G/LIC/Q/MYS/6  
 
18 March 2014  
(14-1722)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
 IMPORT LICENSING SY STEM OF MALAYSIA 
QUESTIONS FROM THE UNITED  STATES TO MALAYSIA 
The following communication, dated 14 March 2014, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States. 
 
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 1.  The United States greatly appreciates Malaysia’s conscientious effort to respond to the Article 7.3 Annual Questionnaire on Import Licensing, and we commend Malaysia for its hard work 
in this regard.  The United States notes that the Secretariat circulated to Members both 
G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8 and G/LIC/N/3/MYS/9 on 24 January 2014.  The United States has keyed the questions that follow to G/LIC/N/3/MY S/8 and to G/LIC/N/3/MYS/9.      
 
2.  From G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8, we learn that importation of an extensive list of “selected industrial products is subjected to import licensing administered by MITI”.  Please explain further the 
purpose of these licensing requirements for each of the goods named in G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8, 
including the purpose of the non-automatic licenses for motor vehicles, and how Malaysia considers these requirements consistent with the provisions of the Import Licensing Agreement and the GATT 1994. Has Malaysia considered methods other than import licensing in the interest 
of ensuring that the flow of imports of these products is not impeded? 
 3.  Could Malaysia please confirm whether the importation of animals and animal products require 
import licenses? Is Malaysia using import licenses to verify compliance with SPS requirements?  
 4.  With regard to plant and plant products, is Ma laysia using import licenses to verify compliance 
with SPS requirements? 
  5 .   W i t h  r e g a r d  t o  “ RICE AND PADDY, GLUTINOUS FLOUR, and RICE VERMICELLI, 
(G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8) ,” Malaysia states, “The licensing is intended to monitor and ensure a 
stable supply of rice in the country”. Please explain how this licensing requirement is justified 
under the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedur es.  Please explain further how such licenses 
are administered “to ensure a stable supply of rice in the country”.  
 
6.  It appears that Malaysia imposes extensive licensing requirements for the “ IMPORTATION OF 
ROUND CABBAGE AND UNROASTED COFFEE BEANS,”  as described in  G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8.  
Please explain the purpose and basis of the licen sing requirements on these products, including 
Malaysia’s statement that, “This system is to ensure the orderly importation of round cabbages and un-roasted coffee beans into the country”?  Has Malaysia considered any alternative, less complicated means for achieving this objective?  
 
7.  Why does Malaysia subject ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, (G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8), to what 
appear to be a complicated set of import licensing procedures?  With respect to electrical 
equipment, is Malaysia using import licenses to verify compliance with TBT requirements? Is 
domestically produced electrical equipment su bject to the same technical regulations and 
certification requirements as imported electrical equipment?   
 G/LIC/Q/MYS/6 
 
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  8.  G/LIC/N/3/MYS/8 states that, with regard to TELECOMMUNICATION APPARATUS , “The 
Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2008 regulates amongst others the importation of 
telecommunication products into Malaysia.”  
Are domestic producers of telecommunications products subject to any procedures “to ensure 
safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and interoperatibility”?   
 
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