WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
26 February 2007 
 (07-0801) 
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries  
 
 
NON-TARIFF MEASURES ON PRODUCTS OF EXPORT INTEREST  
TO THE LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 
 
Note by the Secretariat  
 
Revision1 
 
Table 1:  Notifications of SPS measur es on major LDC export products  
by their primary trading part ners (January 2000 – April 2006) 
 
 
Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
Fish 
 China 11 G/SPS/N/CHN/95, CHN/68 and Co rr.1, CHN/67 and Corr.1, 
CHN/57, CHN/56, CHN/55, CHN/54, CHN/41, CHN/29, 
CHN/17, CHN/P/13 
 
 European Communities 13 G/SPS/N/EEC/279, EEC/267, EEC/265, EEC/264, EEC/263, 
EEC/250, EEC/248, EEC/246, EEC/219, EEC/201, EEC/198 
and Add.1, EEC/143, EEC/100 
 
 Japan 4 G/SPS/N/JPN/115, JPN/ 110, JPN/97, JPN/64 
 
 United States 7 G/SPS/N/USA/1131, USA/ 948, USA/943, USA/796, 
USA/654, USA/396, USA/353 and Add.1 
 
 
Coffee 
 China 0  
 European Communities 2 G/SPS/N/EEC/247 and Add.1 and 2, EEC/159 
 
 Japan 3 G/SPS/N/JPN/104, JPN/67, JPN/53 
 
 United States 5 G/SPS/N/USA/1261, USA/1234,  USA/1145, USA/1118 and 
Add.1, USA/1045 and Add.1 
 
 
Spices 
 China 1 G/SPS/N/CHN/83 
 
 European Communities 7 G/SPS/N/EEC/277, EEC/257 and Add.1, EEC/250, EEC/227 
and Add.1, EEC/205, EEC/96, EEC/95 
 
 Japan 5 G/SPS/N/JPN/159, JPN/156, JPN/152, JPN/141, JPN/121 
 
 United States 6 G/SPS/N/USA/1157, USA/ 1143, USA/1116, USA/1041, 
USA/665, USA/657 
 
                                                      
1 The document has been revised in view of comments received at the 44th and 45th Sessions of the 
Sub-Committee on LDCs. WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 2  
 
  Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
 
Wood/Wood packing material 
 China 6 G/SPS/N/CHN/42 and Add.1, 2 and 3, CHN/14, CHN/P/110, 
CHN/P/115, CHN/P/106, CHN/1 
 
 
 
 European Communities 3 G/SPS/N/EEC/221 and Add.1, 2, 3 and 4, EEC/177, EEC/93 
 
 Japan 0  
 United States 15 G/SPS/N/USA/1241, USA/ 1219, USA/1162, USA/1012, 
USA/985 and Add.1, USA/ 891, USA/850, USA/824 and 
Add.1, USA/823, USA/805 an d Add.1, USA/729, USA/705 
and Add.1, USA/480 and Add.1,  USA/145 and Adds.1 and 2, 
USA/169 and Adds.1 and 2 
 
 
Vegetables 
 China 14 G/SPS/N/CHN/94, CHN/89, CHN/ 85,  CHN/59 and Corr.1, 
CHN/39, CHN/36, CHN/35, CHN/34, CHN/32, CHN/29, 
CHN/27, CHN/26, C HN/P/113, CHN/P/88 
 
 European Communities 47 G/SPS/N/EEC/285, EEC/284, EEC/283, EEC/280 and Add.1, 
EEC/276, EEC/275, EEC/270, EEC/263 and Add. 1, 
EEC/259, EEC/258, EEC/252, EEC/251, EEC/250, EEC/249 
and Add.1, EEC/244, EEC/243, EEC/237, EEC/236, 
EEC/228, EEC/206, EEC/196, EEC/195, EEC/194, EEC/182, 
EEC/169, EEC/166, EEC/160, EEC/161, EEC/163, EEC/162, 
EEC/154, EEC/148, EEC/140, EEC/139, EEC/137, EEC/125, 
EEC/124, EEC/123, EEC/107, EEC/100, EEC/92, EEC/91 and Corr.1, EEC/84, EEC/82, EEC/81, EEC/79 
 
 Japan 9 G/SPS/N/JPN/159, JPN/156, JPN/152, JPN/141, JPN/137, 
JPN/132, JPN/130, JPN/85, JPN/67 
 
 United States 62 G/SPS/N/USA/1228, USA/1219,  USA/1213,  USA/1138 and 
Add.1, USA/1116, USA/1108,  USA/1087 and Add.1, 
USA/1064, USA/1054, USA/105 0 and Add.1, USA/1044, 
USA/1028, USA/1027, USA/102 6, USA/980, USA/971, 
USA/956, USA/955, USA/ 952, USA/943, USA/935, 
USA/921, USA/908 and Corr.1 and 2  USA/904, USA/843 and Add.1, USA/841 and Add.1 and 2,  USA/786, USA/743, 
USA/740, USA/689 and Add. 1, USA/676, USA/657, 
USA/665, USA/662, USA/644 and Add.1, USA/643, 
USA/626, USA/617 and Add. 1, USA/563 and Add.1, 
USA/496, USA/471, USA/ 451, USA/448, USA/441, 
USA/408, USA/340, USA/330 and Add. 1 and 2, USA/328, 
USA/317 and Add.1, USA/ 314, USA/310, USA/299 and 
Add.1, USA/286 and Add.1, USA/257, USA/256, USA/255, 
USA/249, USA/231, USA/ 226, USA/210, USA/208 
 
 
Fruits 
 China 14 G/SPS/N/CHN/93, CHN/80 and Add.1, CHN/75, CHN/74, 
CHN/59 and Corr.1, CHN/47, CHN/36, CHN/35, CHN/34, 
CHN/32, CHN/31, CHN/29,   CHN/P/113, CHN/P/107 
 
