WT/TPR/OV/18  
 
17 November 2015  
(15-6094)  Page: 1/191  
Trade Policy Review Body   
 
 
OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS 
IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING ENVIRONMENT 
ANNUAL REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL1 
 
(Mid-October 2014 to mid-October 2015)  
Table of contents 
 
KEY FIND INGS ................................................................................................................. 3 
EXECUTIVE SU MMARY ...................................................................................................... 6  
1   INTROD UCTION  .......................................................................................................... 7  
2   RECENT ECONOMIC AN D TRADE DEVELO PMENTS ........................................................ 9  
2.1   Overview .................................................................................................................. 9  
2.2   Economic Developments ............................................................................................. 9  
2.3   Mercha ndise Trade.................................................................................................... 11 
2.4   Trade in Commercial Services..................................................................................... 14 
2.5   Trade Forecast and Economic  Outlook ......................................................................... 14 
3   TRADE AND TRADE-RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS .............................................. 19  
3.1   Overview ................................................................................................................. 19 
3.2   Trade-Remedy Trends ............................................................................................... 22 
3.3   Sanitary and Phytos anitary Measur es (SPS) ................................................................. 33 
3.4   Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) ................................................................................ 39 
3.5   Trade Concerns Rais ed in Other WTO Bodies ................................................................ 44 
3.6   Policy Developments in Agriculture .............................................................................. 48 
3.7   General Ec onomic Support ......................................................................................... 53 
3.8   An Overview of Trade Policy Reviews ........................................................................... 54 
3.9   Regional Tr ade Agreements ....................................................................................... 65 
3.10   Trade Fa cilitation .................................................................................................... 67 
3.11   ITA Expansion ........................................................................................................ 68 
3.12   Aid for Trade ..........................................................................................................  68 
                                               
1 This report covers the period mid-October 2014 to mid-October 2015. It is presented pursuant to 
Paragraph G of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism mandat e and aims to assist the Trade Policy Review Body 
to undertake its annual overview of developments in th e international trading environment that are having an 
impact on the multilateral trading system. The report is issued under the sole responsibility of the 
Director-General. It has no legal effe ct on the rights and obligations of Members, nor does it have any legal 
implications with respect to the conformity of any me asure noted in the report with any WTO Agreements or 
any provisions thereof.   WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  3.13   Trade Financing ...................................................................................................... 69 
3.14   Government  Procurement ........................................................................................ 70 
3.15   Dispute Settlement ................................................................................................. 70 
4   POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES ...................................................... 70  
5   TRANSPARENCY OF TRADE POLICIES ........................................................................ 84  
5.1   Notifications and Surveillanc e in WTO Councils and Committees ...................................... 84 
5.2   Agriculture ............................................................................................................. . 84 
5.3   Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) ................................................................................... 88 
5.4   Import  Licensing ...................................................................................................... 89 
5.5   Rules of Origin .........................................................................................................  90 
5.6   Customs Valuation .................................................................................................... 91 
5.7   Preshipment Inspection ............................................................................................. 92 
5.8   Integrat ed Database ................................................................................................. 92 
5.9   Anti-Dumping .......................................................................................................... 94 
5.10   Subsidies and Coun tervailing Measures ...................................................................... 95 
5.11   State-Trad ing Enterp rises ........................................................................................ 95 
5.12   Balance-of-Payments Restrictions .............................................................................. 96 
5.13   Regional Trade Agreements ...................................................................................... 96 
5.14   Preferential Trade Arrangements ............................................................................... 97 
5.15   Government  Procurement ........................................................................................ 98 
5.16   TRIPS .................................................................................................................. . 98 
5.17   Services ............................................................................................................... . 99 
ANNEX 1 ...................................................................................................................... 101 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE  ..................................................................................... 101  
ANNEX 2 ...................................................................................................................... 122 
TRADE REMEDIES  ........................................................................................................... 122  
ANNEX 3 ...................................................................................................................... 152 
OTHER TRADE-RELATED MEASURES  .................................................................................. 152  
ANNEX 4 ...................................................................................................................... 173 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES  ........................................................................ 173  
APPENDIX .................................................................................................................... 1 89 
  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  KEY FINDINGS 
 In the reporting period between mid-October 2014 and mid-October 2015, WTO Members 
applied 178 new trade-restrictive measures. This equates to a monthly average of just under 15 new measures per month which is stable and comparable to the previous reporting 
period.    
 
 The overall stockpile of restrictive measures introduced by WTO Members nevertheless 
continues to grow. Of the 2,557 trade-restrictive measures, including trade remedies, 
introduced by WTO Members since 2008 and recorded by this exercise, only 642 had been removed by mid-October 2015.  
 
 The total number of those restrictive measures still in place now stands at 1,915 – up by 
17% compared to the last annual report. 75% of trade-restrictive measures implemented since 2008 remain in place. 
 
 Although WTO Members are eliminating some of their trade-restrictive measures, the rate at 
which this is done remains insufficient to seriously dent the stockpile.  
 
 More encouragingly the report finds that a total of 222 measures aimed at facilitating trade 
were taken, – a monthly average of almost 19 measures – the second highest number since the beginning of the monitoring exercise.  
 
 The number of trade remedy investigations by WTO Members has fallen during this reporting 
period.  This decline is primarily because of a drop in the number of anti-dumping initiations 
and confirms a trend identified in the last monitoring report. 
 
 During this review period, global economic growth remained modest, and continued to be 
unevenly distributed across countries and region s. The downturn in world trade observed at 
the time of the last monitoring report continued in the second quarter of the year.     
  The WTO Secretariat recently (30 September 2015) lowered its forecast for world 
merchandise trade volume growth in 2015 from 3.3% to 2.8% and reduced its estimate for 
2016 from 4.0% to 3.9%.  
 Looking towards the 10
th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December, WTO Members 
should reflect on the central role of the multilateral trading system as a predictable and transparent framework helping Members resist protectionist pressures and as a stable and 
inclusive platform for pursuing further multilateral trade liberalization.  
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Trade-restrictive measures, excluding trade remedies (average per month) 
131422
1415
1415 15
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mid-Nov. 13 -
mid-Oct. 14Mid-Oct. 14 -
mid-Oct. 15 
Note: Values are rounded. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
 
Trade-restrictive measures, mid-Oc tober 2014 to mid-October 2015 
Import tariff Import customs procedures Import taxes
Import QRs Import other Export duties
Export QRs Export other Other178
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Trade-facilitating measures, excluding trade remedies (average per month) 
111723
19
1416 1619
0510152025
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Mid-Nov. 13 -
mid-Oct. 14Mid-Oct. 14 -
mid-Oct. 15 
Note: Values are rounded. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Trade-facilitating measures, mid-October 2014 to mid-October 2015 
 
Import tariff Import customs procedures Import taxes
Import QRs Export duties Export QRs
Export other Other222
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Stockpile of trade-restrictive measures 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-October 2015
82
464642
1,915
546 measures 2,557 measures15.0%
85.0%25.1%
74.9%
 
Note: Totals include measures listed in Annex 3 and initiations of trade remedy actions. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  
This trade-monitoring report reviews trade-re lated developments during the period from 
16 October 2014 to 15 October 2015. 
The report confirms that WTO Members continue to show some restraint in taking new 
trade-restrictive measures with the introduction of such measures remaining relatively stable since 
2012. During the period under review, 178 new trade-restrictive measures were put in place – an average of just under 15 new measures per month. 
More encouragingly, WTO Members continued to adopt measures aimed at facilitating trade, both 
temporary and permanent in nature. Members implemented 222 new trade-facilitating measures 
during the period under review – an average of almost 19 measures per month, the second highest number since the beginning of the monitoring exercise.  
Nevertheless, the slow pace of removal of previous restrictions means that the overall stock of 
restrictive measures is continuing to increase. Of the 2,557 restrictions (including trade remedies) recorded by the monitoring exercise since October 2008, only 642 have been removed. In other 
words, the total number of those restrictive measures still in place currently stands at 1,915 – up 
by almost 17% compared to the last annual over view. The addition of new restrictive measures, 
combined with a slow removal rate, remains a persistent concern with 75% of all restrictions measures implemented since 2008 still in plac e. The longer-term trend in the number of 
trade-restrictive measures is an area where continued vigilance remains imperative.  
The downturn in world trade observed in the last monitoring report continued in the second 
quarter of 2015. Global economic growth was modest  during the review period and continues to be 
unevenly distributed across countries and regions. Prices for primary commodities including oil are 
down sharply from last year, squeezing a number of important exporters. Exchange rates have 
undergone important shifts since the last report and speculation surrounding monetary policy 
alongside recurring bouts of volatility in financial markets has stoked uncertainty. In light of these 
developments, the Secretariat recently (30 Se ptember 2015) lowered its forecast for world 
merchandise trade volume growth in 2015 to 2.8%, and reduced its estimate for 2016 to 3.9%. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  In the area of trade remedies, the decelerating tr end observed in the previous report continued. 
This owes particularly to the decline in the number of initiations of anti-dumping investigations. Concerning anti-dumping and countervailing measures applied on the basis of investigations initiated in 2008 and 2009 (coinciding with the onset of the financial crisis), the data on extensions 
of measures pursuant to sunset reviews versus expired measures show no discernible change from 
the pattern observed in prior periods.  
   
 
During the review period, the WTO's TBT and SPS Committees saw significant developments. The SPS Committee has witnessed a persistent growth in notifications from developing countries leading to the highest number of notifications to date. An increase in the number of notifications 
does not, however, automatically imply greater use of measures taken for protectionist purposes. 
Another noteworthy development was the significant increase in the number of specific trade concerns (STCs) raised in the TBT Committee. 
This report shows that WTO Members introduced 128 new general economic support measures – 
an average of almost 11 new measures per month, and a significant increase from the previous report. The main beneficiaries were selected industries in the agricultural sector, oil and gas 
industries, the automotive sector and assistance schemes for exports and for SMEs.  
In the area of services the period under review  witnessed several important policy developments 
in such diverse sectors as financial services, telecommunications and ICT, audio-visual services, construction services, energy and transport serv ices, services supplied through the movement of 
natural persons and a number of other sectors. Th e large majority of the policies adopted during 
the period under review reflect trade-liberalizing measures.  
Several other important trade-related developments also took place during 2015. These include 
the adoption of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the expansion of the Information Technology 
Agreement, the Global Review of Aid for Trade and new initiatives in the area of Regional Trade Agreements.  
The overall assessment of this monitoring report is that the uncertain global economic outlook 
continues to weigh on international trade flows. It shows that the continuing increase in the stock of trade-restrictive measures recorded since 2008 remains of concern. Looking towards the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December, WTO Members should reflect on the central role of 
the multilateral trading system as a predictable and transparent framework helping Members resist 
protectionist pressures and as a stable and inclusive platform for pursuing further multilateral trade liberalization. 
1  INTRODUCTION 
1.1.  This report is submitted to the Trade Polic y Review Body (TPRB) pursuant to Paragraph G of 
the trade policy review mandate in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement, which provides for an annual 
report by the Director-General to assist the TPRB in undertaking its annual overview of 
developments in the international trading environment that are having an impact on the multilateral trading system. It builds on the Director-General's report to the TPRB on trade-related developments circulated to Members on 3 July 2015.
2 Unless otherwise indicated, the report 
covers the period 16 October 2014 to 15 October 2015. As in the past, measures implemented 
outside the reviewed period are not included in the Annexes. 
1.2.   This report is intended to be purely factua l and is issued under the sole responsibility of the 
Director-General. It has no legal effect on the rights and obligations of Members, nor does it have 
any legal implication with respect to the conformi ty of any measure noted in the report with any 
WTO Agreement or any provision thereof. This report is without prejudice to Members' negotiating 
positions in the Doha Round. 
1.3.  At the WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2011, Ministers recognized the regular work 
undertaken by the TPRB on the monitoring exercise of trade and trade-related measures, took note of the work initially done in the context of the global financial and economic crisis, and 
directed it to be continued and strengthened. Ministers invited the Director-General to continue 
                                               
2 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/9, 3 July 2015. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  presenting his trade-monitoring reports on a regular basis, and asked the TPRB to consider these 
monitoring reports in addition to its meeting to undertake the Annual Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment. Minister s committed to duly comply with the existing 
transparency obligations and reporting requirements needed for the preparation of these 
monitoring reports, and to continue to support and cooperate with the WTO Secretariat in a 
constructive fashion.
3  
1.4.  Section 2 of the overview provides a review  of recent economic and trade trends. Section 3 
presents an account of selected trade and trade-related developments during the period under 
review. Section 4 reviews policy developments in trade in services. Finally, Section 5 provides an overview of compliance and timeliness of Members' notifications to the WTO. Annexes to the report 
list specific new trade policy measures of individual Members taken during the period under review 
in four categories: trade-facilitating measures  (Annex 1); trade-remedy actions (Annex 2); other 
trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3); and general economic support measures (Annex 4). Specific developments related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT) are covered separately in Section 3. Specific measures of individual 
Members and Observers in the area of trade in services are described in Section 4.   
1.5.  Information on the measures included in the Annexes to this report and, with respect to 
services in Section 4, has been collected from inputs submitted by WTO Members and Observers, 
as well as from other official and public sources.  Replies to the request of the Director-General for information on measures taken during the period  under review were received from 76 Members 
(counting the European Union (EU) and its member States separately) (Box 1), which represents 
47% of the membership. This is an increase of  10% compared to the participation in the 2014 
annual report.
4  One Observer also replied to the request for information. The WTO Secretariat has 
drawn on these replies, as well as on a variety of other sources, to prepare this report. All 
country-specific information collected was sent for verification to the relevant delegation. As in the 
past, participation in the verification process was uneven, and in several instances the Secretariat received only partial responses and often after the indicated deadline. Where it has not been 
possible to confirm the information, this is noted in the Annexes.
5 
Box 1 Replies to the Director-General's request for information6 
Albania 
Argentina 
Australia 
Azerbaijan* 
Barbados 
Brazil 
Cabo Verde 
Canada 
Chile 
China, Republic of 
Colombia 
Costa Rica 
Cuba 
Dominican Republic 
Egypt 
European Union 
The Gambia Georgia 
Guatemala 
Hong Kong, China 
India 
Indonesia 
Japan 
Korea, Republic of 
Macao, China 
Malaysia 
Mauritius 
Mexico 
Moldova, Republic of 
Montenegro 
New Zealand 
Norway 
Paraguay 
Peru Philippines 
Russian Federation 
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Serbia 
Seychelles 
Singapore 
South Africa 
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 
Switzerland 
Chinese Taipei 
Thailand 
Tunisia 
Turkey 
Ukraine 
United States of America 
Uruguay 
* Observer 
 
                                               
3 WTO document, WT/L/848, 19 December 2011. 
4 WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 24 November 2014.  Appendix 1 to this report contains detailed 
information on responses by Members and Observers to th e Director-General's reques ts for information and to 
the Secretariat's request for ve rification of information. 
5 The inclusion of any measure in this report or in  its annexes implies no judgement by the WTO 
Secretariat on whether or not such measure, or its intent , is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in this 
report implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, as to the consistency of an y measure referred to in the 
report with the provisions  of any WTO Agreement. 
6 This number includes all inputs receiv ed for WT/TPR/OV/W/9 and for WT/TPR/OV/18. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  WTO Members and Observers Participating in the WTO Monitoring Exercise 
 
 
2  RECENT ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS 
2.1  Overview 2.1.  The WTO downgraded, on 30 September, its forecast for world trade after declines in the first 
two quarters of 2015 reduced the potential expans ion for the year and clouded the outlook for 
2016. The Secretariat now expects merchandise trade to grow 2.8% in volume terms in 2015 (down from 3.3% in April) and 3.9% in 2016 (down from 4.0% previously). 
2.2.  These downward revisions reflect a number of factors that have weighed on world trade and 
output recently, including the rebalancing of the Chinese economy away from investment and 
towards consumption, declines in primary commodity prices that have hit export revenues and imports of resource-based economies, as well as st rong exchange rate fluctuations and volatility in 
financial markets. Uncertainty over the timing and pace of expected interest rate rises in the 
United States has also raised the prospect of capital flow reversals in developing countries and clouded the outlook for the global economy going forward. 
2.2  Economic Developments 
2.3.  If the September forecast holds, 2015 will be the fourth consecutive year with merchandise 
trade growth of less than 3%, and the fourth ye ar where world trade has grown at approximately 
the same rate as world GDP, rather than twice as fast, as in the 1990s and early 2000s. The 
current forecast indicates faster trade growth of 3.9% in 2016, but this rate of increase is still well 
below the average of 5% since 1990.  
2.4.  The distribution of economic activity ac ross countries and regions continues to be uneven, 
and economic data remain mixed. After a slow start with 0.6% annualized GDP growth in the 
first quarter, the United States saw output growth rebound to 3.9% in the second quarter before dropping to 1.8% in the third quarter. Recent U.S. employment reports also indicate weaker 
labour market conditions in Q3, which could presag e slower growth in the second half of the year. 
U.S. output in the first three quarters of 2015 was up 2.5% over 2014, roughly in line with the IMF forecast for the year overall.  The EU has also shown signs of resilience recently, particularly in formerly distressed economies such as Spain and Ir eland.  Annualized GDP growth of EU member 
States averaged 2.2% in Q1 and 1.8% in Q2, but unemployment remains high. EU output was up 
1.8% year-on-year in the first half of 2015, also in line with IMF predictions. Meanwhile, Japan's growth has been highly variable, rising from 1.3% in the fourth quarter of last year to 4.5% in Q1, 
then falling back to -1.2% in Q2.  Japan's year-over-year output growth in the first half of 2015 
was flat at 0.0%, below IMF projections. 
2.5.  Quarter-on-quarter GDP growth in China picked  up from 1.4% in Q1 (equivalent to an annual 
rate of 5.7%) to 1.7% in Q2 (equal to 7.0% a nnually) and 1.8% in Q3 (equal to 7.3% annually). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Growth rates of this magnitude are consistent with government targets of near 7% growth for the 
year, but other forward looking measures of economic activity, including the composite leading indicators (CLIs) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), point to below trend growth in coming quarters.  Meanwhile,  India recorded strong growth of 8.2% in Q1 
and 6.5% in Q2 according to data from the OE CD.  Natural resource exporters had the weakest 
performances among major economies in Q2, including Brazil (-7.2%), the Russian Federation (-7.8%) and Canada (-0.5%).   
2.6.  Large exchange rate fluctuations since the middle of 2014 reflect changes in economic 
prospects and policy expectations in major economies, and have exerted a strong influence on nominal dollar denominated trade statistics. These exchange rate movements are illustrated in Chart 2.1, which shows nominal effective exchange rate indices for selected economies through 
August 2015 from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).   
Chart 2.1 Exchange rate indice s for selected economies,  
January 2012 – September 2015
a 
(Index, January 2012 = 100) 
 
405060708090100110120130
China United States Euro area Japan Brazil Russia
 
 
a Nominal effective exchange rate indices against a broad basket of currencies. 
Source: Bank for International Settlements (BIS). 
2.7.  The strongest appreciations over the past year were recorded by the U.S. dollar and the 
Chinese yuan.  The dollar was up 15% year-on-year in September against the currencies of its 
trading partners, while the yuan was up 9%. The loosening of the yuan's link to the dollar in 
September initially produced a month-on-month bi lateral depreciation of around 3% against the 
U.S. currency, but against a broader basket of currencies the yuan was only down 0.2% for the 
month.  On the other hand, values of commodi ty-based currencies have plunged, including the 
Russian rouble (down 36% year-on-year in Augu st) and the Brazilian real (down 34% over the 
same period). 
2.8.  Dollar appreciation can cause trade denominated in other currencies (e.g. intra-EU trade) to 
be undervalued when measured in dollars, thereby distorting growth rates and other calculations.  
As a result, trade statistics in nominal dollar terms must be interpreted with caution under current 
circumstances. 
2.9.  Primary commodity prices, including oil prices, have not recovered since the last monitoring 
report and have in fact continued to decline.  Recent trends are illustrated in Chart 2.2, which 
shows International Monetary Fund (IMF) commodity price indices through September. Lower 
prices for fuels (down 50% year-on-year in the latest month) are partly explained by new sources of supply.  Investment in oil production from unconventional sources has fallen in North America WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  as prices have declined, but output from existing capacity remains strong. Another contributor to 
falling prices is the appreciation of the dollar, which now commands more goods and services than it did a year ago. There has traditionally been an inverse relationship between dollar denominated commodity prices and the exchange value of the U.S. currency, with appreciations causing 
commodity prices in dollars to fall. 
Chart 2.2 Prices of primary commodi ties, January 2012 - September 2015 
(Indices, January 2012 = 100) 
406080100120
Food and beverages Agricultural raw materials Metals Fuel
 
 
Source: IMF Primary Commodity Prices. 
2.10.  The IMF released its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) on 6 October with projections for 
world GDP and trade in 2015 and 2016. GDP estimates received modest downward revisions but 
the organization's trade numbers were reduced sharply, bringing them more in line with WTO 
forecasts. The IMF expects world GDP at purchasi ng power parity to grow 3.1% in 2015 and 3.6% 
in 2016. Risks are tilted to the downside and include financial shocks stemming from exchange rate movements and commodity price declines. 
2.3  Merchandise Trade 
2.11.  Chart 2.3 shows year-on-year growth in th e dollar value of merchandise trade (red line), as 
well as relative contributions to this growth from developed and developing economies (stacked 
bars). The dollar value of world trade was down sharply in the first and second quarters of 2015, 
around 13% in both periods compared to 2014. These drops were entirely attributable to changes in export and import prices since quarterly trad e volume indices jointly prepared by the WTO and 
the United Nations Conference on Trade and Deve lopment (UNCTAD) show positive year-on-year 
growth over the same period (+3.1% in Q1 and +1.4 % in Q2 on the export side). Very little useful 
information can be discerned from the contributions of developed and developing countries to trade growth in dollar terms in the current circumstance of strong dollar appreciation. However, 
the fact that these contributions are of similar magnitude suggests that both groups of countries 
are equally affected by the appreciation of the dollar. 
2.12.  Trade statistics in volume terms frequently provide a more accurate picture of trade 
developments since they are adjusted to account for fluctuations in prices and exchange rates. 
These data are illustrated by Chart 2.4, which shows seasonally-adjusted quarterly merchandise 
trade volume indices for Brazil, developing Asia (including China and India), the EU, Japan and the 
United States from 2010Q1 to 2015Q2. These data present a rather negative trend of trade in the 
first half of 2015, especially with regards to exports of developing Asia and imports of South America. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Chart 2.3 Contributions to year-on-year  growth in world merchandise trade, 
2012Q1-2015Q2 
(Percentage change in US$ values) 
1.7
-1.7
-3.0-0.4-0.51.62.1 2.41.80.8 0.6
-2.1
-6.8-6.44.0
1.0
-0.61.61.00.11.31.5
-0.41.1 1.6
-1.8
-5.5-6.95.7
-0.7
-3.61.2
0.41.73.43.9
1.41.92.2
-3.9
-12.4
-13.2
-15-10-50510
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4 2015Q1 2015Q2
Developed economies Developing economies a
World, year-on-year percentage change
2.4
-2.4 -2.9-0.3 -2.0-0.31.0 1.32.1 2.2
1.1
-2.4
-7.0 -7.03.7
1.6 0.11.71.9 1.61.81.1
-0.2 -0.30.4
-0.9
-5.6 -5.86.2
-0.8-2.81.3
-0.11.22.82.51.9 1.9
1.4
-3.3
-12.6-12.8
-15-10-50510
2012Q1 2012Q2 2012Q3 2012Q4 2013Q1 2013Q2 2013Q3 2013Q4 2014Q1 2014Q2 2014Q3 2014Q4 2015Q1 2015Q2Exports
Imports
 
a Includes significant re-exports. Also includes the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 
Note: Due to scarce data availability, Africa and th e Middle East are under-represented in world totals. 
Source: WTO Secretariat estimates, based on data compiled from IMF International Financial Statistics; 
Eurostat Comext Database; Global Tr ade Atlas; and national statistics. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Chart 2.4 Volume of exports and imports of selected economie s, 2010Q1 – 2015Q2 
(Seasonally adjusted volume indices, 2010Q1 = 100) 
95100105110115120125130135140145
2010Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2011Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2012Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2013Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2014Q1
Q2Q3Q4
2015Q1
Q2
95100105110115120125130135140145
2010Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2011Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2012Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2013Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2014Q1
Q2Q3
Q4
2015Q1
Q2Exports
Imports
JapanEU-extra trade EU-intra trade United States
Developing Asia Brazil
 
 
Note: Data for the EU, Japan and the United States we re obtained from national statistical sources, while 
figures for Brazil and developing Asia are seasonally-adjusted Secretariat estimates. 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. 
2.13.  Exports of the United States were flat in Q2 (up 1.0%, not annualized) after registering a 
large drop in Q1 (-3.9%). U.S. exports in Q2 also  hardly changed compared to the same quarter in 
the previous year (up just 0.3%). The reverse was the case on the import side, with a modest 
quarter-on-quarter decline in Q2 (-1.0%) and a stronger increase in Q1 (+2.3%). Year-on-year WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  import growth was very strong at 6.3% in Q2, which would have helped cushion the recent 
declines in imports of developing countries. 
2.14.  Extra-EU exports were up 0.8% quarter-on-quarter in Q2 while extra-EU imports were down 
3.1% quarter-on-quarter. Meanwhile, trade between EU member States (i.e. intra-EU trade) was 
up slightly, 0.9% as measured by exports. Year-o n-year growth in intra-EU trade was strong at 
3.7% as measured by exports. 
2.15.  Brazil's exports surged in the first half of  2015, rising 11.5% since the final quarter of 2014. 
In contrast, the country's imports were down 9.6% over the same period, and down 17% since 
2014Q1. Exports and imports of developing Asia were also unusually weak in the first half of the year, with declines of 3.4% on the export side an d 1.9% on the import side in Q2 since the last 
quarter of 2014. 
2.16.  Monthly merchandise trade statistics in current U.S. dollar terms are more timely than 
quarterly statistics in volume terms and are available for a larger set of countries (Chart 2.5). However, these data are also subject to price dist ortions and should therefore be interpreted with 
caution. Export and import values are down in most countries in the first half of 2015, but this 
may simply be due to the fact that they are me asured in U.S. dollars. For example, Germany's 
exports and imports were both down 14% year-on-year in July when measured in dollar terms, 
but they were up 6% when measured in euros. 
2.4  Trade in Commercial Services 2.17.  Chart 2.6 shows year-on-year growth in th e dollar value of commercial services trade for 
selected economies from 2014Q2 to 2015Q2. These data are also affected by the recent 
appreciation of the U.S. dollar in much the same way that merchandise trade values are. As a 
result, they must also be interpreted with caution. Countries whose currencies experienced 
significant depreciations against the U.S. dollar by 2015Q1 (e.g. Brazil, the EU, India, Japan, and 
the Russian Federation) all recorded sharp slowdo wns in services trade in 2015Q1 and 2015Q2, on 
both the export and import sides, while other countries (China and the United States) did not 
register similar declines. In most cases, declines in services trade in percentage terms were 
smaller than the percentage declines in currency values, which suggests that the volume of 
commercial services trade has continued to rise.  However, it remains difficult to draw useful conclusions from nominal trade statistics in the presence of strong exchange rate movements. 
2.5  Trade Forecast and Economic Outlook 
2.18.  Table 2.1 shows the latest WTO trade forecasts for 2015 and 2016, updated on 
30 September 2015. These estimates depend upon consensus estimates of real GDP growth at market exchange rates, which are largely compatible with the IMF outlook. As noted previously, 
the WTO expects world merchandise trade volume as measured by the average of exports and 
imports to grow 2.8% in 2015 and to expand by  3.9% in 2016. Exports from developed economies 
should increase by 3.0% this year and by 3.9% next year, while exports of developing economies 
are projected to grow more slowly at 2.4% in 2015 and 3.8% in 2016. Developed economies' 
imports should grow by 3.1% in 2015 and 3.2% 2016, while those of developing economies should expand 2.5% this year and 5.2% next year. 
 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Chart 2.5 Merchandise exports and imports of selected economies, 
January 2010-August 2015 
(US$ billion) 
United States Japan
European Union (extra-trade) China
Canada Turkey
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0102030405060708090
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
050100150200250
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0102030405060
Jan-10 Jan-11 J an-12 J an-13 Jan-14 J an-15
05101520
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Australia Republic of Korea
051015202530354045
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0510152025
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
05101520
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Indonesia
051015202530
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Brazil
 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Russian Federation India
Chinese Taipei Malaysia
Thailand Argentina
Imports Exports
0102030405060
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
05101520253035404550
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
024681012
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15South Africa
051015202530354045
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15Singapore
051015202530
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0510152025
Jan-10 Jan-11 J an-12 J an-13 Jan-14 J an-15
051015202530
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
0123456789
Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Jan-15
 
Source: IMF International Financial Statistics, Global Trade Information Services GTA database, national 
statistics. 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Chart 2.6 Commercial services exports and imports of selected economies, 
2014Q2-2015Q2 
(Year-on-year % change in current US$ values) 
-20-15-10-5051015202530
United States European Union
(extra)Japan China India Brazil Russian
Federation
-30-25-20-15-10-5051015202530
United States European Union
(extra)Japan China India Brazil Russian
FederationExports
Imports
2014 Q4 2014 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3 2015 Q1
 
 
Note: Figures for China are preliminary. 
Source: WTO and UNCTAD Secretariats. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 18 - 
 
  2.19.  Exports of developing Asia received a strong downward revision for 2015, to 3.1% from 
5.0% previously. This is mostly due to falling intra-regional trade as China's demand for imported goods has eased. The downward revision to Asia on the import side was even stronger, to 2.6% from 5.1% previously. The product composition of China's merchandise imports suggests that 
some of the slowdown may be related to the country's ongoing transition from investment to 
consumption led growth. Large year-on-year declines in quantities of imported machinery (-9%) and metals (iron ore -10%, copper -6%) were recorded in customs statistics for August, while 
strong increases were seen in agricultural goods, including cereal grains (+130%) and oilseeds 
(+33%). 
2.20.  Another noteworthy revision was applied to imports of South and Central America in 2015, 
as the regional estimate was lowered to -5.6% from -0.5% previously.  Much of this was due to a 
sharp decline in Brazil's import demand, which in turn affected exports of neighbouring countries.  
A rebound in imports of South and Central America is expected in 2016 as Brazil's GDP growth stabilizes and its imports begin to recover from a low base.  
Table 2.1 Merchandise trade volume and real GDP, 2011-2016  
(Annual percentage change) 
 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015a 2016a 
Volume of world merchandise trade 5.3 2.2 2.5 2.5 2.8 3.9 
Exports       
Developed economies 5.1 1.1 2.2 2.0 3.0 3.9 
Developing economies   5.9 3.7 3.8 3.1 2.4 3.8 
North America 6.6 4.4 2.7 4.2 4.4 3.9 
South and Central America 6.4 0.9 1.9 -1.3 0.5 3.1 
Europe 5.5 0.8 2.4 1.6 2.8 3.7 
Asia 6.4 2.7 5.0 4.7 3.1 5.4 
Other regionsb 2.3 3.9 0.7 -0.4 0.5 0.5 
Imports       
Developed economies 3.4 0.0 -0.1 2.9 3.1 3.2 
Developing economies  7.7 4.9 5.2 1.8 2.5 5.2 
North America 4.3 3.2 1.2 4.6 6.4 5.2 
South and Central America 12.1 2.3 3.4 -2.4 -5.6 5.7 
Europe 3.2 -1.8 -0.2 2.3 3.2 3.4 
Asia 6.5 3.7 4.8 3.4 2.6 4.3 
Other regionsb 7.8 9.9 4.1 -1.4 -1.5 0.5 
Real GDP at market exchange rates (2005)  2.8 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.8 
Developed economies 1.5 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.1 
Developing economies 5.9 4.6 4.5 4.2 3.5 4.2 
North America 1.9 2.4 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.7 
South and Central America 5.1 2.8 3.3 1.0 -1.1 0.4 
Europe 2.0 -0.2 0.4 1.3 1.8 1.9 
Asia 4.2 4.4 4.5 4.0 4.0 4.2 
Other regionsb 4.1 3.7 2.6 2.6 1.4 2.9 
a Figures for 2015 and 2016 are projections. 
b Other regions comprise Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Middle East. 
Source: WTO Secretariat for trade, consensus estimates for GDP. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 19 - 
 
  3  TRADE AND TRADE-RELATE D POLICY DEVELOPMENTS 
3.1  Overview 3.1.  The following sections provide a more in-depth analysis of selected trade and trade-related 
policy developments, including some areas which saw especially noteworthy events during the 
period under review.  
3.2.  The trade measures compiled for this report are presented in three categories: (i) measures 
that clearly facilitate trade (Annex 1); (ii) trade-remedy measures (Annex 2); and (iii) other trade 
and trade-related measures (Annex 3). The total number of measures in these three categories 
recorded over the period mid-October 2014 to mid-October 2015 is 697. This comprises 222 trade-facilitating measures, 297 trade-remedy measures and 178 other trade and trade-related measures.  
3.3.  The 222 trade-facilitating measures (Table 3.1) recorded during the twelve-month period 
covered by this report represent an absolute increase over the previous period
7, but more 
importantly is the highest monthly average of such measures recorded over the last four 
monitoring reports. Over 72% of these trade-facilitating measures consist of measures that 
provide for tariff reductions, sometimes applied on a temporary basis. The trade-facilitating 
measures recorded by this monitoring repo rt cover 0.91% of world merchandise imports 
(US$170.3 billion) compared to 6. 4% (US$1,183.4 billion) reported in the last annual overview.8 
Table 3.1 Measures facilitating trade (Annex 1)  
Type of measure Mid-October 
2011 to 
mid-October 
2012 Mid-October 
2012 to 
mid-November 
2013 Mid-November 
2013 to 
mid-October 
2014 Mid-October 
2014 to 
mid-October 
2015 
Import 136 101 168 192 
- Tariff 120 82 145 160 
- Customs procedures 13 15 18 24 
- Tax 2 3 1 4 
- Quantitative restrictions 1 1 4 4 
Export 18 6 9 26 
- Duties 7 3 4 13 
- Quantitative restrictions 11 3 3 1 
- Other 0 0 2 12 
Other 8 0 0 4 
Total 162 107 177 222 
Average per month  13.5 8.2 16.1 18.5 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.4.  The principal product sectors (HS chapters) benefiting from the trade-facilitating measures 
were: mineral fuels and oils; precious metals (gold); machinery and mechanical appliances; 
electrical machinery and equipment; and vehicles and parts thereof (mainly of motorcycles).9  
3.5.  Trade-remedy measures taken between mid-October 2014 and mid-October 2015 are listed 
in Annex 2.10 As a share of all trade and trade-related measures recorded for the review period, 
                                               
7 The previous annual report covered one month less than the present report, i.e. mid-November 2013 
to mid-October 2014. 
 8 The trade coverage of a measure is calculated to be the value of imports of the specific product 
concerned from countries affected by the measure as a sh are of the value of total world merchandise imports. 
Highly-traded goods may significantly influence the estimation of the trade coverage. For example, the trade 
coverage calculation in WT/TPR/OV/17 (24 November 2 014) included one measure by China (catalogue of 
items subject to automatic import licensing) accounting for 64.5% of the value of all import-facilitating 
measures.  
9 In the previous annual overview report the se ctors were: machinery and mechanical appliances; 
organic chemicals; iron and steel; articles of iron and st eel; plastics; and animal or  vegetable fats and oils.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 20 - 
 
  trade remedies make up almost 43%, down from 49% in the previous annual report. Out of the 
297 trade remedy measures recorded (Table 3.2), 241, or around 81%, were anti-dumping actions. In line with the trend identified in re cent monitoring reports, more initiations were 
recorded than terminations. However, the monthl y average of trade remedy actions recorded for 
this exercise was down compared to previous reports. 
Table 3.2 Trade remedy measures (Annex 2)
11 
Type of measure Mid-October 2012 
to mid-November 2013 Mid-November 2013 to 
mid-October 2014 Mid-October 2014 to 
mid-October 2015  
Initiations 
Terminations 
Total 
Initiations 
Terminations 
Total 
Initiations 
Terminations 
Total 
Trade-remedy          
Anti-dumping 156 112 268 134 133 267 130 111 241 
Countervailing 24 9 33 21 15 36 21 14 35 
Safeguard 37 17 54 16 18 34 14 7 21 
Total 217 138 355 171 166 337 165 132 297 
Average per month  16.7 10.6 27.3 15.5 15.1 30.6 13.8 11.0 24.8 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.6.  Out of the total number of trade-remedy measures, 165 were initiations of new trade-remedy 
investigations covering 0.17% of world merchandise imports (US$32.2 billion), and 132 measures 
were terminations of either investigations or existing duties covering less than 0.1% of world imports (US$12 billion).
12 
3.7.  The number of other trade and trade-relate d measures recorded during the review period 
(Annex 3) was 178, compared to 168 recorded for the year-end monitoring report in 2014. 
However, the monthly average of the introduction of such measures has declined slightly in the 
current period, and remains below the monthly aver age of trade-facilitating measures (Table 3.1). 
Out of the 178 measures listed in Annex 3, some 136 measures were applied to imports. As has 
been the case in the past, the most prevalent import measure remains tariffs, accounting for 
almost 65% of import measures in Annex 3 (Table 3.3). 
                                                                                                                                               
10 A trade-remedy measure for purposes  of Annex 2 is the initiation of an (anti-dumping, countervail or 
safeguard) investigation, the conclusion of such an investigation without imposition of a measure, or the termination of a final anti-dumping, countervail or safeguard measure.  
11 It should be noted that in this Table and in Annex 2 a single measure affecting several trading 
partners is counted only once. 
12 In the previous annual overview report initiati ons represented 0.2% of world merchandise imports 
(close to US$43.7 billion) and terminations 0.3% of world merchandise imports (close to US$46.1 billion). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 21 - 
 
  Table 3.3 Other trade and trade-related measures (Annex 3)   
Type of measure Mid-October 
2011 to 
mid-October 
2012 Mid-October 
2012 to 
mid-November  
2013 Mid-November 
2013 to 
mid-October 
2014 Mid-October 
2014 to 
mid-October 
2015 
Import 118 153 119 136 
- Tariff 54 106 74 88 
- Customs procedures 38 25 26 20 
- Tax 6 6 7 11 
- Quantitative 
restrictions 20 15 11 11 
- Other 0 1 1 6 
Export 32 27 36 31 
- Duties 8 4 12 13 
- Quantitative 
restrictions 24 11 12 5 
- Other 0 12 12 13 
Other 14 10 13 11 
Total 164 190 168 178 
Average per month  13.7 14.6 15.3 14.8 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.8.  Other trade and trade-related measures recorded over the review period cover a wide range 
of products. The main product sectors (HS chapters) targeted were: mineral fuels and oils; iron 
and steel; vegetable fats and oils; electrical machinery and equipment; machinery and mechanical appliances; and vehicles and parts thereof, accounting for 1.23% of world merchandise imports 
(US$228.3 billion).
13  
3.9.  In the previous annual overview, the product sectors most heavily affected were: iron and 
steel; organic chemicals; electrical machinery and mechanical appliances; certain vehicles and parts thereof; and articles of apparel and clot hing accessories (accounting for 1.17% of world 
merchandise imports (US$214.5 billion)). 
3.10.  Continuing a positive trend identified in the 2014 annual overview, the number of 
trade-facilitating measures remains higher than the number of other trade and trade-related 
measures. In other words, as can be seen from a comparison of Table 3.1 and Table 3.3, 
according to the number of measures recorded by  the monitoring exercise since the end of 2013, 
WTO Members have introduced more trade-fa cilitating measures than other trade and 
trade-related measures, although the value of me rchandise imports covered by trade-facilitating 
measures is lower. 
3.11.  The total number of what can be considered as trade-restrictive measures (including trade 
remedy measures) introduced by WTO Members since October 2008, and recorded by the periodic 
monitoring reports is 2,557.
14 According to information recorded for this exercise, as of mid-
October 2015, 642, or around a quarter, of these measures had been removed leaving the stockpile of measures still in place at 1,915 – an increase of almost 17% since October 2014.
15 
Chart 3.1 compares the stockpile of restrictive measures at mid-October 2010 with that of mid-
October 2015.  
                                               
13 The trade coverage of a measure is calculated to  be the value of imports of the specific product 
concerned from countries affected by the measure as a share of the value of total world merchandise. 
14 As indicated, this figure includes initiations of trade remedy investigations counted as restrictive. It is 
without prejudice to rights of Members to take trade remedy actions.  
15 The stockpile increased by almost 5% since June 2015. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 22 - 
 
  Chart 3.1 Stockpile of trade-restrictive measures  
 
Effectively  eliminated  measures Stockpile of restrictive  measuresBy mid-October 2010 By mid-October 2015
82
464642
1,915
546 measures 2,557 measures15.0%
85.0%25.1%
74.9%
 
 
Note: Totals include measures listed in Annex 3 and initiations of trade remedy actions. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.12.  Overall, and despite the introduction of more trade-facilitating than trade-restrictive 
measures, existing trade restrictions are not being eliminated at a rate which significantly dents the stockpile of trade-restrictive measures. This remains an area of concern for global trade – 
systemically as well as for the day-to-day trade flows. 
3.2  Trade-Remedy Trends 3.13.  This analysis provides an assessment of trends in trade-remedy actions during the period 
from July 2012 – June 2013 ("first period") in comparison with July 2013 – June 2014 
("second period") and July 2014 – June 2015 ("current period").
16 Concerning anti-dumping, data 
for the current period indicate a slight decrease in the number of new investigations initiated.17 
The number of safeguard investigations initiate d also decreased. The number of countervail 
investigations initiated, however, remained steady between the second and current periods. The 
total number of initiations for the latter two types of trade-remedy investigations remained considerably lower than for anti-dumping. 
3.14.  Global anti-dumping initiations decreased by 12%, from 266 during the second period to 
234 during the current period. (Table 3.4). However, initiations in the current period (233) were still more numerous than those reported in the first period (220).   
                                               
16 These periods coincide with the Me mber's semi-annual reporting periods.  
17 In this section of the report, an action that targ ets multiple countries is recorded according to the 
number of countries affected. Thus, one anti-dumping or countervailing investigation involving imports from n 
countries is counted as n investigations. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 23 - 
 
  Table 3.4 Initiations of anti-dumping investigations 
(Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014 July 2014 - June 2015 
Argentina 14 11 6 
Australia 11 26 14 
Brazil 38 66 18 
Canada 11 10 12 
Chile 5 0 0 
China 13 7 6 
Colombia 10 6 7 
Dominican Republic 0 2 0 
Egypt 0 2 10 
European Union 9 4 14 
Guatemala 0 1 0 
India 31 25 37 
Indonesia 0 14 16 
Israel 3 0 0 
Japan 0 1 2 
Korea, Republic of 4 9 2 
Malaysia 13 7 13 
Mexico 6 5 17 
Morocco 5 1 2 
New Zealand 1 0 0 
Pakistan 4 6 3 
Peru 0 1 0 
Philippines 1 0 0 
Russian Federation 0 4 5 
South Africa 6 6 1 
Chinese Taipei 2 1 0 
Thailand 5 0 1 
Trinidad and Tobago 0 0 1 
Turkey 12 4 22 
Ukraine 1 2 3 
United States 11 45 21 
Viet Nam 4 0 0 
Total 220 266 233 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.15.  Chart 3.2 shows that the number of anti-dumping investigations initiated increased from 
2011 until it peaked in 2013 with 287 measures. The number of investigations has declined since then, a decline which has continued into the first half of 2015. However, early indications show a notable increase in the number of investigations  launched in the second half of 2015, suggesting 
that this decline may be reversed.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 3.2 Total anti-dumping investigation initiations by reporting Member (2008-15a) 
218 217
173
165208287
236
103
050100150200250300
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
a Data for 2015 relate to the January to June period. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.16.  While anti-dumping investigations do not necessarily lead to the imposition of measures, a 
rise in the number of investigations initiated is an early indicator suggesting a likely rise in the 
number of measures imposed. 
3.17.  Regarding the Members taking actions, Ta ble 3.4 shows that Brazil initiated the most 
investigations (122) over the three periods and accounted for approximately 20% of 
investigations. However, Brazil's actions peaked in the second period at 66 investigations, before falling to 18 in the current period. India was the second most active Member in relation to anti-dumping, initiating 93 investigations, approximately 15% of the total. After a decline in the 
number of investigations that it initiated in the second period, from 31 to 25 investigations, India 
increased its activity in the current period, initiating 37 cases. The United States was the third largest user of anti-dumping accounting for 77 investigations, or approximately 10% of 
initiations. The United States significantly increased its anti-dumping activity in the second period 
before halving the number of investigations it initiated in the current period. Australia was the fourth largest user of anti-dumping over the three 12-month periods but initiated only 
51 investigations, less than half the number initiated by Brazil, the largest user of this trade 
remedy. Significant increases in the use of anti-dumping in the current period were seen from Egypt (with 10 initiations), the EU (with 14 initiations), Mexico (with 17 initiations), and Turkey (with 22 initiations).  
3.18.  Chart 3.3 shows that there was little change in terms of the breakdown of products affected 
by anti-dumping investigations initiated during the three periods examined, with the majority of initiations focused on products in the metals, plastics and rubber, and chemicals sectors.  
3.19.  Metal products were subject to the most initiations in each period, accounting for 28% of all 
initiations in the first period, 34% in the second  period and 37% in the current period. In each 
period, at least 60 initiations targeted metals, of  which 75% on average focused on steel products. 
Over the three periods combined, the United States (51), Australia (34) and Brazil (30) accounted 
for more than half of the 238 initiations on me tals. These initiations targeted mostly metal 
products from China (66, of which 47 involved stee l products), the Republic of Korea (25, of which 
18 involved steel) and Chinese Taipei (20, of which 18 involved steel). In many instances, 
investigations were launched on the same product from several exporting countries. For instance, WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 25 - 
 
  there were 19 investigations into cold rolled stainless steel, 18 investigations into oil country 
tubular goods and 12 into grain oriented electrical steel.    
3.20.  Chemical products accounted for the second largest share of initiations over the three 
reporting periods, with a 17% share of initiations in the first period, an 18% share in the second 
period and a 24% share in the current pe riod. India accounted for 55 of the 142 new 
investigations on products in this sector over the three reporting periods, with 25 conducted by Brazil and 11 conducted by China. These initiations targeted mostly chemical products from China 
(37), the United States (17), the Republic of Korea (10) and the EU (9). Similarly to metals sector 
investigations, investigations into chemicals frequently targeted the same product from different countries – 35 products accounted for 117 of the investigations in this area.  
3.21.  Plastics and rubber ranked third over the three periods examined, accounting for 20% of all 
initiations in the first period, 16% in the second period, and 15% in the current period. Half of the 
121 plastics and rubber investigations were initiated by Brazil (60), and the next largest user in this sector was India with 10 investigations. China was once again the main target of 
investigations in this sector (23), followed by India (11), the Republic of Korea (9) and 
Chinese Taipei (8).  
3.22.  Machinery, which accounted for 7% of all initiations on average over the three periods, 
ranked fourth and textiles ranked fifth, accounting for 6%.   
3.23.  In terms of countries affected by new anti-dumping investigations, 44 exporting Members 
were affected during the first period, while 50 were  affected during the second period and 42 in 
the current period. China remained, by far, the Me mber most affected by anti-dumping initiations 
during the three reporting periods – investigations into Chinese products accounted for 28% of all 
investigations during these periods. The second most affected Member during the three reporting periods – the Republic of Korea – accounted for 8% of the total initiations during these periods, 
followed by Chinese Taipei, at 6%.  
3.24.  Table 3.5 shows that global initiations of countervailing duty investigations has remained 
constant in the second and current periods, with 39 new investigations reported, compared to 
38 in the second period and 26 in the first period. The main users of countervailing measures over 
the three periods were Canada and the United States. 
Table 3.5 Initiations of countervailing duty investigations 
(Counted on the basis of exporting countries affected) 
Reporting Member July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014 July 2014 - June 2015 
Australia 3 2 0 
Brazil 3 0 1 
Canada 5 3 11 
China 2 1 0 
Egypt 0 1 5 
European Union 5 5 1 
India 0 1 0 
Mexico 0 1 0 
Peru 0 0 1 
Russian Federation 0 0 1 
Turkey 0 0 1 
Ukraine 0 0 1 
United States 8 24 17 
Total 26 38 39 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 26 - 
 
  Chart 3.3 Anti-dumping initiations by product  
July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014
Chemicals
17%Plastics 
20%Metals
28%Other
8%
Metals
34%
Chemicals
18%Plastics
16%Other
9%
Glass / stone
9%Machinery
7%
Machinery
9%Textiles
7%Paper
5%
Textiles
8%Glass / stone
6%
 
 
July 2014 - June 2015
Chemicals
24%Plastics
15%Metals
37%Other
13%
Machinery
4%Paper
4%Glass / stone
3%
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.25.  Chart 3.4, reflecting annual figures, shows an upward trend in countervail initiations since 
2010, notwithstanding some fluctuation in 2012. In fact, the number of initiations recorded in 2014 (45) exceeds the previous peak of 41 initiations observed in 1999.
18 
                                               
18 Report to the TPRB from the Director-General on the Financial and Economic Crisis and Trade-Related 
Developments, 26 March 2009, p. 18. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 27 - 
 
  Chart 3.4 Countervailing investigation in itiations by WTO Members, (2008 2015a) 
1628
925
233345
14
05101520253035404550
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 
a Data for 2015 relate to the January to June period. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.26.  Among the thirteen Members using counter vail during the three periods examined, the 
United States, which accounted for approximately 50% of all initiations in these periods, initiated the most new investigations. Canada, the second largest user, accounted for approximately 20%, 
while the EU accounted for 10%. The remaining 20% of investigations were conducted by 
ten different countries, including notably Egypt, which initiated five investigations in the current period. Over the three periods examined, 80% of  countervail investigations were conducted 
concurrently with an anti-dumping investigation.   
3.27.  Concerning the types of products affected  by countervail investigations, Chart 3.5 shows 
that metals accounted for most of the initiations reported over the three reporting periods, 
occupying a 31% share of all initiations in the firs t period, a 53% share in the second period and a 
51% share in the current period. For the three periods combined, 48 of the 103 total initiations recorded covered metals, and 29 of these focused on steel products. The United States initiated 
19 of the 29 investigations of steel products. Elev en of the 29 steel-related initiations targeted 
products from China and five ta rgeted products from India.  
3.28.  Chemicals were the second most-targeted sector with 13 initiations, followed closely by 
plastics with 12 initiations. The United States initiated the largest number of investigations against 
the chemical sector, with seven initiations. Egypt, however, had the largest number of initiations in 
the plastics sector (five) as it investigated imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from multiple sources.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 28 - 
 
  Chart 3.5 Countervailing duty  initiations by product 
July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014
Chemicals
12%Metals
31%
Metals
53%
Chemicals
18%
Foodstuffs
27%Other
5% Other
15%
Minerals
8%Textiles
8%Plastics
8%Machinery
5%
Foodstuffs
5%
Animal products
5%
 
 
July 2014 - June 2015
Other
8%
Plastics
26%Metals
51%Paper
8%
Chemicals
8%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.29.  In terms of countries affected by new countervail investigations, 11 exporting Members were affected during the first, 12 during the seco nd and 18 during the current period. Similarly to 
anti-dumping, China was the most affected Member throughout the periods reviewed. 
Investigations into Chinese products accounted for 36% of all investigations during these periods. India, the second most affected Member during the three reporting periods, accounted for 14% of 
all initiations during these periods, followed by Turkey, which accounted for 7%.  
3.30.  Initiations of safeguard investigations declined across all three periods, from 25 in the 
first period, to 21 in the second, and finally to 13 in the current period (Table 3.6). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 29 - 
 
  Table 3.6 Initiations of safeguard investigations  
(Number of new investigations) 
Reporting Member July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014 July 2014 - June 2015 
Australia 2 0 0 
Chile 2 0 0 
Colombia 0 4 0 
Costa Rica 0 1 0 
Ecuador 0 0 1 
Egypt 2 0 3 
India 3 6 1 
Indonesia 5 3 0 
Jordan 0 0 1 
Kyrgyz Rep. 0 1 0 
Malaysia 0 0 1 
Morocco 1 1 1 
Philippines 0 2 0 
Russian Federation 3 0 0 
South Africa 2 0 0 
Chinese Taipei 0 1 0 
Thailand 2 1 0 
Tunisia 0 0 2 
Turkey 1 1 3 
Ukraine 1 0 0 
Viet Nam 1 0 0 
Total 25 21 13 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.31.  Chart 3.6 shows a downward trend in safeguard initiations since 2013. It is noteworthy that 
the figures for 2009 and 2012, of 25 and 24, respective ly, fall short of the peak of 34 initiations 
observed in 2002.19 Based on the small number of initiation s in the first half of 2015, it appears 
that the downward trend in the number of safeguard investigations initiated is continuing.  
3.32.  Table 3.6 shows that India and Indonesia were the most active Members throughout the 
reporting periods, accounting respectively for 10 and 8 of the aggregate 59 new investigations. Egypt and Turkey, with a total of five investigations each, were also active in the periods 
examined. In the first six months of 2015, on ly Egypt, Morocco and Turkey initiated an 
investigation.  
3.33.  In terms of product coverage, Chart 3.7 shows that safeguard investigations focused on a 
diverse range of sectors. As with anti-dumping and countervail initiations, metal products were the 
most affected by safeguard initiations and were the target of investigations in each of the three periods. Metals accounted for 20% of all safeguard initiations in the first period, 48% of initiations in the second period and 23% of initiations in the current period. Colombia (4 investigations), 
India (3 investigations) and Indonesia (3 investigations) accounted for over half the aggregate of 
19 new investigations into metals.  
3.34.  Chemicals ranked as the second most-targeted sector overall, accounting for 16% of all 
initiations in the first period and 14% in the second period. However, no Member initiated a 
safeguard investigation into chemicals in the current period. India initiated five of the aggregate of seven new investigations into this sector.  
3.35.  Prepared foodstuffs and paper products were equally the third most targeted sectors, 
accounting for seven investigations each across the three periods.  
                                               
19 Report to the TPRB from the Director-General on the Financial and Economic Crisis and Trade-Related 
Developments, 26 March 2009, p. 18. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Chart 3.6 Safeguard investigation initiations by WTO Members (2008-2015a) 
1025
20
1224
1823
3
051015202530
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
 
a Data for 2015 relate to the January to June period.  
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Chart 3.7 Safeguard initiations by product  
July 2012 - June 2013 July 2013 - June 2014
Chemicals
16%Wood
20%Metals
20%Other
20%
Metals
48%
Chemicals
14%Plastics
10%
Glass / 
stone
8%
Vegetables
8%Vegetables
10%
Textiles
8%Paper
14%Textiles
5%
 
July 2014 - June 2015
Wood
15%Foodstuffs
8%
Metals
23%Paper
23%Machinery
15%
Glass / stone
15%
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Sunset Reviews 
3.36.  This section examines the effect the global financial crisis may have had on anti-dumping 
and countervailing actions, by analysing the extent to which measures imposed following the 
financial crisis have been extended or have ex pired (or have otherwise been terminated) – the 
latter possibly suggesting that the financial crisis could have been a factor that contributed to the 
imposition of the measure. This section, theref ore, examines measures imposed as a result of 
investigations initiated in 2008, before the financial crisis, as well as 2009 and 2010, when the full effects of the financial crisis were being felt.
20  
3.37.  The relevant WTO Agreements stipulate that anti-dumping and countervailing measures can 
remain in force only for as long as necessary to counteract injury caused by dumped or subsidised imports, and must expire no later than five year s after their imposition unless it is determined, 
through a review, that removal of a measure would likely lead to a continuation or recurrence of 
dumping or subsidisation and injury. In such a case, the measure can be extended for up to a 
                                               
20 Given the application requirements for anti-dumping and countervail investigations, it is assumed that 
applications in response to the financial crisis would not have been initiated before January 2009.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 32 - 
 
  further five years. This review process is ofte n referred to as a sunset review. Investigating 
authorities generally invite applications for a sunset review before a measure expires, and in the absence of a review, they allow the measure to lapse.  
3.38.  As of 30 June 2015, measures imposed as a result of investigations initiated in 2008-2010 
are in various stages of their lifecycle. Some measures are still within the initial five-year 
imposition period, some are under review
21, some have been extended and some have expired.  
3.39.  Chart 3.8 shows the status of AD and CVD measures resulting from investigations initiated 
in 2008, 2009 and 2010 by as at 30 June 2015.  
Chart 3.8 Status of measures resulting from AD and CVD investigations initiated in 2008, 
2009 and 2010 as at 30 June 2015 
020406080100120140160180
2008 2009 2010Original measure Under review Extended No longer in effect
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.40.  Of the investigations initiated in 2008, only two of the resulting 167 measures have not yet 
been subject to expiry action (either a sunset review or termination), as opposed to 63 of the 
164 measures for 2009. The vast majority of measures resulting from investigations initiated in 
2010 (89 out of 111) have not yet been subject to any expiry action.  
Table 3.7 Proportion of expiri ng measures that were subject to a sunset review for all 
WTO Members (based on the year the investigation was initiated)  
Expiring measures Investigation initiated in 
2008 2009 2010a 
Not reviewed 39% 37% 32% 
Reviewed  61% 63% 68% 
a Only 22 measures resulting from investigations initiated in 2010 have so far expired or been subject 
to review. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
                                               
21 A sunset review must be initiated prior to the expiration date of the measure, but measure may 
remain in force after this date pe nding the outcome of the review.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 33 - 
 
