G/LIC/N/3/EU/3  
 
6 November 2014  
(14-6494)  Page: 1/32  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
EUROPEAN UNION 
The following communication, dated 17 October 2014, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union. 
 
_______________ 
 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  Table of contents 
1   TEXT ILES .................................................................................................................. .. 3 
1.1   An autonomous regime govern ing imports from ot her countries ....................................... 4  
1.2   A specific "outward pr ocessing traffi c (OPT)" ................................................................. 4  
1.3   A surveill ance regime ................................................................................................. 4  
2   AGRICULTURE ............................................................................................................. 8  
2.1   Cereal s and ri ce ....................................................................................................... 11 
2.2   Sugar (cane or beet) ................................................................................................. 13 
2.3   Olive oil and table olives: ........................................................................................... 14 
2.4   Milk and milk products .............................................................................................. 14 
2.5   Beef and veal ........................................................................................................... 16 
2.6   Sheepmeat and goatmeat: ......................................................................................... 19 
2.7   Pigmeat: ................................................................................................................ . 19 
2.8   Poultry meat ............................................................................................................ 20 
2.9   Eggs and products in th e egg sector and egg albumin .................................................... 21 
2.10   Garlic .................................................................................................................... 22 
2.11   Preserve d mushr ooms ............................................................................................. 22 
2.12   12. Ethanol of agricultural ob tained from agricu ltural pr oducts ...................................... 23 
3   STEEL ..................................................................................................................... ... 23 
4   OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES – ODS- (CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES) ................... 24  
5   IMPORT OF RO UGH DIAMON DS ................................................................................. 30  G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  Introduction 
The EU import licensing system is based on the premise that no import licences are required 
except where specific products are subject to quantitative restrictions, safeguard measures against injurious imports pursuant to either GATT Article XIX or international commitments. There are also 
a number of products subject to EU surveillance with the purpose of improving transparency of 
import trends of the products concerned, but with no limits on access to the EU market. On this basis, statistical controls and further controls on the origin of the products may be performed.   
Outline of system 
Licences are issued by the competent authorities in the  EU M e mb e r States  of b y the  Europ e an 
Commission (for imports of ODS). Import licences are valid for a certain period which varies 
depending upon the different products.  In particular, for agricultural products, import licences are valid until the end of the relevant quota import period.   
Legislative basis 
 Council Regulation (EC) No 260/2009 of 26 February 2009 (OJ L 84, 31.03.2009, p.1) on the 
common rules for imports as amended by Regu lation (EU) No 37/2014 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council of 15 Janua ry 2014 (O.J. L 18, 21.01.2014). 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=1406129204510&uri=CELEX:02009R0260-20140220  
 
 Council Regulation (EC) No 625/2009 of 7 July 2009 (OJ L 185, 17.07.2009, p.1) established 
common rules for imports from certain third countries as amended by Regulation (EU) 
No 37/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2014 (O.J. L 18, 
21.01.2014).  
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=1406128882969&uri=CELEX:02009R0625-20140220  
 
Licensing is statutorily required for the products listed in the relevant legislative texts. The product coverage is defined in the legislation and is not subject to administrative discretion. Relevant 
regulations generally 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 information as well as replies to the remaining questions have been organized by 
the different legislative instruments owing to the different procedures involved.  
1  TEXTILES 
Outline of the system The following import regime systems are maintained: 
 
1.  An autonomous regime governing imports from two non-WTO Members, namely Belarus and 
North Korea, with which no bilateral agreements, protocols, other arrangements or specific EU import rules exist; 
 
2.  A specific outward processing traffic (OPT);   
3.  A surveillance regime. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  Purpose and coverage of licensing 
1.1  An autonomous regime governing imports from other countries   The legal basis is Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 (OJ L 67, 10.3.94, 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 sp ecific EU import rules, as last amended by 
Regulation (EU) No 38/2014 of the European Pa rliament and of the Council of 15 January 2014. 
This Regulation has been published on the EU O fficial Journal L 218 of 21.01.2014. A consolidated 
version of the Regulation, which is currently submitted to a recast procedure (see COM(2014) 345 
final), can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/E N/TXT/?qid=1406106807634&uri=CELEX:01994R0517-
20140220  
 
The system establishes quantitative restrictions on imports of certain textile products originating in certain third countries, namely Belarus and North Korea, to be allocated on a first come, first 
served basis.   
 1.2  A specific "outward processing traffic (OPT)" 
It establishes the economic outward processing arrangements applicable to certain textiles and 
clothing products reimported into the European Union after working or processing in certain third countries. Under this scheme, raw materials for the manufacturing of textile products may be exported from the EU to another country for furt her processing. Re-imports of textile products 
after processing in countries other than Belarus and North Korea are not subject to quantitative 
limits. However, re-imports of products listed in Annex VI of Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 have to comply with the annual limits fixed in Annex VI and Council Regulation (EC) No 3036/94 
(OJ L 322, 15.12.1994, p. 1).  
 The latter Regulation is the legal basis establishing economic outward processing arrangements to 
products re-imported into the European Union af ter being processed in certain third countries 
(Corrigenda in OJ L 135, 6.6.96, p. 35), as lastly amended by Council Regulation (EC) 
No 806/2003 of 14 April 2003 that can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/E N/TXT/?qid=1406108706264&uri=CELEX:01994R3036-
20030605  
 
