G/L/1078  
 
31 October 2014  
(14-6320)  Page: 1/9  
   
 
 REPORT (2014) OF THE COMMITTEE ON IMPORT LICENSING 
TO THE COUNCIL FO R TRADE IN GOODS 
 
1.  The Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures (hereinafter "the Agreement") which entered 
into force on 1 January 1995, establishes disciplines on users of import licensing systems with the principal objective of ensuring that the procedures applied for granting import licences do not in 
themselves restrict trade. It aims to simplify, clarify and minimize the administrative requirements 
necessary to obtain import licences.  2.  The Committee on Import Licensing was established to afford Members the opportunity of 
consulting on any matters relating to the operation of the Agreement or the furtherance of its 
objectives. The Committee's Rules of Procedure, which were approved by the Council for Trade in Goods, are contained in document G/L/147. 
 
3.  All Members of the WTO are ipso facto  members of the Committee. Observer governments in 
the General Council of the WTO have Observer status in the Committee. The International 
Monetary Fund, the World Bank and UNCTAD have regular Observer status in the Committee. 
 4.  The focus of this report is on the period since the Committee's last annual report (G/L/1048), 
i.e. 5 October 2013 - 20 October 2014 (hereinafter "the review period"). During the review period, 
the Committee held two meetings on 15 April and 20 October 2014 (G/LIC/M/39 and G/LIC/M/40). At its meeting on 15 April 2014, the Committee took note of the nomination of  Mr. Tsotetsi Makong (Lesotho) as Chairperson of  the Committee for the current year and elected 
him by acclamation.  At that meeting, the Committee elected Mr. Juha Niemi (Finland) as  
Vice-Chairperson for the current year. Pursuant to Committee's Rules of Procedure, they took office at the end of that meeting.  
 
5.  Pursuant to Articles 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b)  of the Agreement and procedures agreed by the 
Committee, all Members are required, upon membersh ip to the WTO, to notify the sources of the 
information pertaining to their laws, regulations and administrative procedures relevant to import 
licensing. Any subsequent changes to these laws, regulations and administrative procedures are 
also required to be published and notified. Duri ng the review period, the Committee reviewed 25 
notifications (Annex 1) from the following 18 Members
1: Cameroon; Ecuador; Israel; Kyrgyz 
Republic; Lao PDR; Madagascar; Mexico; Morocco; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Russian 
Federation; Samoa; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Sri Lanka; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey and Ukraine. These notifications can be found in document series 
G/LIC/N/1/-.  
 6.  The Committee also reviewed, pursuant to paragraphs 5.1-5.4 of Article 5, 18 notifications (Annex II) relating to the institution of new import licensing procedures or changes in these 
procedures from 9 Members
2: Indonesia, Israel; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mexico; Paraguay; Russian 
Federation; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. These notifications can be found in documents series G/LIC/N/2/-. Article 5.5 of the Agreement allows Members to submit reverse notifications, 
where a Member considers that another Member has not notified the institution of a licensing 
procedure or changes in the procedures. No such reverse notifications have been received within the review period. 
                                               
1 New notification was received from Brazil (G/LIC/N/1/BRA/6) on 20th October, which will be reviewed 
at the next Committee meeting. 
2 New notifications were received from Brazil (G/LIC/N/2/BRA/6) and Mexico (G/LIC/N/2/MEX/4) on 
20 October 2013, which will be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. G/L/1078 
 
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  7.  Article 7.3 of the Agreement requires all Me mbers to provide replies to the Questionnaire on 
Import Licensing Procedures3 by 30 September each year. During the review period, the 
Committee reviewed 58 notifications (Annex 3) from the following 46 Members4: Albania; 
Australia; Burkina Faso; Canada; Cameroon; China; Costa Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; Cuba; 
European Union; The Gambia; Georgia; Haiti; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; 
Israel; Jamaica; Japan; Kuwait, the State of; Lao PDR; Macao, China; the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia; Malaysia; Mali; Mauritius; Mexico; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Oman; 
Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Separate Customs Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Sri Lanka; Switzerland; Tajikistan; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; Ukraine; United States and Viet Nam. Thes e notifications can be found in document series 
G/LIC/N/3/-. 
 
NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS SUBMITTE D DURING THE REVIEWED PERIOD  
(5.Oct 2013 - 20 Oct.2014) UNDER THE DIFFE RENT PROVISIONS IN THE AGREEMENT 
 
 
 
8.  Written questions and replies to and from Members concerning notifications submitted to the 
Committee and/or on import licensing procedures maintained by Members, can be found in document series G/LIC/Q/-. Duri ng the period under review:  
8.1.  The following written questions were posed to Members:  
(i)  In document G/LIC/Q/ARG/14, the European Union submitted written questions to Argentina 
with respect to its sworn declaration of product composition (DJCP) and  Resolution No. 248/13 (see G/LIC/M/39 para. 2.2). 
 
(ii)  In document G/LIC/Q/BGD/5, the United States submitted written questions to Bangladesh 
with respect to its administrative procedures associated with a pharmaceuticals directive 
issued in 1998, as detailed in G/LIC/Q/BGD/3 and questioned the consistency of related 
measures with the GATT 1994 and Article 1.2 of the Agreement (see G/LIC/M/39  
para. 2.7). 
(iii)  In document G/LIC/Q/COL/2, the United States submitted written questions to Colombia 
regarding Decree No. 2261, of November 2012 and expressed concerns on Colombia's use of non-automatic import licences to solve the issue of illegal mining (see G/LIC/M/39  paras. 2.10-2.11).  
                                               
3 Annexed to document G/LIC/3. 
4 New notifications were received from the EU (G/LIC/N/3/EU/3) and Brazil (G/LIC/N/3/BRA/10) on 20 
October 2013, which will be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. G/L/1078 
 
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  (iv)  In document G/LIC/Q/ECU/ 5, Canada and the United States submitted additional questions 
to Ecuador concerning Ecuador's Resolution No. 102 of the Foreign Trade Council (COMEX) and No. 299-A of the Ministry of Agriculture,  Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries (MAGAP) 
(see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 2.17-2.20). 
(v)  In document G/LIC/Q/IDN/30, Canada, the European Union, Japan, New Zealand and the 
United States submitted follow-up questions to Indonesia concerning Indonesia's certain regulations with respect to import permit systems for animal and animal products and fresh 
and processed horticulture products (see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 2.28-2.37). 
(vi)  In document G/LIC/Q/IDN/31, the United St ates submitted follow-up questions to Indonesia 
regarding its regulations on imports of cell phones, handheld computers and tablets (see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 2.40-2.44).  
(vii)  In document G/LIC/Q/IND/23, the European Union submitted written questions to India 
concerning its annual notification (G/LIC/N/3/IND /13.Rev.1) and in particular India's import 
licensing for live animals and import regime on marble and similar stones (see G/LIC/M/39 
paras 2.47-2.50). 
(viii) In document G/LIC/Q/LCA/2, the United States submitted written questions to Saint Lucia, 
regarding the country's domestic purchase requirement for poultry, pork and pork products 
(see G/LIC/M/39 para 2.58). 
(ix) In document G/LIC/Q/MYS/6, the United States submitted written questions to Malaysia 
concerning Malaysia's import licensing regimes on motor vehicles, rice, round cabbages, electrical equipment and other products (see G/LIC/M/39 paras 2.62-2.65). 
(x) In documents G/LIC/Q/MYS/7 and G/LIC/Q/MYS/8, the European Union submitted written 
questions to Malaysia regarding the extensive use and coverage of its import licensing system, and in particular, the import licensing procedures on electrical equipment, 
intoxicating liquor, tobacco and denatured sp irit, telecommunication equipment and logs 
(see G/LIC/M/39 paras 2.67-2.69). 
(xi) In document G/LIC/Q/RUS/2, Canada, the European Union, Japan and the United States 
submitted follow-up questions to Russia concerning the country's compliance with its 
transparency obligations under the Agreement,  the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)'s 
Decision No. 143, as well as the import licensing regime for products with cryptographic capacities and quotas on combine harvesters imported into Russia (see G/LIC/M/39  
paras 2.73-2.83). 
(xii) In document G/LIC/Q/TUR/7, the European  Union submitted written questions to Turkey, 
seeking further clarification on Turkey's no tification G/LIC/N/3/TUR/13 (see G/LIC/M/39 
paras 2.93-2.95) 
(xiii) In document G/LIC/Q/VNM/5, the United States submitted written questions to Viet Nam 
concerning the country's new trading licences regime involving distilled spirits (see 
G/LIC/M/39 para 2.99). 
(xiv) In document G/LIC/Q/MNG/1, the European Union submitted written questions to Mongolia 
concerning the transparency of the country's import regime and its compliance of notification obligations under the Agreement. The European Union also seeks further 
clarification on the country's overall legal framework governing imports, including that on 
food products. 
(xv) In document G/LIC/Q/ECU/7, the European Union submitted follow-up questions to Ecuador 
regarding Ecuador's notification G/LIC/N/1/ECU/5, seeking further clarification on COMEX 
Resolution No. 98 providing for the allocation of annual import quotas for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as well as COMEX Resolution Nos. 81, 89 and 95. G/L/1078 
 