 European Communities 11 G/SPS/N/EEC/263, EEC/257 and Add.1, EEC/244 and 
Add.1, EEC/243 and Add.1, EEC/227 and Add.1, EEC/206, 
EEC/205, EEC/183, EEC/182, EEC/139, EEC/100 
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
 Japan 12 G/SPS/N/JPN/159, JPN/156, JPN/152, JPN/141, JPN/140, 
JPN/137, JPN/121, JPN/112, JPN/111, JPN/104, JPN/67, 
JPN/53 
 
  United States 54 G/SPS/N/USA/USA/1223 , USA/1219, USA/1197, 
USA/1179, USA/1174, USA/116 4, USA/1145, USA/1133, 
USA/1116, USA/1087 and Add.1, USA/1067, USA/1050 and 
Add.1, USA/1044, USA/983, USA/891, USA/882, USA/881, 
USA/875, USA/843 and Add. 1, USA/836 and Add.1, 
USA/837 and Add.1, USA/ 644 and Add.1, USA/778, 
USA/726, USA/665, USA/ 664, USA/644, USA/643, 
USA/299/Add.1, USA/624, US A/464/Add.1, USA/563 and 
Add.1, USA/525, USA/516, USA/498, USA/496, USA/452, 
USA/451, USA/448, USA/ 447, USA/445, USA/434, 
USA/425, USA/409, USA/317 and Add.1, USA/308, 
USA/306 and Add.1, USA/287,   USA/286 and Add.1, 
USA/257, USA/256, USA/231 and Add.1, USA/229 and 
Add.1, USA/216  
 
 WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 4  
 
  Table 2:  Notifications of TBT measures on  products of export interest to LDCs 
(selected markets and products, 1 January 2000 – 30 April 2006)
2 
 
Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
 Fish 
 China - - 
 European Communities 1 G/TBT/N/EEC/26 
 Japan 5 G/TBT/N/JPN/138, G/TBT/N/ JPN/61, G/TBT/N/JPN/15, 
G/TBT/N/JPN/12, G/TBT/N/JPN/7 
 
 United States 8 G/TBT/N/USA/155, G/TBT/ N/USA/106 G/TBT/N/USA/83 
and Corr.1, G/TBT/N/US A/70, G/TBT/N/USA/25, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/5 and Corr.1 
 
 
Coffee 
 China - - 
 European Communities  1 G/TBT/N/EEC/76 
 Japan - - 
 United States - - 
 
Wood/Wood packing material 
 China 5 G/TBT/N/CHN/126, CHN/125,  G/TBT/N/CHN/56, 57 
and 58 
 
 
 European Communities 1 G/TBT/N/EEC/23 
 Japan 1 G/TBT/N/JPN/11 
 United States 2 G/TBT/ N/USA/42, G/TBT/N/USA/17 
 
Vegetables 
 China 1 G/TBT/N/CHN/149 
 
 European Communities 15 G/TBT/N/EEC/81, EEC/80, EEC/78, EEC/74, EEC/73, 
EEC/72, EEC/71, EEC/63, EEC/55 and Corr.1, EEC/59, 
EEC/58, EEC/54, EEC/47, EEC/43, G/TBT/Notif.00/67 
 
 Japan 12 G/TBT/N/JPN/165, JPN/151, JPN/147, JPN/140, JPN/137, 
JPN/128, JPN/115, JPN/84, JP N/81, JPN/42, JPN/34, JPN/7 
 
 United States 9 G/TBT/N/USA/167 and Add. 1, USA/166, USA/165, 
USA/143 and Add.1, USA/112, Add.1 and Corr.1, USA/106, 
USA/70, USA/34 and Corr.1, USA/24 
 
                                                      
2 This research has been made through the CRN Database on the Documents-on-Line facility of the 
WTO.  Products have been searched and classified according to HS Codes. 
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
 Page 5 
 
 
   
Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
 Fruits 
 China 1 G/TBT/N/CHN/149 
 European Communities 13  
G/TBT/N/EEC/83 and Add.1, EEC/81, EEC/80, EEC/78, 
EEC/71, EEC/63, EEC/62, EEC/59, EEC/58, EEC/55 and Corr.1, EEC/54, EEC/43 G/TBT/Notif.00/67 
 Japan 8 G/TBT/N/JPN/147, JPN/149, JPN/140, JPN/137, JPN/128, 
JPN/63, JPN/27, JPN/7 
 
  United States 7 G/TBT/Notif.00/350, G/TBT/Notif.00/499, 
G/TBT/N/USA/70, USA/106, USA/121, Add.1 and 2, 
USA/167 and Add.1, USA/24 
 
 Tobacco 
 China 2 G/TBT/N/CHN/78 and Corr.1, CHN/42 
 European Communities 1 G/TBT/Notif.00/354 
 Japan - - 
 United States 2 G/TBT/Notif .00/192, G/TBT/Notif.00/9 
 
Products of the chemical and allied industries 
 China 24 G/TBT/N/CHN/190, CHN/2,  CHN/141, CHN/146, 
CHN/147, CHN/148, CHN/ 150, CHN/153, CHN/95, 
CHN/96, CHN/99, CHN/89, CHN/87, CHN/79, CHN/77, 
CHN/53, CHN/30, CHN/31, CHN/32, CHN/37, CHN/22, 
CHN/8, CHN/5, CHN/4 
 
 European Communities 38 G/TBT/N/EEC/99, EEC/97, EEC/94, EEC/93, EEC/87, 
EEC/82 and Adds.1 and 2, EEC/88, EEC/84, EEC/85, 
EEC/79, EEC/77, EEC/69, EEC/65, EEC/64, EEC/60, 
EEC/49, EEC/50, EEC/51, EEC/52 and Add.1, EEC/48, EEC/42, EEC/41, EEC/40, EEC/38, EEC/36, EEC/35, 
EEC/32, EEC/18, EEC/16 and Corr.1, EEC/14 and Add.1, 
EEC/12, EEC/10, EEC/4, EEC/3, G/TBT/Notif.00/414, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/413, G/TBT/Notif.00/412, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/254 
 
