G/C/W/735  
 
4 November 2016  
(16-6108) Page: 1/12 
Council for Tr ade in Goods    
 
 DRAFT REPORT (2016) OF THE COUNCIL FOR T RADE 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 th e General 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 coul d follow 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 Ha rmonized 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    [Collecti ve 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 extensi on (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   [Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  5 
4.4.1    [Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/733)]  ................................ ..............................  5 
4.5   Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating 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 Trust Territory of the 
Pacific Islands (G/C/W/721)  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 5 
                                                
1 To be issued.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 2 - 
 
  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 Extension – 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  ................................ ...... 6 
8   NOTIFICATION OF REGI ONAL TRADE AGREEMENT S ................................ ....................  7 
9   NOTI FICATIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  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)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 7 
11   INDONESIA'S IMPORT A ND EXPORT RESTRICTIN G POLICIES AND 
PRACTICES – REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN UNION, JAPAN, AND THE UNITED 
STATES ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  7 
12   CHINA – ISSUES RELATED TO TR ADE IN SEAFOOD – REQUEST FROM 
NORWAY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
13   NIGERIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  ................................ ...........................  8 
14   ECUADOR – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES – REQUEST FROM JAPAN 
AND THE UNITED STATE S................................ ................................ ................................ . 8 
15   UKRAINE – ISSUES RELATED TO CU STOMS VALUATION – REQUEST FROM 
NORWAY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  9 
16   INDIA – IMPORT RESTRICTING M EASURES  ................................ ...............................  9 
17   PAKISTAN – DISCRIMINATORY TAXES  – REQUEST FROM THE EUR OPEAN 
UNION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  9 
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  .........................  9 
19   SRI LAN KA – DAIRY TARIFFS – REQUEST FROM NEW ZEA LAND  ................................  9 
20   CANADA – WINE RELATED POLICIE S AND MEASURES – REQUEST FROM NEW 
ZEALAND  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  9 
21   UNITED STATES OF AME RICA - MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH 
AND SEAFOOD PRODUCTS  ................................ ................................ ..............................  10 
22   CROATIA – REGULATION OF IMPORT  AND SALE OF CERTAIN OIL PRODUCTS 
– REQUEST FROM THE RUS SIAN FEDERATION  ................................ ...............................  10 
23   CHINA – IMPORT TAX ON PERSON AL EFFECTS AT THE BO RDER – REQU EST 
FROM JAPAN  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  10 
24   WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ ...................  10 
25   ISSUES CONSIDERED UN DER AGENDA ITEM "OTH ER BUSINESS"  ...........................  11 G/C/W/735  
 
- 3 - 
 
  25.1   Information about the expiry date of Section  15(a)(ii) of the Protocol on the 
Accession of China  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 11 
25.2   United States' Seafood Import Monitoring Programme  ................................ ................... 11 
25.3   Russian Federation's Trade Measures Affecting Ukrainian Transi t of Products .................... 11 
25.4   China's Import Tax System on Personal Effects at the Border – Request from Japan  ......... 11 
26   [CONSIDERATION OF AN NUAL REPORTS OF SUBS IDIARY BODIES OF THE  
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS]  ................................ ................................ ...................  12 
27   [ADOPTION OF THE ANN UAL REPORT OF THE CO UNCIL FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS TO THE GENERAL  COUNCIL]  ................................ ................................ ...............  12 
 
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 of 15 April, the Council agreed to suspend this agenda item in order for the 
Chair to con tinue 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 process 
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 subsidiary bodies for 2016:  
Chairpersons of CTG  Subsidiary Bodies  
Market Access  Ms Hanna Olsen B ODSBERG (Norway)  
Agriculture  Mr Garth EHRHARDT (Canada)  
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Ms Marcela OTERO (Chile)  
Technical Barriers to Trade  Ms Esther PEH (Singapore)  
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 Origin  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)  
 
2.2.  At the same meeting, the Council agreed to proceed on the un derstanding that, as concerns 
the Vice -Chairpersons , it would be for the subsidiary bodies to decide if they needed a 
Vice-Chairperson in cases where the option existed under the respective Agreement and/or rules 
of procedure, and for the respective Chairp erson to hold the necessary consultations.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 4 - 
 