  3.41.  Table 3.7 shows the proportion of measures  that were due to expire for which a sunset 
review has been conducted; noting that measures not reviewed will automatically expire. For measures resulting from investigations initiated in 2009 ("the 2009 measures"), 63% were reviewed, similar to the 61% found for 2008 ("the 2008 measures"). Thus, a similar proportion of 
the 2008 measures (investigations started before the financial crisis) and 2009 measures 
(investigations started after the financial crisis had begun) expired without review. It is still too early to draw conclusions in relation to the measures based on investigations initiated in 2010.  
3.42.  As at 30 June 2015, 44 sunset reviews had been completed for measures resulting from 
investigations initiated in 2008, nine for 2009 and seven for 2010, as shown in Table 3.8 below. For 2008 and 2009 measures which were reviewed, th e relevant Member found that the expiry of 
the measure would lead to a continuation or recurrence of dumping/subsidisation and injury and 
extended the measures in 89% of cases – showing no change in relation to the financial crisis.  
3.43.  Based on the data currently available, there is no discernible change in extension versus 
expiry of measures coinciding with the financial crisis. As further time passes and additional data 
become available, other trends may reveal themselves.  
Table 3.8 Results from completed reviews (b ased on the year the investigation was 
initiated) 
 Investigation initiated in 
 2008 2009 2010 
Number of completed reviews 44 9 7 
Measure extended 89% 89% 71% 
Expiry of measure 11% 11% 29% 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.3  Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)22 
3.44.  Under the SPS Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to provide an advance notice of 
intention to introduce new or modified SPS measures23, or to notify immediately when emergency 
measures are imposed. The main objective of complying with the SPS notification obligations is to 
inform other Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect trade. Therefore, an increased number of notification s does not automatically imply greater use of 
protectionist measures, but rather enhanced transparency regarding food safety, animal and plant 
health measures, many or most of which are pr esumable legitimate health-protection measures. 
3.45.  In the period from October 2014 through September 2015, 1,758 SPS notifications (regular 
and emergency, including addenda) were submitted
24 to the WTO, resulting in an increase of 19% 
in total notified measures compared to the previous period (1 October 2013 to 30 September 2014). Notifications from developing -country Members accounted for 69% of the 
total number. In the previous year, the total number of notifications and the proportion of 
measures notified by developing-country Members were lower: from October 2013 through 
September 2014, a total of 1,479 notifications (regular and emergency, including addenda) were submitted, of which 61% were notified by developing-country Members. 
                                               
22 Information presented in this section has been  retrieved from the SPS Information Management 
System (SPS IMS: http://spsims.wto.org ). This section is based on notifications to the WTO for the period 
1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015. Specific trade concerns (STCs) are only raised at SPS Committee 
meetings. The information in this section summarizes the STCs raised at the March 2015 and July 2015 SPS Committee meetings.  
23 Transparency obligations are contained in Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement. Annex B of 
the SPS Agreement requires that Members notify measures whose content is not substantially the same as that of an international standard, guid eline or recommendation, and when the measure may have a significant 
effect on trade. However, the Recommended Procedures for Implementing the Transparency Provisions of the 
SPS Agreement, adopted by the SPS Committee in 2008 (G/SPS/7/Rev.3), recommend that Members also 
notify measures which are based on the relevant internat ional standards, and provide a broad interpretation of 
effects on trade. 
24 For this Report, submission refe rs to the date of circulation. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 34 - 
 
  3.46.  From October 2014 through September 2015, WTO Members submitted 1,596 regular SPS 
notifications (including addenda), 68% of which were submitted by developing-country Members. 
Compared to the previous period (2013-2014), there was a 19% increase in the total number of regular notifications and a 40% increase in regular notifications by developing-country Members. 
3.47.  The number of notifications of emergency measures (including addenda) also increased 
compared to the previous period (Chart 3.9), repr esenting a 14% increase in the total number of 
emergency notifications (including addenda). The number of emergency notifications made by 
developing countries stayed roughly the same, and consequently their proportion decreased from 
91% to 84%. These high percentage figures are cons istent with the general trend of the majority 
of emergency measures being notified by developing-country Members. This might stem from the fact that they do not have as extensive SPS regulatory systems as developed-country Members 
do, and consequently, when facing emergency challenges, they are more likely to have to 
introduce new regulations or change existing ones. 
Chart 3.9 Number of SPS notifications 
1,337
7741,596
1,084142
129162
136
02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,6001,8002,000
All Members Developing-country
MembersAll Members Developing-country
Members
Regular notifications Emergency notificationsOct. 2013-Sept. 2014 Oct. 2014-Sept. 2015
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.48.  Many Members are following the recommendation to notify SPS measures even when these 
are based on a relevant international standard, as this substantially increases transparency 
regarding SPS measures. Of the 1,189 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2014 through September 2015, 636 (about 53% of the total) indicated that at least one 
international standard, guideline or recommendation was applicable to the notified measure 
(Chart 3.10). Of these, around 69% indicated that  the proposed measure was in conformity with 
the existing international standard.  
3.49.  International standards often provide useful guidance regarding measures to address 
disease outbreaks and other emergency situatio ns. Indeed, about 92% (121 in total) of the 
131 emergency notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2014 through September 2015 indicated that an international standard, guideline or recommendation was 
applicable to the notified measure (Chart 3.11). Of these, all but one indicated that the measure 
was in conformity with the existing international standard. 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 35 - 
 
  Chart 3.10 Regular SPS notifications and international standards  
Codex
36%
OIE
5%
IPPC
12%None
47%Relevant 
international 
standard
53%
 
 
Note: Codex Alimentarius (Codex), World Organisation for Animal Heal th (OIE) and International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC). 
Source: WTO Secretariat.  
Chart 3.11 Emergency SPS notifications and international standards  
Codex
2%
OIE
72%
IPPC
18%None
8%Relevant 
international 
standard
92%
 
 
Note:  Codex Alimentarius (Codex),  World Organisation for Animal He alth (OIE) and International Plant 
Protection Convention (IPPC). 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
3.50.  Of the 1,189 regular notifications (excluding addenda) submitted from October 2014 
through September 2015, the majority were re lated to food safety and plant protection.25 The 
                                               
25 The objective of an SPS measure falls under one or more of the following cate gories: (i) food safety, 
(ii) animal health, (iii) plant protection, (iv) protect hu mans from animal/plant pest or disease, and (v) protect 
territory from other damages from pests.  Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their 
notifications. It is not uncommon for more than  one objective to be id entified for a measure. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 36 - 
 
  remaining notifications related to the protection of humans from animal diseases or plant pests, 
the protection of the Member's territory from othe r damage from pests, and animal health. Most of 
the regular notifications identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.51.  Of the 131 emergency measures (excluding addenda) notified in the same period, the 
majority related to animal health, followed by measures related to the protection of humans from 
animal diseases or plant pests, food safety, plan t protection and the protection of the Member's 
territory from other damage from pests. Similarly, the majority of emergency notifications during 
this period identified more than one objective per measure. 
3.52.  While no formal provision for "counter noti fication" exists, concerns regarding the failure to 
notify an SPS measure, or regarding a notified measure, can be raised as a specific trade concern (STCs) at any of the three regular meetings of the SPS Committee each year. In the 
two Committee meetings of March and July 2015, 14 new STCs were raised. Five of these new 
STCs related to food safety, anot her five to animal health, two to plant health and another two 
were related to other concerns (Table 3.9). Furthermore, at the March 2015 meeting, one STC was 
reported as resolved.
26 
Table 3.9 SPS specific trade concerns  raised between March and July 2015 
STC Document Title Members 
maintaining  
the 
measure Members 
raising the  
concern Members 
supporting  
the 
concern Date raised  Primary 
objective 
383 China's measures on bovine 
meat China India  26/03/2015 Animal 
health 
384 General import restrictions 
due to African swine fever Certain 
Members European 
Union  26/03/2015 Animal 
health 
385 General import restrictions 
due to highly pathogenic avian influenza Certain 
Members European 
Union  26/03/2015 Animal 
health 
386 Mexico's measures on 
imports of hibiscus flowers Mexico Nigeria Burkina 
Faso, 
Senegal 26/03/2015 Plant health  
387 Chinese Taipei's 
strengthened import restrictions on food with regard to radionuclides Chinese 
Taipei Japan  26/03/2015 Food safety 
388 United States proposed rule 
for user fees for agricultural 
quarantine and inspection 
services United 
States Mexico  26/03/2015 Other 
concerns 
389 Chinese import regime, 
including quarantine and testing procedures for fish China Norway  15/07/2015 Food safety 
390 The Russian Federation's 
import restrictions on 
processed fishery products 
from Estonia and Latvia Russian 
Federation European 
Union  15/07/2015 Food safety 
391 Malaysia's import restrictions  
related to approval of poultry  
meat plants Malaysia Brazil  15/07/2015 Other 
concerns 
392 China's import restrictions 
due to African swine fever China European 
Union  15/07/2015 Animal 
health 
393 The Republic of Korea's 
import restrictions due to 
African swine fever Korea,  
Rep. of European 
Union  15/07/2015 Animal 
health 
394 Costa Rica's temporary 
suspension of the issuing of 
phytosanitary import 
certificates for avocados Costa Rica Guatemala, 
Mexico South Africa,  
United 
States 15/07/2015 Plant health  
                                               
26 This STC was China's import policy on swallow nests (raised by Indonesia (STC 360)). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 37 - 
 
  STC Document Title Members 
maintaining  
the 
measure Members 
raising the  
concern Members 
supporting  
the 
concern Date raised  Primary 
objective 
395 China's proposed 
amendments to the implementation regulations on safety assessment of 
agricultural GMOs China Paraguay, 
United States  15/07/2015 Food safety 
396 EU proposal to amend 
regulation (EC) No. 
1829/2003 to allow EU 
member States to restrict or 
prohibit the use of 
genetically modified food and  
feed European 
Union Argentina, 
Paraguay, 
United 
States Brazil, 
Canada, 
Uruguay 15/07/2015 Food safety 
 Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.53.  Nineteen previously raised STCs were discussed at the March and July 2015 SPS Committee 
meetings. Of these previously raised STCs, four addressed persistent problems that have been 
discussed seven times or more. In particular, two STCs have been discussed on 18 or more 
occasions (Table 3.10). In addition, three STCs raised for the first time in March 2015 were 
discussed again in July 2015.27  
Table 3.10 Previously-raised SPS specific trade concerns discussed in March and 
July 2015 
STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the  
concern First date 
raised Times 
raised 
193 General import restrictions 
due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) Certain Members
 European 
Union, United States Canada, 
Switzerland, Uruguay 01/06/2001
 24 
238 Application and 
modification of the EU 
Regulation on Novel Foods European Union Colombia, 
Ecuador, Peru Argentina, 
Benin, Bolivia-
Plurinational 
State of, Brazil, 
Chile, China, 
Costa Rica, 
Cuba, El 
Salvador, 
Guatemala, 
Honduras, India, 
Indonesia, 
Mexico, 
Nicaragua, 
Paraguay, 
Philippines, 
Uruguay, 
Bolivarian Rep. 
of Venezuela 01/03/2006  18 
289 Measures on catfish United States China  28/10/2009  4 
330 Indonesia's port closures Indonesia Chile Argentina, 
Australia, 
Canada, Chile, 
Chinese Taipei, 
Japan, Rep. of 
Korea, South 
Africa, Thailand, 
Uruguay 27/03/2012  7 
340 Requirements for 
importation of sheep meat Turkey Australia United States 18/10/2012  7 
346 Ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) European Union, 
France United States Brazil 21/03/2013  2 
                                               
27 These were STCs 383, 387, and 388. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 38 - 
 
  STC Document title Members 
maintaining 
the measure Members 
raising the 
concern Members 
supporting the  
concern First date 
raised Times 
raised 
354 Import rest rictions in 
response to the nuclear power plant accident China; Chinese 
Taipei; Hong Kong, China; certain Members
 Japan  27/06/2013  5 
356 Phytosanitary measures on 
citrus black spot European Union South Africa Argentina 27/06/2013  4 
358 Import conditions for pork 
and pork products India European 
Union Canada 16/10/2013  5 
359 Strengthened import 
restrictions on food and 
feeds with regard to 
radionuclides Korea, Rep. of Japan  16/10/2013  4 
373 United States high cost of 
certification for mango exports United States India Dominican 
Republic 09/07/2014
 3 
374 EU ban on certain 
vegetables from India European Union India Nigeria 09/07/2014  3 
375 United States 
non-acceptance of OIE categorization for BSE United States India  09/07/2014
 3 
376 Australia's non-acceptance 
of OIE categorization for 
BSE Australia India  09/07/2014  3 
378 EU withdrawal of 
equivalence for processed organic products European Union India  09/07/2014
 3 
382 EU revised proposal for 
categorization of 
compounds as endocrine 
disruptors European Union United States  Argentina, 
Brazil, Canada, 
China, Colombia,  
Costa Rica, 
Guatemala, 
India, Kenya, 
Madagascar, 
Malaysia, 
Mexico, Nigeria, 
Pakistan, South 
Africa, Uruguay 25/03/2014  2 
383 China's measures on 
bovine meat China India  26/03/2015  1 
387 Chinese Taipei's import 
restrictions on Japanese 
foods in response to the 
nuclear plant accident Chinese Taipei Japan  26/03/2015  1 
388 United States' proposed 
rule for user fees for agricultural quarantine and inspection United States Mexico  26/03/2015
 1 
 Source: WTO Secretariat.  
3.54.  Analysing the March 2015 and July 2015 SPS Committee meetings, 36% of all STCs raised 
for the first time concerned food safety, 36% concerned measures covering animal health, 14% covered plant health and 14% related to other types of concerns.
28 Regarding previously-raised 
STCs in the reviewed period, 32% concerned animal health, 32% concerned measures covering 
food safety, 21% covered plant health and 16% related to other types of concerns.29 Of the total 
raised or discussed STCs in the reviewed period, 33% concerned measures covering animal health, 
33% covered food safety, 18% concerned plant he alth and 15% of total STCs related to other 
types of concerns. 
                                               
28 Specifically: control, inspection and approval procedures and undue delays.  
29 Specifically: control, inspecti on and approval procedures an d technical barriers to trade. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 39 - 
 
  3.4  Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) 
3.55.  Under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are obliged to notify their intention to introduce 
new or modified TBT measures, or to notify im mediately after adopted emergency measures are 
imposed. The main objective of complying with the TBT notification obligations is to inform other 
Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect trade.30 Therefore, an 
increased number of notifications does not necessarily imply greater use of protectionist or unnecessarily trade-restrictive measures. TBT notification obligations are meant to promote 
enhanced transparency regarding measures taken to address legitimate policy objectives, such as 
the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, or the environment. 
3.56.  During the period from 1 January to 25 September 2015 ("review period"), WTO Members 
submitted 1,039 regular notifications of TBT measures
31, of which around 84% were submitted by 
developing-country Members.32 This overall number of 1,039 notifications is markedly lower than 
in the period January 2014 – September 2014, although the proportion from developing countries is only slightly higher.
33 The United States submitted the hi ghest number of notifications during 
the review period (218), followed by Brazil ( 89) and the Republic of Korea (65). The main 
objectives34 indicated in these notifications were: "protection of human health or safety" (47%); 
"prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection" (18%); and "protection of the 
environment" (13%). 
3.57.  Any Member may raise Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) with respect to TBT measures taken 
or proposed by other Members.35 These STCs are frequently discussed in the regular meetings of 
the TBT Committee, with between 40 to 50 STCs discussed per meeting in recent years 
(Chart 3.12). Depending on the extent of the trad e disruption and importance of the issue to the 
Members raising the STC, the same measure may co me up at one or more meetings of the TBT 
Committee. For example, a STC may be discussed at only one meeting (as a new STC), and 
subsequently a resolution may be found; on the other hand, an STC may be discussed at 
subsequent meetings to the one in which it was first raised ( previously raised STC ), usually 
reserved for long standing and more serious concerns. Trends with respect to such 
"persistently raised STCs" are briefly discussed below. 
 3.58.  Since 1995 and up to 25 September 2015, Members have raised 473 new STCs. In 2014, a 
record of 47 new STCs were raised, the most in any given year since 1995. An upward trend in 
STCs has been observed since 2005 (see Chart 3.12). 2014 was also the second highest year in 
the overall number of STCs (new and previously-raised) discussed (85).
36 So far in 2015, fewer 
new S T C s  h a v e  b e e n  r a i s e d  a s  c o m p a r e d  t o  r e c e n t  y e a r s ,  b u t  t h e  n u m b e r  o f  p r e v i o u s  S T C s  i s  
higher than in any year after 2012, and alread y the second peak in the history of the TBT 
Committee, with one TBT Committee meeting still to come in November 2015. While Members are 
                                               
30 More specifically, under the TBT Agreement, WTO Members are not required to notify all proposed 
TBT measures (technical regulations or conformity assess ment procedures). Rather, they are only required to 
notify those measures that may have a significant effect on trade  of other Members and are not in accordance 
with a relevant international standard. However, the TBT Committee in its Sixth Triennial Review encouraged 
Members, "for the purpose of enhancing predictability an d transparency in situations where it is difficult to 
establish or foresee whether a draft technical regulation or conformity  assessment procedure may have a 
'significant effect on tr ade of other Members', to notify such measures." 
31 Since 1995, over 24,000 notifications of new or revised regulations have been submitted by Members. 
32 This total number of developing-country Members' notifications (874) includes those made by the 
Commonwealth of Independent States Members (16) and LDC Members (85). 
33 From 1 January 2014 to 25 September 2014 the overall number of regular notifications was 1,236, 
the great majority of which (around 87%) were fro m developing-country Memb ers, including LDCs.  
34 A TBT measure may pursue a variety of legitimate ob jectives, although historically the majority falls 
under one of the following categories: the protection  of human, animal or plant life or health, or the 
environment. Members are required to identify the purpose of the measure in their notifications. It is not uncommon that more than one objective is identified for a measure. 
35 Members use the TBT Committee as a forum to disc uss trade issues related to specific measures 
(technical regulations, standards or conformity assess ment procedures) maintained by other Members.  These 
are referred to as "specific trade concerns" (STCs) and no rmally relate to proposed draft measures notified to 
the TBT Committee or to the implementation of existing  measures.  Issues raised range from simple requests 
for additional information and clarific ations to questions on the consistency of measures with TBT Agreement 
disciplines. 
36 More detail on STCs raised in the TBT Committee is available through the TBT IMS 
(http://tbtims.wto.org ).  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 40 - 
 
  flagging fewer new TBT issues in the Committee, issues from past years that have become 
entrenched in legislation are the focus of persistent concerns. 
3.59.  As illustrated by Chart 3.13, there is a marked correlation between the number of new 
notifications and new STCs raised each year. On average, since 1995, 66% of STCs discussed in 
TBT Committee meetings relate to notified measures.37 
3.60.  Members raised 20 new STCs during the Co mmittee meetings that fell within the reviewed 
period (March and June 2015). Overall, 73 new and previously-raised STCs were discussed, 
keeping with the trend of a greater number of STCs being discussed per meeting as well as per 
year. The list of all new concerns raised in the March and June 2015 meetings is provided in Table 3.11. 
3.61.  Chart 3.14 illustrates that the number of STCs discussed in the TBT Committee annually has 
grown significantly between 2005 and 2014 (from 33 to 148). This upward trend, which is likely to 
be maintained in 2015, shows that the Committee has spent more time discussing STCs than any other item on the agenda (only an average of around 11 STCs were discussed per meeting in 2005 
while that figure was 49 in 2014).  
Chart 3.12 Number of STCs raised with re spect to Members' TBT measures per year 
364712 12 13 12 1219262832 3259
313853
4611135131520
15 141224273246
294335
424720
0102030405060708090100110
New concerns Previous concerns32
27 27
2436465874
617594
73
172285
73
1116
411
6
 
Note: This chart counts the number of TBT measures  discussed as STCs per year. Data for 2015 do not 
include STCs raised at the November 2015 TBT Committee meeting. Previously raised concerns are counted only once even if they are raised in subsequent meetings. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  
                                               
37 This analysis excludes STCs raised at the TBT Committee meeting held in June 2015 as well as 
notifications made in 2015. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 41 - 
 
  Chart 3.13 Number of notificati ons versus number of new STCs 
05101520253035404550
02004006008001,0001,2001,4001,6001,800
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Count of Notifications New STCsNotifications
New STCs
 
Note: STCs raised in November 2015 are not included. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. WTO document G/TBT/36, 23 February 2015. 
Chart 3.14 STCs discussed pe r committee meeting, 2005 – 2015 
1220 203443354465
415155
1221303347
345159
394450
922243547
465536
5153
020406080100120140160180
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015March Meeting June Meeting November Meeting150148
63131
102160
74
33115
105137
 
Note: This chart counts the number of STCs on the agenda of the TBT Committee per meeting. Note that 
the same STC can be raised at all three meetings in  a year and, in this chart, is counted under all 
three meetings. Data for 2015 do not include STCs raised at the November 2015 TBT Committee meeting. 
Source:  WTO Secretariat. WTO document G/TBT/36, 23 February 2015. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 42 - 
 
  3.62.  Around 26% of the 73 STCs ( new and previous ) raised during the review period concern 
measures regulating alcohol (6), cosmetics (6), to bacco (5) and nutrition (2). Besides these areas, 
STCs from the review period addressed a range of issues, including two that are becoming more frequently discussed in the Committee: IT and environment. Trade concerns related to toy safety 
also featured on the agenda, with a total of five trade concerns among which two were new. 
Regulations by the EU and Chinese Taipei on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in food and crops were the subject of two new specific trade concerns.  
Table 3.11 New STCs raised during the March and June 2015 TBT Committee meetings 
Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order)  STC title Stated objective Product coverage Member(s) 
raising the 
concern 
Canada Tobacco Reduction 
(Flavored Tobacco 
Products) Amendment Act, 2013 – Bill 206 (ID 463)  Protection of human 
health and safety Flavoured tobacco 
products Indonesia 
Brazil Draft Ordinance Act Nº. 
374, 27 November 2014 
(Portaria SDA/MAPA 
374/2014) establishes 
quality requirements for 
wine and derivatives of 
grape and wine, 
G/TBT/N/BRA/613 Prevention of 
deceptive practices 
and consumer 
protection; Quality 
requirements Wine; Grape juice, 
sweetened or not; 
Vinegar. Wine of 
fresh grapes, 
including fortified 
wines; grape other 
than that of heading 
20.09. (HS: 2204), 
Vinegar and 
substitutes for 
vinegar obtained 
from acetic acid. 
 European Union 
China  Administrative Measure on 
Cosmetics Labelling (AMCL) (ID 456) Integrating, 
summarizing and adjusting the relevant existing regulations and 
standards to promote 
the norm, healthy development of the industry.  Cosmetics Canada; Japan; 
Republic of Korea; United States; European Union 
 
China Banking IT Equipment 
Security Regulation 
(ID 457) To strengthen the 
security of the 
information network  
 IT banking system Canada; Japan; 
United States; 
European Union 
China Registration Fees for Drugs 
and Medical Device Products  N/A Medical Devices Canada; 
United States; Republic of Korea 
China Technical Specification for 
Natural Rubber 
 N/A Natural Rubber Indonesia; 
Malaysia 
Ecuador Emergency Technical 
Regulation (RTE) No. 088: "Surface tension agents", of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (INEN) G/TBT/N/ECU/117 (ID 458) 
 Protection of human 
health and safety; protection of the environment; prevention of deceptive practices Surface tension 
agents Mexico 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 43 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order)  STC title Stated objective Product coverage Member(s) 
raising the 
concern 
European 
Union Proposed modification of 
Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 
referring to genetically 
modified organisms, 
G/TBT/N/EU/284 Allow Member States 
to take into account 
other considerations 
than those assessed 
under the EU 
procedure of 
authorisation Genetically 
modified food and 
feed  Argentina; 
Paraguay; 
United States; 
Canada; Brazil 
France Ban on BPA in toys  Toys United States 
 
Indonesia Regulation of the Minister 
of Agriculture No. 
39/Permentan/PD.4, 
10 December 2014, 
concerning Importation of 
Carcass, Meat and/or 
Processed Meat Products 
into the Territory of the 
Republic of Indonesia, and 
Regulation of the Minister 
of Agriculture No. 
02/Permentan/PD.4, 10 
January 2015, concerning 
the Amendment of the 
Regulation of the Minister 
for Agriculture No. 
39/Permentan/PD.4, 10 
December 2014 (ID 461) 
 Protection of human 
health and safety; 
protection of the 
environment Meat Australia; 
Canada; 
European Union 
Indonesia MOI 69/2014 Article 3: LCR 
Requirements for LTE Devices - Requirement that Domestic Component Level 
(TKDN) of LTE TDD & FDD 
broadband services equipment  N/A Telecommunication 
devices-LTE Products United States; 
Canada; Japan; Australia; European Union 
Japan Wood Use Points 
Programme (ID 459) Protection of the 
environment; 
development in rural 
areas 
 Wood Russian 
Federation 
Mexico Standard on 
non-alcoholic and soft drinks (ID 462) N/A Juices and non-
alcoholic drinks El Salvador 
Norway Draft amendments to the 
Tobacco Control Act and 
the Tobacco Labelling 
Regulations relating to 
Standardised Tobacco 
Products 
 Protection of human 
health and safety Tobacco Indonesia; 
Dominican 
Republic; 
Zimbabwe; 
Cuba 
Russian 
Federation Technical Regulations on 
Safety of Railway Transport (TR CU No. 002/2011 and No. 003/2011) (ID 460)  Protection of human 
health and safety Railway transport  Ukraine 
Russian 
Federation Measure affecting import of 
Ukrainian food salt 
 Consumer Protection Food salt Ukraine WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 44 - 
 
  Member 
maintaining 
the measure 
(in 
alphabetical 
order)  STC title Stated objective Product coverage Member(s) 
raising the 
concern 
Sweden Chemical Taxation for 
Certain Electronics  N/A Electronics Republic of 
Korea 
Chinese Taipei GMO Labelling Protection of 
consumer rights Pre-packaged food, 
unpackaged food 
and food additives Canada; 
United States; 
New Zealand 
 
Chinese Taipei  Additional labelling 
standard of prefecture of origin for foods from Japan 
 Validation of area of 
production Food Japan 
Turkey Toy Communique 01/2015 Protection of human 
health and safety Toys United States 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.63.  Eight of the 53 previously-raised STCs (T able 3.12) during the review period addressed 
persistent concerns that have been discussed in the Committee for a number of years (10 or more 
times). The majority (62%) of the persistently raised STCs relate to the objective of the protection 
of human health and safety. Overall, cosmetics and IT products constitute the most frequently raised product categories. 
Table 3.12 Persistently raised STCs 
 Persistently raised STCs 
(March and June 2015 TBT Committee meetings) Frequency 
1 India - Pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles . 27 times 
2 India - Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 2007 . 20 times 
3 China - Provisions for the Administration of Cosmetics Application . 15 times 
4 India - New Telecommunications related Rules (Department of 
Telecommunications, No . 842-725/2005-VAS/Vol.III (3 December 2009); No. 10-
15/2009-AS-III/193 (18 March 2010); and Nos. 10-15/2009-
AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(25-29) (28 July 2010); Department of Telecommunications, 
No. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(30) (28 July 2010) and accompanying 
template, "Security and Business Continuity Agreement") . 15 times 
5 China – Requirements for information secu rity products, including, inter alia, the 
Office of State Commercial Cryptography Administration (OSCCA) 1999 Regulation on commercial encryption products and its on-going revision and the Multi-Level Protection Scheme (MLPS) . 14 times 
6 Russian Federation – Draft on Technical Regulation of Alcohol Drinks Safety 
(published on 24 October 2011) . 11 times 
7 Republic of Korea – Regulation on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical 
Material . 11 times 
8 Indonesia - Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of the Adoption and 
Supervision of Indonesian National Standards for Obligatory Toy Safety . 11 times 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.5  Trade Concerns Raised in Other WTO Bodies 
3.64.  During the period covered by this report a number of other trade concerns were raised by 
Members in formal meetings of various WTO bodies.38 With a view to increasing transparency, this 
section aims to provide a brief and factual overview of such concerns raised between 
mid-October 2014 and mid-October 2015.39 As this section does not seek to reproduce the full 
substantive description of the trade concerns described by Members, a specific reference is made to the relevant formal meeting where a particular issue was raised. For the full account and 
                                               
38 This section does not include SPS and TBT Committees (covered separately) or issues brought to the 
Dispute Settlement Body. Some of the trade conc erns raised may be the subject of a dispute. 
39 Members and Observers are encouraged to communic ate to the WTO's Trade Policy Review Division 
the non-tariff measures which they have raised in WT O bodies and which they believe are relevant to the 
monitoring exercise. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 45 - 
 
  context of the concerns, Members are invited to consult the records of the respective WTO bodies. 
The list of concerns and issues mentioned in this section is not exhaustive. 
3.65.  At the meeting of Council for Trade in Goods  (CTG) on 26 March 201540 new concerns were 
raised on (i) the restrictive measures on automobiles adopted by Ecuador (Japan) and 
(ii) Ecuador's Resolution 11-2015 establishing a temporary import surcharge for 
balance-of-payments (BOPs) reasons (Japan). The latest measure has been also raised in the 
Committee on Balance-of-Payments. 
3.66.  The above-mentioned concerns were reiterated at the CTG meeting of 26 June 201541 
together with other concerns which had been previously raised on (i) Nigeria's restrictions/ban on imports of sea products (Iceland and Norway); (ii) Nigeria's local-content measures in the energy sector, which had also been raised in 2011, 2014 and in the April 2015 TRIMs Committee (EU and 
the United States); (iii) the Russian Federation's measures particularly affecting the automotive 
sector where local content requirements are impo sed to obtain preferential treatment in the 
assembly process, and the subsidies provided to  domestic producers in the areas of energy 
consumption; production of ecologically-fri endly vehicles; employment and; development 
(Australia, Canada, EU, Japan, New Zealand, Ukraine and the United States); (iv) Indonesia's trade and investment restrictions, including import licensing requirements, unique technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures, pre-shipment inspection requirements, export 
restrictions, and local content and domestic manufacturing requirements (Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU, Japan, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and the United States). At the same meeting new concerns were expressed on (i) Pakistan's discriminatory taxes implemented with Regulatory Order 
No. 1125 (Canada, EU, Norway, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei and the United States) also raised at 
the Committee of Market Access and during Pakistan's recent Trade Policy Review and; (ii) the EU's low pace in compensation negotiations following the accession of Croatia (Brazil).  
3.67.  At the meeting, of the Committee on Market Access  on 4 June 2015
42, Switzerland raised 
the issue of the discrepancy between bound and ap plied duties on cigarettes implemented by the 
Kingdom of Bahrain. At the same meeting the EU expressed its concerns on Pakistan's 
discriminatory taxation between imported products and like domestic products, an issue which had 
been previously raised in Pakistan's recent Trade Policy Review. At the 29 September 2015 meeting
43, concerns were reiterated on customs duties on cigarettes implemented by the Kingdom 
of Bahrain (Switzerland) and Pakistan's discriminatory taxes (EU). New concerns were raised on 
(i) Colombia's excise taxes on alcoholic beverages (EU); (ii) Argentina's tax discrimination against 
imported vehicles (EU); (iii) certain import restrictions imposed by Haiti (Dominican Republic); and (iv) on Nigeria's import restrictions (Chile). 
3.68.  In the Committee on Agriculture (CoA)
44 a number of questions and concerns were raised 
with respect to Members' individual notificati ons and on implementation-related issues under 
Article 18.6. During the period concerned, a total of 401 questions were discussed, including on 
individual notifications (303 questions) and und er Article 18.6 (91 questions), as well as on 
overdue notifications (7 questions). Additional de tails regarding these questions and concerns can 
be found in Section 3.6 of the report. 
3.69.  At the meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation45 concerns were reiterated on issues 
previously raised on (i) the alleged use by Armenia of reference prices (the United States); and 
(ii) Indonesia's lack of notifications on Pre-Ship ment Inspection measures (the United States). 
3.70.  A number of concerns were raised at the meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing46 
on (i) Angola's Joint Executive Decree 22/15 regula ting the importation, distribution and sale of 
food/non-food products (EU); (ii) India's import licensing system on marble and marble 
                                               
40 Minutes G/C/M/122. 
41 Minutes G/C/M/123 (forthcoming) 
42 Minutes G/MA/M/61. 
43 Minutes G/MA/M/62 (forthcoming). 
44 Responses to points raised by Members under the review process in the CoA meetings on 13 
November 2014, 4 March 2015 and 4 June 2015 are available in G/AG/W/138, G/AG/W/142 and G/AG/W/145. Questions raised under the review process in the CoA meeting on 25 September 2015 are available in 
G/AG/W/146. 
45 Meetings of 21 May 2015 and 7 October 2015, Minutes G/VAL/M/60 and G/VAL/M/61(forthcoming). 
46 Meeting of 21 April 2015, Minutes G/LIC/M/41. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 46 - 
 
  products (EU); (iii) Nigeria's licensing procedures on importation of maritime pelagic fish (EU); 
(iv) Turkey's surveillance licensing regime on import authorisation of old, second-hand and 
renovated goods, and its import regime for non-fuel petroleum products (EU); (v) Mexico's automatic licensing procedures on certain steel products (the United States); (vi) issues related to 
the product coverage and implementation of th e import licensing regime of Viet Nam (the 
United States); (vii) Brazil's non-automatic licensing measures on the importation of nitrocellulose (the United States); (viii) Indonesia's import licensing regime on cellular phones, handheld 
computers and tablets (the United States); (ix) India's import licensing requirements on boric acid 
(the United States); (x) Bangladesh's import licensing procedures and in particular with respect to the importation of medicines (the United States); and (xi) Indonesia's import licensing regulations 
on carcasses and processed meat products (Australia).  
3.71.  In the upcoming meeting of the Committee scheduled for the 20 October
47, a number of 
trade concerns have been included in the agenda. Some of them are issues which have been raised in previous meetings as for example, In dia's import procedures on marble and marble 
products (EU) and Brazil's regulatory requirements for imports of nitrocellulose (EU). The 
United States will make statements on Indonesia's import licensing regime for cell phones, handheld computers and tablets, India's import licensing requirements on boric acid, Mexico's steel 
import licensing program, Bangladesh's import licensing procedures as well as Viet Nam's imports 
of distilled spirits. New trade concerns will be raised on (i) Indonesia's new regulation on tyre imports (EU) and (ii) India's amendments in the import policy conditions applicable to apples (EU and the United States). 
3.72.  A number of new concerns were expressed at the 16 April 2015 meeting of Trade-Related 
Investment Measures  (TRIMs) Committee
48 on (i) China's local content requirements for purchases 
of technology by the banking sector (the United States and Japan); (ii) Indonesia's local content 
requirement for 4G LTE mobile devices (the United States); (iii) India's local content requirement 
in solar power generation projects (EU); (iv) Turkey's local content requirements in the electricity generation (EU); (v) the support measures by th e Russian Federation for the automotive sector 
(EU and Japan) and; (vi) the Russian Federation 's local content requirements for purchases by 
state-owned enterprises (EU and the United States). Other concerns expressed at the meeting include issues previously raised on (i) certain preferences granted by India to domestically manufactured electronic goods and telecommunication  products (EU); (ii) measures by Indonesia 
addressing local content in investment in the telecommunications sector (Japan); (iii) Indonesia's 
local content provisions in the energy sector (EU, Japan and the United States); (iv) local content measures taken by Nigeria in the energy sector (EU); (v) local content requirements in some U.S. 
renewable energy programmes (India); (vi) the Russian Federation's local content requirements 
for agricultural equipment (EU); (vii) Indonesia's minimum local product requirements for modern retail sector (EU, Japan and the United States) an d; (viii) restrictions of Indonesia's newly adopted 
Industry Law and Trade Law (EU, Japan and the United States). 
3.73.  One new concern was expressed at the TRIMs Committee of 5 October 2015
49 relating to 
the Republic of Korea's assistance measures for agricultural machinery (Japan). Other concerns expressed at the meeting included issues previously raised on: (i) India's local content 
requirement in solar power generation projects (EU); (ii) Indonesia's local content requirement for 
4G LTE mobile devices (the United States); (iii) Indonesia's local content provisions in the energy sector (EU, Japan and the United States); (iv) measures by Indonesia addressing local content in 
investment in the telecommunications sector (Japan and the United States); (v) Indonesia's 
minimum local product requirements for modern retail sector (EU, Japan and the United States) and; (vi) restrictions of Indonesia's newly adop ted Industry Law and Trade Law (EU, Japan and the 
United States); (vii) local content measures taken by Nigeria in the energy sector (EU and the 
United States); (viii) support measures by the Russian Federation for the automotive sector (EU, Japan); (ix) the Russian Federation's local content requirements for purchases by state-owned enterprises (EU and the United States); (x) the Russi an Federation's local content requirements for 
agricultural equipment (EU and the United States) and; (xi) local content requirements in some 
U.S. renewable energy programmes (India). 
                                               
47 Minutes G/LIC/M/42 (forthcoming). 
48 Minutes G/TRIMS/M/38. 
49 G/TRIMS/M/39 (forthcoming) WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 47 - 
 
  3.74.  In the Committee on Safeguards50, concerns were raised at the 27 October 2014 meeting 
and the 27 April 2015 meeting regarding (i) Colombia's bars and rods of low-carbon steel; (ii) Ecuador's wood and bamboo flooring and accessories thereof; (iii) Egypt's steel rebar; white sugar and; automotive batteries; (iv) India's seamle ss pipes, tubes and hollow profiles of iron or 
non-alloy steel; saturated fatty alcohols; flexible slabstock polyol and; not-alloyed ingots of 
unwrought aluminium; (v) Indonesia's coated paper and paperboard, not including banknotes; cotton yarn other than sewing; wheat flour; flat-rolled product of iron or non-alloy and; I and H 
sections of other alloy steel; (vi) Malaysia's hot-rolled steel plate; (vii) Morocco's cold-rolled sheets 
and plated or coated sheets and; wire rods and reinforcing bars; (viii) Philippines' steel angle bars and; newsprint; (ix) South Africa's frozen potato chips; (x) Thailand's non-alloy hot rolled steel flat products; (xi) Tunisia's fibreboard of wood an d; glass bottles; (xii) Turkey's polyethylene 
terephthalate; printing, writing and copying pa per; terephthalic acid; wallpaper and similar 
wallcoverings and; transmission apparatus incorp orating reception apparatus (cellular) portable 
telephone and; (xiii) Ukraine's tableware an d kitchenware of porcelain and; casing and 
pump-compressor seamless steel pipes.  
3.75.  Members also discussed the Russian Federa tion's alleged non-notification of certain 
safeguard actions initiated before its accession to the WTO and the Kingdom of Bahrain's alleged 
delay in notifying its safeguard legislation. 
3.76.  In the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
51 concerns were raised at the 
28 October 2014 and 28 April 2015 meetings in respect of countervailing duty actions on (i) India's investigation on imports of casting for wind operated electricity generators (China); 
(ii) U.S.' investigation on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic products (China); 
U.S. measures on Turkish iron and steel products (Turkey) and; (iv) Ukraine's investigation on imports of light motor vehicles (the Russian Federa tion). With respect to notifications, concerns 
were raised about the non-notification of alleged subsidies by India and China, and requests were 
made to China for more information on certain alleged subsidy programmes (the United States). On subsidies, concerns were raised on (i) certain local content requirements in renewable energy 
sector subsidy schemes in the United States (Russian Federation and India); (ii) Japan's support 
for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet project in the aircraft sector (Brazil); (iii) India's sugar subsidies provided under its Sugar Development Fund (Australia); (iv) support provided by Canada for the development of a new cement facility in Quebec (the United States) and; (v) India's export 
subsidies in the textile and apparel sector (the United States).  
3.77.  At the 29 October 2014 and 29 April 2015 meetings of the Committee on Anti-Dumping 
Practices
52 concerns were raised on (i) Argentina's investigation on imports of copper-based 
fungicides (Chile); review of the anti-dumping me asure on air-conditioning products (Thailand) 
and; the sunset review and change of circum stances review on locks and chains (Peru); 
(ii) Australia's investigation into rod in coils (Turkey); on imports of quenched and tempered steel 
plate (Japan) and; on steel reinforcing bar (Turkey); (iii) Brazil's investigation on biaxially-oriented 
polypropylene (Peru, Chile and Colombia) and; on bus and truck tyres (Korea, Rep. of); (iv) China's investigation on optical fibre preform (Japan); on methyl methacrylate (Japan) and; sunset review on polyvinyl chloride (Japan); (v) the Dominican Republic's imposition of definitive 
measures on steel rods and bars for concrete reinforcement (Turkey); (vi) the EU's simultaneous 
anti-dumping and countervailing investigation on imports of stainless steel cold rolled flat products (China); the measures on ammonium nitrate, se amless pipes and tubes, welded tubes and pipes 
(Russian Federation) and; the investigations on aluminium foils and grain oriented flat rolled 
products of silicon electrical steel (Russian Federation); (vii) India's investigation on flexible slab stock polyol (Australia); on ethyl hexanol and butanol (EU); on acetone, purified terephthalic acid 
and phenol (Korea, Rep. of); on investigation and measures on sodium nitrate (Ukraine); 
(viii) Indonesia's initiation of an investigation against wheat flour (Turkey) and; the sunset review on hot rolled coil (Korea, Rep. of and the Ru ssian Federation) and; (ix) the Republic of 
Korea's investigation on valves for pneumatic transmissions (Japan). 
3.78.  Concerns were also raised on (x) Mexico's measures on certain steel products, thick hot 
rolled coils, thin hot rolled coils, thick hot rolled plate and cold rolled coils (Russian Federation) and; preliminary determination in the investigation on ammonium sulphate (the United States); 
                                               
50 For details on Members' raising the concerns pl ease refer to Minutes G/SG/M/46 and G/SG/M/47. 
51 Minutes G/SCM/M/91 and G/SCM/M/93. 
52 Minutes G/ADP/M/47 and G/ADP/M/48. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 48 - 
 
  (xi) Morocco's final determination regarding the investigation on imports of hot rolled steel sheets 
(Turkey); (xii) Philippines' provisional anti-dumping measures on wheat flour (Turkey); (xiii) South Africa's investigation on frozen chicken (EU); (xiv) Turkey's investigation on cotton (the United States); (xv) Ukraine's interim review of anti-dumping measures on nitrate ammonium 
(Russian Federation); partial interim review of measures on float glass (Russian Federation); 
measures on point works (Russian Federation); (xvi) the U.S. investigation on imports of 
grain-oriented electrical steel (Russian Federa tion); the great length of U.S. anti-dumping 
measures against certain Japanese products (Japan); the investigation on non-oriented electrical 
steel (Japan); (xvii) the preliminary and final determinations made by Viet Nam on exports of cold rolled stainless steel (Malaysia) and; (xviii) the expiry review of the measure imposed by the EU 
on imports of ammonium nitrate (Russian Federation). Other trade concerns were raised in 
relation to certain practices of Members on product scope determinations in anti-dumping 
investigations by the Russian Federation. Finally, Mexico raised concerns over Colombia's investigation on DOP plasticizers, while Peru voiced concerns over Argentina's sunset review on 
fasteners. 
3.79.  In the meetings of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments (BOPs) Restrictions  consultations 
were held with Ukraine
53 and Ecuador54 and trade concerns were raised by a number of Members 
on the introduction of an import surcharge for BOP purposes. 
3.80.  At the Council for Trade in Services  (CTS) meeting of 28 November 201455 concerns were 
raised on Ukraine's reforms of its Unified Gas Tr ansportation System (Russian Federation). These 
concerns were reiterated at the meetings of 18 March, 3 June 2015 and 15 October 2015.56 
3.81.  Concerns previously raised at the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property 
Rights  (TRIPS)57 with respect to Australia's measures related to plain packaging of tobacco 
products and their compatibility with the TRIPS Agreement (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, 
Indonesia, Nicaragua, Ukraine and Zimbabwe) were reiterated in the first meeting in 201558 
(Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Nigeria and Zimbabwe). 
3.82.  In the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) , several least-developed countries 
(LDCs) raised concerns with the lack of progress in the implementation of the duty-free and quota-
free (DFQF) market access decision for LDCs. A request was made for the Secretariat to assist in an assessment of the implementation of the DFQF decision.
59 In the CTD's Dedicated Session on 
Small Economies, a predominant trade concern, in the period under review, was how small and 
vulnerable economies could better integrate into global value chains in goods and services trade. A 
Secretariat report on this subject was discussed by Members.60 
3.83.  In the Committee on Government Procurement61 concerns were raised regarding a number 
of "Buy American" or similar legislative initiatives (Canada) and were reiterated in its first meeting 
of 201562 (Canada). 
3.6  Policy Developments in Agriculture 
3.84.  The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) provides a forum for Members to discuss matters 
related to agriculture trade and to consult on matte rs relating to the Members' implementation of 
commitments under the AoA, including rules-base d commitments. The review work by the CoA is 
based on notifications Members make on their commitments. There is also a provision in Article 
18.6 that allows Members to raise any matter rele vant to the implementation of the commitments 
under the AoA.  
                                               
53 Meetings of 28 April 2015 and 11 June 2015, Minutes WT/BOP/R/110. 
54 Consultations in the BOP Committee on Ecuador' s measures were held on 16 October, and are 
scheduled to continue in 2016. 
55 Minutes S/C/M/120. 
56 Minutes S/C/M/122, S/C/M/123 and S/C/M/124 (forthcoming). 
57 Meetings of 28-29 October 2014, Minutes IP/C/M/77.  
58 Meeting of 24-25 February 2015, Minutes IP/C/M/78. 
59 Meetings of 9 June 2015 and 23 September 2015,  Minutes WT/COMTD/M/95 and WT/COMTD/M/96 
(forthcoming). 
60 Meeting of 5 June 2015, Minutes WT/COMTD/SE/M/29. 
61 Meeting of 29 October 2014, Minutes GPA/M/57. 
62 Meeting of 11 February 2015, Minutes GPA/M/59. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 49 - 
 
  3.85.  In the framework of the CoA meetings in November 2014, March 2015, June 2015 and 
September 2015, Members posed a total of 401 questi ons, including both questions on individual 
notifications and under Article 18.6, with more th an half of those questions (246) directed at 
issues related to domestic support notificati ons or implementation of domestic support 
commitments.  
3.86.  In total, nine Members raised 92 questions on 41 implementation-related issues 
(Article 18.6) in the above-mentioned meetings. As can be seen in Chart 3.15, 2014 is the year 
which has had the largest number of questions raised under Article 18.6.  
Chart 3.15 Number of questions raised under Article 18.6 (1995-2015a) 
 
0102030405060708090
 
a Until 15 October 2015. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.87.  Out of the 41 implementation-related issu es raised in the CoA in the review period, 
24 issues were discussed for the first time, whereas the remaining issues had been discussed one or more times in previous years under matters raised under Article 18.6. Table 3.13 indicates the 
specific issues relating to implementation commitments that were discussed for the first time in 
the CoA during these three CoA meetings. 
Table 3.13 New Article 18.6 issues 
CoA meeting 
number COA meeting 
date Question raised 
by Answered by Question 
summary Products 
78, 77, 76 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 04/03/2015 United States India Cotton polici es Cotton 
78, 77 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015  European Union China Maize 
subsidies Corn WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 50 - 
 
  CoA meeting 
number COA meeting 
date Question raised 
by Answered by Question 
summary Products 
78, 77 25/09/2015 
04/06/2015 Australia, 
New Zealand Switzerland Switzerland's 
export subsidy budget   
78, 76 13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 European Union, 
United States Russian 
Federation Agricultural 
support for 
2015   
78, 76 13/11/2014 
04/03/2015 New Zealand, 
United States Canada Tariff-rate 
quota for cheese Cheese 
77, 76 04/06/2015 
04/03/2015 Australia, European 
Union Pakistan Pakistan's 
wheat export 
subsidies Wheat 
77, 76 04/06/2015 
04/03/2015 Australia, Brazil, 
European Union  Thailand Thailand's 
sugar policies Sugar, cane or 
beet sugar 
77, 73 04/06/2015 
04/03/2015 Australia Indonesia Regulation on 
importation of 
meat Bovine 
78 24/09/2015 Australia European 
Union Dairy policies Dairy, milk, 
milk powders, butter, cheese 
78 24/09/2015 United States India Export 
assistance 
programmes Meat, bovine, 
swine, sheep 
and goat, 
poultry, 
horses, milk, 
sugar, cane or 
beet sugar 
78 24/09/2015 European Union, 
New Zealand, United States, Chile India Importation of 
apples    Fruit 
78 24/09/2015 Australia India Minimum 
indicative 
export quotas 
for sugar Sugar, cane or 
beet sugar 
78 24/09/2015 Australia Indonesia Restrictions on 
importation of sugar Sugar, cane or 
beet sugar 
78 24/09/2015 Australia, Thailand Korea, Rep. of Rice imports Rice 
78 24/09/2015 European Union Russian 
Federation Wheat export 
tax Wheat 
77 04/06/2015 European Union Egypt Egypt's 
domestic 
support 
notifications   
76 04/03/2015 Australia United States Export Credit 
Guarantee Program   
76 04/03/2015 European Union Russian 
Federation Grain exports Cereals, 
wheat, corn, 
rice, malt, 
coarse grains 
76 04/03/2015 European Union Angola Angola's Joint 
Executive 
Decree on import regulation   
75 13/11/2014 European Union Brazil Tax credit 
programmes   
75 13/11/2014 Canada Turkey Agricultural 
credit and investment subsidies Bovine, swine WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 51 - 
 
  CoA meeting 
number COA meeting 
date Question raised 
by Answered by Question 
summary Products 
75 13/11/2014 European Union Egypt Egypt's 
domestic 
support and 
export 
subsidies   
75 13/11/2014 Canada Jordan Jordan's 
inflation adjustments on the fixed external reference price   
75 13/11/2014 Canada Thailand Thailand's Rice 
Farmer 
Assistance 
Programme Rice 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.88.  A large number of the new issues related to the area of export competition, such as the 
request for confirmation and clarification on the use of export subsidies (i.e. China's maize subsidies
63, EU dairy policies64 and India's export assistance programmes65), export credits and 
export credit guarantees (i.e. Brazil's tax credit programme66 and the U.S. Export Credit 
Guarantee Programme67). Other questions fell under the sphere of market access where Members 
requested an explanation of measures that restricted, or had the potential to restrict, the 
importation of a particular product (i.e., India's importation of apples68 and Indonesia's restrictions 
on the importation of sugar69 and its regulation on importation of meat70). Issues were also raised 
in relation to policies falling in the area of domestic support (i.e. India's cotton policies71, Turkey's 
agricultural credit and investment subsidies72). There were two issues raised in relation to specific 
policy interventions in the area of export restrictions (i.e. the Russian Federation's grain exports73 
and its wheat export tax74).  
3.89.  Other measures that were discussed related to follow-up questions on persistent areas of 
concern. Table 3.14 indicates the issues that were discussed in November 2014 and March, June 
and September 2015. 
Table 3.14 Questions previously  raised under Article 18.6 
CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question 
raised by Answered 
by Question 
summary Products Times raised 
in the CoA 
(1995-
2015) 
78, 77, 76, 
75 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 04/03/2015 13/11/2014 Canada, 
United States Costa Rica Compliance 
with AMS commitments Rice 18 
76, 75 04/03/2015 
13/11/2014 United States Thailand Paddy 
pledging 
scheme Rice 16 
                                               
63 G/AG/W/145, p. 8 and G/AG/W/146 p. 5. 
64 G/AG/W/146 p. 6. 
65 G/AG/W/146 p. 8. 
66 G/AG/W/138, pp. 5-6. 
67 G/AG/W/142, pp. 20-21. 
68 Accessible through the Agriculture Information Management System of the WTO 
(http://agims.wto.org/ ), question ID number: 78088, 78084, 78085 and 78086.   
69 G/AG/W/146 p. 9. 
70 G/AG/W/142, p.p. 12-13. 
71 G/AG/W/142, p.p. 8-9. 
72 G/AG/W/138, p. 19. 
73 G/AG/W/142, p. 15. 
74 G/AG/W/164 p.10. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 52 - 
 
  CoA 
meeting 
number COA 
meeting 
date Question 
raised by Answered 
by Question 
summary Products Times raised 
in the CoA 
(1995-
2015) 
78, 77, 76, 
75 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 04/03/2015 13/11/2014 United States Brazil Domestic 
support programmes   13 
76, 75 04/03/2015 
13/11/2014  New Zealand, 
United States Canada Dairy policies Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, 
butter, 
cheese 11 
78, 77, 76, 
75 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 04/03/2015 13/11/2014 Australia, 
Colombia, European Union India Sugar export 
subsidies Sugar, 
cane or beet sugar 11 
78, 77, 76, 
75 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 
04/03/2015 
13/11/2014  United States Turkey Destination of 
wheat flour 
sale Wheat 7 
75 13/11/2014 United States Saint Lucia Domestic 
purchase requirements for poultry and pork Swine, 
poultry 5 
78, 77, 75 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015 
13/11/2014 European 
Union Turkey Domestic 
support and 
export 
subsidies Fruit 5 
75 13/11/2014 United States Canada Proposed 
changes to 
tariff schedule Dairy, 
milk, milk 
powders, butter, cheese 4 
76 04/03/2015 United States China Cotton 
domestic 
support Cotton 4 
78 25/09/2015 Australia, 
New Zealand Sri Lanka Sri Lanka's 
increase in milk powder tariffs Milk 
powders 4 
78, 77 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015   United States China TRQ underfill Wheat, 
corn, rice 1a 
76 04/03/2015 European 
Union India Exports of 
cereals and rice Cereals, 
wheat, corn, rice, malt, coarse grains 1
a 
77 04/06/2015 European 
Union Argentina Domestic 
support 
notifications   1a 
78 24/09/2015 European 
Union India Support price 
for wheat Wheat 1a 
77, 75 04/06/2015 
13/11/2014 Australia Turkey Export subsidy 
programmes   1a 
78, 77 24/09/2015 
04/06/2015  United States China Co tton policies Cotton 1* 
a This is the first time the question has been raised as such under Article 18.6 although questions 
have been raised in the past under individual no tifications or as part of a broader Article 18.6 
question. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 53 - 
 
  3.90.  During the review process conducted under the CoA Members requested clarification on a 
number of systemic concerns. China's notified low tariff-rate quota (TRQ) fill rates had been the subject of numerous questions in the past. At the June and September 2015 meetings, China's 
TRQ underfill for wheat, corn and rice was questioned again, this time under Article 18.6, with 
Members arguing that despite domestic prices being high and international prices low, the TRQ fill 
rates continued to be low. China was requested to clarify whether there was a requirement for non-STE end users to purchase domestic stocks in order to receive a TRQ allocation. India's export 
subsidies on sugar were once again the subject of questioning by a number of Members during the 
four committee meetings covered by this report. Members cited concerns regarding the WTO-consistency of this measure applied by India. Turk ey's domestic support and export subsidies were 
also the subject of concern by Members. Turk ey was requested to confirm that the exports 
subsidies provided since 2001 had been within its WTO commitments and to provide its domestic 
support notifications due from 2002 onwards. Brazil faced persistent requests for data on domestic and international shipments of particular products made under two of their domestic support 
programmes.  
3.7  General Economic Support 3.91.  Based on information provided to the Secretariat or obtained through other sources, 
Members implemented 128 new general economic support measures during the period under 
review, at an average of almost 11 new measures per month. This represents a significant increase from the preceding period, where the monthly average indicated slightly more than 6 new measures implemented.
75 Of the 128 new measures recorded for the current period, 33 were not 
confirmed or verified by the Members concerned.  
3.92.  Annex 4 covers measures that provide economic assistance and financial support targeted 
at specific sectors, including miscellaneous financial aid schemes for specific industries, insurance 
support and export credit. The main beneficiaries of the measures recorded in the period under 
review were the agricultural sector, the oil and gas industries, the automotive sector and assistance schemes for exports and for SMEs.
76 Among the agriculture-related measures listed in 
Annex 4, many appear to grant temporary support to producers of dairy, cereals, rice, pig meat 
and perishable fruits and vegetables. Measures targeting the automotive sector mainly consist of research and development projects, restructur ing aid, compensation schemes and support 
schemes for locally manufactured vehicles and auto-parts. 
3.93.  The 128 measures were put in place by 56 WTO Members
77, with the EU and its member 
States accounting for nearly 40% of the total me asures recorded. As has been noted previously, 
this reflects the availability of information regarding subsidies of this WTO Member.  
3.94.  As a transparency exercise, the monitoring exercise relies, to a significant degree, on the 
participation of Members – either through voluntar y contributions or as part of the verification 
exercise. The latest monitoring reports have confirmed that the definition of what constitutes 
general economic support varies greatly among Members. As noted by a few delegations at the 
TPRB meeting in July 2015, the format and coverage of Annex 4 measures would benefit from a discussion regarding the nature of such measures and ways to make the monitoring of general economic support more meaningful.  At this juncture, it bears emphasizing that the monitoring 
reports have no legal effects and imply no judgement with respect to any of the measures or 
information contained therein.  
3.95.  It should also be highlighted that measures included in Annex 4 are not limited to measures 
linked to the financial crisis. Although initial monitoring reports included a substantial number of 
measures which, in spirit as well as in words, were directly related to the crisis, other measures were clearly not. Yet, their trade-related effects we re potentially important. It is also clear that 
even when subsidies are duly notified to the WTO this alone does not mean that they should not 
feature as general economic support in Annex 4. Similarly, Annex 4 is not intended to only capture when general economic support is granted, but also when it is reduced or eliminated. A case in point are measures reflecting reductions in gasoline support price schemes featured in this report's 
Annex 4.   
                                               
75 See WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 24 November 2014. 
76 Some of these measures co ver more than one sector. 
77 The EU and its member States counted separately. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  3.8  An Overview of Trade Policy Reviews 
3.96.  During the period under review, 18 Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs) were undertaken.78 All of 
these TPRs provided the WTO membership with a better understanding of trade and economic developments in each of the Members reviewed. The EU, Japan and the United States had their 
twelfth TPR, whilst Canada completed its tenth review. For Australia and Hong Kong, China it was 
their seventh TPR, the sixth for India, and the fifth for Chile and New Zealand. The Dominican 
Republic and Pakistan completed their fourth TPR, while Barbados, Brunei Darussalam, Guyana 
and Madagascar had their third TPR. Angola had its second review; Cabo Verde and the Republic of 
Moldova completed their first reviews. All of thes e meetings enjoyed constructive and insightful 
discussions among participants.  
3.97.  Delegations analysed ways in which the Me mbers under review had dealt with the effects of 
the economic crisis and noted that most economies had not resorted to outright protectionist 
measures. Many credited the multilateral trading system with acting as an effective backdrop 
against such tendencies. At the same time, delegations also outlined a number of issues where 
improvements could be made. In particular, seve ral Members were encouraged to address their 
outstanding WTO notifications, improve the transp arency of their SPS and TBT regimes, eliminate 
tariff peaks in key sectors of their economies and reduce the gap between applied and bound tariff 
rates. In the area of trade remedies, it was note d that some Members had taken recourse to such 
measures more frequently than others. A num ber of delegations emphasized the lack of 
transparency of government procurement regimes in certain Members. Regarding the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), delegations highlighted the active participation of most WTO 
Members towards a successful conclusion of the negotiations and congratulated the efforts of 
those Members that had ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
3.98.  Table 3.15 shows a few key summary tariff indicators from WTO Members reviewed over 
the period. 
Table 3.15 Trade Policy Reviews from mid-November 2014 to end-October 2015 - 
summary tariff indicators 
 Simple applied average (%) Duty freea Non-
ad valorema 
 Total WTO 
agriculture WTO non-
agriculture   
Hong Kong, China (2014) 0.0 0.0 0.0 100.0 0.0 
United States (2014) 4.8 9.0 4.0 36.8 10.9 
Barbados (2014) 15.9 33.9 12.3 5.4 0.7 
Brunei Darussalam (2014) 1.7 0.0 2.0 76.9 0.6 
Japan (FY2014/15) 5.8 14.9 3.7 40.4 6.7 
Pakistan (FY2014/15) 14.3 14.6 14.3 0.0 0.7 
Australia (2014) 3.0 1.4 3.3 47.6 0.3 
India (FY2014/15) 13.0 36.4 9.5 2.7 6.1 
Canada (2014) 6.0 22.5 2.4 67.0 3.9 
Chile (2014) 6.0 6.0 6.0 0.5 0.5 
New Zealand (2014) 2.4 1.7 2.5 58.3 0.1 
European Union (2014) 6.4 14.4 4.3 25.1 10.6 
Madagascar (2014) 12.2 14.4 11.8 5.5 0.3 
Dominican Republic (2014) 7.8 14.2 6.5 53.6 0.0 
Guyana (2014) 12.1 22.7 10.0 9.5 0.0 
Angola (2015) 10.9 23.3 9.1 0.0b 0.0 
Cabo Verde (2015) 10.3 12.0 10.0 44.1 0.0 
Moldova, Republic of (2015) 6.3 13.5 4.4 35.4 4.5 
a % of total tariff lines. 
b 56.1% of all tariff lines sh ow a nuisance rate (>0%=<2%). 
Note: Calculations are based on national tariff line levels; including AVEs as available, in case of 
unavailability the ad valorem  part of alternate and compound rate s is included;  excluding in-quota 
rates. Figure in brackets  refer to the year of the tariff schedule applied. 
Source: WTO calculations, based on data received by the authorities. 
 
