G/L/1168  
 
28 November 2016  
(16-6486) Page: 1/13 
   
 
REPORT (2016) OF THE  COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS  
In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO  Activities and for Reporting 
under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the Council) is to report each 
year to the Gene ral Council on the activities in the Council as well as those in its subsidiary bodies. 
The reports are to be "factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and decisions taken, 
with cross references to reports of subordinate bodies and could foll ow the model of the 
GATT  1947 Council reports to the CONTRACTING PARTIES".  
Since its 2015  Annual Report (G/L/1140) was issued, the CTG met four times in formal session, on 
the following dates: 15  April 2016 (G/C/M/125); 11  May 2016 (G/C/M/125/Add.1);  14 July 2016 
(G/C/M/126); and 17 November  2016 (G/C/M/1271). 
The subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows:  
1   ELECTION OF CHAIRPER SON OF THE COUNCIL F OR TRADE IN GOODS  ........................  3 
2   APPOINTMENT OF OFFIC ERS FOR THE SUBSIDIA RY BODIES OF THE COU NCIL  ...........  3 
3   MATTERS OF THE COMMI TTEE ON MARKET ACCES S................................ .....................  4 
3.1   Draft decision on the Procedure for the Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 
Changes to Schedules of Concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) 
database  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
3.2   Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System  2002, 
2007, 2012, and 2017  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  4 
4   WAIVERS UNDER ARTICL E IX OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT  ................................ .............  4 
4.1   Introduction of Harmonized System  2002 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
4.1.1    Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/728)  ................................ ..................  4 
4.2   Introduction of Harmonized System  2007 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
4.2.1    Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/729)  ................................ ..................  4 
4.3   Introduction of Harmonized System  2012 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  4 
4.3.1    Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/730)  ................................ ................................  4 
4.4   Introductio n of Harmonized System 2017 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  5 
4.4.1    Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/733 and G/C/W/733/Rev.1)  ................................  5 
4.5   Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relatin g to the Transitional Period for the Elimination 
of the Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan (G/C/W/705; G/C/W/705/Corr.1; 
G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2)  ................................ ................................ ............  5 
4.6   United States – Request for a Waiver Extension – Former Tr ust Territory of the 
Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721)  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
                                                
1 To be issued.  G/L/1168  
 
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  4.7   United States – Request for a Waiver: Trade Preferences Granted to Nepal 
(G/C/W/724)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  5 
4.8   European Union – Request for a Waiver Extensio n – Application of Autonomous 
Preferential Treatment to the Western Balkans (G/C/W/731)  ................................ ....................  6 
4.9   Cuba – Request for a Waiver Extension – Article  XV:6 of the GATT  1994 contained 
in the decision of 14  February  2012 (WT/L/850) – (G/C/W/734)  ................................ ...............  6 
5   ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: PROCEDURES UNDER 
ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF GATT  1994  ................................ ................................ .....................  6 
5.1   Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.5)  ...............................  6 
5.2   Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.6)  ...............................  6 
6   ACCESSION OF THE KYR GYZ REPUBLIC TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC 
UNION: PROCEDURES UN DER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF GATT  1994  ................................ ...... 6 
7   ACCESSION OF THE REP UBLIC OF ARMENIA TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMI C 
UNION: PROCEDURES UN DER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF GATT  1994  ................................ ...... 7 
8   NOTIFICATION OF REGI ONAL TRADE AGREEMENT S ................................ ....................  7 
9   NOTIFICATIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  7 
9.1   Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex  1A of the 
WTO Agreement (G/L/223/Rev.23)  ................................ ................................ .......................  7 
10   RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING ME ASURES – REQUEST FROM 
UKRAINE (G/C/W/720)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 8 
11   INDONESIA'S IMPORT A ND EXPORT RESTRICTIN G POLICIES AND 
PRACTICES – REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED 
STATES ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  8 
12   CHINA – ISSUES RELATED TO TR ADE IN SEAFOO D – REQUEST FROM 
NORWAY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
13   NIGERIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  ................................ ...........................  9 
14   ECUADOR – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES – REQUEST FROM JAPAN 
AND THE UNITED STATE S................................ ................................ ................................ . 9 
15   UKRAINE – ISSUES RELATED TO CU STOMS VALUATION – REQUEST FROM 
NORWAY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  9 
16   INDIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  ................................ .............................  10 
17   PAKISTAN – DISCRIMINATORY TAXES  – REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN 
UNION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  10 
18   EUROPEAN UNION – ANTI -DUMPING INVESTIGATIO N ON IMPORTS OF 
COLD -ROLLED FLAT STEEL PR ODUCTS ORIGINATING I N THE RUSSIAN 
FEDERATION AND CHINA  – REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  .......................  10 
19   SRI LANKA – DAIRY  TARIFFS – REQUEST FROM NEW ZEA LAND  ..............................  10 
20   CANADA – WINE RELATED POLICIE S AND MEASURES – REQUEST FROM NEW 
ZEALAND  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
21   UNITED STATES OF AME RICA – MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH 
AND SEAFOO D PRODUCTS  ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 
22   CROATIA – REGULATION OF IMPORT  AND SALE OF CERTAIN OIL PRODUCTS 
– REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  ................................ ...............................  11 
23   CHINA – IMPORT TAX ON PERSON AL EFFECTS AT THE BO RDER – REQUEST 
FROM  JAPAN  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  11 
24   WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ ...................  11 
25   ISSUES CONSIDERED UN DER AGENDA ITEM "OTH ER BUSINESS"  ...........................  12 G/L/1168  
 