 Japan 36 G/TBT/Notif.00/451, G/TBT/ N/JPN/168, JPN/157, JPN/154 
and Corr.1, JPN/153, JPN/ 144, JPN/129, JPN/121 and 
Corr.1, JPN/119, JPN/118, JPN/117, JPN/115, JPN/108, 
JPN/105, JPN/102, JPN/100, JPN/78, JPN/74, JPN/65, 
JPN/58, JPN/57, JPN/45, JPN/43, JPN/39, JPN/29, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/601, G/TBT/Notif.00/600, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/561, G/TBT/Notif.00/523, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/352, G/TBT/Notif.00/351 
G/TBT/Notif.00/286, G/TBT/Notif.00/232, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/233, G/TBT/Notif.00/135, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/136 
 
 United States 50 G/TBT/N/USA/186, USA/178,  USA/172, USA/168 and 
Corr.1, USA/169, USA/162, US A/157 and Corr.1, USA/152, 
USA/150, USA/122 and Add. 1, USA/120 and Add.1, 
USA/135, USA/134, USA/131,  USA/127, USA/102 and 
Add.1, USA/118, USA/116, USA/109, USA/103, USA/102, 
USA/101, USA/99, USA/97, USA/94, USA/90, USA/88, 
USA/87 and Add.1, USA/86, USA/85, USA/84, USA/79, 
USA/76 and Add.1, USA/73, USA/72 and Add.1, USA/71, WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 6  
 
  Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
USA/70, USA/67 and Adds.1 and 2, USA/65, USA/63, 
USA/55 and Corr.1, USA/45, USA/37 and Corr.1, USA/36, 
USA/17, USA/2, G/TBT/Notif.00/574, G/TBT/Notif.00/559, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/191, G/TBT/Notif.00/8 
 Textiles 
 China 8 G/TBT/N/CHN/176, CHN/127, CHN/58, CHN/57, CHN/56, 
CHN/53, CHN/20, CHN/7 
 
 European Communities 1 G/TBT/N/EEC/45 
 Japan 2 G/TBT/Notif.00/ 158, G/TBT/Notif.00/137 
 United States 2 G/TBT/N/ USA/96, G/TBT/Notif.00/580 
 
Footwear 
 China 1 G/TBT/N/CHN/174 
 European Communities 1 G/TBT/N/EEC/38 
 Japan - - 
 United States - - 
 
Metals and Ores 
 China 27 G/TBT/N/CHN/13, CHN/15, CHN/1, CHN/16, CHN/39, 
CHN/36, CHN/119, CHN/ 138, CHN/137, CHN/135, 
CHN/132, CHN/131,  CHN/ 130, CHN/129, CHN/128, 
CHN/127, CHN/169, CHN/19, CHN/14, CHN/56, CHN/57, 
CHN/58, CHN/71, CHN/17, CHN/18, CHN/157, CHN/104 
 
 European Communities  - 
 Japan 13 G/TBT/N/JPN/110, JPN/ 101, JPN/122, JPN/155, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/139, G/TBT/Notif.00/138, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/137, G/TBT/Notif.00/160, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/159, G/TBT/Notif.00/158, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/454, G/TBT/Notif.00/460, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/461 
 
 United States 8 G/TBT/Notif.00/364, G/TBT/No tif.00/367, G/TBT/USA/69, 
USA/92, USA/19 USA/129 and Add.1 
 
 Electrical products 
 China 22 G/TBT/N/CHN/162, CHN/ 120, CHN/121, CHN/122, 
CHN/94, CHN/86, CHN/46, CHN/50, CHN/40, CHN/28, 
CHN/19, CHN/18, CHN/17, C HN/110, CHN/106, CHN/140, 
CHN/155, CHN/185, CHN/186,  CHN/187 and Corr.1, 
CHN/188 and Corr.1, CHN/189 and Corr.1 
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Product 
category Trading partner Number of 
notifications Document symbols 
 
 European Communities 9 G/TBT/N/EEC/103, EEC/98, EE C/92 and Add.1, EEC/75, 
EEC/66, EEC/37, EEC/28 EEC/9, G/TBT/Notif.00/310 and 
Corr.1,  
 Japan 33 G/TBT/N/JPN/167, JPN/156, Ad d.1 and Corr.1, JPN/159, 
JPN/152, JPN/146, JPN/135, JPN/134, JPN/132, JPN/131, 
JPN/130, JPN/125, JPN/107, JPN/103, JPN/98, JPN/77, 
JPN/72, JPN/46, JPN/32, JPN/ 8, JPN/5, JPN/2, JPN/5, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/545, G/TBT/Notif.00/498, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/409, G/TBT/Notif.00/379, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/235, G/TBT/Notif.00/193, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/169, G/TBT/Notif.00/161, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/140, G/TBT/Notif.00/57, 
G/TBT/Notif.00/56 
 
 United States 8 G/TBT/N/USA/181, USA/ 160, USA/154, USA/151, 
USA/128, USA/98, USA/27, USA/22, G/TBT/Notif.00/163 
 WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 8  
 
  Table 3:  Quantitative Restrictions 
on products of export interest to LDCs 
 
 The attached tables summarize notifications received on quantitative restrictions from China, 
the European Communities, India, Japan, and the United States concerning the following export 
products of interest to LDCs:  articles of apparel,  accessories, not knitted or crocheted (HS Chapter 62);  
articles of apparel, accessories, knitted or croche ted (HS Chapter 61);  fish, crustaceans, molluscs, 
aquatic invertebrates (HS Chapter 03);  pearls, preci ous stones, metals, coins, etc (HS Chapter 71);  
ores, slag and ash (HS Chapter 26);  coffee, tea, maté  and spices (HS Chapter 09);  wood and articles of 
wood, wood charcoal (HS Chapter 44);  cotton (H S Chapter 52);  aluminium and articles thereof 
(HS Chapter 76);  and tobacco and manufactured to bacco substitutes (HS Chapter 24).  It should be 
noted from the outset that several of these products do not seem to have a quantitative restriction in 
these markets.   The information is presented according to the Decision setting out the format for the 
notification of quantitative restrictions
3 which is as follows:   
 