1.3  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 to introduce retrospective 
surveillance or make certain imports subject to prior EU surveillance.   The legal basis is Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 (OJ L 67, 10.3.94, 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 sp ecific EU import rules, as last amended by 
Regulation (EU) No 38/2014 of the European Pa rliament and of the Council of 15 January 2014. 
This Regulation has been published on the EU O fficial Journal L 218 of 21.01.2014. A consolidated 
version of the Regulation, which is currently submitted to a recast procedure (see COM(2014) 345 final), can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/E N/TXT/?qid=1406106807634&uri=CELEX:01994R0517-
20140220  
 
Procedures 
I. The system establishes quantitative restrictions on imports of certain textile products 
originating in certain third countries to be allocated on a first come, first served basis, without any derogation from the licensing requirement. 
 The distribution of quotas is set on a yearly basis. For 2014, the legal basis is Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1281/2013 of 10 December 2013 laying down rules for 
the management and the distribution of textile quotas established for the year 2014 under G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 that can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the 
following address: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406108223974&uri=CELEX:32013R1281  
 
The European Commission manages at EU level the issuance of import authorizations for 
textile products which are subject to quantitative restrictions (quotas) or to surveillance measures applicable for textile products with the help of an integrated electronic network 
known as "SIGL" (" Système Intégré de Gestion de Licenses " - Integrated system for the 
management of licences). SIGL is a computer system linking the European Commission with the licensing offices issuing import authorizations in the Member States. Licensing offices have exclusive access to SIGL. For more information on SIGL:   
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/sigl/info_textile.htm . 
 
 The information provided on the website is base d on the use of the quantitative restrictions 
(quotas) and on quantities of products imported under specific regime measures per textile 
category and is updated twice a day. The extent to which a textiles quota is used is based on the quantity of the goods of a certain category of textile products for which the licensing 
authorities in the Member States have issued import authorisations and which have been set 
off against the quantitative limit in question. SIGL is following the relevant legislation. 
 
II. There are no cases where the size of the qu ota is determined on a yearly basis and where 
import authorisations would be issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis.  
 
III. Import authorisations are issued for imports of textiles from third countries. The competent 
licensing offices notify the European Commission immediately after having been informed of 
any quantity that is not used during the duration of validity of the import authorisation. Such unused quantities are automatically transferred into the remaining quantities of the total of 
the EU quantitative limit for each category pr oducts and each third country concerned. In 
the proposed recast version of Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94, it is suggested to extend the validity of wholly or partly unused import authorisations. Names of importers to whom import authorisations have been allocated are not made known to governments and 
exporting countries for privacy protection reasons. 
 
IV. The authorised imports are charged against the quantitative limits laid down for the year in 
which the products are shipped in the supplier country concerned. An import authorisation is 
issued, if the importer proves the existence of  a contract related to the provision of the 
goods and certifies in writing that he has not already been allocated an authorisation or has 
already used up at least 50 per cent of an already allocated authorisation.  
 
V. The licensing offices have to issue an import authorisation within five working days of 
notification of the European Commission decision or within the time limit set by the 
European Commission. 
 VI. Import authorisations are valid for a period of nine months from the date of their issue. 
 
VII. Each Member State has only one national competent authority for the issuing of import 
authorisations. 
 
VIII. Import authorisations are issued on a "fir st-come, first-served" basis. For the autonomous 
regime the European Commission may divide the quantitative limits into tranches or fix maximum amounts per allocation. In accordance with the examination procedure referred to 
in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 the European Commission may reserve a 
proportion of a specific quantitative limit for requests supported by evidence of past import 
performance. As regards OPT, 90% of the 2014 quota level was reserved for traditional 
operators, whilst 10% was kept for newcomers. The percentage depends on the legislation 
in force. Applications are examined on receipt. 
 
IX. As regards the autonomous regime and OPT subject to quantitative limits import 
authorisations are not issued automatically but only after the European Commission has confirmed that the amount requested is available within the quantitative limit in question. 
 
X. There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only.  G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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XI. There are no products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market. 
 
For textile products subject to EU surveillance the following applies: 
 (a) The licensing authorities have to issue a surveillance document within a maximum of five 
working days following the request submitted by the importer.    
 (b) Surveillance documents are issued on the basis of "first-come, first-served". 
 
(c) The Commission services collect statistical information on products (SIGL electronic system). 
 (d) The list of the competent authorities in the Member States delivering import licences is 
published in the "C" series of the Official Journal.  The application must not be passed on to 
other bodies for approval and the importer has to approach only one administrative organ. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
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. All persons are eligible to become importers. 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
For textile products subject to quantitative limits : The sample form is contained in 
Commission Regulation (EC) 3168/94 (OJ L 335, 23.12.1994, p. 23) establishing in the field of 
application of Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 on common rules for imports of textile products 
from third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements or by 
other specific EU import rules as last amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 
21 February 2013. This Regulation has been pu blished on the EU Official Journal L 158 of 
10.06.2013. The following information is required in applications for import authorisations:   
The declaration or request made by the importer to the competent authorities in order to obtain 
the import authorisation needs to contain:  
(a)  The name of the applicant and full address (i ncluding if any, telephone and fax number, and 
identification number registered with the competent national authorities), and VAT 
registration number, if it is a VAT payer; 
 
(b) Name and full address of declarant;  (c) Name and full address of probable exporter; 
 
(d) The country of origin of the products and the country of consignment;  
(e) A description of the products including: 
  - their commercial designation; 
 - description of the products and Combined Nomenclature (CN) code; 
 (f) The appropriate category and the quantity in the appropriate unit as indicated in Regulation 
concerned for the products in question; 
 
