WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/Q/IND/14 
30 April 2009 
 
 (09-2098) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM OF INDIA 
 
Replies by INDIA to the questions from the UNITED STATES
 
  
 The following communication, dated 29 April 2009,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of India.  
_______________ 
  
 India thanks United States for the questions on its Import Licensing System dated  27 October, 2008 and circulated in document G/LIC/Q/IND/11/Add.1 . 
 
Questions for India on the Import Licensing Questionnaire
 
 
Question : 
 
  In looking up the import requirements for non- insecticidal boric acid, the document merely 
states, “Import of Boric Acid for non-insecticidal purposes will be subject to an import permit issued 
by the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Co mmittee under the Ministry of Agriculture”. Aside 
from this one statement, we have not been abl e to find any additional information about this 
procedure. 
 
Reply : 
 
 Information pertaining to the import requirement s for non-insecticidal boric acid is available 
on the websites of the Secretariat of CIB & RC ( www.cibrc.nic.in ) and the Department of Agriculture 
and Co-operation ( www.agricoop.nic.in )  
 
Question : 
 
 Is the import license for non-insecticidal boric ac id automatic or non-automatic, according to 
the definitions contained in Articles 2 and 3 of the WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures?  
 
Reply : 
  The import licensing procedure is automatic as  per Article 2 of the Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures. 
 G/LIC/Q/IND/14 
Page 2  
 
  Question
: 
 
 If the import license is automatic, what is its administrative purpose? 
 
Reply : 
  The stipulated procedure ensures that the insecticide being imported is not misused.  
 
Question
: 
 
 If the import license is non-automatic, what is the measure being implemented through the 
licensing procedure? 
 Reply
: 
  Not applicable  Question
: 
 
  When asked whether domestic producers of non-in secticidal boric acid are subject to any 
similar requirement, India stated that they are s ubject to the “rigorous requirement of obtaining 
registration before the CIB & RC”.  Why are the procedures so different fo r importers? Do domestic 
procedures have to declare the specific end-use and quantity of each  sale, as is required of importers 
in order to obtain an import license for non-insecticidal boric acid?  
Reply
: 
  The domestic producers have to maintain e quivalent measures such as an elaborate 
production and sales record. 
 
Question
: 
 
 What criteria does each Ministry apply in determining whether to grant a no-objection 
certificate?  What criteria does the CIB & RC then  use to determine whether to grant an import 
license?  
Reply
 
  Each of the agencies adopts its own criteria for granting no-objection certificate.  The  
CIB & RC has devised a proforma to ensure that th e insecticide imported is really for intended use.  
The quantity for import is decided based on the recommendation of the Nodal Ministry and the 
quantity imported/consumed by the ap plicant during preceding five years. 
  G/LIC/Q/IND/14 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Question : 
 
 Could India please provide additional inform ation regarding what information the 
“application proforma” requires for an import license for non-insecticidal boric acid? 
 
Reply : 
  The application proforma for obtaining im port permit for import of Boric acid for non-
insecticidal purposes is available in the minutes of 259th meeting of the Registration Committee under “News & Updates” on the website of the Secretariat of CIB & RC ( www.cibrc.nic.in
). 
 
Question : 
 
 Can India provide a copy of Department of  Agriculture’s exhaustive list of Government 
agencies that can issue end-use certificates, or indica te for us where to locate this exhaustive list of 
agencies?  
Reply
: 
  The illustrative list of Authorities of the Minist ries/Departments author ised for issuance of 
end-use certificate is given in the Department of  Agriculture and Cooperation’s letter no. 17-2/2004-
PP I dated 4 May, 2006.  Moreover end-use certificates of the District Industries Centres of the State 
Governments/State Directors of Industries are also accepted by the competent authority.  The details 
are available on the Department of Ag riculture and Cooperation’s website ( www.agricoop.nic.in
). 
 
Question : 
 
 In addition, what criteria does the GOI apply  in determining which agency should issue the 
end-use certificate for a particular end-use?  C an multiple agencies be responsible for issuing 
certificates for the same end-use?  May an end-u ser request an end-use certificate from any one of 
these agencies? 
 Reply
: 
  Any of the authorised agencies can issue end- use certificate as per the prescribed end-use. 
  
 
 
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