Column 1: Identifies the chapter of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding 
System (HS) of the product in whic h there is a quantitative restriction 
maintained; 
Column 2: Provides the correspondi ng HS chapter's description. 
Column 3: Provides the detailed description of the product concerned and the type of 
measure considered as quantitative restric tions for the purposes of the Decision, 
in accordance with its annex.  
Column 4: Provides, in accordance with the Decision, an indication of the grounds and 
WTO justification for the measures main tained, including the precise provision 
which is cited as a justification. 
Column 5: Provides a reference to the notif ication from which the information has been 
obtained. 
Column 6:  Provides, in accordance with th e Decision, the document describing the trade 
effects of the measures; a descripti on of the administrative mechanism 
associated with the measure, information on the quantity of permissible 
products, on the degree of quota utilization (in the case of existing quotas) and 
where available, on the level of production or consumption.   
 
 
                                                      
3 Decision adopted by the Council for Tr ade in Goods on 1 D ecember 1995 (G/L/59).  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 9 
A. CHINA  
HS Chapter Description of the 
products Type of measure and specific product 
description GATT or WTO 
justification QR notification  
(document symbol) Description/  
trade effects  
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Chapter 3 Fish and crustaceans, 
molluscs and other 
aquatic invertebrates Prohibition (P , applicable to export 
processing trade only)  
- fresh or chilled and frozen dogfish & 
other sharks, dried shark's fins, not 
smoked – under processing trade No GATT/WTO 
provision cited G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10   
(28 March 2006) 
 Ministry of Commerce, General 
Administration or Customs, and 
State Environment Protection 
Administration Joint 
Announcement 2004 No. 55 
Chapter 24 Tobacco and 
manufactured tobacco 
substitutes Automatic licensing (AL); State 
trading (STR) 
- tobacco, flue-cured and other than 
flue-cured, partly or fully stemmed, 
tobacco refuse, cigars, cheroots, and 
cigarillos, cigarettes containing 
tobacco, smoking tobacco with or 
without substitutes, homogenized or 
reconstituted tobacco, other 
manufacturing tobacco, tobacco 
extracts and essences nes 
 Art. 2. AIL, Art. XVII G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)  
 
 Ministry of Commerce, General 
Administration Customs Joint 
Announcement 2003, No. 70, 
Annex 2A1 to the China Accession 
Protocol 
Chapter 26 Ores, slag and ash Prohibition (P, applicable to export 
processing trade only) 
-leaded gasoline sludges and leaded 
anti-knock compound sludges; ash and 
residues containing arsenic, mercury, 
thallium or their mixtures, of a kind 
used for the extraction of arsenic or 
those metals or for the manufacture of 
their chemical compound; ash and 
residues containing antimony, 
beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their 
mixture; ash and residues from the 
incineration of municipal waste Art. XX G/MANTM/QR/1/Add.10  Ministry of Foreign Trade and  
 Economic Co-operation, General  
 Administration Joint Announcement 
 2001 No. 36 
Chapter 44 Wood and articles of 
wood; wood charcoal Automatic licensing (AL) 
- plywood 
Prohibition (P, applicable to export 
processing trade only) 
- wood charcoal (including shell or nut 
charcoal), whether or not agglomerated 
 Art. 2 AIL  G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)     
 Ministry of Commerce, General  
Administration of Customs Joint  
Announcements 2003 No. 70  
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 10 HS Chapter Description of the 
products Type of measure and specific product 
description GATT or WTO 
justification QR notification  
(document symbol) Description/  
trade effects  
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Chapter 62 Articles of apparel and 
clothing accessories, 
not knitted or 
crocheted Automatic licensing (AL) 
 Art. 2 AIL, 
Art. 2.1 ATC G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)      Ministry of Commerce, General 
Administration of Customs Joint 
Announcement 2003 No. 70, 
Subject to quota restraint under the 
Agreement on Textiles and 
Clothing (European Communities, 
USA, Turkey, Canada) 
 
 
Chapter 71 Natural or cultured 
pearls, precious or 
semi-precious stones, 
precious metals, metals 
clad with precious 
metal, and articles 
thereof, imitation 
jewellery Prohibition (P, applicable to export 
processing trade only) 
- ash of silver, excluding sweepings 
containing other preci ous metal; other 
ash containing precious metal or 
precious metal compounds Art. XX G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)      Ministry of Foreign Trade and 
Economic Cooperation, General 
Administration of Quality 
Supervision Inspection and 
Quarantine Joint Announcement 
2001 No. 37 
Chapter 76 Aluminium and 
articles thereof Automatic licensing (AL) 
 Art. 2 AIL G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)      Ministry of Commerce, General 
Administration Customs Joint 
Announcement 2003 No. 70, State 
Environment Protection 
Administration Joint 
Announcement 2004 No. 55, 
Ministry of Foreign Trade and 
Economic Co-operation General 
Administration of Customs and 
General Administration of Quality 
Supervision, Inspection of 
Quarantine Joint Announcement 
2001 No. 37 
Chapter 76 Aluminium and 
articles thereof Prohibition (P, applicable to export 
processing trade only) 
- waste and scrap, aluminium; 
alumunium containers for compressed 
gas or liquefied gas, other than for retail 
packing, used  Art. XX G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10    
(28 March 2006)      Ministry of Commerce, General 
Administration of Customs, and 
State Environment Protection 
Administration Joint 
Announcement 2004 No. 55, 
Ministry of Foreign Trade and 
Economic Co-operation, General 
Administration of Quality 
Supervision, Inspection and 
Quarantine Joint Announcement 
2001 No. 37  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
 Page 11 
 