(g) The value of products;   
(h) Any internal code used for administrative purposes, such as the Taric code; 
(i) Date and signature of the applicant.  
For textile products subject to outward processing traffic:  an application for the issue of a 
prior authorization shall be submitted to the competent authorities of the Member States using Annex I of Commission Regulation (EC) No 3017/95 of 20 December 1995. This Regulation has G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  been published in the EU Official Journal L 314/ 40 of 28.12.1995 and can be consulted on EUR-Lex 
web page at the following address:  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/E N/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31995R3017&rid=1   
 
The application shall contain the following information: 
 (a) Identity of the applicant; 
 
(b)  Requested customs supervising office;  (c)  Last day of authorized exportation; 
 
(d) Period for re-importation;  
(e) Rate of yield/method of calculation; 
 (f)  Origin of compensating products; 
 
(g) Country of processing;  (h) Description of reimport compensating products indicating Category no, CN code, quantity 
and value; 
 (i) Description of temporary export goods the orig in of the goods, CN code, quantity and value; 
 
(j) Nature of processing operations.  
An application shall be accompanied by all documents or evidence, in particular the underlying 
contract.  For textile products subject to EU surveillance:  The sample form is contained in Council 
Regulation (EC) No 517/94 (OJ L 67, 10.3..1994, 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 EU import ru les as last amended by Commission Implementing 
Regulation (EU) No 1281/2013 of 10 December 2013.  
 The declaration or request made by the importer to the licensing offices in order to obtain the 
import authorisation needs to contain: 
 (a)  Consignee (name, full address, country VAT number);  
(b) Issue No; 
 (c) Proposed place and date of import; 
 
(d) Authority responsible for the issue (name, address and telephone number); 
 
(e) Declarant/representative as applicable (name and full address); 
 (f) Country of origin/country code;  
(g) Country of consignment/country code; 
 (h)  Last day of validity; 
 
(i) Description of goods;  
(j) CN code and textile category; 
 (k) Quantity of kilograms (net mass) or in additional units;  
(l) Customs value in EUR, cif at Union frontier; G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  (m) Competent authority's endorsement. 
 Conditions of licensing 
Surveillance documents may not be used beyond the expiry of the period which will be laid down 
at the same time and by means of the same pr ocedure as the imposition of surveillance or 
safeguard measures and which will take account of the nature of the products and other special features of the transactions. 
 
2  AGRICULTURE 
Outline of system The import licensing scheme for agricultural products serves statistical purposes and is an 
automatic licensing system. The competent authorities in the Member States issue import licences 
to every applicant irrespective of their place of establishment in the EU. 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 with the import declaration. 
 A general import licence obligation is applicable for a couple of products as laid down in 
Article 1(2)(a)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 together with Annex II, Part I of the same 
Regulation. In addition, a licence is required in respect of a number of tariff rate quotas in the agricultural sector administered with agricultural licences.   
Purpose and coverage of licensing 
The system applies in the EU to the products described below originating in third countries and it 
covers a couple of products with general import licence obligation (as mentioned above) and the 
relevant WTO tariff rate 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 licenses, the European Commission's Directorate-General responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development shares its management with Member States' licence authorities.   
 
These licences allow the EU authorities to monitor tr ade flows and administer tariff rate quotas. To 
obtain a licence, importers must apply to the competent authorities of the EU country of import 
and lodge a security (returnable on giving proof of import). 
 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: 
 
   Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the Eu ropean 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. 671–854) – the so-called CMO Regulation. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  Article 176 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 lists the agricultural sectors that may be 
subject to the presentation of a licence. A co nsolidated version of the Regulation can be 
consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  http://eur-
lex.europa.eu/search.html?instInvS tatus=ALL&DTN=1308&DTA=2013&qid=14077450633
90&DTS_DOM=EU_LAW&type=advanced&lang=en&SUBDOM_INIT=LEGISLATION&DTS_S
UBDOM=LEGISLATION  
 
   Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 of 23 April 2008 laying down common detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly 
amended by the Commission Regulation (E U) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 
158, 10.06.2013). Coverage: Annex II Part I of Regulation No 376/2008 lists the products concerned. 
 
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=1406118119153&uri=CELEX:02008R0376-20130701 
 
    Commission Regulation (EC) No 1301/2006 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 (EC) No 289/2007 of 16 March 2007 (O.J. L 78, 17.03.2007). 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=1406217871062&uri=CELEX:02006R1301-20070101  
 
Procedures  
For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports 
 
I. Article 184 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (the CMO Regulation) lists the 3 main 
management methods for tariff quotas: 
 
a. Fist 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 applications for licences; they are all published in the Official Journal. Information 
concerning allocation on the basis of licence applications is published in aggregated format on the official website CIRCABC
1 and on the website of the Directorate General for 
Agriculture and Rural Development, under the Market sectors section pages, which is 
publicly accessible for any interested party. Amounts allocated to each importer are not published or communicated to external parties, as this concerns commercial confidentiality. 
Exceptions or derogations from the licencing re quirement 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 quot a is divided in subperiods, and where import 
licenses 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.  
 
                                               
1 https://circabc.europa.eu/faces/jsp/extension/wai/navigation/container.jsp .  G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  III. Licences are allotted to any applicant irrespec tive of their place of establishment in the EU. 
To ensure that allocated licences are actually us ed, 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 time 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 authorisation usually within two weeks (see reply VIII). 
 
VI. The time between granting a licence and the da te of opening of the period of importation is 
usually one week. 
 
VII. Licence applications are effected by a single competent authority without passing via other 
organs. However, some 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 notified by the Member States and then 
published in the Official Journal, C series.   
 