                                               
78 The TPRs of Chinese Taipei, Djibouti and Mauritius were all covered in WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  19 and 21 November 2014: Hong Kong, China 
 3.99.  Hong Kong, China was commended for being one of the most liberal and market-friendly economies, characterized by a sound legal system and transparent regulatory settings. Particular 
mention was made of Hong Kong, China's high levels of economic freedom and competitiveness, 
which are reflected in the continued economic growth it has experienced, despite external influences. During the period under review, Hong Kong, China also consolidated its position as a 
major exporter and international centre for high-val ue added services such as finance, transport, 
trade and logistics. In addition to this, it was commended for having a strong commitment to the multilateral trading system, not only in its support  for the implementation of the Bali package, but 
also in its proactive stance in the DDA negotiations and in plurilateral trade initiatives (e.g. the 
revised Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), the expansion of the Information Technology 
Agreement (ITA), and the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA). Hong Kong, China was also praised for being the first WTO Member to notify the organization that it will implement all provisions of 
the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) upon its entry into force without recourse to flexibility 
arrangements. Members also referred to Hong Kong , China's active engagement in bilateral and 
regional trade agreements, its financial integration with mainland China, its efforts to reach full 
liberalization of services under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), as well as its 
role as an offshore renminbi trading hub and platform for doing business with China. Moreover, Members commended Hong Kong, China for its efficient and speedy customs clearance procedures, its implementation of new trade faci litation measures and the cessation of textiles 
import and export licensing requirements. Mention was also made of recent legislative 
developments, including new comprehensive competition legislation, a new Companies Ordinance and the recent modernization of IP laws. 
3.100.  Despite these various achievements, delegations underlined some challenges that 
Hong Kong, China should address. Among these were social inequalities, affordable housing, and the need to preserve fiscal sustainability in the face of an ageing population. With regards to trade 
matters, Members encouraged Hong Kong, China to expand the coverage of its WTO tariff 
bindings, to broaden the scope of the Competition Ordinance to include sectors other than telecommunications, and to share the particulars of the newly enacted IP legislation. In the context of TBT and SPS measures, Members sought further clarification on SPS measures relating 
to imports of dairy products, meat and high-risk food items, as well as to a proposed ban on 
marketing of infant formula. In the context of services, some Members called for a widening of 
GATS commitments, namely in the accounting, lega l services and veterinary sectors, but also 
regarding the temporary entry for business visitors, contractual services suppliers and independent 
professionals.  
16 and 18 December 2014: United States 
 
3.101.  Members commended the United States for its open and transparent trade and investment regimes, its economic recovery and the expected spillover effects through increased cross-border 
investment flows. Some delegations, however, expressed concerns regarding the potential 
systemic effect of the U.S. Quantitative Easing policy. As one of the world's largest economies and 
a key player in the multilateral trading system, the U.S. has assumed a pivotal role in the Doha Round and the post-Bali agenda, e.g. in concluding the Trade Facilitation negotiations. Its 
leadership role is also patent in the regular work of the Organization more broadly. LDCs in 
particular expressed appreciation for preferences provided by the United States and for supporting 
bilateral aid and capacity building initiatives. It was also recognized that the United States is 
pursuing trade liberalization on many fronts, including bilaterally, plurilaterally and multilaterally, 
although the majority of U.S. trade still took place under the MFN regime. Members noted that in 
the review period there had been few policy changes which, on the one hand, indicated that the United States had refrained from introducing protectionist measures following the global financial 
crisis. However, on the other hand, several delegations said that this also meant that long-
standing barriers in certain sectors still remained in place. 
3.102.  Members made reference to a number of syst emic issues, including the existence of tariff 
peaks especially in sectors of interest to developing countries, notably agriculture, textiles and 
apparel, and tobacco; the need to strike the right balance between enforcement and security, and thus to re-examine the Secure Freight Initiative and Container Security Initiative; the need to 
refrain from subsidizing the fishing industry; the fact that some sectors, such as domestic 
maritime and air transport remained virtually closed to foreign competition; and reforms in visas WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 56 - 
 
  for foreign professionals, in healthcare and health insurance, in the financial sector, and in the 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport regime. LDCs noted the expiry of the generalized system of 
preferences (GSP) and African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) programmes, urging the United States to renew them, and inquired about the status of the U.S. Duty Free Quota Free 
(DSQF) commitment and details on its implemen tation and relation to other preference 
programmes. On SPS measures, Members sought cl arification concerning the revised BSE regime 
and the additional requirements under the new Food  Safety Modernization Act. IP rights matters 
were raised by a number of Members, who called fo r a reform of the judicial process for patents, 
as well as to the Section 337 investigative process. Finally, regarding government procurement, some Members pointed out the potential trade-divert ing impact of programmes such as "Make it in 
America" and "Select USA", as well as the "Buy America Provision" in many federal and sub-federal 
tendering processes. Some delegations also noted that the lack of timely implementation of DSB 
panel decisions was problematic and that some improvements could be made with respect to notifications. Several Members made reference to the adoption of the new Farm Bill. While 
welcoming the elimination of price support and export subsidies for dairy products, Members 
expressed concern over the transition from direct payments to farmers towards programmes of domestic support, the classification of the new programmes and the effect they would have on the 
U.S. position in the DDA negotiations on agriculture. Still in the context of agricultural issues, 
Members also sought clarification on the changes in export credit, cotton and dairy regimes, and the reasons behind low Tariff Rate Qu ota (TRQ) fill rates for some products. 
27 and 29 January 2015: Barbados 
 
3.103.  At its third trade policy review, Barbados was commended for its resilience and prudent macroeconomic policies in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, including the 
implementation of a fiscal consolidation programme. Members acknowledged that Barbados had 
put in place a medium-term Growth and Development Strategy centred on Adjustment, Reform, Recovery and Stability in an effort to address some shortcomings of its economy.  Barbados' open 
economy and liberal trade and investment regimes we re also praised. With regards to the latter, 
Barbados was encouraged to adopt an Investment Code to lock in investment guarantees and to 
improve its ease of doing business indexes in order to attract foreign investment. Members also praised Barbados' strong support for the multilateral  trading system and the role it has played in 
the DDA negotiations and, in particular, its leadership role for small island developing states and 
small vulnerable economies. Barbados' efforts towards liberalization at the regional and bilateral level were also noted, including agreements reached through its participation in CARICOM and the 
CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (E PA), signed in October 2008, and ratified in 
July 2014. Several Members welcomed  Barbados' adoption of trade facilitation measures, such as 
the introduction of electronic customs cleara nce, mechanisms for advance ruling, and risk 
assessment. Members enquired when Barbados would ratify the Trade Facilitation Agreement and 
notify its commitments. Barbados was commended for its competition policy legislation and enforcement, deemed to be of particular import ance for a small market. Members also welcomed 
Barbados' initiative to consolidate its SPS regulatory functions under a single government agency 
and to bring its plant and animal health and food safety systems in line with international 
standards. 
3.104.  At the same time, it was also noted that Barbados' economy is especially vulnerable to 
exogenous shocks due to its a narrow economic base, over-reliance on imports and tourism 
services and susceptibility to the vagaries of th e environment. These factors help explain how the 
country was severely affected by the global economic crisis, registering a sharp decline in tourism 
revenue and a weak GDP growth. Members expre ssed concern regarding the precarious fiscal 
position and consequent rise in the debt ratio to 126% of GDP. Furthermore, some Members expressed concern regarding the dual licensing regime for imports. Other matters of concern to Members included the maintenance of tariff peaks, encouraging Barbados to narrow the gap 
between applied and bound tariff rates, and the pr evalence of high tariffs on certain fish and 
textile and clothing products. Members also noted the large number of tariff and fiscal concessions granted by Barbados to promote exports. Certain Members sought clarification with regards to the 
licensing regime in the tourism services sector . Some Members noted the absence of AD and CVD 
legislation. Delegations noted that, during the period under review, Barbados had continued to implement a number of incentive programmes targeted solely or partly at the promotion of 
exports. Some of these programmes had been iden tified by Barbados as export subsidies and 
notified to the WTO. Barbados had also notified to the WTO the internal steps to be undertaken to bring these subsidies into conformity with th e SCM Agreement by 31 December 2015. Members WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  requested information on the steps taken since the last notification to ensure the timely 
dismantlement of the measures.  
3.105.  Finally, some Members noted that some outstanding issues identified in the previous TPR 
exercise had not been fully addressed. In the context of IP, Members encouraged Barbados to 
align its legislation with WIPO treaties. 
10 and 12 February 2015: Brunei Darussalam 
 
3.106.  Brunei Darussalam was commended for having further simplified and liberalized its trade 
regime, notably by reducing its average MFN applie d tariff from 4.8% in 2007 to 1.7% in 2014. In 
fact, the country was able to counter the effects of the global economic crisis with its macroeconomic indicators remaining sound during the period under review, low inflation rate, 
strong fiscal position and current account surplus. Members also praised Brunei Darussalam for its 
strong support for the multilateral trading system , having notified its Category A commitments 
under the TFA, and for its active use of regional and bilateral trade agreements to deepen its 
integration into the global economy. Members al so noted that it has never made use of trade 
remedy measures, and were pleased with the ongo ing reforms in the area of customs procedures, 
especially with the introduction of both e-Customs and the National Single Window. 
Brunei Darussalam was equally commended for significant legislative and regulatory reforms, 
which includes the strengthening of the legal fr amework in areas such as business environment, 
financial services, fisheries, IP, and TBT. In the ar ea of energy, Members took note of the plans to 
further strengthen upstream and downstream acti vities, ensure a reliable and efficient supply and 
maximise economic spin-offs from the energy industry. Members also welcomed the 
announcement that Brunei Darussalam will establish government-linked companies to serve as a catalyst in areas where the private sector has b een constrained by lack of access to technology 
and resources. 
3.107.  Members also identified a number of points where improvements could be made. In 
particular, Members encouraged Brunei Darussalam to diversify its economy away from 
hydrocarbon resources, reduce existing restri ctions and barriers to FDI, promote a more 
business-friendly environment, increase the participation of the private sector in the economy and address its outstanding WTO notifications. Members also encouraged Brunei Darussalam to complete additional legislation on competition, while promoting greater transparency in 
government decision-making on trade policy matters. Furthermore, delegations noted the 
significant gap between Brunei Darussalam's bound and applied rates and the effects this had on 
the predictability of the system. Some inquiries were voiced regarding the increased coverage of 
excise duties. In the area of SPS and TBT measures, clarifications were sought on specific issues 
such as the Halal Certificate and the establishm ent of the National Standards Council. Members 
also encouraged Brunei Darussalam to enhance transparency and notifications in the elaboration 
and implementation of these kinds of measures . Some delegations asked Brunei Darussalam to 
notify its state-trading enterprises and to join or become an observer to the GPA. With regards to 
IP rights, Members called on Brunei Darussalam to strengthen its institutional framework and sought clarification regarding the new Patent Law. Members encouraged Brunei Darussalam to 
promote foreign investment in the agriculture sector in order to help the country achieve its food 
security and self-sufficiency objectives. Energy reform was mentioned as a way to reduce the distortions affecting Brunei Darussalam's efforts at diversifying its economy. In services, many 
delegations encouraged Brunei Darussalam to increase its GATS commitments given the potential 
for growth and diversification of the economy that the services sector represents for this country. 
9 and 11 March 2015: Japan 
 
3.108.  Members commended Japan's efforts to overcome protracted deflation, revitalize the economy and continue reconstruction following the devastating earthquake in 2011. Japan conducted a three-pronged economic policy through the so-called "three arrows" of monetary 
measures, fiscal flexibility and structural reform known as "Abenomics". The third arrow of 
structural reform was launched under the Japan Revitalization Strategy of 2013 (revised in 2014) 
and encompasses plans and programmes to increase investment, improve productivity and 
enhance trade. Members encouraged Japan to pu rsue structural reforms, including trade and 
investment liberalization measures, so as to achieve strong economic growth, encourage private investment, increase productivity and enhance competitiveness. This would help Japan address 
long-standing structural problems including an ageing population, labour shortages, and relatively WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 58 - 
 
  low FDI inflows. Members commended Japan's active role in the WTO and its constructive 
participation in the negotiations leading to the Trade Facilitation Agreement, as well as negotiations on services, environmental goods, and expanding the scope of the Information Technology Agreement. Members also appreciated its limited use of contingency trade remedies, 
as well as its support for a wide range of technical cooperation activities. Finally, Members 
commended its active participation in regional trade agreements.  
3.109.  Some concerns were raised on the following matters: customs procedures for some 
agricultural products; the alignment of TBT and SPS measures to international standards; barriers 
to foreign enterprises in public tenders, the num ber of exemptions to the Anti-Monopoly Act of 
2013 and its implementation; visa requirements for, inter alia , business travellers, IT 
professionals, trainees and health care worker s; high levels of support and protection for 
agriculture through high tariffs and policies linked to prices, production or both; and programmes 
and subsidy levels for fisheries. Members urged th e opening up of the services sector, and some 
inquiries were made regarding Japan Post and its privatization, as well as the need for a level 
playing field in insurance. 
24 and 26 March 2015: Pakistan 
 
3.110.  Members praised Pakistan for a resilient economy and the registered positive growth, 
which is expected to expand further, as well as several of its recent policies which demonstrate Pakistan's commitment to moving towards more transparency and predictability. Several delegations welcomed the reform agenda pursued under Vision 2025 and the Strategic Trade 
Policy Framework. Members acknowledged Pakistan's  successful democratic transition of power 
and its 18
th constitutional amendment. Pakistan was also commended for its constructive approach 
to the DDA negotiations and its positive role in the formulation of the Bali package and on the 
continuing post-Bali work programme. Delegations also expressed appreciation for the submission 
of its Category A commitments under the TFA and welcomed Pakistan as an observer to the GPA. Recent reforms were deemed positive development, including the further liberalization of the 
foreign investment regime, development of Special Economic Zones, enhanced competition policy, 
upgraded port infrastructure, and the setting up of a national single window. 
3.111.  Members also delineated a number of areas that could be improved. Concerns were voiced 
regarding the large difference between applied and bound rates, the abolition of duty-free tariff 
lines, the high degree of overall tariff protection  which favoured import substitution, the continued 
use of ad-hoc trade policy instruments, such as special regulatory orders, which undermined the predictability of the trade regime, as well as the high degree of protection afforded to the 
automobile industry. Concerns were articulated regarding subsidies promoting exports, building 
processing plants, providing selected industries with preferential access to certain utilities and applying mark-up rates for export finance schemes to promote certain products. Other issues 
included the support price for wheat, pricing in the pharmaceutical industry, import licensing 
procedures, safeguard mechanisms, the number of anti-dumping investigations, the ban on the import of bovine products, livestock and poultry and the lack of notifications (especially those pertaining to agriculture and domestic support). More generally, Members encouraged Pakistan to 
improve its business climate, further liberalize the trade regime and ensure its predictability. 
Others mentioned the need to reduce state in tervention in the economy, provide adequate 
infrastructure facilities especially those related to the power sector and improve the fiscal situation 
by broadening the tax base. 
21 and 23 April 2015: Australia 
 
3.112.  Members commended Australia's open and transparent trade regime and a steady 
economy which has experienced long-term uninterrupted real GDP growth. Several Members noted Australia's strong commitment not only in the context of the WTO, but also plurilateral and bilaterally. Delegations also welcomed Australia's latest unilateral lowering of tariffs on apparel and 
certain finished textile articles and footwear , tariff binding coverage , minimal documentation 
requirements, changes made to the anti-dumpi ng framework and the computerized customs 
clearance. Members also expressed appreciation for Australia's intention to ratify the WTO's Trade 
Facilitation Agreement. 
3.113.  Notwithstanding the dynamism, resilience and impressive performance of its economy, 
delegations noted that Australia faces a number of challenges posed, among others, by the effects WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 59 - 
 
  of the terms of trade, the relatively appreciated Australian dollar, the ageing population, and high 
reliance on the mining sector. Members also delineated some areas for improvement. It was noted by some that restrictions on foreign investment in Australia's most sensitive sectors represented additional regulatory burdens.  Furthermore, Members called for improvements to the tariff 
structure and to the anti-dumping framework. On SPS, concerns were raised on Australia's BSE 
import requirements' delayed compliance with internationally recognized standards. Despite welcoming reforms aimed at developing a biosecurity system, Members noted that the regime 
could benefit from further clarity and transparency with regards to its import risk analysis process, 
as well as from a cost-benefit analysis and simplification at the legislative level. Regarding government procurement, Australia was encouraged to accede to the revised GPA, as well as to 
open up its regime, particularly at the sub-federal level. Finally, some Members urged Australia to 
reconsider taxes such as the luxury car tax and to liberalize the maritime cabotage system, 
allowing foreign vessels registration in the Australian General Register or in the International Shipping Register. 
2 and 4 June 2015: India 
 3.114.  India was commended for its accelerating economic growth and milder inflation in recent 
years. Members also recognized the important role  that India plays in the global economy as one 
of the largest developing countries. India's active participation in the multilateral trading system and the key role it plays in the DDA negotiations were also acknowledged. Members welcomed India's various economic and trade policy reforms, namely its efforts to introduce a nationwide 
Goods and Services Tax, the removal of some subsidies and price controls on fossil fuels, its 
measures to improve business and investment environment, including "make in India" initiatives, and the establishment of an e-business port al. Members equally noted India's increased 
involvement in regional trade agreements and its recent initiatives to improve transparency and 
predictability of its trade and related policies, such as inviting public comments on new legislation. Members also appreciated that India has been providing duty free and quota free access for LDC 
exports and the trade facilitation measures underta ken, such as the adoption of self-assessment in 
customs procedures. 
3.115.  At the same time, delegations noted some areas for improvement, e.g. in addressing 
structural bottlenecks, including fiscal deficits, shortfalls in infrastructure such as education, health 
care, transportation, power supply, delays in project approvals, difficulties in land acquisition, low 
manufacturing base and agricultural productivity  and cumbersome labour market regulations. 
Furthermore, Members encouraged India to pursue tax reforms, which could increase government 
revenues and investment in infrastructure. In th e context of the DDA negotiations, Members urged 
India to submit its Category A notification under the Agreement on Trade Facilitation, to expedite 
the ratification process, as well as to implemen t the Information Technology Agreement. Members 
also encouraged India to provide timely public  consultations on draft regulations, submit 
notifications on a regular basis to the WTO, and provide a reasonable period between the announcement of new regulations and their entering into force. India was also encouraged to simplify its rules of origin requirements. Given the weight of the services sector in India's 
economy, Members urged further liberalization in this area, particularly concerning distribution and 
e-commerce. Other areas of concern included tariff increases, the complexity and uncertainty in tariffs (including an additional duty and a spec ial additional duty), the large difference between 
applied and bound rates, customs valuation, import licensing requirements, the frequent use of 
contingency measures, TBT and SPS measures and their relation to international standards and India's recourse to export restrictions and minimum export prices. Concerns were also voiced by 
some Members regarding subsidies on agriculture, food and fertilizers, as well as local content 
requirements and India's IP laws, in particular re garding the protection of trade secrets and test 
data. Delegations also voiced concerns over high agricultural tariffs and domestic supply conditions for agricultural products, calling for a balance between food security and a predictable trade 
regime, as well as the liberalization of the agricultural sector through the lowering and 
simplification of tariffs.  
15 and 17 June 2015: Canada 
 
3.116.  At Canada's tenth TPR, Members highlighted the transparency and openness of Canadian trade and investment policies, as well as the resilience of its economy. Members congratulated 
Canada for its general resistance to impose protectionist measures since its last review. Canada 
was equally commended for its active role in many trade policy areas, within and outside the WTO WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  and at plurilateral and regional levels. In particular, Members praised the leadership role Canada 
has assumed in the context of the DDA and the post-Bali process. Many developing countries, 
LDCs and SVEs expressed appreciation for Cana da's support in terms of Aid-for-Trade, S&D 
treatment, preferences, financial aid and assistance , and LDC services waiver. In addition to this, 
Canada was praised for its role in the trade facilitation negotiations and for its commitment to 
accept and implement the TFA expeditiously. With regards to its trade policies, Members welcomed 
Canada's autonomous tariff liberalization and tari ff simplification efforts, the programmes aimed at 
reducing the time and procedures for customs clearance and its commitment to extend 
procurement opportunities to the provinces and te rritories, including several crown corporations. 
3.117.  A number of areas for improvement were identified. Firstly, Members highlighted Canada's 
need to diversify its economy, due to its over-reliance on the United States as the major 
destination for its exports, as well as its narrow product base, which predominantly encompasses 
energy and mineral products. Some Members also wo ndered if Canada would revise its investment 
legislation or remove barriers in certain sectors in order to counter the slowdown of FDI. Some 
clarifications were sought concerning the deregulati on of services trade. In light of the country's 
unique system of government, some Members inquired if there were plans to revise Canada's agreement governing internal trade (AIT) or ot herwise put in place mechanisms to ensure 
compliance with its international obligations. Many Members also questioned Canada's alcoholic 
beverage distribution and tax regime, in particular compliance with national treatment provisions. Members noted the increased use of trade remedies and encouraged Canada to resort to these types of measures with restraint. Other issues raised included the continued use of export 
restrictions in certain sectors, the large number of targeted programmes that provide support and 
incentives to Canadian businesses, pharmaceutical patent approvals and regulations on pirated and counterfeited goods. On agriculture, Members voiced concern over high tariffs, high subsidies 
and domestic support and supply management ch annels, in particular for dairy and poultry 
products. Clothing, apparel and footwear were also  identified as sectors subject to high tariffs. 
Members encouraged Canada to step up its liberalization efforts in these areas. 
23 and 25 June 2015: Chile 
 3.118.  Members commended Chile's overall open, transparent and predictable trade and investment regimes and praised it for quickly reco vering from the global economic crisis due to, 
inter alia , the prudent management of economic policies. Delegations also noted Chile's 
constructive engagement in the multilateral trading system (and in particular its active participation in the "Friends of Fish Group"), its accession to the OECD and its implementation of 
its DFQF Scheme for LDCs. Other noteworthy deve lopments included the implementation of trade 
facilitation measures, the standardization of customs procedures, the implementation of a single window for exports, the creation of Tax and Cust oms Courts and Chile's unilateral tariff reduction, 
which resulted in an almost flat tariff structure, consisting of two rates of 0% and 6%. Members 
noted with interest that Chile is in the process of drafting new foreign investment legislation and sought more information on this initiative. Some delegations mentioned the programme implemented to promote the registration of geogra phical indications and the country's scant use of 
contingency measures. The drafting of a new competition law was welcomed by Members. 
Delegations praised the performance of Chile's financial sector, and noted with appreciation the efforts already undertaken by Chile to implement the Basel II and III capital adequacy rules. 
3.119.  At the same time, Members felt that in a few specific areas Chile could improve its trade 
regime. Despite the government's extensive reform agenda encompassing taxation, the labour market and education and the steps taken to improve the quality and access to the latter, income 
inequality remains a problem. Notwithstanding Chile's active engagement in RTAs, being one of 
the WTO Members with the largest number of trad e agreements, Members expressed concern over 
the complexity of the rules of origin provisions in these. Members urged Chile to ratify the TFA and to reconsider the requirement to use customs agents for inward clearance. Some delegations also 
expressed concern regarding Chile's price band system, which they felt to be a source of 
uncertainty. Moreover, although under Chilean law anti-dumping and countervailing measures can only be applied for one year with no possibility  of renewal, Members expressed concern over the 
extension of the possible application and renewal period for safeguard measures from one to two 
years.  
3.120.  In the area of government procurement, some encouraged the simplification of 
administrative procedures, and urged Chile to become a party to the GPA. Others expressed WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  concern and sought more information regarding specific support programmes to assist sectors 
such as mining and renewable energy and noted that some of them had not been notified to the WTO. Some concerns were also voiced concerning  Chile's heavy reliance on a few markets for its 
exports and on a product base heavily dependent on mining and agricultural products. Other 
specific issues mentioned included export support measures, programmes implemented by the 
Chilean Economic Development Agency, the compliance of Chile's new food labelling requirements with the SPS Agreement, copyright and the protec tion of encrypted programmes, the control of 
material provided via the Internet, the protection of pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals, the 
improved protection of plants and the ratification  of the International Union for the Protection of 
New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Convention.  
29 June and 1 July 2015: New Zealand 
 
3.121.  New Zealand was praised for its liberal economic policies and good economic performance during review period. Members praised New Zealand for sound macroeconomic policies that 
underpinned GDP growth. Delegations also acknowledged New Zealand's strong commitment to 
the multilateral trading system, as well as its active engagement in RTAs. Other developments welcomed by Members included: the improvement of customs procedures; the expected 
ratification of the TFA in advance of MC10; its accession to the GPA. Also raised were: the 
modernization of its trade remedies legislation, namely through the introduction of a public interest test and the modernization of its IP legislation, including its plans to amend and bring into effect legislation on the registration of geographical indications for wines and spirits; the country's 
liberal agricultural regime, reflected in the fact that New Zealand has the lowest producer support 
level among OECD economies; and the reforms undertaken in the financial and telecommunications sector. 
3.122.  At the same time, Members also identified some areas for improvement including high 
foreign debt, weak external demand, low labour productivity, volatile international commodity prices, diversification of the economy and export base and participation in global value chains. 
More specifically, Members encouraged New Zealand to reduce the existing gap between applied 
and bound MFN rates, and to lower high tariffs in  textiles and tariff escalation in other product 
lines. On trade remedies, New Zealand was encour aged to provide more transparency throughout 
the various stages of antidumping investigations. In the area of SPS, Members expressed concern 
over New Zealand's biosecurity system. Members encouraged New Zealand to reform its 
procedures for introducing Import Health Standards and to develop such standards for products of plant origin. New Zealand was also urged to harmonize its national standards with international 
standards in order to facilitate the free flow of goods. Many delegations encouraged New Zealand 
to provide more information with regards to it s accession to the GPA. In the field of IP, 
New Zealand was urged to extend its plans on registration of geographical indicators (GIs) for wine 
and spirits to foodstuffs. In agriculture, some  Members called for increased transparency and 
competition in the dairy sector and enquired about the quasi-monopoly of kiwifruit exports by a state-trading company. Some urged New Zealand to continue liberalizing its transport and telecommunications sectors by removing restrictions to foreign investment and promoting 
competition in several services markets. New Zealand was also encouraged to reconsider 
restrictions to foreign investment in sensitive sectors and to improve its FDI screening process. Some Members sought clarification on procedures, requirements, and time-frames for foreign 
investment applications, urging New Zealand to assess the impact of these measures on current 
and future foreign investments. 
6 and 8 July 2015: European Union 
 
3.123.  In its 12th trade policy review, Members highlighted the importance of the EU in the multilateral trading system as the biggest trading entity in the world and as the first or second biggest trading partner for the majority of WTO Members. The EU was commended for showing 
encouraging signs of recovery in the aftermath of the financial crisis with growth in 2015 expected 
to be stronger than previous estimates had indicate d. This was said to be in part attributable to 
the policy of the European Central Bank and lower oil prices. Members welcomed the initiatives for 
strengthening the Economic and Monetary Union, the Investment Plan for Europe, the Digital 
Single Market and other measures. Nevertheless,  some delegations expressed concern regarding 
the economic performance of one Member of the EU and the effects that such performance may 
have on the euro area. In the WTO context, the EU was praised for its active participation in the 
monitoring and negotiating pillars of the organiza tion and for its support for Aid for Trade and the WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  progress made on the TFA. Several delegations applauded the openness and transparency of the 
EU economy, the unprecedented level of integration achieved among its member States, the low number of trade restrictions, the expansion of the network of trade agreements and reforms 
carried out in the financial sector aimed at improving the stability of the sector and at building a 
banking union and a capital market union. Others referred to the important reforms in the 
telecoms sector. 
3.124.  Some areas for improvement were highlighted by various delegations. Firstly, several 
delegations felt that some sectors such as agriculture and fisheries and some fibre products 
remained protected by relatively high tariffs. Tariff peaks, tariff escalation, tariff quotas and 
non-ad valorem tariffs in this area were also said to further add to the complexity of the EU's tariff 
system. In the realm of trade remedies, delega tions expressed concern about the investigative 
procedures and the application of existing measur es. Concerns was also voiced regarding several 
aspects related to the development, adoption and application of TBT and SPS measures, in 
particular those SPS measures which are not based on a scientific assessment of risk. With regards 
to government procurement, Members remained concerned about the ability of third suppliers, 
particularly SMEs from outside the EU, to access its government procurement market. Despite welcoming the expansion the network of trade agreements, Members expressed some 
apprehension that such agreements could reduce  the benefits of existing trade arrangements. 
Finally, concerning the EU's agriculture and fisheries policies, delegations remained concerned about the level of subsidies and the level of border protection applied in these two sectors. 
14 and 16 July 2015: Madagascar 
 
3.125.  Members noted Madagascar's weak economic  growth and slow recovery from a six-year 
socio-political crisis with rising poverty levels and sluggish economic development. Nevertheless, 
delegations commended Madagascar for its efforts in trade facilitation, including introduction of the 
Electronic Single Window, progress made towards paperless customs clearance procedures and the possibility of border control institutions to transmit their respective authorizations electronically to 
customs. Members praised Madagascar for renouncing the use of minimum import values for 
customs valuation purposes and noted that tariff reductions, mainly on agricultural inputs, have lowered Madagascar's average applied MFN rates from 13% in 2008 to 12.2% in 2015. Several delegations welcomed Madagascar's new mining policy and sought information about opportunities 
for foreign operators. Others welcomed Madagascar's plan to broaden its GATS commitments in 
professional, communication, financial and tourism services. 
3.126.  At the same time, delegations also highlighted several aspects where there was room for 
improvement. These included rebuilding infrastructu re in the energy and transportation sectors to 
accelerate the recovery of the economy. Me mbers also encouraged improvements to the 
investment approval process and the overall business environment, including law enforcement, 
access to credit, construction permits and to property ownership. Members also sought information 
on measures to effectively boost the country's weak agricultural production as well as actions envisaged to halt the illegal logging, poaching an d export of wild animals and their subsequent 
exports. Over-fishing in Madagascar's continental waters by unregulated foreign fleets was 
mentioned by some delegations. Despite the improvements made in customs procedures, the 
number of border control institutions remained excessive and Madagascar was encouraged to restructure its border control, ratify the TFA and take steps toward notification of its TFA 
commitment categories. Delegations also sought clarification on the impact of cargo tracking and 
urged Madagascar to make customs fees reflect the cost of services rendered. Furthermore, some expressed concern that applied rates exceed the corresponding bound levels on 52 lines and urged 
Madagascar to address this inconsistency. Clarifications were sought on the progress towards the 
conclusion of the Tripartite Free Trade negotiations between Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Comm unity (EAC) and Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) and also on the effects of the implementation of the EPA with the EU. Several 
delegations also called for an upgrade of the TBT and SPS regimes, particularly to boost exports, 
and for the establishment of the appropriate nati onal committees and coordination mechanisms. 
Other areas where further clarification was sought included the continued non-reimbursement of 
VAT credits to exporters, prospects for reform  of the Export Free Zone scheme, the numerous 
levies on exports, the implementation of the WIPO  Internet Treaties, the possible extension of the 
term of protection for software and the protecti on of trademarks and geographical indications. 
Members urged Madagascar to pursue an agenda of continued liberalization and structural 
reforms. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  22 and 24 July 2015: Dominican Republic 
 3.127.  Members praised the Dominican Republic's open and transparent trade regime. Members also noted that trade in goods and services, investment flows and remittances, as well as strong 
activity in mining, construction, tourism and other services were important factors supporting the 
GDP growth at an average annual rate of 4.4% in  real terms. Members expressed interest in the 
Dominican Republic's three pronged National De velopment Strategy, which focuses on the key 
areas of education, electricity and fiscal reform, and encouraged the country to continue to focus 
on policies to promote growth and social inclusion. Delegations welcomed the economic reform agenda, including the 2012 tax reform process and TBT-related initiatives. On trade facilitation, Members commended the implementation of a computerized customs clearance system, the 
improvement of the risk management process and the elimination of certain authorization 
requirements. Several delegations praised the Dominican Republic's commitment to and active participation in the WTO and welcomed the notification of its Category A commitments under the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement. The Dominican Republic's participation in various free trade 
agreements and in the Central American Inte gration System was also noted. Delegations 
welcomed the introduction of measures to facilita te investment and attract more FDI, such as the 
one-stop investment facility established in 2012. Members also praised the government 
procurement regime for its transparency, although  the 20% set-aside in government procurement 
for SMEs was considered a preference by some. Th e recently adopted procedures for the drafting 
and administration of technical regulations in line with international standards was equally noted 
as a positive development. Members acknowledged the Dominican Republic's relatively low 
average tariff and the fact that about 54% of tariff lines were zero-rated. 
3.128.  Members expressed concern over high ta riffs on agricultural goods and the lack of 
transparency and delays in the issuance of import permits, in particular for the importation of 
animals and agricultural products. Mention was also made of the obsolete SPS legislation. On IP, delegations inquired about limiting simplified registration procedures to pharmaceutical products 
and the practice and enforcement of IP rights. Memb ers also noted the delays in patent application 
reviews and marketing approval for pharmaceuticals and the availability of pirated and counterfeit 
goods. On competition, concerns included the fact that the competition authority is not operational and that competition legislation remains pending. Some highlighted the persistent problems in the 
electricity sector which they considered to be a hindrance to the country's competitiveness and 
growth prospects. Delegations encouraged furthe r reforms to the investment regime through an 
increase of legal security for FDI and addressing existing FDI restrictions and impediments for 
foreign companies, including in distribution services. 
15 and 17 September 2015: Guyana  
 
3.129.  Delegations praised Guyana's open trade and investment regimes. Its robust economic 
growth over the past six years, with GDP growin g at an average annual rate of 4.7%, was due in 
large part to foreign direct investment and private sector credit. Guyana's commitment to the multilateral trading system and to a successful conclusion of the DDA was highlighted. Members 
commended Guyana's active participation in regional trade agreements which they hoped would 
strengthen the multilateral trading system. Delegations welcomed Guyana's adoption of a number of trade facilitation measures, such as risk management and encouraged the country to submit its 
Category A notifications and to ratify the Trad e Facilitation Agreement. Members acknowledged 
several measures undertaken for the improvement of its business and investment environment. These include the reduction of the corporation ta x rates and establishment of a credit reporting 
system. Members also welcomed the simplification of Guyana's SPS legislation and inquired into 
the Guyanese government's priorities concerning government procurement, competition policy and the management of state-owned enterprises. The adoption of the Anti-Money Laundering Act was 
also deemed to be a positive development. Regarding IP, Members noted that a new Copyright Bill 
was being prepared and urged Guyana to effect ively implement the TRIPS Agreement and endorse 
other IP-related international conventions. On agriculture, Members probed the country's agriculture diversification strategies. Some delegations sought clarification on the details of the 
Guyana's support for its sugar sector.  
3.130.  At the same time, delegations urged Guyana to diversify its exports and economic 
structure, as well as to address its persistent account deficit. Guyana was also encouraged to 
pursue further structural reforms, prudent macroe conomic policies, good governance and effective 
management of debt profiles. Delegations encouraged Guyana to further liberalize its services WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  sectors, particularly telecommunications, and to enhance competition. Members invited Guyana to 
submit its outstanding notifications to the WTO and improve transparency whilst taking advantage of WTO technical assistance.  In addition to this, some delegations asserted that Guyana grants non-national treatment to foreign products and investors, for instance, regarding VAT and the 
environmental tax for beverages. Finally, Members urged Guyana to close the gap between applied 
and bound tariff rates in order to enhance the predictability of trade and to rectify the situation where some applied tariff rates exceed their respective bound rates. 
22 and 24 September 2015: Angola 
 3.131.  Members praised Angola's impressive recovery from its civil war and its economic performance that allowed for its graduation from LDC status. Such economic growth – supported 
by heavy public investment in infrastructure and by high world prices for its main exports – has, 
however, slowed down since 2009 as a consequence of the broader international context. Angola was also commended for its active involvement in  the WTO. Members inquired into the country's 
participation in bilateral and regional trade agreements.  Delegations welcomed a number of trade 
facilitation measures recently enacted, including the elimination of pre-shipment inspection. Angola was encouraged to submit its Category A notification and ratify the TFA. Members also 
noted that Angola has yet to submit other notifications on, among others, SPS, TBT, subsidies and 
state-trading enterprises and suggested that Angola make use of technical assistance in order to address these outstanding issues and better implement the WTO Agreements. 
3.132.  Members encouraged Angola to diversify its economy and move away from its 
overdependence on oil resources. A number of dele gations also expressed their concerns over the 
outdated nature of Angola's IP regime, advocating for an effective implementation of the TRIPS Agreement and the broadening of Angola's participation in international conventions on IP. 
Members also voiced their concerns over Angola's restrictions on payment transfers, its visa 
issuance system and its regulatory and investment procedures. Some delegations also sought further information on Angola's plans to establish a one-stop shop for administrative procedures. 
Mention was also made of a number of measures aimed at import substitution, as well as the 
significant increase of applied tariff rates. Some Members were of the view that Angola should move away from import substitution measures to lower import tariffs on inputs and further trade facilitation measures which they believed would reduce production costs and thus enhance 
competitiveness. Delegations also encouraged Angola to address the instances where applied tariff 
rates exceed their bound levels. Members sought further clarification on Angola's agricultural policy aimed at food security, the sustainability of its fisheries sector, the country's plans to 
broaden its GATS commitments, the Government's priorities on a number of issues (including 
competition policy, SPS and TBT regimes and state-trading and state-owned enterprises), the recently enacted Decree on import quotas, as well as opportunities for foreign operators in the 
mining sector. 
6 and 8 October 2015: Cabo Verde 
 3.133.  Members praised Cabo Verde's political stability, economic reform and market 
liberalization, crediting much of its success to the involvement of all domestic stakeholders. Cabo 
Verde was commended for graduating from Le ast Developed Country status. Delegations 
acknowledged the challenges Cabo Verde faces related to its relatively small population and its 
exposure to natural disasters. Members noted the enactment of a new Customs Code, a new 
investment law, a Code of Fiscal Benefits, and a new framework law on sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Members encouraged Cabo Verde to accompany these new legislative developments 
with an effective implementation policy. The mode rnized fiscal regime was noted as a significant 
achievement, as was the policy directed at increased investment which encompasses a number of measures such as the establishment of online business registration procedures, a single window for investment, paperless customs clearance, efforts to create a unified platform for customs, port 
and trade information systems.  
3.134.  Some Members also underlined the creation of a National Trade Council as a permanent 
structure for formulating and coordinating Cabo Verd e's trade policies, in addition to the setting up 
of a Trade Facilitation Committee. Delegations urged Cabo Verde to notify its Category A 
commitments and complete the internal process for ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. Delegations supported the efforts made to increase competitiveness and productivity 
and to diversify its economic base away from the tourism sector. Inquiries were made into the WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  links between fiscal incentives and tariff exemptions and Cabo Verde's plans to increase its 
exports, as well as customs user chargers and their relation with WTO rules. Some encouraged Cabo Verde to improve the performance of public  enterprises and privatize the most commercially-
oriented. Some delegations sought clarifications on Cabo Verde's implementation of the Economic 
Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff which might entail 
adjustments of Cabo Verde's tariff commitments in the WTO.  Delegations noted that current applied MFN tariffs are low, even though a few tariff lines exceeded their bound rates. 
19 and 21 October: Republic of Moldova 
 3.135.  The Republic of Moldova was praised for its good economic performance and sound 
macroeconomic policies, which had allowed for GDP growth despite various external shocks. The 
Republic of Moldova was also commended for its strong commitment to the multilateral trading 
system. Delegations welcomed the Republic of Moldova's submission of its Category A commitments in trade facilitation, its efforts to reduce the number of outstanding WTO 
notifications more broadly and the steps taken to improve customs procedures, including the 
introduction of an Authorized Economic Oper ator programme. Members noted the Republic of 
Moldova's engagement in RTAs and in particular it s ambition to accede to the EU. This had led the 
country to bring its legislative framework in line with international best practices in areas such as 
SPS, TBT, competition, state aid, government procurement, IP, energy, telecommunications and 
civil aviation. Delegations praised the efforts undertaken to transform a previously centrally-planned economy into a fully functioning market-driven economy.  
3.136.  At the same time, Members expressed concern over persistent budget and trade deficits 
and over-reliance on imported energy resource s and remittances. Delegations encouraged the 
Republic of Moldova to improve its business enviro nment, address governance issues and increase 
transparency and predictability, persevering in th e implementation of structural reforms. Members 
urged the Republic of Moldova to ratify the Tr ade Facilitation Agreement and the WTO Agreement 
on Government Procurement. Enquiries were also made into import licensing, the regulatory 
framework for animal health control, the priv atization programme, enforcement of IP rights, 
agricultural policy and the strengthening of the domestic banking system. Other issues of concern 
included increases in the applied MFN tariff rate and the application of tariffs in excess of their bound rates. 
3.9  Regional Trade Agreements 
3.137.  During the period 15 October 2014 to 15 October 2015, WTO Members notified 11 RTAs to 
the WTO (24 notifications) as compared to 9 RTAs (16 notifications) during the previous period 
(15 November 2013 - 15 October 2014). As of 15 October 2015, the total number of RTAs notified 
to the WTO and to the GATT before it, amounted to 265 (127 covering goods and services, 137 goods only and one services only). The WTO Secretariat has also identified and verified, 
through the respective parties, 75 RTAs that are in force, but not yet notified to the WTO.
79  
3.138.  Judging from overall notifications, RTA acti vity is strongest in Europe (21% of RTAs in 
force), with successive EU enlargements and agreements with countries in Eastern Europe and around the Mediterranean basin as well as RTAs notified by the European Free Trade Area (EFTA); 
this is followed by East Asia (16%) and South America and the CIS (Commonwealth of 
Independent States) region (11% each) (Chart 3.17).
80 These regions also continue to be active in 
RTA negotiations. 
 
                                               
79 WTO document WT/REG/W/95, 17 September 2015. 
80 As mentioned, however, there are a number of RTAs that are in forc e that have not yet been notified. 
If these were to be included, the regional share of RTAs may change. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 66 - 
 
  Chart 3.16 Number of physical RTAs th at have entered into force since 2005  
020406080100120140160
02468101214161820
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Number of physical RTAs, by year of entry into force Cumulative physical RTAsNumber per year
Cumulative number
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Chart 3.17 Regional Trade Agreements in force by Region 
 
North America
9%
South America
11%Europe
21%
CIS
11%Middle East
6%
Africa
6%
East Asia
16%Central America
8%West Asia
5%Oceania
5%Caribbean
2%
 
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
3.139.  In addition to their existing RTAs, most WTO Members are actively negotiating new RTAs. 
While most negotiations are bilateral, a few have elicited recent interest because they are between 
a number of members. These include the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, the Regional 
Closer Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, the Pacific Alliance involving parties in the WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Asia-Pacific, the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) Agreement across the 
Atlantic and the Tripartite Agreement on the Afri can Continent. They are of interest for a number 
of reasons, including the number of parties they in volve (26 for the Tripartite Agreement, although 
Libya and Eritrea have not yet signed the Declaration, 16 for RCEP, 12 for the TPP and 4 currently 
for the Pacific Alliance), but also the share of global trade they represent (around 44% for TTIP, 
26% for TPP, 24% for RCEP, and 2.7% and 1.5% respectively for the Pacific Alliance and the Tripartite Agreement). Of interest also is that if these negotiations are brought to fruition, will they 
consolidate the existing bilateral preferential relationships that already exist among several 
parties. If at the very least they are able to do that, the new generation of plurilateral agreements 
will contribute to a reduction of the confusion crea ted by the plethora of RTAs in existence today. 
The TPP Agreement, for instance, which was concluded on 5 October 2015, appears to allow 
cumulation of origin among all 12 parties whic h will benefit their producers and exporters. 
3.140.  Although the text of the TPP is not ye t available, a summary of the chapters of the 
Agreement has been released. It indicates that the TPP covers market access in goods and 
services, and related issues such as SPS and TB T, trade facilitation, and trade defence. The 
Agreement takes a "negative list" approach for services and investment which assumes that unless scheduled in a list of non-conforming measures, the sector or subsector is liberalized; in addition, 
there are separate chapters on telecommunications, and financial services. Other issues that are 
covered include IP rights, government procurement, competition, state-owned enterprises, and labour and environment. Of considerable interest will also be chapters on regulatory coherence, 
which will allow for interagency consultation and coordination and will encourage widely-accepted 
good regulatory practices; small and medium-siz ed enterprises (SMEs), which establishes a SME 
Committee to review how well the TPP is serving SMEs, consider ways to enhance its benefits and oversee cooperation or capacity building activities to support SMEs; and competitiveness and 
business facilitation which creates formal mechanisms to review the impact of the Agreement on 
competitiveness through dialogues among govern ments and between governments, business and 
civil society, focusing on deepening regional supply chains. Finally, there is also a dispute 
settlement chapter as well as provisions for invest or-state dispute settlement in the Agreement.  
3.141.  The Agreement is expected to enter into force 60 days after internal ratification procedures 
are complete in all 12 parties. If these are no t completed within two years, the Agreement will 
enter into force 60 days following the end of the two years provided at least six of the 
12 signatories, and who account for 85% of the co mbined GDP of the original signatories, has 
ratified the Agreement. 
3.10  Trade Facilitation 
3.142.  On 27 November 2014, Members adopted an amendment protocol to insert the TFA into 
the existing WTO legal framework.
81 This opened the door for domestic ratification processes to 
commence. Many delegations quickly initiated their procedures and several were already able to 
deposit their acceptance instruments. As at 15 October 2015, 49 Members had successfully 
completed the process, bringing the Agreement cl oser to the two-thirds ratification threshold 
required for it to take legal effect.82  
3.143.  Delegations also continued to notify th e commitments they will immediately implement 
upon the TFA's entry into force (frequently referred to as "category A commitments"). The 
Preparatory Committee received 24 additional notifications since the beginning of October 2014, coming not only from developing countries  but also from the least-developed world.
83 This brought 
the overall number of submitted category A notifications to 72 as at 15 October 2015. 
3.144.  Work also continued with respect to techni cal assistance and capacity-building initiatives. 
3.145.  In 2014 the Director-General launched a new WTO Trade Facilitation Facility (the Facility) 
to assist developing and LDC Members in implementing the TFA. It became operational on 
27 November 2014.  
                                               
81 It was inserted into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/940). 
82 According to the Bali Ministerial Decision of 7 December 2015 (WT/MIN(13)/36), the TFA has to be 
ratified by two-thirds of the WTO me mbership to enter into force.   
83 Senegal was the first LDC to table its category A notification, followed by Burundi, Rwanda and 
Tanzania. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  3.146.  The Fac ility works closely with individual Memb ers to ensure they are receiving the 
information and support needed. It also provides information on assistance programmes and, where needed, it can conduct match-making between donors and recipients. The Facility supports Members' efforts to implement the Agreement by acting as a repository for training materials, case 
studies and best practices on implementation of the measures. It provides training programmes 
and support materials to assist Members to fully understand their obligations.    
3.147.  The Facilit y has conducted a number of activiti es aimed at raising awareness and 
encouraging support for ratification and the entry into force of the TFA. These activities are 
directed at many levels of decision-makers and stake-holders including: Parliamentarians, Ministries, Geneva-based delegates, capital-based trade officials and a broader range of interested stake-holders. The Facility worked to expand an existing WTO technical assistance programme for 
Parliamentarians to have a greater focus on trade facilitation. Trade facilitation workshops for 
Parliamentarians have been conducted for African countries (in cooperation with Morocco), the Eastern African Community, ASEAN (in cooperation with Singapore), all Latin American countries, 
and the Pacific Islands (in cooperation with the World Bank Group and the Pacific Islands Forum). 
Future workshops will be conducted in other regions as needed.
84    
3.11  ITA Expansion 
3.148.  The Information Technology Agreement (I TA) continues to be an area of significant 
ongoing activity and progress in the WTO. A new Agreement to expand the ITA product coverage 
was finalised during the review period. Following 17 rounds of negotiations, the ITA expansion deal was reached on 24 July 2015 with participants agreeing to add an additional list of 201 products 
for tariff elimination. Annual trade in these 201 pr oducts is valued in excess of US$1.3 trillion per 
year and accounts for approximately 7% of total global trade. The new Agreement covers new generation semi-conductors, semi-conductor manufacturing equipment, optical lenses, GPS 
navigation equipment and medical equipment such as magnetic resonance imaging products and 
ultra-sonic scanning apparatus. 
3.149.  Fifty-four WTO Members took part in the negotiations on expanded coverage of the ITA, 
accounting for approximately 90% of world trade in the products proposed for inclusion in the 
product expansion. On 12 October 2015, 25 Members have already accepted to adhere to the agreement (WT/L/956). The Agreement also contains  a commitment to work to tackle non-tariff 
barriers in the IT sector, to keep the list of products covered under review and to determine 
whether further expansion may be needed to refl ect future technological developments. The ITA 
Expansion Agreement is open to any other Members wishing to join. 
3.150.  Beyond the monetary gains for the IT industry resulting from the elimination of import 
duties, investors and traders would also gain from significantly improved market access, 
predictability and certainty. This is because a number of these products are either currently unbound or are bound at high tariff levels. With the ITA product expansion, the participating 
Members would have the legal obligation not to impose import duties on covered products. The 
majority of tariffs under the terms of the Agreemen t will be eliminated on the 201 products within 
three years, with reductions beginning in 2016. The ITA tariff elimination concessions by the 
participants to the Expansion Agreement are impl emented on a most-favoured nation (MFN) basis 
and will benefit even countries that have not joined the ITA Expansion Agreement. 
3.12  Aid for Trade 3.151.  The Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade held from 30 June to 2 July 2015 focused on the 
theme "Reducing Trade Costs for Inclusive, Sustainable Growth". It provided an opportunity to 
discuss how the economic growth and development prospects of developing countries and LDCs are constrained by high trade costs – which hamper their regional integration and access to global 
markets – and how Aid for Trade can assist in tackli ng the issue of reducing trade costs. The Fifth 
Global Review was underpinned by an extensive mo nitoring and evaluation (M&E) exercise which 
sought to examine the actions that are being taken to reduce trade costs and their associated impacts. A total of 112 governments and ten regional economic communities and transport 
corridors worldwide responded to the self-assess ment questionnaire element of the monitoring 
                                               
84 Additional information can be found on th e Facility website (www.TFAFacility.org). 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  exercise. In addition, 116 case stories were submitted, including from the private sector and 
academia, describing on-the-ground experiences.  
3.152.  The information collected from the M&E exercise provided the narrative for the joint 
OECD-WTO report on "Aid-for-Trade at a Glance 2015:  Reducing Trade Costs for Inclusive, 
Sustainable Growth" presented at the Fifth Global Review. For the first time, the report also 
benefitted from contributions by the World Bank Group, the Executive Secretariat for the Enhanced Integrated Framework, the International Trade Centre, UNCTAD, and the World Economic Forum. 
The report confirmed that high trade costs prevent many developing countries and LDCs from 
realizing their full potential in global trade. LDCs, landlocked economies and the poorest and most vulnerable in particular, face a comparative disadvantage when it comes to exporting goods to global markets. The joint report also confirmed that Aid for Trade is broadly correlated with 
increases in trade and that well-designed Aid-for-Trade interventions can be effective in reducing 
trade costs.  
3.153.  Key messages that emerged from the Review and monitoring exercise included the 
expected benefits from implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the economic 
opportunity of e-commerce and the negative impact of non-tariff measures on raising trade costs. The importance of delivering development outcom es at MC10 was also highlighted. Since the 
Aid-for-Trade Initiative was launched in 2006, a total of US$264.5 billion has been disbursed for 
financing Aid-for-Trade programmes and projects, with disbursements to LDCs amounting to US$64.9 billion. In 2013, the share of Aid for Trade in sector-allocable aid increased from 31% to 
38%. More than three-quarters of total Aid for Trad e has financed projects in four sectors closely 
related to reducing trade costs: transport an d storage (29%), energy generation and supply 
(21%), agriculture (18%), and banking (10%). 
3.13  Trade Financing 
3.154.  Over the past 12 months, the WTO has been  reviewing and discussing the difficulties faced 
by SMEs in developing countries to access trade finance after the 2008 financial crisis. Surveys by the African and Asian Development Banks revealed that almost US$1 trillion in financing had been 
requested by SMEs, but had been rejected with no alternative financing. The Director-General's 
Expert Group on Trade Finance noted in March 2015 that, although liquidity was sufficient in trade finance markets for the main trading nations, many  developing countries lacked both the capacity 
in the financial sector to support trade and access to the international financial system. The 
situation was aggravated after the onset of the financial crisis as global private financial 
institutions withdrew from LDCs.  
3.155.  At the WTO special meeting of the Wo rking Group on Trade, Debt and Finance on 
26-27 March 2015, the Director-General acknowledg ed that lack of trade finance could be the 
equivalent of a strong non-tariff barrier to trade. He insisted that, despite the comprehensive cooperation between the WTO and multilateral develo pment banks to foster the expansion of trade 
finance facilitation programmes, much remained to be done. Discussions between Members 
generally reflected that there was no quick fix for developing countries to immediately benefit from efficient and cost-effective financial services for traders. Efficiency gains depended on improved knowledge and skills in this area. While trade flows were moving quickly in new directions 
(south-south trade), the financial networks in low-income countries – many of which dated from 
the post-colonial period – had not yet fully caught up. Specific support by multilateral development agencies was still needed. Several delegations urged the WTO to become more involved in trade 
finance because of its centrality in building overall trade infrastructures. 
3.156.  The Director-General noted that opportuniti es for growth and development would be lost if 
large financing gaps were left unfilled. In his keynote speech to the Third International Conference 
on Financing for Development (July 2015), he called for a "broader and more systemic approach" 
to the above-mentioned challenges in trade finance, with a view to reducing the trade financing gaps around the world. He indicated that the WTO would soon "be launching a new initiative with this goal in mind", and would revert to Members and partner institutions as to the specifics of such 
an initiative. Consultations at the technical level are currently taking place to assess the feasibility 
of particular options and solutions. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  3.14  Government Procurement 
3.157.  The membership of the Agreement on Go vernment Procurement (GPA) continues to grow. 
Following the deposit by Montenegro and New Zealand of their instruments of accession, the Agreement came into force for these two Members on 15 July 2015 and 12 August 2015, 
respectively. This brings the total number of WT O Members covered by the Agreement to 45. The 
number of WTO Members participating in the GPA Committee as observers has also grown to 30 as a result of the grant of observer status to Paki stan (11 February 2015), Costa Rica (3 June 2015), 
Thailand (3 June 2015), and Seychelles (16 September 2015). 
3.158.  Further additions to the membership of  the Agreement are expected in the short to 
medium term. In September 2015, negotiations were concluded with respect to the Republic of Moldova's accession to the Agreement. Negotiations on Ukraine's accession are also progressing 
well. Negotiations on Tajikistan's and Australia's accessions have been initiated. Further 
discussions were held on China's accession based on its fifth revised market access offer circulated on 5 January 2015. Five other WTO Members — Albani a, Georgia, Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic and 
Oman have applied to join the GPA. Another five WTO Members have provisions regarding 
accession to the Agreement in their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO: Mongolia, the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and the former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia. 
3.15  Dispute Settlement 3.159.  2015 has witnessed the highest level of dispute settlement activity since the inception of 
the WTO. Over the period January to the end of September 2015, there were 10 new requests for 
consultations, 15 new panels established by the DSB, 6 Appellate Body proceedings, and 1 
Article 21.3(c) award. As of the end of Sept ember, there were 19 active ongoing panels, 5 
compliance panel proceedings under Article 21.5 (including the ongoing aircraft disputes), 3 panel 
requests pending before the DSB, and 1 arbitration under Article 22.6. As in previous years, the 
subject-matter of WTO dispute settlement continue s to touch on many of the covered agreements: 
the 7 panel reports and 5 Appellate Body Reports ci rculated over this nine-month period address a 
range of provisions in the GATT 1994, the SCM Ag reement, the Anti-Dumping Agreement, the TBT 
Agreement, the SPS Agreement, the Agreement on  Agriculture, the GATS, and the DSU. Ongoing 
dispute settlement proceedings also involve claims  under many of these agreements, as well as a 
range of other covered agreements, including bu t not limited to the Marrakesh Agreement, the 
TRIMs Agreement, the Import Licensing Agreemen t, and the TRIPS Agreement. Nine of the 15 
panels established in this period concern trade remedies or subsidies. Several ongoing disputes involve an exceptionally large number of complex issues. While this shows that the Membership 
has great confidence in the system, it also means that, with current staffing levels, the dispute 
settlement system is having trouble coping with the workload. There have been delays at the panel stage as a result. Another trend that continued in 2015 was the participation of both 
developed and developing countries in the WTO dispute settlement system: almost all of the 5 
Appellate Body reports and 7 panel reports circulated over this period involved at least one developing country Member as a party, either as the complainant or the respondent.   
4  POLICY DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE IN SERVICES
85 
4.1.  In the area of services the period und er review witnessed several important policy 
developments in such diverse sectors as financial services, telecommunications and ICT, audio-visual services, construction services, energy and transport services, services supplied 
through the movement of natural persons and a number of other sectors. The large majority of the 
policies adopted during the period under review reflect liberalizing measures.  
Various Service Sectors 
4.2.  The Angolan  new Private Investment Law (Law 14/15) entered into force on 
11 August 2015. The new law (Article 2) applies to foreign investments, regardless of their amount, and to national investments of an amount equal to or higher than Kz 50 million (approx. US$399,000). Article 3 provides that foreign investors may benefit from the incentives provided by 
                                               