  2.3.  The Council also took note of the statements made by Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, the 
European Union, Mexico, Morocco (on 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 
Consolidated 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 c ollective 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 ARTICL E IX OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT  
4.1  [Introduction of Harmonized System  2002 changes int o 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 extension 
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 the 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 connection with the introduction of HS  2007 changes to the Schedules of 
Conces sions. The Council approved the waiver request and recommended that the draft decision 
(G/C/W/729) be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.]  
4.3  [Introduction of Harmonized System  2012 changes into WTO  Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions:]  
4.3.1   [Collective req uest 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 reco mmended that the draft decision (G/C/W/730) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption.]  G/C/W/735  
 
- 5 - 
 
  4.4  [Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions  
4.4.1   [Collective request for a waiver (G/C/W/733)]  
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 the draft decision (G/C/W/733) be forwarded 
to the General Council for adoption.]  
4.5  Jordan – Request for a Waiver Relating 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)  
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 waiver 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 CTG  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 , as agreed by the CTG at its meeting of 15  April 2016, Jordan 
informed the Council about the development of its replacement programme … .]  
4.6  United States – Request for a Waiver Extension – Former Trust Territory of the 
Pacific Island s (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 United 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 procedures. 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 aga in considered the request and draft waiver 
decision submitted by the United 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 S tates, and of the statement made by the European Union relating to its 
internal procedures. The Council agreed to revert to this 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 submitted by the United States … .]  
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 United 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 
States, and of the statements made by Nepal and the European Union, and agreed to revert to the 
reques t 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 relating to certain trade preferences to be granted 
to Nepal contained in document  G/C/W/ 724 … .]  G/C/W/735  
 
- 6 - 
 
  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 … .] 
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)]  
4.13.   [At the CTG  meeting of 17 November , the CTG considered a request and draft waiver 
decision s ubmitted by Cuba … .] 
5  ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION: PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  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 Europea n 
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 i n 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.]  
6  ACCESSION OF THE KYR GYZ REPUBLIC TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UN ION: 
PROCEDURES UNDER A RTICLE  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 provided 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 not f rom 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.  
6.2.  [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council took note of the information provided by the 
Kyrgyz Republic … and of the statements made by … .]  
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 no te of the 
statement made by the European Union and of the statements 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 Council considered the extension of the deadline set out 
in document  G/L/1110/Add.2 … .]  G/C/W/735  
 
- 7 - 
 
  8  NOTIFICATION OF REGI ONAL TRADE AGREEMENT S 
8.1.  At its meetings on 15 April, 14  July [and 17  November] , the Counc il 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 (W T/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 Partner ship Agreement between Japan and Mongolia (WT/REG373/N/1);  
g. Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Panama (WT/REG374/N/1); and  
h. [Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Colombia 
(WT/REG375/N/1) .] 
9  NOTIFICATIONS  
9.1  Status of notifications under th e 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 documen t containing the compilation of the 
annual notifications made by Members under the Agreements in Annex  1A of the WTO  Agreement 
is prepared.  
10  RUSSIAN FEDERATION – TRADE RESTRICTING ME ASURES – REQUEST FROM 
UKRAINE (G/C/W/720)2 
10.1.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by Ukraine relating 
to the trade -restricting measures applied by the Russian Federation that restricted international 
traffic in transit from the territory of Ukraine to third  destinations via the territory of the Ru ssian 
Federation, and of the questions posed to the Russian Federation in document  G/C/W/720. The 
Council also took note of the statements made by Australia, Canada, the European Union, Jamaica, 
Japan, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, and the Un ited 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 stat ements 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 requireme nts, 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 Republ ic 
of Korea, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Chinese Taipei, and of the statement made by Indonesia 
in response to these concerns.  
                                                
2 See Section 25.3 below.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 8 - 
 
  11.2.   At its meeting 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 licensing requirements, 
unique technical regulations, pre -shipment inspection requirements, export restrictions, local 
conte nt, 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, 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 … .]  
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 statem ents 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 Council also took note of the sta tement 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 affected 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 meeting of 17 November , the Counci l took note … .] 
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 to the 
long-standing import re stricting 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 sta tements 
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, Thailand, 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 … .]  
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 an d the 
United States relating to import restricting measures 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 statement s 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 raised.  
14.2.   At its meeting of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statements made by Japan and 
the Uni ted 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 Switz erland, and of the 
statement made by Ecuador.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 9 - 
 
