G/LIC/Q/MYS/12  
 
11 April 2016  
(16-2028)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
QUESTIONS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION TO MALAYSIA ON ITS 
NOTIFICATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (G/LIC/Q/MYS/11) 
 
The following communication, dated 8 April 2016, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union. 
 
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Reference is done to the Malaysian notification under Article 7.3 of the Import License Agreement 
circulated as document G/LIC/N/3/MYS/11 on 10 March 2016.   
The EU would like to receive the following clarifications: 
 Purpose and coverage of licensing 
Page 2 
 1.  Malaysia enumerates products under automatic and non-automatic licensing.  The EU would like to receive further clarifications on this differentiation, clarifying what is the rationale behind 
the choice of imposing a non-automatic or an automatic license procedure. In particular, could 
Malaysia explain why bodies of motor vehicles are subject to automatic import licensing while passenger and commercial vehicles are subject to non-automatic import licensing? 
 
Plant and Planting Material Pages 6 and 9 
 
2.  Could Malaysia clarify which countries are in the 'American Tropics'? Is there any detailed list of those countries?  
 
3.  According to the notification, Pest Risk Analys is (PRA) is needed prior to the issuance of an 
import permit for any new commodities or new countries. Could Malaysia clarify what body is in charge of the PRAs? Could Malaysia describe how the Pest Risk Analysis is carried out and the 
timelines required?  
 
Animal and animal products 
Pages 11 to 13 
 
4.  Halal certificates are required for the import of animal and animal products (except pork and pork products). In the notification it is affirmed that the purpose of the licensing system for animal 
and animal products is to meet SPS and sanitary requirements. Could Malaysia clarify who can 
issue such certificates?  
5.  According to the notification (p. 14) the valid ity of licences may be extended on the discretion 
of the Director General of MAQIS, under certain circumstances. Could Malaysia clarify what could be the special circumstances in this respect? 
 
 G/LIC/Q/MYS/12 
 
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  Rice  
Page 15  6.  According to the notification, licensing is inte nded to monitor and ensure a stable supply of rice 
in the country. Could Malaysia clarify whether the licensing is used as a market management 
instrument? How does this work in practice?  
7.  Among the documentations required upon actu al importation of the rice, an Approval Permit 
(AP) is required. Could Malaysia clarify who issues the AP? It seems that only the holder of the Rice Importers License could apply for an AP? Could Malaysia clarify whether this is the case? Could Malaysia also clarify which are the conditions to be fulfilled for being a 'holder of the Rice 
Importers License'? 
 Round cabbage and unroasted green beans 
Pages 17 and 18 
 8.  According to the notification, the purpose of licensing is to ensure the orderly importation of 
these two products. Could Malaysia explain what does it mean by "orderly importation" and how 
does the licensing process ensure this?   9.  Importers intending to apply for a licence are required to register (subject to evaluation) with 
the Department of Agriculture as importers and need to provide several types of information 
(trading area, trading experience, processing facilities). Could Malaysia clarify what is the purpose of this register for importers? Is it a pre-re quirement for the importation of round cabbage and 
unroasted green beans? What is the rationale fo r imposing the above-mentioned requirements for 
the inscription in that register? Could Malaysia explain why the register would not constitute a restriction in as much as the ability to apply for a licence is limited to the importers listed in that 
register? 
 10.  Importers need to apply for a quota (monthly for cabbage and yearly for coffee). Could Malaysia clarify how the quota is allocated?  
 
11.  Round cabbages can only be imported in pack ages of 10 or 20 kg each. Could Malaysia clarify 
what is the reason for this restriction? Does this requirement also apply to the sale of locally 
produced round cabbage?  
 
Logs, wood 
Page 28  
 12.  Could Malaysia clarify why the importers need to be domiciled in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah? 
 
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