VIII. Within the tariff rate quotas with agricultural 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 allocated, and fixes a 
uniform allocation coefficient valid for each  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 
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 exportin g countries, the tariff rate quotas is primarily 
managed by the exporting country. In the conc rete case the competent EU authority needs 
proof of the products being subject to the i ssuing of export licence or document by the 
exporting country authority. Therefore the impo rter when applying for the import licence 
must submit the respective export license or document to the competent authority as a condition for issuing the EU import licence. Th e import licences are issued automatically.  
 
X. There are no cases where imports are allo wed 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. 
 Circumstances for refusal 
 
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 
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. All persons are eligible to become importers. 
 Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
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 specimen set out in Annex I of Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 (OJ L 114, 26 April 2008, p. 3). 
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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  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 the undertaking 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 amou nt 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 namely on the day the import declaration is 
accepted and the product concerned put into free circulation.  Conditions of licensing 
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 Regulation (EC) No 376/2008.  The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of " force majeure ". 
 
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.  Import authorisations are only once transferable between importers.  Import licences constitute a 
right and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. 
Obligations deriving from licences are not transferable but the rights deriving are transferable by the titular holder of the licence during its period of validity
2. 
 
No other conditions are attached to the issue of an import authorisation for products subject to or not subject to quantitative restrictions. 
 
Other procedural requirements 
No other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation. 
 
The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as well as to cover import licences. A licence is not requ ired as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange. 
 
Legal basis, coverage and specific  procedures product by product 
Remark on coverage: 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 Regulation (EC) No 376/2008 mentioned in the section above "Purpose and coverage of licensing in Agriculture".  
2.1  Cereals and rice 
Imports of cereals and rice into the European Unio n from third countries are subject to the issuing 
of an import licence.  
 
Legal basis:  
  European 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 and its subsequent amendments. A cons olidated version of the Regulation can be 
consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address:  
                                               
2 For ease of reference, the following is an indica tive summary of the various durations:  Cereals and 
rice: until the end of the second month following the mont h of the actual day of issue of the licence; beef and 
veal:  until the end of the third month following the mont h of the day of issue of the licence; milk and milk 
products:  until the end of the third month following the mo nth of the day of issue of the licence;  olive oil:  
60 days from the actual date of issue.  
 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
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http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02003R1342-
20130701&qid=1406117801728&from=EN 
 
Coverage: 
 
Product CN codes 
Durum wheat, other than seed 1001 19 00 
Spelt, common wheat and meslin other than 
seed, including products imported under tariff quotas ex 1001 99 00 
Barley, other than seed 1003  
Maize other than seed 1005 90 00; 1005 10 90 
Grain sorghum, other than seed 1007 90 00 
Flour of common wheat and spelt 1101 00 15 
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 17 98 
 
 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 and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
 
http://old.eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2008R1067:20120101:EN:PDF   
 
 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 and its subsequent amendments. A cons olidated version of the Regulation can be 
consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
 
http://old.eur-
lex.europa .eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2003R2305:20120101:EN:PDF  
 
 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 and 
its subsequent amendments. A consolidated vers ion of the Regulation can be consulted on 
the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
 
http://old.eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2006R0969:20120101:EN:PDF 
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) n° 1296/2008 of 18 December 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 and its subsequent amendments. A consolidated version of the Regulation can be consulted on the EUR-Lex web page at the following address: 
 
http://old.eur-
lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2008R1296:20140401:EN:PDF 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 13 - 
 
    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 (codification) as amended by Commission regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 74 of 10.06.2013): 
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 quot a for broken rice of CN code 10064000 for 
production of food preparations of CN code 19011000 (codification) as amended by Commission regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 74 of 10.06.2013): 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406204878944&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, 30.06.2006, 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/?qid=1406117917715&uri=CELEX:02006R0972-20130701 
 
Procedures: 
 Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed. 
 
2.2  Sugar (cane or beet) 
Legal basis: 
 
  Commission Regulation (EC) N° 891/2009 of 25 September 2009 opening and providing 
for the administration of certain Community tariff quota in the sugar sector (OJ L 254 
26.09.2009); 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-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02009R0891-
20130701&qid=1406216566750&from=EN 
 
  Commission Regulation (EC) 828/2009 of 10 September 2009 laying down detailed rules of 
application for the marketing years 2009/2010 to 2014/2015 for the import and refining of 
sugar products of tariff heading 1701 under preferential agreements (OJ L 240, 
11.09.2009) and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by the European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1048/2013 of 28 October 2013 (O.J. L 2, 29.10.2013). 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-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02009R0828-
20131101&qid=1406216669722&from=EN  
 
Coverage: 
 
   
 
  
Procedures: 
 Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 Product CN codes 
Raw cane sugar for refining 1701 13 10; 1701 14 10 
Cane or beet sugar: 1701 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 14 - 
 
  2.3  Olive oil and table olives: 
Legal basis: 
 
  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1345/2005 of 16 August 2005 laying down detailed rules 
for the application of the system of import licences for olive oil and its subsequent 
amendments. It has been lastly amended by  the Commission Implementing Regulation 
(EU) No 1333/2013 of 13 December 2013, O.J. L 335 of 14.12.2013). 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=1406118930854&uri=CELEX:02005R1345-20140401 
Coverage:   
 
 
  
 
  
Procedures:  Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed. 
 