  14.3.   [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council … .]  
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 determine 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 meeti ng of 14 July, the Council again took note of the statement 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 statement made by Ukraine.  
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 Un ion, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; 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 th e 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 Republ ic 
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 … .]  
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 implemented by Pakistan which apparently established a 
discriminatory taxation between products locally produced and those imported into Pakistan. The 
Council also took note of the stateme nts made by Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, and 
the United States of America, 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 took 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 Russian Federation and China. The Council also 
took note of the 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 statem ent made by New Zealand 
relating to tariffs being applied by Sri Lanka above its ad valorem 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 New Zealand 
relating to the wine -related policies and measures adopted by the Canadian provincial authorities 
of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The Council also t ook note of the statements made by G/C/W/735  
 
- 10 - 
 
  Australia, Chile, the European Union, Mexico, and the United States of America, as well as of the 
statement made by Canada.  
21  UNITED STATES OF AME RICA - MEASURES RELATED TO IMPORTS OF FISH AND 
SEAFOOD PRODUCTS3 
21.1.   At its meeti ng of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by the Russian 
Federation relating to a proposed rule under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) of the 
United States of America aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fish ing, 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 Import Monitoring Programme ", the Council took note of … .] 
22  CROATIA – REGULATION OF IMPORT  AND SALE OF CERTAIN OIL PRODUCTS – 
REQUEST FROM THE RU SSIAN FEDERATION  
22.1.   [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council … .] 
23  CHINA – IMPORT TAX ON PERSON AL EFFECTS AT THE BO RDER – REQUEST FROM 
JAPAN4 
23.1.   [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council … .] 
24  WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC 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 Decisions 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 ins tructed 
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 statemen ts 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 m andate 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 Union, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, and the United States of 
America  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 gro wth, to 
                                                
3 See Section 25.2 below.  
4 See Section 25.4 below.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 11 - 
 
  increase access to best technologies, and to bolster the Internet's ability to facilitate commerce in 
digital products, services, and physical goods . General reference was also made to the 
JOB documents (JOB/GC/94, JOB/GC/96, and JOB/GC/97) that we re 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 responsibility, 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 … The Council  … .] 
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 Council 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 necessary steps to bring their legislation into line with 
the new conditions after the expiry date of Section  15. The Council took note of the info rmation 
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 statem ent made by the United States of America and of the 
response provided by China.  
25.3.    [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council … .]  
25.2  United States' Seafood Import Monitoring Programme5 
25.4.   At its meeting of 15 April, the Council took note of the statement made by  the Russian 
Federation relating to a proposed Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) of the United States 
of America 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.  
25.3  Russian Federation's Trade Measures Affecting Ukrainian Transit of Products6 
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 some prohibitions to import certain 
agricultural goods, and various restrictive transit measures. The Council also took note of the 
statements made by Australia, Canad a, the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, 
Norway, Turkey, and the United States of America, as well as of the statement made by the 
Russian Federation.  
25.4  China's Import Tax System on Personal Effects at the Border – Request from 
Japan7 
25.6.   At its meet ing of 14 July, the Council took note of the statement made by Japan in relation 
to the simplified import tax system on personal effects of China. The Council also took note of the 
statement made by China.  
                                                
5 See Section  21 above.  
6 See Section  10 above.  
7 See section 23 above.  G/C/W/735  
 
- 12 - 
 
  26  [CONSIDERATION OF AN NUAL REPORTS OF SUBS IDIARY BOD IES 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.8] 
27  [ADOPTION OF THE ANN UAL REPORT OF THE CO UNCIL FOR TRADE IN G OODS TO 
THE GENERAL COUNCIL]  
27.1.   [At its meeting of 17 November , the Council adopted its Annual Report (2016) to the 
General  Council.]  
__________  
 
                                                
8 Agriculture (G/L/X); 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/X); Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures (G/L/X); ITA  (G/L/X); Pre -shipment Inspection and Independent Entity (G/L/X); 
Rules of Origin (G/L/1159 and G/RO/W/166); Technical Barriers to Trade (G/L/X); and Working Party on State 
Trading Enterp rises (G/L/1156 and G/STR/15).