WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
9 October 2009 
 (09-4925) 
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 2008  
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
 
Addendum  
 
  The following communication, dated 8 October 2009 , has been received from the delegation of 
the European Communities. 
 
_______________ 
 
Outline of systems
 
 
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s 
WTO tariff rate quotas listed in answer to question 2.   The relevant legislation related to the import 
licensing system for these tariff quotas is mentioned in the reply to question 5.  As regards the 
requirements for applicants for import licences see reply to question 6. 
Purpose and coverage of licensing  
 
2. See answer to question 1.  The products covere d by the tariff quotas mentioned in answer to 
question 1 are as follows:  
Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
Live bovine 
animals 1 (a) Heifers and cows (other than for slaughter) of 
the mountain breeds: grey, brown, yellow, spotted 
Simmental and Pinzgau 
 
(b) Bulls, cows and heif ers (other than for 
slaughter) of the following mountain breeds: spotted Simmental, Schwyz and Fribourg ex 0102 90 05, ex 0102 90 29, 
ex 0102 90 49, ex 0102 90 59, 
ex 0102 90 69 
 
ex 0102 90 05, ex 0102 90 29, 
ex 0102 90 49, ex 0102 90 59, ex 0102 90 69, ex 0102 90 79 
Live young 
male bovine 
animals 2 Live young male bovine animals of a weight not 
exceeding 300 kg inte nded for fattening ex 0102 90 05, ex 0102 90 29,   
ex 0102 90 49 
  
High quality beef and frozen 
buffalo meat 3 I. (a) Meat of bovine animals, frozen 
- Boneless 
-- Buffalo meat 
 II. (a) Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled 
Meat of bovine animals, frozen  
 
ex 0202 30 90 
 ex 0201 
ex 0202 
                                                      
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 2  
 
  Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
  Edible offal 
- Of bovine animals, fresh or chilled -- Thick skirt and thin skirt 
- Of bovine animals, frozen 
--Thick skirt and thin skirt 
 
II.(b) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled 
Edible offal of bovine animals: thick skirt and 
thin skirt, fresh or chilled  
 ex 0206 10 95 
 
ex 0206 29 91 
 
ex 0201 30 00  
ex 0206 10 95 
 
  II.(c) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or 
chilled 
Boneless meat of bovine animals, frozen: 
- Other Edible offal of bovine animals: 
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled 
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, frozen  
II.(d) Boneless meat of bovine animals, fresh or 
chilled Boneless meat of bovine animals, frozen: 
- Other 
Edible offal of bovine animals: - Thick skirt and thin skirt, fresh or chilled 
- Thick skirt and thin skirt, frozen ex 0201 30 00 
  
 
ex 0202 30 90  
ex 0206 10 95 
ex 0206 29 91  
ex 0201 30 00 
   
ex 0202 30 90 
 ex 0206 10 95 
ex 0206 29 91 
  II.(e) Meat of bovine animals, fresh,  chilled or 
frozen  
Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled : - Other cuts with bone in, other 
- boneless 
Meat of bovines animals, frozen: - Other cuts with bone in, other 
- boneless 
Thick  and thin bovine skirt, fres h or chilled 
Thick and thin bovine skirt, frozen 
 
II.(f) Meat of bovine animals, fresh,  chilled or frozen  
Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled : 
- Other cuts with bone in, other - boneless 
Meat of bovine animals, frozen: 
- Other cuts with bone in, other - boneless 
Thick  and thin bovine skirt, fres h or chilled 
Thick and thin bovine skirt, frozen  
 
 ex 0201 20 90 
ex 0201 30 00 
 ex 0202 20 90 
ex 0202 30 
ex 0206 10 95 ex 0206 29 91 
 
  
 
ex 0201 20 90 ex 0201 30 00 
 
ex 0202 20 90 ex 0202 30 
ex 0206 10 95 
ex 0206 29 91 
Frozen meat of bovine animals 4 Meat of bovine animals, frozen 
Edible offal - Of bovine animals, frozen 
-- Thick skirt and thin skirt ex 0202 
  
ex 0206 29 91 
Frozen beef 
intended for processing 5 Meat of bovine animals, frozen 
- Unseparated or separated forequarters - Boneless 
Edible offal 
- Of bovine animals, frozen -- Thick skirt and thin skirt  
ex 0202 20 30 ex 0202 30 
 
 ex 0206 29 91  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
Frozen thin skirt 
of bovine animals 6 Edible offal 
- Of bovine animals, frozen -- Thin skirt (whole)   
 ex 0206 29 91 
Dairy 
Current access 7 Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80% but less than 82%, 
manufactured directly from milk or cream without 
the use of stored materials, in a single, self-
contained and uninterrupted process  
Butter, at least six weeks old, of a fat content by 
weight of not less than 80 % but less than 82 %, manufactured directly from milk or cream without 
the use of stored materials, in a single, self-
contained and uninterrupted process which may involve the cream passing  through a stage where 
the butterfat is concentrated and/or fractionated 
(the processes referred to as "Ammix" and "Spreadable") ex 0405 10 11  
ex 0405 10 19 
 
