. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/Q/ARG/13 
3 November 2010 
 
 (10-5814) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   Spanish 
  
 
IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM OF ARGENTINA 
 
Replies by Argentina to Questions from Turkey
1 
  
 The following communication, dated 1 November 2010, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Argentina.  
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1. For a long period of time, the Turkish companies that have export interest to Argentina report 
significant delays, beyond hundreds of days in some cases, in obtaining import licences for refrigerators (HS Code 84.18), air conditione rs (HS Code 84.15) and washing machines 
(HS Code 84.50). 
 This trade-restricting practice and issue of our concern has been brought to the attention of the 
Argentinean authorities on various occasions. 
  In the same manner, the WTO Report on the fi nancial and economic crisis and trade-related 
developments (JOB(09)/62) pointed out the fact th at such delays could reach up to 200-300 days.  
Likewise, some members raised similar concerns summarized in the official document 
G/LIC/Q/ARG/10. 
 
 The period for processing non-automatic import  licences is consistent with Article 3.5(f) 
of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. 
 
2. It is our understanding that prior to importi ng refrigerators, air conditioners and washing 
machines, importers must obtai n a non-automatic import licence
 from the Ministry of Economy and 
Production in line with: 
 - Resolution No. 61 dated 4/III/09.  Ministry of Production.  Amended by 
Resolutions 121/09, 123/09, 139/09, 251/09 Ministry of Production:  Resolution No. 24 of Ministry of Industry and Tour ism-Effective Date:  26/03/2009 for HS 84.15 
and HS 84.18; 
 - Resolution No. 444 of 5/VII/04.  Minist ry of Economy and Production.  Amended by 
Resolution No. 177/04, 529/06;  181/08;  329/08, 61/09;  123/09;  251/09 - Effective Date:  07/07/2004 for HS 84.18 and HS 84.50. 
 
 However, in reviewing Argentina's most recent responses to the Questionnaire on Import 
Licensing Procedures (G/LIC/N/3/ARG/5) dated 10 September 2008, we were unable to find any 
specific references to any measures with respect to the products mentioned above.  
                                                     
 
1 See document G/LIC/Q/ARG/10. G/LIC/Q/ARG/13 
Page 2  
 
   Argentina has updated the information in its replies to the annual questionnaire on 
import licensing procedures, pursuant to Arti cle 7.3 of the Agreement;  these measures have 
therefore been notified. 
 
3. Argentina made the following notifications to the WTO Committee on Import Licensing in 
compliance with Article 5 of Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures: 
 - G/LIC/N/2/ARG/4 (5 March 1999) 
 - G/LIC/N/2/ARG/4/Add.1 (19 January 2009)  - G/LIC/N/2/ARG/4/Add.1/Rev.1 (29 April 2009)  - G/LIC/N/2/ARG/4/Add.2 (1 April 2009) 
 
declaring that the products in question are onl y subject to automatic import licensing procedures
. 
 4. With this background, Turkey would like to pose the following questions: 
(a) What is the current import licensing procedur e applicable to refrige rators (HS Code 84.18), 
air conditioners (HS Code 84.15) and washing machines (HS Code 84.50)? 
 
 Tariff headings coming under the non-automati c licensing system are not covered by the 
automatic licensing system. 
 
(b) Can Argentina provide detailed information on the legislative framework adopted for import 
licensing procedures for each good concerned? 
 
 Argentina has notified all of the Resoluti ons establishing automatic and non-automatic 
licences. 
 (c) Does Argentina intend to revise and/or make  a new notification to the Committee on Import 
Licensing Procedures in line with her current applications? 
 
 Argentina has notified its replies to the annual questionnaire on import licensing 
procedures, pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Agreement, in which the information on current licences is updated for 2008 and 2009. 
 
(e) Please indicate if and how Argentina considers her import licensing practices comply with her 
WTO obligations. 
 (f) Do the Argentinean authorities re-consider taki ng steps to align domestic practices with the 
WTO obligations of Argentina? 
 
 Reply to questions (e) and (f)
:  The application of the licensing systems is consistent with 
the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. 
 
(g) When could Argentina provide respon ses to the Questionnaire on Import Licensing 
specifically for the procedures for the listed products for 2009 and 2010? 
 
 Argentina has regularly notified its repli es to the annual questionnaire on import 
licensing procedures, pursuant to Article 7.3 of the Agreement. 
  
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