 
  B. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES  
 The European Communities has not  indicated the maintenance of any quantitative restrictions 
in the sectors mentioned above since 2002.  However,  under Part 2 of the format for notification of 
quantitative restrictions G/MA/NTM/QR/2, th e EC submitted the following notifications:  
G/TMB/N/363, G/TMB/N/60 and Adds.1 to 6, G/TMB/N/64 and Add.1 to 2, G/TMB/N/65 
(Agreement on Textiles and Clothing) and docum ent G/LIC/N/3/EEC/4 (Agreement on Import 
Licensing).  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 12 C. INDIA4 
HS Chapter Description of the 
products Type of measure and specific product 
description GATT or WTO 
justification QR notification  
(document symbol) Description/  
trade effects  
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Chapter 3 Fish and crustaceans, 
molluscs and other 
aquatic invertebrates Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- ornamental fish, trout, live eels, carp, 
other fish  Art. XX(b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2     
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 9 Coffee, tea, mate and 
spices Automatic licensing (AL) 
- fennel seed, juniper seed, for sowing 
and planting, aniseed, badiyan seed, 
coriander seeds, cumin seeds, seeds of caraway  Art. XX(b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 9 Coffee, tea, mate and 
spices Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- nutmeg in shell, mace, cardamom 
seeds, aniseed, badiyan seed, coriander 
seeds, cumin seeds, seeds of caraway, 
fennel seed, juniper seed, ginger, fresh, 
turmeric fresh, celery seed, fenugreek 
seed, dill seed, ajwan seed, cassia seed  Art. XX(b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 9 Coffee, tea, mate and 
spices State trading (STR) 
- cassia, cinnamon, tejpat, cloves Art. XVII G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 26 Ores, slag and ash Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- uranium ores and concentrates, 
thorium ores and concentrates, rutile  Art. XXI(b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 26 Ores, slag and ash Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- silver ores and concentrates, other 
ores and concentrates of precious 
metals Art. XX(c) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 26 Ores, slag and ash Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- other ores and concentrates (crude), 
converted slag of blast furnace, dross, 
scalings and other wastes from the 
manufacture of iron or steel, ash and 
residues containing ma inly zinc, other 
ash and residues with zinc compounds, 
lead slag, lead residues, brass dross, 
other ash and residues containing 
mainly copper, aluminium dross, other 
ash and residues c ontaining mainly 
aluminium  and other metal compounds Art. XX(b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
                                                      
4 At the 45th Session of the Sub-Committee on LDCs, the delegation of India not ed that all quantitative restrictions applied by its authorit ies on the grounds of GATT 
Article XVIII(b) were notified to the Committ ee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions and, as per agreement with Members, were re moved by 2001.   
 Note:  Quantitative restrictions maintained on the grounds of GATT Articles XX and XXI ar e applied on an MFN basis.  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 13HS Chapter Description of the 
products Type of measure and specific product 
description GATT or WTO 
justification QR notification  
(document symbol) Description/  
trade effects  
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Chapter 71 Natural or cultured 
pearls, precious or 
semi-precious stones, 
precious metals, metals 
clad with precious 
metal, and articles 
thereof, imitation 
jewellery Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- waste and scrap of platinum No GATT/WTO 
provision cited G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 71 Natural or cultured 
pearls, precious or 
semi-precious stones, 
precious metals, metals 
clad with precious 
metal, and articles 
thereof, imitation 
jewellery Non-automatic licensing (NAL ) 
- silver powder, silver, unworked, gold 
powder, gold moneta ry, base metals 
clad with gold, or platinum, containing 
other precious metals, waste and scrap 
of silver, silver filigree work, silver 
jewellery, parts of silver jewellery, 
jewellery of gold set with precious 
stones,  parts of jewellery of other 
precious metals, manufactures of silver 
or gold and other precious metals, parts thereof, spinnerets of gold, coins other 
than gold, other coins 
 Art. XX(c) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 76 Aluminium and articles 
thereof Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- aluminium waste and scrap Art. XX(b)  G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 76 Aluminium and articles 
thereof Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- aluminium waste and scrap other than 
specified scrap Art. XXI (b) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/24 
Chapter 76 Aluminium and articles 
thereof Non-automatic licensing (NAL) 
- products of a kind classified as 
consumer goods No GATT/WTO 
provision cited G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      
(9 October 1996) WT/BOP/N/11 + Corr.1 
WT/BOP/N/24 
 
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 14  
D. JAPAN  
HS Chapter Description of the 
products Type of measure and specific product 
description GATT or WTO 
justification QR notification  
(document symbol) Description/  
trade effects  
1 2 3 4 5 6 
Chapter 3 Fish and crustaceans, 
molluscs and other 
aquatic invertebrates Global quota (GQ) 
- horse mackerel, herrings, sardines, 
yellow tail, saury, cod, pollack, squid, 
alive, scallops ,shell fish, fresh or 
chilled, frozen, smoked, dried, salted Art. XI(2)(c), Art. XX(g) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.10   (28 
March 2006)    
(28 March 2006) Import quota is required under the 
provision of paragraph 1 of the 
Import Trade Control Order 
Chapter 26 Ores, slag and ash Global quota (GQ) 
- uranium or thorium ores and 
concentrates Art. XXI(b)(1) G/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.2      Import quota is required under the 
provision of paragraph 1 of the 
Import Trade Control Order 
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
 Page 15 
 
 
  E. UNITED STATES  
 The United States has not indicated the mainte nance of any quantitative restrictions in the 
sectors mentioned above since 1999.  However, unde r Part 2 of the format for notification of 
quantitative restrictions, the US submitted th e following notifications:  G/SG/N/10/USA/2 
(Agreement on Safeguards), G/TMB/N/63 and Adds.1 to 10 and Corrs.1 to 5 
(Agreement on Textiles and Clothing) and G/LIC/N/3/USA (Agreement on Import Licensing). WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 16  
 
