RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/GEO/4
13October 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-4313)
Original: English Working Party onthe
Accession ofGeorgia
ACCESSION OFGEORGIA
Questions andReplies
totheMemorandum ontheForeign Trade Regime
(Document WT/ACC/GEO/3)
Inacommunication dated 3July1996(WT/ACC/GEO/1), theGovernment ofGeorgia applied
foraccession under Article XIIoftheAgreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization (WTO).
Atitsmeeting on18July1996, theGeneral Council established aWorking Party withthe
following terms ofreference: "Toexamine theapplication oftheGovernment ofGeorgia toaccede
totheWTO Agreement under Article XII,andtosubmit totheGeneral Council recommendations
which mayinclude adraftProtocol ofAccession." Themembership isopentoallWTO Members
indicating theirwishtoserve ontheWorking Party. Indocument WT/ACC/GEO/3, Members had
beeninvited tosubmit questions inwriting concerning theforeign trade regime ofGeorgia. The
questions submitted byMembers andthereplies thereto provided bytheauthorities ofGeorgia are
reproduced hereunder.
Delegations wishing toraiseadditional questions concerning theforeign traderegime ofGeorgia
might inform thedelegation ofGeorgia (with acopytotheSecretariat) ofsuchquestions inadvance
ofthenextmeeting oftheWorking Party, sothatconsidered replies canbemade available byGeorgia
toMembers atthetimeoftheWorking Party meeting.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Pagei
TABLE OFCONTENTS
Page
No.Question
No.
I. INTRODUCTION 1 1
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions oftheongoing economic policies 2 2-7
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies 5 8-9
(c) Foreign exchange andpayments system, relations with
International Monetary Fund, application offoreign exchange
controls, ifany6 10-14
(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies 7 15-16
3. Foreign Trade 8 17
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE IN
SERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible ForMaking andImplementing
Policies Affecting Foreign Trade 8 18
3. Division ofAuthority Between Central andSub-Central
Governments 9 19-21
4. AnyLegislative Programmes orPlans toChange theRegulatory
Regime 11 22-24
5. Laws andLegal Acts 12 25-27
6. Description ofJudicial, Arbitral orAdministrative Tribunals or
Procedures 13 28
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff 16 29-34
(c) Tariff quotas andtariff exemptions 18 35-43
(d) Other duties andcharges 21 44-48
(e) Quantitative import restrictions 23 49-50
(f) Import licensing procedures 24 51-53
(h) Customs valuation 25 54-77
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports 37 78-92
(l) Rules oforigin 81 93-98
(m-n) Anti-dumping andcountervailing regimes 83 99-101
(o) Safeguard regime 84 102
(p) Reference prices 85 103-108WT/ACC/GEO/4
Pageii
Page
No.Question
No.
2. Export Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inexporting 87 109-110
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types ofduties, dutyrates, etc. 87 111
(c) Quantitative export restrictions, including prohibitions, quotas
andlicensing systems 88 112-118
(h) Import dutydrawback schemes 91 119
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy 92 120-122
(b) Technical regulations andstandards 93 123-139
(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures 98 140-146
(e) State-trading practices 110 147-151
(g) Freeeconomic zones 112 152
(k) Trade agreements leading tocountry-specific quotas allocation 113 153
(l) Government procurement practices 113 154-159
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Products
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions 115 160-161
(e) Internal policies 116 162
5. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inOther Sectors
(a) Textiles regime 116 163
(b) Policies affecting foreign trade inother major sectors 117 164
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
(b) Responsible agencies forpolicy formulation andimplementation 117 165
(e) Feesandtaxes 117 166
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection, Including Procedures For
theAcquisition andMaintenance ofIntellectual Property Rights
(a) Copyright andrelated rights 118 167
(b) Trademarks, including service marks 118 168
(c) Geographical indications, including appellations oforigin 118 169
(e) Patents 119 170
(f) Plant variety protection 119 171
(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits 120 172
(h) Requirements onundisclosed information, including trade secrets
andtestdata 120 173-176
3. Measures toControl Abuse ofIntellectual Property Rights 121 177WT/ACC/GEO/4
Pageiii
Page
No.Question
No.
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies 122 178
(b) Provisional measures 123 179
(c) Anyadministrative procedures andremedies 123 180
(d) Anyspecial border measures 124 181-183
(e) Criminal procedures 125 184
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General 127 185
2. Policies Affecting Trade inServices 127 186-201
(d) Monopolies andexclusive service suppliers 136 202
3. Market Access andNational Treatment
(g) Measures providing forlessthanthetreatment accorded to
national services orservice suppliers 137 203-204
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC
RELATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade inGoods and
Trade inServices 138 205-207
2. Economic Integration, Customs Union andFreeTrade Area
Agreements 140 208-210WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page1
I. INTRODUCTION
Question 1.
Inourreview oftheforeign trade Memorandum, wehavereferred tolaws, decrees, andregulations
thatdonotappear tohaveyetbeenprovided totheWorking Party. Inorder tofacilitate Georgia 's
compilation ofthese lawsandregulations forsubmission totheWorking Party, wehave listed
alltherelevant lawsandregulations, asfollows. Please submit translated copies ofthese laws
andregulations totheSecretariat forreview bytheWorking Party wellinadvance ofthefirst
Working Party meeting. (Note references tothese lawsandregulations havebeenretained inthe
questions following forcontextual purposes.)
- anelectronic copy oftheHSschedule;
- newCustoms Code;
- the1996 Law"OnCustoms Duty";
- Resolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters, dated 12May1994, providing instructions
fordetermining thecustoms value ofimported goods;
- thedraft Law"OnValue Added Tax";
- theDecree of21October 1992 "OnCustoms Tariff";
- thedraft legislation onanti-dumping andcountervailing duties;
- Resolution No.744oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia of30November 1995, onexport
licensing;
- Resolution No.637-11 of21February 1995, onexport restrictions applicable toferrous
andnon-ferrous scrap metals;
- Laws "OnStandardization" and"OnCertification ofProducts andServices," adopted
bytheParliament ofGeorgia on6September 1996;
- thedraft lawonfreeeconomic zones;
- Decree No.162of11February 1996 andResolution No.264oftheCabinet ofMinisters
oftheRepublic ofGeorgia of30March 1993 "OnDelivery ofProducts andGoods for
State Needs oftheRepublic ofGeorgia";
- thedraft lawontrademarks;
- thedraft lawontheprotection ofappellations oforigin;
- thedraft patent law;
- LawonProtection ofSelective Achievements;
- thedraft lawonprotection oflayout designs;
- thenewCivil Code provisions applicable toprotection ofintellectual property;
- Articles 147and166oftheCriminal Code;
- theintellectual property regime provisions ofthedraft Criminal Code;
- Law"OnPromotion andGuarantees ofInvestment Activity";
- Law"OnEntrepreneurship";
- thedraft insurance law;
- theLaw"OnCommercial Bank Activities";
- theCoal andMetal Association Agreement.
Answer:
Seedocument WT/ACC/GEO/4/Add.1.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page2
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions oftheongoing economic policies
Privatization
Question 2.
Georgia states thattelecommunication enterprises ofstrategic importance arenotliable to
privatization.CouldGeorgiaprovidemoreinformationonthespecificsectorsoftelecommunication
which cannot beprivatized? Does Georgia intend toliberalize thissector intheshort term?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 4oftheLawof30May1997 “OnPrivatization ofState
Property”,thefollowingunitsoftheMinistryofCommunicationsandPostarenotliabletoprivatization:
frequency spectrum, State postcommunication, radio andtelevision broadcasting, trunk-line and
international telephone communication, government communication means andGeorgia ’sposition on
geo-stationary orbit. Georgia doesnotintend toliberalize thissector intheshort term.
Question 3.
Please confirm thenumber ofmedium andlarge enterprises which arejoint-stock companies -
1,000 million seems rather high.
According totheMemorandum, there areabout 1000million medium andlarge enterprises that
arejoint-stock companies. Thisseems arather large number. Isitcorrect?
Answer:
There are1,072 medium andlarge enterprises thatarejoint-stock companies inGeorgia as
of1July1997; thenumber -1,000 million, given intheMemorandum isnotcorrect. Instead of
1,000 million itshould havebeen1,000.
Question 4.