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  25.1   Information about the expiry date of Section 15(a)(ii) of the Protocol on the 
Accession of China  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 12 
25.2   United States' Seafood Import Monitoring Programme  ................................ ................... 12 
25.3   Russian Federation's Trade Measures Affecting Ukrainian Transit of Pro ducts .................... 13 
25.4   China's Import Tax System on Personal Effects at the Border – Request from Japan  ......... 13 
25.5   Turkey's Measures Regarding Additional Customs Duties on Imported Tyres – 
Request from Ja pan ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 13 
25.6   Members' Notifications – Request from New Zealand  ................................ ..................... 13 
25.7   Russian Federation's Certification Requirements for Cement – Request from the 
European Union  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 13 
26   CONSIDERATION OF ANN UAL REPORTS OF SUBSI DIARY BODIES OF THE 
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS  ................................ ................................ ....................  13 
27   ADOPTION OF THE ANNU AL REPORT OF THE COU NCIL FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS TO THE GENERAL  COUNCIL  ................................ ................................ ................  13 
 
1  ELECTION OF CHAIRPER SON OF THE COUNCIL F OR TRADE IN GOODS  
1.1.  At its meeting of 15 April, the Council elected Ambassador Hamish MCCORMICK  (Australia) as 
its Chairperson for 2016.  
2  APPOINTMENT OF OFFIC ERS FOR THE SUBSIDIA RY BODIES OF THE COU NCIL  
2.1.  At its meeting o f 15 April, the Council agreed to suspend this agenda item in order for the 
Chair to continue to carry out his consultations on the nomination of persons to chair the 
subsidiary bodies of the Goods Council; it also agreed to reconvene a meeting once the pr ocess 
had been concluded. On 11 May the Council reconvened its meeting to conclude this agenda item; 
took note of the statement made by the outgoing  Chair, and agreed on the nominations of the 
following persons for election as Chairpersons of its subsidiar y bodies for 2016:  
Chairpersons of CTG  Subsidiary Bodies  
Market Access  Ms Hanna Olsen BODSBERG (Norway)  
Agriculture  Mr Garth EHRHARDT (Canada)  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Ms Marcela OTERO (Chile)  
Technical Barriers to Trade  Ms Esther PEH (Singa pore)  
TRIMs  Ms Marine WILLEMETZ (Switzerland)  
Anti-Dumping Practices  Mr Peira SHANNON (Australia)  
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Mr Jin -dong KIM (Korea)  
Safeguards  Mr Yugsong CHEN (China)  
Import Licensing  Mr Tapio PYYSALO (Finland)  
Rules of Or igin Mr Chin -Tung CHANG (Chinese Taipei)  
Customs Valuation  Dr Yasser KORANI (Egypt)  
State Trading Enterprises  Ms Yeili RANGEL PEÑARANDA (Colombia)  
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade 
in Information Technology Products (ITA Committee)  Ms Zsofia TVARUSKO (Hungary)  
 G/L/1168  
 
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  2.2.  At the same meeting, the Council agreed to proceed on the understan ding that, as concerns 
the Vice -Chairpersons , it would be for the subsidiary bodies to decide if they needed a 
Vice­Chairperson in cases where the option existed  under the respective Agreement and/or rules 
of procedure, and for the respective Chairperson to hold the necessary consultations.  
2.3.  The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada;  Chile;  Colombia;  Ecuador; 
the European Union;  Mexico;  Morocco (o n behalf of the African Group) ; Oman;  Singapore; 
Sri Lanka (on behalf of the Asian Group) ; and the United States.  
3  MATTERS OF THE COMMI TTEE ON MARKET ACCES S 
3.1  Draft decision on the Procedure for the Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 
Changes to Schedules of Concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) 
database  
3.1.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a draft decision on the Procedure for 
the Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 Changes to Schedules of Concessions using the 
Conso lidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) database.  The Council approved the draft decision and agreed 
that the draft decision (G/C/W/732) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
3.2  Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System  2002,  
2007, 2012, and 2017  
3.2.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered four collective waiver requests on the 
introduction of Harmonized System  2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017  changes into WTO  Schedules of 
Concessions (see Section  4 below).  
4  WAIVERS UNDER AR TICLE  IX OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT  
4.1  Introduction of Harmonized System  2002 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  
4.1.1   Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/728)  
4.1.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a collective request for an e xtension 
of the waiver in connection with the introduction of HS2002  changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/728) be forwarded to th e General Council for adoption.  
4.2  Introduction of Harmonized System  2007 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  
4.2.1   Collective request for a waiver extension (G/C/W/729)  
4.2.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a collective request for an extension 
of the waiver in connecti on with the introduction of HS  2007 changes to the Schedules of 
Concessions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/729) be forwarded to th e General Council for adoption.  
4.3  Introduction of Harmonized System  2012 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:  
4.3.1   Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/730)  
4.3.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS  2012 changes to the Schedules of Concessions.  The 
Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision (G/C/W/730) be 
forwarded to th e General Council for adoption.  G/L/1168  
 