2.4  Milk and milk products 
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 regards the import arrangements 
for milk and milk products and opening tariff quotas as amended (this Council Regulation 
has been repealed and incorporated into Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007). The regulation has been lastly amended by the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 415/20 14 of 23 April 2014 (O.J. L 49, 24.04.2014). 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=1406119091669&uri=CELEX:02001R2535-20140425 
 Product CN codes 
Olives, fresh, for the use for production of oil ex 0709 92 90 
Olives provisionally preserved (for example, by 
sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable 
in that state for immediate consumption, for the 
production of oil 0711 20 90 
Oilcake and other residues resulting from the 
extraction of olive oil, containing more than 3 % by weight of olive oil 2306 90 19 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Coverage: 
 
Product CN codes 
Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80% but less than 82%, manufactured directly from milk or cream 
without the use of stored materials, in a single, 
self-contained and uninterrupted process  
Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80 % but less than 82 %, manufactured directly from milk or cream 
without the use of stored materials, in a single, 
self-contained and uninterrupted process which may involve the cream passing through a stage where the butterfat is concentrated and/or 
fractionated (the processes referred to as 
"Ammix" and "Spreadable") ex 0405 10 11;  
ex 0405 10 19  
 
  
 
ex 0405 10 30   
 
  
Cheese for processing 
 
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 three months 0406 90 01 
 
ex 0406 90 21  
 
  
 
 
Cheddar made from  unpas teurised milk, of a fat 
content of 50% or more, by weight, in the dry matter, matured for at least nine months, of a free-at-frontier value per 100 kg net, of not less 
than: 
- € 334,20 in whole cheeses - € 354,83 for cheeses of a net weight of not less 
than 500 g 
- € 368,58 for cheeses net weight less than 500 g 
The expression whole cheeses means: ex 0406 90 21 
- Cheeses of the conventional flat cylindrical 
shape of a net weight of not less than 33 kg but 
not more than 44 kg - Cubic blocks or parallelepipeds of cheese of a   
net weight of 10 kg or more  
Skimmed-milk powder 
 
Butter and other fats and oils derived from milk  
 
   
 
Processed Emmentaler Emmentaler 
 0402 10 19 
 
0405 10 11  0405 10 19  
0405 10 30  
0405 10 50  0405 10 90  0405 90 10  
0405 90 90 
 ex 0406 30 10 
0406 90 13 
Processed Gruyère  Gruyère, Sbrinz 
 Cheddar  Cheese for processing 
 
Pizza cheese, frozen, cut into pieces each ex 0406 30 10 
0406 90 15 
0406 90 21 0406 90 01 
 
ex 0406 10 20 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Product CN codes 
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 80 
 
 
 Fresh (unriped or uncured) cheese including 
whey cheese, and curd, other than pizza cheese 
 Other grated or powdered cheese   
Other processed cheese 
  
  
ex 0406 10 20  
ex 0406 10 80 
  0406 20 90 
 
0406 30 31  0406 30 39  
0406 30 90  
Blue-veined cheese  
  
Bergkäse and Appenzell 
Fromage fribourgeois, Vacherin Mont d'Or and Tête de Moine  
Edam 
Tilsit Butterkäse 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 27 0406 90 29 
0406 90 32 
0406 90 35 
Finlandia Jarlsberg  Cheese of sheep’s milk or buffalo milk 
Pecorino 
Other Provolone 
Caciocavallo 
Danbo, Fontal, ,Fynbo,Havarti, Maribo, Samso Gouda 
Esrom, Italico, Kernhem, Saint-Paulin  
Cheshire, Wensleydale, Lancashire, Double Gloucester, Blarney, Colby, Monterey Camembert 
Brie 
Exceeding 47% but not exceeding 52% Exceeding  52% but not exceeding 62% 
Exceeding  62% but not exceeding 72% 
Exceeding 72% Other 0406 90 37 
0406 90 39 0406 90 50  
ex0406 90 63 
0406 90 69 0406 90 73  
ex0406 90 75  
ex0406 90 76  0406 90 78 
ex0406 90 79  
ex0406 90 81     
0406 90 82 
0406 90 84 0406 90 86 
0406 90 87 
0406 90 88 0406 90 93 
0406 90 99 
 
Procedures:  
Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed. 
 2.5  Beef and veal 
Legal basis: 
 
  Council Regulation (EC) No 1149/2002 of 27 June 2002 opening an autonomous quota for 
imports of high-quality beef (O.J. L 170, 29/06/2002, p. 13): 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406122170876&uri=CELEX:32002R1149  G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 17 - 
 
   
 Council Regulation (EC) No 1532/2006 of 12 October 2006 on the conditions for certain 
import quotas of high quality beef (O.J. L 283, 14/10/2006, p. 1). http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406122268070&uri=CELEX: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) (O.J. L 115, 29/04/2008, 
p. 10) and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1212/2012 of 17 December 2012 (O.J.L 348, 18.12.2012). 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=1406122419547&uri=CELEX:02008R0382-20130101  
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 412/2008 of 8 May 2008 opening and providing for the 
administration of an import tariff quota for fr ozen beef intended for processing (O.J. L 125, 
9/05/2008, p. 7) and its subsequent amen dments. It has been lastly amended by 
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1059/2012 of 12 November 2012 (O.J. L 16 of 13.11.2012). 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=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 code 0202 and products covered by CN code 02062991:  
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406204463494&uri=CELEX:32008R0431  
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 748/2008 of 30 July 2008 on the opening and 
administration of an import tariff quota for frozen thin skirt of bovine animals falling within 
CN code 02062991 (Recast). It has been lastly amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1212/2012 of 17 December 2012 (O.J. L 7 of 18.12.2012). 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-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02008R0748-
20130101&from=EN 
 
