WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
13 June 2006 
 (06-2832) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Arti cle 7.3 of the Agreement on Impo rt Licensing Procedures for 2005  
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
 
  The following communication, dated 6 June 2006, has been received from the delegation of the 
European Communities. 
 
_______________ 
  
Outline of system  
 
1. The Community import licensing system is based on the premise that no import licences are 
required except where specific products are subject to quantitative restrictions, safeguard measures or 
import surveillance.  The Community applies no qua ntitative restrictions to WTO Members in the 
industrial sector except for certain textile products originating in the People’s Republic of China. 
There are also a number of products subject to  Community surveillance with the purpose of 
improving transparency of import trends of the prod ucts concerned, but with no intention of limiting 
market access.  The coverage of products subject to Community licensing systems appears in the annexes and regulations referred to in replies to questions 2 and 3.  The relevant legislation is 
mentioned in reply to question 5. 
 The import licensing scheme for agricultural pr oducts serves statistical purposes and is an 
automatic licensing system.  The competent authori ties in the Member States issue import licences to 
every applicant. Import licences are subject to a secur ity and are valid in all the Member States of the 
Community.  Import licences have to be submitted with the import declaration.   Furthermore, a licence is required in respect of a number of tariff quotas in the agricultural 
sector. 
 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
 
2. See reply 1. 
                                                      
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 2  
 
  3. See the following table 
 
Licensing system Product coverage Country coverage 
Quantitative quotas (other 
than textiles) Certain steel products  None for WTO Members, 
only for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan 
Community surveillance (other than textiles) a. Certain steel products
 
Council Regulations (EC) No. 1445/2003 (Romania OJ L 206,15.8.2003), 152/2002 (FYROM, OJ L 25, 
29.1.2002, p.1), 1762/2004 
(Republic of Moldova, OJ L 315,14.10.2004,p.1).    Commission regulation (EC) 
N° 469/2005 (OJ L78, 
24.3.2005, p.12) amending 2385/2002 (OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 125) amending regulation (EC) N° 76 / 2002 (OJ L 16, 18.01.2002) which 
was also amended by 
1337/2002 (OJ L 195, 24.7.2002). 
 Romania and FYROM     
 
Moldova    
All countries 
 b.  Certain agricultural 
 products   See Annex I. 
 All countries 
 c. Certain Footwear products 
 originating in China  
 
Commission Regulation (EC) 
No 117/2005 of 26 January 2005, OJ L 24,27.01.2005.p 8-14 See Annex IV.  
 People’s Republic of China 
Textiles: Quantitative limits 
or surveillance Council Regulation (EEC) 
No. 3030/93  (OJ No. L 275, 
8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries. 
[as last amended by 
Commission Regulation 
(EC)/1478/2005].
 See text below 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 3 
 
 
  I. TEXTILES 
  Based on the Memorandum of Understanding w ith China of 10 June 2005 and the Agreed 
Minutes of 5 September 2005, the Community at presen t maintains agreed levels for the imports of 
ten product categories in the years 2005, 2006 a nd 2007. It also has in application a surveillance 
system (automatic import licensing) for the import from China of another 36 product categories.  
 
            Moreover, the Community maintains b ilateral agreements on trade in  textile products with the 
following non-WTO Members: Belarus, Russian Fede ration, Serbia, Ukraine and Vietnam. It should 
be noted that of these countries only Belarus is s ubject to quantitative restrictions (Basic Regulation 
3030/93). 
 
 In addition, the Community maintains autonom ous quantitative restrictions on imports from a 
very limited number of non-WTO Members with whic h no bilateral agreements exist: Montenegro, 
Kosovo and North Korea.  II. AGRICULTURE 
 For agricultural tariff quotas subject to import licensing, see reply to question 6. 
 4. The Community applies no quantitative quotas to WTO Members in the industrial sector except for certain products in the textile field where the licensing is intended to restrict the quantity of 
imports. 
 
 The purpose of import licensing procedure for pr oducts under surveillance is for statistical 
reasons and to strengthen control on imports orig inating from the country concerned and, more 
specifically, to improve control on the origin of th e products concerned.  It is intended to monitor 
import trends and not to restrict the quantity of  imports.  The systems are based on an automatic 
licensing. 
  In some cases a double-checking system is applie d (certain textile and steel products) with an 
export document issued by third country authorities.  The aim of the double-checking system is to improve transparency and to avoid possible diversi on of trade and custom fraud by rapid provision of 
information on the trend of trade flows. 
 
