RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/MA/W/8/Add.2 
23 February 2007 
 (07-0797) 
Negotiating Group on Market Access Original:  English 
  
 
MARKET ACCESS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
 
Update on the Negotiations on the Sectoral Tariff Component 
 
 
Communication from Singapore 
 
Addendum  
   The following communication, dated 23 February 2007, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Singapore. 
 
_______________ 
 
 1. In our earlier communication, dated 30 January  2006, contained in TN/MA/W/8/Add.1, we 
provided a summary table of the papers submitted by several members on the different sectoral 
initiatives.  Since that communication, we ha ve seen new papers submitted on these sectoral 
initiatives.  Some members have also proposed ne w sectoral initiatives.  There are currently 11 
sectors
1 proposed. 
 
2. As many members have found the summary tabl e useful as a quick reference, a revised 
version of this table has been attached in Annex A  of this communication.  It is hoped that this would 
assist members in staying in touch with the sectoral negotiations.    3. Though suggestions and comments were received from the various co-sponsors of the sectoral 
initiatives, this revised summary table was prepared  under our sole responsibility.  Therefore, while 
this summary is meant to be used as a reference, it is of no prejudice to the negotiating positions of the 
individual sectoral co-sponsors.  
 
                                                     
 
1 The 11 sectors are: automotive and related pa rts, bicycle and related parts, chemicals, 
electronics/electrical, fish and fish products, forest products, gems & jewellery, hand tools, healthcare, raw 
materials and sports equipment.  
  TN/MA/W/8/Add.2 
Page 2 
 
 
Annex A :  Summary of Papers Tabled on Sectoral Tariff Initiatives  
 
 
Sector 
 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
Reduction S&D Treatment2 
Automotive 
and Related 
Parts 
Sector 
 JOB(06)/873 Japan Automotives 
HS 870321, 870322, 870323, 
870324, 870331, 870332, 870333, 
870390 
 
Related Parts 
Products almost exclusively used 
for manufacturing automobiles are 
picked out and proposed from 
Chapters 40, 68, 70, 73, 83, 84, 85, 
87, 90, 91, 94 (please refer to 
Attachment 2 of the JOB document 
for a complete list) End rate : zero 
 
Critical Mass : 
99 percent of global trade for 
automotives 
98 percent of global trade for 
related parts 
 
Staging :  
Equal annual installments, 
starting after the completion of 
general tariff cuts by formula 
Staging period: [5] years. 
For example, if 
implementation of formula 
cuts are to be completed 
within [4] equal annual 
instalments, then total period 
for tariff elimination shall be 
[4] plus [5] years. 
 
 Possible options might include: 
For Automotives 
(i) Longer staging period (plus up to [6] 
years at the discretion of developing 
Members taking this option) 
(ii)Exceptions to equal annual 
instalment: how to arrange instalments 
should be at the discretion of the 
developing Member which chose this 
option 
(iii)Zero for X (0 < X < end rate by 
general formula cut for developing 
Members; may be applied to only 
limited number of tariff lines or all of 
the tariff lines.) 
For Related parts 
(i) Longer staging period (plus up to 
[3] years at the discretion of 
developing Members taking this 
option)  
(ii)Exceptions to equal annual 
instalment: how to arrange instalments 
                                                      
2 Not applicable to developed countries. 
3 13 April 2006  
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 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
Reduction S&D Treatment2 
should be at the discretion of the 
developing Member which chose this 
option 
(iii) Zero for X (0 < X < end rate by 
general formula cut for  developing  
Members; this exceptional treatment is 
for limited number of products of not 
more than [10]% of the developing 
Member’s import volume.) 
 