 
  
ex 0405 10 30  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  Cheese for processing 
 Whole Cheddar cheeses (o f the conventional flat 
cylindrical shape of a net weight of not less than 
33 kg but not more than 44 kg and cheeses in cubic blocks or in parallelepiped shape, of a net 
weight of 10 kg or more) of a fat content of 50% 
or more by weight in the dry matter, matured for 
at least three months 
 0406 90 01 
 ex 0406 90 21 
 
  
 
 
 
  Cheddar made from  unpasteurised milk, of a fat 
content of 50% or more, by weight, in the dry 
matter, matured for at least nine months, of a free-at-frontier value per 100 kg net, of not less than: 
- € 334,20 in whole cheeses 
- € 354,83 for cheeses of a net weight of not less than 500 g 
- € 368,58 for cheeses net weight less than 500 g 
The expression whole cheeses means: ex 0406 90 21 
  - Cheeses of the conventional flat cylindrical 
shape of a net weight of not less than 33 kg but 
not more than 44 kg - Cubic blocks or parallelepipeds of cheese of a   
net weight of 10 kg or more  
Dairy Minimum 
access 8 Skimmed-milk powder 
 
Butter and other fats and oils derived from milk 
 
 
  
 
  
Processed Emmentaler 
 Emmentaler 
 0402 10 19 
 
0405 10 11  
0405 10 19  
0405 10 30  
0405 10 50  0405 10 90  
0405 90 10  
0405 90 90  
ex 0406 30 10 
 0406 90 13 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 4  
 
  Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
  Processed Gruyère  
Gruyère, Sbrinz  Cheddar 
 Cheese for processing 
 
Pizza cheese, frozen, cut into pieces each 
weighing not more than 1 g, in containers of a net content of 5 kg or more, of a water content, by 
weight, of 52% or more, and a fat content by 
weight in the dry matter  of 38% or more ex 0406 30 10 
 0406 90 15 0406 90 21 
0406 90 01 
 
ex 0406 10 20 
ex 0406 10 80  
 
   
Fresh (unriped or uncure d) cheese including whey 
cheese, and curd, other than pizza cheese 
 Other grated or powdered cheese 
  
Other processed cheese  
 
  
ex 0406 10 20  
ex 0406 10 80 
 0406 20 90 
 
0406 30 31  0406 30 39  
0406 30 90  
 
  Blue-veined cheese 
 
  
Bergkäse and Appenzell 
Fromage fribourgeois, V acherin Mont d'Or and 
Tête de Moine  
Edam Tilsit 
Butterkäse 
Kashkaval Feta   
Kefalo-Tyri 
 0406 40 10  
0406 40 50  
0406 40 90  
0406 90 17 
0406 90 18 
 
0406 90 23 0406 90 25 
0406 90 27 
0406 90 29 0406 90 32 
0406 90 35 
 
  Finlandia 
Jarlsberg  Cheese of sheep’s milk or buffalo milk 
Pecorino 
Other Provolone 
Caciocavallo 
Danbo, Fontal, ,Fynbo,Havarti, Maribo, Samso 
Gouda 
Esrom, Italico, Kernhem, Saint-Paulin  Cheshire, Wensleydale, Lancashire, Double 
Gloucester, Blarney,  Colby, Monterey 
Camembert Brie 
Exceeding 47% but not exceeding 52% 
Exceeding  52% but not exceeding 62% Exceeding  62% but not exceeding 72% 
Exceeding 72% 
Other  
 
 0406 90 37 
0406 90 39 0406 90 50  
ex0406 90 63 
0406 90 69 0406 90 73  
ex0406 90 75  
ex0406 90 76  
0406 90 78 
ex0406 90 79  ex0406 90 81  
  
0406 90 82 0406 90 84 
0406 90 86 
0406 90 87 0406 90 88 
0406 90 93 
0406 90 99  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
Manioc, 
arrowroot, salep and similar 
roots and tubers 9 Manioc (casava), other than pellets of flour and 
meal Arrowroot, salep and similar roots and tubers with 
high starch content ex 0714 10 
 ex 0714 90 
Sweet potatoes and manioc 
starch 10 (a) Sweet potatoes 
- Other than for human consumption 
 