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  4.4  Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.4.1   Collectiv e request for a waiver (G/C/W/733  and G/C/W/733/Rev.1 ) 
4.4.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a collective request for a waiver in 
connection with the introduction of HS  2017 changes to the Schedules of Concessions.  The 
Council approved the  waiver request and recommended that a revised draft decision 
(G/C/W/733 /Rev.1 ), including other Members  in the Annex to the decision, be forwarded to th e 
General Council for adoption.  
4.5  Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating to the Transitional Period for t he Elimination 
of the Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan (G/C/W/705; G/C/W/705/Corr.1; 
G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2)  
4.5.  At its meeting of 15 April, as agreed by the CTG at its meeting of 10  November  2015, the 
Council continued considering Jordan's wa iver request and draft waiver decision concerning the 
Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Program for Jordan (G/C/W/705; 
G/C/W/705/Corr.1; G/C/W/705/Rev.1; and G/C/W/705/Rev.2). The Chairperson reminded 
delegations that, at the CT G meeting in November  2015, Jordan had introduced 
document  G/C/W/705/Rev.2, limiting its request to three (3)  years and annexing a WTO  action 
plan to implement a WTO -compatible programme in replacement of the current programme. The 
Council took note of the  statement made by Jordan; and of the statements made by Australia; 
China; Egypt; Guatemala; Japan; New Zealand; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia; Chinese Taipei; Turkey; and the United States. At Jordan's request, the Council agreed to 
revert to the matter at its meeting of 17 November , when Jordan would inform the Council about 
the development of its replacement programme.  
4.6.  At its meeting of 17 November , Jordan informed the Council about the development o f its 
subsidy replacement programm e.  The Council took note of the statement s made by Jordan, as 
well as of the statements made by Australia;  China;  Egypt;  Japan;  New Zealand;  Pakistan;  Qatar;  
Saudi Arabia;  Chinese Taipei ; Turkey;  and the United States. The Council agreed to revert to this  
issue at its meeting in April  2017.  
4.6  United States – Request for a Waiver Extension – Former Trust Territory of the 
Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721)  
4.7.  At the CTG meeting of 15 April, the Council considered a request and a draft waiver decision 
submitted by the Un ited States relating to the extension of the waiver concerning the Former Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721). The Council took note of the statement made by the 
United States, and of the statement made by the European Union on its internal proce dures. 
The Council agreed to revert to this request at its meeting of 14 July. 
4.8.  At the CTG  meeting of 14 July, the Council again considered the request and draft waiver 
decision submitted by the United States relating to the extension of the waiver con cerning the 
Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721). The Council took note of the statement 
made by the United States, and of the statement made by the European Union relating to its 
internal procedures. The Council agreed to revert to th is request at its meeting of 17 November . 
4.9.  At the CTG  meeting of 17 November , the Council again considered the request and draft 
waiver decision sub mitted by the United States. The Council approved the waiver request and 
recommended th at the draft decision (G/C/W/721 ) be forwarded to th e General Council for 
adoption.  
4.7  United States – Request for a Waiver: Trade Preferences Granted to Nepal 
(G/C/W/724)  
4.10.   At the CTG  meeting of 14 July, the Council considered a request and draft waiver decision 
submitted by the Un ited States relating to certain trade preferences to be granted to Nepal, 
contained in document  G/C/W/724. The Council took note of the statement made by the United G/L/1168  
 