85 All information in this section has been verified by the Members concerned unless otherwise indicated.  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 71 - 
 
  the law (e.g. tax incentives) when investments are equal to or higher than US$1 million, while 
Angolan investors will receive those benefits if investments are equal to or higher than US$500,000. In case of investment in prioritized sectors (Article 9), the law requires the participation of Angolan citizens, state-owned companies or private Angolan companies by at least 
35%. Those sectors are energy and water, hospital ity and tourism, transport and logistics, civil 
construction, telecommunications and information technologies, and mass media.
86 
4.3.  In January 2015, China  lifted the country's overseas online single transaction limit from 
US$10,000 to US$50,000. This, together with other measures such as the pilot cross-border 
foreign exchange payments programme implemented in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Zhejiang and Shenzhen in 2013, explains, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the 
significant growth of China's cross-border e-commerce trade flows, which have reached 
US$3.32 billion since 2013.
87 
4.4.  On 13 March 2015, China issued a new Industry Catalogue for Foreign Investment, which 
entered into force on 10 April 2015, replacing the 2011 Catalogue. Similar to past versions, the 
2015 Catalogue lists a number of industries and classifies them according to whether foreign 
investment is encouraged, restricted or prohibited. An industry which is not explicitly listed is deemed to be one in which foreign investment is permitted. Compared to the 2011 Catalogue, the 
2015 Catalogue has substantially reduced the number of restricted industries from 79 to 38. 
However, certain service industries have been added to the restricted and prohibited categories. The following are the main changes in services-related industries. 
Distribution 
services - The wholesale and retail of tobacco, cigare ttes and other tobacco products are newly 
added to the prohibited category. 
- The direct selling, mail order, online sale, distribution of audiovisual products, and the 
wholesale, retail and delivery of  vegetable oil, sugar, crude oil, pesticides and fertilizers 
are reclassified from the restricted to the permitted category. 
Education 
services - Higher educational institutions and childcare institutions have been included in the 
restricted category, with the investment method limited to the formation of cooperative 
joint ventures controlled by the Chinese party. The same requirement for Chinese 
controlling shareholding applies to ordinary high school education.  
- Foreign investment in compulsory education remains prohibited. 
Entertainment 
services - Operation of entertainment places is mo ved from the restricted  category into the 
encouraged category with the requirement on joint venture removed. 
- Brokering and agency of stage performances remains restricted with the additional 
requirement that the Chinese partner shall hold the majority of shares. 
                                               
86 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
87 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 72 - 
 
  Financial 
services - Foreign investment in finance companie s, trust companies, currency brokerage 
companies and insurance brokerage companies has been moved from restricted to 
permitted. 
- The business scope of securities comp anies has been expanded to include the 
underwriting and sponsoring of yuan common shares, foreign shares, government 
bonds and corporate bonds, the brokerage of foreign shares and the brokerage and 
proprietary trading of government bonds and corporate bonds.  
- A foreign-invested securities company may further apply to extend its business scope 
after two years of establishment provided certain requirements are fulfilled. 
- The foreign shareholding ratio allowed in  securities companies has been increased 
from 33.3% to 49%, which is consistent with the amended Rules on the Establishment 
of Foreign-Invested Securities Companies is sued by the China Securities Regulatory 
Commission in 2012.  
Health 
services - Foreign investment in medical institutions is  reclassified into the restricted category 
and is limited to the formation of equity or cooperative joint venture. 
Legal 
services - Consulting services on Chinese legal matte rs are added to the prohibited category. 
Telecommunications 
and internet related 
services - Even though value-added telecommunications industries are still listed in the 
restricted category, the foreign sharehol ding restriction on e-commerce has been 
removed. 
- Network publishing services are added to the prohibited category. 
Transport 
services - Railway freight transport is remo ved from the restricted category. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
4.5.  In May 2015, China's State Council approved the three-year pilot programme of the city of 
Beijing to further open up a number of services sectors, including financial services, R&D, ICT, culture and entertainment, education, health, tourism and business services.
88 The programme 
includes the following measures:  
 air transport : the requirement for the controlling share to be held by the Chinese partner is 
removed in foreign invested aircraft maintenance services; 
 business services: foreign investors can own up to 70% in joint-venture employment 
agencies in Zhongguancun (the IT business area), with the minimum registered capital reduced to 
US$125,000 from US$300,000;   
 cultural and entertainment services: fully-owned foreign companies can set up brokerage 
agencies for stage performances in certain areas of the capital; 
 engineering services: foreign engineering design companies no longer need to provide proof 
of a portfolio of work outside China to apply for authorization to work in Beijing; 
 financial services: foreign financial institutions will be allowed to establish fully-owned banks 
or set up joint-venture banks with Chinese private capital; and foreign investors will also be 
allowed to set up credit investment companies as well as specialized medical insurance institutions;  
 health services: approval procedures for the establishment of foreign invested medical 
institutions will be simplified; and 
 tourism: Sino-foreign joint-venture travel agencies will be allowed to provide 
outbound travel services (except to Chinese Taipei).  
4.6.  Earlier this year, India  simplified rules for foreign investment in different sectors by 
abolishing the various sub-limits (or caps) on different categories of investment (e.g. foreign 
                                               
88 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 73 - 
 
  portfolio investment, foreign direct investment) and the creation of an overall cap for foreign 
investment for each sector.89 
4.7.  The Russian Federation 's amended Law on Foreign Investment in Strategic Companies90  
now also covers acquisitions of assets in "strategic" companies if the value of these assets exceeds 
25% of the total value of the company's assets. Such transactions now require prior approval by 
the Governmental Commission. In addition, the list of strategic activities has been amended to include services rendered in ports in the territory of  the Russian Federation (a specific list of such 
services is to be drawn up by the Government). 
4.8.  On 9 April 2015, the Bolivarian Republic of  Venezuela  published a measure 
(Providencia 011, in Official Gazette 40,636) that restricts the supply of foreign exchange for travelling purposes or for credit card payments of goods and services purchased from foreign suppliers through electronic commerce transactions. The new regulations divide travel destinations 
into three groups, and limit the maximum amount of dollars that travellers can spend on any given 
trip, with, for example, dollar allocations for trip s to the United States dropping to US$700 from 
US$2,500. Only state-owned banks are allowed to operate as foreign exchange brokers. The 
measure limits the amount of foreign exchange av ailable for credit card payments of goods and 
services purchased from foreign suppliers to US$300 a year.
91 
Audio-visual and telecommunications services 
4.9.  As of 1 September 2015, the Authority of Electronic and Postal Communications (AKEP) of 
Albania  has approved the abolition of restrictions governing the use of 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 
2.1 GHz spectrum by the country’s cellular telecom companies92, and issued the individual 
authorizations based on open bid for free remained frequencies in 900/1800 MHZ as well as in 2.1 GHz and 2.6G Hz. Under the new rules, operat ors will be allowed to choose whether to deploy 
their spectrum for 2G GSM, 3G UMTS, 4G LTE or WiMAX platforms.  In parallel, a decision by AKEP 
will permit operators to refarm spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, with a view to 
maximizing the benefits of using of frequencies based on technology neutrality .
93 
4.10.  On 7 September 2015,  Algeria 's Regulatory Authority for Post and Telecommunications 
(Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Télécommunications, ARPT) approved the interconnection offers submitted by domestic mobile operators Ooredoo Algeria (Wataniya), Mobilis 
and Optimum Telecom Algeria ( OTA, Djezzy), and fixed line provider Algerie Telecom (AT) for the 
period 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.
94 
4.11.  On 18 December 2014, Argentina  enacted the "Digital Argentina" Law (Law 27078, Ley 
Argentina Digital), a new telecommunications law replacing the existing legislation from 1972. The 
new law declares Information Technology and Communications (ICT) services an "essential and 
strategic public service" and guarantees "equal access" of citizens across the country. The measure allows operators to provide bundled telephone, internet and cable television services, in practice 
opening the supply of telephony safeguarding sma ll and medium enterprises and cooperatives. The 
law also establishes the Federal Authority for Information Technology and Communications (Autoridad de Aplicación de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones), the new converged regulatory body responsible for of all ICT-related matters.
95 
                                               
89 The consolidated list of foreign investment caps is contained in the Governments' Press Note No. 8 
(2015 series), dated 30 July 2015 (viewed at: http://dipp.nic.in/English/acts_rules/Press_Notes/pn8_2015.pdf ). 
90 Federal Law No. 343-FZ on Amending the Federal Law on the procedure for making foreign 
investments in companies which are of strategic impo rtance for ensuring the country's defence and state 
security and certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation as of 4 November 2014. 
91 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
 92 http://www.akep.al/en/lajme/400-njoftim-per-heqjen-e-kufizimeve-teknologjike  
 93 Decision No. 300 (8 April 2015) approved by AKEP council, amending Law No. 9918 on Electronic 
Communications,  http://www.akep.al/en/lajme/375-form-the-1-st-of-september-2015-4g-service-based-on-
lte-technology-will-start   
94 Decision 52/SP/PC/ARPT/2015 and Deci sion 54/SP/PC/ARPT/2015. Viewed at: 
http://www.arpt.dz/fr/doc/actu/com/2015/Decisions_approbations_catalogues_interconnxion_2015-2016.pdf . 
This measure could not be verified at th e time of finalization of the report. 
95 Viewed at: http://www.argentinadigital.gob.ar/ . WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  4.12.  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published a final decision 
on 24 August 2015 on mobile termination rates for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2019.96 
Under the decision, the wholesale price of terminating calls on an Australian mobile network will be $A 0.017 (US$0.012) per minute, less than half the current rate. For text messaging, operators 
will be required to charge $A 0.03 per SMS to receive messages; a rate below current commercial 
rates for SMS termination. The ACCC does not regulate retail charges, either for mobile calls or SMS, but expects the savings to be passed onto consumers. 
4.13.  On 24 September 2014, the Belgian  Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications 
(BIPT), through a Council's decision, confirmed th e deregulation of fixed telephony services for 
residential and business customers. The watchdog  also decided to lift the price control and 
transparency obligations imposed on fixed line incumbent, Belgacom, at the retail level, as the 
market was increasingly facing competition.
97 This decision follows the EU's "recommendation on 
relevant markets" which defines the telecom markets subject to regulation within the EU in order to ensure sufficient competition between the operators, but also allows national regulators to 
remove limits on wholesale prices of a particular market if it is no longer dominated by a single 
operator.
98 
4.14.  Belgium’s Court of Appeal upheld a ruling by the regulator which will require regional cable 
TV, telephony and broadband operators Numericable, Tecteo and Brutele to open their networks to 
rivals. In November 2014 the appeal court ruled that  Telenet should open its own infrastructure on 
a wholesale basis.99, 100 
4.15.  In Brazil , a law establishing new standards on telecommunication infrastructure 
deployment and sharing, referred to as the "Ant enna Law", was published and entered into force 
on 22 April 2015.101  The Law makes it compulsory to share the excess capacity on existing mobile 
network sections with a view to fostering the em ergence of new players as well as establishes new 
environmental standards.   
4.16.  In Decision No. 399 of 12 May 2015, Bulgaria' s Commission on Protection of Competition 
imposed a fine of Lev 3.75 million on Bulgarian Telecommunications Company ( BTC) for abuse of 
dominance. The antitrust body found in favour of the complaint by Eastern Telecommunications 
Company (ETC) that BTC had abused its dominant position by terminating an interconnection 
agreement with ETC and imposing a contractual clau se to amend the relationship with ETC, putting 
ETC at a disadvantage to its competitors.102 
4.17.  In May 2015, Canada 's Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) 
issued its final decisions on wholesale wireless roaming.103 The regulator found that, under current 
market conditions, competition in the wireless market is "likely not sustainable".  It will therefore regulate the wholesale roaming rates charged by the national cellular network companies. The 
CRTC says the action will redu ce barriers faced by mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
104 
4.18.  In July 2015, the Canadian CRTC announced new measures in the wholesale fixed 
broadband market, including a ruling requiring the la rgest internet providers to open up their high 
speed fibre-based access networks to smaller companies.105 In its review, the CRTC found that the 
large incumbents continue to possess market power in the provision of wholesale high speed 
                                               
96 ACCC, Mobile terminating access service fi nal access determinatio n, 24 August 2015, 
https://www.accc.gov.au/regulated-in frastructure/communications/mobile-s ervices/mobile-ter minating-access-
service-fad-inquiry-2014/final-decision . 
97 Viewed at: http://www.ibpt.be/public/files/fr/21368/Besluit_markten_3-5_2003_PUBL_FR.pdf . 
98 Viewed at: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/explanatory-note-accompanying-
commission-recommendation-relevant-product-and-service-markets . 
99 Decision of the court of Appeal: 
http://www.bipt.be/public/files/fr/21473/Publifin_Belgacom_CRC_%2013-05-2015_CAV.pdf . 
100 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
101 Law 13,116 / 2015 published in the Federal Official Gazette on 22 April 2015 
http://www.anatel.gov.br/legislacao/leis/807-lei-13116  
102 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
103 Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-177, 5 May 2015, 
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-177.htm.   
104 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
105 Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-326, http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2015/2015-326.htm .  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 75 - 
 
  access services, leading it to require that they make their services, such as fibre-to-the-premises 
(FTTP), available to competitors. The CRTC’s decision also ends the currently mandated 
aggregated wholesale high speed access and requires them to transition this access to a disaggregated architecture over a three-year period.
106  
4.19.  The Croatian  Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) issued a decision on 
the terms for internet provider (IP) interconnectio n. The decision will ensure interoperability for 
the country’s IP-based services providers.107 
4.20.  The Finnish  Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) announced four decisions 
regarding companies determined to have significant market power in mobile voice call termination. The decisions represent a tightening of the regula tion of mobile termination rates (MTRs) for all 
four operators concerned, involving for the fi rst time a cost-oriented maximum levy for MTRs.
108 
4.21.  French  telecom regulator Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et des 
Postes (ARCEP) has adopted a decision on the technical and operational processes of sharing fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks.
109 The decision regulates the terms defined by operators for 
the provision of fibre-optic access to alternative providers and includes various recommendations 
to promote improved interoperability between operators on a non-discriminatory basis.110 
4.22.  The Italian  regulator, AGCOM, has announced that four of the country’s dominant mobile 
virtual network operators (MVNOs) must apply the same mobile termination rate (MTR) as network 
operators.111 AGCOM completed an analysis of the market for voice call termination on individual 
mobile networks, and says that these mobile resellers are subject to an MTR of €0.0098 per 
minute, covering the period 2014-2017. Although they do not own wireless spectrum, these 
MVNOs provide voice termination to other operators over their own infrastructure.112 
4.23.  The Liberia  Telecommunications Authority ( LTA) completed its transition to a new 
technology neutral Universal Licence Regime which will allow local operators to provide services 
based on a range of technologies without having to seek individual licenses for each technology 
employed.113 
4.24.  On 29 October 2014, the Ministry of Telecommunications and New Technologies of 
Madagascar  announced the enactment of three decrees for the implementation of the law 
N° 2005-023, passed nine years ago and aimed to reform the telecom sector.114 The implementing 
decrees focus on the total liberalization of the telecommunications market and establish minimum 
fees to obtain and renew licences. Furthermore, the rules will allow the operators to introduce and provide services using new technologies such as 4G. Finally, infrastructure sharing obligations are 
imposed, in order to decrease the amount of pylons and reduce their impact on the environment 
and on public health. 
4.25.  On 31 October 2014, the Regulations to the Foreign Investment Law and to the National 
Foreign Investment Registry of Mexico  were amended. Among other issues, the amendments 
outline the information and documents that are necessary to obtain a favourable opinion from the National Commission of Foreign Investments (required by the Federal Telecommunications 
Institute) to obtain the concession for broadcasting services involving the participation of foreign 
investment, according to the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law. In addition, the 
                                               
106 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
107 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
108 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
 109 Décision n° 2015-0776 du 2 juillet 2015, 
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000030968303 , Press Release, 
http://www.arcep.fr/index.php?id=8571&tx_gsactualit e_pi1%5Buid%5D=1768&tx_gsactualite_pi1%5Bannee
%5D=&tx_gsactualite_pi1%5Btheme%5D=&tx_gsactuali te_pi1%5Bmotscle%5D=&tx_gsactualite_pi1%5Bback
ID%5D=26&cHash=e17358c1d023afc1ba3bc43f2ded3754  
110 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
 111 DELIBERA N. 497/15/CONS, 10 September 2015, 
http://www.agcom.it/documents/10179/2732740/Delibera+497-15-CONS/c0dc0d62-f3e7-4179-9b73-
c015c115db8d?version=1.0.   
112 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
113 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
114 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  amendments simplify the registration requiremen ts imposed by the National Foreign Investment 
Registry. 
4.26.  On 26 June 2015, Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) approved a 
resolution establishing the technical and operational conditions necessary for the effective 
unbundling of the local network of the country's dominant operator, so that other telecom 
suppliers have access to the dominant operator's local network infrastructure in order to provide telecommunication services. The establishment of conditions for this process will help ensure 
effective access to the local network of the dominant company in the telecommunications sector, 
in order to remove barriers to competition and market entry.
115 
4.27.  On 6 May 2015, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of 
Myanmar  published its latest list of licences issued.116 T his  c ove rs  l ic e nc e s  to p rovid e  N etwor k  
Facilities Services (Individual), which permit licensees to construct networks, lease access to 
service providers and offer any type of public or  private telecom service and Network Facilities 
(Class) concessions that will permit licensees to deploy and maintain passive infrastructure and to 
lease access to service providers. Between Febr uary 2014 and March 2015, 26 licences have been 
awarded to different operators.117 In addition, for the first time, two international mobile operators 
will launch services within the territory. 
4.28.  On 7 October 2014, the President of th e Office of Electronic Communications of Poland  
issued a resolution on deregulation of broadband access market in 76 municipalities. This decision 
was the outcome of a previous analysis of the comp etitive situation in each of the 3,000 municipal 
areas in Poland. This decision regulates, for the first time since 2007, wholesale access to hi-speed 
internet in a more comprehensive manner.118 
4.29.  On 14 October 2014, the President of the Russian Federation  enacted the Federal Law 
Amending the Law of the Russian Federation on Mass Media. According to this Law, except as 
otherwise provided by an international agreement to which the Russian Federation is a party, the 
ownership or control of the share capital of mass media companies by a foreign State, an 
international organisation, a citizen of the Russian Federation having the citizenship of another 
state, a Russian legal person having a foreign stake in its charter capital exceeding 20%, a foreign 
natural person, or a foreign legal person, is limited to 20%. The law will enter into force on 1 January 2016. 
4.30.  The Russian Federation adopted a law on  21 July 2014 "on clarifying the processing of 
personal data in information and telecommunications networks".
119 The law obliges all internet 
companies to store data about their Russian users only on servers located in the Russian territory. 
It took effect on 1 September 2015 (amendment adopted on 31 December 2014).  
4.31.  The President of Senegal  signed a decree in June 2015 that will give the country’s telecoms 
industry regulator, l’Autorité de Régulation de s Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP), full 
powers to order domestic telecommunications companies to divulge accurate information on topics 
such as communication traffic volumes. Under the decree, the ARTP will install and operate 
monitoring equipment for measuring the volume and quality of telephone communications exchanged on the networks of domestic operators.
120  
4.32.  On 6 March 2015, the House of Parliament of Sierra Leone  adopted the 
Telecommunications Amendment Act 2015. The amended bill repeals section 33 of the 
Telecommunications Act 2006, which entrusted a monopoly over the telecommunications 
                                               
115 Viewed at: http://www.ift.org.mx/comunicacion-y-med ios/comunicados-ift/es/el-pleno-del-ift-
determina-las-condiciones-mediante-las-cua les-el-agente-economico-preponderante-aep  and 
http://apps.ift.org.mx/publicdata/P_IFT_260615_162cAnexos.pdf  
116 Viewed at: http://www.mcit.gov.mm/news/licence-issued-list652015.html . 
117 Viewed at: http://www.mcit.gov.mm/sites/default/files/Licence Issued List (6.5.15).pdf. This 
measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
118 Viewed at: http://www.en.uke.gov.pl/new-regulations -concerning-wholesale-broadband-internet-
access-services-in-poland-14775#.VDZ-SadAA-E.wordpress . 
119 Law 242 FZ, 21 July 2014. 
120 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  international gateway to the incumbent operator, the Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company 
(SIERRATEL). Before the liberalization, SI ERRATEL had the monopoly for a decade.121 
4.33.  In April 2014, South Africa  passed the Electronic Communications Amendment Act (No. 1 
of 2014), amending the Electronic Communications Act, 2005. Inter alia, the new Act refines 
provisions relating to licensing; makes further provision towards ensuring effective competition 
amongst persons licensed under the Act; and removes regulatory bottlenecks. 
4.34.  The  Spanish  telecoms regulator (Comisión Nacional de Mercados y Competencia (CNMC)) 
announced on 21 July 2015 that it has imposed fines for both Telefónica España and Yoigo related 
to anti-competitive roaming agreement between  them. The CNMC specified that the current 
agreement between the companies prevented Yoig o from reselling capacity on Telefónica’s 
network to third parties, thus hindering Yoigo’s ability to work with mobile virtual network 
operators (MVNOs), and constituted a restriction of competition.122, 123 
4.35.  The telecom committee of Thailand 's National Broadcasting & Telecommunications (NBTC) 
approved in June 2015 new significant market player (SMP) definitions for five telecom service 
categories in total, divided into wholesale and retail segments, with operators classified as SMPs 
subject to stricter rules and price caps. Under new SMP determinations by the NBTC, all five of the 
country's mobile network operators are classified as SMPs in the wholesale cellular network call 
termination segment. Under previous market definitions, only the two largest cellular operators 
were classified as SMPs in the mobile market as a whole based on a 25% market share threshold.
124 
4.36.  The President of Ukraine  signed a Law on Electronic Commerce125 which was adopted by 
the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on 3 September 2015. The Law establishes legal requirements and 
mechanisms for remote conclusion and execution of transactions with the use of electronic 
information and communication tools and technologies that will make it possible to guarantee the 
legitimacy, transparency and reliability of such transactions and accelerate the integration process 
into the global information space.126 
4.37.  On 26 February 2015, the United States  Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
enacted the Open Internet Order containing new rules on net neutrality that would apply to fixed 
and mobile broadband service providers.127 The Order focusses on four points: no blocking, which 
means that internet service providers (ISP) may not restrict access to legal content, applications, services or non-harmful devises; no throttling, which means that no ISP should, intentionally, slow 
down the content or speed up others; and no paid prioritization, i.e. ISP would not be allowed to 
favour specific lawful internet traffic over other lawful traffic, in exchange for special consideration of any kind. The new rules also impose transparency requirements on broadband providers, forcing 
them to disclose such information as promotiona l rates, fees and surcharges and data caps. In 
order to apply these provisions, "broadband Inte rnet Access service" is reclassified as a 
Telecommunication Services under the Title II of the Telecommunications Act.
128 
Construction services 
4.38.  India  eased foreign direct investment rules for the construction sector.129 Under the new 
rules effective 17 April 2014130, 100% foreign investment, without prior approval, is now allowed 
in townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction-development projects with a 
minimum built area of 20,000 square metres (down from a previous 50,000 square-metre 
                                               
121 Viewed at: http://www.natcom.gov.sl/index.php/2-uncategorised/76-int-gateway . 
 122 CNMC, Press Release, 21 July 2015 , 
http://www.cnmc.es/Portals/0/Ficheros/notasdeprensa/2015/COMPETENCIA/20150721_NP_Sanci%C3%B3n_T
elef%C3%B3nica_Yoigo_.pdf  
123 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
124 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
 125 Law № 675-VIII, President of Ukraine, Offi cial Website, News, 25 September 2015,  
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-pidpisav-zakon-pro-elektronnu-komerciyu-36022 . 
126 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
127 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
128 Viewed at: http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-strong-sustainable-rules-protect-open-internet 
129 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
130 Announced in the Press Note No. 10 (2014 series). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  threshold). Minimum capitalization of US$10 millio n is required for wholly-owned subsidiaries, 
while minimum capital for joint-ventures with Indian partners amount to US$5 million. 
Energy services 4.39.  On 14 May 2015, Mexico 's Energy Regulatory Commission issued Resolution 
RES/308/2015, which enables the Commission to issue general administrative provisions regarding 
licensing models for activities such as transport, st orage, distribution and public sale of oil, natural 
gas and other derivatives, as well as management of integrated systems. According to the 
government, this resolution brings legal security to firms acting in the energy sector to the extent 
that it establishes final models for li censes for the activities concerned. 
Financial services  4.40.  In July 2015, the Brazilian  National Council of Private Insurance (CNSP) issued resolutions 
322 and 325, which provide a five year timefram e for the gradual relaxation of the mandatory 
cession requirements and the restrictions on in tra-group transfers. Mandatory cession to local 
reinsurers will be reduced from the current 40% to 30% from 1 January 2017, to 25% from 
1 January 2018, to 20% from 1 January 2019, and to  15% from 1 January 2020. Those limits will 
no longer be mandatory but reinsurance companies established in Brazil will retain the right of first refusal up those limits. Under the revised rules on intra-group prohibition, the maximum limit for 
intra-group transfers (i.e. from an insurer or local reinsurer to a company belonging to the same 
financial conglomerate) is to be increased as follows: from the current 20% to 30% from 1 January 2017, to 45% from 1 January 2018, to  60% from 1 January 2019, and to 75% from 
1 January 2020.  
4.41.  According to a circular released on 22 April 2015, starting 1 June, China 's State Council will 
regulate the market access for bank card transaction clearing institutions.
131 The circular lists the 
requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to apply to set up a bank card clearing institution 
and to conduct such business in China: 
 organizations will be able to engage in bank card clearing business after their 
applications are approved by the authorities and licences issued; 
 the application requirements, covering various aspects, include a minimum of 
yuan 1 billion (US$161 million) of registered capital; 
 the banking authorities should decide whether the applications are approved within 
90 working days after receiving the applications. The applicants should complete preparatory 
work within one year after approval and no clearing business is allowed  during the period; 
 applicants are required to officially start bankcard clearing services within six months 
after receiving the business permits; 
 requirements are set on the organizations' business, including protecting the 
information they acquire from bankcard clearing services; 
 overseas institutions that provide bankcard clearing services for clients in China 
should establish foreign-invested enterprises in the country according to law; and 
 organizations that have already started business should submit applications for 
business permits or report their operations to authorities within a year after the new rule takes effect or they will be fo rbidden to continue the business. 
 
4.42.  The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) issued the "Implementing Measures on 
Administrative Licensing of Foreign-funded Banks", which entered into force on 5 June 2015. These 
are complemented by the "Rules for the Implementation of the Administrative Regulations of the 
People's Republic of China on Foreign-invested Banks", which took effect on 1 September 2015. Together, these new measures lift a number of administrative licensing requirements applicable to 
                                               
131 Viewed at: 
http://english.gov.cn/policies/latest_releases/2015/04/22/content_281475093816882.htm . This measure 
could not be verified at the time  of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  foreign-funded banks in China. The following as pects of the Implementing Measures are worth 
noting:132 
 some aspects of licensing, which are currently subject to the CBRC's jurisdiction, are 
delegated to local banking regulatory authorities; 
 the requirement of prior establishment of a representative office in China has been 
removed for (i) the controlling or sole shareholder of a wholly-foreign-owned bank; (ii) the major or sole foreign shareholder of a Sino-foreign equity joint venture bank; and 
(iii) setting up a foreign bank's branch in China; 
 a foreign-funded bank wishing to set up a branch will no longer need to allocate an 
operation fund equivalent to no less than yuan 100 million to the branch; 
 the requirements for foreign-invested banks to operate yuan business have been 
loosened. For example, for an initial application, the bank only needs to have an operating 
history in China of more than one year (as opposed to the minimum three-year track record currently required) and is no longer required to submit profit records for its two previous 
years; and 
 once one branch has been approved to conduct business in yuan, new branches can 
begin preparations to use yuan during their setup periods. After a branch has been 
examined and approved by the regional CBRC branch, the bank branch can apply to conduct 
business with yuan immediately after they open. 
4.43.  The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has issu ed the "Circular on Engagement of Offshore RMB 
Clearing Banks and Offshore Participating Banks in Bond Repurchase Business in the Inter-bank 
Bond Market" in order to further open up the domestic bond market. The Circular, which is part of 
China's efforts to encourage greater global use of yuan, provides, inter alia , that foreign banks 
allowed to engage in the bond repurchase busine ss must be approved by the PBOC to enter the 
inter-bank bond market and fall into one of the following categories: (i) offshore authorised yuan 
clearing banks incorporated in a foreign country/region which has established an yuan clearing arrangement with China; or (ii) offshore banks participating in cross-border yuan settlement in 
accordance with relevant PBOC regulations. An in ter-bank bond market settlement agency shall be 
appointed to handle the relevant trading and settlement matters.
133 
4.44.  On 22 July 2015, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) released the "Interim 
Measures for Regulating the Internet Insurance Business", which took effect on 1 October 2015. 
The measures allow both domestic and foreign insurance companies to engage in internet 
insurance business. In addition, for selected insura nce products (e.g. accident insurance, some life 
insurance policies, home property insurance, liability insurance, credit insurance, and property 
insurance) the measures allow insurers to expand their operations to provinces without the need 
to establish a licensed branch office.134 
4.45.  The State Council of China released a gu ideline in June 2015 that, among other things, will 
encourage domestic banks and institutions to launch cross-border electronic payment businesses 
and advance pilot overseas payments in foreign currencies. In addition, the government will seek to foster both public and private e-commerce platforms and support companies that provide 
comprehensive international trade services, while welcoming cooperation between domestic and 
foreign e-commerce enterprises.
135, 136 
4.46.  In March 2015, India  passed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2015137, which 
increased foreign equity ownership in Indian insurance firms from 26% to 49%.138 Foreign 
investment of up to 26% will be allowed without prior government approval, while any investment 
                                               
132 These measures could not be verified at  the time of finalization of the report. 
133 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
134 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
135 The State Council, The People's Republic of China, 21 June 2015 
http://english.gov.cn/policies/latest_releases/2015/06/21/content_281475131410124.htm   
136 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
137 Subsequently, the Government published the In dian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) 
Rules, 2015, and issued Press Note 3 of 2015 to amend the consolidated foreign investment policy of the 
Government of India. 
138 These measures could not be verified at  the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  above 26% and up to the cap of 49% will requir e prior government approval from the Foreign 
Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) of India. Wh ile the shareholding cap has been increased, 
"ownership" and "control" of the company must remain with Indian residents. Indian ownership is defined to mean more than 50% of the share equi ty capital in the hands of Indian residents. 
Control has been defined in line with the definition in the consolidated FDI Policy to include the 
"right to appoint majority of directors or to co ntrol management or policy decisions including by 
virtue of their shareholding or management rights or shareholders agreements or voting 
agreements." The Act also recognizes "health insurance" as an exclusive line of business, and 
carves it out from general insurance. The amended Law also enables foreign reinsurers to set up branches in India. 
4.47.  In line with the reforms of the insuranc e sector, on 24 April 2015 India raised the limit of 
foreign direct investment in the pension sector also to 49%. According to the press note No. 4 
(2015 Series), no government approval is required  to acquire 26% of ownership. But the approval 
of the FIPB is needed for investments beyond 26% and up to the cap of 49%. 
4.48.  On 23 April 2015, the Reserve Bank of In dia issued a notification (RBI/2014-15/573) 
requiring foreign banks that have more than 20 br anches to achieve the 40% total priority sector 
lending target (to agriculture, SMEs and housing) by March 2019. Foreign banks with fewer than 
20 branches, who were previously subject to a 32% total priority sector lending target, will now 
need to move to a 40% target, on a par with Indian banks, by 2020. 
4.49.  In September 2014, Indonesia  enacted the revised Insuranc e Law. The New Law, which 
replaces Law No. 2 of 1002 on Insurance Business, provides a more comprehensive regulatory 
framework for Indonesia's insurance industry under the supervision of the Financial Services 
Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan or OJK). The Government has yet to issue the regulation dealing with foreign ownership of insurance companies and the legal forms of foreign insurance.  
4.50.  As part of its initiatives aiming at developing its capital market, the Republic of Moldova  
enacted Law No. 117 "On taking provisional measures on the capital market", which entered into force on 28 May 2015. This amendment provides for the establishment of a Central Depository for 
public interest entities, which will have the exclusive right to carry out the following activities: 
financial instruments depositing, registry of securities holders of public interest entities, and clearing and settlement of financial instruments admitted to trading on regulated markets.  
4.51.  In October 2014, the Central Bank of Myanmar  granted provisional approval for nine 
foreign banks to commence limited operations, marking a resumption of such services for the first 
time since 1962. All nine were chosen from a pool of more than 40 lenders with representative offices in the country, more than half of which op ened within the past three years. The banks, all 
from the Asia-Pacific region, have been given 12 months to launch operations. Under the terms set 
out in October, the new entrants into the market will only be able to offer wholesale banking products and services to foreign firms and local banks. They will therefore not be allowed to 
engage in normal retail banking. They will be allowed to provide kyat-denominated loans to 
domestic companies only through a partnership arrangement with a registered domestic lender, with interest rates set by the Central Bank. 
4.52.  In November 2014, the Monetary Board (MB) of the Philippines  released the implementing 
rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10641.
139 The new law provides for the 
further entry of foreign banks into the Phili ppines and thus amends R.A. No. 7721, from 1994. 
With the approval of the IRR, additional foreign banks can now apply to operate in the Philippines 
either as a branch or as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, the new law allows foreign banks 
to acquire up to 100% of the voting stock of an ex isting domestic bank. This is an increase from 
the 60% under the previous law (R.A. No. 7721). The R.A. No. 10641 allows foreign banks to 
control up to a combined 40% of the total assets of the banking system (up 10 percentage points 
from the previous 30% limit). The minimum capi tal requirements applicable to foreign bank 
branches have been aligned with that of  domestic banks of the same category.  
4.53.  In July 2015, the Russian  Federation enacted Federal Law No. 222-FZ on the Operation of 
Credit Rating Agencies in the Russian Federation, which establishes a legal framework for the 
                                               
139 This is in addition to the information on the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10641 provided in the previous 
annual overview. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  operation of credit rating agencies in the Russian Federation. According to the Law, rating 
activities on the territory of the Russian Federati on can be performed by legal entities established 
in the form of a business entity and included in th e register of credit rating agencies by the Bank 
of Russia. The minimum net worth (capital) of a rating agency is set at Rub 50 million. In addition, 
representative offices of foreign rating agencies are entitled to represent and protect their 
interests in the Russian Federation as of the date of  their inclusion in the register of representative 
offices of foreign credit rating agencies, while br anches of foreign rating agencies are allowed to 
perform certain aspects of rating activities in the Russian Federation as of the date of their 
inclusion in the register of branches of foreign credit rating agencies.140 
4.54.  On 22 April 2015, Chinese Taipei 's Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) agreed to 
allow branches of foreign financial institutions to raise and issue international corporate bonds on 
the professional board in its jurisdiction provided the following conditions are met: (i) a holding 
company of a foreign financial institution is listed on an approved overseas securities market; and (ii) the holding company's holds, directly or indirectly, a total of more than half the foreign 
financial institution's stock rights or voting rights and includes the institution in its consolidated 
financial statements. In the past, if a branch of a foreign financial institution wanted to raise and issue international corporate bonds, its stock had to  be already listed and traded on an approved 
stock market, however, today international financial institutions have widely changed to listing on 
various international stock markets using a holding group method rather than have the institution itself listed.  
4.55.  In addition, Chinese Taipei's FSC amended "The Regulations Governing Foreign Bank 
Branches and Representative Offices", effective as of 30 June 2015. Under the amendment, when 
a foreign bank branch with financial soundness ex tends credit for client’s M&A activities, the 
bridge-loan part of the credit may not be subject to the NTD single lending limit to a same person, 
same related party or same affiliated entity. 
4.56.  As part of the modernization of its securities legislation, in May 2015 Viet Nam  issued 
Decree 42-2015-ND-CP, which came into force on 1 July 2015, and which establishes a new 
derivatives market. Both Vietnamese entities and foreign entities (including branches of foreign 
banks and branches of foreign insurance companies) are allowed to invest on the derivatives market. In order to invest in derivatives, any investor must have open ed a derivatives trading 
account with the relevant trading member. Any transaction in derivatives on the stock exchange 
shall be conducted by trading members. Only Vietnamese entities can be trading members. 
Decree 42-2015-ND-CP distinguishes between a "deriv atives securities trading member", which is 
a Vietnamese securities company permitted to co nduct activities of de rivatives self-trading, 
brokerage and consultancy, and a "special trading member", which is a Vietnamese commercial 
bank permitted to invest in derivatives whose underlying assets are bonds.
141  
Health Services 
4.57.  On 25 July 2014, China 's National Health and Family Planning Commission issued the 
Notice on Establishing Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals, which allows foreign investors in wholly-owned hospitals in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan as part of a pilot test.
142 Foreign suppliers should have experience in 
medical and health investment and management, and meet one of the following requirements: 
(i) being capable of offering advanced hospital management ideas, and management and service models; (ii) being capable of offering advanced medical technology and equipment; and (iii) being 
capable of improving local medical servic e, technology, fund and facilities. The 
wholly-foreign-owned hospitals should meet basic national medical institute standards. 
Transport services 
4.58.  Australia  has recently relaxed foreign ownership restrictions in the Qantas airline. On 
8 August 2014, the Qantas Sale Amendment Act 2014 received Royal assent. According to the Act, ownership by a single foreign investor may now exceed 25% and aggregate ownership by foreign 
                                               
140 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
141 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
142 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  airlines may now exceed 35%. However, foreigners may, cumulatively, still not own more than 
49% in Qantas. 
4.59.  Effective 17 April 2014143, India  permitted 100% foreign direct investment, without prior 
authorization, in several activities of the railway transportation sector, such as high speed train 
projects, railway electrification, signalling system s and freight and passenger terminals. However, 
FDI beyond 49% of the company in sensitive areas from a national security point of view will be authorized by the Cabinet Committee on  Security on a case-by-case basis. 
4.60.  In April 2015, Indonesia  introduced new regulations for the freight forwarding business.
144 
The regulations are effective immediately, with a three-year transition period. The new regulations raised minimum capital requirements for foreign or joint venture companies to US$10 million (of which US$2 million of paid-up capital). 
4.61.  Mexico  recently amended its Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law. Effective on 
4 April 2015, the new Regulation provides a clearer process to allow foreign entities to secure temporary permits to operate foreign-flagged vessels and naval artefacts, such as rigs and 
production platforms, in Mexican coastal waters. The new Regulation also adds specific provisions 
and standards for ship building, including the granti ng of authorizations for shipyards to operate in 
Mexico. In addition, the Regulation contains new regulations in the area of pollution prevention, 
which may impact maritime transport and port services.  
4.62.  Law No. 150 of 17 July 2014 (Road Transport Code) of the Republic of Moldova  requires 
mandatory licensing for the transport of goods in international and national traffic. Licences for international traffic are issued for a period of eight years (effective 1 January 2015), while licences 
for national traffic are valid for a period  of five years (effective 1 January 2016). 
Services supplied through the movement of natural persons 4.63.  On 1 March 2015, Chile  introduced a new "Temporary Residence for Work Purposes" work 
visa category. The multiple-entry visa, which has an initial duration of one year, allows foreigners 
to enter the country with an employment contract and subsequently change employers, and perform unlimited work activities. It also exempt s employers from paying repatriation costs once 
their employee leaves Chile.
145 
4.64.  Egypt 's Ministry of Manpower has announced that, starting from February 2015, new work 
permit applications are subject to labour market testing requirements. 
4.65.  India  further expanded its e-Tourist Visa (eTV) facility, which enables business visitors and 
those travelling to the country to sightsee, visit friends or relatives or seek short medical 
treatment to apply on-line for a 30-day visa.  As of mid-August 2015, the eTV covered applicants entering the country from a total of 113 countries at a total of 16 designated ports of arrival.
146  
4.66.  Indonesia  issued Regulation 16/2015 on Procedures for the Utilization of Foreign 
Employees on 29 June 2015. The Regulation sets out, inter alia , a requirement that companies 
employing expatriates maintain a new local-to-foreign workers ratio of 10 Indonesian nationals for 
each expatriate. The ratio will not apply to foreig n employees entering the country as directors or 
administrators, for emergency or urgent work, fo r entertainment services or for temporary work. 
Several measures aimed at streamlining visa or work permit application processes were also introduced over the reporting period.   
                                               
143 Press Note No. 8 (2014 series). This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the 
report. 
144 Regulations (PM) 74/2015 and (PM) 78/2015. 
145 Viewed at: http://www.extranjeria.gob.cl/noticias/2015/03/02/nueva-visa-temporal-por-motivos-
laborales/ . This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
146 Viewed at: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  4.67.  Ireland 's new Trusted Partner Initiative allows entitled employers to benefit, inter alia , 
from a faster turnaround time for applications and from having to submit fewer documents and details.
147 
4.68.  Kenya  introduced on 1 July 2015 an online platform for visa applicants (eVisa), to replace 
visas on arrival and thus streamline the application process.148   
4.69.  On 15 July 2015, Malaysia  introduced a new Employment Pass category (EPIII). This 
Category III caters to workers with basic salaries between RM 2,500 and RM 4,999, whose 
employment period do not exceed 12 months an d who are employed in specific industries 
(including, for instance, business, education, financial, healthcare, tourism and retail services). EPIII can be renewed, subject to revi ew, up to a maximum of two times.
149  
4.70.  On 1 July 2015, New Zealand  implemented an online student, work and visitor visa 
application system called "Immigration ONLINE" that should enable faster processing times 
compared to paper applications.150 The new platform allows foreign nationals and, in some 
instances, their agents to apply and pay for a visa online, as well as to upload supporting 
documentation.151 
4.71.  In May 2015,  South Africa  launched a premium processing service for eligible employers 
who register with the relevant Department of Home Affairs unit; the service should lead to a 
shorter processing time of four weeks for most visas and immigration applications.152 
4.72.  The Swiss  Government has set the 2015 quotas for short-term work permits (L-permits) 
and for long-term work permits (B-permits) at 2,500 and 4,000, respectively, for non-EU/EFTA 
applicants, and at 250 and 2,000 for EU/EFTA applicants.153 
4.73.  Foreign business visitors to Thailand  are allowed to perform a longer list of activities, 
including attending business meetings, seminars or conferences, as of 13 March 2015, without 
needing to obtain a work authorisation. 
4.74.  Since 22 December 2014, intra-corporate transferees working in several services industries 
in Viet Nam  may apply for an exemption from work permit requirements. The exemption is 
available to intra-corporate transferees that are managers, specialists or technicians who have 
been in the employment of the company for at leas t one year prior to their transfer to Viet Nam. 
Box 2 Policy and regulatory trends in the telecommunications sector 
Market opportunities for te lecommunications and ICT services continue to grow as governments award new 
licenses and expand the scope of existing ones, particul arly for mobile services. This, in turn, is spurring 
intense activity in the realm of spectrum allocation and assignment. Spectrum is increasingly being managed 
so as to hasten the transition to broadband mobile technologies (e.g. 4G, LTE, 5G) with higher quality 
capability for internet and other mobile applications. Ex amples of governments recent ly moving to expand the 
availability of these technologies include Albania; Cabo  Verde; Chile; Macao, Chin a; Mexico; the Republic of 
Moldova; Kenya; Paraguay; Poland; Romania; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Ukraine and some EU member States, 
namely Austria; Bulgaria; France and Germany. The number of governments releasing new and refarmed 
spectrum, typically via auctions, is such that it could be described as universal.  In some cases, additional 
spectrum is being assigned to existing operators, bu t often it is awarded to ne w licensees benefitting from 
open markets. Many foreign service suppliers that have established or wish to esta blish a commercial presence 
(GATS mode 3) are benefitting from this trend.   
                                               
147 Viewed at: http://www.emigra.com/news/ireland-djei-introduces-the-trusted-partner-initiative/ . This 
measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
148 Viewed at: http://www.immigration.go.ke/downloads/eVisa-newspaperad.pdf . This measure could 
not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
149 Detailed information is available at https://esd.imi.gov.my/portal/latest-news/announcement/new-
employment-pass-category-iii-available-on-15-july/ . 
150 Viewed at: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/generalinformation/newit 
systems/online-tech-platform.htm . 
151 This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
152 Viewed at: http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/index.php /statements-speeches/616-address-by-home-
affairs-minister-malusi-gigaba-at-the-launch-of-the-dha-premium-visa-and-permit-services-centre-may-20th-
2015. This measure could not be verified at the time of finalization of the report. 
153 Viewed at: https://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/fr/home/aktuell/news/2014/ref_2014-11-283.html.   WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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T h e  g r o w t h  o f  t h e  m o b i l e  s e c t o r  h a s  a l s o  l e a d  t o  a  s h i f t  i n  r e g u l a t o r y  a p p r o a c h e s  a i m e d  a t  f o s t e r i n g  a  
pro-competitive environment for all pl ayers, foreign and domestic, and for the ultimate benefit of consumers. 
For many years, governments steered cl ear of price regulation in the mobile sector as it evolved from a luxury 
service to a mass market phenomenon that, in most markets, now outstrips fixed telephony by significant 
margins.  More recently, go vernments have begun moving to remedy high mobile termination rates perceived 
as resulting from the market  power of large mobile players. Recent examples include Australia, Belgium, 
Finland, Italy, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Thailand . Others, including Canada and the EU, have started to 
address high mobile roaming rates that seemed to bear little or no relation to costs of termination.  Similarly, 
number portability for mobile telephony remains a key technique of better insuring competitive conditions 
among mobile operators  and governments continue to adopt it, wher e they had not done so before, or to 
improve its application where it did exist. Recent ex amples of governments intr oducing number portability 
include  El Salvador, Senegal, Tunisia and Ukraine. Others, including Switzerland, are adopting improvements 
to the process.  
 
Another emerging trend involves the coming of age of mo bile virtual network operators (MVNOs), i.e. resellers 
of mobile services that employ the networks of other mo bile operators, thereby offering lower-cost options to 
consumers.  Although often permitted previously in industrialized countries, MVNOs are now more commonly 
being introduced around the world. Recent examples of governments issuing MVNO licenses include China and 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This trend has also lead governments to look more closely at regulating the 
wholesale pricing of mobile networks so as to ensure a level playing fiel d for the MVNOs. In addition, as the 
market matures, MVNOs are also becoming subject of termination rate regulation, for example in Italy.  
 
Other ongoing developments touch on a variety of issues that have arisen, in part, due to ICT convergence and 
technological change. Governments are increasingly including broadband access within the ambit their 
universal service strategies or setting up separa te mechanisms for raisin g broadband penetration. 
Telecommunications regulators are frequently being tran sformed into ICT regulators with broader mandates. 
To facilitate operators' shifts toward new technolo gies, technology neutral licensing is also becoming 
increasingly common. In addition, high demand for acce ss to and use of networks by a wider gamut of players 
have led more regulators to consider introducing "n et neutrality" measures, i.e. measures requiring non-
discriminatory access terms and conditio ns. Greater demand for facilities an d the resources they may require is 
also ushering in a trend, encouraged and sometimes ev en mandated by governments, in infrastructure sharing 
arrangements among operators. Finally, merger and acquisition activity levels remain high, with sector 
regulators and/or competition authorities often assuming a role in approving or denying such moves based on 
their analysis of the potential market implications. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5  TRANSPARENCY OF TRADE POLICIES  
5.1  Notifications and Surveillance in WTO Councils and Committees 5.1.  This section aims to provide an overvi ew of the compliance and timeliness of Members' 
notifications to the WTO. Notifications are the prim ary instrument for ensuring transparency in the 
multilateral trading system; they are submitted by each Member and reviewed by the relevant 
bodies of the WTO. The importance attached by  governments to this issue explains the very 
elaborate system of notifications and cross-notifications put in place under the terms of most 
Agreements. The section covers the compliance record of notification requirements in the different WTO Bodies.
154 
5.2  Agriculture 
5.2.  The Committee on Agriculture continued its review of the implementation of Members' 
commitments under the Agreement. Members' notifications remain the primary basis for the Committee to conduct the review process and the Committee provides detailed guidance for the 
notifying Members, including the common notification formats in various areas as well as the 
timelines to be respected in furnishing those notifications. There are 12 distinct notification requirements covering the following five areas: (i) market access; (ii) domestic support; 
(iii) export subsidies; (iv) export prohibitions or restrictions; and (v) follow-up to the Marrakesh 
Net Food-Importing Developing Countries Decision.  
5.3.  Timely and complete notifications are fundamental for effective monitoring of the 
implementation of commitments. Chart 5.1 presen ts an overview of Members' compliance with 
notification obligations for the period 2009-14 in respect of five "regular" or "annual" notification 
                                               
154 Notifications in the SPS and TBT Committees are deal t with in sections 3.3 and 3.4 of this report. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  requirements, i.e. Table MA:2 (imports under tariff quotas), Table MA:5 (special safeguard), 
Table DS:1 (domestic support), and Tables ES:1 and ES:2  (export subsidies). Annual notifications 
are required to be submitted soon af ter the end of the year in question.155 The distribution of 
outstanding notifications by group of countries  is presented in Chart 5.2. The information 
concerning the 2014 implementation year is provided for information only and does not necessarily 
indicate that the notifications are now due. 
5.4.  Notifications remain outstanding for the reporting period with respect to all five notification 
requirements. The lack of compliance with notification obligations is especially visible for 
notification requirements related to agricultural subsidization (i.e. DS:1 and ES:1).156 For example, 
for nearly all the years reported, compliance with notification obligations in the areas of domestic support and export subsidies were the lowest am ong the five notification requirements. For the 
most recent reporting year, 2014, the percentage of outstanding DS:1 and ES:1 notifications is 
88% and 82%, respectively, thus implying compliance rates for these categories of notifications of 12% and 18%, respectively. At the time of this re port, the percentage of outstanding notifications 
of imports under tariff quotas was 85%. However in previous years, this notification requirement 
has been among those with the highest rates of compliance compared to the other notification 
obligations. (Chart 5.2 also indicates that the nu mber of outstanding notifications is typically 
higher for recent years because of the time lag between the end of the reporting period and the 
submission of notifications for many Members). 
5.5.  The different deadlines for notifications in agriculture as well as the varying reporting years 
used by Members can make it difficult to compare the timeliness aspect of the notifications across 
the WTO membership. However, one indicator of timeliness of notifications is the "average 
reporting years per notification". For example, a notification which covers more than one reporting year implies that a Member has missed the prescribed timelines at least in respect of years other 
than the latest year covered in the notification . Table 5.1 presents information on the average 
reporting years per notification with respect to notifications circulated during 2010-15. This average remains slightly greater than two for all years in that period. In other words, on average, 
Members did not respect the prescribed timelines in respect of at least half of the reporting years. 
 