(b) Sweet potatoes - Other than for human consumption 
 
(c) Manioc starch  
0714 20 90 
 
 0714 20 90 
 
ex 1108 14 00 
Broken rice 11 Broken rice in tended for the production of 
foodstuffs of tariff heading 1901 10 1006 40 00 
Millet 12 Millet  1008 20 00 
Cane sugar 13 Raw cane sugar for refining 1701 11 10 
Cane or beet 
sugar 14 Cane or beet sugar  1701 
Garlic 15 Garlic 0703 20 00 
Preserved 
Mushrooms 16 Preserved mushrooms 2003 10 20 
2003 10 30 0711 51 00 
Bran, sharps and 
other residues 17 Bran, sharps and other residues of wheat and 
cereals other than maize and rice falling within 
tariff headings  2302 30 10 
2303 30 90 
2302 40 10 2302 40 90 
Preparations of 
a kind used in 
animal feeding 18 Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding 2309 90 31 
2309 90 41 
2309 90 51 
2309 90 95 
2309 90 99 
Certain pigmeat products 19 Carcasses and half-carcasses fresh, chilled or 
frozen  
 
Cuts of domestic  swine, fresh, chilled or frozen, with or without bone, excluding tenderloin 
presented alone  
 Loins and hams boneless, fresh, chilled or frozen 
 
 Tenderloins, fresh, chilled or frozen 
 
 Sausages, dry or for spreading, uncooked 
Other sausages 
 
Preserved meat of domestic swine 0203 11 10 
0203 21 10 
 
ex 0203  
 
 ex 0203 19 55 
ex 0203 29 55 
 ex 0203 19 55 
ex 0203 29 55 
 1601 00 91 
1601 00 99 
 
ex 1602 41 
ex 1602 42 ex 1602 49 
Certain pigmeat 
products 20 Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen: 
- Fresh or chilled: 
--- of domestic swine ---- loins and cuts thereof, bone-in 
- Frozen: 
---of domestic swine ----bellies, streaky and cuts thereof  
 
 0203 19 13 
 
 0203 29 15 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 6  
 
  Quota No. Products cove red Tariff item numbers 
Poultry and 
turkey products 21 Chicken carcass, fresh, chilled or frozen 
  
Chicken cuts, fresh, chilled or frozen  
 
 
Turkey meat, fresh, chilled or frozen  
 
Poultry meat, salted or in brine  
Preparations of chicken meat 
 Preparations of turkey 0207 11 
0207 12  
ex 0207 13  
ex 0207 14 
 
0207 24 0207 25 ex 0207 26 ex 0207 27 
 
ex 0210 99 39  
1602 32 19 
 1602 31 
Products in the 
egg sector and 
egg albumin 22 Poultry eggs, for consumption, in shell 
 
Eggs yolks   
 
 Bird eggs, not in shell 
 
 Egg albumin 0407 00 30 
 
0408 11 80 0408 19 81 
0408 19 89 
 0408 91 80 
0408 99 80 
 3502 11 90 
3502 19 90 
Common and 
durum wheat 
 
  23 
 
 Quality common and durum wheat 
 
 
Low and medium quality common wheat  1001 10 00  
1001 90 99 
 
1001 90 99 
Barley 24 Feed and malting barley 1003 00  
Maize and Grain 
Sorghum 25 Maize and grain sorghum 1005 10 90 
1005 90 00 
1007 00 90 
Worked oats 26 Worked oats  1104 22 98 
Rice 27 Husked brown rice 
 
Semi-milled or wholly milled rice 1006 20 
 
1006 30 
Grape juice and 
grape must 28 Grape juice (including grape must): 
 - Of a density exceeding 1.33 g/cm3) at 20° C: 
--Of a value not exceeding 22 €/100 kg net weight 
-- Other  
- Of a density not exceeding 1.33 g/cm3 at 20° C: 
-- Of a value exceeding 18 €/100 kg net weight: 
--- Concentrated 
-- Of a value not exceeding 18 €/100 kg net weight: 
--- Other  
  
2009 69 11 
2009 69 19  
 
2009 69 51 
 
2009 61 90  2009 69 90 
 
3. The system applies in the European Community  to the above-mentioned products originating 
in third countries.   G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
  4. See answer to question 1. As referred to in the answer to question 1, the licensing system 
covers the relevant WTO tariff quotas.  The EC considers the method adopted to be the most 
appropriate to administer these tariff rate quotas.  
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quotas 
mentioned in the answer to question 2 is: 
Quota No. Relevant legislation 
Live bovine 
animals 1 Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2009 of 26 May 2009 (OJ L 128). 
 
