FLEGT VPAs. These agreements place a legally binding obligation on the EU and on the 
partner country to implement the licensing scheme as set out in each VPA. The EU has con cluded 
FLEGT VPAs with: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Liberia, Indonesia , Republic of Congo  
and Vietnam . In order for a partner country to be able to issue FLEGT licences, it must put in place 
a timber legality assurance system and other measu res outlined in the VPA . As of 
15 November  2016, the FLEGT licensing scheme has become operational between the EU and 
Indonesia. The scheme is not yet operational for other VPA countries .  
 
4. The FLEGT licensing system has been put in place so that countr ies exporting to the EU can 
demonstrate that their exports of timber products to the EU are from legal sources. The scheme 
does not impose any restrictions neither in terms of quantity nor in terms of volumes to the imported 
goods. While the CITES Conventi on regulates trade in endangered species, including certain timber 
species, it does not cover the bulk of the timber trade. In the light of public concerns about imports 
of illegally harvested timber and the negative impact on perceptions of the timber sec tor a bilateral 
approach to address the issue together with interested countries, accompanied by capacity building 
measures, was considered appropriate. An alternative approach could have been to rely on voluntary 
certification schemes, however this would not provide the economies of scale or impact of a national 
approach and may not have adequately taken into account the role of government in verifying and 
ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The EU also adopted a horizontal approach to the 
issue of illegal logging through adoption of Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber 
and timber pr oducts on the market (OJ  L 295, 12.11.2010 , p. 23 ), also known as the EU Timber 
Regulation or EUTR. The EUTR and the VPAs are key elements of the FLEGT Action Plan . Valid FLEGT 
licences (and CITES permits) are considered to automatically comply with the requirements of the 
EUTR .  
 
5. The internal EU legal f ramework for the FLEGT licensing scheme is : 
 
• Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 of 20  December 2005 on the establishment of a 
FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community (OJ L 347, 
30.12.2005, p. 1) and its subsequent amendment. A consolidated version of the Regulation 
can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
https: //eur-lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566906222680&uri=CELEX:02005R2173 -20161115  G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 37 - 
 
  • Commission Regulation (EC) No  1024/2008 of 17 October 2008 laying down detailed 
measures for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the 
establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European 
Community (OJ L 277, 18.10.2008, p. 23) : 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/lega l-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566906359238&uri=CELEX:32008R1024  
 
The licensing is statutorily required  for those countries that enter into bilateral FLEGT VPAs, once 
the parties have decided to make the scheme operational and the legislation does not leave 
design ation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion. Furthermore, it is 
not possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative 
approval.  
 
Procedures  
6. The products concerned are not unde r restriction as to the quantity or value of imports. Replies 
from I to XI below are therefore not pertinent.  
 
7.  
a) Under the agreements a FLEGT licence is issued when a shipment is exported from the partner 
country  to the EU. An EU importer of such a sh ipment does not need to apply for an import 
licence from an EU competent authority. An EU importer shall lodge the original FLEGT licence, 
as issued at the time of export of the shipment from the partner country, for acceptance and 
verification with the co mpetent authority of the EU Member State in which the shipment 
covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation.  An EU importer of such a 
shipment does not need to apply for an import licence  from an EU competent authority but 
must present a copy of the FLEGT licence as issued at the time of export of the shipment from 
the partner country. If justified and subject to verification that the shipment meets the 
relevant conditions it is generally possible for a FLEGT licence to be re -issued by the partner 
country in case of unforeseen circumstances.   
 
b)  The procedures established by the partner country determine whether a licence can be granted 
immediately upon request or not.  
 
c)  There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or 
importation  may be made.  
 
d)  As indicated above, licences are issued by the exporting country and not by the EU.   
 
8. The issuance of a licence is the responsibility of the partner country; the procedures in case of 
refusal are therefore subject to the partner countries' rules.   
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.  
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The information required to apply for a FLEGT licence is set out in the FLEGT VPA and is subject 
to the rules of the partner country. The format of the FLEGT licence is set out in an An nex of each 
FLEGT VPA but follows the general format set out in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 1024/2008. An EU importer needs to lodge the original of the FLEGT licence to the competent 
authority and the relevant copy with the customs authorit y of the EU Member State in which the 
shipment covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation .     
 