                                               
155 The applicability of a notification requirement to  a Member is largely dependent on the specific 
commitments it has assumed under the AoA. In many case s only a limited number of notification requirements 
will apply for a particular Member. Simultaneously, there are a few notification requirements, especially in the area of agricultural subsidization, (i .e. Tables DS:1 and ES:1) that apply to all WTO Members. The notifications 
circulated as of 15 October 2015 are used in the report. 
156 These two notification requirements are applicable to all WTO Members.   The figures reported in the 
following chart corresponding to outstanding Tables DS:1  and ES:1 notifications fo r a year, therefore, also 
represent the percentage of total WTO Members who did not yet comply with their notification obligations in these two areas. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Chart 5.1 Current outstanding notifications in agriculture (%) 
8813213885
61518304267
3444 45576488
363945506082
71119223381
0255075100
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014MA:2 (Imports under tariff quotas)
MA:5 (Special safeguard)
DS:1 (Domestic support)
ES:1 (Export subsidies)
ES:2 (Export subsidies)
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Chart 5.2 Outstanding notifications by country group (%) 
0 0 022077
283340485882
4958
56677193
020406080100
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Developed countries
Developing countries
Least developed countries
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Table 5.1 Number of ag riculture notifications 
Total 
(MA:2, MA:5, DS:1, ES:1, ES:2) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015a 
Number of notifications 
(excluding Add., Corr. and Rev.)  128 134 156 109 178 111 
Total number of years reported 321 324 365 242 441 307 
Average of years reported per notification 2.51 2.42 2.34 2.22 2.48 2.77 
a Until 15 October. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  5.6.  The 162 notifications issued in the period from mid-October 2014 to mid-October 2015, 
together reported information on 385 years, with some notifications reporting as high as 18 years 
in the same notification (Table 5.2). Nevertheless, the increase in the number of notifications issued per year and in the number of years report ed demonstrate the increased effort by Members 
in recent years to bring their notifications up-to-date.  
Table 5.2 Notifications reporting more than one year (mid-October 2014 to 
mid-October 2015) 
Member Notification Format Issue date Number of years 
reported 
Chad G/AG/N/TCD/1 ES:1 20-May-2015 18 
Chad G/AG/N/TCD/2 DS:1 21-Sep-2015 18 
Sri Lanka G/AG/N/LKA/5 ES:1 26-Aug-2015 17 
Malaysia G/AG/N/MYS/34 MA:2 27-Mar-2015 16 
Zimbabwe G/AG/N/ZWE/6 ES:1 08-Sep-2015 15 
Malaysia G/AG/N/MYS/34/CORR.1 MA:2 28-Sep-2015 14 
Moldova, Republic of G/AG/N/MDA/4 ES:1 01-Jun-2015 13 
United Arab Emirates G/AG/N/ARE/6 ES:1 23-Jan-2015 12 
United Arab Emirates G/AG/N/ARE/7 DS:1 26-Mar-2015 12 
Moldova, Republic of G/AG/N/MDA/3 DS:1 15-Jan-2015 9 
Barbados G/AG/N/BRB/21 MA:5 03-Mar-2015 7 
Zimbabwe G/AG/N/ZWE/7 ES:2 09-Sep-2015 7 
Trinidad and Tobago G/AG/N/TTO/13 ES:1 12-Aug-2015 6 
Trinidad and Tobago G/AG/N/TTO/14 DS:1 13-Aug-2015 6 
Guatemala G/AG/N/GTM/50 MA:2 25-Sep-2015 6 
Mexico G/AG/N/MEX/27/CORR.1 ES:1, ES:2 05-Nov-2014 5 
Pakistan G/AG/N/PAK/16 DS:1 16-Mar-2015 5 
Mexico G/AG/N/MEX/28 DS:1 15-Sep-2015 5 
Moldova, Republic of G/AG/N/MOL/4/REV.1 DS:1 14-Jan-2015 4 
Cambodia G/AG/N/KHM/3 ES:1 02-Apr-2015 4 
Cambodia G/AG/N/KHM/4 DS:1 07-Apr-2015 4 
Tunisia G/AG/N/TUN/45 DS:1 24-Aug-2015 4 
South Africa G/AG/N/ZAF/84 MA:5 07-Sep-2015 4 
Japan G/AG/N/JPN/198 ES:3 16-Oct-2014 3 
Korea, Republic of G/AG/N/KOR/53 DS:1 20-Jan-2015 3 
Brazil G/AG/N/BRA/35 MA:2 26-Jan-2015 3 
South Africa G/AG/N/ZAF/83 DS:1 26-Feb-2015 3 
South Africa G/AG/N/ZAF/85 ES:2, ES:3 25-Sep-2015 3 
European Union G/AG/N/EU/21 NF:1 30-Oct-2014 2 
United States G/AG/N/USA/99 ES:1, ES:2 05-Nov-2014 2 
Canada G/AG/N/CAN/103 MA:2 18-Nov-2014 2 
United States G/AG/N/USA/99/CORR.1 ES:1, ES:2 20-Nov-2014 2 
Samoa G/AG/N/WSM/2 ES:1 24-Nov-2014 2 
Samoa G/AG/N/WSM/1 DS:1 25-Nov-2014 2 
Korea, Republic of G/AG/N/KOR/50 MA:2 09-Jan-2015 2 
Switzerland G/AG/N/CHE/59/CORR.1 ES:1, ES:2, 
ES:3 16-Jan-2015 2 
Switzerland G/AG/N/CHE/71 ES:1, ES:2, 
ES:3 21-Jan-2015 2 
Australia G/AG/N/AUS/95 MA:5 10-Feb-2015 2 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member Notification Format Issue date Number of years 
reported 
Paraguay G/AG/N/PRY/22 ES:1 10-Feb-2015 2 
Paraguay G/AG/N/PRY/22/CORR.1 ES:1 11-Feb-2015 2 
Dominican Republic G/AG/N/DOM/24 ES:1 03-Mar-2015 2 
Paraguay G/AG/N/PRY/23 DS:1 04-Mar-2015 2 
Jordan G/AG/N/JOR/17 DS:1 10-Mar-2015 2 
Argentina G/AG/N/ARG/33 ES:1, ES:2 11-Mar-2015 2 
Oman G/AG/N/OMN/14 ES:1 31-Mar-2015 2 
Armenia G/AG/N/ARM/23 DS:1 13-Apr-2015 2 
Armenia G/AG/N/ARM/25 ES:1 13-Apr-2015 2 
Australia G/AG/N/AUS/97 DS:1 20-Apr-2015 2 
Canada G/AG/N/CAN/106 MA:5 28-Apr-2015 2 
Canada G/AG/N/CAN/107 MA:2 28-Apr-2015 2 
China G/AG/N/CHN/28 DS:1 06-May-2015 2 
European Union G/AG/N/EU/24 MA:2 28-May-2015 2 
Canada G/AG/N/CAN/108 ES:1, ES:2, 
ES:3 01-Jul-2015 2 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.7.  The lack of timeliness in Member's notification is particularly evident in the area of 
agricultural subsidization. Chart 5.3 provides information on the average reporting years per 
notification in domestic support notifications circulated during the years 2009-14. In many of the years, this average remains close to three; in 2014 the average of years reported per notification 
was as high as 3.3, implying that less than one-th ird of total domestic notifications were submitted 
according to the prescribed submission deadlines. 
Chart 5.3 Number of agriculture notifications - domestic support 
3339453652
3791101126
91171
101
020406080100120140160180
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015*Number of notifications issued
(exluding Add., Corr. and Rev.)
Total of years reported
 
 
* Until 15 October 2015 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.3  Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) 
5.8.  The notification of quantitative restrictions to the Market Access Committee is an obligation 
established by the 2012 Decision on Notification Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  (G/L/59/Rev.1). The Decision requires Members to notify every two years the QRs they have in 
force, as well as any changes in the interim. Th e Decision also gives Members the possibility of 
making reverse notification of QRs maintained by another Member. Since the last report, eight Members have submitted complete notifications to the Secretariat, and two notifications related to 
changes to existing QRs.  
5.9.  The Decision on Reverse Notification of Non-Tariff Measures (G/L/60) gives Members the 
possibility of making reverse notifications of non-tariff measures imposed by another Member 
subject to certain conditions. Only one notifica tion has been made since the adoption of the 
decision in 1995.  
Table 5.3 Notification procedures for QRs  
No. Notification requirement Number of notifications received since the last report  
(15 October 2014 – 12 October 2015) 
1 Quantitative restrictions in 
force (regular notification) Biennial period 2012-2014: one Member submitted complete 
notification. 
Biennial period 2014-2016: seven Members submitted complete notifications.  
2 Changes to the quantitative 
restrictions maintained  
(ad hoc ) or introduction of 
new restrictions Two Members notified modifications in relation to their 2014-2016 
notification. 
3 Restrictions maintained by 
other Members  (reverse notification) No Member has notified. 
4 Non-tariff measures, 
maintained by other 
Members  
(reverse notification) No Member has notified.  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.4  Import Licensing 
5.10.  Notification requirements in the area of import licensing procedures result from the WTO 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures and are complemented by the "Procedures for Notification and Review under the Agreement on  Import Licensing Procedures" adopted by the 
Committee on Import Licensing in 1995 (G/LIC/3) and the "Understanding on Procedures for the 
Review of Notifications submitted under the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures" adopted on 23 October 1996 (G/LIC/4). The notification requirements are described in Table 5.4. 
Table 5.4 Notification procedures for import licensing 
No. Notification 
requirement Established in: Type Notification 
Category 
1 Submission of full texts 
of relevant laws and regulations and any changes thereto Article 8.2(b) of the Agreement; G/LIC/3 One-off and 
ad hoc N/1 
2 Sources in which 
information concerning 
import licensing 
procedures are 
published Article 1.4(a) of the Agreement; G/LIC/3 One-off and 
ad hoc N/1 
3 New import licensing 
procedures and changes to existing procedures Article 5 of the Agreement Ad hoc N/2 
4 Reply to the 
Questionnaire on 
Import Licensing 
Procedures Article 7.3 of the Agreement; G/LIC/2 Annual, by 
30 September 
each year N/3 
Source: WTO Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  5.11.  The N/1 notification requires a WTO Member to notify all relevant laws and regulations with 
regard to import licensing procedures as well as identify the source/publications containing such information. It contains both a one-off element (notification of existing laws and regulations and source/publications) and an ad hoc  element (changes to laws and regulations thereafter). In 
theory, a WTO Member should have at least one N/1 submission, providing its laws and 
regulations on import licensing and indicating that its Government does not maintain any import licensing regime. 
5.12.  The N/2 notification is an obligation for Members to notify new licensing procedures or 
changes being made to existing procedures. It is ad hoc  in nature and only due when specific 
circumstances occur. The N/3 notification obliges each Member to reply to a Questionnaire describing all import licensing procedures in place by 30 September every year. 
5.13.  As of 9 October 2015, 68 new notifications under the Agreement on Import Licensing have 
been received and circulated by the Secretariat.  Of these, 16 were N/1 notifications from the 
following  members: Australia; Brazil; Cameroon ; EU; Hong Kong, China; Mexico; Montenegro; 
Russian Federation; Macao, China; Paraguay; Pe ru; Philippines and Chinese Taipei. The Committee 
also reviewed 16 N/2 notifications, relating to the institution of new import licensing procedures or changes in these procedures, from the following  members: Australia; Brazil; EU; Hong Kong, 
China; Indonesia; Malawi; Mexico; Paraguay; Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. Finally, 36 N/3 notifications 
have been received and reviewed from the fo llowing members: Australia; Brazil; Cameroon; 
Canada; Chile; China; Cuba; EU; Haiti; Hong Kong, China; Japan; Jordan; Liechtenstein; Macao, China; Malawi; Malaysia; Mauritius; the Republic of Moldova; Montenegro; Nepal; Nicaragua; 
Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Ukraine; the United States 
and Zimbabwe. 
5.5  Rules of Origin 
5.14.  The Agreement on Rules of Origin contains two notification obligations, described in 
Table 5.5. Recent notifications have improved th e overall compliance with notification obligations; 
about 70% of Members have already submitte d information about their preferential or 
non-preferential rules of origin (or the absence thereof). 
Table 5.5 Notification procedures for rules of origin 
No. Legal source  Notification requirement  Type  
1 Article 5 of the 
Agreement Non-Preferential Rules of Origin: All Members must submit a notification 
indicating: 
if they apply non-preferential rules of origin (informing what the rules 
are); or if they do not apply any non-preferential rules of origin Changes to the legislation must also be notified. One-off 
2 Paragraph 4 of 
Annex II of the 
Agreement Preferential Rules of Origin: Members only notify if they adopt new 
preferential rules of origin or if  they make changes to existing 
preferential rules (e.g. new Free Trade Agreements or other new trade 
preferences) Ad hoc  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.15.  To date, 44 Members have notified the Co mmittee that they do implement some type of 
non-preferential rules of origin; 51 Members have notified that they do not implement rules of 
origin for non-preferential purposes; whereas 38 Members have never submitted notifications to the Committee. 
5.16.  A new development in the area of rules of  origin in the WTO is the recent Ministerial 
Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin for LD Cs (WT/L/917). The Decision provides a number of 
best practices and guidelines regarding preferential ru les of origin with a view  to facilitating market 
access for LDCs provided under non-reciprocal preferential trade arrangements. It requires the 
Committee on Rules of Origin to monitor new developments in this area and to report back to the 
General Council and to inform the Sub-Committee on LDCs. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  5.6  Customs Valuation 
5.17.  Notifications in the area of customs va luation stem not only from the Agreement on 
Customs Valuation itself, but also from a number of Decisions that have been adopted by the Committee on Customs Valuation. There are five main notification requirements (Table 5.6). 
Table 5.6 Notification procedures for customs valuation  
No. Notification 
requirement Established in: Type 
1 Submission of 
complete texts of national legislation (laws, regulations, 
etc.) Decision on the Notification and circulation of 
national legislation  in accordance with Article 22 of the Agreement  (G/VAL/5, B.2, paragraph (i)) One-off 
2 Changes in laws and 
regulations on 
customs valuation Article 22.2 of the Agreement on Customs 
Valuation Ad hoc  
3 Responses to the 
checklist of issues Decision on the Checklist of Issues  
(G/VAL/5, B.3) One-off 
4 Decision on interest 
charges - Date of 
implementation  Decision on the treatment of interest charges 
in the customs value of imported goods 
(G/VAL/5, A.3, last paragraph) One-off 
5 Decision on Carrier 
Media (software) - Application of paragraph 2 Decision on the valuation of carrier media 
bearing software for data processing equipment (G/VAL/5, A.4, paragraph 2) Ad hoc  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.18.  The notification requirements in the ar ea of customs valuation are either one-off or ad hoc , 
which means that different approaches are required to estimate their level of compliance. In 
addition, any estimate must take into account that  the EU notifies on behalf a group of Members, 
and that this number has changed several times since the WTO entered into force. 
5.19.  Taking all these elements into account, the maximum number of one-off notifications as of 
10 October 2015 cover 132 members (counting the EU as one). This denominator has been used 
to estimate the degree of compliance for the following notifications (i) submission of the complete texts of national legislation; (ii) responses to the checklist of issues; and (iii) date of 
implementation of the Decision on the treatmen t of interest charges in the customs value of 
imported goods (Table 5.7).  
5.20.  Because ad hoc  notifications are, by definition, only due when specific circumstances occur, 
there is no maximum number of notifications that can be used to estimate the overall degree of 
compliance. This is the case of the: (i) changes in laws and regulations on customs valuation; and 
(ii) application of paragraph 2 of the Decision on Carrier Media (software). 
Table 5.7 Compliance in customs valuation notifications  
No Notification requirement Compliance  
as of 30 September 2015 
1 Submission of complete texts 
of national legislation (laws, regulations, etc.) The large bulk of these notifications were received before 2003 and 
not many notifications have been received since then.  The current 
compliance rate is approximately 73%, as 36 Members still need to fulfil this notifica tion requirement. 
2 Changes in laws and 
regulations on customs 
valuation Since this is an ad hoc  type of notification (i.e. a Member is only 
required to notify if there is a change in its national legislation), it is 
not possible to assess the level of compliance.  Only 37 notifications 
of changes to their national legislation on customs valuation have 
been notified by 28 Members since 1995. 
3 Responses to the checklist of 
issues The large bulk of these notifications were received before 2003 and 
progress has been very slow since then.  The current compliance level stands at approximately 52%, as 64 Members still need to fulfil 
this requirement. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 92 - 
 
  No Notification requirement Compliance  
as of 30 September 2015 
4 Decision on interest charges - 
Date of implementation  The level of compliance of this noti fication is very low as 44 of the 
Members have submitted it.  This means that 87 Members still need 
to notify the date in which they implemented the Decision on 
interest charges. 
5 Decision on Carrier Media 
(software) - Application of paragraph 2 Since this is an ad ho c notification (i.e. a Memb er is only required to 
notify if it imports of carrier media bearing data and software are valued as provided for in paragraph 2 of the Decision), it is not possible to assess the level of compliance.  To date, 43 Members have made this notification, but it  is not possible to know whether 
there are Members applying the paragraph without having submitted the notification. 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.7  Preshipment Inspection 
5.21.  Article 5 of the Agreement on Preshipment In spection provides that Members shall submit to 
the Secretariat copies of the laws and regulations by which they put the Agreement into force, as 
well as copies of any other laws and regulation s relating to preshipment inspection. Changes in 
such laws and regulations shall also be notified immediately after their publication. Since the last report, two Members have submitted notifications relating to PSI to the Committee on Customs Valuation, which is the body responsible for administering the implementation of the PSI 
agreement (see Table 5.8). 
Table 5.8 Compliance with PSI notifications  
No Notification requirement Notifications received in 2015 (up to 13 October) 
1 Submission of copies of laws and 
regulations putting the Agreement into force No Member 
2 Other laws and regulations relating 
to PSI One Member - Congo 
3 Changes in laws and regulations 
relating to PSI No Member 
4 Absence of laws and regulations on 
PSI  One Member -  Malawi 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.8  Integrated Database 
5.22.  The submission of tariff and trade info rmation to the Integrated Database (IDB) is a 
notification requirement provided for in the General Council Decision of 16 July 1997 (WT/L/225).157 
To overcome gaps in Members' notifications and delays in providing the information to users the 
Committee on Market Access adopted in July 2009 a framework to enhance the IDB notifications 
compliance and gave the WTO Secretariat flexibility to collect missing data from other official sources subject to Member's approval (G/MA/239). The information included in the IDB is 
therefore either directly notified to the Secretar iat by Members or collected by the Secretariat and 
then subsequently approved by the Members concerned. 
5.23.   The IDB is the only database where proactive data collection by the Secretariat has been 
established by Members to assist them in comp lying with their WTO notification requirements. 
Since the adoption of the IDB framework decision in 2009, completeness and timeliness have significantly improved. The IDB approach can serve as a "good-practice" example for other 
databases based on notifications with respect to the data collection policy and the establishment of 
a network of data providers and of reliable data sources. Much of the information, including the 
                                               
157 The deadlines are 30 March for the tariff of the current year and 30 Septem ber for imports of the 
previous year (WTO document G/MA/IDB/1/Rev.1/Add.1, 4 December 1997). WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  information that Members have to notify to the WTO, can now be found through the Internet for 
free. 
5.24.  The IDB notifications currently cover, on average, 79% of the expected data series with 
tariff notifications being generally more complete th an the import notifications. Overall, 77% of the 
available IDB data were notified by Members and th e rest were collected by the Secretariat mainly 
through government websites, regional secretariats and international organizations. The timeliness of submissions has also improved in the recent years wherein around half of notifications are 
collected for integration to the database within the prescribed deadlines. 
5.25.  Chart 5.4 and Chart 5.5 present the number of tariff and import notifications received by 
the IDB, the number of notifications direct ly submitted by Members and the number of 
notifications collected by the Secretariat. The comp leteness of notifications is calculated based on 
the number of Members' schedules and not on the number of WTO Members (i.e. EU member 
States all fall under the EU schedule and Lichtenstein reports with Switzerland). 
5.26.  The IDB coverage has improved significantly in recent years as, in addition to the regular 
submissions by Members, a good number of data gaps have been filled in with relevant 
information collected by the Secretariat. As of end September 2015, the yearly average coverage 
of IDB notifications was 82% for tariffs and 76% for imports.  The most complete year in terms of 
data availability for tariff was in 2011 with 98% and 2006 for imports at 94%. As of the last IDB 
status of submission (G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.42 dated 22 September 2015), about 27 Members (of which 19 are developing) have complete tariff data up to the year 2014 and 23 Members (of which 15 are developing) have complete imports data up to 2013.  In fact, the same 23 Members have 
complete data for both tariff and imports. 
Chart 5.4  Completeness of IDB tariff notifications 
(%)
0102030405060708090100
Submitted Collected Missing
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.27.  As shown in Chart 5.5, the IDB tariff coverage has been at more than 90% since 2006 until 
2013. Additional submissions and data collection ar e anticipated for the two most recent years and 
the coverage is expected to increase.  It should be noted that national submissions have priority over data collected from an alternative source an d Members' notifications that are submitted at a 
later stage replace existing IDB data collected from an alternative or framework source. The 
completeness of import data is slightly lower compared to that for tariff (Chart 5.6) mainly 
because the data requirement is more demanding and the IDB tends to rely more on Member notification than from alternative sources. In fact, very few countries publish their import statistics 
at the tariff line level and by partner on their ow n governmental websites and it is a big challenge 
for the Secretariat to find reliable sources to collect the missing import information. Nonetheless, for 2009 to 2012 almost one-third of available import IDB data were collected by the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  5.28.  Table 5.9 shows the number of submissions re ceived by the Secretariat within the years of 
the deadlines for tariff information and for imports. The timeliness of notifications is calculated, as in the previous section, based on the number of expected schedules. Timeliness has improved 
across the years especially for tariff. In 2013, 73% of tariff data were submitted and/or collected 
on time. Hopefully this trend can be sustained by proactive data collection by the Secretariat and 
positive responses from Members to remind ers about their outstanding submissions. 
Chart 5.5 Completeness of IDB import notifications  
(%) 
0102030405060708090100
Submitted Collected Missing
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
Table 5.9 IDB notifications received  within the year of the deadlinea 
 
  
1996 
1997 
1998 
1999 
2000 
2001 
2002 
2003 
2004 
2005 
2006 
2007 
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
Tariff 1 3 16 24 26 28 34  25 26 26 24 22 28 41 53 66 70 73 52  43 
Imports 11 30 26 26 30 32 26 28 24 24 29 28 37 30 54 48 47 44 18 n.a. 
a The numbers slightly differ from those reported in the past as the review of some submissions 
indicated that data were not suitable for inclusion in the IDB because of technical problems. 
n.a. Not applicable. Source: IDB, 30 September 2015. 
5.29.  Another point worth mentioning is the increa sed notification of non-MFN regimes to the IDB, 
mostly the preferential tariffs resulting from FTAs and RTAs. In 2014, 59 Members out of the 
106 notifiers included preferential tariff regimes in their notifications. This information is of great 
value and the next revision of the status of submissions document would reflect this additional information.  
5.9  Anti-Dumping 
5.30.  Pursuant to Article 16.4 of the Agreement on the Implementation of Article VI of GATT 1994 
("the Anti-Dumping Agreement"), all Members ar e required to submit to the Committee on 
Anti-Dumping Practices, on a semi-annual basis, reports of any anti-dumping actions taken within 
the preceding six months, using an agreed standard form. Members that have not established an 
authority competent to conduct anti-dumping investigations have the option to make a one-time "nil" notification, valid unless and until they establish an investigating authority, in lieu of 
submitting nil notifications each six months. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  5.31.  Approximately 45 Members (counting the EU as a single Member) regularly submit 
semi-annual reports, either of anti-dumping actions taken, or of no actions having been taken, during the preceding six months. Thirty-seven Members have submitted one-time nil notifications. The remaining (approximately 50) Members generally fail to submit semi-annual 
reports in respect of anti-dumping actions. 
5.10  Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 5.32.  The trends in the status of compliance with the obligation to notify subsidies to the 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures under Article 25.1 during the period 
1995-2015 are shown in Table 5.10. Subsidy notifications are required every two years and the most recent notifications were due on 30 June 2015. Further notifications for this period are expected to be received. The share of Members th at have notified subsidies has remained between 
39% and 50% between 1995 and 2013. The share of Members that made a "nil" notification fell 
significantly, from 23% to 14%, over the same  period. Excluding 1995 and 2015, the share of 
Members making the required notifications ha s not exceeded 70%, and generally has hovered 
around 57%. Conversely, the share of Members not making any notification registered a 
substantial increase since 1995, from 27% to 44%, albeit with some intervening fluctuations. 
Table 5.10 Status of subsidy notifications 
New and full subsidy 
notification % share of total 1995 
1998 
2001 
2003 
2005 
2007 
2009 
2011 
2013 
2015 
Members that notified subsidies 50 39 44 44 46 47 46 44 43 14 
Members that made a "nil" 
notification 23 15 15 12 11 10 15 17 14 3 
Sub-total notifying Members 73 54 59 56 57 57 61 61 57 17 
Members that did not make any 
notification 27 46 41 44 43 43 39 39 43 83 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.33.  Pursuant to Article 25.11 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, all 
Members are required to submit to the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, on a 
semi-annual basis, reports of any countervailing duty actions taken within the preceding 
six months using an agreed standard form. Members that have not established an authority competent to conduct countervailing duty investigations have the option to make a one-time "nil" notification, valid unless and until they establish an investigating authority, in lieu of submitting nil 
notifications each six months. 
5.34.  Approximately 45 Members (counting the EU as a single Member) regularly submit 
semi-annual reports, either of countervailing duty actions taken, or of no actions having been 
taken, during the preceding six months. Thirty-six Members have submitted one-time nil 
notifications. The remaining (approximately 55) Members generally fail to submit semi-annual reports in respect of countervailing duty actions. 
5.11  State-Trading Enterprises 
5.35.  Notifications related to state trading enterp rises are reviewed by the Working Party on State 
Trading Enterprises on behalf of the Council for Trade in Goods. In July 2012, the Council for Trade in Goods agreed to extend indefinitely the new biannual frequency of new and full notifications. 
Thus, all WTO Members must notify their state trading enterprises every two years, with no 
updating notifications in the intervening years. 
5.36.  Table 5.11 presents notifications received for the years in which a new and full notification 
was due. A "nil" notification means that the Member reported that it did not have any state trading 
enterprises, while an "STE" notification means th at the Member reported information on one or 
more state trading enterprises. The table shows a declining trend in total notifications over the WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  period examined. Indeed, notifications fell by a little less than half – from 63% in 1995 to 34% in 
2012. However, a slight improvement has been seen in the current period as the number of Members who provided a notification has increased to 41%.  
Table 5.11 Status of STE notifications 
New and full STE 
notification % share of total 
1995 1998 2001 2003 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 
Members that notified STEs 40 27 21 14 15 19 18 15 18 
Members that made a "nil" 
Notification 23 23 29 24 24 25 24 19 22 
Subtotal notifying Members 63 50 50 38 39 44 42 34 41 
Members that did not make 
any notification 37 50 50 62 61 56 58 66 59 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.12  Balance-of-Payments Restrictions 
5.37.  Notification obligations in relation to restrictions to safeguard a country's balance of 
payments stem from Articles XII and XV III of the GATT 1994 and the Understanding on 
Balance-of-Payments (BOP) Provisions (described in Table 5.12). 
Table 5.12 Notification procedures fo r balance of payments restrictions  
Legal source Notification requirement Type 
GATT Article 
XII:4(a) Any Member applying new re strictions or raising the 
general level of restrict ions by a substantial 
intensification of the measures applied under this Article shall immediately after instituting or intensifying such restrictions (or, in circumstances in which prior consultation is practicable, before doing so) consult with Members as to the nature of its balance of payments difficulties, alternative co rrective measures which may 
be available, and the possible  effect of the restrictions 
on the economies of other Members. Ad hoc, followed by annual 
consultations  
GATT Article 
XVIII:12(a) Ad hoc, followed by biennial 
consultations  
Understanding on 
BOP Provisions, para. 9 A Member shall notify to the General Council the 
introduction of or any changes in the application of restrictive import measur es taken for balance-of-
payments purposes, as well  as any modifications in 
time-schedules for the remo val of such measures as 
announced under paragraph 1. Significant changes shall be notified to the General Council prior to or not later than 30 days after their announcement. Ad hoc, followed by a yearly 
consolidated notification  
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.38.  In 2015, the BOP Committee received notifications from two Members, Ukraine 
(WT/REG/N/78, WT/REG/N/78/Add.1) under GATT Article XII, and Ecuador (WT/REG/N/79, 
WT/REG/N/79/Add.1, WT/REG/N/79/ Add.2) under GATT Article XVIII. 
5.13  Regional Trade Agreements 
5.39.  The improvements made in the notifications of  RTAs noted in last year's overview continued 
through 2015. The improvements are due largely to  a simplification of the various notification 
formats and active efforts by the Chairman of the CRTA and the WTO Secretariat in monitoring RTAs and reminding Members of their notification  obligations. Following an announcement by the 
Chairman at the CRTA meeting of 28 and 29 June 2011, the Secretariat has continued to circulate 
a list of agreements that have been verified by their parties as being in force but not notified to 
the WTO as a working document in advance of all CRTA meetings. The most recent of these 
circulated on 17 September 2015 contained 75 such agreements (of which 34 are agreements 
under the Latin American Integration Association, LAIA).
158 The response by Members has been 
                                               
158 WTO document WT/REG/W/95, 17 September 2015. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 97 - 
 
  positive with some 47 new RTAs being notified as a result. The Secretariat continues to make 
efforts to remind Members of their notification ob ligations by keeping track of dates of signature 
and entry into force of agreements and verifyin g these with Members. The notification tables 
included in each factual presentation prepared by the Secretariat and requests by Members to 
notify at each CRTA meeting have also been help ful in improving notifications. The Secretariat is 
aware of (but has not yet verified) some 40 other agreements that continue to be in force and are not yet notified to the WTO. 
5.14  Preferential Trade Arrangements 
5.40.  Under the Transparency Mechanism for Pref erential Trade Arrangements (PTAs), which was 
established in December 2010
159, newly notified PTAs are to be considered in dedicated sessions of 
the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD), on the basis of Secretariat-prepared factual 
presentations. Since the establishment of the Tr ansparency Mechanism, seven PTAs have been 
notified to the WTO. Two of these have been co nsidered by the CTD meeting in dedicated session. 
With regard to the others, the Secretariat has not received the full set of data required for the 
preparation of the factual presentations. The CT D Chairman provides an update at each CTD 
meeting on the PTAs that are to be considered  in dedicated sessions, and urges the notifying 
Members to provide the data as soon as possible. 
5.41.  The Transparency Mechanism for PTAs also stipulates that an electronic database on 
individual PTAs is to be maintained by the Secretariat. The Database on PTAs (http://ptadb.wto.org) currently contains informatio n on 28 PTAs. Table 5.13 provides an overview 
of the PTAs included in the database, which is updated based on the information provided by the 
Members implementing PTAs. The CTD Chairman has urged Members to ensure that they are up to 
date with their notification and information requirements, and has invited them to remain in touch with the Secretariat on this matter. 
Table 5.13 Preferential Trade Arrangemen ts being implemented by WTO Members  
WTO Member Number of 
PTAs Name or description of PTA 
Australia 2 Generalized System of Preferences 
   South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreementa 
Canada 2 Generalized System of Preferences 
   Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff 
Chile 1 Duty-free treatment for LDCs 
China 1 Duty-free treatment for LDCs 
European Union 4 Generalize d System of Preferences 
   Trade preferences for countries of the Western Balkans 
   Trade preferences for Pakistanb 
   Trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova 
Iceland 1 Generalized System of Preferences 
India 1 Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme for LDCs 
Japan 1 Generalized System of Preferences 
Republic of Korea 1 Preferential Tariff for LDCs 
Kyrgyz Republic 1 Duty-free treatment for LDCs 
Morocco 1 Duty-free treatment for African LDCs 
New Zealand 2 Generalized System of Preferences 
   South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreementa 
Norway 1 Generalized Sy stem of Preferences 
Russian 
Federation 1 Generalized System of Preferencesc 
                                               
159 WTO document WT/L/806, 16 December 2010. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  WTO Member Number of 
PTAs Name or description of PTA 
Switzerland 1 Generalized System of Preferences 
Chinese Taipei 1 Duty-free treatment for LDCs 
Thailand 1 Duty-free treatment for LDCs 
Turkey 1 Generalized System of Preferences 
United States 5 African Gr owth and Opportunity Act 
   Andean Trade Preference Act 
   Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act 
   Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 
    Generalized System of Preferences  
a Australia and New Zealand both provide preferences under this PTA. 
b The preferences granted under this PTA expired on 31 December 2013. 
c This PTA is being implemented in  the context of a customs union. 
 Source: Database on Preferential Trade Arrangements ( http://ptadb.wto.org ). 
 
5.15  Government Procurement 
5.42.  To ensure the transparency and predictabi lity of its Parties' procurement regimes, the 
Government Procurement Agreement sets out notification obligations for its Parties in five areas: 
 national implementing legislation on government procurement; 
 procurement thresholds in national currencies; 
 statistics on procurement activities; 
 modifications to schedules of commitments; and 
 media for the publication of procurement-related information. 
5.43.  Numerous notifications are made during th e year pursuant to each of these requirements. 
Some of the foregoing obligations have been simplified in the revised version of the GPA, which 
came into effect in April 2014, to facilitate the use of electronic tools in providing relevant 
information. This is expected to facilitate more timely compliance with reporting responsibilities over time.  
5.16  TRIPS 
5.44.  The TRIPS Agreement requires WTO Members to notify to the Council for TRIPS their IP laws 
and regulations, establish and notify contact points in their administrations for the purposes of cooperation with each other aimed at the elimination of trade in infringing goods, and notify the 
Council in the event that they wish to avail themse lves of certain possibilities provided for in the 
TRIPS Agreement that relate to the substantive obligations. Additionally, Members have undertaken to provide information on how they meet TRIPS obligations by responding to a 
Checklist of Issues on Enforcement. Developed country Members also agreed to provide certain 
information and make notifications which are not specifically provided for in the Agreement, including on technical cooperation and transfer of technology. 
5.45.  The bulk of notifications are laws and regulations notified pursuant to Article 63.2 
(distributed in the IP/N/1/- series of documents). Chart 5.6 below provides information on laws 
and regulations notified from 1995 to 2014. Notifications peaked in 1996 when developed country Members notified existing laws or amendmen ts that implemented the TRIPS Agreement. 
Notifications of laws and regulations from 2000 onwards have been predominately from developing 
countries. As the chart shows, the cumulative total of laws and regulations notified as of 2014 was 
approximately 3,000 legal texts. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 99 - 
 
  Chart 5.6 Number of notifications received by the Council for TRIPS from 1995 to 2014 
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,000
0100200300400500
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Annual number of IP laws notified
Cumulative number
 
Source: WTO Secretariat. 
5.46.  The Secretariat continues with its development of an information management system to 
enable streamlined and more efficient processing of notifications, among other types of TRIPS information.  
5.17  Services 
5.47.  While there are 14 GATS provisions containi ng notification requirements in various areas, 
they are all of ad hoc  nature, i.e. notifications are only due when specific circumstances occur. 
Since the entry into force of the GATS in 1995, a number of notification provisions have never 
been invoked by Members, and most notifications that have been made in services concern 
transparency on regulatory changes (Article III:3), economic integration (Article V:7), and mutual recognition (Article VII:4).  
5.48.  GATS Article III:3 requires each Member to notify to the Council for Trade in Services at 
least annually any regulatory changes that significantly affect trade in services covered by its specific commitments. However, compliance with this obligation has been de facto  left to Members' 
discretion. The 20 years since the entry into force of the GATS has seen no substantive 
improvement in this regard. As at 15 October 2015, in total only 606 notifications have been 
submitted by 77 Members (counting the EU member states individually) pursuant to Article III:3. 
Of these notifications, 33 were submitted by seven Members from 1 January 2015 to 
15 October 2015. Some Members continue to submit notifications under the caveat that "there is 
no common understanding among WTO Members on when a measure 'significantly affects trade in services' within the meaning of GATS Article III:3" and that "the notified measures may be 
relevant to trade in services without prejudice to the interpretation of the phrase 'significantly 
affect trade in services' in Article III:3". While GATS Article III:5 allows any Member to notify to the Council for Trade in Services any measure taken by any other Member, which it considers affects the operation of the Agreement, WTO Members rarely makes use of this provision. So far it 
has been invoked only once.  
5.49.  Six notifications were made under GATS Article V:7 regarding economic integration from 
1 January 2015 to 15 October 2015. They were subject to examination in the Committee on 
Regional Trade Agreements. 
5.50.  With respect to the notification requirement under GATS Article VII:4 regarding mutual 
recognition, since the entry into force of the GATS in 1995 until 15 October 2015, there are in total 
56 notifications submitted to the Council for Trade in Services by 39 Members (counting the EU WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 100 - 
 