Live young male bovine 
animals 2 Commission Regulation (EC) No 437/2009 of  26 May 2009 (OJ L 128)  
High quality 
beef and frozen buffalo meat 3 Commission Regulation (EC) No 810/2008 of 11 August 2008 (OJ L 219) as 
amended.  
Frozen Meat of 
bovine animals 4 Commission Regulation (EC) No 431/2008 of 19 May 2008 (OJ L 130). 
Frozen beef 
intended for 
processing 5 Commission Regulation (EC) No 412/2008 of 8 May 2008 (OJ L 125) as amended. 
Frozen Thin 
skirt of bovine animals 6 Commission Regulation (EC) No  748/2008 of 30 July 2008 (OJ L 202) 
 
Dairy current 
access 7 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2535/2001 of 14 December 2001 (OJ L 341) as 
amended. 
Dairy minimum 
access 8 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2535/2001 of 14 December 2001 (OJ L 341) as 
amended. 
Manioc, arrowroot, salep 
and similar 
roots and tubers 9 Commission Regulation (EC) No 27/2008 of 15 January 2008 (OJ L 13) as 
amended.  
Sweet potatoes and manioc 
starch 10 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/96 of 17 December 1996 (OJ L 327) as 
amended. 
Broken rice 11 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2058/96 of 28 October 1996 (OJ L 276) as 
amended. 
Millet 12 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001 of 30 October 2001 (OJ L 287) as 
amended. 
Cane sugar 13 Commission Regulation (EC) No  950/2006 of  28 June 2006 (OJ L 178) as 
amended. 
Cane or beet sugar 14 Commission Regulations (EC) No 951/2006 of 30 June 2006 (OJ L 178) as 
amended and No 950/2006 of 28 June 2006 (OJ L178) as amended. 
Garlic 15 Commission Regulation (EC) No  341/2007 of 29 March 2007 (OJ L 90) as 
amended..  
Preserved 
Mushrooms 16 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1979/2006 of 22 December 2006 (OJ L 368).   
Bran, sharps and 
other residues 17 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001 of 30 October 2001 (OJ L 287) as 
amended. 
Preparations of 
a kind used in 
animal feeding 18 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001 of 30 October 2001 (OJ L 287) as 
amended. 
 
Certain pigmeat products 19 Commission Regulation (EC) No  442/2009 of 27 May 2009 (OJ L 129). 
Certain pigmeat 
products 20  Commission Regulations (EC) No 442/2009 of 27 May 2009 (OJ L 129).  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 8  
 
  Quota No. Relevant legislation 
Poultry and 
turkey products 21 Commission Regulations (EC) No 1385/2007 of 26 November (OJ L 309),  No 
533/2007 of 14 May 2007 (OJ L 125),  No 536/2007 of 15 May 2007 (OJ L 128) and No 616/2007 of 4 June 2007 (OJ L 142) as amended. 
Products in the 
egg sector and 
egg albumin 22 Commission Regulation (EC) No 539/2007 of 15 May 2007 (OJ L 128).   
Common and 
durum wheat 23 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001 of 30 October 2001 (OJ L 287), as 
amended [Quality common and durum wheat]. 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1067/2008 of 30 October 2008 (OJ L290) [Low and medium quality wheat). 
Barley 24 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2305 /2003 of  29 Decembe r 2003 (OJ L342), as 
amended  [Feed barley]. 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1215/20 08 of 5 December 2008 (OJ L 328) 
[Malting barley]. 
Maize and grain 
sorghum 25 Commission Regulations (EC) No 1296/2008  of 18 December 200 8 (OJ L 340) and 
No 969/2006 of 29 June 2006 (OJ L 176) as amended.  
Worked oats 26 Commission Regulation (EC) No 2094/2004 of 8 Decembe r 2004 (OJ L 362). 
Rice 27 Commission Regulation (EC) No 327/98 of 10 February 1998 (OJ L 37) as 
amended. 
Grape juice and grape must 28 Commission Regulation (EC) No 1472/2003 of 20 August 2003 (OJ L 211) as 
amended. 
 
 The licensing is statutorily required.  The legi slation does not leave designation of products to 
be subject to licensing to administrative discre tion.  The system cannot be abolished without 
legislative approval.  
 