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  (xvi) In document G/LIC/Q/BRA/18, the European Union submitted follow-up questions to Brazil, 
seeking further clarification on Brazil's import procedures applicable to industrial nitrocellulose. 
8.2. The following written responses to comment s and questions were submitted by Members:  
(i)  In document G/LIC/Q/BGD/4, Bangladesh responded to the questions posed by the  
United States (document G/LIC/Q/BGD/3) (see G/LIC/M/39 para. 2.6). 
(ii)  In document G/LIC/Q/ECU/4, Ecuador responded to the questions posed by the  
United States (document G/LIC/Q/ECU/3). 
(iii)  In documents G/LIC/Q/IDN/27, G/LIC/Q/IDN/28 and G/LIC/Q/IDN/29, Indonesia responded 
to the questions posed by the European Un ion and the United States (in documents 
G/LIC/Q/IDN/24, G/LIC/Q/IDN/25 and G/LIC/Q/IDN/26). In document G/LIC/Q/IDN/32 and 
G/LIC/Q/IDN/32/Corr.1, Indonesia responded to the questions posed by Canada, the 
European Union, Japan, New Zealand and the United States (G/LIC/Q/IDN/30), regarding its import permit system on animal and animal pr oducts and related government regulations. In 
document G/LIC/Q/IDN/33, Indonesia responded to questions posed by the United States 
(G/LIC/Q/IDN/31). 
(iv) In document G/LIC/Q/ARG/15, Argentina resp onded to the questions posed by the European 
Union regarding its annual notification (G/LIC/Q/ARG/11) and its DJCP system.  
(v) In document G/LIC/Q/COL/3, Colombia responded to the questions from the United States 
(G/LIC/Q/COL/2) regarding Decree No. 2261 pub lished in 2013 and explained the rationale 
of using non-automatic import licensing to address the issue of illegal mining. 
(vi) In document G/LIC/Q/MYS/9, Malaysia responded to questions posed by the United States 
(G/LIC/Q/MYS/6). In document G/LIC/Q/MYS/10 and G/LIC/Q/MYS/11, Malaysia responded to questions posed by the European Union in G/LIC/Q/MYS/7 and G/LIC/Q/MYS/8 
respectively. 
(vii) In document G/LIC/Q/LCA/3, Saint Lucia resp onded to questions posed by the United States 
(G/LIC/Q/LCA/2). 
(viii) In document G/LIC/Q/RUS/3, the Russian Federation responded to questions posed by 
Canada, the European Union, Japan and the United States (G/LIC/Q/RUS/2). 
9.  Several Members raised trade concerns, questions or comments on other Members' import 
licensing procedures as follows:  
At the meeting on 15 April: 
 (i) The United States raised concerns with regard  to the import licensing procedures of India on 
boric acid (see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 4.1-4.7). 
(ii) The European Union raised concerns regarding Thailand's Regulatory Requirements for 
imports of nitrocellulose (see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 5.1-5.3). 
(iii) The European Union raised concerns over Brazil's regulatory requirements for imports of 
nitrocellulose (see G/LIC/M/39 paras. 6.1-6.6). 
At the meeting on 20 October: (iv) The European Union raised concerns with regard to India's import of marble and marble 
products and Brazil's regulatory requirements for imports of nitrocellulose.  
(v) The European Union, Iceland, Norway, Urug uay and Chile raised concerns with Nigeria's 
regulatory requirements for imports of fishery products. G/L/1078 
 