ItisnotedthatprivatizationofStatepropertyisallowed,except“enterprisessubjecttoprivatization
in1997-2000 ortransformation intojoint-stock companies leaving thecontrolling block ofstocks
(51percent) inState property orenterprises notliable toprivatization atall”.Does thismean
thatthree categories ofcompanies have been defined fortheperiod 1997-2000 -those subject
tofullprivatization; those subject onlytopartial privatization; andthose notliable forprivatization
atall?What percentage ofGDP docompanies subject tofullprivatization account for?
Answer:
There isnoofficial division intothree categories ofcompanies asitisshown inthequestion.
Article 4oftheLaw“OnPrivatization ofStateProperty ”of30July1997, defines Stateproperty
notsubject toprivatization, therestoftheState property isliable forprivatization.
Companies subject tofullprivatization account for75percentofGDP.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page3
Question 5.
According totheMemorandum, thecontrolling block ofshares arekeptbythegovernment only
inexceptional cases when anenterprise isofstrategic purpose andthenumber ofsuchenterprises
isstrictly limited. Please identify anddescribe theactivities ofthejoint-stock companies thathave
"strategic purpose". Does theGovernment ofGeorgia maintain acontrolling block ofshares in
anycompanies other thanthose tobeprivatized in1997-2000 (asidentified intheMemorandum),
television andradio transmission channels, andenterprises producing controlling devices for
geological, hydrometeorlogical, environmental protection andnatural conditions?
Answer:
Inaccordance withDecree No.335of23May1996 ofthePresident ofGeorgia, alistof
52joint-stock companies wasapproved, inwhich thecontrolling block ofshares mustbekeptasState
property. Atpresent, withrecommendations oftheWorld Bank andtheEuropean Communities, a
newdraftdecree ofthePresident ofGeorgia isbeing prepared, butisnotadopted yet,which provides
forareduction ofthenumber oftheabove-mentioned companies from 52to32,sothetotalnumber
willbereduced by40percent. These 32joint-stock companies belong toextractive andprocessing
enterprises ofstrategic importance. Privatization oftelevision andradio channels andenterprises
producing controlling devices forgeological, hydrometeorlogical, environmental protection andnatural
conditions isallowed, except television andradio channels ofgovernmental importance.
Question 6.
According totheMemorandum, aGeorgian enterprise canonlyparticipate intheprivatization
process iftheshare ofgovernment inhisauthorized capital doesnotexceed 25percent. Please
explain thispolicy infurther detail. Does thispolicy mean thatiftheState controlled portion
ofanyenterprise accounts for25percentorlessofthebusiness, then fullprivatization is
prohibited? Ifso,why?
Answer:
No,thissection means thatifanenterprise is25percentormore owned bygovernment, it
cannot beabuyer ofacompany tobeprivatized.
Question 7.
Please provide atable showing progress todateandfuture plans forprivatization, noting the
totalnumber offirms originally intended tobeprivatized, thenumber forwhom privatization
hasalready beencompleted (andwhat typeofprivatization, e.g.,stock orpurchase), thenumber
inpreparation forprivatization under current plans, andthose tobeprivatized inthefuture.
Please provide atable outlining bycategory (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, trading, other
industry service), thenumber offirms notprivatized, theapproximate portion/importance of
trade/production inrelevant sectors accounted forbythese firms.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page4
Answer:
Table 1.Privatization bySector asof1July1997
Sector Approved Privatized
(total)Privatized in
1997
Total number 10355 10093 296
Industry 319 223 2
Energy 31 28 0
Bread products corporation 139 95 0
Food andAgriculture 548 341 26
Construction 165 252 10
Trade 4056 3897 57
Every dayrepairs andother services 4106 3891 22
Oilproducts 164 164 0
Health 669 523 18
Social services 85 396 8
Transport 73 90 6
Non-dwelling space 193 147
Table 2.Establishment ofJoint-Stock Companies bySector asof1July1997
Sector Approved Established
(total)Established in
1997
Total number 1267 1072 23
Industry 198 170 0
Mine Chemistry 31 26 0
Bread products corporation 61 41 1
Food andAgriculture 404 315 1
Architecture andConstruction 219 210 2
Trade andmaterial resources 81 65 0
Oilproducts 49 27 0
Sakgazi (GasCompany) 57 29 3
Transport 116 96 0
Social services 49 45 0
Energy 47 16
PotiandBatumi Airports 2 1 0WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page5
BytheDecree No.818ofthePresident ofGeorgia dated 19December 1996, the
privatization planofelectro-energetic sector wasapproved. Privatization oftheenergy sector willstart
attheendof1997, thefirstprivatization ofenergy companies willbeinthedistribution-realization
sector, andthentherewillbeprivatization ofelectric power stations included inthegeneration sector.
TheMinistry ofState Property Management together withtheMinistry ofHealth Carewill
elaborate adevelopment planformedical institutions, identifying hospitals tobeprivatized andtobe
leftasState property.
Work isactively going ontoaccelerate theprocess ofprivatization ofenterprises thatwere
approved andarenotprivatized yet.
(b) Monetary andfiscal policies
Fiscal policy
Question 8.
When doesGeorgia intend tomove VAT taxation definitely tothedestination principle? Isthe
basic VAT ratethesame forimported goods anddomestic ones?
Answer:
ThenewTaxation Code ofGeorgia willmove VAT taxation tothedestination principle which
entered intoforce from1September 1997. TheVAT rateisthesameforimported anddomestic goods
inaccordance withArticle 102oftheTaxation Code ofGeorgia.
Question 9.
Isthelistofproducts subject toexcise taxandmentioned onpages 11-12 (WT/ACC/GEO/3) an
exhaustive list?Could Georgia confirm thatthere won’tbeanydiscrimination onimported and
produced goods regarding excise taxes? DoesGeorgia intend toreduce theexcise rates ontobacco
andethyl spirits which currently reach 100percent?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 130oftheTaxation Code ofGeorgia twoitems havebeenadded
tothelistofproducts subject toexcise taxandmentioned onpages 11-12 (WT/ACC/GEO/3). These
items are:
- ethyl petrol –rateofexcise tax50percent;
- caviar ofsturgeon andtrout, delicacy products ofdelicacy types offishandseaproducts –
rateofexcise tax20percent.
Inaccordance withtheTaxation Code, tobacco products (except rawmaterials) of3,4,5and
6classaresubject toexcise tax,therateofwhich is5percent.
Inaccordance withtheArticle 130oftheTaxation Code theratesofexcise taxes arethesame
forimported anddomestic products.
Currently theGovernment ofGeorgia doesnotintend toreduce excise ratesontobacco and
ethyl spirits.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page6
(c) Foreign exchange andpayments system, relations withInternational Monetary Fund,
application offoreign exchange controls ifany
Question 10.
Isthenational currency convertible oncurrent account?
Answer :
Thenational currency isconvertible oncurrent account without anyrestrictions.
Question 11.
Itwould behelpful ifGeorgia could provide theWorking Party withanupdate onitsdiscussions
withtheIMFBoard ofGovernors concerning Article VIIIobligations.
Answer:
Georgia hasjoined Article VIIIoftheIMFandaccepts allitsprovisions (seeIMFPress Release
No.97/4, 27January 1997).
Question 12.
What restrictions existonindividuals andfirms toobtain, bank anddispose offoreign exchange?
What requirements existconcerning theconversion ofexport earnings from foreign exchange?
Answer:
Norestrictions existbothforlegalornatural persons toobtain, bankanddispose offoreign
exchange.
Norequirements existconcerning theconversion ofexport earnings from foreign exchange.
Question 13.
Please outline thecurrent status ofGeorgia 'sforeign exchange system inthecontext ofits
membership intheInternational Monetary Fund.
Answer:
Georgia ’scurrent foreign exchange system represents afreeconvertibility regime andisin
compliance withtherequirements oftheIMFStatute.
Question 14.
Please describe theextent towhich Georgia 'scurrency isconvertible, fortrade andforother
payments.
Answer:
Theextent towhich Georgia ’scurrency isconvertible fortrade andforother payments isnot
restricted.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page7
(d) Foreign anddomestic investment policies
Question 15.
Itisnoted that“thelistofsectors where investments areprohibited ispresented bythePresident
ofGeorgia andapproved bytheParliament ”.Does thisrefer onlytoforeign investment ordoes
itrefer alsotodomestic investment e.g.inthecourse ofprivatization? Isthere aclosed listof
sectors where investment may beprohibited? Inwhat sectors are"investments" currently
prohibited?