  member states individually), of which two were made in 2015 by one Member.  While all the 
notifications follow the prescribed format, their level of detail varies greatly concerning the main elements of the recognition measures or agreements notified. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  ANNEX 1 
MEASURES FACILITATING TRADE1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-OCTOBER 2015) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Albania Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. live bovine animals and swine, live poultry, eggs, wheat or meslin 
flour; and petroleum oils. Decrease of import tariffs (from 15% to 10%) on new pneumatic tyres of rubber (HS 0102.29.29; 0103.91.10; 0105.11.11; 0105.11.19; 0105.12.00; 0105.13.00; 0105.14.00; 0105.15.00; 0407.11.00; 
0407.19.11; 0407.19.19; 0511.10.00; 
1001.19.00; 1001.99.00; 1101.00.11; 1101.00.15; 2309.90.31; 2709.00.90; 4011) Law No. 159/2014 
(27 November 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Argentina Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on acyclic monoamines and its salts 
(NCM 2921.19.23), under an import 
quota of 26,282 tonnes; and 
dimethylamine an d their salts 
(NCM 2921.11.21), under an import 
quota of 12,226 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) 
and Decretos Nos. 
80/2015 and 84/2015 
(21 January 2015) Effective 
3 February 2015 for 
1 year 
Argentina Elimination of export tariffs " derecho de 
exportación " on semi-milled or wholly-
milled rice, whether or not polished or 
glazed (NCM 1006.30.29) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Decreto No. 1507/2015 Comercio Exterior (30 July 2015) Effective 
11 August 2015 
Australia Reduction of import tariffs (second 
phase) (from 10% to 5%) on certain 
textiles, clothing and footwear (in 
Chapters 39; 40; 42; 58; 60; 61; 62; 63; 
96). Tariffs eliminated for imports from 
developing countries  Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the 
WTO (27 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Azerbaijan Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of amendments to the customs legislation "Rules on export-import operations" and "Rules on declaration of goods" Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (19 May 2015) Effective 
1 November 2014 
Azerbaijan Amendments introduced to the Tax Code, 
harmonizing rates of excise duty applied 
on imports and locally produced alcoholic 
beverages and tobacco products (HS 
2204; 2207; 2208; 2402) Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan 
(19 May 2015) Effective January 2015 
Azerbaijan Measures to facilitate trade through the 
introduction of amendments to the customs legislation "Rules on export-import operations" and "Rules on declaration of goods" Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (19 May 2015) Effective 
1 November 2014 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Bolivia 
(Plurinational 
State of) Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on diesel (HS 2710.19.21) 
(originally implemented in January 2014) Decreto Supremo 
2251 
(26 January 2015) Effective until 
30 April 2015 
Bolivia 
(Plurinational State of) Increase of the volume of export quota of 
meat of bovine anim als (7,000 tonnes) 
(effective 26 August 2015) (HS 0201.10.00; 0201.20.00; 0201.30.00; 0202.10.00; 0202.20.00; 0202.30.00), and maize (120,000 metric tonnes) (HS 1005.90.11) (effective 10 June 2015) Decretos Supremos 
Nos. 2391 (3 June 2015) and 2489 (19 August 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in measure 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on certain prod ucts, i.e. sodium 
hydroxide "caustic soda" in aqueous 
solution (soda lye or liquid soda) (NCM 
2815.12.00), under an import quota of 
360,000 tonnes (effective 
14 November 2014 to 
13 November 2015); esters of acrylic 
acid (NCM 2916.12.20), under an import 
quota of 7,000 tonnes (effective 
24 February 2015 to 23 July 2015); 
aluminium foil not backed rolled but not 
further worked (NCM 7607.11.90), under 
an import quota of 2,137 tonnes 
(effective 31 January 2015 to 
30 July 2015); rectangular aluminium 
plates, sheets and st rips of aluminium 
alloys (NCM 7607.12.90), under an 
import quota of 2,000 tonnes (effective 
16 January 2015 to 15 January 2016); 
sulphates of barium (NCM 2833.27.10), 
under an import quota of 10,000 tonnes 
(effective 16 January 2015 to 
15 January 2016); aniline and its salts 
(NCM 2921.41.00), under an import 
quota of 7,500 tonnes (effective 
16 January 2015 to 15 January 2016); 
titanium oxides (NCM 2823.00.10), under 
an import quota of 8,000 tonnes 
(effective 16 January 2015 to 
15 January 2016); disodium sulphate 
(NCM 2833.11.10), under an import 
quota of 425,000 tonnes (effective 
13 April 2015 to 12 October 2015); and 
babassu oil (NCM 1513.29.10), under an 
import quota of 116,157 tonnes (effective 
17 April 2015 to 16 October 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 104/2014 
(13 November 2014), 
1/2015, 2/2015 
(15 January 2015), 
55/2015 
(3 June 2015) and 
66/2015 
(23 July 2015); and 
Secex Portarias Nos. 
46/2014 
(10 December 2014), 
1/2015, 2/2015, 
3/2015 and 4/2015 
(16 January 2015) On 5 June 2015, 
reduction of import 
tariffs for aluminium 
foil (under an import 
quota of 2,137 tonnes) 
extended until 
30 January 2016. On 
23 July 2015, 
reduction of import 
tariff for babassu oil 
(under an import quota 
of 215,489 tonnes) 
extended until 
16 April 2016 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 64 informatics and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 8443; 8471; 8517; 8530; 8531; 8532; 8536; 8537; 8542; 8543; 9030; 9032), through the "ex-out" regime (mechanism designed to temporarily reduce import tariffs on capital goods and informatics and telecommunication equipment not locally produced) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Camex Resolutions Nos. 111/2014 (21 November 2014), 113/2014 (25 November 2014), 117/2014 (18 December 2014), 7/2015 (30 January 2015), 
and 21/2015 
(31 March 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 103 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 1,731 capital goods tariff lines (in 
NCM Chapters 73; 84; 85; 86; 87; 90), 
and elimination of import tariffs on 
5 tariff lines (NCM Chapter 86), through 
the "ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 114/2014 
(25 November 2014), 
118/2014 
(18 December 2014), 
8/2015 
(30 January 2015), 
and 22/2015 
(31 March 2015) Effective until 
30 June 2016 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
p-Xylene (NCM 2902.43.00), under an 
import quota of 90,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015) 
and Camex Resolutions Nos. 112/2014 (21 November 2014) and 50/2015 (26 May 2015) Effective 
1 December 2014 to 
29 May 2015. On 
27 May 2015 extended until 25 November 2015 
Brazil Implementation of the customs pilot 
project "Brazilian Authorized Economic 
Operator (AEO)" for imports Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective 
4 December 2014 
Brazil Implementation of the customs pilot 
project "Brazilian Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)" for exports Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
4 December 2014 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on chemical preparations for 
photographic uses (NCM 3707.90.21), 
under an import quota of 1,700 tonnes 
(effective from 10 December 2014 to 
9 December 2015); carbonates (NCM 
2836.60.00), under an import quota of 
8,250 tonnes (effective 
10 December 2014 to 9 December 2015); 
rectangular plate of aluminium alloys 
(NCM 7606.12.90), under an import 
quota of 2,937 tonnes (effective 
31 January 2015 to 30 January 2016); 
and plates of poly(vinyl butyral) (NCM 
3920.91.00), under an import quota of 
5,818,500 kg (effective 1 March 2015 to 
31 August 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 115/2014 
(9 December 2014)  
Brazil Implementation of the new drawback 
programme web system ("exemption modality") eliminating the use of paper documents in the request for licences under this programme and streamlining registration of foreign trade operators Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
15 December 2014 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (to 2%) on 
111 parts and accessories of motor 
vehicles tariff lines (NCM Chapters 39; 
40; 73; 76; 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), through 
the "ex-out" regime Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 116/2014 
(18 December 2014) 
and 16/2015 
(31 March 2015) Effective 
19 December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on artificial filament yarn of viscose rayon, untwisted or with a twist not exceeding 120 turns per metre (NCM 5403.31.00), under an import quota of 624 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015), Camex Resolution No. 127/2014 (19 December 2014) and Secex Portaria No. 48/2014 (22 December 2014) Effective 
22 December 2014 to 21 June 2015 
Brazil Reduction of import tariffs (from 12% to 
2%) on certain antibiotics ( fumarato de 
tiamulina ) (NCM 2941.90.92) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 6/2015 
(28 January 2015) Effective 
30 January 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 37 informatics and telecommunication equipment tariff lines (NCM 8443.32.31; 8471.50.10; 8517.62.39; 8517.62.59; 8517.62.72; 8517.62.77; 8517.70.10; 8517.70.99; 8528.51.20; 8530.10.10; 8531.20.00; 8532.24.10; 8534.00.51; 8536.50.90; 8536.90.40; 8537.10.20; 8541.40.16; 8541.60.90; 8543.70.99; 9030.40.90; 9030.89.90; 9032.89.29), through the "ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015), Camex Resolutions Nos. 11/2015 (5 March 2015) and 29/2015 (29 April 2015) 
 Effective until 
31 December 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 277 capital goods tariff lines (in 
NCM Chapters 84; 85; 86; 87; 90), 
through the "ex-out" regime  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 12/2015 
(5 March 2015) Effective until 
30 June 2016 
Brazil Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 2%) vaccines for human medicine (NCM 3002.20.29), 
(from 10%) roasted coffee in capsules 
(NCM 0901.21.00), and (from 20%) electro-thermic coffee or tea makers (NCM 8516.71.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 17/2015 and 18/2015 (31 March 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
Brazil Second extension of the temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on methanol 
(methyl alcohol) (NCM 2905.11.00), 
under an import quota of 600,000 tonnes 
(originally effective from 8 April 2013 to 
5 October 2013. Initially extended on 
7 October 2013) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015), 
Camex Resolution 
No. 13/2015 
(5 March 2015) and 
Secex Portaria No. 
13/2015 
(13 March 2015) Effective 4 April 2015 
to 3 April 2016 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on shelled walnuts (NCM 0802.22.00), under an import quota of 2,500 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015), Camex Resolution No. 23/2015 (8 April 2015) and Secex Portaria No. 23/2015 (9 April 2015) Effective 9 April 2015 
to 5 October 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on certain products, i.e. poly(vinyl 
chloride), not mixed with any other 
substances (NCM 3904.10.20), under an 
import quota of 12,000 tonnes; benzyl 
alcohol (NCM 2906.21.00), under an 
import quota of 3,000 tonnes; silicones in 
primary forms (NCM 3910.00.90), under 
an import quota of 132 tonnes (effective 
14 April 2015 to 13 April 2016); and 
acyclic monoamines an d their derivatives 
(di-n-propilamina e seus sais ) (NCM 
2921.19.22), under an import quota of 
2,400 tonnes (effective 14 April 2015 to 
13 April 2017) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015), 
Camex Resolution 
No. 24/2015 
(13 April 2015) and 
Secex Portaria 
No. 24/2015 
(16 April 2015) Effective 14 April 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 177 capital goods tariff lines (in NCM Chapters 84; 85; 87; 90; 94), through the "ex-out" regime Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Camex Resolution No. 30/2015 (29 April 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on acrylic or modacrylic staple 
fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise 
processed for spinning (NCM 
5503.30.00), under an import quota of 
3,744 tonnes (effective 26 June 2015 to 
25 June 2016); acrylic or modacrylic 
synthetic filament tow (NCM 
5501.30.00), under an import quota of 
7,920 tonnes (effective 21 May 2015 to 
20 May 2016); 4-chloro-
alfa,alfa,alfa-trifluo r-3,5-dinitrotolueno 
(NCM 2904.90.14), under an import 
quota of 4,404 tonnes (effective 
21 May 2015 to 20 May 2017); and 
discharge lamps, other than ultra-violet 
lamps (NCM 8539.39.00), under an 
import quota of 23,918,190 units 
(effective 23 July 2015 to 22 July 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolution 
No. 43/2015 
(20 May 2015) and 
Secex Portarias 
Nos. 39/2015, 
40/2015 and 41/2015 
(21 May 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 623 capital goods tariff lines (NCM Chapters 84; 85; 86; 87; 90), through the "ex-out" regime Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015), Camex Resolutions Nos. 44/2015 (21 May 2015), 54/2015 (19 June 2015), 64/2015 (22 July 2015), and 86/2015 (1 September 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on 25 informatics and 
telecommunication tariff lines (NCM 
Chapters 8443.32.31; 8471.49.00; 
8473.29.90; 8517.62.49; 8517.62.59; 
8517.62.77; 8528.51.20; 8530.10.10; 
8534.00.51; 8537.10.20; 8542.39.19; 
8543.70.99; 8544.70.90; 9030.40.90; 
9030.89.90; 9032.89.82; 9032.89.89), 
through the "ex-out" regime Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 45/2015 
(21 May 2015), 
55/2015 
(19 June 2015), and 
63/2015 
(22 June 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 10%) on female's sheath contraceptives (NCM 4014.10.00) and (from 20%) equipment for theme parks (NCM 9508.90.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015) and Camex Resolution No. 51/2015 (26 May 2015) Effective 27 May 2015 
to 31 December 2015 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on certain produc ts, i.e. yarn of 
viscose rayon, untwisted or with a twist 
not exceeding 120 turns per metre (NCM 
5403.31.00), under an import quota of 
624 tonnes (effective 20 June 2015 to 
19 December 2015); 6-hexanelactam 
(epsilon-caprolactam) (NCM 2933.71.00), 
under an import quota of 18,000 tonnes 
(effective 26 June 2015 to 25 June 2016) Camex Resolution 
No. 24/2015 
(13 April 2015) and 
Secex Portarias 
Nos. 25/2015 and 
26/2015 
(16 April 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on lignin sulphonates (NCM 3804.00.20), under an import quota of 72,000 tonnes; ferro-molybdenum (NCM 7202.70.00), under an import quota of 2,911 tonnes (effective 18 June 2015 to 17 June 2016); certain acyclic monoamines and their derivatives, salts thereof (NCM 2921.19.23), under an import quota of 26,282 tonnes; and dimethylamine and their salts (NCM 
2921.11.21), under an import quota of 7,000 tonnes (effective 23 July 2015 to 22 July 2016)  Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015), Camex Resolution No. 53/2015 (17 June 2015) and Secex Portarias Nos. 48/2015 and 49/2015 (18 June 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in measure 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on prepared enzymes (NCM 
3507.90.49), under an import quota of 
9,000 tonnes (effective 23 July 2015 to 
22 July 2016); isocyanates (NCM 
2929.10.30), under an import quota of 
1,000 tonnes (effective 23 July 2015 to 
22 July 2016); polycarbonates (NCM 
3907.40.90), under an import quota of 
35,040 tonnes (effective 23 July 2015 to 
22 July 2016); film of polymers of 
propylene (NCM 3920.20.19), under an 
import quota of 480 tonnes (effective 
12 August 2015 to 11 February 2016); 
and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (NCM 
3907.60.00), under an import quota of 
20,000 tonnes (effective 12 August 2015 
to 11 August 2016). Temporary 
elimination of import tariffs on o-Xylene 
(NCM 2902.41.00), under an import 
quota of 10,000 tonnes (effective 
23 July 2015 to 22 July 2016); and 
certain vaccines for human medicine 
(NCM 3002.20.29), under an import 
quota of 11,000,000 units (effective 
23 July 2015 to 22 July 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolution 
No. 62/2015 
(22 July 2015) and 
Secex Portarias 
Nos. 55/2015 and 
56/2015 
(24 July 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
2%) on poly(vinyl butyral) (NCM 3920.91.00), under an import quota of 
5,692,698 kg Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolution 
No. 80/2015 (28 August 2015) and Secex Portaria No. 62/2015 (31 August 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 to 28 February 2016 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Temporary reduction of import tariff (to 
2%) on 18 informatics and 
telecommunication tariff lines (NCM 
8443.32.99; 8443.99.41; 8471.80.00; 
8471.90.12; 8473.29.90; 8517.70.99; 
8530.10.10; 8541.30.29; 8541.40.16; 
8543.70.99; 9030.89.90), and on 355 
capital goods tariff lines (NCM Chapters 
84; 85; 86; 87; 89; 90), through the "ex-
out" regime Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 85/2015, 
86/2015 
(1 September 2015), 
88/2015 and 89/2015 
(24 September 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2017 
Brazil Temporary reduction (to 2%) on imports 
of shelled hazelnuts (NCM 0802.22.00), under an import quota of 7,500 tonnes (effective 6 October 2015 to 
5 April 2017); yarn of polyester partially 
oriented (NCM 5402.46.00), under an import quota of 120,600 tonnes (effective 9 October 2015 to 8 October 2016); printing ink for textiles (NCM 3215.11.00; 3215.19.00), under an import quota of 1,320 tonnes (effective 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016); and certain aluminium foil (NCM 7607.19.90), under an import quota of 3,000,000 m
2 
(effective 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016) Camex Resolution No. 
94/2015 (30 September 2015) and Secex Portarias 
Nos. 67/2015, 
68/2015 and 69/2015 (1 October 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in measure 
Brazil Temporary elimination on imports of 
antisera and other blood fractions 
(NCM 3002.10.37), under an import 
quota of 240,870 units of 10 grams Camex Resolution 
No. 95/2015 
(6 October 2015) Effective 
7 October 2015, for 
180 days 
Burkina Faso Trade facilitation measures through the 
adoption of the updated "Sydonia World" system for imports Direction Générale 
des Douanes (February 2015) Effective 
February 2015 
Canada Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of General Export Permit 
No. 41 creating an administratively 
streamlined permit fo r certain controlled 
goods for specified destinations Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(30 September 2015) Effective 22 July 2015 
Chile Trade facilitation measures through 
amendments introduced in the "ATA system" legislation. The ATA is a system allowing free movement of goods across frontiers and their temporary admission into a customs territory with relief from duties and taxes. The goods are covered by a single document known as the "ATA Carnet" that is secured by an international guarantee system Permanent Delegation 
of Chile to the WTO (16 October 2015) Effective 30 July 2015 
Chile Trade facilitation measures through the 
extension of deadline to submit the 
export single declaration (declaración 
única de salida "DUS-LEG") Permanent Delegation 
of Chile to the WTO 
(16 October 2015) Effective 30 July 2015 
China Implementation of automatic import 
licensing requirements  on sugar subject 
to out-of-quota tariff (HS 1701) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 
1 November 2014 
China Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of certain customs-related 
administrative charges for imports Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
China Elimination of export quotas scheme for 
rare earth minerals, tungsten and 
molybdenum. Export subject to export-
licensing administration (HS 2530; 2609; 2611; 2612; 2613; 2620; 2805; 2825; 2841; 2846; 2849; 7106; 7202; 8001; 8002; 8003; 8007; 8101; 8102; 8110; 8112) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
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China  Elimination of "price controls" on 
24 commodities (i.e. tobacco leaves) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
China VAT rebate rates increased on exports of 
high value-added products, processed maize products, an d textiles and 
garments Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
China Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of certain customs related 
administrative charges for exports Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
China Temporary elimination of export taxes 
(from up to 25%) on certain products (94 tariff lines at 8 digi ts), i.e. rare earth 
minerals, rare earth ores, tungsten, iron 
and steel granules and powers, 
molybdenum alloys, and bars and rods of primary aluminium and aluminium-alloy (HS 2526.20.20; 2530.90.20; 2612.20.00; 2613.10.00; 2613.90.00; 2620.99.10; 2805.30.11; 2805.30.12; 2805.30.13; 2805.30.14; 2805.30.15; 2805.30.16; 2805.30.17; 2805.30.19; 2805.30.21; 2805.30.29; 2811.11.00; 2822.00.90; 2825.30.10; 2825.60.00; 2825.70.00; 2825.90.11; 2825.90.12; 2825.90.19; 2826.12.90; 2826.19.20; 2826.19.90; 2833.11.00; 2841.70.10; 2841.70.90; 2841.80.10; 2841.80.20; 2841.80.30; 2841.80.40; 2841.80.90; 2846.10.10; 2846.10.20; 2846.10.30; 2846.10.90; 2846.90.11; 2846.90.12; 2846.90.13; 2846.90.14; 2846.90.15; 2846.90.16; 2846.90.17; 2846.90.19; 2846.90.21; 2846.90.22; 2846.90.23; 2846.90.24; 2846.90.25; 2846.90.26; 2846.90.28; 2846.90.29; 2846.90.31; 
2846.90.32; 2846.90.33; 2846.90.34; 
2846.90.35; 2846.90.36; 2846.90.39; 2846.90.41; 2846.90.42; 2846.90.43; 2846.90.44; 2846.90.45; 2846.90.46; 2846.90.48; 2846.90.49; 2846.90.91; 2846.90.92; 2846.90.93; 2846.90.94; 2846.90.95; 2846.90.96; 2846.90.99; 2849.90.20; 7202.70.00; 7202.80.10; 7202.80.20; 7202.99.11; 7202.99.19; 7202.99.91; 7202.99.99; 7205.10.00; 7205.29.00; 7604.29.10; 8101.10.00; 8101.94.00; 8101.97.00; 8102.10.00; 8102.94.00; 8102.97.00; 8112.92.30; 7601.20.00; 7604.10.10; 7604.29.10) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 1 May 2015  
China Temporary reduction of import tariffs on 
14 consumer goods, i.e. skin care 
products, diapers, and fur clothing Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 21 May 2015 
China Implementation of automatic import 
licensing requirements on barley, sorghum, cassava, and corn lees (HS 1003.00; 1005; 1007.00) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
cyclic amides (including cyclic 
carbamates) and their derivatives; salt 
thereof; and 6-hexanelactam (episolon-
caprolactam) (HS 2924.29.40; 
2933.71.00) and inclusion in the list of 
raw materials and capital goods not 
produced locally (3,490 tariff lines) 
established by Decree No. 1755 
(originally implemented in August 2013) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (28 May 2015) Effective until 
15 August 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
made up fishing nets (HS 5608.11.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
December
 2014 for 
2 years 
Colombia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
cotton not carded or combed 
(HS 5201.00.30), under an import quota 
of 20,400 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
December 2014 for 
12 months 
Colombia Elimination of import tariffs on heat 
exchange units (HS 8419.50.90) for the automotive industry Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective January 2015 
Colombia Special temporary auth orization to import 
ethanol ( alcohol carburante ) (HS Chapter 
2707.20.00), under an import quota of 
1 million gallons (MFN  duty applied 10%) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Resolución No. 
40583 Ministerio de 
Minas y Energ ía 
(22 May 2015) Effective May and 
June 2015 
Colombia Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on raw materials and capital goods not produced locally (3,623 tariff lines) (HS Chapters 03; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 45; 47; 48; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 58; 59; 60; 63; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 75; 76; 78; 79; 80; 81; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 94; 95; 96)  Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (16 October 2015) Effective 
14 August 2015 for 2 years 
Colombia Decrease of import tariffs (from 15% to 
10%) on 5 informatics and 
telecommunication tariff lines 
(HS 8523.29.21; 8523.29.90; 
8528.69.00; 8528.72.00), under the 
Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Ministerio de 
Comercio, Industria y 
Turismo, Decreto No. 
1704 
(28 August 2015) Effective 
28 August 2015 
Costa Rica Elimination of the Central American 
Common tariff on imports of boards, sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles 
not ornamented, faced or reinforced with 
paper or paperboard only (HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, fittings and similar ar ticles suitable for 
buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución No. 
357-2014 (COMIECO-LXX) 
(4 December 2014) 
and Permanent Delegation of Costa Rica to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 22 May 2015. 
For other members of the Central American 
Common Market: 
El Salvador implemented on 16 December 2014, Guatemala on 31 December 2014 and Nicaragua on 20 March 2015; no information received on implementation date from Honduras; and Panama was given a waiver on this measure 
Costa Rica Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
beans (HS 0713.33.10; 0713.33.40), 
under an import quota of 4,829 metric 
tonnes (effective 9 July 2015 to 
30 November 2015) and maize 
(HS 1005.90.30), under an import quota 
of 27,676 metric tonnes (effective 
9 July 2015 to 30 June 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Costa Rica to the 
WTO 
(7 October 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 110 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Côte d'Ivoire Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
5%) on 21 informatics and telecommunication tariff lines (HS 8473.30.00; 8471.80.90; 8414.51.00; 8471.70.90; 8471.60.90; 8504.40.90; 8471.30.90; 8471.49.90; 8517.12.00; 8523.51.00; 8443.32.90; 8443.31.10; 8443.32.10). Imports also exempted from VAT and "redevance statistique" (RSTA) Circulaire No. 
1728/MPMB/DGD/DU - Direction Générale des Douanes (6 August 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2018 
Dominican 
Republic Trade facilitation measures through the 
elimination of export reports of pre-
shipment inspection and verification Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican 
Republic to the WTO 
(9 October 2015) Effective May 2015 
Dominican Republic Trade facilitation measures through the 
elimination of import dispatch orders and terminal handling receipt for the processing and clearance of imports Permanent Delegation 
of the Dominican Republic to the WTO (9 October 2015) Effective May 2015 
Ecuador Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on sacks of jute 
(HS 6305.10.10) Resolución No. 
001-2015 Comité de 
Comercio Exterior 
(12 January 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2017 
Egypt Amendments introduced in the Import 
and Export Law adding refurbished printing cartridges in the list of goods authorized to be imported as used goods Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO (6 October 2015)  
El Salvador Elimination of the Central American 
Common tariff on imports of boards, 
sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles 
not ornamented, faced or reinforced with 
paper or paperboard only (HS 
6809.11.00); and certain mountings, 
fittings and similar ar ticles suitable for 
buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución No. 
357-2014 (COMIECO-
LXX) 
(4 December 2014) 
and Diario Oficial 
Tomo No. 405, 
No. 235 
(16 December 2014) Effective 
16 December 2014. 
For other members of 
the Central American 
Common Market: 
Guatemala 
implemented on 
31 December 2014, 
Nicaragua on 
20 March 2015 and 
Costa Rica on 
22 May 2015; no 
information received 
on implementation 
date from Honduras; 
and Panama was given 
a waiver on this 
measure 
European 
Union Elimination of milk quota regime 
(HS 0401; 0402) (originally implemented in 1984). As from 1 April 2015, raw cow milk production no longer restricted by quantitative limits Art. 230 (1a) of EU 
Regulation No. 1308/2013 (17 December 2013); and public information available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (27 May 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Guatemala Elimination of the Central American 
Common tariff on imports of boards, 
sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles 
not ornamented, faced or reinforced with 
paper or paperboard only 
(HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, 
fittings and similar ar ticles suitable for 
buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución No. 
357-2014 
(COMIECO-LXX) 
(4 December 2014) 
and Acuerdo 
Ministerial No. 
917/2014 - Ministerio 
de Econom ía 
(15 December 2014) Effective 
31 December 2014. 
For other members of 
the Central American 
Common Market: 
El Salvador 
implemented on 
16 December 2014, 
Nicaragua on 
20 March 2015 and 
Costa Rica on 
22 May 2015; no 
information received 
on implementation 
date from Honduras; 
and Panama was given 
a waiver on this 
measure 
India Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
and "additional duty " on anti-malaria 
drugs and certain medical diagnostics and products, under the Revised National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue No. 32/2014 (21 November 2014) Effective until 
1 October 2015 
India Elimination of import restrictions on gold 
(HS 7108) (implemented in June and 
July 2013). The Reserve Bank of India 
established a requirement that 20% of 
imported gold be held in a bonded 
warehouse for export  purposes (20:80 
scheme), and that gold imports be 
allowed only to meet the genuine needs 
of the exporters of gold jewellery Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015); 
Reserve Bank of India 
RBI/2014-15/329 A.P. 
(DIR Series) Circular 
No. 42 
(28 November 2014) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/16, 
31 January 2014 Effective 
28 November 2014 
India Establishment in the Ministry of 
Commerce - Directorate General of Foreign Trade - of an online system for instant generation of import code (IEC). 
As from February 2015, electronic submission of IEC is mandatory Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (5 October 2015)  
India Imports of inputs, components, 
accessories, and parts for the 
manufacture of telecommunication, 
information and technology products 
exempted from the special additional 
duty "SAD" Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
India Establishment in the Ministry of 
Commerce - Directorate General of Foreign Trade - of an online system for instant generation of export code (IEC). As from February 2015, electronic submission of IEC is mandatory Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (5 October 2015)  
India Elimination of import tariffs on urea 
(HS 3102.10.00) from Oman, under the 
"Urea Off-take Agreement" Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification 
Customs, Ministry of 
Finance - Department 
of Revenue No. 
4/2015 
(16 February 2015)  Effective 
16 February 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Reduction of export  duties (from 5% to 
2.5%) on ilmenite  Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue No. 8/2015 (1 March 2015)  Effective 1 March 2015 
India Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 2.5%) on ulexite 
ores, and evacuated tubes with three 
layers of solar selective coating for use in 
the manufacture of solar water heater 
systems; (from 5%) artificial heart (left 
ventricular assist device), certain digital 
still image video cameras and their parts, 
and magnetron of up to 1KW used for the 
manufacture of domestic microwave 
ovens. Reduction of import tariffs on 
certain products, i.e.  (from 5% to 2.5%) 
butanes, antimony and articles thereof 
including waste and scrap, and goods 
used in the manufacture of flexible 
medical video endoscopes; (from 2.5% to 
2%) styrene, ethylene  dichloride "EDC", 
and vinyl chloride monomer "VCM" 
(HS 2528; 2711.13.00; 2902.50.00; 
2903.15.00; 2903.21.00; 8110.10.00; 
8110.20.00; 8419; 8525.80.20; 
8540.71.00; 9018) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification 
Customs, Ministry of 
Finance - Department 
of Revenue No. 
10/2015 
(1 March 2015)  Effective 1 March 2015 
India Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 2.5%) on boron ores (HS 2528) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification No. 28/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of Revenue (30 April 2015) Effective 30 April 2015 
Indonesia Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
parts for aircraft engines 
(HS 8409.10.00), turbo-propellers not 
exceeding 1,100 kW (HS 8411.21.00), 
and starter motors and dual purpose 
starter-generators for aircraft engines 
(HS 8511.40.10; 8511.50.10) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 22 July 2015 
Japan Elimination of molasses used for 
manufacturing alcohol from the list of products subjected to tariff-rate quota (HS 1703.10; 1703.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Japan to the WTO (1 October 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
Korea,  
Rep. of Temporary reduction of import tariffs (to 
1%) on material for manufacturing 
agricultural chemicals, under an import 
quota of 20,000 tonnes; (to 10%) dried 
manioc chips (HS 0714), under an import 
quota of 253,000 tonnes; and (to 5%) 
cane or beat sugar (HS 1701), under an 
import quota of 90,000 tonnes Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Korea to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Korea,  
Rep. of Reduction of import tariffs on certain 
capital goods (62 items in HS Chapters 73; 84; 85; 90) used in automated factories Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Korea to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 
6 February 2015 
Korea,  
Rep. of Decrease of dutiable freight rate applied 
to foreign goods under 3 kg Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Korea to the WTO 
(23 October 2015) Effective 
14 October 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on meat of 
swine, fresh, chilled, or frozen (HS 0203), under certain import quotas Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 
11 December 2014 
Mexico Elimination of import tariffs on new 
rubber pneumatic tyre s for motorcycles 
(HS 4011.40.01) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
11 December 2014 
Mexico Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
certain toys and baby products (HS 3924.90.99; 8715.00.01; 9401.80.01; 9503; 9504.90.99; 9506.62.01), under certain import quotas Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 2015) and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 23 March 2015 Effective March 2015 
until 31 December 2017 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through the 
return of overpaid impo rt or export duties Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO 
(19 May 2015) and 
Decision No. 876 
(21 October 2014) Effective 
24 October 2014 
Moldova Measures to facilitate trade through the 
implementation of the "Authorized Economic Operator" scheme of the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO (19 May 2015) and Customs Service Order No. 483-O (13 November 2014) Effective 
13 November 2014 
Moldova Temporary elimination of VAT and excise 
duties on import of aircraft, helicopters, 
locomotives and railway wagons 
(HS Chapters 86; 88) Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 1 May 2015 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of the "blue lane customs channel", enabling  the immediate 
validation of customs declaration and the deferment of customs control for certain economic operators, whose transactions 
neither pose a high risk of fraud, nor 
require physical control of the goods Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO (15 October 2015)  Effective 28 April 2015 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through: 
(i) the implementation of simplified 
procedures of certification of origin; and 
(ii) 3 mandatory documents to be 
included in the customs declaration 
(invoice, transport documentation, and 
permissive act if needed) Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 28 April 2015 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through: 
(i) declarant's entitlement to take goods from customs when providing sufficient guarantees covering import duties, in 
case customs postpone final determination of customs value; (ii) implementation of manufacturer's declaration as valid documentation for origin of goods; and (iii) improved coordination between SPS inspectors at the borders and National Food Safety Agency Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of Moldova to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 28 April 2015 
Moldova Trade facilitation measures through the 
implementation of "one stop shop" for the 
issuance of permissive acts for the 
exports of products of animal origin Permanent Delegation 
of the Republic of 
Moldova to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  Effective 28 April 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Morocco Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of an electronic single-window system for imports "PortNet" (Guichet unique national virtuel du 
commerce extérieur ) Avis aux opérateurs - 
Ministère délégué auprès du Ministre de l'Industrie, du Commerce, de l'Investissement et de l'Economie numérique chargé du Commerce, Direction de la politique des échanges commerciaux  
Nicaragua Elimination of the Central American 
Common tariff on imports of boards, 
sheets, panels, tiles and similar articles 
not ornamented, faced or reinforced with 
paper or paperboard only 
(HS 6809.11.00); and certain mountings, 
fittings and similar ar ticles suitable for 
buildings (HS 8302.41.11) Resolución No. 
357-2014 (COMIECO-
LXX) 
(4 December 2014) 
and Acuerdo 
Ministerial MIFIC 
No. 20-2015 
(20 March 2015) Effective 
20 March 2015. For 
other members of the 
Central American 
Common Market: 
Guatemala 
implemented on 
31 December 2014, 
El Salvador on 
16 December 2014 and 
Costa Rica on 
22 May  2015; no 
information received 
on implementation 
date from Honduras; 
and Panama was given 
a waiver on this 
measure  
Norway Elimination of import tariffs (114 tariff 
lines at 8-digits level) on certain products, i.e. cut flowers; certain edible vegetables and roots and tubers; edible fruits; starches; inulin; hop cones; caramel; corn flakes; preparation of vegetables, fruit, nuts  or other parts of 
plants; miscellaneous edible preparations (active yeasts, tomato ketchup); and animal feed preparations (HS 0603; 0704; 0705; 0706; 0707; 0708; 0709; 0710; 0808; 0809; 0810; 0813; 1108; 1210; 1702; 1904; 2001; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2008; 2009; 2102; 2103; 2209; 2309) Permanent Delegation 
of Norway to the WTO (27 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Pakistan Termination of import ban on wheat 
products (HS 1101) Permanent Delegation 
of Pakistan to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
Panama Elimination of import tariffs on sesamum 
seeds and certain edible parts of plants (hortalizas ) prepared or preserved by 
vinegar or acetic acid (HS 1207.40.90; 
2001.90.70) Decreto de Gabinete 
No. 17 (7 July 2015) Effective 7 July 2015 
Peru Elimination of import tariffs on 1,089 
tariff lines (HS Chapte rs 01; 03; 05; 07; 
08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 18; 20; 
21; 22; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 32; 
33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41; 42; 
43; 44; 45; 47; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 
54; 55; 56; 58; 59; 60; 63; 65; 66; 67; 
68; 69; 70; 71; 73; 79; 81; 83; 84; 85; 
90; 91; 92; 93; 96) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO 
(16 April 2015), and 
Decretos Supremos 
Nos. 312-2014-EF 
and 314-2014-EF 
(November 2014) Effective 
November 2014 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Peru Trade facilitation measure through the 
elimination of import clearance duties (tasa de despacho aduanero ) (originally 
imposed in 2004) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO (16 April 2015), and Ley No. 30230 "Disposiciones Complementarias Derogatorias" (11 July 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Philippines Reduction of import tariffs on certain 
environmental goods Executive Order 
No. 185, s. 2015 
(26 June 2015)  
Russian Federation Amendments introduced by Order No. 
1032-p (29 September 2015) with regard to export duties on certain cereals 
(HS 1001.11.00; 1001.19.00; 
1001.91.10; 1001.91.20; 1001.91.90) set at zero Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 1 July 2015 
Russian 
Federation Exported goods with a value not 
exceeding €200 exempted from export 
duties Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
19 August 2015 
Russian 
Federation Reduction of export duties on certain 
products, i.e. certain seafood; seeds; minerals; unprocessed hides and pelts; timber and related goods; precious and semi-precious stones; metals; ferrous-metal waste and scrap; refined copper; copper-based alloys; nickel and nickel products, aluminium and aluminium products; and non-precious metals Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Decrease of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (to 14.6%) certain plastic 
articles (HS 3926.90.97); (to 12.5%) thin 
sheets (voiles), webs, mats, mattresses, 
boards and similar nonwoven products 
(HS 7019.39.00) (effective 
14 November 2014); (to 6.5%) 
polyethylene having a specific gravity of 
0.94 or more (HS 3901.20.90) (effective 
12 December 2014), and diammonium 
hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium 
phosphate) (HS 3105.30.00) (effective 
28 February 2015); (to 12.3%-14%) AC 
motors single-phase (HS 8501.40.20; 
8501.40.80) (effective 25 January 2015); 
(to 5%) self-propelled railway or 
tramway coaches (HS 8603.90.00) 
(effective 21 February 2015); (to 10%) 
railway or tramway passenger coaches 
not self-propelled (HS 8605.00.00) 
(effective 21 February 2015); (to 10%) 
unworked or simply sawn or roughly 
shaped precious and semi-precious 
stones (HS 7103.10.00) (effective 
28 February 2015); and (to 5%) certain 
orthopaedic appliances (HS 9021.90.90) 
(effective 18 April 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (22 May 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 5%) on ground (HS 2510.20.00)  Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 
5 January 2015 to 4 January 2016 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Elimination of import tariffs (from 7%) on 
turbo-jets of a power not exceeding 
1,100 Kw (HS 8411.21.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 10 April 2015 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 5%) on fatty alcohols (HS 3823.70.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 10 April 2015 
to 31 December 2017 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary elimination (from 5%) of 
import tariffs on lead ores and 
concentrates with at least 45% lead 
weight content (HS 2607.00.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 25 May 2015 
to 24 May 2017 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination (from 20%) of 
import tariffs on waste and scrap of precious metals (HS 7112.30.00; 7112.91.00; 7112.92.00; 7112.99.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 1 June 2015 
to 31 December 2016 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary elimination (from 15%) of 
import tariffs on optical glass rods 
(HS 7002.20.10) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 5 June 2015 
to 31 December 2016 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination (from 10%) of 
import tariffs on fluoride of aluminium (HS 2826.12.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 5 June 2015 
to 30 April 2016 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary elimination (from 5%) of 
import tariffs on certain ferry boats 
(HS 8901.10.10) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 19 June 2015 
to 31 December 2018 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination (from 5%) of 
import tariffs on silicon (HS 2804.61.00; 2804.69.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 25 June 2015 
to 31 December 2016 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 5%) on waste and scrap of 
titanium (HS 8108.30.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
19 September 2015 to 
31 December 2016 
Customs Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Temporary elimination of import tariffs 
(from 6.5%) on polyethylene factory three-layer anticorrosion coating for large diameter pipes (HS 3901.20.90) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
20 September 2015 to 31 October 2016 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), in 
aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid 
soda), for use in the manufacture of 
sodium hypochlorite (HS 2815.12) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (27 May 2015) 
and Notice No. 1043 
of 2014 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38355 
(22 December 2014) Effective 
22 December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
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SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 2%) on 
self-adhesive paper and paper board (HS 4811.41.90) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 2015) and Notice No. 928 of 2014 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38240 (28 November 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) on 
coated fine paper and paper board 
(HS 4810.13.20; 4810.13.90; 
4810.14.10; 4810.14.90; 4810.19.90; 
4810.29.90) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (27 May 2015) 
and Notice No. 67 of 
2015 - International 
Trade Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38442 
(6 February 2015) Effective 
6 February 2015 
SACU - Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Elimination of import tariffs (from 10%) 
on cylindrical lithium batteries (excluding those of a height not exceeding 7 mm), of a diameter exceeding 19 mm (HS 8506.50.25) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 2015) and Notice No. R. 307 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38681 (10 April 2015) Effective 10 April 2015 
Seychelles Reduction of import tariffs (from 15% to 
5%) on hybrid motor vehicles and 
motorcycles, and (from 15% to zero) on 
electric vehicles (HS 8702; 8703; 8704; 
8711) Permanent Delegation 
of Seychelles to the 
WTO 
(9 October 2015) Effective 21 July 2015 
Switzerland Reduction of import tariffs for certain 
cereal products, i.e. wheat, meslin, rye, 
barley, oats, and maize (HS 1001.19.29; 1001.99.29; 1002.90.29; 1003.90.49; 1004.90.29; 1005.90.29; 1008.60.39) Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Switzerland Temporary increase of the 2015 import 
quotas for certain f ood products, i.e. 
wheat, rye, grain sorghum, under an 
import quota of 20,000 tonnes (effective 
1 July 2015); birds' eggs, under an 
import quota of 1,000 tonnes (effective 
1 July 2015); potatoes for consumption, 
under an import quota of 2,000 tonnes 
(effective 1 July 2015); and potato seeds, 
under an import quota of 1,500 tonnes 
(effective 1 October 2015) (HS 0407; 
0701; 1001; 1002; 1007; 1008) Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the 
WTO 
(14 October 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Switzerland Temporary reduction of import tariffs 
(Sw F 2/100kg) on corn for animal feed (HS 2308.00.50) Permanent Delegation 
of Switzerland to the WTO (14 October 2015) Effective 
15 September 2015 to 31 October 2015 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Temporary reduction of import tariffs 
(from 20% to 10%) on pig lard and 
poultry fat (HS 1501.10.00; 1501.90.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate 
Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu to 
the WTO (28 May and 
25 September 2015) Effective 15 April 2015 
to 14 July 2015. 
Reduction of import 
tariffs on pig lard 
extended until 
14 October 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Elimination of import tariffs (from 10%) 
on coconut shells and compressed block of broken pieces (HS 1404.90); (from 3.5%) sensitized emulsion and developing preparation for manufacturing printing computer-to-plate "CTP" (HS 3707.10; 3707.90); (from 5%) phenolic resins for manufacturing printing computer-to-plate "CTP" (HS 3909.40); and (from 15%/17.5%) certain motor vehicles for taxi (HS 8703) Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to the WTO (16 October 2015) Effective 3 July 2015 
Trinidad and 
Tobago Elimination of import motor vehicle tax 
on electric vehicles (new and used) with 
an engine size not exceeding 179 kW Permanent Delegation 
of Trinidad and 
Tobago to the WTO 
(30 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Turkey Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from 10%) coconut oil for technical and industrial purposes (HS 1513.19.30); (from 19.5%) certain vegetable oils and fats for the production of cocoa butter equivalent (HS 1515.90.99); (from 31.5%) molasses for the production of pastry feed and goods (HS 1703); (from 1%) iron ores (HS 2601.11; 2601.12); and (from 6%-15%) certain alloy steel products (HS 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 7225.19.90; 7226.19.80). Reduction of import tariffs (from 23.4% to 10%) on sesamum seeds (HS 1207.40) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Venezuela 
(Bolivarian 
Rep. of) Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
46 food tariff lines, i.e. palm, soya-bean 
oils; margarine, rice ; dried vegetables; 
prepared or preserved fish; cane or beet 
sugar; live bovine animals; coffee; fresh 
meat; chilled or frozen meat; soya 
beans; oil cake and other solid residues 
resulting from the extraction of soyabean 
oil; wheat or meslin flour; dairy produce; 
maize; preparations of vegetables and 
fruits; preparations of cereals; 
preparation of meat and fish 
(HS 1501.10.00; 1507.10.00; 
1507.90.11; 1006.10.92; 1006.30.11; 
0713.10.90; 1604.14.10; 1701.14.00; 
1701.90.00; 0102.29.90; 0901.11.10; 
0901.21.00; 0713.33.19; 0201.10.00; 
0202.30.00; 0202.10.00; 1201.90.00; 
2304.00.10; 1101.00.10; 1702.90.00; 
0402.21.10; 0401.20.10; 0401.10.10; 
0403.90.00; 0713.40.90; 1604.14.10; 
1005.90.10; 0405.10.00; 1517.10.00; 
1601.00.00; 0210.11.00; 2008.91.00; 
1902.19.00; 0203.29.00; 0207.12.00; 
1601.00.00; 1604.13.10; 2304.00.90; 
1001.19.00; 1001.99.00; 2001.90.00; 
0711.20.10; 0711.90.00; 1901.10.90) Resolución Conjunta 
Nos. 205, 156, 16 
Ministerios del Poder 
Popular para la 
Agricultura y Tierras, 
de Econom ía y 
Finanzas, para el 
Comercio y Cencoex. 
Gaceta Oficial No. 
423.067 (1 July 2015) Effective 31 July 2015 
for 1 year 
Viet Nam Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a National Single 
Window system for imports and direct 
connection to the ASEAN Single Window (ASW)   Viet Nam General 
Department of 
Customs 
(14 September 2015)  
Zambia Elimination of import tariffs (from 5%) on 
aviation fuel (HS 2710) The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) 
Bill 2014 
(26 November 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Belarus Reduction of export duties on crude oil (from 
US$133.1/tonne to US$109.2/tonne), straight-run gasoline (from US$113.1/tonne to US$92.8/tonne) and commercial gasoline (from US$63.8/tonne to US$52.4/tonne) exported outside the Eurasian Economic Union Belarusian News 
(1 September 2015), referring to Council of Ministers Executive Order No. 727 of 28 August 2015  
Cabo Verde Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of a single window system 
"Sydonia World" for imports Macauhub 
(17 September 2015)  
Iraq, Rep. of Extension of the temporary elimination of 
import tariffs on certain oil products. Imports also exempted from "reconstruction fee" Iraq News referring 
to Cabinet Decision (January 2015)  
Israel Temporary elimination of import tariffs on 
certain vegetables, i.e. tomato and cucumber 
(HS 0702.00; 0707.00)  Fresh Fruit Portal 
(9 September 2015)  
Jordan Elimination of import tariffs on charging 
devices of fully electrical vehicles The Jordan Times 
(20 September 2015)  
Liberia Temporary elimination of import tariffs on rice 
(HS 1006.30.00; 1006.40.00) Oryza referring to 
Executive Order No. 
70 (28 June 2015) Effective 
28 June 2015 
Philippines Establishment in th e Bureau of Customs of an 
electronic portal with the inclusion of the 7,422 regulated products, their corresponding import regulations, an d required permits from 
23 agencies Manila Bulletin 
(17 February 2015) Effective 
April 2015 
Philippines Trade facilitation measure through the 
introduction of paperless transactions with the 
Bureau of Customs, allo wing the acceptance of 
electronic airway bill for certain imported 
items Sun.Star Davao 
newspaper referring 
to Customs 
Memorandum Order 
(CMO) No. 29/2015 
(1 September 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Sri Lanka Trade facilitati on measure through the 
introduction of a single window system for imports Daily News 
(28 September 2015) Effective end 2015 
Sri Lanka Trade facilitation measure through the 
introduction of a single window system for 
exports Daily News 
(28 September 2015) Effective end 2015 
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Reduction of import tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. coconut, photographic materials, certain vehicles and juices Press reports 
(2 July 2015)  
Uzbekistan Elimination of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. live poultr y; eggs, fish; products 
of animal origin; plastics and articles of 
plastics; rubber and arti cles of rubber; glass 
and glassware; articles  of iron and steel; 
aluminium and articl es of aluminium; 
machinery and parts; electrical machinery and 
equipment; cereals; oil seeds; inorganic and 
organic chemicals; phar maceutical products; 
and miscellaneous chemical products 
(HS Chapters 01; 03; 04; 05; 10; 12; 23; 25; 
28; 29; 30; 32; 35; 38; 39; 40; 56; 70; 73; 
76; 82; 84; 85; 86; 89; 90; 94) Press reports 
referring to 
Resolution of the 
Cabinet of Ministers 
No. 14 
(27 January 2015)  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Venezuela 
(Bolivarian Rep. of) Special Export Operations Provisions 
suspended. Previous provisions established mandatory compliance with strict exports requirements, controls and procedures established by the Nation al Trade Organization 
(CENCOEX) Press reports 
referring to Providencia Administrativa SNAT/2015/0022 (16 June 2015) Effective 
16 June 2015  
Viet Nam Reduction of import tariffs and taxes on 
certain vehicles and motorcycles The Saigon Times 
Daily referring to 
Circular 164 
(29 October 2014)  
Viet Nam Establishment in the Ministry of Science and 
Technology of an electron ic portal with the aim 
of supplying information and answering inquires on TBT-related matters Vietnam News Brief 
Service (21 January 2015)  
 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  ANNEX 2 
TRADE REMEDIES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-OCTOBER 2015) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Termination on 17 October 2014 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of fungicides (NCM 3808.92.91) from Peru and Uruguay (initiated on 18 April 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 February 2015  
Argentina Termination on 28 October 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on im ports of short-pitch 
transmission roller chain in accordance 
with Argentine Standards Institute 
(IRAM) Standard No. 5184 (NCM 
7315.11) from China (imposed on 
28 October 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 
17 February 2015  
Argentina Initiation on 11 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain vaccines for veterinary medicine (NCM 3002.30.10; 3002.30.40; 3002.30.50; 3002.30.90) from France and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 February 2015  
Argentina Termination on 24 November 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of frame-
based transmission assembly comprising 
gear reducer, connecting rods, beam-
type counterbalance and drilling tower for 
oil well pump equipment (NCM 8483.40) 
from China and Romania (imposed on 
24 November 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 
17 February 2015  
Argentina Termination on 8 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of steel wheels and rims (NCM 8708.70.90; 8716.90.90) from China (investigation initiated on 9 March 2009 and provisional duty imposed on 19 November 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ARG, 17 February 2015  
Argentina Initiation on 11 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
loading cells ( celdas de carga)  (NCM 
9031.80.60) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ARG, 
12 October 2015  
Argentina Initiation on 25 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of plastic swimming pools (NCM 9506.99.00) from Brazil and China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ARG, 12 October 2015  
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Argentina Termination on 19 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of synthetic 
filament yarn (other than sewing thread), 
not put up for retail sale of polyester, 
measuring per single yarn more than 
80 decitex but not more than 350 decitex 
(NCM 5402.33.00) from Indonesia and 
Chinese Taipei (investigation initiated on 
17 November 2008 and definitive duty 
imposed on 18 May 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ARG, 
12 October 2015  
Argentina Termination on 12 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of sanitary ware (NCM 6910.10.00; 6910.90.00) from Uruguay (imposed on 
12 December 2005) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ARG, 12 October 2015  
Argentina Initiation on 25 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain refrigerators, freezers and other 
refrigerating or freezing equipment; and 
radiator systems for vehicles (NCM 
8418.99.00; 8708.91.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ARG, 
12 October 2015  
Argentina Initiation on 15 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (NCM 3907.60.00) from Indonesia and the United States Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Resolución No. 366/2015 Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas Públicas (10 September 2015)  
Australia Initiation on 17 October 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of steel 
reinforcing bar (HS 7213.10.00; 
7214.20.00; 7227.90.90; 7228.30.90) 
from Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; 
Singapore; Spain; Chinese Taipei; 
Thailand; and Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 March 2015; and 
Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the 
WTO 
(30 September 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
13 March 2015 
Australia Initiation on 6 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain polyvinyl chloride "PVC" flat electric cables (HS 8544.49.20) from China (provisional duty imposed on 19 January 2015) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 10 March 2015; and Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (30 September 2015) Terminated on 
9 July 2015 
Australia Termination on 7 November 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of quicklime 
"calcium oxide" (HS 2522.10.00) from 
Thailand (investigation initiated on 
31 October 2011 and terminated on 
3 April 2012. On appeal, the Trade 
Measures Review Officer revoked the 
termination and the investigation was 
resumed on 28 June 2012. The resumed 
investigation was terminated on 
2 May 2013. After a further review by the 
Anti-Dumping Review Panel, the 
investigation was resumed again on 
8 August 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 March 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Australia Termination on 1 December 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of power transformers (HS 8504.22.00; 8504.23.00) from China; and Korea, Rep. of (investigation initiated on 29 July 2013 and provisional duty imposed on 27 November 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 10 March 2015; Permanent Delegation of Australia to the WTO (27 May 2015) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2014/130 (1 December 2014)  
Australia Termination on 15 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 
geosynthetic clay liners (HS 6815.99) 
from Germany (investigation initiated on 
5 January 2009, provisional and definitive 
duties imposed on 8 May and 
15 October 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/AUS, 
10 March 2015  
Australia Initiation on 19 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of prepared or preserved tomato products (HS 2002.10.00) from Italy limited to two producers (Feger di Gerado Ferraioli S.p.A. and La Doria S.p.A.) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 21 October 2015; and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2015/112 (11 September 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 11 September 2015 
Australia Termination on 9 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of sodium 
hydrogen carbonate (sodium 
bicarbonate) (HS 2836.30) from China 
(imposed on 3 November 2005) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 
21 October 2015  
Australia Termination on 20 March 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of newsprint (HS 4801.00.20; 4801.00.31; 4801.00.39) from Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 22 April 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 21 October 2015  
Australia Initiation on 31 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hot-
rolled plate steel (HS 7208.40.00; 
7208.51.00; 7208.52.00; 7225.40.00) 
from Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 
21 October 2015  
Australia Termination on 13 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of silicone emulsion concrete admixtures (HS 3824.40) from the United States (investigation initiated on 14 August 2009, provisional and definitive duti es imposed on 
26 November 2009 and 14 April 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 21 October 2015  
Australia Initiation on 5 May 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of alloy 
galvanized steel (HS 7210.49.00; 
7212.30.00) from Korea, Rep. of; and 
Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of 
anti-dumping measures imposed on 
5 August 2013) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 
2015/55 
(5 May 2015)  
Australia Initiation on 11 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hollow structural sections "HSS" (HS 7306.30.00; 7306.61.00; 7306.69.00) from China; Korea, Rep. of; and Malaysia 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures imposed on 3 July 2012) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 2015/58 (11 May 2015) and Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the 
WTO (16 October 2015  
Australia Termination on 13 May 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of rod in coils 
(HS 7213.91.00; 7227.90.90) from 
Turkey (initiated on 10 April 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/AUS, 
21 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Australia Initiation on 1 June 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of zinc coated (galvanized) steel (HS 7210.49.00; 7212.30.00) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed on 5 August 2013) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 2015/69 (1 June 2015)  
Australia Initiation on 1 July 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of steel 
reinforcing bar (HS 7214.20.00; 
7228.30.90: 7213.10.00; 7227.90.10; 
7227.90.90) from China Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the 
WTO 
(30 September 2015) 
and Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 
2015/82 
(1 July 2015)  
Australia Termination on 30 July 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of zinc coated (galvanized) steel (HS 7210.49.00; 7212.30.00; 7225.92.00; 7226.99.00) from India and Viet Nam (initiated on 11 July 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the WTO (30 September 2015) and Australia Customs Dumping Notice No. 2015/93 (30 July 2015)  
Australia Initiation on 12 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of rod 
in coils (HS 7213.91.00; 7227.90.90) 
from China Permanent Delegation 
of Australia to the 
WTO 
(30 September 2015) 
and Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 
2015/95 
(12 August 2015)  
Australia Termination on 6 October 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels (HS 8501.61.00; 8501.62.00; 8501.63.00; 8501.64.00; 8541.40.00) from China 
(initiated on 14 May 2014) Australia Customs 
Dumping Notice No. 2015/118 (6 October 2015)  
Brazil Initiation on 24 November 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
PET film (NCM 3920.62.11; 3920.62.19; 
3920.62.91; 3920.62.99; 3920.63.00; 
3920.68.99; 3920.69.00) from India WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/BRA, 
1 April 2015  
Brazil Initiation on 1 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of butyl acrylate (NCM 2916.12.30) from Germany, South Africa, and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015; Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015); and Camex Resolution No. 90/2015 (24 September 2015) Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 1 April and 25 September 2015, respectively 
Brazil Initiation on 15 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
cuticle nipper (NCM 8214.20.00) from 
China and Pakistan WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 
14 April 2015  
Brazil Termination on 16 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of viscose yarn (NCM 5510.11.00) from Austria, China, India, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, 
and Thailand (imposed on 
16 December 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/BRA, 14 April 2015  
Brazil Termination on 3 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of wooden 
pencils (NCM 9609.10.00) from China 
(imposed on 26 February 1997) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Brazil Termination on 10 February 2015 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of biaxially oriented polpropylene "BOPP", without graphics (NCM 3920.20.19) from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, India, Peru, and Chinese Taipei  (initiated on 
16 December 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015  
Brazil Termination on 10 March 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of diphenylmethane 
diisocyanate "polymeric MDI" (NCM 
3909.30.20) from Belgium; Germany; 
Hungary; Korea, Rep. of; Netherlands; 
Portugal; and Spain (initiated on 
9 June 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015  
Brazil Initiation on 16 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of panoramic x-ray systems for dental use, analogical or digital (NCM 9022.12.00; 9022.13.11) from Germany WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015; Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015), and Secex Circular No. 21/2015 (10 April 2015) Terminated on 
13 April 2015 (without measure) 
Brazil Initiation on 23 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
reinforced PVC coated fabric 
(NCM 3921.90.19) from China and Korea, 
Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015  
Brazil Initiation on 23 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of unframed glass mirrors (NCM 7009.91.00) from China and Mexico WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015  
Brazil Termination on 25 March 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of acrylic sheets 
(NCM 3920.51.00) from China; Hong 
Kong, China; Malaysia; and the United 
States (initiated on 18 November 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015  
Brazil Termination on 24 April 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of elastomeric rubber pipes (NCM 4009.11.00) from Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 20 June 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015  
Brazil Temporary suspension on 7 May 2015 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 
polymeric MDI (NCM 3909.30.20) from 
China, and the United States (imposed on 
31 October 2012) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 41/2015 
(5 May 2015) Effective for 1 year  
Brazil Initiation on 15 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of "heavy plates" (NCM 7225.40.90) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2013) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015), Secex Circular No. 38/2015 (12 June 2015) and Camex Resolution No. 82/2015 
(28 August 2015) Duty extended on 
31 August 2015 
Brazil Initiation on 22 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
poly(ethylene terephthalate) resin (NCM 
3907.60.00) from China, India, Indonesia 
and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Brazil  Initiation on 29 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of agricultural tyres (NCM 4011.61.00; 4011.69.90; 4011.92.10; 4011.92.90; 4011.99.10) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 2 October 2015 and Secex Circular No. 59/2015 (15 September 2015) Terminated on 
16 September 2015 (without measure) 
Brazil Initiation on 29 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
safety glass laminated and tempered for 
vehicles (NCM 7007.11.00; 7007.19.00; 
7007.21.00; 7007.29.00; 8708.29.99 ) 
from China and Mexico WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/BRA, 
2 October 2015 and 
Secex Circular 
No. 54/2015 
(26 August 2015) Terminated on 
27 August 2015 
(without measure) 
Brazil Initiation on 6 July 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of monobutyl 
ethers of ethyle ne glycol (NCM 
2909.43.10) from Germany Secex Circular 
No. 44/2015 
(3 July 2015)  
Brazil Initiation on 10 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of films 
of poly(ethylene terephthalate) "PET" 
(NCM 3920.62.19; 3920.62.91; 
3920.62.99) from Bahrain and Peru Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015) 
and Secex Circular 
No. 45/2015 
(9 July 2015)  
Brazil Initiation on 9 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of graphite electrodes up to 450 mm (NCM 3801.10.00; 8545.11.00) from United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2009) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (29 September 2015) and Secex Circular No. 57/2015 (8 September 2015)  
Brazil Initiation on 14 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of non-
alloy carbon steel pipes, seamless, of 
circular section, with external diameter 
not exceeding 374 mm (NCM 
7304.31.10; 7304.31.90; 7304.39.10; 
7304.39.20; 7304.39.90) from China 
(NCM Codes exempted 7304.1; 7304.2) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015) 
and Secex Circular 
No. 58/2015 
(11 September 2015) (NCM Codes exempted 
7304.1; 7304.2) 
Canada Termination on 23 November 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of mattress innerspring units (HS 7320.20.90; 9404.10.00; 9404.29.00) from China (investigation initiated on 27 April 2009, provisional and definitive duties im posed on 27 July and 
24 November 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CAN, 17 March 2015  
Canada Initiation on 5 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain photovoltaic modules and 
laminates (HS 8541.40.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CAN, 
7 September 2015 Provisional and 
definitive duties 
imposed on 5 March 
and 3 July 2015, 
respectively 
Canada Initiation on 5 December 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of certain photovoltaic modules and laminates (HS 8541.40.00) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/CAN, 18 September 2015 Provisional and 
definitive duties imposed on 5 March and 4 July 2015, respectively 
Canada Termination on 10 December 2014 of 
countervailing duties on imports of 
certain concrete reinforcing bar (HS 
7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7215.90.00; 
7227.90.00) from Korea, Rep. of; and 
Turkey (investigation initiated on 
13 June 2014 and provisional duty 
imposed on 11 September 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/CAN, 
20 March 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Canada Termination on 2 April 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of oil country tubular goods (HS 7304.29.00; 7304.39.00; 7304.59.00; 7306.29.00; 7306.30.00; 7306.50.00; 7306.90.00) from India; Indonesia; Korea, Rep. of; Philippines; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; and Viet Nam (investigation initiated on 21 July 2014 and provisional duty imposed on 3 December 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/CAN, 18 September 2015 Terminated on 
3 December 2014 (without measure) on imports from Korea, Rep. of and Turkey. Terminated on 3 March 2015 for imports from Philippines, Thailand and Ukraine 
Canada Initiation on 10 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain hot-rolled carbon steel plate and 
high-strength low-al loy steel plate (HS 
7208.51.00; 7208.52.00) from India and 
the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CAN, 
7 September 2015; 
Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Canada Border 
Services Agency 
Notice 
(8 September 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
8 September 2015 
Canada Initiation on 10 June 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of certain hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high-strength low-al loy steel plate (HS 
7208.51.00; 7208.52.00) from India and the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/CAN, 18 September 2015 and Permanent Delegation of Canada to the WTO (15 October 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 8 September 2015 
Canada Initiation on 28 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain carbon and alloy steel line pipe 
(HS 7304.19.00; 7305.11.00; 
7305.12.00; 7305.19.00; 7306.19.00) 
from China Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Canada Border 
Services Agency 
Notice 
(28 August 2015)  
Canada Initiation on 28 August 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
certain carbon and alloy steel line pipe 
(HS 7304.19.00; 7305.11.00; 7305.12.00; 7305.19.00; 7306.19.00) from China Permanent Delegation 
of Canada to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Canada Border Services Agency Notice (28 August 2015)  
Chile Initiation on 31 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
wheat (HS 1101.00.00) from Argentina WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CHL, 
12 October 2015 and 
Permanent Delegation 
of Chile to the WTO 
(5 October 2015) Terminated on 
22 September 2015 
(without measure) 
Chile Initiation on 5 October 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of iron or low-carbon steel wire rods ( alambrón de 
acero ) (HS 7213.20.00; 7213.91.10; 
7213.91.20; 7213.91.90; 7227.10.00; 7227.20.00; 7227.90.00) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/CHL/16 and G/SG/N/6/CHL/16/Suppl.1 , 8 October 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 6 October 2015 
China Termination on 21 November 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 
toluene diisocyanate (TDI80/20) (HS 
2929.10.10) from Japan; Korea, Rep. of; 
and the United States (imposed on 
22 November 2003) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 
23 January 2015  
China Termination on 30 November 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of chloroform (HS 2903.13.00) from the EU; Korea, Rep. of; and the United States (imposed on 30 November 2004) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 23 January 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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China Termination on 17 December 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of hemodialysis 
equipment (HS 9018.90.40) from EU and 
Japan (initiated on 13 June 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 
23 January 2015  
China Termination on 25 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 1,4-butanediol (HS 2905.39.90) from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 24 December 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/CHN, 23 January 2015  
China Termination on 30 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of phenol 
(HS 2907.11.10) from Japan; Korea, Rep. 
of; Chinese Taipei; and the United States 
(imposed on 1 February 2004) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CHN, 
9 October 2015  
China Initiation on 10 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of unbleached sack paper (HS 4804.21.00) from the EU, Japan, and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CHN, 9 October 2015  
China Termination on 10 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of grain 
oriented electrical flat-rolled electrical 
steel (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.00) from 
Russian Federation and the United States 
(investigation initiated on 1 June 2009, 
provisional and defini tive duties imposed 
on 10 December 2009 and 10 April 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/CHN, 
9 October 2015  
China Termination on 11 April 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of grain oriented electrical flat-rolled electrical steel (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.00) from the United States (investigation initiated on 1 June 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 10 December 2009 and 10 April 2010) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 2015) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 11/2015 (13 April 2015)  
China Initiation on 14 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
acrylic fibre (HS 5501.30.00; 
5503.30.00; 5506.30.00) from Japan; 
Korea, Rep. of; and Turkey Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and MOFCOM 
Announcement 
No. 22/2015 
(14 July 2015)  
China Initiation on 23 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of grain oriented electrical flat-rolled electrical steel (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.00) from EU; Japan; and Korea, Rep. of Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (15 October 2015) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 23/2015 (23 July 2015)  
China Termination on 24 September 2015 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of 
nucleotide-type food additives 
(HS 2934.99; 3824.90.99) from 
Indonesia and Thailand (investigation 
initiated on 24 March 2009, provisional 
and definitive duties imposed on 
5 January and 24 September 2010) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and MOFCOM 
Announcement 
No. 38/2015 
(25 September 2015)  
China Termination on 10 October 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 
polyamide-6,6 (HS 3908.10) from the United Kingdom (investigation initiated on 14 November 2008, provisional and definitive duties im posed on 25 June and 
12 October 2009) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) and MOFCOM Announcement No. 37/2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Colombia Initiation on 23 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
triangular files, 6 inch (HS 8203.10.00) 
from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/COL, 
1 April 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 19 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of non-wired glass coloured throughout the mass (body tinted), opacified, flashed or merely surface ground (HS 7005.21.11; 7005.21.90) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 25 September 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 23 April 2015 
Colombia Initiation on 23 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain plastic plates, sheet, films, foil 
and strip (HS 3921.90.10) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 
25 September 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 25 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of glazed and unglazed ceramic flags and paving (HS 6907.90.00; 6908.90.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 25 September 2015  
Colombia Termination on 20 March 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of citric acid (HS 2918.14.00) 
from China (initiated on 4 June 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 
25 September 2015  
Colombia Termination on 27 April 2015 of 
safeguard duties on imports of steel wire (HS 7213.20.00; 7213.91.10; 7213.91.90; 7213.99.00; 7227.90.00) (investigation initiated on 19 July 2013, provisional and definitive duty imposed on 9 October 2013 and 30 April 2014) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/8/COL/1/ Suppl.2, 7 May 2014; and G/SG/N/6/COL/4/
 