 See also reply to question 1.  
Legislative basis  
 5. Licensing is statutorily required for the produc ts listed in the relevant legislative texts. 
Product coverage is defined in the legislation and is not subject to administrative discretion.  The 
system cannot be abolished without legislative approval (regulations generally contain provisions 
relating to the duration and expiry of the licensing regime).  5.1.  General 
 
 Council Regulation (EC) 519/94 of 7 March 1994 (OJ L. 67, 10.03.94, p.89) established 
common rules for imports from certain third countries.  
[As amended by: 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 1921/94 (OJ L 198, 30.07.94, p.1); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 538/95 (OJ L. 55, 11.03.95, p.1); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 839/95 (OJ L. 85, 19.04.95, p.9); G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 4  
 
  - Council Regulation (EC) N° 139/96 (OJ L 21, 27.01.96, p.7); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 168/96 (OJ L. 25, 01.02.96, p.2); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 752/96 (OJ L. 103, 26.04.96, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 1897/96 (OJ L. 250, 02.10.96, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC)N° 847/97 (OJ L. 122, 14.05.97, p.1); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 1138/98 (OJ L. 159, 03.06.98, p.1); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 427/2003(OJ L.65,08.03.2003 , p.1)].  
5.2.  Textile products 
 
5.2.1.   Trade with WTO Member countries and countries with bila teral agreements:  
5.2.1.1. Trade in products not subject to normal GA TT rules("products not integrated" in WTO): 
5.2.1.1.1. Basic Regulation: 
 - Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ No. L 275, 8.11.93, p. 1) - on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries. 
 
[As amended by: 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3289/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 85) – amends 
Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1410/96 (OJ No. L 181, 20.7.96, p. 15) - concerning the 
partial withdrawal of Regulation 3053/95; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2231/96 (OJ No. L 307, 28.11.96, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) - list products to be 
integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 - amends  Annex X to Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II 
to Regulation 3285/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 447/97 (OJ No. L 68, 8.3.97, p. 16) - quantitative limits - 
OPT – China; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 824/97 (OJ No. L 119, 8.5.97, p. 1) - amends 
Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 339/98 (OJ No. L 45, 16.2.98, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, II, 
III, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 856/98 (OJ No. L 122, 24.4.98, p. 11) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1053/98 (OJ No. L 151, 21.5.98, p. 10)- amends Annexes II, 
III and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2798/98 (OJ No. L 353, 29.12.98, p. 1) - amends Annex I to 
Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1072/99 (OJ No. L 134, 28.5.99, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1591/2000 (OJ No. L 186, 25.7.2000, p. 1) - amends 
Annexes II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 391/2001 (OJ No. L 58, 28.2.2001, P.3) – amends Regulation 
3030/93; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1809/2001 (OJ No. L 252, 20.8.2001) – amends Regulation 
3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 27/2002 (OJ No L9, 11.1.2002) - amends Annexes I, III, V, 
VII and IX to Regulation 3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 797/2002 (OJ No L128, 15.5.2002) - amends Annexes III 
and VIII to Regulation 3030/93;  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 5 
 
 
  - Commission Regulation (EC) No 2344/2002 (OJ No L 357, 31.12.2002) - amends Annexes I, 
III, V and VII to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 138/2003 (OJ No L 23, 28.1.2003) - amends Regulation 
3030/93; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 260/2004 (OJ No L 51, 20.2.2004, p.1) – amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 487/2004 (OJ No L 79, 17.3.2004, p.1) – amends Regulation 
(EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports  of certain textile products from third 
countries; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1627/2004 (OJ L 295,  18.9.2004, p. 1) – amending Regulation 
(EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports  of certain textiles products from third 
countries; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 2200/2004 (OJ L 374, 22.12.2004, p. 1) – amending Council 
Regulations (EEC) No 3030/93 and (EC) No 3285/94 as regards the common rules for imports of certain textile pr oducts from third countries; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 930/2005 (OJ L 162, 23.6.2005, p. 1) – amending Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII and VIII to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1084/2005 (OJ L 177, 9.7.2005, p. 19) – amending Annexes 
II, III and V to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1478/2005 (OJ L 236, 13.9.2005, p. 3) – amending Annexes 
V, VII, and VIII to Council Regulation (EEC ) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports of 
certain textile products from third countries]. 
 
5.2.1.1.2.  Derogation from Basic Regulation: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1087/97 (OJ L 158,  17.6.97, p1) – authorizing imports into 
Canary Islands and certain quota products originating in China without quantitative 
restrictions. 
 
5.2.1.2.  Trade in products subject to normal GA TT rules "products integrated" in WTO: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3285/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 53) – repeals 
Regulation 518/94. 
 