Procedures  
 
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6. XI. Questions 6.IX and X are not relevant. 
 The information related to the allocation of th e quotas, the formalities for licence application, 
the amount of goods allocated to each importer is pub lished in the Official Journal of the European 
Communities (see answer to question 5).  There is no derogation from the licensing requirement. 
Relevant aspects of the licensing procedures per quota are given below:  
 
Quota No. Short description of procedures 
Live bovine 
animals 1 The tariff quotas are opened every year fo r the period from 1 July to 30 June. The 
administration procedure of the tariff quotas is provided for in Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 438/2009.  
 
Live young male bovine 
animals 2 The tariff quota is opened for the period from 1 July  to 30 June . 
The administration procedure of the tariff quota is provided for in Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 437/2009.  
 
High quality beef and frozen 
buffalo meat 3 The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas. 
For details of the procedure see Commission Regulation No 810/2008. 
 
Frozen Meat of 
bovine animals 4 The tariff quota is an annual tariff  quota, opened on 1 July of each year. 
The administration procedure of the tariff quota is provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 431/2008.  
 
Frozen beef 
intended for processing 5 The tariff quota is an annual tariff  quota, opened on 1 July of each year. 
The administration procedure of the tariff quota is provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 412/2008.    G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Quota No. Short description of procedures 
Frozen Thin 
skirt of bovine animals 6 The tariff quota is an annual tariff  quota, opened on 1 July of each year. 
700 tonnes of the tariff quota are a llocated to Argentina and 800 tonnes are 
allocated to other third countries. The quota of 700 tonnes is administered by 
Argentina itself. The quota of 800 tonnes is administered at Community level.  For 
details of the procedure see Commission Regulation (EC) No 748/2008.  
Dairy current 
access 7  The administration procedure of the tariff quotas is provided for in Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 2535/2001  
 
Dairy minimum access 8 Allocation procedure included in chapter I of Regulation (EC) No 2535/2001 
“imports under quotas opened by the Community on the basis of an import licence 
alone”. See under point 8 for the main characteristics of this procedure. 
 
Manioc, 
arrowroot, salep 
and similar roots and tubers 9 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota managed on calendar year basis.  
For details of the administration procedure see Commission Regulation (EC) No 
27/2008.   
Sweet potatoes 
and manioc 
starch 10 The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas. For details of the administration 
procedure see Commission Regulation (EC) No 2402/96. 
 
Broken rice 11 The tariff quota is an annual ta riff quota.  For details of the administration 
procedure see Commission Regulation (EC) No 2058/96. 
Millet 12 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. The administration procedure of the tariff 
quota is on a First Come First Served basis and is provided for in Commission 
regulation 2133/2001 according to the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.  
 
Cane sugar 13 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota.  
See Commission Regulation (EC) No 950/2006 for details of the administration procedure of the quota. 
 
Cane or beet 
sugar 14 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. 
For details of the administration procedure of the quota see Commission 
Regulations (EC) No 950/2006 and 951/2006. 
 
Garlic 15 The tariff quota is annual, administered  however on a quarterly basis, (split in four 
three month quarters, starting in June of  each year). Tariff quotas are allocated 
respectively to China, to Argentina and to all other countries taken together as a 
group. Imports under the tariff quota are subject to the presentation of an import license, issued after application lodged with the competent authorities in the 
Member States. For details of the pro cedure see Commission Regulation (EC) No 
341/2007.  
Preserved 
Mushrooms 16 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota.  
The administration procedure of the quota is provided for in Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 1979/2006. 
Bran, sharps and 
other residues 17 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. The administration procedure of the tariff 
quota is on a First Come First Served basis and is provided for in Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001, according to the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93. 
 
Preparations of 
a kind used in animal feeding 18 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. The administration procedure of the tariff 
quota is on a First Come First Served basis and is provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001 according the rules laid down in Commission 
Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.  
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 10  
 
  Quota No. Short description of procedures 
Certain pigmeat 
products 19 The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas, opened on a quarterly basis.  
For detail of the administration procedure see Commission Regulation 442/2009.  
Certain pigmeat 
products 20 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota, opened on a quarterly basis. 
See Commission Regulation (EC) No 442/2009 for detail of the administration 
procedure. 
 
Poultry and 
turkey products 21 The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas, opened on a quarterly basis. 
For details of the administration procedure of the quotas see Commission Regulations (EC) No 1385/2007, 533/2007,  536/2007 and 616/2007. 
Products in the egg sector and 
egg albumin 22 The tariff quotas are annual tariff quotas, opened on a quarterly basis. 
See Commission Regulation (EC) No 539/2007 for detail of the administration 
procedure. 
 