Bicycle and 
Related 
Parts  JOB(05)/2024 Japan; Singapore; 
the Separate 
Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and 
Matsu; and 
Thailand 
 HS 401150, HS 401320, 
Ex 731511 (roller chain of a kind 
used on bicycles) 
Ex 732020 (stainless steel spring 
for bicycle valve inside core use) 
Ex 848180 (valves, inner-tube, for 
bicycles) 
HS 851210, HS 871200, HS 
871491,  
HS 871492, HS 871493, HS 
871494,  
HS 871495, HS 871496, 
Ex 871499 (other parts and 
accessories of bicycles and other 
cycles, not motorized) 
 End rate : zero Possible options might include: 
- Longer implementation period 
- Harmonization levels for certain 
products 
- Limited product coverage exemption 
-  
                                                      
4 21 September 2005  
  TN/MA/W/8/Add.2 
Page 4 
Sector 
 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
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Chemicals TN/MA/W/58 
 Canada; Japan; 
Norway; the 
Separate Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and 
Matsu; Singapore; 
Switzerland; and 
the United States  HS Chapters 28 - 39  Possible options might include: : 
- Longer implementation periods for 
all chemical products 
- Different implementation periods in 
certain products/sub-sectors 
- Zero for “x” 
- Participation in certain sub-sectors 
 
 TN/MA/W/725 Canada; Hong 
Kong, China; 
Norway; The 
Separate Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and 
Matsu; Singapore; 
Switzerland; the 
United States  
 HS chapters 28-39 
One member proposed the addition 
of semi-processed rubber (HS 
4002-4008) to the product 
coverage 
 End rate:  zero 
 
Implemention period : 
Immediate tariff elimination 
 
 (a) CTHA Developing-Country 
Participants  may elect to eliminate 
chemical duties based on the following 
two-step process: -(i)  Each Member 
must first fulfil CTHA harmonization 
according to its previously negotiated 
staging schedule and CTHA end rates 
(refer to table A in proposal).  (ii) 
Then,, after the CTHA rate has been 
attained,  the Member must eliminate 
its bound tariffs in 5 equal, annual 
instalments.  
(b) Developing Members that are not 
CTHA participants may elect to 
eliminate chemical duties according to 
a staging schedule no less ambitious 
than what was agreed to by the CTHA 
(as reflected in table B in the proposal).  
 
                                                      
5 15 May 2006  
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 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
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Electronics/ 
Electrical TN/MA/W/59 
TN/MA/W/59/
Add.1 Japan; Korea; 
Singapore; 
Thailand and the 
United States Product coverage should be wide-
ranging and simple for Members to 
implement.  Broad product 
coverage that would include a 
significant range of products, 
potentially including information 
technology, electrical equipment 
and machinery, semiconductors, 
audio visual products and 
consumer electronics  Possible options might include : 
- Longer implementation periods 
- Different implementation patterns 
for different product groups or 
sectors 
- “Zero for X” 
- Participation in a smaller number of 
products 
 
 TN/MA/W/696 
 Hong Kong, China; 
Japan; Korea; 
Singapore; 
Thailand and the 
United States 
  Initiative should cover a broad 
range of products, such as 
information technology products, 
audio-visual products, home 
electrical appliances, office 
machines and other 
electrical/electronic equipment.   
Totally new products which have 
emerged after the ITA such as 
multi-chip pack ages (MCPs) 
should also be covered.  Precise 
product coverage to be elaborated 
further End rate :  zero. 
 
Implementation period:   
same as standard NAMA 
implementation period (to be 
agreed) 
 
Staging : equal annual 
instalment (equal steps each 
year) Possible options might include: 
 
(i) Longer implementation 
periods for specific tariff lines up to a 
certain trade value share of the total 
product coverage. 
 
(ii) Zero for X: As a limited 
exception, tariff rate of [X]% may be 
maintained for specific tariff lines up to 
a certain trade value share of the 
sectoral product coverage, if the tariff 
rate after tariff reduction in accordance 
with the general modalities is above 
[X]%. 
 
