WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15
14 April 2011 
 (11-1901) 
Committee on Trade and Development Original:   English 
  
 
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES 
 
Notification by Japan
 
 
Addendum  
 
  The following communication, dated 31 March 2011, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Japan.  
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1. Purpose of Japan's GSP 
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) applies reduced tariffs on designated imported 
goods originating from developing countries or territori es, with the aim of helping them increase their 
export income, advance their industrialization and promote their economic development.  Japan is 
properly managing GSP from the viewpoint of c ontributing to the economic development of 
developing countries.   
2. Extension of Current GSP Scheme and Concurrent Revision 
Japan's GSP scheme started on 1 August 1971 an d current Japan's GSP scheme is expiring on 
31 March 2011.  However, considering the aforem entioned policy objectives and envisaged benefit of 
its GSP scheme in future, Japan decided to extend its GSP scheme until 31 March 2021.  Taking this 
opportunity, Japan will add following amendments to the current GSP scheme, in light of enhancing 
transparency and simplicity of the GSP schem e and providing more balanced market access 
opportunities among GSP beneficiaries, effective as of 1 April 2011:   
1) Japan decided to abolish ceilings of imports granted under preferential tariff treatment for 
certain industrial products.  Ex post applicable  preferential tariff rates for those products are 
listed in Annex 1.   
2) Japan revises the criteria for application of competitiveness-focused, product-by-exclusion 
measure.  When imports of a product fro m a GSP beneficiary (except LDC special 
beneficiaries) to Japan in value term, on aver age, account for more than 50 per cent of its 
import from the world to Japan in the previous th ree years, and at the same time to over one 
and a half billion yen, Japan will exclude such  products from the coverage of its GSP scheme 
to that beneficiary over the next three years.   The products to be excluded as a result of 
application of the revised criteria are shown in Annex 2. 
3) The products listed in Annex 3 will be exclude d from the coverage of  Japan's GSP scheme, 
while reduced MFN rates on products li sted in Annex 4 will be applied.  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  4) Japan relaxes its GSP preferential rules of origin  on textile and clothing products in order to 
expand opportunities for developing countries to utilize Japan's GSP scheme. 
5) Oman, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados will be excluded (graduated) from the list of GSP 
beneficiaries, because they were classified as "high income economies" in the previous 
consecutive three years accordi ng to World Bank statistics.  
6) Maldives was officially taken off the United Nations list of Least Developed Countries 
(LDCs) on 1 January 2011 and is going to be  excluded (graduated) from the List of LDC 
special beneficiaries under the Japan 's GSP scheme as from 1 July 2011.  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  ANNEX 1 
 
New GSP rates on products which is currently subject to ceilings  
  
1. Products on which GSP rates will be free  
No. of 
ceiling Main Products 
2 Carbides, etc. 
22 Wood of Kiri (Paulownia spp.) 
23 Tropical wood of Dipterocar paceae, planed or sanded, etc. 
30 Transom 
32 Articles of wood of Kwarin, Tsuge or boxwood, Tagayasan (Cassia siamea), red sandal wood, 
rosewood or ebony wood, excluding ebony wood with white streaks 
36 Fabrics of noil silk, etc. 
48 ex Products of HS5607.21 
 2. Products on which GSP rates will be 20 per cent  
No. of ceiling Main Products 
10 Starch derivatives 
11 Dextrins and dextrin glues, etc 
16 Raw hides or skins and leather 
20 Tanned furskins 
49 Carpets and other textile floor coverings (knotted) 
 
3. Products on which GSP rates will be 40 per cent  
No. of 
ceiling Main Products 
13 Blocks, powders, granules, flakes, etc.  of polyethylene, polystyrene, etc. 
71 Copper bars, rods, profiles and wires 
75 Unwrought lead 
 