11. A FLEGT licence is cross referenced to the customs declaration  for release for free circulation.  
 
12. EU Member States have discretion on whether to charge any administrative fee and the amount 
of the fee arising from official acts by competent authorities required for control purposes.      
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 38 - 
 
  13. Not applicable as the EU does not issue the licences.   
  
Conditions of licensing  
14. The period of validity of FLEGT licences from a given partner country is set out in the 
corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPA. The validity can be extended by the issuing country upon request 
if adequately justified.   
 
15. There is no penalty for the non -utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
 
16. The licences are not transferable between importers. The name of the importer on the FLEGT 
licence can however be amended by the issuing country upon request if adequately justified.   
 
17. Evidence of compliance with relevant legislation, as set out in the relevant FLEGT VPA.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation.  
19. Not applicable . 
 
10  IMPORT OF ENDANGERED  SPECIES (CITES)  
Outline of system  
1. This section provides a description on the EU legislation regulating the imports of certain 
endangered species of animals and plants (or parts or derivatives made thereof). Documents are 
required for the import (and (re-)export as well as intra -EU trade) of endangered species listed in 
Appendices I, II and III of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES), whether alive, dead, parts or derivatives, as well as a number of non -CITES 
species  covered by the relev ant EU legislation.  
  
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. The EU Wildlife Trade Regulations are based on the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and comprise a double -checking system 
involving export and  import controls both at the country of origin and at EU level.  
 
The EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and CITES cover trade in, by default, all specimens, whether alive 
or dead, including parts and derivatives, from animal and plant species listed in the Ann exes (EU 
Regulation) /Appendices  (CITES) . The term “trade” (in CITES “trade” refers to all cross -border 
movements of CITES specimens)  encompasses not only trade in a commercial sense but also, for 
example, imports and (re ‐)exports for personal use. The spec ies covered by Council Regulation (EC) 
No 338/97 – the "Basic Regulation" which together with several Implementing Regulations constitute 
the "Wildlife Trade Regulations" - are listed in four Annexes (A to D).  
 
The EU Regulation lays down different require ments and procedures for each of the groupings of 
species listed in its Annexes A, B, C  and D. 
 
Species listed in Annex A : Any transaction with commercial purposes involving specimens of the 
species listed in this Annex is prohibited.  Exemption from this prohibition can be granted on a case -
by-case basis, by issuance of a special certificate by the management authority of the M ember State 
in which the specimens are located, provided the specimens:  
 
a. are captive -born and bred  (animals) , or artificially propagated  (plants) ; or 
b. are required, under exceptional circumstances, for the advancement of science or  
biomedical purposes; or  
c. are intended for breeding or propagation purposes; or  
d. are intended for research or education aimed at the preservation of the species.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Species listed in Annex B, i.e. most species concerned by the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations: 
transaction with commercial purposes involving specimens of the se species listed in this Annex are 
possible under a number of strict conditions.  Exemptions from  this permit requirement can be 
granted on a case -by-case basis.  
 
Species listed in Annexes C and D need also to meet a number of documentary requirements.  
 
The EU may determine to prohibit the importation of certain specimens or species, either globally or 
originating from specific third countries. These suspensions are published periodically and affect 
imports into all EU Member States. The latest list of re strictions is laid down in Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2017/1915 of 19 October 2017 prohibiting the introduction into 
the Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora.  
 
3. The import licensing requirement applies to traders as well as individuals importing these items 
from all countries and territories  outside the EU.  
 
4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The approval system 
aims at protecting endangered species from over -exploitation  through trade  in accordance with 
CITES. Management authorities of the EU Member States verify the following conditions for all 
imports of the covered species:  
 
A.  For all species:  
a. whether or not the trade will be harmful to the survival of the species i n the wild,  
b. whether or not the specimen was legally acquired.  
B.  Additional requirements, f or live specimens:  
c. whether or not the specimen is properly prepared for transportation,  
d. whether or not the importer has the suitable facilities to house and care for live 
specimens.  
C.  Besides, the authority must verify that specimens of species listed in Annex A  to Council 
Regulation (EC) No 338/97 are not imported to be used for primarily commercial 
purposes.  
 