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  (vi)  The United States made statements rega rding Indonesia's import licensing regime for  
cell phones, handheld computers and tablets; In dia's import licensing requirements for boric 
acid as well as the import licensing pr ocedures of Bangladesh and Viet Nam. 
10.  At the meeting on 15 April 2014 under the ag enda item "Other Business", the Chairperson 
reported on his informal consultations with delegations with regard to a draft notification form to 
notify under Article 7.3 of the Agreement and the preparation of the next biennial review of the 
implementation and operation of the Agreement.  He encouraged Members to provide concrete 
proposals so as to move the process forward.  G/L/1078 
 
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  ANNEX I: NOTIFICATIONS REVIEWED DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD PURSUANT TO 
ARTICLES 1.4(A) AND/OR 8.2(B) OF THE AGREEMENT  
[FROM 5 OCTOBER 2013 TO 20 OCTOBER 2014] 
MEMBER DOCUMENT DATE OF ISSUANCE 
OF THE DOCUMENT 
CAMEROON G/LIC/N/1/CMR/2 29-Nov-2013 
ECUADOR G/LIC/N/1/ECU/4/Corr.1 
G/LIC/N/1/ECU/5 15-Oct 2013 
20-Jun-2014 
ISRAEL G/LIC/N/1/ISR/3 08-Oct-2013 
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC G/LIC/N/1/KGZ/2 26-Sep-2014 
LAO, PDR G/LIC/N/1/LAO/1 03-Feb-2014 
MADAGASCAR G/LIC/N/1/MDG/3 23-Sep-2014 
MEXICO G/LIC/N/1/MEX/4 
G/LIC/N/1/MEX/5 15-Apr-2014 
15-Apr-2014 
MOROCCO G/LIC/N/1/MAR/7 
G/LIC/N/1/MAR/8 20-Jun-2014 
20-Jun-2014 
PARAGUAY G/LIC/N/1/PRY/3 
G/LIC/N/1/PRY/4 G/LIC/N/1/PRY/5 18-Feb-2014 
18-Feb-2014 18-Feb-2014 
PERU G/LIC/N/1/PER/4 11-Jun-2014 
PHILIPPINES G/LIC/N/1/PHL/3 05-Feb-2014 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION G/LIC/N/1/RUS/2 
G/LIC/N/1/RUS/3 
G/LIC/N/1/RUS/4 
G/LIC/N/1/RUS/4/Corr.1 06-May-2014 
11-Jun-2014 
23-Jul-2014 
31-Jul-2014 
SAMOA G/LIC/N/1/WSM/1 30-Sep-2014 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, 
PENGHU, KINMEN AND 
MATSU G/LIC/N/1/TPKM/9 01-Aug-2014 
SRI LANKA G/LIC/N/1/LKA/2 19-Feb-2014 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO G/LIC/N/1/TTO/3  
G/LIC/N/1/TTO/3/Corr.1 20-Jan-2014 
24-Jan-2014 
TURKEY G/LIC/N/1/TUR/11 29-Sep-2014 
UKRAINE G/LIC/N/1/UKR/4 
G/LIC/N/1/UKR/5 10-Dec-2013 
10-Dec-2013 
 