4. Products on which GSP rates will be 60 per cent  
No. of 
ceiling Main Products 
3 Sorbitol 
15 Patent leather, etc. 
24 Tropical wood of Dipterocarp aceae (other than those of No. 23) 
25 Sheets for plywood 
26 Veneer sheets (other than those of No. 25) 
28 Particle board, etc. 
31 Half splited disposable chopsticks 
33 Wood and articles of wood (other than those of No. 22-32 and HS 4412.10-1, 4412.31, 4412.32 
and 4412.39) 
34 Basketworks, etc. (other than tatamidoko) 
56 ex Articles of silk (simply cutting other than in rectangle) 
68 Ferro-nickel (containing by weight less than 33% of nickel) 
72 Copper foils, refined copper plates, tubes, pipes, etc. 
73 Unwrought nickel 
76 Unwrought zinc 
77 Other base metals and articles thereof WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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5. Products on which GSP rates will be 80 per cent  
No. of 
ceiling Main Products 
1 Antimony trioxide, etc. 
4 Menthol 
5 Citric acid 
6 Calcium citrate 
7 Sodium glutamates 
8 Peppermint oils obtained from Mentha arvensis (containing 65% or less by weight of total 
menthol) 
9 Egg albumin 
12 Fireworks, etc. 
14 Woven fabrics obtained from strip, entirely coated or covered on both sides with plastics 
27 Drawn wood of bamboo and kushi of bamboo 
29 Laminated wood, etc. 
37 Yarn of carded wool, not put up for retail sale 
38 Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale 
39 Woven fabrics of carded wool and woven fabrics of combed wool (containing more than 10% of 
by weight of silk) 
40 Woven fabrics of carded wool and woven fabrics of combed wool (other than those ofNo. 39) 
41 Cotton yarn (containing more than 10% by weight of synthetic fibres), etc 
42 Flax yarn, ramie yarn and woven fabrics of these yarns 
43 Polyester filament yarn (other than those containing more than 10% by weight of silk) 
44 Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn 
45 Woven fabrics of man-made filament yarn (other than those of No. 43 and 44) 
46 Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres 
47 Man-made staple fibres and woven fabrics thereof (other than those of No. 46) 
48 ex Twine, cordage, ropes and cables (other than those of HS5607.21) 
50 Carpets and other textile floor coverings (other) 
51 Narrow woven fabrics, etc. 
52 Knitted or crocheted fabrics, etc. 
53 ex Corsets, gloves and socks, et c. (other than those of HS6212) 
54 Clothing accessories, etc. 
55 Handkerchiefs 
57 Blankets (other than electri c blankets) and travelling rugs 
58 Bed linen, table linen, etc. 
60 Umbrellas and parts thereof 
61 Artificial flowers, foliage, etc. and parts thereof 
69 Ferro-nickel (other than those containing by weight less than 33% of nickel) 
70 Refined copper 
74 Aluminium and articles thereof 
78 ex Mattress supports 
81 Brooms and brushes of non-vegetable materials 
  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  ANNEX 2 
 
 
1. Agricultural and fishery products (HS1-24)   
HS No. 
(9 digit) Major products Country of origin 
0706.90ex Burdock (fresh or chilled) China 
0709.59ex Matsutake (fresh or chilled) China 
0712.90-2ex Dried bamboo shoots China 
0910.10-2-
(2)ex Ginger (not put up in containers for retail sale, other than those 
provisionally preserved in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative 
solutions) (fresh) China 
0910.10-2-
(2)ex Ginger (not put up in containers for retail sale, other than those 
provisionally preserved in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions) (other than fresh) China 
1211.90-4ex Others of other plants and parts of plants, of a kind used primarily in 
perfumery, in pharmacy or for in insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes 
(fresh or dried) (other than sandal woods and job's tears) China 
1604.11ex Salmon (prepared or preserved) (other than in airtight containers) China 
1604.15 Mackerel (prepared or preserved) China 
1604.19ex Eel (prepared or preserved) China 
1604.19ex Other fish (prepared or preserved) China 
1605.10-2ex Crab (prepared or preserved) (other than  in airtight containers) (other than 
those containing rice) China 
1605.90-2-
(3)ex Scallops (prepared or preserved) (other than those smoked) China 
1605.90-2-
(3)ex Other molluscs (prepared or preserved) (other than those smoked) (other 
than in airtight containers) China 
2001.90-2-
(5)ex Ginger (prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid) (not containing 
added sugar) China 
2101.11-2-
(2) Extracts, essences and concentrates of coffee (not containing added sugar) 
(other than instant coffee) Brazil 
2206.00-2-
(2)-B-(b) Other fermented beverages (other) China 
 