Common and durum wheat 23 For quality common and durum wheat, the tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. The 
administration procedure of the tariff quota is on a First Come First Served basis and is provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 2133/2001. 
 
For low and medium quality common wheat, th e tariff quota is an annual tariff 
quota, divided in 3 sub-quotas. The administration procedure of this quota is 
provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1067/2008.  
 
Barley 24 For feed barley, the tariff quota is an annual tariff quota opened year round.  
See Commission Regulation (EC) No 2305/2003 for detail of the procedure. 
 
For malting barley, the tariff quota is an annual tariff quota See Commission Regulation (EC) No 1215/2008  for detail of the procedure. 
 
Maize and grain 
sorghum 25 The administration procedure of the tariff quotas is provided for in Commission 
Regulations (EC) No 1296/2008 and 969/2006.  
Worked oats 26 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. 
The administration procedure of the quota is on a First Come First Served basis and 
is provided for in Commission Regulati on (EC) No 2094/200 4 according the rules 
laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93.  
 
Rice 27 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota. 
See Commission Regulation (EC) No 327/98 for detail of the administration 
procedure. 
 
Grape juice and grape must 28 The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota, running from 1 September to 31 August of 
the following year. 
The administration procedure of the tariff quota is on a First Come First Served 
basis and is provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1472/2003 according 
the rules laid down in Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93. 
 
  
7. Question 7 related to quantitative limit s is not relevant in the present case.  
8. The application for an import licence can only be re fused if either the relevant criteria are not 
fulfilled or the licence security has not been lodged.  Applicants can appeal to  courts in the Member 
States according to the legislation in force in the respective Member States.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. See reply 6.  In general there is no specific system of registration foreseen, all persons, firms 
and institutions can therefore apply. There is one  exception for dairy products; the procedure is 
explained under reply 6. 
Documentation and other requireme nts for application for licence  
 
10. A specimen of the import licence is included in the EC Regulations set out in answer to 
question 10 of the main notification for 2002. 
11. The import licence and other relevant customs documents as for any import.  A number of 
specific requirements as listed below are in place according to the product: 
Quota No. Documentation ot her than import licence 
Live bovine 
animals 1 Appropriate veterinary cer tificate; for bulls: a pedigr ee certificate; for female 
animals: a pedigree certificate or a cer tificate of registration in a herd-book 
certifying the purity  of the breed. 
Live young 
male bovine animals 2 Appropriate veteri nary certificate. 
High quality 
beef & frozen 
buffalo meat 3 Appropriate health certificates plus, in  case of US/Canada, the certificate of 
authenticity. 
Frozen Meat of 
bovine animals 4 Appropriate health certificates. 
Frozen beef for 
processing 5 Appropriate health certificate. 
Frozen thin skirt 
of bovine animals 6 Appropriate health certif icate, and in case of Ar gentina a certificate of 
authenticity. 
Dairy current 
access 7 IMA-1 certificate. 
Dairy minimum 
access 8 - 
   
Manioc, 
arrowroot, salep 
& similar roots 
& tubers 9 The certificate of origin and the export licence in cases of imports originating in 
Indonesia and China. 
Sweet potatoes 
& manioc starch 10 In the case of imports of sweet potatoes originating in China and manioc starch 
originating in Thailand, the export certificate 
 
Broken rice 11 On entry into free circulation, a written undertaking that all the goods entered will 
be processed within six months of the date of acceptance of  the entry for free 
circulation. 
Millet 12 - 
Cane sugar 13 Certificate of origin from the third country concerned. 
Cane or beet 
sugar 14 Certificate of authenticity issued by th e exporting country and the allocation of 
import licences for the quota volume reserv ed for the ACP countries is subject to 
the submission of a movement certificate EUR 1 issued by the exporting 
countries. 
Garlic 15 - G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 12  
 
  Quota No. Documentation ot her than import licence 
Preserved 
Mushrooms 16 As regards imports from China, entitlement under the tariff quota is conditional 
on the presentation, at the time for releas e for free circulation, of a certificate of 
origin from China.  As regards imports from Bulgaria and Romania, entitlement 
under the tariff quota is conditional on the presentation, at the time for release for 
free circulation, of an EUR 1 certificate. 
Bran, sharps & 
other residues 17 - 
Preparations of 
a kind used in animal feeding 18 - 
Certain pigmeat 
products 19 Appropriate hea lth certificate. 
Certain pigmeat 
products 20 Appropriate hea lth certificate. 
Poultry and 
turkey products 21 - 
Products in the 
egg sector & 
egg albumin 22 - 
Common and 
durum wheat 23 For high quality common and durum wheat, proof that the goods are held by the 
applicant, that the goods are ready for import and that the goods meet the quality 
criteria of Commission regulation No 778/99. 
 For low and medium quality common wheat, certificate of origin from the third 
country concerned. 
Barley 24 - 
Maize & grain  
sorghum 25 Proof that applicant’s business in cludes international cereals trading. 
Worked oats 26 - 
Rice 27 In case of imports from Australia and Thailand the original of the export 
certificate. 
Grape juice & 
grape must 28 - 
 