 G/L/1078 
 
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ANNEX II: NOTIFICATIONS REVIEWED DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD PURSUANT TO 
PARAGRAPHS 5.1-5.4 OF ARTICLE 5 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 [From 5 OCTOBER 2013 TO 20 October 2014] 
MEMBER DOCUMENT DATE OF ISSUANCE OF 
THE DOCUMENT 
INDONESIA G/LIC/N/2/IDN/19 
G/LIC/N/2/IDN/20 
G/LIC/N/2/IDN/21 
G/LIC/N/2/IDN/21/Corr.1 G/LIC/N/2/IDN/22 
G/LIC/N/2/IDN/23 
G/LIC/N/2/IDN/24 G/LIC/N/2/IDN/25 G/LIC/N/2/IDN/26 04-Feb-2014 
05-Feb-2014 
05-Feb-2014 
20-Feb-2014 05-Feb-2014 
01-Aug-2014 
24-Sep-2014 26-Sep-2014 26-Sep-2014 
ISRAEL G/LIC/N/2/ISR/3 21-Oct-2013 
LAO PDR G/LIC/N/2/LAO/1 03-Feb-2014 
MALAYSIA G/LIC/N/2/MYS/6 23-Jan-2014 
MEXICO G/LIC/N/2/MEX/2 
G/LIC/N/2/MEX/3 15-Apr-2014 
15-Apr-2014 
PARAGUAY G/LIC/N/2/PRY/2 
G/LIC/N/2/PRY/3 
G/LIC/N/2/PRY/3/Corr.1 29-Nov-2013 
18-Feb-2014 
12-Mar-2014 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION G/LIC/N/2/RUS/1 04-Aug-2014 
SAUDI ARABIA, KINGDOM 
OF G/LIC/N/2/SAU/1 
G/LIC/N/2/SAU/1/Corr.1 10-Mar-2014 
14-Mar-2014 
UKRAINE G/LIC/N/2/UKR/5 10-Dec-2013 
 G/L/1078 
 