 
 
 JOB(06)/84/ 
Rev.17 
 Japan; Hong Kong, 
China Illustrative Product List 
                                                      
6 28 April 2006 
7 30 June 2006  
  TN/MA/W/8/Add.2 
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Sector 
 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
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Fish and 
fish 
products TN/MA/W/63 
JOB(06)/132 
JOB(06)/132/
Add.18 
TN/MA/W/63/
Add.1 
JOB(06)132/ 
Add.2 
JOB(06)/132/
Add.3 
JOB(06)/132/
Add4 
 Canada; Hong 
Kong, China; 
Iceland; New 
Zealand; Norway; 
Oman; Panama; 
Singapore and 
Thailand HS 03, HS 0509, HS 0511.91, HS 
1504.10, HS 1504.20, 
Ex HS 1603 (juices and extracts of 
meat and fish), 
HS 1604, HS 1605, HS 2301.20 End rate : zero 
 
Critical mass : [90] percent 
of world trade  
 
Implementation : To be 
phased in as soon as 
practicable and no later than 
final implementation date for 
tariff reductions resulting from 
formula for NAMA goods. 
 Possible options might include: 
- Zero for X   
-   Longer implementation periods 
 
Forest Products TN/MA/W/64 Canada; Hong 
Kong, China; New 
Zealand; Thailand 
and the United 
States HS Chapters 44, 47, 48, and 49, 
and additional products in Chapter 
94 (e.g. some furniture items and 
pre-fabricated buildings)  Possible options might include : 
- Varied  implementation period 
periods to accommodate different 
needs 
- Zero for X (some Members 
eliminate tariffs while others reduce 
and harmonise them) 
- Limited product exemption 
- Participation credits (if this is agreed 
as part of the modalities for the 
formula) 
 
 
 TN/MA/W/75 
JOB(06)/1289 Canada; Hong 
Kong, China; New 
Zealand; 
Singapore; 
Thailand and the 
United States Chapters 44, 47, 49, products made 
of wood in Chapter 94 (to date, 
members have proposed HS   
9401.61, 9401.69, 9403.30, 
9403.40, 9403.50, 9403.60, 
9403.80 and 9406.00) End rate :  zero 
 
Critical mass : Interested 
members have defined critical 
mass of 90 percent of world 
trade Possible options might include: 
 
(a) Longer implementation periods for 
a specific number of tariff lines up to a 
maximum level of trade. 
 
                                                      
8 22 May 2006 
9 19 June 2006  
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Implementation : as soon as 
possible and no later than 
dates specified in the 
modalities for implementing 
formula reductions 
  
(b) Zero for X:  Participants will 
decide whether it is appropriate for 
developing-country Members to 
reduce and harmonize their tariffs 
rather than eliminating them. 
Participants will decide whether this 
provision could apply to the full 
product coverage or to specified lines. 
 
(c) Limited Product Exemptions:  To 
date, participants have urged as 
comprehensive a product coverage as 
possible, and therefore they generally 
support modalities such as longer 
implementation periods or “zero for x” 
rather than product exemptions. 
Nevertheless, it will be up to all 
participants in the agreement to decide 
whether this provision could be used. 
  
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Sector 
 Document Co-Sponsors Product Coverage Modality for Tariff 
Reduction S&D Treatment2 
 
Gems and 
Jewellery TN/MA/W/61 
TN/MA/W/61/
Add.1 
TN/MA/W/61/
Add.210 Hong  Kong, 
China; Japan; the 
Separate Customs 
Territory of 
Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and 
Matsu; Singapore; 
Switzerland; 
Thailand and the 
United States 
 Articles under Chapter 71 of the 
HS, which includes pearls, 
diamonds, precious stones, 
synthetic stones, silver, gold, 
platinum, and other articles of the 
products aforementioned, 
jewellery, imitation jewellery, and 
coin. End rate : zero 
 Possible options might include: 
 
A three-step stag ing for certain 
sensitive products 
 
 Step 1 - Reduce the bound tariffs of 
those specific products to [Y]% or to 
the post-formula values, whichever is 
the lower, over [Z 1] years in equal 
installments. 
 