12. No. 
13. The issuance of import licence is subject to a secu rity.  The following provisions are in place: 
Quota No. Security 
Live bovine 
animals 1 Security required ensuring compliance with the obligation not to slaughter the 
imported animals. The security is released immediately if proof is supplied that 
the animals (a) have not been slaughtered within four months of the date of release for free circulation or (b) have been  slaughtered within that period in cases 
of force majeure . 
Live young 
male bovine animals 2 Security required ensuring compliance with the obligation that the imported 
animals will be fattened. The security is released immediately if proof is supplied 
that the young bovine animals (a) have been fattened in the farm or farms 
reported to the competent authority (b) for a period of at least 120 days from the 
date of importation or (c) have been slaughtered before the expiry of that period 
for heath reasons or have died as  a result of sickness or accident. 
High quality 
beef & frozen buffalo meat 3 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled.     G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Quota No. Security 
Frozen Meat of 
bovine animals 4 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licence. The security shall not be released until proof has been produced that the titular holder of the licence has been 
commercially and logistically responsible for the purchase, transport and 
clearance for home use of the quantity of meat concerned. 
Frozen beef 
intended for 
processing 5 A security has to be lodged at the time of importation ensuring that the processor 
processes the entire quantity of meat imported into the required finished products 
in the designated establishment, within three months following the day of importation. The security is released when  this requirement has been fulfilled. 
Frozen Thin 
skirt of bovine 
animals 6 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Dairy current access 7 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Dairy minimum 
access 8 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Manioc, 
arrowroot, salep 
& similar roots & tubers 9 Security in order to guaranteeing that the imported quantities do not exceed the 
quantities covered by the import licence. 
Sweet potatoes & manioc starch 10 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled and the right to import under the licence has been exercised, namely on the day th e import declaration is accepted and the 
product concerned put into free circulation. 
Broken rice 11 Security required guaranteeing that  the imported broken rice will be processed 
into the product indicated in the impor t licence. Where rice entered for free 
circulation has not been processed within the specified time limit the security 
released is reduced by 2% for each of th e day by which the time limit is exceeded. 
Millet 12 Security required guaranteeing the quality of the product 
Cane sugar 13 Security required guaranteeing th at the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Cane or beet 
sugar 14  Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Garlic 15 Security required in order to guaran teeing that the undertaking to import will be 
fulfilled during the period of validity of th e licence. The security is released when 
the obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Preserved Mushrooms 16 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Bran, sharps & 
other residues 17 Security required guaranteeing the quality of the product 
Preparations of 
a kind used in 
animal feeding 18 Security required guaranteeing the quality of the product 
 
Certain pigmeat 
products 19 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Certain pigmeat 
products 20 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 14  
 
  Quota No. Security 
Poultry & 
turkey products 21 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Products in the 
egg sector & 
egg albumin 22 Security required guaranteeing that the undertaking to import will be fulfilled 
during the period of validity of the licen ce. The security is released when the 
obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
Common and 
durum wheat 23 For quality common and durum wheat, se curity required guaranteeing the quality 
of the product. 
 For low and medium quality common wheat, a 30 € security is required to avoid 
abandonment of import licences. The securi ty is released when the obligation to 
import has been fulfilled. 
Barley 24 For feed barley, a 30 € security is required to avoid abandonment of import 
licences. The security is released when the obligation to import has been fulfilled. 
 