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ANNEX III: NOTIFICATIONS REVIEWED DURING THE RE VIEW PERIOD PURSUANT 
ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT  
[From 5 OCTOBER 2013 TO 20 October 2014] 
MEMBER DOCUMENT DATE OF ISSUANCE OF 
THE DOCUMENT 
ALBANIA G/LIC/N/3/ALB/7 14-Apr-2014 
AUSTRALIA G/LIC/N/3/AUS/6 18-Dec-2013 
BURKINA FASO G/LIC/N/3/BFA/6 28-Jul-2014 
CANADA G/LIC/N/3/CAN/12 04-Apr-2014 
CAMEROON G/LIC/N/3/CMR/4 29-Nov-2013 
CHINA G/LIC/N/3/CHN/10 
G/LIC/N/3/CHN/10/Corr.1 
G/LIC/N/3/CHN/11 
G/LIC/N/3/CHN/12 28-Feb-2014 
11-Apr-2014 
28-Feb-2014 
28-Feb-2014 
COSTA RICA G/LIC/N/3/CRI/10 
G/LIC/N/3/CRI/11 08-Oct-2013 
03-Oct-2014 
CÔTE D'IVOIRE G/LIC/N/3/CIV/3 20-Nov-2013 
CUBA G/LIC/N/3/CUB/6 26-Sep-2014 
EUROPEAN UNION G/LIC/N/3/EU/2 
G/LIC/N/3/EU/2/Add.1 09-Dec-2013 
09-Dec-2013 
THE GAMBIA G/LIC/N/3/GMB/4 20-Jan-2014 
GEORGIA G/LIC/N/3/GEO/5 09-Dec-2013 
HAITI G/LIC/N/3/HTI/7 23-Sep-2014 
HONDURAS G/LIC/N/3/HND/8 
G/LIC/N/3/HND/9 10-Dec-2013 
12-Aug-2014 
HONG KONG, CHINA G/LIC/N/3/HKG/18 25-Sep-2014 
INDIA G/LIC/N/3/IND/14 03-Oct-2014 
INDONESIA G/LIC/N/3/IDN/5 
G/LIC/N/3/IDN/6 
G/LIC/N/3/IDN/7 26-Sep-2014 
26-Sep-2014 
26-Sep-2014 
ISRAEL G/LIC/N/3/ISR/3 09-Oct-2013 
JAMAICA G/LIC/N/3/JAM/4 07-Oct-2014 
JAPAN G/LIC/N/3/JPN/13 03-Oct-2014 
KUWAIT, STATE OF G/LIC/N/3/KWT/4 14-Feb-2014 
LAO, PDR G/LIC/N/3/LAO/1 11-Mar-2014 
MACAO, CHINA G/LIC/N/3/MAC/16 
G/LIC/N/3/MAC/16/Corr.1 
G/LIC/N/3/MAC/17 22-Oct-2013 
20-Nov-2013 
24-Sep-2014 
THE FORMER YUG. REP. OF 
MACEDONIA G/LIC/N/3/MKD/4 23-May-2014 
MALAYSIA G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8 
G/LIC/N/3/MYS/9 G/LIC/N/3/MYS/9/Corr.1 
G/LIC/N/3/MYS/9/Corr.2 24-Jan-2014 
24-Jan-2014 
10-Mar-2014 
22-Jul-2014 
MALI G/LIC/N/3/MLI/5 
G/LIC/N/3/MLI/6 10-Apr-2014 
23-Sep-2014 
MAURITIUS G/LIC/N/3/MUS/4 26-Sep-2014 
MEXICO G/LIC/N/3/MEX/4 10-Oct-2013 
NEW ZEALAND G/LIC/N/3/NZL/4 07-Oct-2014 G/L/1078 
 
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  MEMBER DOCUMENT DATE OF ISSUANCE OF 
THE DOCUMENT 
NICARAGUA G/LIC/N/3/NIC/6 30-Sep-2014 
OMAN G/LIC/N/3/OMN/7 26-May-2014 
PANAMA G/LIC/N/3/PAN/5 09-Sep-2014 
PARAGUAY G/LIC/N/3/PRY/2 
G/LIC/N/3/PRY/3 29-Nov-2013 
15-Apr-2014 
PERU G/LIC/N/3/PER/10 11-Jun-2014 
PHILIPPINES G/LIC/N/3/PHL/10 06-Feb-2014 
QATAR G/LIC/N/3/QAT/10 03-Apr-2014 
RUSSIAN FEDERATION G/LIC/N/3/RUS/1 06-May-2014 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, 
PENGHU, KINMEN AND 
MATSU G/LIC/N/3/TPKM/5 01-Aug-2014 
SRI LANKA G/LIC/N/3/LKA/2 19-Feb-2014 
SWITZERLAND G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 10-Oct-2014 
TAJIKISTAN G/LIC/N/3/TJK/1 06-Oct-2014 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO G/LIC/N/3/TTO/11 
G/LIC/N/3/TTO/11/Corr.1 20-Jan-2014 
24-Jan-2014 
TURKEY G/LIC/N/3/TUR/13 03-Feb-2014 
UKRAINE G/LIC/N/3/UKR/6 
G/LIC/N/3/UKR/7 07-Oct-2013 
28-Aug-2014 
UNITED STATES G/LIC/N/3/USA/11 30-Sep-2014 
VIET NAM G/LIC/N/3/VNM/2 26-Sep-2014 
  
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