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  States, and of the statements made by Nepal and the European Union, and agreed to revert to  the 
request at its meeting of 17 November . 
4.11.   At the CTG  meeting of 17 November , the Council again considered the request and draft 
waiver decision submitted by the United States . The Council approved the waiver request and 
recommended th at the draft decisio n (G/C/W/724 ) be forwarded to th e General Council for 
adoption.  
4.8  European Union – Request for a Waiver Extension – Application of Autonomous 
Preferential Treatment to the Western Balkans (G/C/W/731)  
4.12.   At the CTG  meeting of 17 November , the Council considered a request and draft waiver 
decision submitted by the  European Union relating to the extension of the preferen tial treatment 
granted to products originating in the Western Balkans  (Albania;  Bosnia and Herzegovina;  Croatia;  
Kosovo2; Montenegro;  Serbia;  and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ). The Council 
approved the waiver request and recommended th at the draft decision (G/C/W/731 ) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption.  
4.9  Cuba – Request for a Waiver Extension – Article  XV:6 of the GATT  1994 c ontained in 
the decision of 14  February  2012 (WT/L/850) – (G/C/W/734)  
4.13.   At the CTG  meeting of 17 November , the Council  considered a request and draft waiver 
decision s ubmitted by Cuba relating to the extension of the waiver granted to Cuba in order to 
facilitate its compliance with Article  XV:6 of the GATT  1994. The Council approved the waiver 
request and recommended th at the draft decision (G/C/W/734 ) be forwarded to th e General 
Council for adoption.  
5  ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICL E XXVIII:3 OF 
GATT  1994  
5.1  Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.5)  
5.1.  At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union and agreed to extend the deadline mentioned by the European Union in 
document  G/L/1051/Add.5 until 1  January  2017.  
5.2.  At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union pertaining to the progress it had made in respect of its enlargement following the accession 
of the Republic of Croatia on 1 July 2013. The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Australia and Brazil.  
5.2  Enlargement of the European Union on 1  July 2013 (G/L/1051/Add.6)  
5.3.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council took note of the statement made by the 
European Union and agreed to extend the deadline mentioned in document  G/L/1051/Add.6 until 
1 July 2017.  The Council also took note of the statements  made by Brazil and the 
Russian  Federation.  
6  ACCESSION OF THE KYR GYZ REPUBLIC TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UN ION: 
PROCEDURES UND ER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF GATT  1994  
6.1.  At its meeting of 14 July, the Council considered the extension of the deadline set out in 
document  G/L/1110/Add.1 from the Kyrgyz Republic, or until 12  February  2018. The Council also 
took note of the clarification provide d by the Kyrgyz Republic that the exact date of the ratification 
of its Protocol of Accession to the EURASIAN Economic Union (EAEU) was 15  August  2015, and 
that all periods referred to in its communication should consequently run from 12  August  2015, 
and n ot from 9  May 2015 as indicated in its initial request (document  G/L/1137). The Council took 
note of the statements made by the Kyrgyz Republic;  China;  the European Union;  Japan;  and 
Switzerland, and approved the requested extension until 12  February  2018.  
                                                
2 Under United Nations Security Council Resolution  1244/99.  G/L/1168  
 
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  6.2.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Council took note of the information p rovided by the 
Kyrgyz Republic relating to its renegotiations under Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994, following its 
accession to the EAEU . The Council  also took note of the statements m ade by China;  the European 
Union;  Japan;  Switzerland;  Turkey;  and Ukraine.  
7  ACCESSION OF THE REP UBLIC OF ARMENIA TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMI C UNION: 
PROCEDURES UNDER ART ICLE  XXVIII:3 OF GATT  1994  
7.1.  At its meeting of 14 July, the European Union invited Armenia and  others to follow its 
practice of periodically updating the Council about the progress made in respect of the 
renegotiation processes following their accession to the EAEU. The Council took note of the 
statement made by the European Union and of the statem ents made by Brazil;  Canada;  China;  
Japan;  Chinese Taipei ; Ukraine;  and the United States. The Council also took note of the 
information provided by Armenia on its renegotiations following its accession to the EAEU.  
7.2.  At its meeting of 17 November , the Counc il took note of the statement made by the Republic 
of Armenia and agreed to extend the deadline mentioned in document  G/L/1110/Add.2 until 
2 January  2018.  The Council also took note of the statements made by China;  the European 
Union;  Japan;  Chinese Taipei ; and Ukraine.  
8  NOTIFICATION OF REGI ONAL TRADE AGREEMENT S 
8.1.  At its meetings on 15 April, 14  July, and 17  November , the Council was informed of the 
following notifications on regional trade agreements:  
a. Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and New  Zealand  
(WT/REG367/N/1);  
b. Accession of Seychelles to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Free 
Trade Area (WT/REG368/N/1);  
c. Free Trade Agreement between Australia and China (WT/REG369/N/1);  
d. Free Trade Agreement between China and the Republic of  Korea (WT/REG370/N/1);  
e. Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam (WT/REG371/N/1);  
f. Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Mongolia (WT/REG373/N/1);  
g. Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Panama (WT/REG374/N/1); and  
h. Free Tra de Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Colombia (WT/REG375/N/1) . 
9  NOTIFICATIONS  
9.1  Status of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex  1A of the 
WTO  Agreement (G/L/223/Rev.23)  
9.1.  At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the  latest revision of the status of 
notifications contained in document  G/L/223/Rev.23, and of the statements made by the European 
Union and the United States concerning the importance of timely notifications and of the 
compilation of notifications contained  in the G/L/223  series. The Council also took note of the 
explanation provided by the Secretariat as to how the document containing the compilation of the 
annual notifications made by Members under the Agreements in Annex  1A of the WTO  Agreement 
is prepare d. G/L/1168  
 