 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. 32–42 ) (Codification of 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 810/2008): http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406123023362&uri=CELEX:32013R0593 
  Commission Regulation (EC) No 133/2008 of 14 February 2008 on imports of pure-bred 
breeding animals of the bovine species from th e third countries and the granting of export 
refunds thereon (Codified version) (O.J. L 41, 15/02/2008, p. 11):  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406123089671&uri=CELEX:32008R0133 
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 617/2009 of 13 July 2009 opening an autonomous tariff 
quota for imports of high-quality beef (O.J. L 182, 15/07/2009, p. 1). 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-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02009R0617-
20120701&qid=1409914626049&from=ENG/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 18 - 
 
  Coverage: 
 
I. (a) Meat of bovine animals, frozen 
- Boneless 
-- Buffalo meat 
 II. (a) Meat of bovine an imals, 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 anim als, fresh,  chilled or 
frozen  Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled : 
- Other cuts with bone in, other 
- boneless Meat of bovines animals, frozen: 
- Other cuts with bone in, other 
- boneless Thick  and thin bovine skirt, fresh or chilled 
Thick and thin bovine skirt, frozen 
 II.(f) Meat of bovine anim als, 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 
   
 
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 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 19 - 
 
  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.  
 2.6  Sheepmeat and goatmeat: 
Legal basis: 
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1439/95 of 26 June 1995 laying down detailed rules for 
the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3013/89 as regards the import and export 
of products in the sheepmeat and goatmeat sector (O.J. L 143, 27.6.1995, p. 7) and its 
subsequent amendments. It has been last ly amended by the European Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 10.06.2013). 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-conte nt/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:01995R1439-
20130701&rid=1 
 
Coverage:  
Product CN codes 
Lambs  
Other live sheep and goats  
Goats  Meat  of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen  0104 10 30 
0104 10 80 
0104 20 90 0204 
 Procedures:  
Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed. 
 2.7  Pigmeat: 
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) and 
its subsequent amendments. It has been la stly amended by the European Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 10.06.2013). 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=1406119927524&uri=CELEX:02009R0442-20130701 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 20 - 
 
  Coverage: 
 
Product CN codes 
Carcasses and half-carcasses fresh, 
chilled or frozen  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 
 Sausages, dry or for spreading, uncooked 
Other sausages 
 Preserved meat of domestic swine 0203 11 10; 0203 21 10 
 ex 0203 
 
  
ex 0203 19 55; ex 0203 29 55 
  
ex 0203 19 55; ex 0203 29 55 
 1601 00 91  
1601 00 99 
 ex 1602 41; ex 1602 42; ex 1602 
49 
Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen: 
- Fresh or chilled: --- of domestic swine 
---- loins and cuts thereof, bone-in 
- Frozen: ---of domestic swine 
----bellies, st reaky 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.  
 2.8  Poultry meat 
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. It has been la stly amended by the European Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 10.06.2013). 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=1406120004250&uri=CELEX:02007R0533-20130701  
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 536/2007 of 15 May 2007 opening and providing for the 
administration of a tariff quota for poultrymeat allocated to the United States of America 
(OJ L 128, 16.5.2007, p. 6–12) and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly 
amended by the European Commission Regula tion (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 
(O.J. L 158, 10.06.2013). 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 (O.J. L 142, 05/06/2007, p. 3) and its 
subsequent amendments. It has been last ly amended by the European Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. 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/3 
 
- 21 - 
 
  http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?qid=1406120155906&uri=CELEX:02007R0616-20130701  
 
 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 administration of certain Community tariff quotas for poultry meat (I.J. L 309, 27.11.2007) and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by the 
European Commission Regulation (EU) No  519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 
10.06.2013). 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=1406120270764&uri=CELEX:02007R1385-20130701 
 Coverage: 
 
Product CN codes 
Chicken carcass, fresh, chilled or frozen 
 Chicken cuts, fresh, chilled or frozen  
 
Turkey meat, fresh, chilled or frozen  
Poultry meat, salted or in brine 
 Preparations of chicken meat  
 
Preparations of turkey  
Preparation of poultry meat other than 
chicken and turkey 0207 11; 0207 12 
 ex 0207 13; ex 0207 14 
 
0207 24; 0207 25; ex 0207 26; ex 0207 27 
 
ex 0210 99 39  1602 32 11; 1602 32 19; 1602 32 30;  
1602 32 90 
 1602 31 
 
1602 39 21; 1602 39 29; ex 1602 39 85 
 
Procedures: 
 Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
2.9  Eggs and products in the egg sector and egg albumin 
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) 
and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by the European Commission 
Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 10.06.2013). 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 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 22 - 
 
  Coverage: 
 
Product CN codes 
Poultry eggs, for consumption, in shell 
 Eggs yolks  
 
Bird eggs, not in shell  
Egg albumin 0407 21 00; 0407 29 10; 0407 90 10 
 0408 11 80; 0408 19 81; 0408 19 89 
 
0408 91 80; 0408 99 80  
3502 11 90; 3502 19 90 
 
Procedures: 
 
Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 2.10  Garlic 
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 third countries and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 628/20 14 of 12June 2014 (O.J. L 174, 13.06.2014, 
page 31). 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/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02007R0341-
20140701&qid=1409910673925&from=EN 
 
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. 
 
2.11  Preserved mushrooms 
Legal basis:  
 
 Commission 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 and its subsequent amendments. It  has been lastly amended by Commission 
Implementing Regulation (EU) No 637/2014 of 13 June 2014 (O.J. L 175, 14.6.2014, 
page 20). 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/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02006R1979-
20140701&qid=1409909691681&from=EN 
 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. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 23 - 
 
  2.12  12. Ethanol of agricultural ob tained from agricultural products 
Legal basis:  
 
 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2336/2003 of 30 December 2003 introducing certain 
detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 670/2003 laying down specific 
measures concerning the market in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin: 
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content /EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32003R2336&rid=4    
 
 Commission Regulation 376/2008 of 23 April 2008 laying down common detailed rules for 
the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products and its subsequent amendments. It has been lastly amended by 
the Commission Regulation (EU) No 519/2013 of 21 February 2013 (O.J. L 158, 
10.06.2013). 
 
