. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/Q/ARG/5 
20 May 2008 
 
 (08-2333) 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original:   Spanish 
  
 
IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM OF ARGENTINA 
 
Replies by ARGENTINA to the Qu estions Posed by the UNITED STATES
 
  
 The following communication, dated 9 May 2008, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Argentina.  
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 Replies by Argentina at the meeting of 28 April 2008 to the questions posed by the United States at the meeting of 8 October 2007 on import licensing procedures in the footwear and toy sectors.    Import licences – Footwear
 
 
 The requirements governing the allocation of footwear import licences are the same for both 
importers and domestic producers.   These requirements are laid down in Resoluti on No. 486/2005, which provides that such non-
automatic licences "shall be granted to importers th at have complied with S ecretariat of Industry, 
Trade and Mining (SICyM) Resolution No. 508/1999".  This Resolution provides that any footwear marketed in Argentina must comply with certain labelling requirements aimed at protecting the right 
of consumers to adequate and truthf ul information in order to ensure that they have freedom of choice 
in selecting their purchases.  
 The mechanism for the granting of footwear  import licences is established in the Annex 
"Procedure for the issuance of the Footwear Import Certificate (CIC)" to Resolution No. 485/2005.  
  This Annex sets out the licence verification pro cedure to be followed by importers. The latter 
are required to submit an application for the impor t certificate to the Imports Department of the 
National Foreign Trade Management Directorate, which verifies, inter alia , the composition of the 
product (upper, insole and lining).  The Imports Depa rtment also forwards the licence application to 
the Department of Fair Trade of the National Dir ectorate of Domestic Trade for appropriate action. 
  Once issued, the import licence must be presen ted to the Directorate-General of Customs 
(attached to the Federal Public Revenue Administ ration), together with the rest of the supporting 
documentation normally required.    Finally, the period for processing licences does not  exceed that provided for in Article 3.5(f) 
of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures.  
 
 G/LIC/Q/ARG/5 
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  Import licences – Toys
 
  The import licensing procedure for the toy sector is non-automatic.   The mechanism for the granting of import li cences for toys is established in the Annex 
"Procedure for the issuance of the Toy Import Ce rtificate (CIJ)" to Resolution No. 485/2005.  
  This Annex sets out the licence verification pro cedure to be followed by importers.  The latter 
are required to submit an application for the impor t certificate to the Imports Department of the 
National Foreign Trade Management Directorate, which verifies, inter alia , the certificate 
demonstrating compliance with the Argentine Instit ute of Standardization and Certification (IRAM) 
toy safety standard, which is an essential requireme nt in order to guarantee consumer rights and 
protect human health.   The Imports Department also forwards the licence application to the Department of Fair 
Trade of the National Directorate of Domestic Trade for appropriate action. 
  Once issued, the import licence must be presen ted to the Directorate-General of Customs 
(attached to the Federal Public Revenue Administ ration), together with the rest of the supporting 
documentation normally required.  
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