[As amended by: 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/96 (OJ No. L 21, 27.1.96, p. 7) – amends 
Regulation 3285/94 and Regulation 519/94 with  respect to the uniform Community 
surveillance document; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) –- list of products 
to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 and amends Annex X to 
Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation 3285/94; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2474/2000 (OJ No. L 286, 11.11.2000, p.1) –- list of 
products to be integrated into GA TT 1994 on 1.1.2002 and ame nds Annex X to 
Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation 3285/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1437/2003 (OJ L 204, 13.8.2003, p. 3) – amends Annexes I, 
II, IIIB and VI to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1484/2003 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2003, p 46) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/94 as regards quotas for Serbia and Montenegro; G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 6  
 
  - Commission Regulation (EC) No 2309/2003 (OJ L 342, 30.12.2003, p. 21) – amends annexes 
IIIB, IV and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/ 94 as regards textile quotas for 2004; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2003 (OJ No. L. 65, 8.03..2003, p.12) – establishes 
the allocation method  for the quota increa se set forth in Council Regulation (EC) No 
427/2003 for certain products  originating in China (including footwear); 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1985/2003 (OJ No. L.295, 13.11.2003, p.3) – 
establishes the allocation method  for the fir st tranche of the quota increase set forth 
in Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 fo r certain products originating in China 
(including footwear); 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2044/2003 (OJ No. L.  303, 21.11.2003, p.3) – 
establishes the allocation method  for the second tranche of the quota increase set 
forth in Council Regulation (EC) No 427/ 2003 for certain products originating in 
China (including footwear; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1985//2003 (OJ No. L. 295,13.11.2003, p.43) – amends 
Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 in view of EU enlargement].  
 
5.2.2.  Imports from other count ries ("autonomous regime"): 
 
5.2.2.1.  Basic Regulation:    - Council Regulation (EC) No. 517/94 (OJ No. L 67, 10.3.94, p. 1) – on common rules for 
imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, 
protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Community import rules. 
 
[As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1470/ 94 (OJ No. L 159, 28.6.94, p. 14) - opens 
quantitative import quotas for products (cat. 160) from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1756/94 (OJ No. L 183, 19.7.94, p. 9) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 122, 123, 124, 125 B, 140 and 146 C) from China and amends Annexes IV and V of Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2612/ 94 (OJ No. L 279, 28.10.94, p. 7) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 127 B and 145)  from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2980/94 (OJ No. L 315, 8.12.94, p. 2) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 146A and 146B) from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94;. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) - 
establishes in the field of application of Regulation 517/94 a Community import 
licence and amending certain prov isions of the Regulation;. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1325/ 95 (OJ No. L 128, 13.6.95, p. 1) - amends 
Regulation 517/94;. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/95:  (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) - amends 
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the fiel d of 517/94 a Community import licence 
and amends certain provisions of the Regulation; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 538/96 (OJ No. L 79, 29.3.96, p.1) - amends 
Regulation 517/94 concerning imports of  products - Yugoslavia (Serbia and 
Montenegro;  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 7 
 
 
  - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/96 (OJ No. L 188, 27.7.96, p. 4 - opens quotas 
for imports of products falling within ca t. 87 and 109 originating in North Korea and 
amends Annexes IV and V to Regulation 517/94.(Corrigendum in OJ No. L 225, 6.9.96, p. 11); 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1937/96 (OJ No. L 255, 9.10.96, p. 4) - amends 
Annexes III B and VI to Regulation 517/94;. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1457/ 97 (OJ No. L 199, 26.7.97, p. 6) – amends 
annexes IIIB, IV and VI to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2542/ 99 (OJ No. L 307, 2.12.99, p. 14) – amends 
Annex I to Regulation 517/94; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 7/2000 (OJ No. L 2, 5.1.2000, p. 51) - amends 
Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 28 78/2000 (OJ L 333, 29.12.2000, p. 60) – amends 
Annex IV to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2245/2001 (OJ L 303, 20.11.2001, p. 17) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 888/2002 (OJ L 146,  4.6.2002, p. 1) – amends Annexes I 
and II to Regulation 517/94; 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1309/2002 (OJ No L 192, 20.7.2002, p. 1) – amends Regulation 
517/94; 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No 1437/2003 (OJ L 204,  13.8.2003, p. 3) – amends Annexes I, 
II, IIIB and VI to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1484/2003 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2003, p 46) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/94 as regards quotas for Serbia and Montenegro; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2309/2003 (OJ L 342, 30.12.2003, p. 21) – amends annexes 
IIIB, IV and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/ 94 as regards textile quotas for 2004;. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1877/2004 (OJ L 326, 29.10.2004, p. 25) – amends Annex 
IIIB of Regulation (EC No 517/94 as regards  quotas for Serbia and Montenegro; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 931/2005 (OJ 162,  23.6.2005, p.371) – amends Annexes I, 
II, IIIB and VI to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 on common rules for imports of textile 
products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other 
arrangements or by other spec ific Community import rules]. 
 5.2.2.2.  Regulations concerning the import licence: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) – establishes in 
the field of application of Regulation 517/ 94 a Community import licence and amending 
certain provisions of the Regulation . 
 
[As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/ 95 (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) – amends 
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the field  of application of Regulation 517/94 a 
Community import licence and amends certa in provisions of the Regulation]. 
 
5.2.2.3.  Regulations concerning the distribution of quotas: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2458/97 (OJ No. L 340, 11.12.97, p. 31) – (end 31.12.98) – 
distribution of quotas for 1998 pursuant to Regulation 517/94; 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2650/98 (OJ No. L 335, 10.12.98, p. 43) – distribution of 
quotas for 1999 pursuant to Regulation 517/94; G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 8  
 
  - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2629/99 (OJ No. L 321, 14.12.99, p. 8) – distribution of 
quotas for 2000 pursuant to Regulation 517/94.  
 