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 9oftheLaw“OnPromotion andGuarantees ofInvestment Activity ”
thelistofthesectors where investments areprohibited issubject toapproval bythePresident ofGeorgia
(such alistisnotapproved yet).Thisrequirement applies notonlytoforeign investors butalsoto
domestic investors.
Aninvestor doesnothavetherighttocarry outthefollowing activities without permission
(including licence):
- production ofweapons andexplosives;
- production ofnarcotic, poisons andpharmaceutical substances;
- exploration andexploitation ofanyrenewable andnon-renewable substances;
- exploration ofthedeposits ofnatural resources;
- establishment ofcasinos andgambling houses network, securing theorganization ofgames
andlotteries;
- banking activity;
- insurance activity;
- issuance ofsecurities;
- communications; and
- other activities stipulated bythelegislation ofGeorgia.
There isnoclosed listofsectors inGeorgia where investment maybeprohibited.
Question 16.
Inaccordance with paragraph 2ofArticle 2oftheLaw “OnPromotion andGuarantees of
Investment Activity ”an“enterprise inwhich theshare offoreign investor isnolessthan
25percent, enjoys thesame rights asaforeign investor ”.Isacompany inwhich theshare of
foreign investor islessthan25percentconsidered tobeaGeorgian enterprise? Please explain
ifthere isanydifference between howthetwoaretreated.
Answer:
Inaccordance withparagraph 3,Article 2oftheLaw“OnPromotion andGuarantees of
Investment Activity ”anenterprise inwhich theshare ofaforeign investor isnotlessthan25percent,
enjoys thesamerights astheforeign investor. Actually, thereisnodifference inrights between domestic
andforeign investors. Work isgoing ontoremove thisparagraph from thisLaw.
Inaccordance withparagraph 1,Article 3oftheLaw“OnPromotion andGuarantees of
Investment Activity ”every foreign investor shallhaveinthepursuit ofaninvestment orintheconductWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page8
ofitsbusiness thesame rights andprotection asphysical andlegalpersons ofGeorgia. Thisappears
tobeinfullconformity withtheArticle IIIoftheGATT.
3. Foreign Trade
Question 17.
According totheMemorandum, cross border "frontier trade" exports areestimated at
United States $91million andcross border imports areestimated United States $44million.
Please define "frontier trade" astheterm isusedbyGeorgia inthisparagraph.
Please describe thesources ofthecross border trade andproducts andservices involved. Are
imported products arriving from frontier areas soldwithin Georgia 'scustoms territory -subject
tocustoms duties?
Answer:
Theterm"cross border trade(frontier trade)" hasbeenusedbytheStateDepartment ofSocio-
Economic Information instead oftheterm"non-organized trade" andmeans tradeactivities performed
onterritories offrontier regions. Other types offoreign trade emerged lateron(forexample: charter)
circumvent customs declarations. These types arealsoincluded inthecategory of"cross border trade"
–"non-organized trade".
Non-organized trade hasasignificant share inthetotalexport-import structure ofGeorgia.
Forcalculating thisfactor several indirect methods ofvaluation areused. However, thegreatest part
ofthevolume ofthisfactor hastheresults ofusing socalled “mirror statistics ”.Namely, aftercomparing
theforeign trade statistical dataofseveral countries itwasdetermined thatimports from Georgia in
these countries ismuch higher thanthedataofGeorgia ’sexports tothese countries registered bythe
Customs Department ofGeorgia. Apart from this,“property ofmigrants ”isalsoincluded init,for
calculation andevaluation ofwhich several countries ’relevant information sources areused.
During assessment ofthevolume ofnon-organized tradetheexpert evaluations offoreign trade
ontheterritory ofAbkhazia (Georgia) arealsoincluded, which arebased onextrapolation ofdataof
previous years.
There arenospecial frontier areas inGeorgia thatareexcluded from thecustoms territory
ofGeorgia. Accordingly imported goods aresubject tocustoms dutyatthecustoms point ofGeorgia.
III. FRAMEWORKFORMAKINGANDENFORCINGPOLICIESAFFECTINGFOREIGN
TRADE INGOODS AND TRADE INSERVICES
2. Government Entities Responsible forMaking andImplementing Policies Affecting Foreign
Trade
Question 18.
Please describe theprocess bywhich Georgia 'saccession package (including adoption ofWTO
provisions andtariff andservices scheduled commitments), onceapproved bytheWTO, willbe
ratified andimplemented inGeorgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page9
Answer:
TheGeorgia ’saccession procedure totheWTO isregulated byArticle 65oftheConstitution
ofGeorgia:
“1. TheParliament ofGeorgia ratifies treaties andinternational agreements, rejects orabrogates
them bythemajority ofthetotalnumber ofParliament.
2. Treaties andinternational agreements which require ratification bytheirterms, mustberatified
aswellasanytreaty andinternational agreement which:
...envisages entrance intoaninternational organization orinter-state unity; …..”
Georgia ’saccession package approved bytheWTO willneedratification bytheParliament ofGeorgia.
Upon ratification theWTO provisions willautomatically become lawinGeorgia.
3. Division ofAuthority Between Central andSub-Central Governments
Question 19.
Atpresent inGeorgia, decentralization ofdecision-making tolocal authorities makes itdifficult
forforeign companies tofindouttherules inforce. Different local rules canalsoinfluence and
impose impediments totheborder trade. Please givedetails ofthepowers ofsub-central
governments inareas thataffect foreign trade.
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 3oftheConstitution ofGeorgia:
“1. TheGeorgian supreme national bodies haveexclusive power toadminister: ....
(f) custom andtariff regimes andforeign trade;
(g) Statefinances andStateloans; theminting ofmoney; legislation onbanking, credit, insurance
andtaxes; ….”
These provisions oftheConstitution areextended toallovertheterritory ofGeorgia including the
autonomous Republics ofAbkhazia andAjaria. However, duetotheexisting political situation inthe
autonomous Republic ofAbkhazia, thisregion isnot,defacto, under thejurisdiction oftheCentral
Government ofGeorgia.
According totheLaw“OnNormative Acts”ministerial rulesandnormative actsofallunits
ofGovernment must bepublished andfiledwiththeMinistry ofJustice tobeeffective.
Inaccordance withArticle 6oftheTaxation Code, general StateandlocaltaxesexistinGeorgia.
Question 20.
Please describe thelegalrelationship between theCentral Government ofGeorgia andgovernments
oftheautonomous Abkhazian andAjarian Republics withrespect topolicies affecting foreign
trade. Aretheautonomous regions included inthecustoms territory ofGeorgia? Dotrade policies
developed bytheCentral Government ofGeorgia have theforce oflawintheautonomousWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page10
republics? Doofficials from theCentral Government administer thetrade lawsintheautonomous
republics, i.e.enforce customs lawsattheborders?
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 3oftheConstitution ofGeorgia:
“1. TheGeorgian supreme national bodies haveexclusive power toadminister: .....
(f) custom andtariff regimes andforeign trade;
(g) Statefinances andStateloans; theminting ofmoney; legislation onbanking, credit, insurance
andtaxes; ….
(p) legislation ontrade, criminal law,civillaw,administrative andlabour law;…….”
These provisions oftheConstitution areapplied throughout theterritory ofGeorgia including
theautonomous Republics ofAbkhazia andAjaria. However, duetotheexisting political situation
intheautonomous Republic ofAbkhazia, thisregion isnot,defacto, under thejurisdiction oftheCentral
Government ofGeorgia.
TheautonomousregionsofAbkhaziaandAjariaareincludedinthecustomsterritoryofGeorgia.
Trade policies developed bytheCentral Government ofGeorgia havetheforce oflawinthe
autonomous republics.
TheofficialsfromtheCentralGovernmentadministerthetradelawsintheautonomousrepublics.
Question 21.
PleasedescribefortheWorkingPartythenatureofanyauthoritygrantedtosub-centralauthorities,
including butnotlimited toinformation onapplication oftaxes ongoods andservices, non-tariff
measures affecting international trade, investment regulations andrequirements, registration or
licensing ofeconomic activities, subsidies, price controls, andstandards andsanitary requirements.
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 3oftheConstitution ofGeorgia:
“1. TheGeorgian supreme national bodies haveexclusive power toadminister: ...
(b) thestatus andadministration ofboundaries andtheirprotection, thestatus ofterritorial waters,
airspace, thecontinental shelfandspecial economic zones andtheirdefence; ...