 Step 2 - Maintain  the rate(s) in Step 1) 
for [Z 2] years 
 
Step 3 - Eliminate the tariffs 
 
 
Hand Tools  JOB(06)/98
11 The Separate 
Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and Matsu 820110, 820120, 820130, 820140, 
820150, 820160, 820190, 820210, 
820220, 820231, 820239, 820240, 
820291, 820299, 820310, 820320, 
820330, 820340, 820411, 820412, 
820420, 820510, 820520, 820530, 
820540, 820551, 820559, 820560, 
820570, 820580, 820590, 820600 
 End rate : zero 
 
Critical mass :  no less than 
[90] percent of world trade  
 
Implementation  over [ ] years 
in equal installments Possible options might include: 
- Longer implementation period 
- Harmonization levels for certain 
products 
- Limited product coverage exemption 
 
                                                      
10 24 June 2006 
11 21 April 2006  
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Open 
Access to 
Enhanced 
Healthcare JOB(06)/3512 
 
(Note: - new 
formal 
document is 
expected to be 
circulated 
shortly) Singapore, the 
United States and 
Switzerland 
 Medicines 
All drugs of Chapter 30, four HS 
headings in Chapter 29 (2936, 
2937, 2939 and 2941): 
Product coverage should also 
include all pharmaceutical bulk 
active ingredients in HS Chapters 
28, 29 and 38; and all chemical 
intermediates used solely in the 
production of pharmaceutical 
active ingredients in HS Chapters 
28, 29 and 38.   
 
Medical Devices 
 
HS2844, 3822, 8419, 8543, 8713, 
8714, 9018, 9019, 9021, 9022, 
9025, 9402 End rate : zero Possible options might include:  
 
For Medicines 
 
• Longer implementation periods for 
all pharmaceutical products; 
• Longer implementation periods for 
certain pharmaceutical products;  
• harmonization level  
• Zero for “X” 
• Possible adoption of simplified UR 
pharmaceutical tariff elimination 
agreement, e.g. zero-duty treatment  
for pharmaceuticals of Chapter 30 and 
bulk pharmaceutical compounds 
comprising the entirety of Headings 
2936, 2937, 2939, and 2941.  
 
 
 
For Medical Devices 
 
• Longer implementation periods for 
all medical devices; 
• Longer implementation periods for 
certain medical devices;  
• harmonization level 
• Zero for “X” 
 
 
                                                      
12 24 February 2006  
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Sector 
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Raw 
Materials TN/MA/W/37/
Add.2 
TN/MA/W/37/
Add.3 
 
 United Arab 
Emirates HS2515, 2516, 2519, 2523, 
2601.1, 2601.11, 2602.00- 
2611.00, 2707, 2708, 2710, 2711, 
2715.00, 2818, 2820, 7101, 
7401.10, 7401.20, 7403.11, 
7403.12, 7403.13, 7403.19, 
7403.21, 7403.22, 7403.23, 
7403.29, 7404.00, 7404.00, 
7406.10, 7406.20, 7602.00, 
7603.10, 7603.20, 8104.11, 
8401.19, 8401.20, 8401.30, 
8111.00 
 End rate : Zero Not specified 
 TN/MA/W/37/
Add.413 
 United Arab 
Emirates Raw materials from earth and from 
plant extraction (such as primary 
aluminium) which are used and 
processed by manufacturing 
industries.  An indicative list of 
products from HS Chapters 25, 26, 
27, 28, 71, 72, 74, 75, 76 and 78 
can be found in 
TN/MA/W/37/Add.4 
  End rate:  Zero  
 
Critical mass : interested 
members have been 
considering 90% of world 
trade 
 Possible options discussed include: 
 
- Longer implementation periods 
- Zero for “X” 
- Limited product exemptions 
 
 
Sports 
Equipment  JOB(05)/20114 Japan; the Separate 
Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen, and 
Matsu; and 
Singapore 
 
 HS 950611, HS 950612, HS 
950619, HS 950621, HS 950629, 
HS 950631, HS 950632, HS 
950639, HS 950640, HS 950651, 
HS 950659, HS 950661, HS 
950670, HS 950691, HS 950699, 
HS 950710, HS 950720, HS 
950730, HS 950790, HS 950800  Possible options might include 
- Longer implementation period 
- Harmonization levels for certain 
products 
- Limited product coverage exemption 
 
__________  
                                                      
13 26 May 2006 
14 21 September 2005