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  10  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING ME ASURES – REQUEST FROM 
UKRAINE (G/C/W/720)3 
10.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made b y Ukraine relating 
to the trade -restricting measures applied by the Russian Federation that rest ricted international 
traffic in transit from the territory of Ukraine to third  destinations v ia the territory of the 
Russian  Federation, and of the questions posed to the Russian Federation in 
document  G/C/W/720. The Council also took note of the statement s made by Australia;  Canada;  
the European Union;  Jamaica;  Japan;  the Republic of Korea;  Switzerland;  Turkey; and 
the United  States, and of the responses provided by the Russian Federation.  
11  INDONESIA'S IMPORT A ND EXPORT RESTRICTIN G POLICIES AND PRACT ICES – 
REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED STATE S 
11.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of statements made by the European Union, 
Japan, and the United States, relating to various aspects of Indonesia's trade and investment 
regime, including in relation to import licensing requirements, unique technical regulations, 
pre-shipment inspection requirements, export restrictions, local content, domestic manufacturing 
requirements, sales restrictions on 4G  mobile phones, and a general lack of transparency, amongst 
others. The Council also took note of statements made by Australia ; Brazil ; Canada ; the Republic 
of Korea ; New Zealand ; Switzerland ; and Chinese Taipei ; and of the statement made by Indonesia 
in response to these concerns.  
11.2.   At its m eeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of statements made by the European 
Union, Japan, and the United States, relating to their continued concerns on various aspects of 
Indonesia's trade and investment regime, including in relation to import licen sing requirements, 
unique technical regulations, pre -shipment inspection requirements, export restrictions, local 
content, domestic manufacturing requirements, sales restrictions on 4G  mobile phones and a 
general lack of transparency, amongst others. The C ouncil also took note of statements made by 
Australia ; Brazil ; Chinese Taipei ; the Republic of Korea ; New Zealand ; and Norway ; and of the 
statement made by Indonesia in response to these concerns.  
11.3.    At its meeting of 17 November , the Council again took note  of statements made by the 
European Union, Japan, and the United States, relating to their continued concerns on various 
aspects of Indonesia's trade and investment regime, including in relation to import licensing 
requirements, un ique technical regulation s, pre -shipment inspection requirements, export 
restrictions, local content, domestic manufacturing requirements, sales restrictions on 4G  mobile 
phones and a general lack of transparency, amongst others . The Council also took note of 
statements made by Au stralia ; Brazil ; Canada ; Chinese Taipei ; the Republic of Korea ; 
New Zealand ; and Norway, and of the statement made by Indonesia in response to these 
concerns.  
12  CHINA – ISSUES RELATED TO TR ADE IN SEAFOOD – REQUEST FROM NORWAY  
12.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Norway relating 
to measures implemented by China since December  2010 that affected Norwegian exports of 
seafood, including quarantine and testing procedures, and allocation of "import licences" for 
salmon. The Co uncil also took note of the statement by the European Union, and of the responses 
provided by China.  
12.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Norway relating 
to measures implemented by China since December  2010 that affect ed Norwegian exports of 
seafood. The measures included quarantine and testing procedures, and allocation of "import 
licences" for salmon. The Council also took note of the statement by the European Union, as well 
as the statement made by China.  
12.3.   At its meet ing of 17 November , the Council again took note of the statement made by 
Norway relating to the measures implemented by China since December  2010 that affected 
                                                