(f) custom andtariff regimes andforeign trade;
(g) Statefinances andStateloans; theminting ofmoney; legislation onbanking, credit, insurance
andtaxes;
(h) standards andmeasurements; geodesy andcartography; timeandState statistics;
….themerchant fleet; transit andairtransport; ...
(l) boundary-sanitary cordon; ...
(o) legislation onintellectual property;
(p) legislation ontrade, criminal law,civillaw,administrative andlabour law;…….”WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page11
4. AnyLegislative Programmes orPlans toChange theRegulatory Regime
Question 22.
Itwould behelpful ifGeorgia could provide theWorking Party withaprogramme ofproposed
anddraft legislation relating toforeign trade andtheadjustment ofGeorgia ’sforeign trade policy
toWTO norms. Does Georgia intend tosubmit toWTO Working Party members forcomment
anyofthese pieces oflegislation whilst theyarestillinadraft form?
Answer:
ThefollowingdraftlawsareintendedtobeconsideredbytheParliamentofGeorgiaatitsautumn
session:
- Customs Code (second hearing);
- OnStatistics;
- OnCustoms Fees;
- OnCustoms Tariffs;
- OnAdvertisement;
- OnLicensing ofEntrepreneurial Activity;
- OnPatents.
TheEnglish versions ofthedraftCustoms Code andthedraftPatent Lawareavailable for
consultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126). Other draftlawslisted above
willbeimmediately submitted totheWTO Secretariat aftertheirtranslation intoEnglish.
Question 23.
DoesGeorgia needspecific legislation toimplement theWTO orwilltheprovisions automatically
become lawinGeorgia upon Parliamentary ratification?
Answer:
Georgia does notneed specific legislation toimplement theWTO provisions. They will
automatically become lawinGeorgia upon Parliamentary ratification andwillapply throughout its
territory. However, itisnecessary tobring theGeorgian legislation infullconformity withtheWTO
provisions.
Question 24.
Ifnewlegislation andregulations willbenecessary toimplement WTO provisions, what specific
steps have been taken todatetodoso?
Answer:
Seeanswer toquestion 22.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page12
5. Laws andLegal Acts
Question 25.
Itisimportant thatthepassing oflaws andregulations andtheir application istransparent.
Informationonlawsandregulationsmustbeeasilyavailable,clearandpredictable.Non-publication
ofcertain provisions ofnormative actsisallowed incertain cases. This severely hampers
transparency inconditions oftrade. Furthermore, laws, regulations andadministrative orders
canbeapplied retroactively. Thismakes theenvironment veryunpredictable forforeign companies
andconstitutes adisincentive fortrade andinvestments. What measures areplanned toimprove
transparency andpredictability oftheGeorgian regulatory system?
Answer:
Non-publication ofcertain provisions ofnormative actsisallowed onlyifthematter isconnected
withStateinterests ofGeorgia ofparticular importance. Thisisregulated bytheLaw“OnStateSecrets ”.
These provisions arenotmainly connected withtrade policy issues.
Laws andregulations canbeapplied retroactively onlyinexceptional casesandifitisenvisaged
bythese lawsandregulations. Article 42,section 5oftheConstitution provides thatnolawcanbe
retroactive unless itreduces orabrogates responsibility.
Theabove-mentioned provision doesnotmake Georgian regulatory system not-transparent
andunpredictable concerning trade policy issues.
TheLaw"OnNormativeActs"requirespublicationandfilingoflaws,regulationsandnormative
actswiththeMinistry ofJustice.
Question 26.
Thissection ofWT/ACC/GEO/3 appears toindicate thatArticle 38oftheLaw"OnNormative
Acts" (29October 1996) requires thata"normative act"must bepublished inthe"Sakartvelos
KanonmdeblobisMatsne"(GeorgianLegislationNews)orthe"SakartvelosParlamentisUtskhebani"
(Georgian Parliament News) inorder totakeeffect. Itthenstates that"State secrets" maynot
bepublished, andthatArticle 61oftheLaw"OnNormative Acts" would allow publication of
normative actsinthenewspaper "Sakartvelos Respublica" (Republic ofGeorgia) orinofficial
publishing organ ofauthority whoadopts normative actsasasubstitute forpublication inthe
Georgian Legislation News.
Please clarify where normative actsmust bepublished forenactment.
Please clarify therelationship ofthese requirements withArticle XoftheGATT 1994, i.e.,do
therequirements oftheLaw"OnNormative Acts" meettherequirements ofArticle Xthat"Laws,
regulations, judicial decisions andadministrative rulings ofgeneral application, made effective
byany(member), pertaining totheclassification orthevaluation ofproducts forcustoms purposes,
ortorates ofduty, taxes orother charges, ortorequirements, restrictions orprohibitions on
import orexports oronthetransfer ofpayments therefore, oraffecting their sale,distribution,
transportation, insurance, warehousing, inspection, exhibition, processing, mixing orother use,
shall bepublished promptly insuchamanner astoenable governments andtraders tobecome
acquainted withthem".
Does Georgia publish allsuchactsandmeasures prior toimplementation?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page13
Answer:
Normative actsforenactment havetobepublished innewspaper “Sakartvelos Respublica ”
orinofficial publishing organ ofauthority which adopts thenormative acts.
Georgia publishes allsuchactsandmeasures prior totheirimplementation.
Publication oftrade regulations inGeorgia appears tofullycorrespond totheprovisions of
theArticle XoftheGATT.
Question 27.
Does Georgia publish draft standards andother measures forprior comment asrequired inthe
WTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade?
Answer:
Georgia needs tobring itslegislation inthese issues intoconformity withtherequirements
oftheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
6. Description ofJudicial, Arbitral orAdministrative Tribunals orProcedures
Question 28.
Please describe indetail theprocess ofappeal tothejudiciary available fortraders whocontest
administrative rulings byexecutive agencies, e.g.,intheareaofcustoms valuation, classification
andduty, taxation ofimports, standards andsanitary certification andinspection, application
forimport orexport licences, measures taken against dumping andsubsidized imports and
intellectual property protection.
Answer:
Theprocess ofappeal isgiven inSection XIIIofthedraftCustoms Code:
Section XIII. Appeal Against andHearing theDiscussions, Actions orInactions ofCustoms Bodies
andTheir Authorized Officials
Chapter 56. General Provisions ofAppeal.
Article 373. TheSphere ofUseofThisSection.
Theprovisions ofthissection areusedineachcaseofdecisions, action andinaction ofcustoms
bodies andtheir authorized officials, with theexception oftheappeal against themeasures of
administrative andcriminal procedures.
Article 374. TheRight toAppeal.
Anyperson isauthorized toappeal against decisions, actions andinactions ofcustoms bodies
andtheirauthorized officials, ifheconsiders his(her)rights andlegalinterests infringed, andincase
ifthementioned decision, action orinaction isdirectly orindividually connected withtheperson.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page14
Article 375. TheRuleofAppeal.
TheruleofAppeal against decisions, action andinaction ofcustoms bodies andtheirauthorized
officials includes theprimary appeal andthesecondary appeal.
Chapter 57. ThePrimary Appeal.
Article 376. Filing ofthePrimary Appeal.
Theprimary appeal against decisions, action andinaction ofcustoms bodies andtheirauthorized
officials iscorrespondingly filedtothehigher customs body ortothehigher authorized official.
Theprimary appeal against decisions, action andinaction oftheCustoms Department andits
authorized official isfiledtotheCustoms Department.
Article 377. Terms ForFiling ThePrimary Appeal.
Theprimary appeal isfiledwithin threemonths 'period starting fromthedaywhen theperson
isnotified about thedecision ortheaction hasbeencarried out.
Iftheperson hasnotbeennotified about thetaken decision, he(she)canfiletheappeal within
asixmonth period starting from thedaythedecision hasbeentaken.
Article 378. Terms ForHearing TheFirstAppeal.
Itiscompulsory todiscuss thefirstappeal within amonth 'speriod. TheCustoms Department
canextend theterms forhearing ofappeal, butfornomore thantwomonths.
Article 379. Restoration OfForFiling OfAppeal
Incaseofmissing theterms mentioned inArticle 378oftheCode, theterms onthebasis of
thestatement submitted bytheappellant canbecorrespondingly restored byahigher authorized official,
byahigher customs body ortheCustoms Department.
Article 380. TheForm OfAppeal.
Theappeal isfiledinawritten form andissenttothecorresponding customs body oran
authorized official.