 [As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 394/ 2000 (OJ No. L 49, 22.2.2000, p. 33) – amends 
Regulation 2629/99; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2833/2000 (OJ No. L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 20) – 
distribution of quotas for 2001 pursuant to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) N o. 2538/2001 (OJ No. L 341, 22.12.2001, p.73) – 
distribution of quotas for 2002 pursuant to Regulation 517/9; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2 357/2002 (OJ No L 351, 28.12.2002, p. 45) –  
distribution of quotas for 2003 pursuant to Regulation 517/9; 
            Commission Regulation (EC) No 2308(2003 (OJ L 342, 30.12.2003, p. 13) – 
distribution of quotas for 2004 pursuant to Regulation 517/94; 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2171/2004 (OJ L 371, 18.12.2004, p. 20) – 
distribution of quotas  for 2005 pursuant to Regulation 517/94]. 
 
5.2.3.  Outward processing traffic (OPT): 
 
5.2.3.1.  Basic Regulation:  - Council Regulation (EC) No. 3036/94 (OJ No. L 322, 15.12.94, p. 1) - establishes economic 
outward processing arrangements to products re-i mported into the Community after working 
in certain third countries. (Corrigenda in OJ No. L 135, 6.6.96, p. 35). 
 
5.2.3.2.  Implementing Regulation: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3017/95 (OJ No. L 314, 28.12.95, p. 40) – repeals 
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1816/95 (OJ No. L 175, 27.7.95, p.21). 
 
5.2.4. Other communications and information:  
 
- OJ No. C 52, 19.2.98, p.3: List of national competent authorities; - OJ No. C 71, 7.3.98, p.2: List of Members of the World Trade Organization; 
- OJ No. C 321, 20.10.98, p. 27: Notice on SI GL Website (informati on on quota levels for 
textile products – http://sigl.europe.eu.int
); 
- OJ No. C 46, 19.2.2000, p. 20: Notification on provisional application of certain textile 
Agreements; 
- OJ No. C 88, 25.3.2000, p. 18: Preparation of decision on third stage of ATC integration – 
Request for comments; 
- OJ n° C 308, 1.11.2001, p.16: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ No C 356, 14.12.2001, p. 4: China’s accession to the WTO; - OJ No C 364, 20.12.2001, p.11:  Taiwan’s accession to the WTO; 
- OJ No C 367, 21.12.2001, p. 27: Pakistan quota increases 2001; 
- OJ n° C 374, 29.12.2001, p.58: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ n° C 29, 1.2.2002, p. 5: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ n° C 66, 15.3.2002, p. 11: List of members of the World Trade Organization; - OJ n° C 77, 28.3.2002, p. 38: electronic licensing, List of countries; - OJ n° C 99, 24.4.2002, p. 14: List of the National competent authorities;    G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 9 
 
 
  5.3. Steel products: 
 Prior community surveillance without quantitative limits:  - Commission regulation (EC) N° 469/2005 (OJ L 78, 24.3.2005, p.12)  amending regulation 
(EC) N°  76 / 2002 (OJ L 16, 18.01.2002) which was also amended by 1337/2002 (OJ L 195, 
24.7.2002) and 2385/2002 (OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p.125). 
 Double-checking systems without quantitative limits:  
- Council Regulations (EC) No. 1445/2003 (R omania OJ L206,15.8.2003), 152/2002 
(FYROM, OJ L 25 of 29.1.2002 p. 1), 17 62/2004 (Republic of Moldova, OJ L 315, 
14.10.2004, p.1). 
  In addition, the EC maintains quantitative r estrictions on imports from three countries non-
WTO Members: Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 
 5.4.  Agricultural products:   In the agricultural sector, the following legisl ation includes provisions related to import 
licensing: 
 
5.4.1.  General:  - Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing 
certificates for agricultural products as amended . 
 
5.4.2. Cereals and rice: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common market 
organization for cereals  (Article 9) as amended; 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No.  1785/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organization 
of the market in rice  (Article 10) as amended; 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No.  1342/2003 of 23 July 2003  laying down special detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and rice as 
amended. 
 
5.4.3. Beef and veal: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/99 of 17 May 1999 on the common market organization in 
the beef sector as amended (Article 29); 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1445/95 of 26 June 1995 on rules of application for import 
and export licences in the beef and veal sect or and repealing Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/80 
as amended.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
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  5.4.4. Sheepmeat and goatmeat:  
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2529/2001 of 19 December 2001 on the common organization 
of the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat  (Article 13); 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1439/95 of 26 June 1995 laying down detailed rules for the 
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No . 3013/89 as regards the import and export of 
products in the sheepmeat and goatmeat sector as amended . 
 