  Table 4:  Import Licensing Procedures 
on products of export interest to LDCs 
 
 The attached tables summarize notifications  received on import licensing procedures on 
products of export interest to LDCs from the fi ve Members which are among the top export markets 
for LDCs.  In this regard, the Secretariat revised the notifications received from China, the European 
Communities, India, Japan and the United States con cerning the following export products of interest 
to LDCs:  articles of apparel, accessories, not kn itted or crocheted (HS Chapter 62);  articles of 
apparel, accessories, knitted or crocheted (HS Ch apter 61);  fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic 
invertebrates (HS Chapter 03);  pearls, precious stones,  metals, coins, etc (HS Chapter 71);  ores, slag 
and ash (HS Chapter 26);  coffee, tea, maté and spices (HS Chapter 09);  wood and articles of wood, 
wood charcoal (HS Chapter 44);  cotton (HS Chapter 52);  aluminium and articles thereof (HS Chapter 76);  and tobacco and manufact ured tobacco substitutes (HS Chapter 24).
5  It should be 
noted from the outset that several of these products do not seem to have an import licensing requirement in these markets. 
 
 Notifications submitted to the Committee on Import Licensing have been categorized according to the  export markets and the informa tion divided into the following five columns: 
  Column 1 Identifies the product(s)/sector for which an import licensing procedure has 
been notified in the export market
6;  
 Column 2  Indicates the type of import licence procedure applied to the product and, 
where appropriate, the specific product(s)  to which the procedure applies;  
 Column 3  Provides a summary of the import licensing procedure notified;  Column 4  Refers to the document symbol of the notification from which the 
information was extracted;  and  
 Column 5  Refers to the applicable provision or law in the notifying country, as 
indicated in the respective notification.  
 
                                                     
 
5 It should be noted that it was not possible in several cases to identify whether an import licensing 
procedure was required for the product .  In some cases, only a general reference to a sector is made in the 
notification and it is difficult to determine the exact product coverage.  Such was the case, for example, of 
textiles and clothing, which often seems to refer to ap parel, accessories, not knitted or crocheted (HS Chapter 
62); articles of apparel, accessories,  knitted or crocheted (HS Chapter 61);   and cotton (HS Chapter 52).   
6 This only implies that an import licensing procedure exists for a product in the market.    
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 17A. CHINA7 
Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Cotton Tariff-rate quota (up to 0.894 million tones) Appli cable when importing through general trade, processing 
trade, barter trade, small amount  frontier trade, aid, donation. 
Register at the State commerce and industry administration 
authorities; prove sound financial conditions; record of tax 
payments; not having records of unlawful acts with the Customs 
authorities, industry, taxati on and inspection and quarantine 
authorities. In addition, applicants  shall meet one of the following 
requirements: state-trading enterprise, enterprise with import 
performance in 2004 or cotton-spinning enterprise above 50,000 
spindles. 
TRQs are allocated on the basis of the amounts as applied by 
applicants and other comme rcial considerations.  G/LIC/N/1/CHN/5 
20 March 2006 Decree 4, 2003, Ministry of 
Commerce and National 
Development and Reform 
Wool tops (and 
wool) Tariff-rate quota (up to 80,000 tons) 
according to the principle of "first come first 
served".  Applicants must present import contracts or the Certificate of 
Approval for Processing Trade. Re quirements: registration at the 
administration of industry and commerce; no records of unlawful 
acts at the customs, authorities responsible for the administration 
of industry and commerce, taxati on and quality and quarantine for 
the year before. G/LIC/N/1/CHN/5 
20 March 2006 Decree 4, 2003, Ministry of 
Commerce and National 
Development and Reform 
 
                                                      
7 "Import license administration is applicable to all the products subject to import restriction. Automatic import licensing adm inistration is applicable to those products 
free from import restriction, however, the importation of which needs monitoring.  Import tariff rate quota administration is a pplicable to products subject to import tariff rate 
quota administration" (See document G/LIC/N/1/CHN/5, 20 March 2006).  Also refer to the Measures on Administration of  Import License for Goods  published on 10 December 
2004 in MOFCOM Decree No. 27 of 2004 .  For information required to be provided in ap plication for automatic import licence, refer to the Measures on Administration of 
Automatic Import Licensing for Goods  published on 10 November 2004 in  MOFCOM and GCA Joint Decree No. 26 of 2004 .  
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 18 B. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES8 
Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Textiles, clothing  
and accessories Quantitative limits or surveillance. 
 Imports into the EC of products falling under a number of 
categories of textile products ar e subject to a double-checking 
system without quantitative restrictions.   
A copy of the bill of lading and of the purchase contract is 
required.  Concerning the applica tion for the import authorization 
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 commerc ial document indicating a firm 
intention to carry out the impor tation,  no licensing fee or 
administrative charge. 
For textile products  subject to quantitative limits/surveillance, 
import authorizations/surveilla nce documents are valid for a 
period of six months from the date  of their issue.  Upon a duly 
motivated request by an importer, the competent authorities of a 
Member State may extend the duration of validity for two further 
periods of three months. 
A bilateral arrangemen t with Bangladesh exis ts (amongst others + 
WTO Members). G/LIC/N/3/EEC/5 
17 October 2002 Surveillance according to 
Annex III of Regulation 
3030/93, as amended by 
Commission Regulation 
138/2003 
 