For malting barley, a 85 € security is required in order to guarantee quality of the product. When import license  applications are accompanied by a certificate of 
conformity issued by FGIS of the United St ates of America, security is lowered to 
10€/t. The security is released upon proof of respect of the quota’s end-use 
provisions. 
Maize & grain 
sorghum 25 Security equal to the duty reduction is required to ensure imports meet quota’s 
destination requirements. 
Worked oats 26 Security required guaranteeing the good faith of the applicants. The security is 
released on the issue of the import licence. 
Rice 27 Security required guaranteeing the good faith of the applicants. The security is 
released when the obligation to import has been fulfilled.  
Grape juice & grape must 28 In order to guarantee the end-use of the goods imported under this quota (non-
alcoholic) a lodging of security is mandatory : this security should cover the difference of duty between the erga omnes duty rate and the duty rate within the 
tariff quota (see Art.4 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1472/2003) 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 14. The validity of import licences is as follows: 
Quota No. Period of Validity of licences 
Live bovine 
animals 1 90 days, but not beyond the 30 June following their date of issue and the period of 
validity cannot be extended. 
Live young 
male bovine 
animals 2 90 days from their date of issue and no licence is valid after 30 June 2008. The 
period of validity of the import licence cannot be extended. 
High quality 
beef & frozen 
buffalo meat 3 Three months. However, their validity expires at the latest on 30 June following 
the date of issue and the period of validity cannot be extended. 
Frozen Meat of bovine animals 4 180 days from their date of issue. However, no licence is valid after 30 June 2008 
and the period of validity cannot be extended. 
Frozen beef 
intended for 
processing 5 120 days from their date of issue. However, no licence is valid after 30 June 2008 
and the period of validity cannot be extended. 
Frozen Thin 
skirt of bovine 
animals 6 The validity expires on 30 June following the date of issue.    
Dairy current 
access 7 The licence shall be valid from the day of issue until the end of the third month 
following. 
Dairy minimum access 8 Import licences shall be valid for 150 days from the actual day of issue. 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Quota No. Period of Validity of licences 
Manioc 9 The period of validity of the import licence corresponds to the period of validity 
of the export certificate plus 30 days (i.e. 150 from the date of issue). 
Manioc, arrowroot, salep 
& similar roots 
& tubers 10 60 days from the date of issue. However, licences issued for products originating 
in Indonesia or China are valid for the duration of the period of validity of the 
export licence plus 30 days (i.e. 150 days from the date of issue). 
Sweet potatoes & manioc starch 11 In the case of the tariff quotas for sw eet potatoes, import licences are valid from 
the date of issue to the end of the fourth month following.  In the case of the tariff 
quota for manioc starch, import licences are valid from the date of issue to the end 
of the third month following 
Broken rice 12 Until the end of the third month following that of issue.  
Millet 13 - 
 
Cane sugar 14 Import licences are valid from thei r date of issue until 30 June thereafter. The 
period of validity can be extended. 
Cane or beet sugar 15 End of the third month following month of issue. 
Garlic 16 Valid only for the quarter for which they have been issued.   
Preserved 
Mushrooms 17 Valid six months from the effective date of issue but not beyond 31 December of 
the year concerned. 
Bran, sharps & 
other residues 18 - 
 
Preparations of a kind used in 
animal feeding 19 - 
 
Certain pigmeat products 20 150 days, but not beyond each quota period 
Certain pigmeat 
products 21 150 days, but not beyond each quota period 
Poultry & 
turkey products 22 150 days, but not beyond each quota period. 
Products in the 
egg sector & 
egg albumin 23 150 days, but not beyond each quota period. 
Common and 
durum wheat 24 For quality common and durum wheat:  -For low and medium quality common 
wheat, 45 days from the date of issue and the period of validity cannot be extended. 
 
Barley 25 For feed barley, 45 days from the date of issue and the period of validity cannot 
be extended.  
For malting barley, the security is valid until the end of the processing period 
(max. 330 days) and the period of validity cannot be extended. 
Maize & grain sorghum 26 The period of validity of licences shall be: 
- 45 days in cases where a flat-rate reduction has been adopted by the 
Commission, 
- the period specified in the Regulation opening the invitation to tender, in the 
case of licences issued under a tendering procedure for the duty reduction (usually 
50 days). 
Worked oats 27 45 days from the day of their issue. The period of validity cannot be extended. 
Rice 28 From their actual day of issue until the end of the third month thereafter but not 
beyond 31 December of the year of is sue. The period of validity cannot be 
extended. 
Grape juice & 
grape must 29 - 
 
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/12/Add.1 
Page 16  
 
  15. In case of non-utilisation of an import licence, the security is not released.  In the case of 
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released.  See also the replies given to 
question 13. In the case of frozen beef for processing
 proof has to be provided that the meat has been 
processed into the relevant products.  In the case of wheat  and malting barley, the security for the 
product that does not meet the required quality and that it is not processed within the time limit, is not 
released.  The security is only released for the volume of imported wheat that complies with the 
relevant quality criteria. 
16. Import licences for high quality beef are transfer able.  Licences for products imported in the 
context of the other quota are usually not transferable. 
17. No.  
Other procedural requirements  
 
18. No. 
19. Not relevant. 
__________