5.4.5. Milk and milk products: 
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1255/99 of 17 May 1999 on the common market organization 
in the milk and milk product sector as amended (Article 26); 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2535/2001 of 14 December 2001 laying down detailed 
rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as regards the  import arrangements  for milk and milk products a nd opening tariff quotas as amended.  
 
5.4.6. Sugar:  
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No.  1260/2001 of 19  June 2001 on the common organization of 
the markets in the sugar sector  (Article 22) as amended; 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1464/95 of 27 June 1995 on special detailed rules for the 
application of the system of import and export licences in the sugar sector as amended. 
 5.4.7   Fruit and vegetables, fresh:  -         Council Regulation (EC) N° 2200/96 of  28 October 1996 on the common organization of the 
market in fruit and vegetabl es (Article 31) as amended;  
 
5.4.8. Fruit and vegetables, processed: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/96 of 28 Oc tober 1996 on the common organization of the 
market in processed fruit and vegeta bles products (Article 11) as amended.  
 
5.4.9. Bananas:  
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 404/93 of 13 Fe bruary 1993 on the common organization of 
the market of bananas as amended (Article 17)  by Council Regulation (EC) 2587/2001 of 19 
December 2001; 
 - Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 896/2001 of  7 May 2001, laying down detailed rules for 
the application of the arrangement for importi ng bananas into the Community as amended. 
 
5.4.10. Oil and fats: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 865/2004 of 29 April 2004on the common organization of the 
market in olive oil and table olives (Article 10); 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/95 of 28  June 1995 laying down special detailed rules 
for the application of the system of impor t licences in the olive oil sector as amended.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 11 
 
 
   
5.4.11. Seeds: 
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2358/71 of 26 October 1971 on the common organization of 
the market in seeds as amended (Article 4). 
 
5.4.12. Wine: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 1493/99 of 17 May 1999 on the Common organization on the 
market in wine as amended (Article 59); 
 - Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 883/2001 of 24 April 2001 laying down special detailed 
rules in respect of import and export licences in the wine sector (Articles 1 to 5) as amended. 
 5.4.13. Processed products:  - Council Regulation (EC) No 670/2003 of 8 April 2003 laying down specific measures 
concerning the market in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. 
 5.4.14  Transitional measures:   By reason of the enlargement some transitional measures have been laid down :  
-  Commission Regulations (EC) No 228/2004 of  3 February 2004 and (EC) No 229/2004 of 
10 February 2004 laying down transitio nal measures for imports of garlic; 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No 359/2004 of 27  February 2004 laying down transitional 
measures for imports of mushrooms; 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 838/2004 of 28 April 2004 on transitional measures for 
imports of bananas.    
 Procedures
 
 
6. The answers provided to question 6, I-XI, relate exclusively to textiles: 
 I.  Information related to the allocation of the quotas, the formalities for licence applications and 
the amount of goods allocated to each country is pu blished in the Official Journal of the European 
Communities (see reply 5).  There is no de rogation from the licensing requirement. 
 
II. The size of textile quotas is determined on a yearly basis.  There are no cases where the size 
of the quota is determined on a yearly basis and where import authorisations would be issued for 
imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis.  
III. The issuing of import authorisations is not  limited to domestic producers of like goods.  The 
competent licensing authorities notify the Commissi on immediately after having been informed of 
any quantity that is not used during the duration of validity of the import authorisation.  Such unused quantities are automatically transferred into the re maining quantities of the total of the Community 
quantitative limit for each category products and each third country concerned.  Names of importers 
to whom import authorisations have been a llocated are not made known to governments and 
exporting countries for privacy protection reasons. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 12  
 
  IV. The authorised imports are charged against th e quantitative limits laid down for the year in 
which the products are shipped in the supplier country  concerned.  An import authorisation is issued 
upon presentation of an export licence issued by the exporting country.  This presentation must be effected not later than 31 March of the year follo wing that in which the goods covered by the licence 
have been shipped.  In exceptional circumstan ces, a Member State may put the deadline for 
presentation of the export licence back to 30 June on a duly motivated request. 
 V. The licensing authorities have to issue an import authorisation within a maximum of five 
working days of the presentation by the importer of  the original of the corresponding export licence. 
 
VI. Import authorisations are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue. 
 VII. Each Member State has only one national competent authority for the issuing of import 
authorisations.  
VIII. Import authorisations are issued on a "first-c ome, first-served" basis.  There are no special 
provisions for new importers. Applications are examined on receipt.  IX. Concerning trade with WTO Members and with  countries with bilateral agreements, the so-
called double-checking system applies.  The compet ent authorities of the supplier countries issue an 
export licence in respect of all consignments of tex tile products subject to qu antitative limits, up to the 
level of those limits.  The importer shall present th e original of the export licences for the purposes of 
the issue of the import authorisation.  An import au thorisation is not issued automatically but only 
after the Commission has confirmed that the amount  requested is available within the quantitative 
limit in question.  
X. There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only. 
 XI. There are no products for which licences ar e issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market.  7. Agricultural tariff quotas subject to import li censing:  Some of the Community's agricultural 
tariff quotas are subject to import licensing.  Licences may be issued on a pro-rata or an historical 
basis, or related to quotas administrated by expor ting countries.  Details are being notified in parallel 
to this general notification
2. 
 7.1. For products subject  to Community surveillance (other than textiles): 
 