Article 381. Results ofFiling Appeal
Filing ofappeal donotsuspend theexecution oftheappealed decision andaction, withthe
exception ofthecaseconsidered inthesecond partoftheArticle.
Incase,thecustoms bodyoranauthorized official, whoisincharge oftheappeal, hassufficient
basis forasuspicion thattheappealed decision oraction arenotinconformity withthelegislation of
Georgia, hecanpartially orcompletely suspend execution oftheappealed decision andaction.
Article 382. TheSignature OfaPerson Filing aPrimary Appeal
Aperson filing aprimary appeal isobliged tocooperate withthecustoms bodies andits
authorized official intheprocess ofhearing thecase.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page15
Article 383. Withdrawal OrCancellation OfAPrimary Appeal.
Aperson filing aprimary appeal canwithdraw orcancel theappeal anytimebefore thedecision
onitistaken. Thewithdrawal orcancellation oftheappeal ispossible onthebasis ofawritten
application ofthestated person. Withdrawal orcancellation oftheprimary appeal deprives theperson
oftherightoftherepeated filing ofappeal, withtheexception ofthecasewhen some newcircumstances
ofthecasearerevealed.
Repeated filing oftheprimary appeal should takeplace within theterms setupforfiling appeal.
Article 384. Decision OfCustoms Body orItsAuthorized Official OnThePrimary Appeal.
Thedecision ofcustoms body oritsauthorized official ontheprimary appeal istaken ina
written form. Fortheperson filing theappeal thedecision maybelessfavourable thantheappealed
decision. Theappellant isnotified about thetaken decision.
Thegeneral decision onappeal should bemade public.
Chapter 58. TheSecondary Appeal.
Article 385. Subordination OfTheSecondary Appeal.
Secondary appeals against decision, action orinaction ofcustoms bodyoncustoms supervision,
customs clearance, taking legalproceedings on,andhearing thecaseonviolation ofcustoms regulations,
andagainst other cases ifthese decisions arenotrelated totheeconomic policy ofGeorgia, arefiled
inthecourt according tothelocation ofthecustoms body, oraccording tothelocation ofworking
place ofanauthorized official ofthecustoms body, whose decision, action orinaction isappealed.
Secondary appeals against normative actsoftheCustoms Department ofGeorgia, which are
addressed tocertain circle ofpersons orappeals against theapplication oflawintheactivities ofcustoms
bodies which isrelated totheeconomic policy ofGeorgia, arefiledintheConstitutional Court of
Georgia.
Therestofsecondary appeals against decisions, action orinaction oftheCustoms Department
ofGeorgia oritsauthorized officials canbefiledwiththegeneral public prosecutor ofGeorgia.
Article 386. TheRuleForAppeal Against Filing ofSecondary Appeals, Hearing, Decision And
TheDecisions Taken onThem.
Theruleforappeal against flingofthesecondary appeals, hearing decisions andthedecisions
taken onthem isdefined bythecorresponding legislation ofGeorgia.
Chapter 59. Hearing ofDecisions, Action orInaction ofCustoms Bodies ofGeorgia orTheir
Authorized Officials InConnection With TheProtest ofThePublic Prosecutor and
ByMeans ofLegal Control.
Article 387. Protest ofThePublic Prosecutor.
Thecustoms body oritsauthorized official hears theprotest ofthepublic prosecutor within
10daysperiod fromthedaytheprotest isreceived bythecustoms body. Thepublic prosecutor isnotified
about theresults ofthehearings inawritten form.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page16
Article 388. Hearing ofDecisions, Action AndInaction ofCustoms Bodies AndTheir Authorized
Officials ByHigher Customs Bodies AndByHigher Authorized Officials ofCustoms
Bodies ByMeans OfLegal Control.
Higher customs bodies orhigher authorized officials ofcustoms bodies areauthorized anytime
bymeans ofcontrol overobservation ofthelaw,tocancel orchange thedecision ofthesubordinated
customs bodyorsubordinated authorized official ofcustoms body, aswellastocarry outanymeasure
considered inother legislative actsofGeorgia, related tosubordinated customs bodies andsubordinated
authorized officials ofcustoms bodies.
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE INGOODS
1. Import Regulation
(b) Characteristics ofnational tariff
Question 29.
Thecurrent trade nomenclature usedisthatofthe1992version oftheHarmonized System coded
uptothe9-digit level. When doesGeorgia envisage tobring intoconformity itsnomenclature
withtheHS96?
When doesGeorgia intend tobring itstariff nomenclature intolinewiththeHS96system?
According totheMemorandum, thecurrent trade nomenclature isthe1992 version ofthe
Harmonized Tariff System forcustoms classification. IsGeorgia using theHS92 system for
statistical purposes? Isitalsobeing usedforcustoms classification purposes?
Answer:
The1992version oftheHarmonized Tariff System isusedbyGeorgia forbothstatistical and
customs classification purposes. Georgia intends tobring itstariffnomenclature intolinewiththeHS96
system inthenearfuture.
Question 30.
Georgia states thatanewCustoms Code willbeconsidered bytheGeorgian Parliament
"approximately" inMarch.
Isthere adraft newCustoms Code? May wehave acopy intranslation? What areitsmain
provisions andwhat changes arecontemplated from Georgia 'scurrent Customs system?
HasthenewCustoms Code been considered sofarbytheGeorgian Parliament?
Please provide atranslated copy ofthenewCustoms Code totheWTO Secretariat forreview
bytheWorking Party. What isthelegislative status ofthenewCustoms Code, which wastohave
been considered bytheGeorgian Parliament inMarch?
Answer:
TheCustoms Code ofGeorgia wasapproved bytheParliament ofGeorgia bythefirsthearing.
Thenexthearing willbecontinued during theautumn sessions oftheParliament.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page17
Theenglish version ofthedraftCustoms Code ofGeorgia isavailable intheWTO Secretariat
(Accessions Division, Room 1126) forconsultation.
Themain sections ofthedraftCustoms Code ofGeorgia are:
Section I: General provisions;
Section II: Transfer ofgoods andvehicles across thecustoms territory ofGeorgia. Customs
procedures;
Section III: Customs duties;
Section IV: Customs clearance;
Section V: Customs supervision;
Section VI: Foreign currency supervision;
Section VII: Therulefordisplacement ofinternational andforeign organizations andtheir
representations across thecustoms border ofGeorgia;
Section VIII: Customs statistics offoreign trade andcommodity classification offoreign economic
activity;
Section IX: Smuggling inthefieldofcustoms activity. Detection, operative andinvestigatory
activity;
Section X: Violations ofcustoms regulations andresponsibilities forthese violations. Taking
proceedings oncases ofviolation ofcustoms regulations andtheirhearing;
Section XI: Ensuring ofnotification andconsultation. Preliminary decisions;
Section XII: Dispose ofgoods andvehicles anduseoftheproceeds;
Section XIII: Appeal against andhearing thediscussions, actions orinactions ofcustoms bodies and
theirauthorized officials;
Section XIV: Authorized officials ofcustoms bodies ofGeorgia.
Question 31.
Please provide theWTO Secretariat withanelectronic copy oftheGeorgia 'scurrent HStariff
schedule assoonaspossible.
Answer:
Anelectronic copy oftheGeorgia ’scurrent HStariff schedule isavailable forconsultation
intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Question 32.
What isthecurrent trade-weighted average custom tariff forGeorgia?
Answer:
For1996thetrade-weighted average custom tariffofGeorgia constituted 2.2percentandfor
thefirstquarterof1997–3.9percent.(Source:GeorgianEconomicTrends,TACISEuropeanExpertise
Service).
Question 33.
Please provide alistofpharmaceutical products, including HSnumbers, which aresubject to
a5percenttariff.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page18
Answer:
Thepharmaceutical products thataresubject to5percenttariffaregiven below inChapter 30
oftheHS92 (Question 92),excluding 16types ofpharmaceutical products thelistofwhich isgiven
inQuestion 39thatareexempted from customs duties.
Question 34.
DoesGeorgia apply a"zero" rateonanyimports onanMFN basis? Ifso,please listthese products.
Answer:
Georgia applies zeroratecustoms dutyonanMFN basis forgoods which aregiven inthe
Memorandum (WT/ACC/GEO/3) page25,paragraph (c),tariff quotas andtariff exemptions.
(c) Tariff quotas andtariff exemptions
Question 35.