Suppl.2, 20 May 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 5 June 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of footwear with 
leather uppers (HS 6404.11.10; 
6404.11.20; 6404.19.00; 6404.20.00; 
6405.20.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 
25 September 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 5 June 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of footwear with 
synthetic uppers (HS 6402.19.00; 6402.20.00; 6402.91.00; 6402.99.10; 6402.99.90; 6405.90.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 
25 September 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 5 June 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of footwear with 
textile uppers (HS 6403.19.00; 
6403.20.00; 6403.40.00; 6403.51.00; 
6403.59.00; 6403.91.10; 6403.91.90; 
6403.99.10; 6403.99.90; 6405.10.00) 
from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/COL, 
25 September 2015  
Colombia Initiation on 3 July 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of iron or low-carbon steel wire rods ( alambrón de 
hierro o acero ) (HS 7213.91.10; 
7213.91.90; 7227.90.00) from China Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, Resoluciones Nos. 126 (3 July 2015) and 166 (29 September 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 29 September 2015 
Colombia Termination on 10 July 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of stranded 
wire, ropes and cables (HS 7312.10.90) 
from China (investigation initiated on 
13 June 2014 and provisional duty 
imposed on 19 September 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Resolución No. 
128/2015 Ministerio 
de Comercio, 
Industria y Turismo 
(10 July 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Costa Rica Initiation on 31 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of raw sugar (HS 1701.99.00) from Brazil Permanent Delegation 
of Costa Rica to the WTO (7 October 2015) and Resolución DDC-003-2015 (14 July 2015)  
Egypt Termination on 25 November 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of synthetic 
staple fibres, not carded, combed or 
otherwise, processed for spinning of 
polyesters (HS 5503.20.00) from China 
and India (initiated on 
24 December 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EGY, 
23 January 2015  
Egypt Initiation on 15 December 2014 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of automotive batteries (HS 8507.10.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/11, 17 December 2014  
Egypt Initiation on 14 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of wet 
wipes (HS 3307.00) from Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EGY, 
24 July 2015  
Egypt Termination on 14 April 2015 (without 
measure) of countervailing investigation on imports of Edam semi-hard cheese (40% fats in dry matter) (HS 0406.90.90) from the Netherlands (initiated on 16 June 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/EGY, 23 July 2015  
Egypt Initiation on 16 April 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of white sugar 
(HS 1701.99.90) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/12, 
16 April 2015  
Egypt Termination on 20 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on im ports of electric 
motors (HS 8501.52.20) from China (investigation initiated on 24 August 2009 and definitive duty imposed on 21 June 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EGY, 24 July 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 4 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
tartaric acid (HS 2918.12.00) from China 
limited to one producer (Hangzhou 
Bioking Biochemical Engineering Co. Ltd) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 
31 March 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 12 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain aluminium foil (CAF) (HS 7607.11.19) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 March 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 17 December 2014 
(without measure) of countervailing 
investigation on imports of synthetic 
polyester staple fibres "PSF" 
(HS 5503.20.00) from China, India, and 
Viet Nam (initiated on 
19 December 2013) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/EU, 
13 April 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 18 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of sulphanilic acid (HS 2921.42.00) from India (imposed on 25 July 2002) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 March 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 18 December 2014 of 
countervailing duties on imports of 
sulphanilic acid (HS 2921.42.00) from 
India (imposed on 25 July 2002) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/EU, 
13 April 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 20 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of silico-manganese (HS 7202.30.00) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 31 March 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Initiation on 20 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron (also 
known as spheroidal graphite cast iron) 
(HS 7303.00.10; 7303.00.90) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/EU, 
31 March 2015; and 
Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/1559 
(18 September 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
19 September 2015 
European 
Union Termination on 27 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of welded tubes and pipes, of iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7306.30.41; 7306.30.49; 7306.30.72; 7306.30.77) from Ukraine (imposed on 27 September 2002) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 21 October 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 27 February 2015 
(without measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain 
rainbow trout (portion size) 
(HS 0301.91.90; 0302.11.80; 
0303.14.90; 0304.42.90; 0304.82.90; 
0305.43.00) from Turkey (initiated on 
15 February 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 
21 October 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 11 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain slightly modified molybdenum wire (HS 8102.96.00) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed in 2010) Commission 
Implementing Regulation No. 2015/395 (10 March 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 11 March 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
tubes and pipes of ductile cast iron 
(spheroidal graphite cast iron) 
(HS 7303.00.10; 7303.00.90) from India WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/EU, 
21 October 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 30 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of high fatigue performance steel concrete 
reinforcement bars (HS 7214.20.00; 
7228.30.20; 7228.30.41; 7228.30.49; 7228.30.61; 7228.30.69; 7228.30.70; 7228.30.89) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 21 October 2015  
European 
Union Initiation on 1 May 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of citric acid and 
trisodium citrate dihydrate (HS 
2918.14.00; 2918.15.00) from Malaysia 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures imposed in December 2008) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/706 
(30 April 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 14 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain cold-rolled flat steel products (HS 7209.15.00; 7209.16.90; 7209.17.90; 7209.18.91; 7209.18.99; 7209.25.00; 7209.26.00; 7209.27.90; 7209.28.90; 7211.23.30; 7211.23.80; 7211.29.00; 7225.50.80; 7226.92.00) from China and Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 21 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Initiation on 29 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or 
panels and cells of the type used in 
crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or 
panels (the cells have a thickness not 
exceeding 400 micrometres) (HS 
8501.31.00; 8501.32.00; 8501.33.00; 
8501.34.00; 8501.61.20; 8501.61.80; 
8501.62.00; 8501.63.00; 8501.64.00; 
8541.40.90) from Malaysia and Chinese 
Taipei (possible circumvention of anti-
dumping measures of imports from China 
imposed in 2013) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/833 
(28 May 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 29 May 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels and cells of the type used in crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules or panels (the cells have a thickness not exceeding 400 micrometres) (HS 8501.31.00; 8501.32.00; 8501.33.00; 8501.34.00; 8501.61.20; 8501.61.80; 8501.62.00; 8501.63.00; 8501.64.00; 8541.40.90) from Malaysia and Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of countervailing measures of imports from China imposed in 2013) Commission 
Implementing Regulation No. 2015/832 (28 May 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 30 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
aspartame, as we ll as aspartame 
contained in preparations and/or 
mixtures comprising also other 
sweeteners and/or water (HS 
2924.29.98; 2106.90.92; 2106.90.98; 
3824.90.92; 3824.90.93) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 
21 October 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 16 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of systems for the scanning of cargo, based on the use of X-rays with an X-ray source of 250 KeV or more based on the use of gamma radiations (HS 8705.90.90; 9022.19.00; 9022.29.00; 9027.80.17; 9030.10.00) from China (investigation initiated on 18 March 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 17 December 2009 and 16 June 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/EU, 21 October 2015  
European 
Union Termination on 24 July 2015 (without 
measure) of countervailing investigation 
on imports of flat-rolled products of 
stainless steel, not further worked than 
cold-rolled (cold-reduced) 
(HS 7219.31.00; 7219.32.10; 
7219.32.90; 7219.33.10; 7219.33.90; 
7219.34.10; 7219.34.90; 7219.35.10; 
7219.35.90; 7220.20.21; 7220.20.29; 
7220.20.41; 7220.20.49; 7220.20.81; 
7220.20.89) from China (initiated on 
14 August 2014) Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
No. 2015/1206 
(23 July 2015)  
European 
Union Termination on 7 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of certain candles, tapers and the like (HS 3406.00.00) from China (imposed on 14 May 2009) Commission 
Implementing Regulation No. 2015/1361 (6 August 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Initiation on 12 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
sodium cyclamate (HS 2929.90.00) from 
China limited to two producers (Fang Da 
Food Additive "Shen Zhen" Limited and 
Fang Da Food Additive "Yang Quan" 
Limited) Commission Notice 
2015/C 264/04 
(12 August 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 14 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain ceramic foam filters (HS 6903.10.00; 6903.20.10; 6903.20.90; 6903.90.10; 6903.90.90; 6909.19.00) from China Commission Notice 
2015/C 266/07 (14 August 2015)  
European 
Union Initiation on 14 August 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
European sea bass and gilthead 
(HS 0302.84.10; 0302.85.30; 
0303.84.10; 0303.89.55; 0304.49.90; 
0304.89.90) from Turkey Commission Notice 
2015/C 266/06 
(14 August 2015)  
European 
Union Termination on 30 September 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of certain polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (HS 3907.60.20) from Iran, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates (investigation initiated on 3 September 2009, provisional and defini tive duties imposed 
on 1 June and 29 September 2010) Commission Notice 
2015/C 319/09 (26 September 2015)  
Guatemala Termination on 25 May 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of hot-dipped galvanized non-
alloy steel sheet, plate, coil, hoop and 
strip (HS 7210.41; 7210.49; 7212.30) 
from China (initiated on 18 March 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/GTM, 
7 October 2015  
India Initiation on 28 October 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on melamine tableware and kitchenware products (HS 
3924.10.10; 3924.10.90; 3924.90.90; 
3926.40.49; 3926.90.99) from China, Thailand, and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 21 April 2015  
India Initiation on 20 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on 2-ethyl hexanol 
(HS 2905.16.20) from EU; Indonesia; 
Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia; Chinese Taipei; and the 
United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 
21 April 2015  
India Initiation on 20 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on normal butanol (HS 2905.13.00) from EU, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 21 April 2015  
India Initiation on 9 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on mulberry raw 
silk (HS 5002.00.10) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IND, 
21 April 2015  
India Initiation on 7 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on methyl acetoacetate (HS 2918.30.40) from China and the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Termination on 13 January 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on 
imports of flexible slabstock polyol of 
molecular weight 3000 to 4000 
(HS 3907.20.10) (initiated on 
22 May 2014) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/38, 
27 May 2014 and 
G/SG/N/9/IND/13, 
23 January 2015  
India Termination on 15 January 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of acrylic fibre (HS 55) from Egypt (initiated on 24 January 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Termination on 15 January 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on 
imports of sodium di-chromate 
(HS 2841.30.00) (initiated on 
26 May 2014) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/39, 
2 June 2014 and 
G/SG/N/9/IND/14, 
23 January 2015  
India Termination on 7 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of resin or other organic substances bonded wood or ligneous fibre boards of thickness below 6 mm, except insulation boards, laminated fibre boards and boards which are not bonded either by resin or other organic substances (HS 4411.12.00; 4411.13.00; 4411.14.00; 4411.92.11; 4411.92.19; 
4411.92.21; 4411.92.29; 4411.93.11; 
4411.93.19; 4411.93.21; 4411.93.29; 4411.94.11; 4411.94.19; 4411.94.21; 4411.94.29) from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka (investigation initiated on 11 November 2011, provisional and defini tive duties imposed 
on 21 September 2012 and 8 August 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Initiation on 9 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on carbon black 
(HS 2803.00.10) from Korea, Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  
India Termination on 18 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of new/unused pneumatic radial tyres, with 
or without tubes and flaps of rubber used in buses and lorries/trucks (HS 4011.20.10; 4012.90.49; 4013.10.20) from China and Thailand (investigation initiated on 21 October 2008 and definitive duty imposed on 19 February 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Termination on 1 April 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on 
imports of cold rolled flat products of 
stainless steel of chromium type 400 
(HS 7219.31.11; 7219.31.12; 
7219.32.10; 7219.33.10; 7219.34.10; 
7219.35.10; 7220.20.21; 7220.90.21) 
(initiated on 19 September 2014) WTO document 
G/SG/N/9/IND/15, 
2 April 2015  
India Initiation on 7 April 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on methylene chloride (HS 2903.12.00) from China and the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Termination on 11 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of circular 
weaving machines having 6 or more 
shuttles for weaving PP/HDPE fabrics of a 
width exceeding 30 cm (HS 8446.21.90; 
8446.29.00) from China (investigation 
initiated on 18 May 2009, provisional and 
definitive duti es imposed on 
12 April 2010 and 16 February 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Termination on 11 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of recordable digital versatile disc DVDs of all kinds (HS 8523.29.20; 8523.29.50; 8523.29.70; 8523.40.40; 8523.40.50; 8523.40.60; 8523.40.80; 8523.52.90; 8523.80.50; 8523.80.90; 8523.90.10; 8523.90.40; 8523.90.50; 8523.90.90) from Malaysia (investigation initiated on 5 May 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 12 April and 28 September 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Termination on 18 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 
1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or R-134 a of 
all types (HS 2903.39.19) from Japan 
(investigation initiated on 
19 August 2009 and provisional and 
definitive duti es imposed on 
19 April 2010 and 15 July 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  
India Initiation on 7 May 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on plain medium density fibre board having thickness of 6 mm and above (HS 4411) from Indonesia and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Termination on 18 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of morpholine 
(HS 2933.39.17) from the United States 
(investigation initiated on 
7 December 2010, provisional and 
definitive duti es imposed on 
20 September 2011 and 
24 January 2012) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification 
No. 18/2015-Customs 
(ADD), Ministry of 
Finance (Department 
of Commerce) 
(18 May 2015)  
India Termination on 22 May 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of USB flash drives 
(HS 8523.51.00) from Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 21 June 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  
India Termination on 27 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of purified 
terephthalic acid "PTA" (HS 2917.36.00) 
from China and the EU  (investigation 
initiated on 8 October 2013 and 
provisional duty imposed on 
25 July 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  
India Termination on 17 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of certain phosphorus based chemical compounds (HS 2812.10) from China (investigation initiated on 13 February 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 16 October 2009 and 18 June 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 2 October 2015  
India Initiation on 18 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
purified terephthalic acid "PTA" 
(HS 2917.36.00) from China, Indonesia, 
Iran, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IND, 
2 October 2015  
India Initiation on 8 July 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of seamless 
tubes, pipes and hollow profiles of iron, alloy or non-alloy steel (other than cast iron and stainless steel), whether hot finished or cold drawn or cold rolled of an external diameter not exceeding 355.6 mm or 14'' OD (HS 7304) from China Initiation Notification 
F. No. 14/2/2015-
DGAD, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Department of Commerce) (8 July 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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India Initiation on 27 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
measuring tapes (HS 9017.80.01; 
9017.90) from Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, 
Thailand and Viet Nam Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
India Termination on 12 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of potassium carbonate (HS 2836.40.00) from China and the EU (imposed on 10 June 2003) Notification 
No. 40/2015-Customs (ADD), Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) (12 August 2015)  
India Termination on 29 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of acrylic 
fibre-VIII (HS 5501.30; 5503.30) from 
Belarus (imposed on 30 December 2004) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
India Termination on 29 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of acrylic fibre-II (HS 5501.30; 5503.30) from Japan (imposed on 17 November 1998) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015)  
India Termination on 30 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of flexible 
slabstock polyol (molecular weight 
3000-4000)-II (HS 3907.20.10; 
3907.20.90) from China; Korea, Rep. of; 
and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 
20 January 2004) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification 
No. 44/2015-Customs 
(ADD), Ministry of 
Finance (Department 
of Revenue) 
(18 August 2015)  
India Initiation on 7 September 2015 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of hot-rolled flat products of non-alloy and other alloy steel in coils of a width of 600 mm or more (HS 7208; 7225.30.90) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/IND/41, 16 September 2015 and G/SG/N/7/IND/10/ Suppl.1, 30 September 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 14 September 2015 
Indonesia Termination on 31 October 2014 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of partially oriented yarn 
(HS 5402.33.00) from China; Korea, Rep. 
of; and Chinese Taipei (initiated on 
2 August 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IDN, 
23 February 2015; 
and Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(16 May 2015)  
Indonesia Initiation on 22 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of cold rolled stainless steel (HS 7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 7219.35.00; 7219.90.00; 7220.20.10; 7220.20.90; 7220.90.10; 7220.90.90) from China; Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; and Thailand WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/IDN, 23 February 2015  
Indonesia Initiation on 1 June 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports ammonium 
nitrate (HS 3102.30.00) from Australia; 
China; Korea, Rep. of; and Malaysia WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/IDN, 
13 October 2015  
Indonesia Initiation on 14 July 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of glucose, not containing fructose or containing in the dry state less than 20% by weight of 
fructose, not including dextrose 
monohydrate pharmaceutical grade, 
dextrose monohydrate pyrogen free, maltodextrine, and dextrose anhydrous (HS 1702.30.10) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/IDN/27, 17 July 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Indonesia Initiation on 1 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports 
bi-axially oriented polypropylene 
(HS 3920.20.10; 3920.20.90) from 
Thailand and Viet Nam Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
Israel Termination on 20 March 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of rubber procured trends (HS 4006.10; 4008.29; 4012.90) from South Africa (investigation initiated on 12 January 2011, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 24 July 2012 and 21 March 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ISR, 6 August 2015  
Israel Termination on 15 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of stretch 
wrap (HS 3919.90; 3920.10) from Italy 
and Turkey (investigation initiated on 
2 April 2009, provisional duty imposed on 
30 August 2009. Definitive duty imposed 
on 22 February 2010 for imports from 
Turkey and on 15 April 2010 for imports 
from the EU) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ISR, 
6 August 2015  
Japan Initiation on 26 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of potassium hydroxide (HS 2815.20) from China and Korea, Rep. of WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/JPN, 23 July 2015  
Korea,  
Rep. of Initiation on 20 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on ethyl acetate 
(HS 2915.31) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/KOR, 
9 February 2015  
Korea,  
Rep. of Termination on 25 February 2015 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on polyester filament partially oriented yarn (HS 5402.46) from India, Malaysia, and Thailand (initiated on 30 May 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/KOR, 19 October 2015  
Korea,  
Rep. of Termination on 25 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on polyester filament 
partially oriented yarn (HS 5402.46) from 
China and Chinese Taipei (imposed on 
21 January 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/KOR, 
19 October 2015  
Korea,  
Rep. of Initiation on 13 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on coniferous wood plywood (HS 4412.39.10; 4412.39.90; 4412.99.91) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/KOR, 19 October 2015  
Korea,  
Rep. of Termination on 9 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on kraft paper 
(HS 4707.10; 4804; 4808; 4810) from 
Canada, China, Indonesia, Russian 
Federation and the United States 
(imposed on 27 October 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/KOR, 
19 October 2015  
Malaysia Termination on 31 October 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of stranded wire, ropes, cables (HS 7312.10.00) from China (investigation initiated on 10 April 2013 and definitive duty imposed on 4 January 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MYS, 15 April 2015  
Malaysia Termination on 10 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of steel 
wire rods (HS 7213.10.00; 7213.20.00; 
7213.91.00; 7213.99.00) from China 
(investigation initiated on 26 June 2012, 
provisional and defini tive duties imposed 
on 23 October 2012 and 
20 February 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MYS, 
15 April 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Malaysia Termination on 30 January 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation on steel concrete re inforcing bar "rebar" 
(HS 7214; 7228) from China and Korea, Rep. of (initiated on 2 September 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MYS, 31 August 2015  
Malaysia Termination on 14 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on hot rolled coils 
(HS 7208; 7225) from Korea, Rep. of 
(investigation initiated on 18 June 2014 
and provisional duty imposed on 
17 October 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MYS, 
31 August 2015  
Malaysia Initiation on 28 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of cold rolled stainless steel (HS 7219.31.00; 
7219.32.00; 7219.33.00; 7219.34.00; 
7219.35.00; 7220.20.13; 7220.20.19; 7220.20.90) from China; Finland; France; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Chinese Taipei; and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MYS, 31 August 2015; and 
Permanent Delegation 
of Malaysia to the WTO (19 October 2015) Terminated on 
25 September 2015 (without measure) 
Malaysia Initiation on 28 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
pre-painted or colour coated steel coils 
(HS 7210.70.21; 7210.70.29; 
7210.70.90) from China and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MYS, 
31 August 2015  
Malaysia Initiation on 11 September 2015 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of hot-rolled coils (HS 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.20; 7208.39.90; 7225.30.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/MYS/3, 14 September 2015  
Mexico Initiation on 3 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
graphite electrodes for electric arc 
furnaces (HS 8545.11.01) from China 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures) Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 
3 December 2014; 
and WTO document 
G/ADP/N/268, 
20 February 2015 Definitive duty 
imposed on 
1 September 2015 
Mexico Initiation on 4 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of apples (HS 0808.10.01) from the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/MEX, 6 March 2015  
Mexico Initiation on 23 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
carbon steel tubing with straight 
longitudinal or helical seams 
(HS 7305.11.01; 7305.11.99; 
7305.12.01; 7305.12.99; 7305.19.01; 
7305.19.99) from India, Spain, and the 
United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MEX, 
7 September 2015; 
and Diario Oficial de 
la Federación (Official 
Journal), 14 July 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 
14 July 2015 
Mexico Initiation on 16 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of prestressed products (HS 7217.10.99; 7312.10.01; 7312.10.05; 7312.10.07; 7312.10.08; 7312.10.10; 7312.10.99) from China, Portugal and Spain WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MEX, 7 September 2015; and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 6 August 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 6 August 2015 
Mexico Initiation on 15 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
aluminium cookware (HS 7615.10.99) 
from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MEX, 
7 September 2015  
Mexico Termination on 30 April 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on im ports of aluminium 
collapsible tubular containers (HS 7612.10.01) from Venezuela (Bolivarian Rep. of) (imposed on 14 May 2004) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MEX, 7 September 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Mexico Initiation on 8 May 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of ceramic tiles 
for walls and floors (HS 6907.90.99; 
6908.90.01) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/MEX, 
7 September 2015  
Mexico Initiation on 2 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of bars and rods of steel (HS 7213.10.01; 7213.20.01; 7213.91.01; 7213.91.02; 7213.99.01; 7213.99.99; 7227.10.01; 7227.20.01; 7227.90.01; 7227.90.99) from China Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 2 September 2015  
Mexico Initiation on 7 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
ferro-silico-manganese (HS 7202.30.01; 
9802.00.13) from India Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Diario Oficial de 
la Federación (Official 
Journal), 
7 September 2015  
Morocco Initiation on 9 June 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of paper in rolls and paper in reams (HS 4802.55.90; 4802.57.90) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/MAR/9, 11 June 2015  
Morocco Initiation on 25 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
poly(vinyl chloride) "PVC", not mixed with 
any other substances (HS 3904.10.90) 
from EU and Mexico Ministère délégué 
auprès du Ministre de 
l'Industrie, du 
Commerce, de 
l'Investissement et de 
l'Economie numérique 
chargé du commerce 
extérieur, Direction de 
la politique des 
échanges 
commerciaux, Avis 
public No. 10/15 
(23 June 2015)  
New Zealand Termination on 10 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of reinforcing 
steel bar and coil (HS 7213.10; 7213.91; 7213.99; 7214.20; 7214.99; 7227.90; 7228.30; 7228.50; 7228.60) from Thailand (imposed on 5 March 2004) WTO documents WTO 
documents 
G/ADP/N/259/NZL, 1 August 2014 and G/ADP/N/272/NZL, 31 August 2015 Duties temporary 
suspended on 
1 June 2014 
New Zealand Termination on 27 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of diaries 
(HS 4820.10) from China and Malaysia 
(imposed on 18 October 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/NZL, 
31 August 2015  
Pakistan Termination on 2 December 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping investigation on imports of wall and floor tiles (HS 6907.10.00; 6907.90.00; 6908.10.00; 6908.90.10; 6908.90.90) from Iran, Malaysia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates (initiated on 30 July 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/PAK, 24 March 2015  
Pakistan Termination on 17 January 2015 (without 
measure) of anti-dumping investigation 
on imports of pegylated interferon 
Alpha-2A (HS 3002.20.90) from 
Switzerland (initiated on 
14 December 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/PAK, 
31 August 2015  
Pakistan Termination on 28 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of polyester staple fibre (HS 5503.20.10) from Indonesia; Korea, Rep. of; and Thailand (imposed on 9 February 2007) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/PAK, 31 August 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Pakistan Initiation on 27 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
sorbitol 70% solution (HS 2905.44.00; 
3824.60.00) from India WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/PAK, 
31 August 2015  
Pakistan Initiation on 24 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of polyester staple fibre (HS 5503.20.10) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/PAK, 31 August 2015  
Pakistan Initiation on 28 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
hydrogen peroxide (HS 2847.00.00) from 
Bangladesh WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/PAK, 
31 August 2015  
Peru Termination on 23 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of cotton 
fabrics (HS 5209.42.00) from China 
(imposed on 2 August 1995) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO 
(16 April 2015), and 
Resolución No. 001-2015/CFD-INDECOPI (9 January 2015)  
Peru Termination on 6 March 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of woven 
fabrics, printed (HS 5513.41.00) from 
China (imposed on 2 August 1995) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO 
(16 April 2015), and 
Resolución No. 032-
2015/CFD-INDECOPI 
(18 February 2015)  
Peru Termination on 5 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of zip fasteners and parts thereof (HS 9607.11.00; 9607.19.00; 9607.20.00) from China (imposed on 30 August 2002) Permanent Delegation 
of Peru to the WTO (30 September 2015), and Resolución No. 053-2015/CFD-INDECOPI (27 April 2015)  
Philippines Termination on 2 February 2015 (without 
measure) of safeguard investigation on 
imports of galvanized iron sheets and 
coils (GI), and pre-painted galvanized 
iron sheets and coils (PPGI) 
(HS 7210.41.10; 7210.41.90; 
7210.49.90; 7210.69.10; 7210.69.90; 
7210.70.11; 7210.70.12; 7210.70.30; 
7210.70.60; 7210.70.90; 7210.90.40; 
7210.90.50; 7210.90.90; 7212.30.19; 
7212.30.93; 7212.30.99; 7212.40.11; 
7212.40.19; 7212.50.12; 7212.50.13; 
7212.50.19; 7212.50.29) (initiated on 
27 September 2013) WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/PHL/10, 
10 October 2013 and 
G/SG/N/9/PHL/2, 
27 February 2015  
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Initiation on 17 October 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of steel railway wheels (HS 8607.19.10) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 20 March 2015  
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Termination on 21 November 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of cold-
rolled flat steel products with polymer 
coating (HS 7210; 7212; 7225) from 
Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; and 
Chinese Taipei (investigation initiated on 
11 February 2011 and definitive duty 
imposed on 1 July 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 
20 March 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan Initiation on 26 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of ferrosilicon manganese (HS 7202.30) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/RUS, 20 March 2015  
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, and 
Kazakhstan Initiation on 26 December 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
ferrosilicon manganese (HS 7202.30) 
from Ukraine WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/RUS, 
20 March 2015  
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Initiation on 10 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of seamless pipes and tubes of stainless steel (HS 7304.41; 7304.49; 7304.90) from Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/RUS, 17 September 2015  
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Termination on 22 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of tall oil 
fatty acid (HS 3823.13) from Sweden 
(imposed on 5 June 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/ZAF, 
17 February 2015  
SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Termination on 27 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of staple polyester fibre (HS 5503.20) from China (investigation initiated on 23 January 2009, provisional and definitive duti es imposed on 
6 November 2009 and 28 May 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/ZAF, 17 September 2015  
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Termination on 13 November 2014 
(without measure) of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of computer to 
plate (HS 3701.30; 3701.91) from China 
(initiated on 25 November 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TPKM, 
26 February 2015  
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu Termination on 16 July 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (HS 2831.10.20; 2831.90.00) from China 
(investigation initiated on 
6 February 2010, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 16 July 2010 and 6 December 2010) Permanent Delegation 
of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu to 
the WTO (16 October 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Thailand Initiation on 15 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of low 
carbon steel wire rods (HS 7213.91.20; 
7213.91.90; 7213.99.20; 7213.99.90; 
7227.90.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/THA, 
25 September 2015; 
and Permanent 
Delegation of Thailand 
to the WTO 
(9 October 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 
12 September 2015 
Thailand Termination on 10 July 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of sodium tripolyphosphate (HS 2835.31) from China (imposed on 18 July 2009) Permanent Delegation 
of Thailand to the WTO (9 October 2015)  
Tunisia Initiation on 14 July 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of ceramic tiles 
(HS 6907.10; 6907.90; 6908.10; 
6908.90) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUN/5, 
30 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 18 October 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of cotton (HS 5201) from the United States WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 11 March 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 30 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
polystyrene (HS 3903.19.00) from Egypt WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 
11 March 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 5 December 2014 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus "cellular" portable telephone (HS 8517.12.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/19, 8 December 2014  
Turkey Initiation on 12 December 2014 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of 
wallpaper and similar wallcoverings 
(HS 4814.20.00; 4814.90.10; 
4814.90.70) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/20, 
12 December 2014  
Turkey Initiation on 12 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of welded stainless steel tubes, pipes and profiles (HS 7306.40.20; 7306.40.80; 7306.61.10) from Malaysia and Viet Nam 
(possible circumvention of anti-dumping 
measures of imports from China and Chinese Taipei imposed on 15 March 2013) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 11 March 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 12 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
granites (HS 6802.23; 6802.93) from 
Viet Nam (possible circumvention of anti-
dumping measures of imports from China 
imposed on 14 September 2006) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/TUR, 
11 March 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 26 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of safety glass (HS 7007) from China and Israel WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 23 July 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 23 May 2015 
Turkey Initiation on 28 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of hot-
rolled coil steel (HS 7208.37.00; 
7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 7225.30.90) 
from China, France, Japan, Romania, 
Russian Federation, Sl ovak Republic and 
Ukraine WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 
23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 12 April 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
sodium formate (HS 2915.12.00) from 
China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 
23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 25 April 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of porcelain and 
ceramic tableware and kitchenware 
(HS 6911.10; 6912.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/TUR/21, 
29 April 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Turkey Termination on 2 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of mono ethylene glycol (MEG) (HS 2905.31) from Bulgaria (investigation initiated on 26 December 2008 and definitive duty imposed on 2 May 2010) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 15 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles 
of iron (other than cast iron) or steel 
(HS 7304) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 
23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 15 May 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of seamless tubes, pipes and hollow profiles 
of iron (other than cast iron) or steel 
(HS 7304) from China WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/TUR, 23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 15 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
polyester textured yarn (HS 5402.33) 
from Thailand and Viet Nam WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 
23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 27 May 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of plywood consisting solely of sheets of wood, each ply not exceeding 6 mm thickness (HS 4412.10; 4412.31; 4412.32; 4412.39) from Bulgaria and Viet Nam (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China imposed in 2012) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 20 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
chiller (HS 8418.69.00) from China WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/TUR, 
23 July 2015  
Turkey Initiation on 23 July 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of painted galvanized sheet metal (cold-rolled) (HS 7210.70) from China Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 October 2015)  
Turkey Initiation on 22 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of cold-
rolled stainless steel flats (HS 
7219.31.00; 7219.32.10; 7219.32.90; 
7219.33.10; 7219.33.90; 7219.34.10; 
7219.34.90; 7219.35.10; 7219.35.90; 
7220.20.21; 7220.20.29; 7220.20.41; 
7220.20.49; 7220.20.81; 7220.20.89)  
from China and Chinese Taipei Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 October 2015)  
Turkey Initiation on 22 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of yarn of man-made or synthetic or artificial staple fibres (HS 5508; 5509; 5510; 5511 (excluding HS 5509.52; 5509.61; 5509.91; 5510.20)) from Chinese Taipei (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures of imports from China, India, and Indonesia imposed on 12 January 2009) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 October 2015)  
Ukraine Termination on 6 November 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of syringes 
(HS 9018.31) from China, Germany, 
Spain, and the United Kingdom (imposed 
on 5 November 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/UKR, 
17 February 2015  
Ukraine Initiation on 7 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of caustic soda (HS 2815.12.00) from the Russian Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/UKR, 17 February 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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Ukraine Initiation on 27 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain nitrogen fertilizers (urea, UAN) 
(HS 3102.10; 3102.80.00) from Russian 
Federation WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/UKR, 
26 August 2015  
Ukraine Initiation on 7 July 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of flexible porous plates, blocks and shee ts of polyurethane 
foams (HS 3921.13.10) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/UKR/11, 17 July 2015  
Ukraine Termination on 30 September 2015 of 
safeguard duties on imports of certain 
motor cars (HS 8703.22.10; 8703.23.19) 
(investigation initiated on 2 July 2011 
and definitive duty imposed on 
14 April 2013. Measure temporarily 
suspended on hybrid cars from 
20 April 2013 to 28 February 2014. On 
28 March 2014, progressive liberalization 
of safeguard measure) Permanent Delegation 
of Ukraine to the WTO 
(15 October 2015); 
and WTO documents 
G/SG/N/6/UKR/9, 
15 July 2011; 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3, 
25 March 2013; 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3/ 
Suppl.1, 
22 May 2013; 
G/SG/N/10/UKR/3/ 
Suppl.2, 
31 March 2014; and 
G/SG/N/8/UKR/3/ 
Suppl.2, 
27 February 2015  
United States Termination on 23 October 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of grain-oriented electrical steel "GOES" (HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.10; 7226.11.90) from China; Czech Republic; Korea, Rep. of; and Russian Federation (investigation initiated on 31 October 2013 and provisional duty imposed on 12 May 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 26 February 2015  
United States Termination on 23 October 2014 of 
countervailing duties on imports of grain-
oriented electrical steel "GOES" 
(HS 7225.11.00; 7226.11.10; 
7226.11.90) from China (investigation 
initiated on 31 October 2013 and 
provisional duty imposed on 
11 March 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 March 2015  
United States Initiation on 13 November 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of welded line pipe (HS 7305.11.10; 7305.11.50; 7305.12.10; 7305.12.50; 7305.19.10; 7305.19.50; 7306.19.10; 7306.19.51) from Korea, Rep. of; and Turkey WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 18 September 2015; and Department of Commerce International Trade Administration C-580-877 and C-489-823 Federal Registers/Vol 80 FR No. 61365 and 61371 (13 October 2015) Provisional duty 
imposed on 20 March 2015. Definitive duty imposed on 13 October 2015 on imports from Turkey. Terminated on 13 October 2015 on imports from Korea, Rep. of 
United States Initiation 14 November 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
welded line pipe (HS 7305.11.10; 
7305.11.50; 7305.12.10; 7305.12.50; 
7305.19.10; 7305.19.50; 7306.19.10; 
7306.19.51) from Korea, Rep. of; and 
Turkey WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015; 
and Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration A-489-
822 and A-580-876 
Federal 
Registers/Vol 80 FR 
No. 61362 and 61366 
(13 October 2015) Provisional and 
definitive duties 
imposed on 
22 May and 
13 October 2015, 
respectively WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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United States Initiation 9 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of melamine (HS 2933.61.00) from China and Trinidad and Tobago WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 18 June 2015 
United States Initiation on 9 December 2014 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
melamine (HS 2933.61.00) from China 
and Trinidad and Tobago WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 
18 September 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 
20 April 2015 
United States Termination on 9 December 2014 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (HS 2903.39.20) from China (investigation initiated on 9 December 2013 and provisional duty 
imposed on 29 May 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/259/USA, 5 September 2014; and International Trade Commission 701-TA-509 and 731-
TA-1244 (Final), 
Federal Register/Vol. 79 No. 73102 (9 December 2014)  
United States Termination on 9 December 2014 of 
countervailing duties on imports of 
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane 
(HS 2903.39.20) from China 
(investigation initiated on 
9 December 2013 and provisional duty 
imposed on 18 April 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 March 2015  
United States Termination on 29 December 2014 of 
anti-dumping duties on imports of drill pipe (HS 7304.22.00; 7304.23.30; 7304.23.60; 7304.39.00; 7304.49.00; 7304.59.80; 8431.43.40; 8431.43.80) from China (investigation initiated on 28 January 2010, provisional and definitive duti es imposed on 
18 August 2010 and 3 March 2011) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/265/USA, 26 February 2015  
United States Termination on 29 December 2014 of 
countervailing duties on imports of drill 
pipe (HS 7304.22.00; 7304.23.30; 
7304.23.60; 7304.39.00; 7304.49.00; 
7304.59.80; 8431.43.40; 8431.43.80) 
from China (investigation initiated on 
28 January 2010, provisional and 
definitive duti es imposed on 
11 June 2010 and 3 March 2011) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/281/USA, 
10 March 2015  
United States Initiation on 31 December 2014 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of uncovered innerspring units (HS 7320.20.50; 7320.90.50; 7326.20.00; 9404.10.00; 9404.29.90) from China (possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed on 19 February 2009) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015  
United States Termination on 9 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on impo rts of electrolytic 
manganese dioxide (HS 2820.10.00) 
from Australia (imposed on 
7 October 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  
United States Termination on 30 January 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of lightweight thermal paper from Germany 
(HS 3703.10.60; 4811.59.20; 
4811.90.80; 4811.90.90, 4820.10.20, 4823.40.00) (imposed on 24 November 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United States Termination on 6 February 2015 of anti-
dumping duties of polyethylene 
terephthalate film, sheet and strip 
(HS 3920.62.00) from Brazil (imposed on 
10 November 2008) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 18 February 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain uncoated paper (HS 4802.56.10; 4802.56.20; 4802.56.30; 4802.56.40; 4802.56.60; 4802.56.70; 4802.57.10; 4802.57.20; 4802.57.30; 4802.57.40; 4802.62.10; 4802.62.20; 4802.62.30; 4802.62.50; 4802.62.60; 4802.69.10; 4802.69.20; 4802.69.30; 4811.90.80; 
4811.90.90) from Australia, Brazil, China, 
Indonesia, and Portugal WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 18 February 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
certain uncoated paper (HS 4802.56.10; 
4802.56.20; 4802.56.30; 4802.56.40; 
4802.56.60; 4802.56.70; 4802.57.10; 
4802.57.20; 4802.57.30; 4802.57.40; 
4802.62.10; 4802.62.20; 4802.62.30; 
4802.62.50; 4802.62.60; 4802.69.10; 
4802.69.20; 4802.69.30; 4811.90.80; 
4811.90.90) from China and Indonesia WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 
18 September 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 
29 June 2015 
United States Initiation on 17 March 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of silicomanganese (HS 7202.30.00) from Australia WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 26 March 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
supercalendered paper (HS 4802.61.30; 
4802.62.30; 4802.62.60; 4802.69.30) 
from Canada WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 
18 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 6 April 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of certain 
polyethylene tereph thalate resin "PET" 
(HS 3907.60.00) from Canada, China, India, and Oman WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 6 April 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
polyethylene tereph thalate resin "PET" 
(HS 3907.60.00) from China, India, and 
Oman WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 
18 September 2015  
United States Termination on 20 May 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of certain steel nails (HS 7317.00.55; 7317.00.65; 7317.00.75; 8206.00.00) from Korea, Rep. of; Malaysia; Oman; and Chinese Taipei (investigation initiated on 25 June 2014 and provisional duty imposed on 3 November 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 18 September 2015  
United States Termination on 27 May 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on im ports of polyvinyl 
alcohol (HS 3905.30) from Korea, Rep. of 
(imposed on 1 October 2003) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  
United States Termination on 5 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of 53-foot 
domestic dry containers (HS 8609.00.00; 
9803.50.00) from China (investigation initiated on 19 May 2014 and provisional duty imposed on 26 November 2014) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United States Termination on 5 June 2015 of 
countervailing duties on imports of 
53-foot domestic dry containers 
(HS 8609.00.00; 9803.50.00) from China 
(investigation initiated on 19 May 2014 
and provisional duty imposed on 
29 September 2014) WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 
18 September 2015  
United States Termination on 9 June 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of saccharin (HS 2925.11.00) from China (imposed on 9 July 2003) WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 30 June 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain corrosion-resistant steel products 
(HS 7210.30.00; 7210.41.00; 
7210.49.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 
7210.70.60; 7210.90.60; 7210.90.90; 
7212.20.00; 7212.30.10; 7212.30.30; 
7212.30.50; 7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 
7212.50.00; 7212.60.00; 7215.90; 
7217.20; 7217.30; 7217.90; 7225.91; 
7225.92; 7225.99; 7226.99; 7228.60; 
7229.90) from China; India; Italy; Korea, 
Rep. of; and Chinese Taipei WTO document 
G/ADP/N/272/USA, 
14 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 30 June 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of certain corrosion-resistant steel products (HS 7210.30.00; 7210.41.00; 7210.49.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 7210.70.60; 7210.90.60; 7210.90.90; 7212.20.00; 7212.30.10; 7212.30.30; 7212.30.50; 7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7212.60.00) from China; India; Italy; Korea, Rep. of; and Chinese 
Taipei WTO document 
G/SCM/N/289/USA, 18 September 2015  
United States Initiation on 22 July 2015 anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of 
hydrofluorocarbon blends and 
components (HS 2903.39.20; 
3824.78.00) from China Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration A-570-
028, Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 43387 
(22 July 2015)  
United States Initiation on 17 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon steel pipes and tubes (HS 7306.61.10; 7306.61.30) from Korea, Rep. of; Mexico; and Turkey Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-580-880; A-201-847; A-489-824 Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 49202 (17 August 2015)  
United States Initiation on 17 August 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
heavy-walled rectangular welded carbon 
steel pipes and tubes (HS 7306.61.10; 
7306.61.30) from Turkey Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration C-489-
825 Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 49207 
(17 August 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United States Termination on 18 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of woven electric blankets (HS 6301.10.00) from China (investigation initiated on 27 July 2009, provisional and definitive duties imposed on 3 February and 18 August 2010) Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-570-951, Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 49987 (18 August 2015)  
United States Initiation on 24 August 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of 
certain cold-rolled steel flat products 
(HS 7209.15.00; 7209.16.00; 
7209.17.00; 7209.18.15; 7209.18.25; 
7209.18.60; 7209.25.00; 7209.26.00; 
7209.27.00; 7209.28.00; 7209.90.00; 
7210.70.30; 7210.90.90; 7211.23.15; 
7211.23.20; 7211.23.30; 7211.23.45; 
7211.23.60; 7211.29.20; 7211.29.45; 
7211.29.60; 7211.90.00; 7212.40.10; 
7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7215.10.00; 
7215.50.00; 7215.90.50; 7217.10.10; 
7217.10.20; 7217.10.30; 7217.10.70; 
7217.90.10; 7217.90.50; 7225.19.00; 
7225.50.60; 7225.50.80; 7225.99.00; 
7226.19.10; 7226.19.90; 7226.92.50; 
7226.92.70; 7226.92.80; 7226.99.01; 
7228.50.50; 7228.60.80; 7229.90.10) 
from Brazil; China; India; Japan; Korea, 
Rep. of; Netherlands; Russian 
Federation; and the United Kingdom Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration A-351-
843; A-570-029; A-
533-865; A-588-873; 
A-580-881; A-421-
812; A-821-822; A-
412-824, Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 51198 
(24 August 2015) and 
US International 
Trade Commission 
Publication 4564 
(September 2015) Terminated in 
September 2015 for 
imports from the 
Netherlands 
United States Initiation on 24 August 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of certain cold-rolled steel flat products (HS 7209.15.00; 7209.16.00; 7209.17.00; 7209.18.15; 7209.18.25; 7209.18.60; 7209.25.00; 7209.26.00; 
7209.27.00; 7209.28.00; 7209.90.00; 
7210.70.30; 7210.90.90; 7211.23.15; 7211.23.20; 7211.23.30; 7211.23.45; 7211.23.60; 7211.29.20; 7211.29.45; 7211.29.60; 7211.90.00; 7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7215.10.00; 7215.50.00; 7215.90.50; 7217.10.10; 7217.10.20; 7217.10.30; 7217.10.70; 7217.90.10; 7217.90.50; 7225.19.00; 7225.50.60; 7225.50.80; 7225.99.00; 7226.19.10; 7226.19.90; 7226.92.50; 7226.92.70; 7226.92.80; 7226.99.01; 7228.50.50; 7228.60.80; 7229.90.10) from Brazil; China; India; Korea, Rep. of; and Russian Federation Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration C-351-844; C-533-866; C-570-030; C-580-882; 
C-821-823, Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR No. 51206 (24 August 2015)  
United States Termination on 26 August 2015 of anti-
dumping duties on imports of purified 
carboxymethylcellulose (HS 3912.31.00) 
from Finland (imposed on 11 July 2005) Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration A-405-
803, Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 51782 
(26 August 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United States Initiation on 9 September 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of certain hot-rolled steel flat products (HS 7208.10.15; 7208.10.30; 7208.10.60; 7208.25.30; 7208.25.60; 7208.26.00; 7208.27.00; 7208.36.00; 7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 7208.40.60; 7208.53.00; 7208.54.00; 7208.90.00; 7210.70.30; 7210.90.90; 7211.14.00; 7211.19.15; 7211.19.20; 7211.19.30; 7211.19.45; 7211.19.60; 7211.19.75; 7211.90.00; 7212.40.10; 7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7214.91.00; 7214.99.00; 7215.90.50; 7225.11.00; 
7225.19.00; 7225.30.30; 7225.30.70; 
7225.40.70; 7225.99.00; 7226.11.10; 7226.11.90; 7226.19.10; 7226.19.90; 7226.91.50; 7226.91.70; 7226.91.80; 7226.99.01; 7228.60.60) from Australia; Brazil; Japan; Korea, Rep. of; Netherlands; Turkey; and the United Kingdom Department of 
Commerce International Trade Administration A-602-809; A-351-845; A-588-874; A-580-883; A-421-813; A-489-826; A-412-825, Federal Register/Vol 80 FR No. 54261 (9 September 2015)  
United States Initiation on 9 September 2015 of 
countervailing investigation on imports of 
certain hot-rolled steel flat products 
(HS 7208.10.15; 7208.10.30; 
7208.10.60; 7208.25.30; 7208.25.60; 
7208.26.00; 7208.27.00; 7208.36.00; 
7208.37.00; 7208.38.00; 7208.39.00; 
7208.40.60; 7208.53.00; 7208.54.00; 
7208.90.00; 7210.70.30; 7210.90.90; 
7211.14.00; 7211.19.15; 7211.19.20; 
7211.19.30; 7211.19.45; 7211.19.60; 
7211.19.75; 7211.90.00; 7212.40.10; 
7212.40.50; 7212.50.00; 7214.91.00; 
7214.99.00; 7215.90.50; 7225.11.00; 
7225.19.00; 7225.30.30; 7225.30.70; 
7225.40.70; 7225.99.00; 7226.11.10; 
7226.11.90; 7226.19.10; 7226.19.90; 
7226.91.50; 7226.91.70; 7226.91.80; 
7226.99.01; 7228.60.60) from Brazil; 
Korea, Rep. of; and Turkey Department of 
Commerce 
International Trade 
Administration C-351-
846; C-580-884; C-
489-827, Federal 
Register/Vol 80 FR 
No. 54267 
(9 September 2015)  
Uruguay Initiation on 5 January 2015 of anti-
dumping investigation on imports of films of polymers of ethylene (NCM 3920.10.99) from Brazil Permanent Delegation 
of Uruguay to the WTO (21 April 2015)  
Viet Nam Initiation on 1 September 2015 of 
safeguard investigation on imports of 
monosodium glutamate (HS 2922.42.20) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/VNM/3, 
7 September 2015  
Zambia Initiation on 10 July 2015 of safeguard 
investigation on imports of flat-rolled products of iron, non-alloy steel, trailers and semi-trailers (HS 7209.16.00; 7209.17.00; 7209.28.00; 7210.11.00; 7210.20.00:7210.30.00; 7210.41.00; 7210.61.00; 7210.69.00; 7210.70.00; 8716.20.00; 8716.31.00; 8716.39.00; 8716.40.00) WTO document 
G/SG/N/6/ZMB/1, 5 October 2015 Provisional duty 
imposed on 10 July 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Initiation on 13 October 2015 of anti-dumping 
investigation on imports of glazed/unglazed porcelain/vitrified tiles in polished or unpolished finish with less than 3% water absorption (HS 6907; 6908; 6914) from China The Dollar Business 
referring to Notification No. 14/14/2014-DGAD, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department 
of Commerce) 
(13 October 2015)  
 
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  ANNEX 3 
OTHER TRADE-RELATED MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-OCTOBER 2015) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Albania Imposition of refe rence prices on certain 
imports Permanent Delegation 
of Albania to the WTO (20 April 2015)  
Angola Temporary import ban on certain food 
products contained in the basic basket of 
goods, i.e. oils, maize and wheat flour, 
salt, rice, sugar, under an import quota of 
2,042,440 tonnes; beverages (i.e. water, 
beer, juices) under an import quota of 
950,000 hectolitres; eggs, under an 
import quota of 156,000,000 units; and 
horticultural products (i.e. onions, garlic, 
potatoes), under an  import quota of 
184,500 tonnes. Ban applied to certain 
products where domestic supply covers 
60% of national consumption (HS 0407; 
0701; 0703.10; 0703.20; 1006; 1701; 
22; 2501) Decreto Executivo 
Conjunto No. 22/15 
23 January 2015) Effective 
23 January 2015 
Argentina Updated list of  "criterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of certain products, i.e. men's or boy's shirts of cotton, knitted or crocheted; suits of synthetic fibres; and combs of hard rubber or plastics (NCM 6105.10.00; 6203.43.00; 9615.11.00), from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3696, 3697, and 3699 (5 November 2014) Effective 
5 November 2014 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of certain products, i.e. T-shirts, 
singlets and other vests, knitted or 
crocheted; and slates and boards, with 
writing or drawing surfaces, whether or 
not framed (NCM 6109.10.00; 
6109.90.00; 9610.00.00), from specific 
origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - 
Resoluciones 
Generales Nos. 3705 
and 3706 
(7 January 2015) Effective 
7 January 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of handbags, with or without shoulder strap, including those without handle (NCM 4202.22.10; 4202.22.20; 4202.29.00); and unwrought magnesium products ( ánodos ) (NCM 8104.90.00), 
from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3736 and 3738 (5 February 2015) Effective 
5 February 2015 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 153 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of certain products, i.e. men's 
underpants and briefs (NCM 6107.11.00; 
6107.12.00; 6107.19.00); travel set for 
personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes 
cleaning (NCM 9605.00.00); spectacles, 
goggles and the like, corrective, 
protective or other (NCM 9004.90.20); 
and plastic fittings  for furniture, 
coachwork or the like (NCM 3926.30.00), 
from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - 
Resoluciones 
Generales Nos. 3750, 
3751 
(13 March 2015), 
3752 and 3753 
(17 March 2015) Effective March 2015 
Argentina Updated list of  "reference values" for 
exports of natural honey, garlic, and 
fresh grapes (NCM 0409.00.00; 
0703.20.90; 0806.10.00), for certain specified de stinations Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) 
and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resoluciones Generales Nos. 3760, 3761, 3762 (9 April 2015) Effective 9 April 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of knitted or  crocheted dresses 
(NCM 6104), from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3765 
(15 April 2015) Effective 15 April 2015 
Argentina Extension of the temporary increase of 
the Mercosur Common Tariff applied rates, but not over their bound levels, for imports of certain products, i.e. (to 28%) 11 dairy products tariff lines (NCM 0402) (originally implemented on 
31 January 2010), (to 35%) prepared or 
preserved peaches, including nectarines (NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.20; 2008.70.90) (originally implemented on 1 April 2011), and 14 toys tariff lines (NCM Chapter 95) (originally implemented on 1 April 2011) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Decreto No. 760/2015 Comercio Exterior (6 May 2015) 
under MERCOSUR 
Decisión No. 35/14 del Consejo del Mercado Común (16 December 2014) Effective May 2015 to 
30 June 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of certain textured yarn of 
polyesters (NCM 5402.33.00; 
5402.44.00), from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3776 
(3 June 2015) Effective 3 June 2015 
Argentina Temporary export ban on ferrous, copper 
and aluminium wastes and scraps (NCM 7204.10.00; 7204.21.00; 7204.29.00; 7204.30.00; 7204.41.00; 7204.49.00; 7204.50.00; 7404.00.00; 7602.00.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Decreto No. 1102/15, Boletín Oficial (18 June 2015) Effective 19 June 2015 
for 1 year WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 154 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of certain valves and similar 
appliances (NCM 8481.80.97), from 
specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3784 
(29 June 2015) Effective 29 June 2015 
Argentina Temporary exceptions from certain 
aspects of the "Internal Taxes Law", raising the minimum amount on which the tax is applied. For vehicles with a retail sale price between Arg$225.000 
and Arg$278.000, domestic internal tax 
set at 10% compared to 30% for imported goods. For retail sale price exceeding Arg$278.000, domestic internal tax set at 30% compared to 50% for imported goods Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Decreto No. 
1243/2015 
(30 June 2015) Effective 1 July to 
31 December 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "reference values" for 
exports of certain molluscs ( calamar ) 
(NCM 0307.99.00), for certain specified 
destinations Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3796 
(31 August 2015) Effective 
31 August 2015 
Argentina Updated list of  "reference values" for 
exports of certain shrimps and prawns (langostinos ) (NCM 0306.17.10), for 
certain specified destinations Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3798 
(15 September 2015) Effective 
15 September 2015 
Argentina Updated list of "c riterion values" ( valores 
criterio de carácter preventivo ) for 
imports of input or ou tput units, whether 
or not containing st orage units in the 
same housing (NCM 8471.60.52; 
8471.60.53), from specific origins Permanent Delegation 
of Argentina to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Administración 
Federal de Ingresos 
Públicos - Resolución 
General No. 3799 
(15 September 2015) Effective 
15 September 2015 
Azerbaijan Rate of excise duty applied on imports of 
certain alcoholic beverages (i.e. whisky, gin, vodka) (HS 2208) higher than for same beverages locally produced Permanent Delegation 
of Azerbaijan (19 May 2015) Effective January 2015 
Bolivia 
(Plurinational 
State of) Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 
10%) on portable digital automatic data 
processing machines, weighing not more 
than 10 kg, consisting of at least a 
central processing unit, a keyboard and a 
display (HS 8471.30.00) Decreto Supremo 
No. 2496 
(26 August 2015)  
Bolivia 
(Plurinational 
State of) Increase of import tariffs (up to 40%) on 
certain products, i.e. milk and cream, 
yogurt, grapes, ground  coffee, prepared 
or preserved vegetables, wine, fine animal hair and footwear (35 tariffs lines) (HS Chapters 04; 08; 09; 20; 22; 51; 64 Decreto Supremo 
No. 2522 
(16 September 2015) Effective 
23 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Brazil Termination of the temporary reduction 
of import tariffs (from 2% to 14%) on 
adiponitrila (NCM 2926.90.91) (originally 
reduced on 31 May 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) and 
Camex Resolution 
No. 101/2014 
(29 October 2014) Effective 
30 October 2014 
Brazil Increase on import tariffs (from 12% to 
18%) on led lamps (NCM 8543.70.99) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) and Camex Resolution No. 111/2014 (21 November 2014) Effective 
24 November 2014 
Brazil Elimination of the temporary reduction of 
import tariffs on simazine 
(NCM 2933.69.14) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective 
24 November 2014 
Brazil Amendments to le gislation temporarily 
granting preference in government procurement (from 8% to 25% preference margins) on certain products manufactured locally. Preference margins set up by Law No. 12.349/2010 and implemented through specific decrees covering different sectors Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2015 
Brazil Extension of the temporary increase of 
the Mercosur Common Tariff applied 
rates, but not over their bound levels, for 
imports of certain products, i.e. (to 28%) 
11 dairy products tariff lines (NCM 0402) 
(originally implemented on 
31 January 2010), (to 35%) prepared or 
preserved peaches, including nectarines 
(NCM 2008.70.10; 2008.70.20; 
2008.70.90) (originally implemented on 
1 April 2011), and 14 toys tariff lines 
(NCM Chapter 95) (originally 
implemented on 1 April 2011) Permanent Delegation 
of Brazil to the WTO 
(29 September 2015), 
Camex Resolutions 
Nos. 129/2014 
(19 December 2014), 
72/2015 
(22 July 2015) and 
Decisiones Nos. 
28/15, 29/15 and 
30/15 del Consejo del 
Mercado Común 
(16 July 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
31 December 2023 for 
dairy products and 
nectarines. Effective 
until 
31 December 2021 for 
toys 
China VAT rebate rates eliminated on exports of 
boron steel (HS 7104.90.12; 7225.40.91; 7226.91.91; 7227.90.10; 7228.30.10) (effective 1 January 2015), and reduced (to 9%) on wigs (HS 6703.00.00; 6704.11.00; 6704.19.00; 6704.20.00; 6704.90.00) (effective 1 April 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO (29 May 2015)  
China First and second batch of 2015 export 
quotas for non-ferrous metals (i.e. 
antimony and its products, silver, tin and 
its products, and in dium) (HS Chapters 
25; 26; 28; 72; 80; 81) released (first 
batch amounting to around 70% of total 
quota allocated for the year 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of China to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
Colombia Removal of certain products, i.e. palmitic 
acids and stearic acid, their salts and esters; refractory ce ments, mortars, 
concretes and similar compositions; refractory bricks, blocks  and tiles; doors, 
windows and their frames of iron and steel; castors; furniture designed to receive refrigerating equipment; and electrical insulators of glass (6 tariff lines) 
(HS 2915.70.22; 3816.00.00; 
6902.20.90; 7308.30.00; 8302.20.00; 8418.91.00; 8546.10.00) from the list (with zero duty level) of raw materials and capital goods not produced locally (3,490 tariff lines) established by Decree No. 1755 (originally implemented in August 2013) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
December 2014 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Colombia Increase of import tariffs on non-wired 
glass coloured throughout the mass 
(body tinted), opacified, flashed or 
merely surface ground (HS 7005.21.90; 
7005.29.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
February 2015 
Colombia Temporary increase of import tariffs (but 
not over their bound levels) on corrugated flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7210.41.00; 7225.92.90)  Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the WTO (20 October 2015) and Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, Decreto No. 1537 (21 July 2015) Effective 21 July 2015, 
for 1 year 
Colombia Trade facilitation measures through the 
establishment of an electronic system for 
the filling of trade remedy requests Permanent Delegation 
of Colombia to the 
WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Dirección de 
Comercio Exterior, 
Circular Externa No. 
16 (30 June 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Costa Rica Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the 
Central American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants (pasta de coco ); preparations with a 
basis of tea" (HS 2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 15%) Resolución No. 
356-2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 December 2014) and Permanent Delegation of Costa Rica to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 22 May 2015. 
For other members of the Central American Common Market: El Salvador implemented on 16 December 2014, Guatemala on 31 December 2014 and Nicaragua on 20
 March 2015; no 
information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver 
on this measure  
Côte d'Ivoire Special authorization to export cocoa 
(HS Chapter 18) exempted from export 
duties and taxes Circulaire No. 
1732/MPMB/DGD/DU 
- Direction Générale 
des Douanes 
(18 August 2015) Effective 
18 August 2015 
Ecuador Temporary import tariff surcharges 
(sobretasa arancelaria ) (5%, 15%, 25%, 
45%) on 2,961 tariff lines (at 10 digits) (Chapters HS 01; 02; 03; 04; 05; 06; 07; 08; 09; 10; 11; 12; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 39; 40; 41; 42; 43; 44; 46; 48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53; 54; 55; 56; 57; 58; 59; 60; 61; 62; 63; 64; 65; 66; 67; 68; 69; 70; 71; 72; 73; 74; 76; 78; 79; 82; 83; 84; 85; 86; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 93; 94; 95; 96; 97), with a view to restoring balance-of-payments (effective 11 March 2015, for 15 months). Imports from Bolivia and Paraguay exempted WTO documents 
WT/BOP/N/79, WT/BOP/N/79/Add.1, WT/BOP/N/79/Add.2, 7 April 2015; and Resolución No. 011-2015 del Pleno del Comité de Comercio Exterior (6 March 2015) This measure replaces 
a previous measure for Colombia and Peru (Resoluciones Nos. 050-2014 (29 December 2014) and 002-2015 (20 January 2015) Comité de Comercio Exterior ) which was terminated on 11 March 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Egypt Imposition of temporar y export duties on 
certain products, i.e. animal feed; and 
(LE 2,500/tonne) used or new rags, scrap 
twine, cordage, rope and cables, and 
worn out article of twine, cordage, rope 
or cables of textile materials (effective 
until 31 December 2015); (LE 280/tonne) 
white rice milled (effective until 
31 August 2015); (LE 75/tonne) quartz 
ores; (LE 250/tonne) talc and feldspar 
ores; and (LE 400/tonne) azotic fertilizers 
(effective until 28 July 2015) 
(HS 1006.30; 2506; 2526; 2529; 31; 
6310) Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO 
(28 May 2015)  
Egypt Temporary export licensing requirement 
for white rice milled (HS 1006.30) Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective until 
31 August 2015 
Egypt Imposition of temporary export duties 
extended on certain products, i.e. quartz 
ores, talc and feldspar ores (extended 
29 July 2015); and mineral scrap 
(extended 14 September 2015) 
(HS 2506) Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO 
(6 October 2015) Effective: see 
individual dates in 
measure 
Egypt Temporary export ban on rice (HS 1006) 
(except broken rice HS 1006.40) Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO (6 October 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Egypt Import ban on laser pens of capacity 
higher than 5 Watts operating with inner 
energy source and camouflaged fabrics Permanent Delegation 
of Egypt to the WTO 
(6 October 2015)  
El Salvador Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the 
Central American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants (pasta de coco ); preparations with a 
basis of tea" (HS 2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 
15%) Resolución No. 
356-2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 December 2014) and Diario Oficial Tomo No. 405, No. 235 
(16 December 2014) Effective 
16 December 2014. For other members of the Central American Common Market: Guatemala implemented on 
31 December 2014, 
Nicaragua on 20 March 2015 and Costa Rica on 22 May 2015; no information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver on this measure 
Guatemala Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the 
Central American Common tariff "fruit, 
nuts and other edible parts of plants 
(pasta de coco ); preparations with a 
basis of tea" (HS 2008.19.20; 
2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting in an 
increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 
15%) Resolución No. 
356-2014 
(COMIECO-LXX) 
(4 December 2014) 
and Acuerdo 
Ministerial No. 
916/2014 - Ministerio 
de Economía 
(15 December 2014) Effective 
31 December 2014. 
For other members of 
the Central American 
Common Market: 
El Salvador 
implemented on 
16 December 2014, 
Nicaragua on 
20 March 2015 and 
Costa Rica on 
22 May 2015; no 
information received 
on implementation 
date by Honduras; and 
Panama given a waiver 
on this measure 
Honduras Increase of import tariff (to 35%) on 
certain iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7213.10.00; 7214.20.00; 7215.10.00; 7215.50.00; 7215.90.00; 7228.70.00) Acuerdo No. 030-
2015 Secretar ía de 
Desarrollo Económico 
(19 February 2015) Effective 
19 February 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Increase of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from zero to 7.5%) crude 
palm oil, fractions of crude palm oil 
(other than crude palm oil) (HS 1511); 
soya-bean crude oil, whether or not 
degummed (HS 1507.10.00); ground-nut 
oil, olive oil, sunflower-seed, safflower or 
cotton-seed oil, coconut (copra), palm 
kernel or babassu oil, rape, colza or 
mustard oil, certain fi xed vegetables fats 
and oils (HS 1508; 1509; 1510; 1512; 
1513; 1514; 1515); sunflower-seed 
crude oil (HS 1512.11.10); crude oil of 
low erucic acid rape or colza 
(HS 1514.11; 1514.91); and (from 7.5% 
to 15%) certain soya-bean oil 
(HS 1507.90.10); certain palm and its 
fractions (HS 1511.90); certain 
sunflower-seed (HS 1512.19.10); certain 
oil of low erucic acid rape or colza 
(HS 1514.19; 1514.91); vegetable fats 
and oils and their fractions (HS 1516.20); 
and margarine, and animal or vegetable 
fats and oils and their fractions 
(HS 1517.10.21; 1517.90.10; 
1517.90.20; 1518.00.11; 1518.00.21; 
1518.00.31) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
34/2014-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(24 December 2014) Effective 
24 December 2014 
India Increase of additional customs duty 
"Road cess" on petrol and high speed diesel oil (HS 2710) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification Nos. 6/2015 and 7/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (1 March 2015) Effective 1 March 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 159 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Increase of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. (from zero to 2.5%) ball 
crews, linear moti on guides, and CNC 
systems for use in the manufacture of 
CNC lathes or machining centre; (from 
zero to 5%) metallurgical coke, sulphuric 
acid for the manufacture of fertilizers, 
and active energy controller for use in 
manufacture of renewable power system 
inverters; (from zero to 7.5%) water 
blocking tape for use in the manufacture 
of insulated wires and cables, ethylene-
propylene-non-conjugated diene rubber 
"EPDM" for use in the manufacture of 
insulated wires and cables, and mica 
glass tapes for use in the manufacture of 
insulated wires and cables; (from 2.5% 
to 5%) butyl acrylate, C-block 
compressors, crankshafts, over load 
protector "OLP", an d positive thermal 
coefficient for use in  the manufacture of 
refrigerator compressor; (from 2.5% to 
10%) certain iron and steel; (from 7.5% 
to 10%) certain articles of iron and steel, 
motor vehicles imported as a completely 
knocked down "CKD" kit, and electrically 
operated vehicles (HS 2704.00; 
2807.00.10; 2916.12.10; 3919.90.90; 
4002.70.00; 6814.90.90; 72; 73; 
8414.90.11; 8483.40.00; 8466.93.90; 
8504; 8536.20.90; 8537.10.00; 8702; 
8704) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification 
Customs, Ministry of 
Finance - Department 
of Revenue 
No. 10/2015 
(1 March 2015) Effective 1 March 2015 
India Increase of import tariffs (to 70%) on 
semi-milled or wholly milled-rice (HS 1006.30) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (24 April 2015)  
India Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 
30%) on de-oiled soya extract (HS 2304) 
and groundnut oil cake/oil cake meal 
(HS 2305) (originally implemented 
in 2013) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
India Re-imposition of minimum export price 
"MEP" (US$250/MT) on onions (HS 0703) (reintroduced on 21 August 2014). On 20 August 2015 MEP increased to US$700/MT Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (24 April 2015 and 15 October 2015) Effective 7 April 2015 
India Amendment to the Import Policy of 
industrial or technical grade urea 
(HS 3102.10.00) free but subject to 
"Actual User Condition" (condition where 
an imported product has to be utilized by 
the importer and cannot be sold to other 
users) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
4/2015-2020 Ministry 
of Commerce and 
Industry - 
Department of 
Commerce 
(28 April 2015) Effective 28 April 2015 
India Temporary increase of import tariffs on 
certain products, i.e.  (from 25% to 40%) 
raw and refined sugar (HS 1701); (from 20% or Rs. 30/kg whichever is lower to 
25% or Rs. 30/kg whichever is lower) 
natural rubber in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip (HS 4001.21; 4001.22; 4001.29); and (from 5% to 10%) raw silk (not thrown) (HS 5002) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification No. 
28/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (30 April 2015) Effective 30 April 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Export duties on no n-agglomerated iron 
ores and concentrates (HS 2601.11.41; 
2601.11.42) set at 10% Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
30/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(30 April 2015) Effective 30 April 2015 
India Elimination of sugar (HS 1701.00.00) 
from the list of products under "Duty Free Import Authorization (DFIA)" Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification No. 5/2015-2020 Ministry 
of Commerce and 
Industry - Department of Commerce (1 May 2015) Effective 1 May 2015 
India Special authorization to export red 
sanders wood (HS Chapter 4403.99.18; 
4407.99.90) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
6/2015-2020 Ministry 
of Commerce and 
Industry - 
Department of 
Commerce 
(1 May 2015) Effective 6 May 2015 
to 30 April 2016 
India Increase of the minimum import price 
(from Rs 110/kg to Rs 162/kg) for areca nuts (HS 0802.80.10; 0802.80.20; 0802.80.30; 0802.80.90) Notification No. 
10/2015-2020 Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Department of Commerce (8 June 2015) Effective 8 June 2015 
India Temporary increase of import tariffs 
(from zero to 10%) on wheat 
(HS 1001.19.00; 1001.99.10) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
44/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(7 August 2015) Effective until 
31 March 2016 
India Increase of import tariffs (to 10%) on 
certain metal products (HS Chapter 72), and certain iron and non-alloy steel (HS 7206; 7207; 7213; 7214; 7215; 7216; 7217; 7221; 7222; 7223; 7225; 7226); and (to 12.5%) on certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7208; 7209; 7210; 7211; 7212; 7225.30.90; 7225.40.19; 7225.50; 7225.99.00) (except HS Codes 7225.11.00; 7226.11.00) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification No. 45/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (12 August 2015)  
India Amendment to the Import Policy of 
apples restricting entr y points for imports 
of apples (HS 0808.10.00) to Nhava 
Sheva port Notification No. 
21/2015-2020, 
Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry - 
Department of 
Commerce 
(14 September 2015) Effective 
14 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
India Increase of import tariffs (up to 20%) on 
certain animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared 
edible fats; and animal or vegetable waxes (i.e. soya-bean oil, ground-nut oil, olive oil, palm oil) (HS Chapter 15) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Notification No. 46/2015-Customs, Ministry of Finance - Department of Revenue (17 September 2015) Effective 
17 September 2015 
India Temporary increase of import tariffs 
(from 30% to 40%) on ghee, butter and 
butter oil (HS 0405) Permanent Delegation 
of India to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notification No. 
49/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(5 October 2015) Effective until 
31 March 2016 
Indonesia Import restrictions  on natural oil, gas and 
other fuels depending on domestic supply and demand (HS Chapters 22; 27; 29; 38) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective April 2015 
Indonesia Mandatory requirement to use letters of 
credit as payment method for export of 
certain products, i.e. iron ores and 
concentrates; manganese ores and 
concentrates; ash and residues; copper 
ores and concentrates; lead ores and 
concentrates; titanium ores and 
concentrates; inorganic chemicals and 
chemical products; organic or inorganic 
compounds of precious metals; nickel and 
articles of nickel; silver; gold; iron and 
steel; copper and articles of copper; 
aluminium and articles  of aluminium; tin 
and articles of tin; miscellaneous articles 
of base metal; mineral fuels and mineral 
oils; palm oil and its fractions; and 
coconut (copra) and its fractions (in 
Chapters HS 15; 26; 27; 28; 71; 72; 74; 
75; 76; 80; 83) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
Indonesia Export restrictions  on natural oil, gas and 
other fuels depending on domestic supply and demand (HS Chapters 22; 27; 29; 38) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective April 2015 
Indonesia Extension of the temporary import 
restriction on alcoholic beverages 
(HS Chapter 22) (originally effective until 
31 March 2014, under an import quota of 
553,000 cartons) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
Indonesia Number of products included in the 
import "luxury tax list" increased (i.e. electronics, furniture and accessories). The duty of the import tax was also increased from 7.5% to 10% (HS Chapters 25; 26; 27; 33; 39; 40; 42; 43; 57; 61; 62; 64; 66; 68; 69; 70; 71; 73; 76; 82; 84; 85; 87; 88; 89; 90; 91; 92; 94; 95; 96) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective July 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Revised requirements (technical 
verification) for exports of palm oil, crude 
palm oil (CPO) and derivative products 
(HS 1207.99.90; 1207.10.10; 
1207.10.20; 2306.60.00; 1404.90.90; 
1511.10.00; 1513.21.10; 1511.90.19; 
1511.90.11; 1513.29.13; 1513.29.11; 
3823.19.90; 1511.90.92; 1511.90.99; 
1511.90.91; 1513.29.95; 1513.29.94; 
1513.29.91; 3826.00.90; 1517.90.50; 
1517.90.62; 1517.90.63; 1517.90.64; 
1517.90.65; 1517.90.66; 1517.90.69; 
1518.00.31) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 16 July 2015 
Indonesia Imposition of an export duty 
(US$50/tonne) on crude palm oil and its 
derivatives (HS 1207.10.10; 1207.10.20; 2306.60.00; 1511.10.00; 1513.21.10; 1516.20.98; 1516.20.99; 1511.90.19; 1511.90.11; 1513.29.13; 1513.29.11; 3823.19.90; 1516.20.98; 1516.20.51; 1516.20.99; 1511.90.99; 1511.90.92; 1511.90.91; 1513.29.95; 1513.29.94; 1513.29.91; 1516.20.98; 1516.20.52; 1516.20.99; 1516.20.97; 1511.90.92; 3826.00.90.10). Export tax on palm oil changed from ad valorem (ranging from 7.5% to 22.5%) to a specific tax rate in dollars (ranging from US$3/tonne to US$200/tonne), only applicable when palm oil prices fall below a threshold of US$750/tonne Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 16 July 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 163 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Increase of import tariffs (up to 50%) on 
certain products, i.e.  coffee; tea leaves; 
sausages; meat; fish; crustaceans, and 
molluscs; sugar confectionery; chocolate; 
pasta; cereal products; bread, pastry, 
cakes and biscuits; ve getables, fruits and 
nuts preserved by sugar; extracts, 
essences and concentrates of coffee, tea 
or maté; sauces; food preparations; 
water; wine; fermented beverages; 
undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic 
strength by volume of  less than 80% vol, 
spirits, and liqueurs; make-up and 
cosmetics; shampoo; preparations for 
oral or dental hygi ene; soap; organic 
surface-active agents; polishes and 
creams; candles; matches; Ferro-cerium; 
photographic film in rolls; baths, sinks, 
wash-basins; tableware, kitchenware and 
other household articles; builder's ware 
of plastics; hygienic  or pharmaceutical 
articles; articles of apparel and clothing 
accessories; articles of vulcanized rubber; 
saddlery and harness for any animal; 
trunks, bags, wallets and suitcases; 
artificial fur; wooden frames; tableware 
and kitchenware; wood marquetry; 
plaits; basketwork and wickerwork; yarn; 
carpets, linoleum; underwear; clothing 
accessories; babies' garments; blankets; 
bed linen; curtains; worn clothing; 
glassware; jewellery; stoves, cookers, 
ranges; air or vacuum pumps; footwear; 
wigs; air conditioning machines; 
refrigerators and freezers; harvesting or 
threshing machinery; washing machines; 
primary cells and pr imary batteries; 
electro-mechanical domestic appliances; 
shavers; electric instantaneous or storage 
water heaters and immersion heaters; 
microphones; sound recording or 
reproducing apparatus; video recording 
or reproducing apparatus; reception 
apparatus for radio-broadcasting; 
monitors and projectors; electric filament 
or discharge lamps; motor vehicles; 
bicycles; orthopaedic appliances, musical 
instruments; seats; mattress supports; 
ball point pens; video game consoles; 
pencils; turbo-jets, turbo-propellers and 
other gas turbines; equipment used for 
spark-ignition or compression-ignition 
internal combustion engines and their 
generators (HS Chapters 09; 16; 17; 18; 
19; 21; 22; 32; 33; 34; 35; 36; 37; 39; 
40; 42; 43; 44; 46; 55; 57; 58; 59; 61; 
62; 63; 64; 65; 67; 68; 70; 71; 73; 84; 
85; 87; 90; 92; 94; 95; 96) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 22 July 2015 
Indonesia Revised regulati on on exports of tin 
(HS 8001.10.00; 8001.20.00; 
8003.00.10; 8003.00.90) introducing stricter requir ements. Only tin ingots, tin 
solder and tin plate allowed to be exported Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
1 August 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Indonesia Local content requirements for electronics 
and telematic products  (i.e. 4G mobile 
telecommunication system) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
19 August 2015 
Indonesia Import ban on used clothes 
(HS 6309.00.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Indonesia to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
9 September 2015 
Kazakhstan List of meat commodities subject to tariff 
rate quotas with their respective volume 
allocation, for the year 2015 released by 
the Eurasian Economic Commission. 
Reduction on frozen beef quota 
(HS 0202) (from 15,300 to 10,000 metric 
tonnes) Permanent Delegation 
of Kazakhstan 
(22 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Korea,  Rep. of Imposition of import tariffs (513%) on 
rice (HS 1006) WTO document 
G/MA/TAR/RS/396, 30 September 2014 Effective 
1 January 2015 
Macao, China Implementation of automatic import 
licensing requirements on petroleum 
products (HS 2710) Permanent Delegation 
of Macao, China to 
the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective 
16 February 2015 
Malaysia Termination of the temporary elimination 
of export taxes on crude palm oil (HS 1511) (originally implemented in September 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of Malaysia to the WTO (1 June 2015) Terminated on 
28 January 2015 
Mauritius Imports of black tea subject (HS 0902) to 
import tariffs (up to 30%), fee per 
consignment (MUR 1,000 to MUR 5,000), 
levy (20% c.i.f. value), and a "cess" 
(MUR 0.2/kg) Permanent Delegation 
of Mauritius to the 
WTO (12 May 2015)  
Mexico On 1 January 2015, establishment of the 
list of petroleum and oil products (HS 2709; 2710; 2711; 2712) subject to mandatory prior import authorization by the Ministry of Energy. On 15 June 2015, 
amendments introduced in the list 
resulting in the removal of 13 tariff lines Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (15 October 2015)  
Mexico Establishment of the list of petroleum and 
oil products (HS 2709; 2710; 2711; 
2712) subject to mandatory prior export 
authorization by the Ministry of Energy. 
On 15 June 2015, amendments 
introduced in the list, resulting in the 
removal of 18 tariff lines Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(15 October 2015)  
Mexico Elimination of the gradual reduction of 
import tariffs for broken rice (HS 1006.40.01) (originally scheduled for 1 January 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 2015)  
Mexico Further extension of the temporary 
export requirement permission on iron 
ore (HS 2601.11.01; 2601.12.01) 
(originally implemented on 
22 March 2011, and then extended on 
1 January 2014 until 31 December 2014) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(29 May 2015); and 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014 Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Mexico Implementation of automatic import 
licensing requirements (permiso 
automático de importación)  on 
57 footwear tariff lines (HS Chapter 64) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
19 January 2015 
Mexico Imposition of reference prices for imports 
of 734 textiles and apparel products tariff 
lines (HS Chapters 51; 52; 54; 55; 60; 
61; 62; 63) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) and 
Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 
29 December 2014 Effective 
30 January 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 165 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Mexico Imposition of export licensing 
requirements on sugar (HS 1701) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective 
6 February 2015 
Mexico Implementation of automatic import 
licensing requirements (permiso 
automático de importación)  on textiles 
and apparel (HS Chapters 51; 52; 54; 
55; 60; 61; 62; 63) Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Effective 2 March 2015 
Mexico Amendments introduced in the list of 
certain iron and steel products (HS Chapter 72) subject to mandatory prior import authorization Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO (15 October 2015) and Diario Oficial de la Federación (Official Journal), 
29 September 2015 Effective October 2015 
Mexico Amendments introduced in the list of 
certain iron and steel products 
(HS Chapter 72) subject to mandatory 
prior export authorization Permanent Delegation 
of Mexico to the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Diario Oficial de 
la Federación (Official 
Journal), 
29 September 2015 Effective October 2015 
Mexico Temporary increase of import tariffs on 
97 iron and steel tariff lines (HS Chapter 72) Diario Oficial de la 
Federación (Official Journal), 7 October 2015 Effective 
7 October 2015 for 180 days 
Mongolia Increase of import tariffs (from 1% to 
5%) on gasoline and diesel (HS 2710.11; 
2710.19) Permanent Delegation 
of Mongolia to the 
WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
18 February 2015 
Mongolia Increase of excise tax on imports of 
gasoline and diesel (HS 2710.11; 2710.19) Permanent Delegation 
of Mongolia to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
18 February 2015 
Mongolia Increase of import tariffs on certain 
products, i.e. meat and meat products, 
honey, processed meat, cement, and 
trolleybus (HS Chapters 02; 04; 16; 25; 
87) Permanent Delegation 
of Mongolia to the 
WTO 
(14 October 2015) Effective 
17 August 2015 
Morocco Temporary increase of import tariffs 
(from 17.5% to 75%) on wheat (HS 1001.99.00) Décret No. 2-15-275 
du joumada II 1436 (10 April 2015), Bulletin Officiel No. 6352 (16 April 2015) Effective 1 May 2015 
to 31 October 2015 
Mozambique Increase of "import tariff surcharge" 
(sobretaxa ajustada ) (from 14.38% to 
17.02%) on raw sugar and (from 9.02% 
to 9.99%) on sugar containing added 
flavouring or colouring matter 
(HS 1701.11; 1701.12; 1701.91; 
1701.99) Ministério da 
Economia e Finan ças - 
Ordem de Serviço No. 
20/DGA/2015 
(10 June de 2015) Effective 10 June 2015 
Nicaragua Creation of 3 new tariff lines in the 
Central American Common tariff "fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants (pasta de coco ); preparations with a 
basis of tea" (HS 2008.19.20; 2101.20.10; 2101.20.90) resulting in an increase of the import tariff (from 14% to 15%) Resolución No. 
356-2014 (COMIECO-LXX) (4 December 2014) and Acuerdo Ministerial MIFIC No. 20-2015 (20 March 2015) Effective 
20 March 2015. For other members of the Central American Common Market: Guatemala implemented on 31 December 2014, El Salvador on 16 December 2014 and 
Costa Rica on 
22 May 2015; no information received on implementation date by Honduras; and Panama given a waiver on this measure WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 166 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Pakistan Imposition of regula tory duty (20%) on 
wheat (HS 1001). On 30 March 2015, 
duty increased from 20% to 25% Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, 
Revenue and 
Statistics Notifications 
(Customs) S.R.O. 
1015(I)/2014 
(7 November 2014) 
and S.R.O. 
254/(I)/2015 
(30 March 2015) Effective 
7 November 2014 
Pakistan Imposition of re gulatory duty (25%) on 
wheat flour, maida, and semolina (HS 1101.00.10; 1102.90.00) Ministry of Finance, 
Economic Affairs, Revenue and Statistics Notification 
(Customs) S.R.O. 
254/(I)/2015 (30 March 2015) Effective 
30 March 2015 
Panama Increase of import tariffs (up to 81%) on 
certain food products, i.e. palm oil, 
sunflower oil, coconut oil, margarine, 
preparations of meat or fish, tomatoes 
prepared or preserved, and tomato 
ketchup and other tomato sauces 
(HS 1511.90.00; 1512.19.00; 
1513.19.00; 1515.29.00; 1517.10.00; 
1517.90.10; 1601.00.11; 1601.00.21; 
1601.00.29; 1601.00.31; 1601.00.32; 
1601.00.41; 1601.00.91; 1601.00.99; 
1602.41.11; 1602.41.19; 1602.42.10; 
1604.12.90; 2002.90.11; 2002.90.12; 
2002.90.13; 2002.90.14; 2002.90.19; 
2002.90.21; 2002.90.29; 2103.20.10; 
2103.20.20; 2103.20.91) Decreto de Gabinete 
No. 17 (7 July 2015) Effective 7 July 2015 
Paraguay Establishing of prior import licensing 
regime for bars and rods of iron and steel (NCM 7213.10.00; 7213.20.00; 
7214.20.00; 7214.30.00; 7214.99.10) WTO document 
G/LIC/N/1/PRY/6, 6 July 2015; and 
Permanent Delegation 
of Paraguay to the WTO (14 October 2015) Effective June 2015 
Russian 
Federation Extension of the temporary export ban on 
tanned leather and raw hides and skins 
(HS 4104.11; 4104.19) (originally 
effective from 1 October 2014 to 
1 April 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 25 May 2015 
to 25 November 2015 
Russian 
Federation Export duties on certain wheat and 
meslin (HS 1001.99.00) set at 50%/tonne (minus Rub 6,500/tonne), but not less than Rub 10/tonne Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 1 July 2015 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Temporary export duties on certain 
cereals, i.e. whea t and meslin, durum 
wheat (HS 1001) set at 15% plus 
€7.5/tonne, but not less than €35/tonne 
(implemented on 1 February 2015) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO (22 May 2015) Terminated on 
15 May 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Customs 
Union between the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyz Rep. Preferential treatment in government 
procurement for certain medical devices and medicines, manufactured in the Customs Union Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 2015) Effective 
5 February 2015 
Customs 
Union 
between the 
Russian 
Federation, 
Armenia, 
Belarus, 
Kazakhstan, 
and Kyrgyz 
Rep. Increase of import tariffs on coal 
production cutter-loaders (from zero to 
7.5%) and sinking machines (from zero 
to 2%) (HS 8430.41.00; 8430.50.00) Permanent Delegation 
of the Russian 
Federation to the 
WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
11 October 2015 
SACU - Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 
15%) on certain barbed wire of iron or steel (HS 7313.00; 7314.31; 7314.41) and (from 5% to 30%) on springs and leaves for springs, of iron or steel (HS 7320.20.10) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the WTO (27 May 2015) and Notices Nos. 68 and 69 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38442 (6 February 2015) Effective 
6 February 2015 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) On 27 February 2015, extension of the 
temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
R 142.5 c/kg to R 207.1 c/kg) on cane 
and beet sugar (originally implemented 
on 26 September 2014). On 
29 May 2015, further extension of the 
temporary increase of import tariffs (from 
207.1 c/kg to 242.6 c/kg) on cane and 
beet sugar (originally implemented on 
26 September 2014 and extended on 
27 February 2015) (HS 1701.12; 
1701.13; 1701.14; 1701.91; 1701.99) Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (27 May 2015); 
WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014; 
and Notices Nos. 173 
of 2015 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38514 
(27 February 2015) 
and R 445 of 2015 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38834 
(29 May 2015) Effective 
27 February 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 168 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
SACU - 
Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) On 19 June 2015, fu rther extension of 
the temporary increase of import tariffs (to R 80.01 c/kg) on wheat (HS 1001.91; 1001.99), and (to R 120.02 c/kg) on wheat flour (HS 1101.00.10; 1101.00.90) (originally effective 10 October 2014), followed by reduction, on 21 August 2015, of import tariffs from R 80.01 c/kg to R 51.06 c/kg and from R 120.02 c/kg to R 76.59 c/kg, respectively. On 25 September 2015, new increase of import tariffs from R 51.06 c/kg to R 91.12 c/kg, and from R 76.59 c/kg to 136.68 c/kg. Imports 
from the Southern A frican Development 
Community (SADC) members exempted WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/W/9, 1 July 2015; Permanent Delegation of South Africa to the WTO 
(30 September 2015 ); 
and Notices Nos. R. 533 of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 38891 
(19 June 2015), 
R 743 - Government Gazette No. 39126 (21 August 2015), R 895 - Government Gazette No. 39235 (25 September 2015) On 13 March 2015, 
extension of the increase of import tariffs (from R 15.7 c/kg to R 46.1 c/kg) on wheat, and (from R 23.5 c/kg to R 69.2 c/kg) on wheat flour 
SACU - 
Southern 
African 
Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, 
Lesotho, 
Namibia, 
South Africa, 
and 
Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from 5% to 
15%) on lead-acid, of a kind used for 
starting piston engines (HS 8507.10.10). 
Imports from the EU, EFTA, and the 
Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) members exempted Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the 
WTO (27 May 2015) 
and Notice No. R. 308 
of 2015 - 
International Trade 
Administration 
Commission - 
Government Gazette 
No. 38681 
(10 April 2015) Effective 10 April 2015 
SACU - Southern African Customs 
Union 
(Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Swaziland) Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 
10%) on certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel (HS 7210.41; 7210.49; 7210.61; 7210.70; 7210.90; 
7212.30; 7212.40; 7225.99). Imports 
from the EU, EFTA, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) members exempted Permanent Delegation 
of South Africa to the WTO (30 September 2015) 
and Notice No. R 894 
of 2015 - International Trade Administration Commission - Government Gazette No. 39235 (25 September 2015) Effective 
25 September 2015 
Singapore Implementation of the Prohibited Tobacco 
Products Regulation Act imposing an 
import ban on shisha (HS 2403.11.00). 
The act also banned its commercialization 
(transitional measures in place until 
31 July 2016) Permanent Delegation 
of Singapore to the 
WTO (27 May 2015) Effective 
28 November 2014 
Singapore Amendments to the Strategic Goods 
(Control) Regulations (SGCR) comprising of (i) the expansion of the existing list of items that require a strategic goods transhipment permit; and (ii) the introduction of a new list of items that require a strategic goods transit permit. Strategic goods transhipment and transit permits are required for certain items Permanent Delegation 
of Singapore to the WTO (27 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Sri Lanka Import ban on glyphosate 
(HS 3808.93.90) The Gazette of the 
Democratic Socialist 
Republic of Sri Lanka 
(11 June 2015) Effective 11 June 2015 
Sri Lanka Temporary increase of the special 
commodity levy (from SL Re 10/kg to SL Re 20/kg) on imports of onions (HS 0703.10.20) Sri Lanka Customs 
Tariff Notice (September 2015) Effective 
22 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) 
measure on imports of dried shiitake 
(HS 0712.39.20) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/120, 
7 January 2015 Effective 
17 November 2014 to 
31 December 2014 
Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) 
measure on imports of pears (HS 0808.30.90) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/119, 5 January 2015 Effective 
26 November 2014 to 31 December 2014 
Separate 
Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, 
Penghu, 
Kinmen and 
Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) 
measure on imports of chicken legs and 
wings (HS 0207.13.11; 0207.14.11; 
0210.99.12; 1602.32.10) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/123, 
14 August 2015 Effective 16 July 2015 
to 31 December 2015 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu Special safeguard (volume-based) 
measure on imports of fresh milk (HS 0401.10.10; 0401.20.10; 0401.40.10; 0401.50.10; 0402.99 10) WTO document 
G/AG/N/TPKM/124, 25 September 2015 Effective 
26 August 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 3%-15% 
to 30%-40%) on certain bar and wire rod 
of steel (HS 7213; 7214; 7227.90.10) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 May 2015) Effective 
18 October 2014 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from 25% to 
40%) on maltodextrine and maltodextrine syrup (HS 1702.90.50); (from zero to 31.5%) molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar 
(HS 1703); and (from 10% to 23.4%) on 
processed sesamum seeds (HS 1207.40.90) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 25%) on 
tools, implements, cu tlery, spoons, and 
forks, of base meta l, parts thereof of 
base metal (HS Chapter 82) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 May 2015) Effective 
6 February 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 50%) on 
hand-woven carpets (HS 5701; 5702; 5805) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 2015) Effective 
18 February 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs 25-50% on 
furniture (HS 94) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 May 2015) Effective 23 May 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (to 30%) on 
certain electro-mechanical domestic appliances, vacuum cleaners, storage water heaters, and (to 20%) lamps and lighting fittings (HS 8508; 8509; 8516; 9405) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO (28 October 2015) Effective 7 June 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 30%) on 
travel goods and handbags (HS 4202) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 October 2015) Effective 20 June 2015 
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (up to 25%) on 
steel bars, rods, wire and nails 
(HS 7215.10; 7215.50; 7215.90.00; 7217; 7228.50; 7228.60; 7313.00; 7314.20.10; 7317.00; 8311.30.00) Permanent Delegation 
of Turkey to the WTO 
(28 October 2015) Effective 5 July 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 170 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Ukraine Temporary tariff increases (import 
surcharge) on all goods with a view to 
restoring balance-of-payments. Import 
surcharge of 10% for goods classified in 
HS Chapters 01 to 24 (i.e. live animals, 
animals products, ve getable products, 
animal or vegetable fats and oils and 
their cleavage products, prepared edible 
fats, animal or vegetable waxes, 
prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits 
and vinegar, and tobacco), and 5% for 
goods classified in HS Chapters 25 to 97 
(i.e. mineral products, chemicals, plastics 
and articles thereof, rubber and articles 
thereof, raw hides and skins, leather, 
wood and articles of wood, paper and 
paperboard, textiles and textile articles, 
footwear, cement, glass and glassware, 
metals and articles of base metals, 
machinery, mechanical appliances, 
electrical equipment, vehicles). Some 
essential goods, i.e. petroleum, 
petroleum gases, electrical energy, coal, 
gasoline, and certain medical equipments 
and medicines are exempted WTO document 
WT/BOP/N/78, 
21 January 2015 Effective 
25 February 2015 to 
end 2015  
Zambia Increase of import tariffs (from 15% to 
25%) on dynamite, ge lignite and dynagel 
(HS 3602.00.10; 3602.00.20; 3602.00.30; 3602.00.90); (up to 30%) on certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, clad, plated or coated (HS 7210); and on edible oils (HS Chapter 15) The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) Bill 2014 (26 November 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Zambia Increase of "import excise duty" (from 
60% to 125%) on undenatured ethyl 
alcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume of 80% (HS 2207.10.00) The Customs and 
Excise (Amendment) 
Bill 2014 
(26 November 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Zimbabwe Inclusion of 17 new tariff lines (i.e. 
cooking oils; metal, plastic and wooden furniture; articles of bedding) (HS 1508.90.10; 1509.90.10; 1510.00.10; 1513.19.10; 1515.29.10; 1515.50.10; 4420.10.00; 4420.90.10; 9401.61.00; 9403.10.00; 9403.20.00; 9403.50.00; 9403.70.00; 9403.81.00; 9403.89.00; 9403.90.00; 9404.90.00) on the list of products charged with "surtax tariff", resulting in an increase of import tariffs (to 25%). Increase of "surtax tariff" (from 25% to 35%) for second-hand light passenger motor-vehicles (older than 5 years) (HS 8703). Imports from Botswana, Malawi and Namibia exempted Customs and Excise 
(Surtax Tariff) (Amendment) Notice, 2015 (No. 3) - Statutory Instrument 90/2015 (1 September 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 171 - 
 
  Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Algeria Amendments introduced to the import 
licensing legislation, introducing non-automatic import licensing requ irements for certain 
products locally manufactured Le Temps d'Algérie 
(3 March 2015) and Official website of the National Assembly, referring to adopted "Projet de loi sur les opérations 
d'importation et 
d'exportation" (June 2015) Effective 
16 June 2015 
Algeria Amendments introduced to the import 
licensing legislation, introducing non-automatic 
export licensing requ irements for certain 
products Le Temps d'Algérie 
(3 March 2015) and 
Official website of the 
National Assembly, 
referring to adopted 
"Projet de loi sur les 
opérations 
d'importation et 
d'exportation" 
(June 2015) Effective 
16 June 2015 
Bahrain Increase of import tariffs on meat 
(HS Chapter 02) Press reports 
(October 2015)  
Bangladesh Increase of import tariffs on raw sugar (from 
Tk 2,000/tonne to Tk 7,000/tonne) and refined 
sugar (from Tk 4,500/tonne to 
Tk 10,500/tonne) (HS 1701) Reuters 
(27 August 2015)  
Bangladesh Imposition of impo rt tariffs (5%) on gypsum 
(HS 2520) Kuensel 
(15 September 2015)  
Ecuador Inclusion of certain sectors, i.e. tuna, flowers, 
palm oil in the drawback programme 
(exemption of taxes on the purchase of inputs 
for exportable products) Xinhua 
(8 February 2015)  
Egypt Export duties (LE 2,000/tonne) on rice 
(HS 1006). Implementation of a mandatory export compensation agreement under which rice exporters commit to sell same value of product to the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) Oryza 
(3 September 2015)  
India New decree requiring foreign companies to 
source 30% of supplies  to the government 
from domestic manufacturers. Applies to 
companies selling more than Rs 3 billion Press Trust of India 
New Delhi 
(16 December 2014)  
India Guidelines from the Ministry of New and 
Renewable Energy launching Phase II - Batch II of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission on projects based on solar thermal technology, providing for 30% local content requirement in all plants and installations The Hindu Business 
Line (12 March 2015)  
Indonesia Introduction of specific import tariff 
(Rp 150/kg to Rp 200/kg) on salt (HS 2501), 
substituting the quota regime previously in 
place Jakarta Globe 
(22 September 2015)  
Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of Increase of import tariffs (up to 20%) on 
certain steel products, i.e. hot-rolled coil, wire rod and rebar (HS Chapters 72; 73) Reuters 
(11 March 2015)  
Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of Further increase of import tariffs (from 20% 
up to 40%) on certain steel products, i.e. hot-
rolled coil, wire rod and rebar (HS Chapters 
72; 73) PressTV-Iran 
(6 July 2015)  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 172 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Iran, Islamic 
Rep. of Elimination of temporary import tariffs 
(originally implemented in July 2015) on wheat (effective 6 September 2015) and barley (effective 22 August 2015) (HS 1001; 1003) Reuters Middle East 
(22 September 2015)  
Nigeria Second phase of the "Tariff readjustment for 
the Automotive Industry" resulting in an 
increase of import tariffs (to 70%) (in 
July 2014 import tariffs were raised to 35%) 
(HS Chapter 87) Press Reader – 
Thisday 
(8 February 2015) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014 Originally 
scheduled to be 
effective in 
January 2015 but 
postponed to 
April 2015 
Papua New 
Guinea Temporary import ban on certain fruits and 
vegetables (HS Chapters 07; 08) Pacific Affairs 
Reporter (August 2015)  
Sri Lanka Increase of import tax on sugar and potatoes 
(HS 0710.10; 1701) The Nation 
(26 September 2015) Effective 
26 September 2015  
Sri Lanka Increase of import tariffs on second-hand 
motor vehicles (HS Chapter 87) Daily News 
(7 October 2015)  
Sudan New requirement for import of "aid supplies", 
i.e. special cereals. Mandatory requirement of 
a list of goods to be imported before their 
dispatch aiming at limiti ng import of items that 
could be locally procured AllAfrica 
(10 September 2015)  
Tanzania Increase of import tax (from T Sh 400,000 to 
T Sh 920,000) on sugar (HS1701) Tanzania Daily News 
(17 June 2015)  
Togo Temporary import ban on cement (HS 2523) iciLome.com 
(15 June 2015)  
Turkey Introduction of additi onal import tax on certain 
electronic goods, i.e. mobile phones and tablet computers Hurriyet Daily News  
 
(2 July 2015)  
Turkey Increase of import tariffs (from zero to 6%) on 
certain unwrought aluminium (HS 7601) Press reports 
referring to Decree 
No. 2015/7971 
(13 July 2015)  
United 
States "Buy America" requir ements for programmes 
funded by the Department of Transportation Bloomberg BNA 
(12 February 2015)  
United 
States Several "Buy American" restrictions on public 
procurement granting a significant share to 
locally produced goods and services Report from the 
Commission to the 
European Council: 
Trade and 
Investment Barriers 
Report 2015 
(17 March 2015)  
Uzbekistan Increase of import  tariffs on certain products, 
i.e. apples and pears (30% but not less than US$0.4/kg), almonds and nuts (30% but not less than US$1.5/kg); swine and poultry meat 
and edible meat offal (30% but not less than US$1/kg); milk, cream, whey and butter (10% but not less than US$0.3/kg) (HS 0203.29.55; 0206.49.00; 0207; 0401; 0402; 0404; 0405; 0802.12.90; 0802.22.00; 0802.51.00; 0802.52.00; 0802.90.85; 0808.10.00; 0808.30.90) Press reports 
referring to Annex No. 1 to the Decision of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PP-2388 (13 August 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
Viet Nam Increase of imports taxes on certain trucks 
and their parts and accessories (HS 8704; 
8708) Viet Nam News 
(28 September 2015)  
Zimbabwe Second-hand clothes and shoes removed from 
the open general import licence scheme, 
resulting in a temporary import ban 
(HS Chapters 6309.00.00; 64) Nehanda Radio 
(31 July 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  ANNEX 4 
GENERAL ECONOMIC SUPPORT MEASURES1 
(MID-OCTOBER 2014 TO MID-OCTOBER 2015) 
CONFIRMED INFORMATION2 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina  Temporary supp ort scheme "Programa de 
Estímulo a la Producción de Petróleo Crudo". Aiming at maintaining the level of activity and employment, increasing oil production with a consequent increase in exports and, therefore, causing an improvement in the energy trade balance, and stimulating investments in oil exploration and exploitation  Resolución 
No. 14/2015 - Comisión de Planificación y Coordinación Estratégica del Plan Nacional de Inversiones Hidrocarburíferas 
(3 February 2015) 
and Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Argentina Temporary aid scheme "Programa de 
Estímulo al Pequeño Productor de Granos" 
(maximum budget Arg$2.5 billion) for 
corn, wheat, sunflower, and soybean 
producers (up to 700 tonnes per year) Resolución 
No. 126/2015 - 
Ministerio de 
Economía y Finanzas 
Públicas 
(16 March 2015) and 
Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective January 2015 
to December 2015 
Argentina Aid scheme "Programa de Estímulo 
Renovate" to encourage the production of low consumption electrical appliances and to promote the entry of new technologies Secretaría de Energía 
Resolución No. 48/2015 (27 March 2015) and Permanent Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
1 April 2015 to 
31 December 2015 
Argentina Aid scheme "Programa de Estímulo al 
Pequeño Productor de Granos – Fase 2.0" 
extending the coverage of the temporary 
aid scheme for corn, wheat, sunflower 
and soybean small producers (from 700 
tonnes/year to up to 1,000 tonnes/year) 
(originally implemented in January 2015) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Argentina to the WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Resolución No. 
615/2015 - Ministerio 
de Economía y 
Finanzas Públicas 
(24 July 2015) Effective July to 
December 2015 
                                               
1 The inclusion of any measure in this Annex implies no judgement by the WTO Secretariat on whether 
or not such measure, or its intent, is protectionist in nature. Moreover, nothing in the Annex implies any judgement, either direct or indirect, on the consistency of any measure refe rred to with the provisions of any 
WTO agreement. 
2 This section includes information which has either  been provided by the Member concerned or has 
been confirmed at the request of the Secretariat. 
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Argentina Aid scheme "Régimen  de Recomposición 
del Pequeño Productor Lechero – Fase 2.0. Prórroga" extending only for the month of July the temporary aid scheme for small dairy producers (Arg$0.3/litre) Permanent 
Delegation of Argentina to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Resolución No. 365/2015 - Secretaría de Comercio (9 September 2015) Effective only for 
July 2015 
Brazil Special tax refund regime "Reintegra" for 
manufacturing companies exporting goods 
(equal to 3% of value exported). 
Reintegra's main objectives are to combat 
tax residue and to ensure the destination 
principle of taxation on exports Permanent 
Delegation of Brazil 
to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective 
14 December 2014 
Canada Aid scheme "Automotive Innovation Fund 
(AIF)" to support automotive firms' strategic large-scale research and development projects (e.g. Can$59 million for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada to upgrade its facilities in its Cambridge and Woodstock, Ontario plants) Permanent 
Delegation of Canada to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Government of Canada, News Release (31 July 2015)  
Canada Aid scheme "Automotive Supplier 
Innovation Programme (ASIP)" aimed at 
encouraging research and development 
projects amongst SMEs in the automotive 
sector (e.g. Can$1.84 million to Palcam 
Technologies Inc. in Newmarket, Ontario 
to improve the effectiveness and 
reliability of aluminium die casting  Permanent 
Delegation of Canada 
to the WTO (16 
October 2015) and 
Government of 
Canada, News 
Release 
(3 June 2015) ASIP expires on 
31 March 2020 
China Aid scheme extending special tax 
discounts for small low profit enterprises with an annual turnover of Y 200,000. Only half of their income taxable at income tax rate of 20% Permanent 
Delegation of China to the WTO (29 May 2015)  Effective 
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017 
Colombia Support programme for maize (maíz 
amarillo) producers (total quota 
55,000 tonnes but only 22.6% allocated). 
"Programa de Incentivo de Coberturas de 
Precios para los productores de maíz 
amarillo tecnificado en el año 2015"  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Colombia to the WTO 
(16 October 2015) 
and Resolución No. 
144/2015 Ministerio 
de Agricultura y 
Desarrollo Rural 
(26 May 2015) Effective 15 June 2015 
to 20 October 2015 
Colombia Financial aid (Col$30,026,900,000) for 
the National Coffee Fund aimed at: (i) technical assistance programmes for the renovation of coffee plantations; and (ii) improvement of commercialization services (exports quality control)  Permanent 
Delegation of Colombia to the WTO (16 October 2015) and Resolución No. 161/2015 (9 June 2015) Effective 9 June 2015 
to 31 December 2015 
European 
Union Temporary exceptional measures for the 
milk and milk product sector in the form 
of advancing the public intervention 
period for butter and skimmed milk 
powder in 2015 (measure has not been 
used so far) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
Commission 
Delegated Regulation 
No. 1336/2014 
(16 December 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
30 September 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
European 
Union Extension of the temporary exceptional 
support measures (estimated expenditure between 30 September and 30 June 2015 of €165 million) for producers of perishable fruits and vegetables (i.e. tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, sweet peppers, cauliflowers, cucumbers, gherkins, mushrooms,  apples, pears, 
plums, soft fruits, ta ble grapes, kiwis, and 
sweet oranges, clementines, mandarins, lemons (since 1 January 2015)) through market withdrawals especially for free distribution, compensation for non-harvesting and green harvesting 
(originally effective until end-December 
2014) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
WTO document WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014 Extended on 
20 December 2014, 
from 1 January until June 2015 
European 
Union Financial support measure - amendments 
introduced to the temporary exceptional 
measures for the milk and milk product 
sector extending the public intervention 
period for butter and skimmed milk 
powder in 2015 until 31 December 2015, 
and advancing the public intervention 
buying-in period for the year 2016 to 
1 January Commission 
Delegated Regulation 
2015/1549 and 
Commission 
Implementing 
Regulation 
2015/1548 
(17 September 2015)  
European Union Short-term aid measures for farmers 
(overall budget €500 million), particularly for dairy and pigmeat producers, aiming at stabilizing markets, through: (i) new and improved private storage scheme for dairy protein products; (ii) new private storage scheme for pigmeat; and (iii) additional funding for promotion of dairy and pigmeat products Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (19 October 2015)  
Austria Aid scheme "Richtlinie 
Unternehmenserhaltende Maßnahmen" 
(overall budget €9.6 million, maximum 
annual disbursement €1.6 million) for 
firms in the Kärnten Region Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 40973 
(2015/N) 
(24 June 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
31 December 2020 
Austria Rescue and restructuring guarantee 
scheme (overall budget €6 million, maximum annual disbursement €1 million) for SMEs in Kärnten (all sectors) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 41063 (2015/N) (7 July 2015) Effective 1 March 2015 
to 31 December 2020 
Belgium Aid scheme (overall budget €14 million, 
maximum annual disbursement 
€2 million) through direct grants for 
fisheries and aquaculture sectors EU State Aid SA. 
38092 (2014/NN) 
(26 June 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Belgium Emergency aid (€75 million) for dairy 
farmers and pigmeat producers through temporary increase in prices for certain 
dairy and pork products and 
establishment of a "stabilisation mechanism" to mitigate the impact of price volatility  Public information 
available on the European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (19 October 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 176 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Bulgaria Corporate tax exemption scheme (overall 
budget Lev 30 million) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39869 
(14 September 2015) Effective 
31 March 2015 to 
31 December 2020 
Czech 
Republic Regional investment aid 
(CZK 3,207 million) for Nexen Tire Corporation Czech for the construction of a tyre production plant in Žatec Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39720 
(23 July 2015)  
Denmark Aid scheme (overall budget 
DKr 70 million) through direct grants for 
energy saving and environmental 
protection (electricity, gas, steam and air 
conditioning supply) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 35486 
(2013/N) 
(14 July 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Estonia Aid scheme (overall budget 
€719.9 million) through direct grants for electricity produced from renewable sources and efficient co-generation Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 36023 (2013/NN) (28 October 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020  
Estonia, 
Latvia and 
Lithuania Temporary exceptional aid for milk 
producers (€28.7 million)  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
Commission 
Delegated Regulation 
No. 1263/2014 
(26 November 2014) Effective until 
30 April 2015 
Finland Temporary exceptional aid (annual budget 
€10.7 million) for milk producers  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (27 May 2015) and Commission Delegated Regulation No. 1370/2014 (19 December 2014) Effective until 
31 May 2015 
Finland Aid scheme (overall budget €2.1 million) 
for farm replacement services  EU State Aid SA. 
41559 (2015/N) 
(22 June 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Finland Aid scheme (overall budget €15 million, 
maximum annual disbursement €2.5 million) through direct grants for: 
(i) investments in tangible assets and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production; and (ii) investments in infrastructure related to the development, modernization or adaptation of forestry  EU State Aid SA. 
40309 (2014/N) (24 July 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Finland Rescue and restructuring aid scheme 
(overall budget €180 million, maximum 
annual disbursement €30 million) through 
debt write-off, guarantee and soft loan for 
firms from all sectors Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 40093 
(2015/N) 
(27 July 2015) Effective 1 August 2015 
to 31 December 2020 
France Aid scheme (overall budget €70 million) 
through interest subsidy for restructuring firms in difficulty in agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 37501 (2013/N) 
(16 October 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
France Aid scheme (overall budget €70 million) 
for Turbomeca constructor of air and 
spacecraft and related machinery Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 
37137 (2013/N) 
(29 October 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
France Aid scheme (overall budget €3.5 million) 
through subsidized services for agriculture, forestry , and fishing sectors Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 37502 (2013/N) (14 November 2014) Effective 
14 November 2014 to 31 December 2020 
France Rescue and restructuring aid (overall 
budget €125 million) for chlorochemicals 
and PVC producer "Kem One", through: 
(i) loan of €30 million from the Economic 
and Social Development Fund; (ii) grant 
of €15 million; and (iii) repayable 
advances of €80 million Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38544 
(28 July 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 178 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
France Rescue and restructuring aid scheme 
(overall budget €6 million, maximum annual disbursement €1 million) for SMEs  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 41259 (2015/N) (15 July 2015) Effective 16 July 2015 
to 31 December 2020 
France Emergency aid (€600 million) for dairy 
farmers and pigmeat producers, e.g. debt 
restructuring, loan guarantees, export 
promotion, income diversification, etc.  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and 
Ministère de 
l'agriculture, 
information viewed 
at: 
http://agriculture.gou
v.fr/sites/minagri/file
s/plan_de_soutien_a
_l_elevage_francais_
-_version_detaillee. 
pdf  
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €12 million) 
through a direct gran t for investments in 
agricultural holdings (technical support "AGRI") Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation (27 May 2015) and EU State Aid SA. 37726 (2013/N) (11 November 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2018 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €80 million) in 
the form of interest  rate-subsidized, 
non-collateralized subordinated loans for 
regional developments of SMEs  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 
38674 (2014/N) 
(25 November 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Germany Aid scheme for SMEs (overall budget €60 
million) through loans, loan guarantees, or grants Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 40535 (2015/N) (25 February 2015) Effective 1 March 2015 
to 31 December 2020 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget 
€4.59 million), through direct grant for 
infrastructure project in the port of 
Sassnitz Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 41865 
(2015/N) 
(13 July 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
31 December 2017 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 179 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €73 million, 
maximum annual disbursement €12.6 million) for agri-environment climate commitments EU State Aid SA. 
40891 (2015/N) (9 July 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Germany Aid scheme (overall budget €16.2 million, 
maximum annual disbursement 
€2.7 million) for: (i) disadvantages 
related to Natura 2000 forest areas; 
(ii) agri-environment climate 
commitments; (iii) knowledge transfer 
and information actions in the agricultural 
sector; and (iv) heritage conservation EU State Aid SA. 
40048 (2014/N) 
(22 July 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Germany Direct grant NGA scheme Baden-
Württemberg for the telecommunications 
sector Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 41416 (22 July 2015) Effective 1 August 2015 
to 31 December 2022 
Greece Aid scheme (overall budget €330 million) 
through a direct grant for construction of 
roads and motorways Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 
39224 (2014/N) 
(27 October 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
28 February 2033 
Hungary Aid scheme (overall budget Ft 60 million) 
through a direct grant for forestry and logging Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 39440 (2014/N) 
(18 December 2014) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018 
Hungary Individual application (overall budget 
€44.39 million) through a direct grant and 
tax allowance for the manufacturing of 
fertilizers and nitrogen compounds (large 
investment project) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 
38981 (2014/N) 
(9 January 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Ireland Aid schemes through direct grants for: 
(i) improvement of the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems (overall budget €6.75 million); (ii) afforestation and creation of woodland (overall budget €199.5 million); (iii) Forest Road Scheme (overall budget €30.6 million); (iv) Neighbour Wood Scheme (overall budget €1.05 million; and (v) Native Woodland Conservation Scheme (overall budget €7.3 million). Beneficiaries of the scheme are forest holders (public and private actors, including SMEs and large companies) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aids SA. 39744, 39783, 39784, 39786 and 39787 (2014/N) (4 February 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020 
Ireland Support scheme "Regional Airports 
Programme 2015-19" (overall budget 
€42.5 million, maximum annual 
disbursement €9.4 million) for operating 
and investment aid for regional airports  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39757 
(2015/N) 
(31 July 2015) Effective 30 July 2015 
to 31 December 2019 
Italy Rescue Aid (overall budget €7.2 million) 
through guarantee for Mabo Prefabbricati 
S.p.A. in A.S. manufa cturer of other non-
metallic mineral products Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 39870 (2014/N) (13 February 2015)  
Italy Aid for dredging and disposal of dredged 
materials in the port of Taranto, Puglia 
(overall budget €44.8 million)  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39542 
(2014/N) 
(19 June 2015)  
Latvia  Individual application (overall budget 
€89.55 million) through a tax allowance for setting up a new refinery for the production of dies el, petrochemical 
naphtha and sulphur in Ventspils (large investment project) (maximum aid amount 22.05% of eligible cost) Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation 
(27 May 2015) and 
EU State Aid SA. 38982 (2014/N) 
(29 October 2014) Effective until 
28 December 2018 
Luxembourg Aid scheme (overall budget €45 million, 
maximum annual disbursement 
€11.25 million) through direct grants for 
freight rail transport and inland freight 
water transport  EU State Aid SA. 
38229 (2014/N) 
(3 June 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
31 December 2018 
Netherlands Aid scheme (overall budget €15 million, 
maximum annual disbursement 
€3.75 million) through direct grants for 
animal production EU State Aid SA. 
41334 (2015/N) 
(29 June 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 to 
31 December 2018 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 181 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Portugal Aid scheme (overall budget €24.4 million) 
through tax rate reduction for distilling, 
rectifying and blending of spirits in the 
Madeira region  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38823 
(2015/NN) 
(2 March 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Portugal Aid scheme (overall budget €5.9 million) 
through tax rate reduction for distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits in the Açores region  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38832 (2014/NN) (8 December 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
Slovenia Restructuring aid (overall budget 
€97 million) for automotive components 
manufacturer Cimos Group  Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 37792 
(8 June 2015)  
Slovenia Restructuring aid (b udget €5.1 million), 
through guarantee and other forms of equity intervention (debt-to-equity conversion) for automotive components manufacturer Mariborska Livarna Maribor  Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 38528 (2014/N) (16 July 2015)  
Spain Aid scheme (overall budget €24 million) 
through a direct grant to the agriculture 
sector (growing of other tree and bush 
fruits and nuts) Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 38997 
(2014/N) 
(16 December 2014) Effective until 
31 December 2020 
United 
Kingdom Waterborne Freight Grant "WFG" scheme 
(overall budget £10 million) for sea and coastal freight water transport Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 39355 (2014/N) (7 January 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
to 31 March 2020 
United 
Kingdom Beef and Sheep Meat Sector 
Improvement Scheme (overall budget 
£9.3 million) (Northern Ireland) 2015 Public information 
available on the 
European 
Commission's  website 
transmitted by the 
EU Delegation and EU 
State Aid SA. 39878 
(2014/N) 
(10 February 2015) Effective 1 April 2015 
to 31 March 2021 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 182 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
United 
Kingdom Start-up aid (overall budget £60 million, 
maximum annual disbursement £16.7 million), through direct grants to airlines operating in the United Kingdom Public information 
available on the European Commission's  website 
transmitted by the EU Delegation and EU State Aid SA. 39466 (2015/N) (31 July 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 to 31 March 2019 
Hong Kong, 
China Further extension of the time-limited 
special concessionary measures providing 
80% loan guarantee coverage on eligible 
loans approved by participating lending 
institutions, through the SME Financing 
Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) (originally 
effective from 31 May 2012 to 
end-February 2013 and then extended 
until February 2015) Permanent 
Delegation of Hong 
Kong, China to the 
WTO (20 April 2015) 
and WTO document 
WT/TPR/OV/17, 
24 November 2014 On 1 March 2015, 
extended until 
29 February 2016 
India Establishment of a fixed-pricing 
mechanism for ethanol fuel Permanent 
Delegation of India to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
10 December 2014 
India Amendments introduced to the Export 
Promotion Capital G oods "EPCG" scheme 
granting customs duties remissions in 
proportion to certain export obligation 
requirements (up to 85%). EPCG scheme 
exempted the following goods: (i) capital 
goods for pre-production, production and 
post-production; (ii) capital goods in 
semi-knocked-down (SKD)/completely 
knocked-down (CKD) conditions to be 
assembled into capital goods by the 
importer; (iii) spare parts of goods 
specified in (i) and (ii) as actually 
imported and required for maintenance of 
capital goods so impo rted, assembled, or 
manufactured; and (iv) spare parts 
required for the existing plant and 
machinery of the importer Permanent 
Delegation of India to 
the WTO 
(15 October 2015) 
and Notifications Nos. 
16/2015 and 
17/2015-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(1 April 2015) Effective 
1 April 2015 
Indonesia Reduction in th e gasoline support price 
scheme  Permanent 
Delegation of Indonesia to the WTO (26 May 2015) Effective 
16 January 2015 
Indonesia Financial aid through tax incentives for 
export-oriented enterp rises, enterprises 
investing in Indonesia, and for research 
and development  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Indonesia to the WTO 
(26 May 2015) Effective 
6 May 2015 
Jordan Extension of the tr ansitional period for the 
elimination of the Jordan Export Subsidy Programme after 2015. The programme exempts companies from income tax profits on all exports (except phosphate and potash)  WTO document 
G/C/W/705, 30 October 2014 Programme to be 
phased out no later than 31 December 2015  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Kenya Temporary support programme for 
importers of certain paper products for 
manufacturing books under the Duty 
Remission Scheme. Import duty 
elimination for designated enterprises and 
allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal 
Notice No. 
EAC/68/2014 
(1 December 2014) Effective 12 months 
Kenya Temporary support programme (under 
the Duty Remiss ion Scheme) for 
importers of duplex board products for exports of unit and folding boxes. Import duty elimination for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal Notice No. EAC/69/2014 (1 December 2014) 
 Effective 12 months 
Kenya Temporary support programme for 
importers of certain products, i.e. 
corrugated boxes, flower sleeves, labels, 
paper and paperboard products, BOPP 
film, textile and textil e articles, and staple 
fibres, under the Duty  Remission Scheme, 
for manufacturing goods to be exported. 
Import duty elimination for designated 
enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal 
Notice No. 
EAC/72/2014 
(1 December 2014) 
 Effective 12 months 
Kenya Temporary support programme for 
importers of glucose and glucose syrup under the Duty Remission Scheme. Import duty elimination for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal Notice No. EAC/73/2014 (1 December 2014) Effective 12 months 
Kenya and 
Tanzania Temporary support programme for 
importers of sugar for industrial use, 
under the Duty Remission Scheme. 
Import duty reduction to 10% for 
designated enterprises and allocated 
quantities. Imports of wheat grain, under 
certain import quotas, also covered by the 
programme EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal 
Notices Nos. 
EAC/67/2014, 
EAC/70/2014, 
EAC/77/2014, and 
EAC/78/2014 
(1 December 2014) Effective 12 months 
Kenya and 
Tanzania Temporary support programme for 
importers of completely knocked-down 
kits for motorcycles, under the Duty 
Remission Scheme. Impo rt duty reduction 
to 10% for designated enterprises and allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal 
Notices Nos. 
EAC/71/2014 and EAC/76/2014 (1 December 2014) Effective 12 months 
Korea, 
Republic of Increase of the financial aid for rice 
producers (from W 900,000/hectare to 
W 1 million/hectare)  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Republic of Korea to 
the WTO 
(29 May 2015) Implemented in 2015 
Korea, 
Republic of Aid scheme (Ministry of Trade, Industry 
and Energy (MoTIE)) initiated 2013 to invest jointly with the private sector by 2017 W 900 billion in the development of offshore plant industry  (i.e. shipbuilding 
and maritime industry ). Scheme includes 
promotion of locally-produced equipment through various policy means. Financial aid available through MoTIE in cooperation with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporatio n (K-SURE). Budget 
2015 for Human Resources W 1.5 billion and budget for research and development 
W 1.85 billion Permanent 
Delegation of the Republic of Korea to the WTO (29 May 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Malaysia Tax incentives included in the Federal 
Government Budget 2015 granted on a 
non-discriminatory basis with the aim to: 
(i) support newly created industries; 
(ii) encourage transfer  of technology for 
the development of high value-added 
products and industries; (iii) enhance 
research and development, and increase 
collaboration with research institutions; 
(iv) create a pool of knowledge workers, 
and upgrade technical labour skills; and 
(v) support the integration of local 
companies into global supply chains  Permanent 
Delegation of 
Malaysia to the WTO 
(1 June 2015)  
Mauritius Incentives schemes in certain food crop 
and livestock sectors/ac tivities, i.e. fruit 
growers; pre market test for agricultural SMEs (MUR 10 million); crop producers; agriculture calamities and solidarity scheme; sale of plants and ornamentals at subsidized price; seed purchase scheme (potato, onion, garlic); rain water harvest scheme; sheltered farming scheme; crop nursery/curing scheme; purchase of agricultural/processing equipment; regroupi ng and irrigation 
scheme for non-sugar sector; and chemical free bio-foods promotion (included in Budget 2015-16) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Mauritius to the WTO (29 May 2015) Effective until 
June 2016 
Mexico Support scheme "Dec reto estableciendo 
medidas para la productividad, 
competitividad y combate de prácticas de 
subvaluación de los sectores textiles y 
confección" granting financial aid for 
textile and apparel sectors  Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 
26 December 2014   
Mexico Temporary vehicle scrapping scheme 
granting financial aid for the renewal of 
the fleet of buses and trucks (limited to 
6,000 vehicles per year) "Renovación del parque vehicular de autotransporte de pasaje y carga"  Resolución - Diario 
Oficial de la 
Federación (Official 
Journal), 26 March 2015  Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Norway Elimination of the financial aid scheme 
(overall budget NKr 12 million) for seal 
hunting Permanent 
Delegation of Norway 
to the WTO 
(14 October 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 
Russian Federation Additional support (overall budget 
Rub 10 billion) to the automotive industry included as part of an "anti-crisis plan". Financial aid provided to compensate the costs related to the production of wheeled vehicles  Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 2015) and WTO document G/TRIMS/W/152, 2 April 2015  First quarter of 2015 
Russian 
Federation "Roadmap to Promote Import Substitution 
2014-15" in various strategic sectors, 
i.e. oil and gas machine building, 
chemicals, consumer goods, automobile, 
machinery for food manufacturing, tools 
and machinery, non-ferrous metals, iron 
and steel, energy, electrical equipment, 
heavy machinery, timber processing, 
road, construction, airport equipment, 
transportation equipm ent, shipbuilding, 
radio electronics, and civil aircraft. The 
aim of the scheme is to develop new 
products, increase output capacity, and 
promote import substitution  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO 
(22 May 2015) Effective 
31 March 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Russian 
Federation "Roadmap to facilitate import substitution 
for agricultural products 2014-15". The aim of the scheme is to improve state regulation and reduce the administrative burden in all economic activities and in agriculture development Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (22 May 2015)  
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme "Timber Complex" 
granting aid to the timber industry 
(partial compensation of interest loans for 
the period 2012-15). The aim of the 
scheme is to develop new products and 
increase output capacity  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
26 August 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme "Agricultural 
Development and Regulation of 
Agricultural Products, Raw Materials and 
Food 2013-20" granting temporary financial support (Rub 300 million) for the development of dairy cattle breeding  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
18 August 2015 to 
31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme "Agricultural 
Development and Regulation of 
Agricultural Products, Raw Materials and 
Food 2013-20" granting temporary 
financial support (Rub  7.1 billion) for 
livestock production and processing crops  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
18 August 2015 to 
31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme "Agricultural 
Development and Regulation of Agricultural Products, Raw Materials and Food 2013-20" granting temporary financial support (Rub  5.2 billion) for 
construction and reconstruction of facilities for dairy cattle  Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
18 August 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial aid scheme "Agricultural 
Development and Regulation of 
Agricultural Products, Raw Materials and 
Food 2013-20" granting temporary 
financial support (Rub  53.3 million) for 
the production and sales of semi-fine wool 
and wool  Permanent 
Delegation of the 
Russian Federation to 
the WTO 
(15 October 2015) Effective 
25 August 2015 to 
31 December 2015 
Russian 
Federation Financial scheme "Agricultural 
Development and Regulation of Agricultural Products, Raw Materials and Food 2013-20" granting temporary financial support (Rub 400 million) for agricultural consumer cooperatives for the development of material and technical base  Permanent 
Delegation of the Russian Federation to the WTO (15 October 2015) Effective 
25 August 2015 to 31 December 2015 
Switzerland Special aid scheme "Commission for 
Technology and Innovation (CTI) for 
export-oriented SMEs". CTI funding 
requirement for R&D eliminated. Cash 
contribution for funding application 
submitted and approved between August 
and November 2015 waived (for regular 
CTI funding SMEs have to bear at least 
50% of total project costs, of which 10% 
of the value of the approved federal grant 
is to be put forward in cash towards work 
conducted by the research partner) Permanent 
Delegation of 
Switzerland to the 
WTO 
(14 October 2015) Effective August 2015 
(review of the scheme 
scheduled end of 
September) 
Switzerland Temporary increase (by 
Sw F 25.6 million) of the Federal Budget 
(Sw F 95.6 million) for exports of processed agricultural products Permanent 
Delegation of 
Switzerland to the WTO (14 October 2015) Effective June 2015 to 
31 December 2015 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Tanzania Temporary support programme for 
importers of synthetic yarn under the 
Duty Remission Scheme. Import duty 
elimination for designated enterprises and 
allocated quantities  EAC Gazette Vol. AT 
1 - No. 18 - Legal 
Notice No. 
EAC/75/2014 
(1 December 2014)  Effective 12 months 
Turkey Finance support scheme through 
Eximbank for exporters (loans, credit insurance/guarantee) (overall budget for 
the year 2014 US$31.1 million). Overall budget for the year 2015 estimated at US$35.4 million Permanent 
Delegation of Turkey to the WTO (28 May 2015)  
Zimbabwe Temporary support programme through 
import duty rebates on engine spares, 
special purpose motor vehicles and 
components for National Railways Statutory Instrument 
69/2015 
(5 June 2015) Effective 
1 January 2015 to 
31 December 2015 
Zimbabwe Temporary support programme through 
import duty rebates on fertilizers (urea 
and ammonium nitrate), under certain import quotas for approved fertilizer importers Statutory Instrument 
90/2015 (1 September 2015) Effective 
1 September 2015 
 
Recorded, but non-confirmed information3 
Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Australia Agricultural Sciences Research and 
Development Fund (overall budget $A 22.1 million) aiming at generating long-term improvement in productivity in agriculture across Western Australia through targeted research grants to grower groups. The key components of the project are: (i) grower group research and development grants ($A 
17.4 million); (ii) pathways to improved 
competitiveness ($A 1.9 million); (iii) grower group alliance ($A 1.2 million); and (iv) project manage ment, governance, 
communication and promotion ($A 1.6 million) 
 Department of Agriculture and Food – Government of Western Australia (26 August 2015)  
Algeria Aid scheme "crédit à la consommation"  Le Temps d'Algérie 
(3 March 2015)  
Bahrain, 
Kingdom of Reduction of subsidized natural gas prices, 
increasing natural gas prices for companies to US$2.50 per mmBtu from US$2.25. The price will annually increase US$0.25 until April 2021 Trade Arabia 
business news information (30 January 2015) Effective 
1 April 2015  
Cameroon Reduction in the gasoline support price 
scheme  PTI 
(18 January 2015)  
China Increase of the financial aid available for corn, 
barley and sorghum processors  AgraEurope (15 June 
2015)  
China Extension of ship scrapping subsidy 
programme until the end of 2017  Reuters 
(23 June 2015)  
Côte d'Ivoire Reduction in the gasoline support price 
scheme  PTI 
(18 January 2015)  
Egypt Reduction in the gasoline support price 
scheme  PTI 
(18 January 2015)  
Egypt Elimination of financial aid for cotton growers  Financial Times 
(4 February 2015)  
Greece "Connecting Europe Facili ty" (overall budget of 
€794.4 million) for rail projects  Greek Government, 
News Release 
(23 July 2015)  
                                               
3 This section includes information which has been obtained from public sources but has not yet been 
confirmed by the delegation concerned. WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
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  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Haiti Reduction in the gasoline support price 
scheme  PTI 
(18 January 2015)  
India Support scheme for Indi an maritime vessels 
through the elimination of import tariffs on 
"bunker fuels"  Notification No. 
31/2014-Customs, 
Ministry of Finance - 
Department of 
Revenue 
(11 November 2014) Effective 
11 November 2014 
India Financial aid (Rs 4,000/tonne) for sugar 
exporters (up to 1.4 million tonnes) Reuters 
(15 December 2014 and 19 February 2015)  
India Extension of the scope of "Make in India" 
scheme, through the inclusion of 5 new 
sectors (i.e. gems, jewellery) with the aim of 
increasing domestic production The Hindu Business 
Line 
(15 December 2014)  
India Adjustment of the maximum retail price (MRP) 
scheme on urea (Rs 5,360/tonne) Reuters 
(19 January 2015)  
India Extension of severa l support schemes 
(i.e. Focus Product, Focus Market, and the 
Export Promotion Capital Goods "EPGC") for 
textiles and apparel sectors  The Hindu 
(17 February 2015) Extended 
until 2018 
India Increased financial aid (by 20%) in the 2015 
budget for food subsidies (Rs 1.07 trillion)  PTI 
(27 February 2015)  
India Entry into force in April 2015 of the "National 
Food Security (NFS) Act, 2013" providing food 
grains (wheat, rice or  coarse) to around 
two-thirds of the population (around 
800 million people) at subsidized prices. The 
NFS should have come into force in July 2013 
in all 36 States/Union Territories (UTs). 25 UTs 
have not yet completed the preparatory 
measures required for implementation of the 
Act.  Ministry of Consumer 
Affairs, Food & Public 
Distribution - Press 
Information Bureau 
(28 November 2014)  
India Incentives for sugarcane producers  Reuters 
(19 May 2015)  
India Financial aid, through pr eferential credit line 
for exporters  Deccan Herald 
(14 September 2015) Effective 3 years 
Malaysia Support scheme for locally manufactured 
vehicles and auto-part sectors  The Jakarta Post 
(10 February 15)  
Malaysia Removal of subsidy scheme for petrol and 
diesel (overall budget RM 20 billion)  Reuters 
(21 November 2014) Effective 
1 December 2014 
Malaysia Extension of the "Working Capital Guarantee 
Scheme" (RM 2 billion) to the non-service sector  The Journal of 
Turkish Weekly (14 September 2015)  
Malaysia Extension of the "Domestic Investment 
Strategic Fund" (additional budget 
RM 1 billion) for development of high 
technology industries  The Journal of 
Turkish Weekly 
(14 September 2015) Effective until 
end 2015 
Nigeria Gradual phasing out of subsidy scheme for 
petrol (budget allocated for 2015, ₦100 billion)  Reuters (6 May 2015)  
Nigeria Financial aid ( ₦45.5 billion) for kerosene 
support price scheme  Reuters (6 May 2015)  
Panama Emergency aid (overall budget B 8.1 million) 
for dairy farmers  Panama America 
(2 September 2015) Effective until 
31 December 2016 
Russian 
Federation Aid scheme through preferential grants aiming 
at modernization, reconstruction and 
upgrading of existing  facilities. Scheme 
available for agricultural and tractor 
machinery, timber industry, machinery for oil 
and gas industry, machine tool industry and 
special metallurgy  Press reports 
referring to Decree 
No. 982 
(27 August 2015)  WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 188 - 
 
  Member/  
Observer Measure Source/Date Status 
Thailand Support programme for natural rubber sector. 
Second tranche (B 6 billion) for the purchase of various natural rubbers The Wall Street 
Journal Asia 
(6 February 2015) 
and Reuters 
(18 February 2015)  
Thailand Incentives for sugarcane producers  Reuters 
(19 May 2015)  
United Arab 
Emirates Reduction in the gasoline support price 
scheme  Financial Times 
(22 July 2015)  
United 
States of 
America Aid scheme promoting ru ral export initiatives 
through: (i) establishm ent of a new national 
rural export innovation team; (ii) new 
partnership with co mmunity banks for 
preferential credit lines; (iii) partnership with 
U.S. postal service; (i v) financial index for 
rural infrastructure pr ojects to encourage 
additional investments; (v) promotion of 
entrepreneurial mentorship programme; and 
(vi) launching an i6 rural challenge grant 
programme providing funding to rural 
communities to build capacity for 
commercializing technologies through agency 
collaboration  Politico 
(26 February 2015)  
Uruguay Financial aid (overall budget US$960,000) for 
textile enterprise through loan by Fondo de 
Desarrollo  "FONDES" El País 
(16 February 2015)  
 WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 189 - 
 
  APPENDIX 
MEMBERS' RESPONSES TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL'S REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND TO THE 
SECRETARIAT'S REQUEST FOR VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION 
Member/ 
Observer Replies to 
DG fax 
(OV/W/9) Replies 
to DG 
fax  
(OV/18)  Annual 
overview 
(OV/18) New 
Measures Economic 
Support Services Summary 
and 
status 
   Replies to 
request for 
verification 
(√ = 
replies 
received) Information sent for verification 
1. Albania √  √   √  
2. Algeria    √  √  
3. Angola      √  
4. Argentina √ √ √ √ √  √ 
5. Armenia    √    
6. Australia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
7. Azerbaijan √       
8. Bahrain    √    
9. Bangladesh    √    
10. Barbados  √      
11. Belarus    √    
12. Bolivia, 
Plurinational State of    √    
13. Botswana 
(SACU)    √    
14. Brazil √ √ √ √  √ √ 
15. Burkina Faso    √    
16. Cabo Verde  √  √    
17. Canada √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
18. Chile √ √ √ √   √ 
19. China √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
20. Colombia √ √ √ √ √  √ 
21. Costa Rica √ √ √ √    
22. Côte d'Ivoire    √    
23.  Cuba √       
24. Dominican 
Republic √ √  √    
25. Egypt √ √  √   √ 
26. European 
Union √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
27.  The Gambia  √      
28.  Georgia  √      
29. Guatemala √       WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 190 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Replies to 
DG fax 
(OV/W/9) Replies 
to DG 
fax  
(OV/18)  Annual 
overview 
(OV/18) New 
Measures Economic 
Support Services Summary 
and 
status 
30. Hong Kong, 
China √ √      
31. India √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
32. Indonesia √ √ √ √  √ √ 
33. Iran    √    
34. Israel    √   √ 
35. Japan √ √ √ √   √ 
36. Jordan    √    
37. Kazakhstan   √ √    
38. Kenya      √  
39. Korea, 
Republic of √ √ √ √   √ 
40. Kyrgyz 
Republic    √    
41. Lesotho 
(SACU)    √    
42. Liberia    √  √  
43. Macao, China √ √      
44. Malaysia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
45. Mauritius √ √ √ √    
46. Mexico √ √ √ √  √ √ 
47. Moldova, 
Republic of √ √ √ √    
48. Mongolia   √ √    
49. Montenegro  √      
50. Morocco    √   √ 
51. Mozambique    √    
52. Namibia 
(SACU)    √    
53. New Zealand √ √  √  √  
54. Norway √ √ √     
55. Pakistan   √ √   √ 
56. Panama    √ √   
57. Papua New 
Guinea    √    
58. Paraguay √  √ √    
59. Peru √ √ √    √ 
60. Philippines √  √ √ √   
61. Russian 
Federation √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 
62. Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of √ √ √    √ 
63. Senegal      √  
64. Serbia  √      
65. Seychelles  √ √ √    
66. Singapore √ √ √ √    
67. South Africa  √  √   √ WT/TPR/OV/18 
 
- 191 - 
 
  Member/ 
Observer Replies to 
DG fax 
(OV/W/9) Replies 
to DG 
fax  
(OV/18)  Annual 
overview 
(OV/18) New 
Measures Economic 
Support Services Summary 
and 
status 
68. Sri Lanka    √    
69. St. Vincent 
and the 
Grenadines  √      
70. Sudan    √    
71. Swaziland 
(SACU)    √    
72. Switzerland √ √ √ √ √   
73. Chinese  
Taipei √ √ √ √  √ √ 
74. Tanzania    √    
75. Thailand √ √   √ √ √ 
76. Togo    √    
77. Tunisia √  √ √    
78. Turkey √  √ √   √ 
79. Ukraine √  √ √  √ √ 
80. United Arab 
Emirates     √   
81. United States 
of America √ √  √   √ 
82. Uruguay √ √  √    
83. Uzbekistan    √ √   
84. Venezuela, 
Bolivarian Rep. of    √  √  
85. Viet Nam    √  √  
86. Zambia   √ √    
87. Zimbabwe    √ √   
 
__________