2. Industrial products (HS25-97)   
HS No. 
(4 digit) Major products Country of origin 
2704 Coke and semi-coke of coal, etc. China 
2809 Diphosphorus pentaoxide; phosphoric acid; polyphosphoric acids China 
2825 Hydrazine, metal oxides, etc. China 
2827 Chlorides, bromides, iodides, etc. China 
2834 Nitrites; nitrates China 
2835 Phosphinates, phosphonates, polyphosphates, etc. China 
2839 Silicates, etc. China 
2841 Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids China 
2843 Inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, etc. China 
2849 Carbides China 
2904 Sulphonated derivatives of hydrocarbons, etc. China 
2938 Glycosides and derivatives China 
3505 Dextrins, other modified starches, etc. Thailand 
3604 Fireworks, signalling flares and other pyrotechnic articles China 
3801 Artificial graphite , preparations based on carbon, etc. China 
3802 Activated car bon, etc. China 
3806 Rosin, resin acids,  run gums, etc. China 
3814 Organic composite solvents, prepared paint or varnish removers, etc. China WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  HS No. 
(4 digit) Major products Country of origin 
3816 Refractory ceme nts, etc. China 
3923 Articles of plastics for the convey ance or packing of goods, etc. China 
3924 Household articles and toilet articles (of plastics) China 
3926 Other articles of plastics China 
4412 Plywood, vaneered panels and similar laminated wood China 
4419 Tableware and kitchenware, of wood China 
4420 Wood marquetry and inlaid wood, etc. China 
4421 Other articles of wood China 
4601 Plaits and similar products of  plaiting materials, etc. China 
4602 Basketwork , etc. China 
5107 Yarn of combed wool, not put up for retail sale China 
5513 Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of 
such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight not exceeding 170 
g/m2 China 
5607 Twine, cordage, ropes and cables China 
5608 Knotted netting, fishing nets and other made up nets, of textile materials China 
5702 Carpets and other textile floor coverings, woven China 
5703 Carpets and other textile floor coverings, tufted China 
5705 Carpets and other textile floor coverings (not sprcified or included elsewhere) China 
5806 Narrow woven fabrics, etc. China 
6213 Handkerchiefs (not kn itted or crocheted) China 
6214 Shawls, scarves, mufflers, etc.  (not knitted or crocheted) China 
6216 Gloves, mittens and mitts (not knitted or crocheted) China 
6217 Other made up clothing accessori es (not knitted or crocheted) China 
6301 Blankets and travelling rugs China 
6302 Bedlinens,  etc. China 
6303 Curtains, etc. China 
6304 Other furnishing articles China 
6305 Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods China 
6306 Tarpaulins, tents, sails for boats, etc. China 
6307 Other made up articles of textile materials China 
6505 Hats (knitted or crocheted) and hair-nets China 
6506 Other headgear China 
6601 Umbrellas China 
6702 Artificial flowers, fo liage, fruit, etc. China 
6902 Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles and similar refractory ceramic constructional 
goods China 
6907 Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, he arth or wall tiles; unglazed ceramic 
mosaic cubes and the like China 
6908 Glazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth  or wall tiles; glazed ceramic mosaic 
cubes and the like China 
6911 Household articles and toilet artic les, of porcelain or china: China 
6912 Ceramic household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china China 
7116 Articles of pearls, precious stones, etc. China 
7406 Copper powders and flakes China 
7411 Copper tubes and pipes China 
7607 Aluminium foil not exceeding 0.2mm China 
7907 Other articles of zinc China 
8104 Magnesium and articles thereof China 
8110 Antimony and articles thereof China 
8111 Manganese and articles thereof China 
8211 Knives with cutting blades, other than knives of heading 82.08, and blades 
therefor China 
8213 Scissors and bl ades therefor China  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  HS No. 
(4 digit) Major products Country of origin 
8215 Kitchen or tableware, e.g., spoons, of base metal China 
8301 Padlocks, locks, etc. of base metal China 
8302 Base metal mountings, fittings, etc. China 
8306 Bells, statuettes, frames, mirrors, etc. of base metal China 
8544 Insulated wire, cable and other insulated electric conductors China 
9003 Frames for spectacles  and parts thereof China 
9404 Mattress supports, articles of bedding, etc China 
9405 Lamps, lighting fittings, etc. and parts thereof China 
9503 Dolls, toys, models, etc. China 
9505 Festive, carnival or ot her entertainment articles China 
9506 Articles and equipment for gene ral physical exer cise, etc. China 
9507 Line fishing tackle, etc. China 
9603 Brooms, brushe, paint pads and rollers, etc. China 
9608 Pens, e.g., ball point pens, sliding pencils, etc. China 
9613 Cigarette lighters and other lighters and parts thereof China 
9617 Vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels and parts thereof China 
 WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
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  ANNEX 3 
  