3 See Section 25.3 below.  G/L/1168  
 
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  Norwegian exports of seafood.  The Council  also took note of the statement made by the European 
Union, and of China's responses to this issue.  
13  NIGERIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  
13.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Chile, the 
European Union, Iceland, Norway, Thailand, the United States, and Uruguay, relating t o the 
long-standing import restricting measures imposed by Nigeria, including currency restrictions and 
local content requirements. These measures had a significant impact on imports of fish products 
and construction materials, amongst other products. The Council also took note of statements 
made by Australia ; Chinese Taipei ; Japan ; and Switzerland, as well as of the statement made by 
Nigeria.  
13.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statements made by the European 
Union, Iceland, Norway, Tha iland, the United States, and Uruguay, relating to the continued 
import restricting measures imposed by Nigeria, including currency restrictions and local content 
requirements. The Council also took note of statements made by Argentina ; Australia ; Chile; 
Japan; and Chinese Taipei, as well as of the statement made by Nigeria.  
13.3.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council again discussed  the continued import restricting 
measures imposed by Nigeria, including currency restrictions and local content requirements , and 
took note of statements made by Argentina ; Australia ; Chile; the European Union ; Iceland ; Japan ; 
Norway ; Thailand ; the United States ; and Uruguay, as well as of the statement made by Nigeria.  
14  ECUADOR – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES – REQUEST FROM JAPAN A ND THE 
UNITED STATES  
14.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statements made by Japan and the 
United States relating to import restricting meas ures on automobiles and balance -of-payment 
(BOP)  measures taken by Ecuador, and of the questions  posed by the United States to Ecuador in 
document  G/C/W/722. The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada ; Chile; the 
European Union ; the Republic of Korea ; and Switzerland, and of the statement made by Ecuador in 
response to the concerns r aised.  
14.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and 
the United States relating to import restricting measures on automobiles and BOP  measures taken 
by Ecuador. The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada ; Chile; Colombia ; 
the European Union ; Guatemala ; the Republic of Korea ; Mexico ; Peru; and Switzerland, and of the 
statement made by Ecuador.  
14.3.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council again took note of further statements made by 
Japan and the Un ited States relating to import restricting measures on automobiles and 
BOP measures taken by Ecuador. The Council also took note of  the statements made by Canada ; 
the European Union ; the Republic of Korea ; Switzerland ; and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezu ela, 
and of the statement made by Ecuador.  
15  UKRAINE – ISSUES RELATED TO CU STOMS VALUATION – REQUEST FROM NORWAY  
15.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by Norway relating 
to the use by Ukraine of indicative prices to determin e the customs value in respect of fish and fish 
products. The Council also took note of the statements made by Japan, Switzerland, and the 
United States, and of the statement made by Ukraine.  
15.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the st atement made by Norway 
relating to the use of indicative prices to determine the customs value of imports of fish and fish 
products. The Council also took note of the statements made by the European Union ; Switzerland ; 
and the United States, and of the sta tement made by Ukraine.  G/L/1168  
 
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  16  INDIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  
16.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by Japan relating to 
the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron and steel products, port closures 
affecting apple imports, tariff increases, and localized conformity assessment requirements, 
amongst other concerns. The Council also took note of statements made by Australia ; Canada ; 
Chile; China ; the European Union ; New Zealand ; the Republic of Korea; Chinese Tai pei; and the 
United States. The Council also took note of the statement made by India.  
16.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and 
New Zealand relating to the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron and steel 
products, as well as port closures affecting apple imports, amongst other concerns. The Council 
also took note of statements made by Australia ; Canada ; China ; the European Union ; the Republic 
of Korea ; Chinese Taipei ; and the United States, and of the statement made by India.  
16.3.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council further discussed India's import restricting 
measures relating to the introduction by India of minimum import prices on iron and steel 
products, port closures affecting apple im ports, tariff increases, and localized conformity 
assessment requirements, amongst other concerns . The Council took note of statements made by 
Australia ; Canada ; China ; the European Union ; Japan ; the Republic of Korea ; New Zealand ; 
Chinese Taipei ; Thailand ; and the United States, and of the statement made by India.  
17  PAKISTAN – DISCRIMINATORY TAXES  – REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION  
17.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by the European 
Union about a taxation mechanism implemen ted by Pakistan which apparently established 
discriminatory taxation between products produced locally and th ose imported into Pakistan. 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada ; Japan ; Switzerland ; Chinese 
Taipei ; and the United States,  and of the statement made by Pakistan.  
18  EUROPEAN UNION – ANTI -DUMPING INVESTIGATIO N ON IMPORTS OF 
COLD -ROLLED FLAT STEEL PR ODUCTS ORIGINATING I N THE RUSSIAN FEDERA TION AND 
CHINA – REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  
18.1.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council t ook note of the statement made by the 
Russian Federation relating to anti -dumping investigations undertaken by the European Union in 
respect of cold-rolled flat steel products originating in the Ru ssian Federation and China. 
The Council also took note of t he statements made by China and the European Union.  
19  SRI LANKA – DAIRY TARIFFS – REQUEST FROM NEW ZEA LAND  
19.1.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by New Zealand 
relating to tariffs being applied by Sri Lanka above its ad valor em binding to skimmed and whole 
milk powder. The Council also took note of the statement made by Sri Lanka.  
20  CANADA – WINE RELATED POLICIE S AND MEASURES – REQUEST FROM NEW 
ZEALAND  
20.1.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by N ew Zealand 
relating to the wine -related policies and measures adopted by the Canadian provincial authorities 
of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The Council also took note of the statements made by 
Australia ; Chile; the European Union ; Mexico ; and the United States, as well as of the statement 
made by Canada.  
21  UNITED STATES OF AME RICA – MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH AND 
SEAFOOD PRODUCTS4 
21.1.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of th e statement made by the 
Russian  Federation relating to a p roposed rule under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program 
                                                