(a)-(b) It is up to the applicant to decide when to  apply for a licence, knowing that the document will 
be issued within a maximum of five working days  of receipt of the application.  Normally an 
import licence is presented at the moment of the import declaration and licences are granted immediately (except for sheepmeat and goatmeat and milk products). 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the time of year during which applications may be made. 
 (d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent 
authorities in the Member States delivering impor t licences is published in the "C" series of 
the Official Journal.  The application must not  be passed on to other organs for approval and 
the importer has to approach only one administrative organ. 
 
                                                     
 
2The notification relating to agricultural tariff rate quotas is contained in the Addendum to this 
document, G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8/Add.1.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 13 
 
 
  7.2. For textile products subject to Comm unity surveillance the following applies: 
 (a) The licensing authorities have to issue a su rveillance document within a maximum of five 
working days: 
 
- of the presentation by the importer of the original of the corresponding export licence (in the 
case of a double-checking system); 
 - of a request being submitted by the importer (in the case of a single-checking system).  
(b) Surveillance documents are issued on th e basis of "first-come, first-served". 
 (c) There are limitations as to the time of ye ar during which applications may be made. 
 (d) A single administrative body effects consider ation of licence applications.  The Commission 
services collect statis tical information on products subj ect to simple or double-checking 
surveillance (SIGL electronic system). 
 7.3. For agricultural products the rules are as follows:  (a)-(b) Import licences must be presented to the cust oms authorities at the moment of acceptance of 
the import declaration.  Import licences can be granted immediately, except for some products 
(i.e. milk and milk products). 
 (c) No.  
(d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent 
authorities in the Member States delivering impor t licences is published in the "C" series of 
the Official Journal.  The application must not  be passed on to other organs for approval and 
the importer has to approach only one administrative organ. 
 8. Failure to meet the ordinary criteria is the only circumstance in which licence applications 
may be refused. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 9. Import licences are issued without discrimina tion to any importer in the Community wherever 
the place of his establishment may be in the Comm unity, without prejudice to compliance with the 
other conditions required under current rules.  All persons are eligible to become importers. 
 
Documentational and other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10. For certain steel products  and with a very limited number of countries, the Community 
applies a dual licensing arrangement.  In order to obtain an import document issued by the competent 
authorities of the Member states, the correspondi ng export document issued by the competent 
authorities of the exporting country must be provided.  (See questions 2 and 3.) 
  For textile products subject to quantitative limits
:  For information required in application see 
Annex III . Sample form is contained in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ No. L 275, 
8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certa in textile products from third countries, as last 
amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 138/2003 (OJ No. L 23, 28.1.2003, p. 1). 
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 14  
 
   Imports shipped before 10 June  2005 were not subject to quan titative limits if  accompanied 
by adequate proof, such as the bill of lading, a nd the presentation of a signed declaration by the 
importer, that the goods have been shipped before that date.   For textile products subject to Community surveillance
: For information required in 
application see Annex III .  Sample form is contained in Co uncil Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ 
No. L 275, 8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries, as last amended by Council Regulation (E C) No. 138/2003 (OJ No. L 23, 28.1.2003, p. 1). 
  Concerning the application for the import authorisation in the case of a double-checking 
system for textiles, the applicant is required to s upply an export license.  Concerning the application 
for the import authorisation in the case of a single- checking system the applicant is required to supply 
a certified copy of the bill of lading, letter of credit, contract, or any other commercial document 
indicating a firm intention to carry out the importation.  
 Applications for surveillance document (other than textile)
 shall be sent to or lodged with the 
competent administrative authorities in the Member States.  Regarding the information required in 
applications, see Council Regulation N° 519/94 (OJ L.  67, 10.03.94, p.89), as amended by Council 
Regulation N° 139/96 (OJ L. 21, 27.01.96, p.7).  A surveillance document sample form is contained 
in Regulation N° 139/96.  
 In the agricultural field the application for an  import licence has to be forwarded to or lodged 
with the competent authorities in the Member States conforming to the specimen set out in Annex I of 
Commission Regulation (EC) 1291/2000 (OJ L 152, 24 June 2000, p. 25).  11. The licence/surveillance docum ent itself or an extract is required upon importation.  For 
textile products subject to quantitativ e limits/surveillance there is also , if needed, a requirement for a 
certificate of origin upon actual importation.   For certain steel products
 the Community applies prior surveillance.  The imports are subject 
to a surveillance document (import licence) th at is released automatically upon request. 
 