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=1406118119153&uri=CELEX:02008R0376-20130701  
 
Coverage:  
 
Product CN codes 
 
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol or higher  
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of 
any strength
 
 
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic 
strength by volume of less than 80 % vol, in containers holding less than 2 litres 
 
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80 % vol, in containers holding ore than 2 litres 
  
2207 10  00   
 
2207 20 00  
 
2208 90 91  
 
  2208 90 99 
 
 
Procedures: 
 
Please refer to the above mentioned regulation for details on the procedures to be followed.  
 
3  STEEL 
Outline of system The European Commission manages at Union level the issue of import authorisations for steel 
products which are subject to quantitative restrictions applicable for steel products (as contained in 
Commission Decision 2744/1999/ECSC 3) with the help of "SIGL" ("Système Intégré de Gestion de 
Licenses" ). 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing 
The EU maintains quantitative restrictions on certain steel imports from Kazakhstan.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 24 - 
 
  4  OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES – ODS- (CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES) 
Outline of the system 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 
Legal basis:  
 
 Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the Europe an Parliament and of the Council of 16 
September 2009 on substances that deplet e the ozone layer (OJ L 286, 31.10.2009). 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=1412590325348&uri=CELEX:32009R1005 
 
For information on types of imports of ODS, which are exempted from the general prohibition in 
the European Union, see Article 15 of the Regula tion. 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 requ ired for activities listed in Article 15(2). The 
exemption to the licencing requirement is also ou tlined 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 Article 15(2) are allowed under the condition of a licence, 
this may be overruled by Article 20(1) prohibit ing the import of controlled substances and of 
products & equipment containing or relying on controlled substances from any State not party to the Montreal 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 mixture containing ODS and a product or equipment containing or relying on ODS. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 25 - 
 
  Coverage:  
The following goods are covered by the ODS licensing system: 
Substances (ODS) CN code 
CFC-11 2903 77 10 00 
CFC-12 2903 77 20 00 
CFC-113 2903 77 30 90 
CFC-113a 2903 77 30 10 
CFC-114 2903 77 40 00 
CFC-115 2903 77 50 00 
CFC-13 2903 77 90 10 
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 00 
Halon-1301 2903 76 20 00 
Halon-2402 2903 76 90 00 
Carbon tetrachloride 2903 14 00 00 
1,1,1-trichloroethane 2903 19 10 00 
Methyl bromide 2903 39 11 00 
HBFC-21 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-22 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-31 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-121 B4 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-122 B3 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-123 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-124 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-131 B3 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-132 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-133 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-133a B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-141 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-142 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-151 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-221 B6 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-222 B5 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-223 B4 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-224 B3 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-225 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-226 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-231 B5 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-232 B4 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-233 B3 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-234 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-235 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-241 B4 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-242 B3 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-243 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-244 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-251 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-252 B2 2903 79 21 00 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 26 - 
 
  Substances (ODS) CN code 
HBFC-253 B1 (CAS: 421-46-5) 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-253 B1 (CAS: 460-32-2) 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-261 B2 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-262 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HBFC-271 B1 2903 79 21 00 
HCFC-21 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-22 2903 71 00 00 
HCFC-31 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-121 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-121a 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-122 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-123 2903 72 00 00 
HCFC-123a 2903 72 00 00 
HCFC-124 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-124a 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-131 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-132 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-133 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-133a 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-141 2903 73 00 00 
HCFC-141b 2903 73 00 00 
HCFC-142 2903 74 00 00 
HCFC-142b 2903 74 00 00 
HCFC-151 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-221 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-222 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-223 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-224 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-225 2903 75 00 00 
HCFC-225ca 2903 75 00 00 
HCFC-225cb 2903 75 00 00 
HCFC-226 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-231 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-232 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-233 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-234 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-235 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-241 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-242 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-243 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-244 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-251 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-252 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-253 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-261 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-262 2903 79 11 00 
HCFC-271 2903 79 11 00 
Bromochloromethane 2903 79 90 10 
 
 
Mixtures of substances containing ODS CN code 
Deuterium and compounds thereof; ...; 
mixtures and solutions containing these products 2845 90 10 00 
Isotopes other than those of heading 
2844;...other, other 2845 90 90 00 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 27 - 
 
  Mixtures of substances containing ODS CN code 
Preparations and charges for fire-extinguishers 
… for use in certain types of aircraft 3813 00 00 10 
Preparations and charges for fire-extinguishers 
… other 3813 00 00 90 
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents  ...; certified 
reference materials 3822 00 00 00 
Mixtures containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), 
whether or not containing (HCFCs), (PFCs) or (HFCs) 3824 71 00 00 
Mixtures containing 
bromochlorodifluoromethane, 
bromotrifluoromethane or 
dibromotetrafluoroethanes (Halons) 3824 72 00 00 
Mixtures containing hydrobromofluorocarbons 
(HBFCs) 3824 73 00 00 
Mixtures containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons 
(HCFCs), ..., but not containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 3824 74 00 00 
Mixtures containing carbon tetrachloride 3824 75 00 00 
Mixtures containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane 
(methyl chloroform) 3824 76 00 00 
Mixtures containing bromomethane (methyl 
bromide) or bromochloromethane 3824 77 00 00 
Deuterium and compounds thereof; ...; 
mixtures and solutions containing these 
products 2845 90 10 00 
 