                                                      
 8 "The Community import licensing system is based on the prem ise that no import licences are required except where specific prod ucts are subject to 
quantitative restrictions, safeguard measures or import surveillan ce.  The Community applies no quantitative restrictions to WT O Members in the industrial sector except for 
certain textile products and the quantitative quotas applicable fo r certain products originating in the People’s Republic of Ch ina.  There are also a numb er of products subject to 
Community surveillance with the purpose of improving transparency of  import trends of the products concerned, but with no inten tion of limiting market access" (see document 
G/LIC/N/3/EEC/5, 17 October 2002).  
  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 19C. INDIA9 
Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Fish and 
crustaceans, 
molluscs and  other 
aquatic invertebrates  Restricted for the following: 
Ornamental fish, other live fish  
(0301 10 00);   
Trout (Salmo trutta, Oncor-hynchus mykiss, 
Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus agua-
bonita, Oncorhynchus gilae, Oncor-hynchus 
apache and Oncor-hynchus chrysogaster)  
(0301  91 00);  
Eels Anguilla spp.) 0301 9200); Carp 
(0301 93 00);  
Other (0301 93 00) An application for a licence fo r import of animals, birds and 
reptiles (including their parts and products) may be made in the 
form given in Appendix-8 of the Handbook of Procedures Vol. I, 
to the Director General of Foreign Trade along with the 
recommendation of the Chief Wild Life Warden of the State 
concerned. 
Import of Wild Animals (including their parts and products) as 
defined in the Wild Life (Prote ction) Act, 1972 is prohibited. G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005  
Tea No licence/certificate/ authorization/ 
permission shall be required for imports of 
bonafide technical and trade samples of 
items mentioned as restricted in ITC(HS) 
except vegetable seeds, bees and new drugs 
by any importer. However, samples of tea 
not exceeding Rs.2000 (CIF) in one 
consignment shall be allowed without a 
licence/ certificate/aut horization/permission 
by any person connected  with Tea industry. 
 Imported tea shall be utilized with in a period of 6 months from the 
date of import. Similarly, e xport obligation against import of 
items (covered by Chapter 9 of the ITC (HS) Classifications of 
Export & Import Items, 2004-09) shall be fulfilled within a period 
of 90 days from the date of receip t of the first import consignment 
i.e. the date on which the first import consignment is cleared by 
the Customs authorities G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005 Handbook of procedures 
1 September 2004, 31 March 
2009 w.e.f. 1.4.2006 Ministry 
of Commerce and Industry. 
Department of Commerce. 
Government of India 
 
Coffee, tea, maté 
and spices Restrictions for the following products: seed 
of anise, of seed quality seeds of badian, of 
quality; seeds of coriander, of seed quality; 
cumin black, of seed quality; seeds of 
caraway, of seed quality; fennel seeds of 
seed quality; juniper berries, of seed quality;  
Other authorization required for import of the following products:- 
All spices other than light black pepper 
(light berries) having a duty of more than 
30%, classified under Chapters 9 and 12 of 
ITC (HS) book; 
Duty-free import of spices (covered by  Import permitted for so wing without a licence in accordance with 
import permit granted under Plant Quarantine. 
Authorization required but no advanced authorization by the 
Regional Authority.  G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005 (Regulation of Imports into 
India) Order, 2003. 
                                                      
9 In the case of India information has also been extracted from: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India, ITC(HS) 
Classification of Export and Import Items , website: http://dgft.delhi.nic.in/  path: Downloads, ITC(HS) (COMPRESSED) [Import] as on 07.04.2006.  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 20 Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Chapter 9 of the ITC(HS) Classifications of 
Export & Import items, 2004-09) for export 
under DFIA scheme shall be permitted only 
for value addition purposes like 
crushing/grounding/sterilization or for 
manufacture of oils and oleoresins and not 
for simple cleaning, grading, re-packing etc. 
Duty free import of spices (covered by 
Chapter 9 of the ITC(HS) Classifications of 
Export & Import items, 2004-09) for export 
under Advance Authorisation scheme shall 
be permitted only for value addition 
purposes like crushing/grounding/ 
sterilization or for manufacture of oils and 
oleoresins and not for simple cleaning, 
grading, re-packing etc. 
Natural or cultured 
pearls, precious or 
semi-precious stones, precious 
metal, metals clad 
with precious metal 
and articles thereof; 
Imitation jewellery; 
coin Dust and powder of natural or synthetic 
precious or semi-precious stones: Powder;  
Other: (7106 10 00) Unwrought (7106 91 00) Free, but  subject to RBI 
Regulations. 
Gold (including gold plated with platinum) 
unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, 
or in powder form, Non-Monetary: free but 
Subject to RBI Regulations. 
Monetary: restricted. 
Coin: other (7118 90 00) Free, but  Subject 
to RBI Regulations. 
Other procedures for gems: 
Duty-free import of samples up to Rs 60,000 
for all exporters barring those in the gems 
and jewellery sector and Rs.300,000 for 
those in the gems and jewellery sector shall 
be allowed as per the terms and conditions 
of Customs notification. 
Duty-free import of gems and jewellery 
samples up to Rs 3 lakhs or 0.25% of the 
average of the last three years' export 
turnover of gems and jewellery items, 
whichever is lower, shall be allowed in a 
financial year as per the terms and Subject to RBI regulations 
Personal carriage of gems & jewellery import parcels by an Gems 
& Jewellery Indian importer/ Foreign National may be permitted 
into all Import Parcels EOUs/ SEZ units and all firms in DTA 
through the airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, 
Bangalore, Hyderabad Jaipur.  The procedure will be the same as 
for import of goods by air-freight except that the parcels shall be 
brought to the Customs by the Importer/Foreign National for 
examination and release.   
The clearance of imports under this scheme shall be as per the 
normal authorization system of Chapter-4 of the Policy. G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005   
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 21Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
conditions of Customs notification. 
 
Ores, slag and ash Rare earth oxides including rutile sand 
(2614 00 31), 2614 00 39; 2614 00 90; 
Zirconium ores and concentrates free but 
 Import subject to section 14(1)(ii) of the 
Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Rules 
thereunder. 
Import of zinc ash and zinc skimming, 
containing mainly le ad: restricted but 
permitted as per the conditions of licensing 
regarding the environment. 
Import of zinc ash and zinc skimming 
permitted as per the conditions of licensing. 
Import of spent cleaned metal catalyst 
containing nickel is permitted without a 
licence to units registered with Ministry of 
Environment and Forest, restricted.  G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005  
Wood and articles 
of wood Sandalwood (santalum alvurrn) 
(4403 99 22) Restricted  G/LIC/N/1/IND/8 
G/LIC/N/2/IND/7 
21 September 2005 Import of Sandalwood will be 
subject to the conditions laid 
down in Policy Circular No. 1 
(RE-06) / 2004-09 dated 
7.4.2006. 
  