4 See Section 25.2 below.  G/L/1168  
 
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  (SIMP) of the United States  aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and 
seafood fraud. The Russian Federation asked for further clarification on the reporting requirements 
for fish producers and exporters and importers under the SIMP. The Council also took note of the 
statements made by Indonesia and the United States.  
21.2.   At its meeting of 17 November , at the request of China , under the title "United States of 
America – Seafood I mport Monitoring Programme ", the Council took note of statements made by 
China and the Russian Federation in respect of the US' Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) 
aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and seafood fraud . The  Council 
also took note of the statement made by the United States.  
22  CROATIA – REGULATION OF IMPORT  AND SALE OF CERTAIN OIL PRODUCTS – 
REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  
22.1.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council took note of a statement made by the 
Russia n Federation in respect of Croatia's requirements for import s and sale of certain oil products. 
The Council  also took note of a statement made the European Union . 
23  CHINA – IMPORT TAX ON PERSON AL EFFECTS AT THE BO RDER – REQUEST FROM 
JAPAN5 
23.1.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council  took note of a statement made by Japan in 
respect of import taxes being applied on personal effects at the border in China. The Council  also 
took note of the statement made by Korea, and the statement made in response by China.  
24  WOR K PROGRAMME ON ELECT RONIC COMMERCE  
24.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Chairperson recalled that, at the last Ministerial Conference, 
held in Nairobi in December  2015, Ministers had adopted the decision contained in 
document  WT/L/977 on the "Work Programme on Electronic Commerce" (Work Programme or 
WPEC). In this decision, Ministers reaffirmed not only the mandate of the Work Programme 
adopted on 25  September  1998 and contained in document  WT/L/274, but also reaffirmed 
subsequent Ministerial Declarations and De cisions on the Work Programme. Therefore, Ministers 
decided to continue the work under the WPEC since the last session, based on the existing 
mandate and guidelines and on the basis of proposals submitted by Members in the relevant 
WTO bodies as set out in  paragraphs  2 to 5 of the Work Programme. To this end, they instructed 
the General Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July and December  2016 and 
July 2017, based on the reports that might be submitted by those WTO  bodies entrusted with the  
implementation of the Work Programme, including this Council, and to report to the next session 
of the Ministerial Conference. With a view to informing the General Council, at its July  2016 
session, about the discussions that had taken place on e -commerce  in this Council, he invited 
delegations to make their statements on this matter.  
24.2.   Given that there were no interventions from Members, he proposed that the Council take 
note of the information he had provided and to revert to this issue at the next CTG  meeting. 
24.3.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in 
document  WT/L/977, adopted by Ministers at the Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 
December  2015; and with a view to fulfilling the mandate given to this Council to report to the 
General Council at its July and December  2016 and July  2017 meetings about the discussions that 
had taken place on E -commerce in the CTG, he invited delegations to make their statements and 
suggestions on this matter.  
24.4.   Canada ; China ; the European Uni on; Japan ; Korea ; Switzerland ; and the United States 
encouraged Members to reinvigorate and widen discussion on e -commerce, to make more effective 
use of the Work Programme, to promote digital economic growth  and reinforce the openness that 
had allowed the  Internet to become a dynamic force for economic growth , to increase access to 
best technologies, and to bolster the Internet's ability to facilitate commerce in digital products, 
                                                
