WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.9
13 October 1999
(99-4340)
Committee on Import Licensing Procedures Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement
on Import Licensing Procedures
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Addendum
Import Licensing Procedures for WTO Tariff Quotas
for Manioc, Arrowroot, Salep and Similar Roots and Tubers
Outline of system
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quota for 1,352,590 tonnes of manioc, arrowroots, salep and similar roots and tubers.
The relevant legislation related to the import licensing system for this tariff quota is mentioned in
reply 5.  As regards the requirements for applicants for import licences see reply 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See reply 1.  The product covered by the tariff rate quota is as follows:
Description of products Tariff item number(s)
Manioc (cassava), other than pellets of flour and
meal
Arrowroot, salep and similar roots and tubers
with high starch contentex 0714 10
ex 0714 90
3. The system applies in the European Community to manioc.  The tariff quota is allocated to
the following countries: Indonesia, other GATT countries (except Thailand) China, and other non-
GATT countries.  A part of this later mention country allocation is related to manioc of a kind used
for human consumption, in immediate packings of a net content not exceeding 28 kg.
4. See reply 1.  As referred to in reply 1, the licensing system covers the relevant WTO tariff
quota.  The EC considers the method adopted to be the most appropriate to administer this tariff rate
quota.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for this tariff rate quota is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2449/96 of 18 December 1996 (OJ L 333).
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.9
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The licensing is statutorily required.  The legislation does not leave designation of products to
be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion.  The system cannot be abolished without
legislative approval.
Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6.XI and 6.X. Question 6.IX is not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of  the quotas and the formalities for licence
application is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (see reply 5).  There is
no derogation from the licensing requirement.
The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota managed on calendar year basis.
The imports under the tariff quota are subject to the presentation of an import licence which is
issued subject to the submission of a certificate of origin, except as regards imports from products
originating in China.  Furthermore in the case of  products originating in Indonesia and China, the
licence application has to be accompanied by an export licence issue by the competent authority in
these countries.  Applications for import licences have to be submitted to the competent authorities in
the Member States.  The competent authorities in the Member States have to notify to the
Commission on the day following the day on which applications are lodged the application that have
been lodged.  The Commission determines and notifies to the competent authorities in the MemberStates not later than the fourth working day following the day on which applications are lodged the
extent to which licence applications are to be accepted.  The competent authorities issue the import
licences as soon as they receive notification from the Commission.
7. Question 7 is not relevant in the present case.8. The application for an import licence can only be refused if the relevant criteria are not
fulfilled.  Applicants can appeal to courts in the Me mber States according to the legislation in force in
the respective Member States.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. There is no specific requirement to be eligible to apply for licences.  There is no specific
system of registration necessary for the application of an import licence.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. A specimen of the import licence is set out at Annex XI to the Community’s general
Article 7.3 notification for 1999 (G/L IC/N/3/EEC/2).  Regarding the information required, see the
import licence and Commission Regulation (EC) No 2449/96 of 18 December 1996 (published in
OJ L 333, page 14).
11. The import licence, the certificate of origin, except in cases of imports from China and the
export certificate in cases of imports originating in Indonesia and China.
12. No.
13. The issuance of the import licence is subject to a security in order to guarantee that the
imported quantities do not exceed the quantities covered by the import licence.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/2/Add.9
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Conditions of licensing
14. Import licences are valid 60 days from the date of issue.  However, licences issued for
products originating in Indonesia or China are valid for the duration of the period of validity of the
export licence plus 30 days (i.e. 150 days from the date of issue).
15. The non-utilisation of an import licence implies that the security is not released. In the case of
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released.
16. No.17. No.Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Not relevant.
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