  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2 
Page 22 D. JAPAN  
Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Fish, crustaceans, 
molluscs, aquatic 
invertebrates Import quota for pr oducts originating or 
shipped in all countries, such as: herring, cod, 
yellow tail, mackerel, sardines, horse- 
mackerel, sauries, roes of cod and niboshi 
(small boiled and dried fish for seasoning), 
live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or   in 
brine. Scallops, adductors of shell-fish, 
cuttle-fish and squi d (excluding "Mongo 
ika").  Edible seaweeds and its food 
preparations.  
 The size of quota shall be determined, taking into account the 
balance of domestic supply and demand. 
The scale of import quot a is determined on a one-year basis, based 
on the forecast of domestic supply and demand.  A certificate of 
import quota is issued for each a pplication made by importer.  If 
more than one application is submitted, the same number of 
certifications of import quota is  issued in one import quota 
application procedure for a one-year period. 
A certificate is issued to importers such as traders.  Importers shall 
submit an application for a certificat e of import quota to the METI.  
After obtaining the certificate of im port quota, importers are issued 
a certificate of import approval by the Minister of Economy, Trade 
and Industry based on the certificate of import quota.  Then 
importers can import the goods concerned after submitting the 
import approval to the customs bureau. 
An application for an import quota shall be made prior to the import 
declaration.  After issuance of the certificate of import quota by the 
Minister of Economy, Trade and I ndustry, with the certificate of 
import approval issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, it would be possible for an  importer to declare an import 
anytime, even on the very day of the issuance of the certificate of 
import quota. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/4 
1 November 2005 
G/LIC/N/1/JPN/2 
30 January 1997 Import trade control order 
Article 4.1.(1) and  
Article 9.1.(1) 
Pearls, precious 
stones, metals, coins  Import quota (rough diamonds) A person wishing to obtain the import approval shall submit to the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, an application document, 
an application reason paper for import licences and the Kimberly 
Process Certificate. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/4 
1 November 2005 Import trade control order, 
Article 4.1(2).  
   WT/COMTD/LDC/W/39/Add.1/Rev.2
 Page 23E. UNITED STATES  
Product Type of import license Description  Document symbol of 
notification National legislation 
1 2 3 4 5 
Fish, crustaceans, 
molluscs, aquatic 
invertebrates An import/export licence is required for any 
person who engages in business as an 
importer or exporter of fish or wildlife 
unless that person imports or exports certain 
excepted wildlife or falls within one of the 
categories of persons excepted from the 
requirement by the rules.   No time-limit is set for receiving an application in advance of 
importation, however the Service ha s 60 days to process a licence 
application which must be issued prior to an importation or 
exportation. 
Licences are valid for one year.  The licensee must apply for 
renewal to the issuing office at least 30 days before the current 
licence expires. G/LIC/N/3/USA/4, 24 
April 2006 Section 9(d) of the ESA 
[16 U.S.C. 1538(d)] which 
provides that it is illegal for 
any person to engage in 
business as an importer or 
exporter of fish or wildlife 
(other than certain shellfish or 
fishery products) without first 
having obtained permission. 
Wood and articles of wood Import permits are required for the 
importation of most plants and some plant 
products, to protect against the introduction 
of pests and diseases.   
Permits are also required for the import, 
export or re-export of terrestrial plants that 
are on the endangered species list.   
 Permits are valid for specified pe riods of time, and they can be 
extended by re-application.   
The permit for endangered or threat ened plants is valid for two 
years;  no penalty for non- utilization of a permit.  
Permits are only issued to a firm or individual resident in the 
United States and are not transferable between importers. 
All persons, firms and institutions resident in the United States are 
eligible to apply for licenses.  There is no registration fee.  There 
is no published list of authorized  importers.  There is a US$70.00 
fee for plants and plant products regulated by CITES G/LIC/N/3/USA/4, 24 
April 2006 Section 412 of the Plant 
Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. 7712 
Cotton See cork and wood (above) See cork  and wood (above) G/LIC/N/3/USA/4, 24 
April 2006 Section 412 of the Plant 
Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. 7712 
Coffee, tea, maté and spices Measures for wood and wood products also 
apply to plant and plant products for or 
capable of propagation and to grains.  See wood and wood products (ab ove) G/LIC/N/3/USA/4, 24 
April 2006 Section 412 of the Plant 
Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. 7712 
Tobacco and manufactured 
tobacco substitutes Importers of tobacco products must apply 
for, and receive a permit. 
Similar permit requirements apply to 
manufacturers and export warehouse 
proprietors.  
 
Tobacco products are cigarettes, cigars, 
smokeless tobacco (for example, snuff or 
chewing tobacco), pipe tobacco and 
roll-your-own tobacco but do not include 
raw leaf tobacco that is not processed for 
use by consumer.   Permits are valid for a period of th ree years from the effective date 
on the permit.  
Temporary permits are issued to applicants who were engaged in 
the business prior to 1 January 2000, and who have filed an 
application prior to that date.  The perm it remains valid until 
revoked on suspended.   
The temporary permit remains valid until a final decision is made 
on the application for the permit.  The permit system does not 
restrict the quantity or value of imported tobacco products.  No 
alternative methods have been considered. 
Permits are usually issue within  four to six weeks after an 
application has been filed.  Under certain circumstances a permit 
can be obtained within a shorter time-frame. 
TTB is the only agency with whom an importer of tobacco 
products must deal to secure this permit. G/LIC/N/3/USA/4, 24 
April 2006 26 U.S.C. 5712 
__________