12. There is no licensing fee or administrative charge. 
 13. In general, there is no deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of 
import authorisations.  However, in the agricultural field the issuance of import licence is subject to a 
security in order to guarantee that the undertakin g to import will be fulfilled during the period of 
validity of the licence.  The amount of the security depending on the products  is laid down in the 
specific Community provisions applicable to the re levant product sector.  The security is released 
when the obligation to import is considered to ha ve been fulfilled and the right to import under the 
licence is considered to have been exercised name ly on the day the import declaration is accepted and 
the product concerned put into free circulation. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14. For textile products  subject to quantitative limits/double checking, import authorisations/ 
surveillance documents are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue.  Upon a duly 
motivated request by an importer, the competen t authorities of a Member State may extend the 
duration of validity for a two further periods of three months.  Such extensions shall be notified to the 
Commission.  In exceptional circumstances, an importer may request a third period of extension.  
These exceptional requests may only be  granted by a decision of the textile committee, composed of 
representatives of the Member States and chaired by a Commission. The surveillance document on  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 15 
 
 
  single-checking for products originating in the Peop le’s Republic of China is valid for six month, 
without the possibility of extension. The period of validity of the import licences depends on the 
products, please refer to Annex IV.   The validity of a licence can only be exte nded in case of  "force 
majeure".  
            For agricultural products
 the period of validity of the import licences depends on the product 
subject to licensing. General periods of validity ar e set in the relevant regulations mentioned per 
product in points 5.4.2 to 5.4.12 of this notification3.  Information concerning periods of validity of 
import licences allocated in the context of tariff rate  quotas is included in replies to question 14 in the 
Addendum.  The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of " force majeure ". 
 
             For steel products  subject to double-checking or prior community surveillance without 
quantitative limits, the period of validity of a surv eillance document is four months and unused or 
partly used documents may be renewed for four months.  
 For footwear
 the validity of the surveillance document is six months, unused or partly used 
surveillance documents may be re newed for the same period.  
 15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of an  import authorisation/surveillance document or 
a portion of it.  However, for a licen ce in the agricultural field, the security is forfeit in whole or in 
part if import is not carried out, or only partly carried out during the period of validity of the licence. 
 
16. Import authorisations are not transferable between importers.  Import licences constitute an 
authorisation and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. Obligations deriving from licences are not transferable  but the rights deriving are transferable by the 
titular holder of the licence during its period of validity. 
 
17. No other conditions are attached to the issue of  an import authorisation for products subject to 
or not subject to quantitative restrictions.  
Other procedural requirements  
 18. No other administrative procedures, apart fro m import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation. 
 19. The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as 
well as to cover import licences.  A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign 
exchange. 
                                                     
 
3 For ease of reference, the following is an indicativ e résumé of the various durations:  Cereals and rice : 
a range of validity between 45 days from the date of issue until the end of the fourth month following the issue; beef and veal
:  90 days from the date of issu e;  sheep meat and goat meat :  3 months from the date of issue;  
sugar:   from the day of issue until the end of the month following;  milk and milk products :  from the date of 
issue until the end of the third month following;  bananas :  from the day of issue until the seventh day of the 
fourth month following the month in which they are issued;  oils and fats :  60 days from the date of issue;  wine :  
until the end of the fourth month following the date of issue. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 16  
 
  ANNEX I 
 
Agricultural products subject to import licensing
 
 CEREALS:   Grain:  common wheat, durum wheat, barley, rye, oats, maize, buckwheat, canary 
seed, millet, other grain. 
 Processed Products: flour, wheat groa ts and meal, malt, starches, glucos e, cereal products, brans, wheat 
gluten, maltodextrine, caramel, manioc roots, cereal based animal compounds. 
 
RICE:   Paddy rice, husked rice, semi-milled or  wholly milled rice, br oken rice, rice flour, 
groats and meal of rice, pellets of rice, flaked rice, rice starch. 
 SUGAR:  Beet sugar and cane sugar, in solid fo rm, sugar beet, whole or sliced, fresh, dried 
or powdered, sugar cane, molasses, maple sugar and syrup, other sugars and 
syrups (but not including syrups of lactose, glucose, malto-dextrine and 
isoglucose), artificial honey, whether or  not mixed with natural honey, caramel 
containing in the natural state 50% or more  by weight of sucrose, flavoured or 
coloured sugar syrups, beet-pulp, bagasse and other waste of sugar manufacture, certain isoglucose, flavoured or coloured isoglucose syrups. 
 