No. of ceiling Main Products 
17 Trunks, suit-cases, etc. 
18 Articles of composition leather, etc. 
19 Articles of leather (other th an those of No. 17 and No.  18 and HS4203) 
21 Articles of apparel, etc. of furskin 
56 ex Products of HS 6215.10 of ties of silk, etc. 
59 Footwear, etc. and parts thereof 
62 Glass beads, imitation precious stones, etc. 
63 Articles of jewellery and parts thereof 
64 Imitation jewellery 
65 Ferro-manganese 
66 Ferro-silico-manganese and other ferro-alloys 
67 Ferro-chromium, not containing by weight more than 4% of carbon 
78 ex Products of HS9401.90-1 (Parts of seats, of leather) 
HS2836.20-1 Soda ash 
Note:  Applicable rates on above products will be  MFN rates after the exclusion from GSP coverage 
  WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15 
 Page 9 
 
 
  ANNEX 4 
  
Current rates Amended rates HS No. Main Product General WTO GSP General GSP 
2834.29-2 Barium nitrate 4. 6% 3.9% Free Free (deleted) 
5608.19-2 Made up nets other than fishing nets, 
knotted netting made of twine, cordage or 
rope, of man-made textile materials 8.2% 6.3% Free 5% Free 
5608.90-2 Made up nets, other than fishing nets, 
knotted netting made of twine, cordage or 
rope, of textile materials other than man-
made textile materials 9.1% 7.2% Free 5% Free 
5810.10 Embroidery without visible ground 17.9% 14.2% Free Free (deleted) 
5810.91 Other embroidery of cott on 17.9% 14.2% Fr ee Free (deleted) 
5810.92 Other embroidery of man-made fibres 17.9% 14.2% Free Free (deleted) 
5810.99 Other embroidery of other textile 
materials 17.9% 14.2% Free Free (deleted) 
6212.10 Brassieres 8.5% 8.4% Free Free (deleted) 
6212.20 Girdles and panty-girdles 8.5% 8.3% Free Free (deleted) 
6212.30 Corselettes 8.5%  8% Free Free (deleted) 
6212.90 Corsets, suspenders, garters and similar 
articles 8.5% 8.4% Free Free (deleted) 
8110.10 Unwrought antimony; powders 22.4yen/kg 8.80yen/kg Free Free (deleted) 
8544.20 Co-axial cable and ot her co-axial electric 
conductors 5.8% 4.8% Free Free (deleted) 
8544.30 Ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets 
of a kind used in vehicles, aircraft or ships       Free   
  1 For motor vehicles Free Free       
  2 Other 5.8% 4.8% Free   (deleted) 
8544.42 Other electric conductors, for a voltage 
not exceeding 1,000V, fitted with 
connectors 5.8% Free 
4.8％ Free Free (deleted) 
8544.49 Other electric conductors, for a voltage 
not exceeding 1,000V, other than those 
fitted with connectors 5.8% Free 
4.8％ Free Free (deleted) 
8544.60 Other electric conductors, for a voltage 
exceeding 1,000V       Free   
  1 For motor vehicles Free Free       
  2 Other 5.8% 4.8% Free   (deleted) 
9613.10 Pocket lighters, gas fuelled, non-refillable 2.6% 2.6% Free Free (deleted) 
9613.20 Pocket lighters, gas fuelled, refillable 5.1%   Free     
  - Made of, or combined with, precious 
metal, metal clad with precious metal, 
metal plated with precious metal   5.1%   5.1% Free 
  - Other   4.3%   Free   
9613.80 Other lighters 4.1% 3.4% Free Free (deleted) 
9613.90 Parts of lighters 4.6% 3.9% Free Free (deleted) 
 
 
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