5. The EU implements CITES through a set of Regulations collectively known as the "EU Wildlife 
Trade Regulat ions".  
 
Currently , these are:  
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1997 on the protection of species of wild 
fauna and flora by regulating trade th erein (OJ L 61, 03.03.1997) and its subsequent 
amendments.  A consolidated version of the Regu lation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web 
page at the following address:  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528297938735&uri=CELEX:01997R0338 -20170204 ; 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 of 4 Ma y 2006 laying down detailed rules 
concerning the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of 
wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L  166, 19.06.2006)  and its subsequent 
amendments.  A consolidated version of th e Regulation can be consulted on the EUR -Lex web 
page at the following address:  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=156690676627 9&uri=CELEX:02006R0865 -20190227 ; 
 
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 792/2012 of 23 August 2012 laying down rules 
for the design of permits, certificates and other documents provided for in Council Regulation 
(EC) No 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein 
and amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 865/2006 (OJ L  242, 07.09.2012)  and its 
subsequent amendment.  A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the 
EUR-Lex web  page at the following address:  
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528213223932&uri=CELEX:02012R0792 -20150205 ;  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 40 - 
 
  - Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 201 7/1915 of 19 October 2017  prohibiting the 
introduction into the  Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora  (OJ L 271, 
20.10.2017, p. 7 ): 
https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1528213270295&uri=CELEX:32017R1915 . 
 
The legislation does not leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative 
discretion and it is not possi ble for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system 
without legislative approval.  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7. 
a)  Import permits shall be applied for in good time to allow for their issue prior to the introduction 
of specimens into the EU. The issue of a licence is not automatic and shipments should not be 
effected unless and until the licence has been issued. EU Member States Management 
authorities shall decide on the issue of permits and certificates within one month of the date 
of submission of a complete application.  
 
b)  No, see above.  
 
c)  No. 
 
d)  Permits and certificates are issued exclusively by Member States Management Authorities, 
upon advice of their national Scientific Authority and taking into account the opinion of 
Scientific Review Group (SRG), when such an opinion has been issued. CITES authorities of 
exporting countries or of other importing Member States may need to be consulted in some 
cases. In a very limited number of cases the CITES Secretariat should be consulted.  
 
8. Licensing policy follows closely the provisions and spirit of CITES, and an application for a licen ce 
can only be refused in case of failure to meet the conditions posed by the EU Wildl ife Trade 
Regulations.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any person can lodge an application . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The standard model forms that must be used for permits, certificates, noti fications and 
applications for these documents, as well as labels for scientific specimens, are contained in 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 792/2012 as regards the rules for the design of permits, 
certificates and other documents provided for in Council R egulation (EC) No 338/97 on the protection 
of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein and in Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 865/2006 laying down detailed rules concerning the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 338/97.  
 
11. Under the scheme, different types of documents are required for trade into (and from ) the EU:  
• an import permit for the import of specimens of Annex A ‐ or B‐listed species;  
• an import notification for the import of Annex C ‐ or D‐listed species, which is to b e completed 
by the importer.  
 
12. Certain EU Member States apply licensing fees. The amount depends on each Member State.  
 
13. Neither a deposit nor an advance payment is required.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The maximum validity of an import permit is 6 or 12 months . However, in the case of caviar of 
sturgeon and paddlefish species (Acipenseriformes) that originated from shared stocks that are G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 41 - 
 
  subject to export quotas, the permit ceases to be valid at the latest on the last day of the year to 
which the qu ota applies (i.e. the quota year in which the caviar was harvested and processed).   An 
import permit shall, however, not be valid in the absence of a valid corresponding document from 
the country of export or re -export (the maximum validity of these docume nts is 6 months).  
 
15. No penalty for non -utilization.  
 
16. Not transferable.  
 
17. Not applicable . 
 
Other procedural requirements  
18. No other administrative/procedural requirements prior to importation.  
 