Does Georgian legislation provide fortheintroduction oftariff ratequotas? Ifso,what isthe
relevant legislation? Does Georgia envisage introducing tariff ratequotas inthefuture?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 20(tariff preferences) oftheDecree oftheCouncil ofState
oftheRepublic ofGeorgia of21October 1992 on"Customs Tariff":
"Introduction oftariffratequotas oncustoms tariffs oftheRepublic ofGeorgia isallowed inthemanner
oftariff exemptions, reduction oftariff ratesorintroducing tariff ratequotas onpreferential import
ofgoods andarticles originated in:
- countries thattogether withtheRepublic ofGeorgia create customs union, freetrade zone;
- developing countries enjoying theGeneralized System ofPreferences;
- orgoods andarticles circulating incross border trade."
ThedraftLawonCustoms Tariff iselaborated intheMinistry ofFinance ofGeorgia. According
toArticle 36(granting thetariff preferences) ofthedraftLaw:
"Granting thetariffpreferences isallowed during trade-economic relations between Georgia andforeign
countries, inthemanner oftariff exemptions, reduction oftariff ratesorintroduction oftariff rate
quotas onpreferential export-import ofgoods originated incountries thattogether withGeorgia create
afreetrade zoneorcustoms union, orhavesigned anagreement establishing suchzoneandunion."
These tariff quotas areenvisaged bytheabove-mentioned legislation, butGeorgia hasnever
usedthatinpractice.
Question 36.
According totheMemorandum, the1996Law"OnCustoms Duty" exempts imported goods from
dutyiftheyarefinanced attheexpense ofgrants orattheexpense ofpreferential credits provided
byaforeign State body orinternational organization, which contain aminimum 25percentofWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page19
grant element. However, GATT Article Irequires most-favoured-nation treatment forimported
goods originating inMember country territories.
Wewould appreciate elaboration ofthethird indent, which indicates that“goods, import ofwhich
isenvisaged byagreements ongrants, according totherules determined byaDecree ofthe
President ”areexempt from customs duty. What kinds ofgrants arebeing referred tohere? To
which Presidential Decree orDecrees isreference made here?
Answer:
These kinds ofgrants, general principles ofproviding andreceiving ofgrants aredetermined
bytheLawofGeorgia "OnGrants" of28June1996.
Theterm"rules determined byadecree ofthePresident" isdefined byDecree No.322of
thePresident ofGeorgia, dated 23June1997"ontheruleofpassing thegoods received bygrantthrough
theGeorgian customs, registration andcontrol overtheuseofgrants".
Question 37.
CanGeorgia confirm thatthere isnoprovision fortheduty drawback onexports offinished
products (seventh indent) tobeinexcess oftheoriginal dutypaidontheimport ofrawmaterials
andsemi-finished goods?
Answer:
Georgia confirms thatthere isnoprovision inGeorgia forthedutydrawback onexports of
finished products tobeinexcess oftheoriginal dutypaidontheimport ofrawmaterials and
semi-finished goods.
Question 38.
Could Georgia please identify byHSnumber theproducts exempt from customs duty under
indent 9and12?
Please identify, including HSnumbers, thechildren 'sfoodanddiabetic foodproducts notsubject
tocustoms duties.
Answer:
Work isgoing ontoidentify allthese products thatarenotsubject tocustoms duties. After
completing thisprocess Georgia willimmediately notify theWTO Secretariat about these products
withtheirHSnumbers.
Question 39.
Could Georgia please listthe16pharmaceutical products (with HSnumber) which areexempt
customs duties?
Please identify, including HStariff numbers, the16pharmaceutical products thatareexempt
fromcustoms duties. HowdoestheMinistry ofFinance, Ministry ofHealth Protection andMinistry
ofAgriculture andFood, determine which pharmaceutical products areentitled todutyexemption?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page20
Answer:
Accordingtosub-paragraph(o)ofArticle4ofLawNo.555of27December1996“OnCustoms
Duty”andthelistadopted bytheMinistry ofFinance, Ministry ofHealth Protection andMinistry
ofAgriculture andFood, import ofthefollowing 16pharmaceutical products isexempt fromcustoms
duties:
- 3002 20000-vaccines;
- 3004 31100-insulin;
- 3004 40900-morphine;
- 3004 20100-rifampicin;
- 3004 20100-cetofaccim;
- 3004 10900-pirazinamid;
- 3004 39900-petidin;
- 3004 50100-polyvitamin;
- 3004 10100-ampiciline;
- 3001 90910-heparin;
- 3005 90110-cotton anditsproducts;
- 3005 90310-gauze anditsproducts;
- 3002 31000-vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease;
- 3002 39000-other veterinary vaccines;
- 3002 90500-cultures ofmicroorganisms;
- 3002 90900-cultures ofmicroorganisms.
Theexemption ofveterinary vaccines fromthecustoms dutyiscaused bythefactthatpurchase
ofvaccines necessary formeasures against epizooties andvaccination arecarried outfreeofcharge
forcustomer attheexpense ofState.
Theexemption oftherestitems inthelistisaresult ofimplementation ofthefirststage of
health protection programme bytheGovernment ofGeorgia.
Question 40.
Could Georgia please confirm thattariff exemptions (except those applied inthecontext ofa
customs union orfreetrade agreement) areapplied onanMFN basis?
Answer:
Georgia confirms thattariffexemptions (except those applied inthecontext ofacustoms union
orfreetrade agreement) areapplied onanMFN basis.
Question 41.
Please provide atranslated copy ofthe1996 Law"OnCustoms Duty" totheWTO Secretariat
forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
TheEnglish version ofthe1996Law“OnCustoms Duty”isavailable forconsultation inthe
WTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page21
Question 42.
How doestheGovernment ofGeorgia ensure thatgoods, which receive dutyexemption because
theyarearriving temporarily, donotenter thestream ofcommerce within Georgia?
Answer:
Itisregulated byArticle 24(passing withpurpose oftemporary exportation orimportation)
oftheCustoms Code ofGeorgia adopted bytheCouncil ofState on21October 1992. According to
which: "goods andother articles thataretemporarily exported from orimported intheterritory of
Georgia, arepassed through thecustoms fortheperiod which doesnotexceed oneyearafterthedate
ofcrossing thecustoms border oftheRepublic ofGeorgia".
Before expiry oftheabove-mentioned timegoods andother articles being passed through the
customs territory ofGeorgia because theyarearriving temporarily:
- must beexported from thisterritory;
- must bedeclared tocustoms incaseoftheirfreecirculation.
Incaseofinfringement byanimporter oftheprovisions connected withtemporary entry of
goods intheterritory ofGeorgia, theprovisions ofChapter 7–smuggling andviolation ofcustoms
regulations -oftheCustoms Code of21October 1992 areused.
Question 43.
Georgia states that"aviation fuel,lubricants andother supporting technical equipment during
international carriages byairaccording totheinternational rules ofcivilaviation" aretariff
exempted.
Does thisinclude allcivilaircraft andtheir parts? WillGeorgia, upon accession jointheWTO
Agreement onTrade inCivil Aircraft, which provides forduty-free treatment foraircraft and
parts?
Answer:
Georgia confirms thataviation fuel,lubricants andothersupporting technical equipment during
international carriages byairaccording totheinternational rulesofcivilaviation" aretariffexempted.
Thisincludes allcivilaircraft andtheirparts.
Georgia willconsider theissue ofjoining theAgreement onTrade inCivil Aircraft upon
accession totheWTO.
(d) Other duties andcharges
Question 44.
Asanadvalorem fee,the"feeforcustoms declarations" at0.3percentofcustoms value does
notappear tobeconsistent withArticle VIIIofGATT 1994, which requires thatfeesandcharges
related toimportation arelimited tothecostofservices rendered. What steps doesGeorgia intend
totaketobring itssystem intolinewithGATT practice?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page22
Georgiaimposes0.3percentadvaloremfeeforcustomsdeclarations.However,GATTArticleVIII
requires thatcustoms feesshallbelimited inamount totheapproximate costofservices rendered
andshall notrepresent ageneral revenue charge orindirect protection todomestic products or
ataxation onimports forfiscal purposes. While theadvalorem rateofthecustoms declaration
feeismodest, itdoesnotconform totherequirements ofGATT Article VIII. HowdoesGeorgia
intend tomodify thisfeetobring itintoconformity withtherequirements ofGATT Article VIII?