 
Products & equipment containing or 
relying on ODS CN code 
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 
3002, 3005 or 3006) ... put up in measured 
doses... Containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues 3004 32 00 00 
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 
3002, 3005 or 3006) ... put up in measured 
doses... Other 3004 90 00 00 
Air-conditioning machines... split system 8415 10 90 00 
Refrigeratiors … houshold … compressor type … 
other 8418 29 00 00 
Refrigerator-freezers … exceeding 340 L … 
other 8418 10 20 90 
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, 
whether or not charged - for use in civil aircraft 8424 10 00 10 
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, 
whether or not charged - other 8424 10 00 90 
Mechanical appliances ... fire extinguishers... - 
Parts 8424 90 00 00 
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 
motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles 8710 00 00 00
 
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen 
weight not exceeding 2 000 kg 8802 11 00 00 
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen 
weight exceeding 2 000 kg 8802 12 00 00 
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen 
weight not exceeding 2 000 kg 8802 20 00 00 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Products & equipment containing or 
relying on ODS CN code 
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen 
weight exceeding 2 000 kg but not exceeding 15 000 kg 8802 30 00 00 
Other aircraft... aeroplanes of an unladen 
weight exceeding 15 000 kg 8802 40 00 00 
Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar 
vessels principally designed for the transport of 
persons; ferry-boats of all kinds  - seagoing 8901 10 10 00 
Refrigerated vessels other than those of 8901 
20 - seagoing 8901 30 10 00 
Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels 
for ... fishery products  - seagoing 8902 00 10 00 
Floating or submersible drilling or production 
platforms 8905 20 00 00 
Warships 8906 10 00 00 
Instruments and apparatus for physical or 
chemical analysis… Spectrometers 9027 20 00 00 
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 
3002, 3005 or 3006) ... put up in measured doses... Containing corticosteroid hormones, 
their derivatives or structural analogues 3004 32 00 00 
 
Customs procedure:  
Any physical or virtual movement into the customs territory of the Community is considered an 
import. This includes transit, customs warehousing and other temporary imports.   
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 customs procedures are exempted from the 
licencing 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 restrictions:  
An ODS licence will not be issued in cases of import of certain substance groups to certain 
countries as a consequence of an exclusion de fined 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 Pr otocol 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 allowed.  Some territories of Member States of the EU are excluded from ratification of the Montreal Protocol 
or its amendments and therefore trade with thes e territories may be limited or prohibited.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 29 - 
 
  Procedure: 
 An importer must hold quota for the import 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 year 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 period. 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. 
 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 receives 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 applicable.  
XI. Licences for imports of HCFC and methyl br omide 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) and (f).  
 
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 request. 
 Circumstances for refusal:  
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 
Any undertaking which is defined as natural or legal person can register in 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 
The general content of a licence form is the following: G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 30 - 
 
   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. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
The licence cannot be extended or transferred. The undertaking must cancel an expired licence 
and apply for a new licence.   
Most import licences have a maximum validity of  28 days (7 days before and 21 days after the 
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 seve n 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 validi ty period starts 1 January the following year. 
 
Other procedural requirements 
Not applicable. 
 
5  IMPORT OF ROUGH DIAMONDS 
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 armed 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 territory. 
 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 acco mpanied 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.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Purpose and coverage of licensing 
Replies to questions 2 to 5: 
 Legal basis:  
 
 Council Regulation (EC) No 2368/2002 of 20 December 2002 implementing the Kimberley 
Process certification scheme for the international trade in rough diamonds. (O.J. L 358, 
31.12.2002, p. 28). 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=1412761610942&uri=CELEX:02002R2368-20140409 
 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 und er the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.   
 
Article 3 of Council Regulation No 2368/2002 provid es that the import of rough diamonds into the 
EU shall be prohibited unless all of the following conditions are fulfilled:  
 
(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 participant are not broken;  
 
(c)  the certificate clearly identifies the consignment to which it refers. 
 Importers or economic operators can freely choose a po int 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. 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 implementation of the KPCS, namely the verification of incoming shipme nts and KP certificates for conformity with KP 
rules. 
 Acceptance of a customs declaration for release for free circulation of rough diamonds pursuant to 
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 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 sh all 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 indicated 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 appr opriate 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, 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 for by this Article shall be 
suspended until arrival at the appropriate Union authority.   
There are currently Union Authorities in: Antwer p (Belgium); London (United Kingdom); Idar-
Oberstein (Germany); Prague (Czech Republic); Bucharest (Romania); Sofia (Bulgaria).   
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.  G/LIC/N/3/EU/3 
 
- 32 - 
 
  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 licensed. 
 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, 7102.21 or 7102.31 in the List of Tariff Provisions set out in the schedule to the Customs Tariff, but does not include diamonds that are of 
a class prescribed by regulation. 
 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 in the Kimberley Process certification scheme. 
 
8. If an application for a EU license for imports does not meet the criteria, each EU Member State 
imposes its own sanctions.  
 
9. Import licenses are issued by an EU authority.   
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
With reference to questions 10 to 13: 
 A practical guide for traders in rough diamonds with  the EU is available at the following webpage  
 
http://eeas.europa.eu/blood_diamonds/docs/guidelines-on-trading-with-the-european-community-
012014_en.pdf   
 
Conditions of licensing 
14. Authentic accompanying KP certificate, within the period of validity; this may vary depending 
on the issuing country. 
 15. N.A  
16. N.A. 
 17. Tamper resistant container. 
 
__________