19. No foreign exchange control.  
 
11  IMPORT IN THE FIELD OF DRUG PRECURSORS  
Outline of system  
1. This section provides a description on the EU legislation regulating the imports of drug precursors. 
Drug precursors are chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of  drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and 
amphetamines. However, these chemicals have primarily large and varied legitimate uses such as 
in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, perfumes, detergents and aromas.  A 
control and monitoring system h as been put in place therefore to avoid their 'diversion' to illegal 
channels. This system implements article 12 of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit 
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance . 
  
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
2. The EU legislation provides for licensing and registration of operators and users, the obligation to 
notify suspicious orders and transactions by operators and import (and export) authorisations.   
 
3. The import licensing requirement applies to any na tural or legal person engaged in import of 
Category 1 substances from all third countries and territories.  
 
4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The approval system 
aims at monitoring trade and authorization of imp orts of drug precursors.  
 
5. The legal basis is : 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 of 22 December 2004 laying down rules for the monitoring 
of trade between the Community  and third countries in drug precursors  (OJ L 22, 26.1.2005, 
p. 1) and its subsequent amendment. A consolidated version of the Regula tion can be consulted 
on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:   
 
 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566907038515&uri =CELEX:02005R0111 -20180707  
 
-  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 2015/1011 of 24 April 2015 s upplementing Regulation 
(EC) No  273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors  and Council 
Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down  rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union 
and third countries in drug precursors, and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2005  
(OJ L 162, 27.6.2015, p. 12 ) and its subsequent amendment. A consolidated version of the 
Regulation can be co nsulted on the EUR -Lex web page at the following address:  
 
 https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1566907099640&uri=CELEX:02015R1011 -20150627  
 
-  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/1013 of 25 June 2015 laying down rules in 
respect of Regulation (EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 42 - 
 
  precursors and of Council Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of 
trade between the Union and thi rd countries in drug precursors ( OJ L 162, 27.6.2015, p. 33 ): 
   
http://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal -content/EN/TXT/?qid=1469794642923&uri=CELEX:32015R1013  
 
An import authori zation, as defined in Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 111/2005, is required.  
 
The legisl ation does not leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative 
discretion and it is not possible to abolish the system without legislative approval.  
 
Procedures  
6. Not applicable.  
 
7. 
a)  Import authori zations shall be applied for in sufficient time. The issue of a licence is not 
automatic. EU Member States competent authorities shall de cide on the granting of 
authoriz ations within 15 working days from the date of receipt of a complete application.    
 
b)  No, see above.  
 
c)  No. 
 
d)  The issuance of import authoriz ations is exclusively done by Member States competent 
authorities.  
 
8.  Licensing policy follows closely the provisions and spirit of the 1988 United Nations Convention 
against Illicit Traffic i n Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Failure to meet the criteria 
specified in the regulation will result in an application being refused. The relevant legislation does 
not explicitly describe the detailed procedures applicable in case of refusal of an application, but 
they are in line with the overall administrative practices applicable in the EU. Thus, it is ensured that 
the reasons for a refusal will be given to the applicant and that the applicants have the right of 
appeal in the event of refus al to issue a licence.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any person holding a valid registration licence can lodge an application . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence  
10. The standard model forms that must b e used for the authorisation are contained in Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1013 of 25 June 2015 laying down rules in respect of Regulation 
(EC) No 273/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on drug precursors and of Council 
Regulation (EC) No 111/2005 laying down rules for the monitoring of trade between the Union and 
third countries in drug precursors.  
 
11. A n import authoris ation as presented i n Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2015/1013 . 
 
12. Certain  EU Member States apply authoriz ation fees. The amount depends on each Member State.  
 
13. Neither a deposit nor an advance payment is required.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
14. The maximum time validity of an import permit is 6 months.  
 
15.  No penalty for no n-utilization.  
 
16. Not transferable.  
 
17. Not applicable . 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/8  
 
- 43 - 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. Importers also need a permanent "registration" (defined as a "licence" in the legislation) . 
 
19. No foreign exchange control.  
 
 
__________