Answer:
Georgia intends torevise thisissueandbring itintoconformity withArticle VIIIoftheGATT
inthenearest future. Georgia intends tochange thisprovision initsrelevant legislation.
Question 45.
“Customs duties, excises andVAT onimported cigarettes (class I-II)willbelevied onaspecific
rather thanadvalorem basis, beginning 1May(orJune) forathree months trialperiod ”.Please
provide theWorking Party withanup-date. WillVAT andexcise duties ondomestically produced
cigarettes alsobelevied onaspecific basis during thisperiod?
According totheMemorandum, customs duties, excise taxes andVAT onimported cigarettes
willbelevied onaspecific rather thananadvalorem basis, beginning inMay1997, forathree
month trialperiod. Aredomestically-produced cigarettes subject toexcise taxes andVAT atthe
same specific rates? WhyisGeorgia changing from anadvalorem ratetoaspecific rateplusexcise
taxandVAT forathree month trialperiod?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheTaxation Code ofGeorgia, after1September 1997imported cigarettes
(class I-II)willbelevied bycustoms duty, VAT andexcise taxonanadvalorem basis. So,thetaxation
regime onthese products mentioned inthequestion (three month trialperiod) iseliminated.
InaccordancewiththeTaxationCodeofGeorgia,importedanddomesticallyproducedcigarettes
willbelevied atthesame rateofVAT andexcise taxonanadvalorem basis.
Question 46.
DoesGeorgia impose anyseasonal taxes? Ifso,please listthetariff headings subject tosuchduties.
Answer:
Itisregulated byArticle 8oftheDecree oftheCouncil ofState oftheRepublic ofGeorgia
of21October 1992 “OnCustoms Tariff ”,according towhich: "seasonal export andimport duties
canbeimposed oncertain types ofproducts inGeorgia fornotmore than4months fromthedateof
theirimposition".
Actually, Georgia hasnever usedseasonal tariffs inpractice.
Question 47.
Please clarify indetail howtheveterinary services feesareassessed. Why aretheveterinary rates
provided asranges? Isthere aspecific amount charged peranimal? Why dotheveterinary ratesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page23
differ forimported animals, exported animals andtransit transportation animals? Aredifferent
services being rendered?
Answer:
Theveterinary services arepaidandimplemented onthebasisoftheprice-list (tariffs) adopted
according totherules envisaged bylaw.Theveterinary service feesaredifferentiated taking into
consideration types ofanimals, products ofanimal origin, forage ofrawmaterials andother cargoes
subjecttoquarantine,quantity/volume/weight,methodsoftransportationtolaboratoriesandexamination
ofresearch samples, alsoexamination ofveterinary sanitary condition oftransport means andvolume
ofarrangements andworks (conducting ofdisinfection ifnecessary) providing protection ofnorms
adopted inthisconnection.
There isafixed feecharged peranimal during import, export andtransportation bytransit,
including thoroughbred andnursery animals. Theveterinary ratesdiffer forimported animals, exported
animals andtransit transportation animals forthereason ofprotective veterinary (preventive, sanitary
anddiagnostic) andother quarantine necessary measures taking intoconsideration types (including
domestic,wild,zoo,circus,exoticandother),destination(thoroughbred-nursery,intendedforslaughter)
ofeachexported andimported animal proceeding fromveterinary requirements ofGeorgia andreceiving
country.
Question 48.
HowdoestheGovernment ofGeorgia assess thesupplemental feesforveterinary services "cargo
suspected indiseases oftransported animals, infitness andtrustworthiness ofanimal produce
andrawmaterials orother cargoes subject toveterinary control, when rules ofitstransportation
areviolated, alsointheform ofexpenditure forcarrying outquarantine arrangements and
laboratory examination (byrelevant tariff ofresearch method)"? Arethese supplementary fees
assessed onaperhour basis? Ifyes,what isthestandard rateforsuchveterinary services?
Answer:
Inalltheabove-mentioned cases thesupplemental feesarepaidbytherecipient ofthecargo
according totariffs oftheprice-list inforce tothedifferent veterinary organizations performing
supplementary services. These supplementary feesarenotassessed onaperhourbasis.
Veterinary sanitary andpreventive protective measures arecarried outinaccordance withthe
recommendationsoftheOfficeInternationaldesEpizooties,requirementsoftherulesoftheInternational
Veterinary Sanitary Code andtaking intoconsideration thespecificity caused byroaming fromplace
toplace ofanimals because ofcomplex relief ofthecountry, uniqueness ofconditions ofcareand
keeping.
(e) Quantitative import restrictions
Question 49.
When willGeorgia become definitely acontracting party totheBasel Convention?
Answer:
Georgia plans tobecome acontracting party oftheBasel Convention inthefirsthalfof1998.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page24
Question 50.
What istheprocedure forassessing the"dependability asregards dangerous infectious diseases"
ofcountries exporting animals oranimal products toGeorgia?
Answer:
TheVeterinary Department ofGeorgia receives information fromtheOffice International des
Epizooties concerning diseases existing invarious countries oftheworld andonthebasis ofthis
informationtheVeterinaryDepartmentassessesthedependabilityasregardsdangerousinfectiousdiseases
ofcountries exporting animals oranimal products toGeorgia.
(f) Import licensing procedures
Question 51.
What health orconsumer protection purpose isserved bysubjecting products under CNcodes
0301-0303 toimport licences?
Answer:
Thedraftdecree ofthePresident ofGeorgia isbeing elaborated according towhich theimport
ofgoods under CNcodes 0302-0303 willnotbesubject toimport licences. Import ofgoods under
CNcode0301willbesubject toimport licences forthepurpose ofprotection oftheecological balance.
Question 52.
Arethere anymedicinal products, other thanthose referred toinAnnex 3oftheMemorandum,
which require import licences? Ifyes,please identify theother medicine products, including HS
numbers.
Answer:
There arenomedicinal products other thanthose referred toinAnnex 3oftheMemorandum,
which require import licences.
Question 53.
Please provide theHSnumbers forthechemicals, arms, explosives andnuclear materials which
arediscussed inthissection.
Answer:
AlltheHSnumbersforthechemicals,arms,explosivesandnuclearmaterialswhicharediscussed
inthissection aregiven intheAnnex 3oftheMemorandum (WT/ACC/GEO/3, pages 103-104).WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page25
(h) Customs valuation
Question 54.
Please provide atranslated copy oftheDecree of21October 1992 "OnCustoms Tariff" tothe
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What istherelationship ofthisDecree totheCustoms
Lawreferred toinWT/ACC/GEO/3/Add. l?
Answer:
TheEnglish version oftheDecree of21October 1992 “OnCustoms Tariff ”isavailable for
consultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126). ThisDecree andtheCustoms
Lawreferred toinWT/ACC/GEO/3/Add.1 aretwodifferent legal actsbothhaving juridical force
inGeorgia.
Question 55.
Please provide atranslated copy, totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party, of
Resolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters, dated 12May1994, providing instructions for
determining thecustoms value ofimported goods.
Answer:
TheEnglish version ofResolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia, dated
12May1994isavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
Question 56.
Please identify anddescribe those aspects ofGeorgia 'scustoms valuation regime which arenot
inconformity withtheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement.
Answer:
Instruction “Onrules ofdetermining customs valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory of
Georgia ”adopted bytheResolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia iselaborated on
thebasis oftheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement. Therefore there arenodisparities and
contradictions between these twodocuments.
Question 57.
According totheinformation provided inAnnex 4ofWT/ACC/GEO/3 (theresponse tothe
Questionnaire onCustoms Valuation), inasalebetween related persons, theimporter hastoprove
thattheir relationship didnotinfluence thetransaction value. However, paragraph 2(a)ofthe
Agreement onCustoms Valuation provides thattransaction value shall beaccepted, unless the
customs administration hasgrounds forconsidering thattherelationship influenced theprice.
Only after thecustoms administration hasprovided notification ofthegrounds forconsidering
thattherelationshipinfluencedtheprice,doestheimporterneedtodemonstratethatthetransaction
value wasnotinfluenced.
Doimporters ofallproducts soldbetween related parties needtoprove thatthetransaction value
wasnotinfluenced bytherelationship? DotheGeorgian procedures conform withtheprocedures
provided bytheCustoms Valuation Agreement, thatimporters onlyhavetoshow thattransactionWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page26
value wasnotinfluenced onlywhen sonotified bythecustoms authorities? Please describe, in
detail, theprocedures followed bytheGeorgian customs authority tonotify importers thatthere
aregrounds tobelieve thatthetransaction value wasinfluenced bytherelationship between buyer
andseller. Please describe theprocedure tobefollowed bytheimporter torespond tothis
notification.