OILS AND FATS:   Olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified;  
other oil and their fractions, obtained solely from olives, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or 
fractions of heading No 1509, olives, fresh  or chilled or provisionally preserved, 
for the production of oil, oil-cake and other solid residues co ntaining more than 
3% by weight of olive oil, soapstocks containing oil having th e characteristic of 
olive oil. 
 MILK PRODUCTS: Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter milk or cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, buttermilk, curdled milk and cr eam, yoghurt, kephir and other fermented 
or acidified milk and cream whether or no t concentrated or containing added sugar 
or other sweetening matter or flavoured or  containing added fruit, nuts or cocoa, 
whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, products consisting of natural milk constituents, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included; 
butter and other fats and oils derived fro m milk; dairy spreads; cheese and curd; 
lactose and lactose syrup, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter and containing by weight 99% of pure product; flavoured or coloured lactose syrup;  
preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. 
 BEEF AND VEAL:  Live bovine animal s, except pure-bred br eeding animals;  meat  of bovine animals, 
fresh, chilled or frozen;  edible offal of bovine animals: thick and thin skirt, fresh, 
chilled or frozen. 
 SHEEP AND Lambs (up to a year old);  sheep and goats, other than pure-bred breeding animals; 
GOATS MEAT: meat of sheep or goats , fresh, chilled or frozen;  meat of sheep or goats, with bone 
in or boneless, salted, in brine, smoked or dried. 
 
FRESH FRUIT AND See Council Re gulation (EC) N° 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 (OJ L 297 of  
VEGETABLES: 21 No vember 1996).   
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 17 
 
 
  PROCESSED See Council Regulation (EC) N°  2201/96 of 28 October 1996 (OJ L 297 of 
FRUIT AND 21 November 1996). VEGETABLES:   
 
BANANAS: Bananas, excluding plantains, fresh. 
 
WINE:  Grape juice (incl. grape must); other than in fermentation or with fermentation 
arrested otherwise than by addition of al cohol;  sparkling wine;  other wine than 
sparkling wine;  grape must with fermentation prevented or arrested by the addition of alcohol. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 18  
 
  ANNEX II 
 
Textiles
 
 
Information required in application for import authorisation  
under double-checking system for administering quantitative limits  
 
 The declaration or request made by the importe r to the competent authorities in order to obtain 
the import authorisation needs to contain:  
(a)  the name of the importer and full address (i ncluding if any, telephone and fax number, and 
identification number registered with the compet ent national authorities), and VAT registration 
number, if it is a VAT payer; 
 (b) name and full address of declarant; 
 
(c) name and full address of exporter;  (d) the country of origin of the products and the country of consignment;  (e) a description of the products including: 
- their commercial designation; 
- description of the products and Co mbined Nomenclature (CN) code; 
 
(f) the appropriate category and the quantity in the appropriate unit as indicated in Regulation 
concerned for the products in question; 
 
(g) the value of the products, as indicated in box 12 of the export licence;  (h)  where appropriate, dates of payment and deliv ery and a copy of the bill of lading and of the 
purchase contract; 
 
(i) date and number of export licence; 
 (j) any internal code used for admi nistrative purposes, such as Taric code; 
 (k) date and signature of importer. 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
 Page 19 
 
 
  ANNEX III  
 
Textiles  
 
Information required in application for import authorisation  
under double-checking system for products subject to surveillance  
 
  The declaration or request made by the importe r to the competent authorities in order to obtain 
the import authorisation needs to contain: 
 
(a)  the name of the importer and full address (i ncluding if any, telephone and fax number, and 
identification number registered with the compet ent national authorities), and VAT registration 
number, if it is a VAT payer; 
 
(b) name and full address of declarant; 
 (c) name and full address of exporter;  (d) the country of origin of the products and the country of consignment;  
(e) a description of the products including  
 
- their commercial designation; - description of the products and Co mbined Nomenclature (CN) code; 
 
(f) the appropriate category and the quantity in the appropriate unit as indicated in Regulation 
concerned for the products in question; 
 (g) the value of the products, as indicated in box 12 of the export licence;  (h)  where appropriate, dates of payment and deliv ery and a copy of the bill of lading and of the 
purchase contract; 
 (i) date and number of export licence;  (j) any internal code used for admi nistrative purposes, such as Taric code; 
 
(k) date and signature of importer.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/8 
Page 20  
 
  ANNEX IV  
 
Surveillance for footwear
  
originating in the People’s Republic of China  
 
 
 Surveillance on footwear was introduced by  Commission Regulation (EC) No 117/2005 of 26 
January 2005.   The products concerned are the following: 
 
Product name HS/CN code (s) 
Footwear   ex 6402 99 (1)  
6403 51 6403 59 ex 6403 91 (1) ex 6403 99(1) 
ex 6404 11 (2) 
6404 19 10 
  
(1)  Excluding footwear involving special technolog y: shoes for use in sporting activities, with a 
single or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially designed to absorb the impact of vertical or late ral movements and with technical features such as 
hermetic pads containing gas or fluid, mechanical  components which absorb or neutralise impact or 
materials such as low-density polymers. 
 
(2)  Excluding:  (a) footwear which is designed for a sporting activity and has, or has provision for the attachment 
of, spikes, sprigs, stops, clips, bars or the like, with a non-injected sole; 
   
(b) footwear involving special technology: shoes for use in sporting activities, with a single- or 
multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially designed to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral movements and with technical features 
such as hermetic pads containing gas or fl uid, mechanical components which absorb or 
neutralise impact or materials such as low-density polymers. 
 
__________