5 See Section 25.4 below.  G/L/1168  
 
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  services, and physical goods . General reference was also made to the JOB  documents (JOB/GC/94, 
JOB/GC/96, and JOB/GC/97) that were circulated to Members through the General Council.  
24.5.   The Council took note of the statements made and agreed that in order to fulfil the Nairobi 
mandate, the Chairperson would make, on his own responsibi lity, a purely factual report to the 
General Council  on 27 -28 July based on the discussions held in the CTG at its meetings of 15  April 
and 14  July. 
24.6.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Chairperson recalled the mandate contained in 
document  WT/L/977, adopted  by Ministers at the Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in 
December  2015; and with a view to fulfilling the mandate given to this Council to report to the 
General Council at its July and December  2016 and July  2017 meetings about the discussions that 
had ta ken place on E -commerce in the CTG, he invited delegations to make their statements and 
suggestions on this matter.  
24.7.   China and Pakistan introduced a communication circulated to the General Council, the 
Goods and Services Councils , and the Committee on Trade  and Development (JOB/GC/110/Rev.1, 
JOB/CTG/2/Rev.1, JOB/SERV/24 3/Rev.1, and JOB/DEV/39/Rev.1), pertaining to the Work 
Programme on Electronic Commerce.  China noted the complexity of the e -commerce debate, 
including in particular the wide digital gap among  Members, and expressed the desire to proceed 
progressively in an inclusive manner on e -commerce , with a focus on realizing pragmatic progress 
at MC11.  
24.8.   The Council took note of the statement s made by 22 delegations ( Argentina;  Australia;  
Brazil;  Canada;  Colombia;  Costa Rica;  Ecuador;  the EU ; Hong Kong, China;  India;  Japan;  Korea;  
Mexico;  Paraguay;  Peru;  Russian Federation;  Singapore;  South Africa;  Switzerland;  Chinese 
Taipei ; the United States;  and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) which referred to var ious 
aspects of China and Pakistan's communication . 
25  ISSUES CONSIDERED UN DER AGENDA ITEM "OTH ER BUSINESS"  
25.1  Information about the expiry date of Section  15(a)(ii) of the Protocol on the 
Accession of China  
25.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, China again informed the C ouncil that Section  15(a)(ii) of its 
Protocol of Accession would expire on 11  December  2016 and indicated that, consequently, 
Members using the surrogate or analogue country methodology in their anti -dumping 
investigations against China should take the nec essary steps to bring their legislation into line with 
the new conditions after the expiry date of Section  15. The Council took note of the information 
provided by China.  
25.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the information provided by  China 
relating to the expiry date of Section  15(a)(ii) of its Protocol of Accession on 11  December  2016. 
The Council also took note of a statement made by the United States and of the response provided 
by China.  
25.3.    At its meeting of 17 November , the Council  again took note of the information provided by 
China relating to the expiry date of Section  15(a)(ii) of its Protocol of Accession on 
11 December  2016. The Council also took note of statement s made by  Canada ; the European 
Union ; Mexico ; and the United Sta tes, as well as  of the response provided by China.  
25.2  United States' Seafood Import Monitoring Programme6 
25.4.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the s tatement made by the 
Russian  Federation relating to a proposed Seafood Import Monitoring Progra m (SIMP) of the 
United States aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and seafood fraud. 
The Council also took note of the statements made by Norway, and the United States.  
                                                
6 See Section  21 above.  G/L/1168  
 
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  25.3  Russian Federation's Trade Measures Affecting Ukrainian Tr ansit of Products7 
25.5.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by Ukraine 
concerning a recent expansion of the Russian Federation's trade -restrictive measures that affected 
goods imported from Ukraine, particularly establishing s ome prohibitions to import certain 
agricultural goods, and various restrictive transit measures. The Council also took note of the 
statements made by Australia ; Canada ; the European Union ; Japan ; the Republic of Korea ; 
Norway ; Turkey ; and the United States , as well as of th e statement made by the 
Russian  Federation.  
25.4  China's Import Tax System on Personal Effects at the Border – Request from 
Japan8 
25.6.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by Japan in relation 
to the simplified im port tax system on personal effects of China. The Council also took note of the 
statement made by China.  
25.5  Turkey's Measures Regarding Additional Customs Duties on Imported Tyres – 
Request from Japan  
25.7.   At its meeting of 17 November , the C ouncil took note of th e statement made by Japan in 
respect of additional customs duties imposed by Turkey in respect of imported tyres. The Council 
also took note of the statements made by Chinese Taipei and Turkey.  
25.6  Members' Notifications – Request from New Zealand  
25.8.   At its meeti ng of 17 November , the C ouncil took note of the statement by New Zealand 
flagging its desire to see a more fulsome discussion at the CTG's April  2017 meeting relating to 
Members' poor compliance record with submitting timely and complete notifications. The  Council 
also took note of statements made by Australia ; Brazil ; Costa Rica; the European Union ; Japan ; 
Singapore ; Switzerland ; and the United States.  
25.7  Russian Federation's Certi fication Requirements for Cemen t – Request from the 
European Union  
25.9.   At its meeti ng of 17 November , the C ouncil  took note of the statement made by the 
European Union in respect of the Russian Federation's certification requirements for cement 
products. The Council also took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation  in 
respon se. 
26  CONSIDERATION OF ANN UAL REPORTS OF SUBSI DIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL 
FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
26.1.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council took note of the annual reports of its subsidiary 
bodies.9 
27  ADOPTION OF THE ANNU AL REPORT OF THE COU NCIL FOR TRADE IN GO ODS TO THE 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
27.1.   At its meeting of 17 November , the Council adopted its Annual Report  (2016) to the 
General  Council.  
__________  
                                                
7 See Section  10 above.  
8 See section 23 above.  
9 Agriculture (G/L/1165 ); TRIMs (G/L/1153 and G/TRIMS/6); Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures  (G/L/1157 and G/SCM/148); Anti -dumping (G/L/1158 and G/ ADP/23); Safeguards (G/L/1155 and 
G/SG/142); Market Access (G/L/1154); Import Licensing (G/LIC/W/47); Custom s Valuation (G/L/1160 ); 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Mea sures (G/L/1164); ITA  (G/L/1163); Pre -shipment Inspecti on and Independent 
Entity (G/L/1161 ); Rules of Origin (G/L/1159 and G/RO/W/166); Te chnical Barriers to Trade (G/L/1167 and 
G/RO/W/166 ); and Working Party on State Trading Enterprises (G/L/1156 and G/STR/15).