G/RO/W/160/Rev.2  
 
23 Novembe r 2016  
(16-6425) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Rules of Origin  Original: English  
 
 SUBMISSION OF BENIN ON BEHALF OF LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  
Decision on Template for the notification of preferential rules of origin  
for Least developed countries  
Revision  
The following submission, dated 21 November 2016, is being circulated at the reque st of the 
delegation of Benin.  
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Adopted on [date] 2016  
The Committee on Rules of Origin , 
Considering  the Ministerial Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin for least developed countries 
(WT/L/917/Add.1 ) adopted at the tenth Session of Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi, whereby 
Ministers instructed the CRO to develop a template for the notification of preferential rules of 
origin, to enhance transparency and promote a better understanding of the rules of origin 
applicable to imports f rom LDCs.  
Agrees as follows:  
1. Preference -granting Members shall notify the preferential rules of origin applicable to 
imports from Least developed countries (LDCs) under their respective preferential trade 
arrangements (PTA) using the template specified in Annex A to the Committee on Rules of 
Origin.  
2. In addition to filling in the template in Annex A , preference -granting Members shall submit 
electronic or paper copies of the following documents .  
(a) The legislative texts in one  of the official WTO languages  containing the preferential 
rules of origin applicable under the arrangements granted under the Decision on 
Measures in Favour of Least -Developed Countries (Annex F of the Hong Kong 
Ministerial Declaration);  
(b) The full text of the administrative regulati ons concerning modalities for issuance , 
acceptance, retrospective issuance, replacement of certificate of origin or equivalent 
declarations made by private operators as stipulated according to the preference -
granting members  and related procedure, notifica tions of stamps used where required 
and related requirements;  
(c) The full text and related administrative regulations of the modalities for the proof  of 
movement of the consignment of the goods from the beneficiary countries to 
preference -giving countries  including transit through third countries; and  
(d) The full texts of the modalities of the verification procedures and related penalties.  
3. The purpose of this decision is to enhance transparency  and better understanding of the 
rules of origin applicable fo r preferential import from least developed countries. G/RO/W/160/Rev.2  
 
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  These  procedures do not affect Members' rights and obligations under the WTO Agreements 
in any way . 
4. The Decision shall be appli ed to all existing  preferential rules of origin applicable for import 
from least developed countries and any modification in future as well as any future 
preferential trade arrangements introduced by any members for least developed countries.  G/RO/W/160/Rev.2  
 
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  ANNEX A  
Template for Notification for Preferential Rules of Origin for Least -Developed Countries  
A. BASIC INFORMATION  
1) Notifying member:   (Name of the Notifying Member) ; 
2) Date of entering into force of Rules of origin and any substantive modification thereof :  
(Insert date and link to relevant source, if available) ; 
3) Date of expiration of Rules  of origin  if applicable:   (Insert date and link to relevant source) ; 
4) Title of the preferential scheme for which legislation on Rules of origin is applicable;  
5) Authority(ies) granting the preferential treatment :  (Insert which authority is granting the 
preferential treatment and link to relevant source) ; and  
6) National authorities in charge of Rules of origin  administration with direct phone  number  and 
email address:   (Insert which authority is entitled to administrate the rules of origin and link 
to relevant source) . 
B. INFORMATION ON RULES OF ORIGIN  
I.  BENEFICIARIES  
(a)  List of Beneficiaries :  (Insert the link where the complete list of beneficiaries can be found 
and modalities are found) ; and  
(b)  Eligibility :  (Name the document, article/section where the  eligibility criteria can be found 
and insert the specific related link) . 
II.  CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING SUBSTANTIAL TRANSFORMATION FOR ASSESSING 
THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN  
(a) General criteria, if applicable for all products:  
i. Definition of wholly obtained pr oducts ;  
ii. Describe the criteria for not -wholly produced products ; and  
iii. Insert the formula for calculating ad valorem  percent age. 
(b) Product specific rules of origin where applicable : 
i. Insert the link where the complete list of product specific ru les of origin can be found ; 
and 
ii. Insert  the formula for calculating ad valorem  percent age, when applied for product 
specific rule  
(c) Definition of non -originating material and originating material ; 
(d) List of insufficient working process ;  
(e) Rules f or application of cumulation and related procedures ; and  
(f) Any other information that member deems necessary  
III.  DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENT  
i. Certificate of origin  and other proofs of origin  
(a) Requirement  for certificate of origin  and/or any other proo f of origin , if any :  (Indicate 
whether there is any requirement for issuance of certificate of origin  and/or any other 
proof of origin ); 
(b) Authority to be designated for issuance of certificate of origin :  (Indicate whether 
government authority or priva te sector is to be designated for  issuance the certificate 
of origin) ; 
(c) Prescribed form of Certificate of origin  and/or any other proof of origin :  (Attach 
prescribed form if applicable) ; and  
(d) Any other procedures applied for certificate of origin  and/or any other proof of origin , 
if any . G/RO/W/160/Rev.2  
 
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  ii. Direct shipment  
(a) Rules applicable for direct shipment , if any;  
(b) Documentary requirement for proof of direct shipment including when the transport of 
consignment involves transit through one or more intermed iate countries , if any.  
IV.  VERIFICATION AND PENALTIES  
(a)  Procedure for verification of proofs  of origin :  (Name the document, article/section where 
provisions related to verifications can be found and insert the specific related link) ; 
(b)  Penalties f or fraud and false declarations:   (Name the document, article/section where 
provisions related to penalties can be found and insert the specific related link) ; 
(c)  Authorities and procedures for appeal in the case of dispute on verification ; 
(d) Requireme nt for preserving the documents related to is suance of certificate of origin; and  
(e) Any other relevant information . 
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