Answer:
Inorder tofindoutinthecustoms value declaration therelationship between buyer andseller,
twoquestions arise:
(a) Does therelationship between buyer andseller exist?
(b) Didtheexisting relationship between buyer andseller influence ontheimported product 'sprice?
Answers tothese twoquestions areobligatory atthetimeofimporting ofanytypes ofgoods.
Nothing additional needs tobeproved bytheimporters ifthecustoms authority doesnotdemand it.
When theGeorgian customs authority notifies importers thatthere aregrounds tobelieve thatthe
transaction value wasinfluenced bytherelationship between buyer andseller, customs authority must
present thereasons ofsuchnotification. After this,customs authority could independently determine
thecustoms value ofthegoods under question. Forthisaim,itcanuseinsequential order themethods
ofdeterminingthecustomsvalueonthebasisofavailableinformation,interalia,informationonidentical
orsimilar imported goods.
Incaseofdisagreement withthedecision ofthecustoms authority ondetermination ofcustoms
value, thisdecision canbeappealed bytheimporter.
Question 58.
According totheinformation provided inAnnex 4oftheMemorandum, Georgia appears tobe
defining "related persons" as"any relative orclose relationship exists among persons engaged
inasale". However, Article 15.4provides aspecific definition ofrelated persons.
DotheGeorgian customs valuation rules incorporate thedefinition of"related persons" provided
bytheWTO Agreement onCustoms Valuation? Please explain howtheWTO definition is
incorporated intotheGeorgian law.
Answer:
Thedefinition of"related persons" given intheInstruction “Onrulesofdetermining customs
valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory ofGeorgia ”adopted bytheResolution No.843ofthe
Cabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia, isinfullconformity withthedefinition of"related persons" provided
bytheWTO Agreement onCustoms Valuation. Inaccordance withtheabove-mentioned Resolution
No.843persons shall bedeemed toberelated iftheyforexample answer oneofthefollowing
conditions:
- anyparty ofthetransaction (physical person) oranyofficial from thesideoftheparty isat
thesame timetheofficial from thesideoftheother party ofthetransaction;
- parties ofthetransaction arejointowners oftheenterprise;
- parties ofthetransaction areconnected witheachother bylabour relationship;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page27
- anyparty ofthetransaction holds ashare orhasastock withvoteinafixed capital oftheother
party andthisshare totals notlessthan5percentofthiscapital;
- bothparties oftransaction areconnected bythethirdperson;
- bothparties oftransaction control overthethirdperson;
- anyparty ofthetransaction iscontrolled bytheother party ofthetransaction;
- parties oftransaction arekindred.
Question 59.
TheEnglish language translation oftheresponse to1(a)(ii) inAnnex 4appears tobegarbled.
What ismeant by"Incaseofabsence ofevidence ofopposite theexistence ofintercompany prices
isnotconsidered asgrounds forregarding therespective prices asbeing influenced?"
Answer:
Itshould bereadasfollows: "Incaseoftheabsence ofevidence thatrelationship between related
persons didnotinfluence thetransaction value, theintercompany stated prices arenotconsidered as
grounds forinfluence ontherespective standard prices".
Question 60.
According totheresponse to1(a)(iii), theGeorgian customs authority hasthree months toprovide
awritten explanation ofgrounds thattherelationship influenced theprice.
Dothecustoms authorities release theproducts during thisthree-month period? Please describe
anyconditions imposed ontherelease oftheproducts during thethree month period, such as
payment ofduties onthevalue determined bythecustoms authorities, posting ofabond, etc.
Answer:
When there aregrounds forverification ofcustoms value ofgoods presented byimporter, the
latter hastherighttoaddress totheGeorgian customs authority withtherequest tohandovertohim
(her) goods under question. Release oftheproducts canberealized onthesecurity ofproperty or
representative bank'sguarantees, orincaseofpayment ofcustoms duties inaccordance withcustoms
value determined bytheGeorgian customs authority.
Question 61.
According totheresponse toparagraph 2ofAnnex 4,thefourth andfifthmethods canbeused
inanysequence. However, itisnotclear whether theimporter onlyhastheoption toreverse
thesequence.
Please confirm thatonlytheimporter hastheoption toreverse thissequence.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page28
Answer:
Atthepresent stage notonlytheimporter hastheoption toreverse thissequence, butinorder
tobring allGeorgian custom 'sprovisions intofulllinewiththeWTO Customs Valuation Agreement,
thisproblem isunder consideration bytheappropriate Georgian authorities. Once thedecision will
betaken, wewillimmediately inform theWTO Secretariat.
Question 62.
According totheresponse toparagraph 3ofAnnex 4,ifidentical orsimilar items arenotsold
inthecondition asimported, then, iftheimporter sorequests, thecustoms value shall bebased
ontheunitprice ofprocessed goods changed bytheadded value.
Doesthisprovision apply ifimported goods aresoldinthecountry ofimportation inthecondition
asimported?
Isthecustoms value forthese items equal totheunitprice oftheprocessed goods, soldinthe
greatest aggregate quantity tonon-related persons inthecountry ofimportation, reduced bythe
added value ofprocessing andalsoreduced bythevalue ofthedeductible items provided inArticle I
oftheSafeguards Agreement?
Answer:
Incasewhen identical orsimilar goods being valued aresoldontheterritory ofGeorgia in
thecondition asimported, then, determination ofcustoms value ofgoods iscarried outbythemethod
ofdeductive value, thatisdetermined onthebasisoftheunitsalesprice, atwhich identical orsimilar
goods being valued aresoldinthegreatest aggregate quantity tothenon-related persons inthetime
ofnotmore than90daysafterthedateoftheirimportation intoGeorgia.
Thefollowing components arededucted from theunitsalesprice:
(a) expenses ofcommission reimbursement, normal extra-profit andgeneral expenditures arisen
during thesaleofgoods ofthesame classandtypes, imported intoGeorgia;
(b) amount ofcustoms duties, charges andother taxes levied during importation andselling of
goods, which aresubject tosuchtaxation ontheterritory ofGeorgia;
(c) normal expenses made ontheterritory ofGeorgia inconnection oftransportation, insurance,
loading andunloading ofgoods.
Question 63.
According totheresponse toparagraph 5(a)ofAnnex 4,when thecustoms value oftheimported
goods cannot bedetermined bythefirstfivemethods ofdetermination, thenthecustoms value
shall bedetermined on"thebasis ofdataavailable inthecountry, taking intoaccount theworld
experience".
Please describe indetail howthecustoms authority obtains thedatausedforcustoms valuation.
Answer:
Incasethecustoms value oftheimported goods cannot bedetermined bythefirstfivemethods
ofdetermination, then, inorder todetermine thecustoms value, theGeorgian customs authority acts
inaccordance withtheexisting world market prices andincidentally based ontheprices oftheworldWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page29
commodity stock exchange. Onthewhole theGeorgian customs authority receives thisinformation
through theforeign magazines andnewspapers, namely, forexample, "Financial Times"
(United Kingdom), the"Economist" (United Kingdom) andtheRussian press: "Finansovie Izvestia"
("Financial News"), "Delovoi Mir" ("Business World"), "Delovie Liudi" ("Business People"),
"Komersant" ("Business Man").
Before theendofthisyeartheGeorgian customs authority isduetobeconnected tothe
INTERNET system withthemain objective ofreceiving fresh information onthesubject ofworld
market prices.
Question 64.
Does thecustoms authority useminimum customs values forthispurpose?
Answer:
Thecustoms authority doesnotuseminimum customs values forthispurpose.
Question 65.
According totheresponse toquestion 5(b)ofAnnex 4,"when thereserve method isapplied, the
Georgian customs authority provides theimporter withavailable information onprices".
Iftheimporter requests, istheGeorgian authority obliged toinform theimporter inwriting of
thevalue andthemethod usedtodetermine suchvalue, evenifthemethod usedisnotthereserve
method?
Answer:
Ifthemethod usedisnotthereserve method, theimporter onhisdemand hastherighttoreceive
fromtheGeorgian customs authority awritten explanation ofthevalue andthemethod usedtodetermine
suchvalue.
Question 66.
Article 7.2oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement prohibits seven valuation methods. However,
according totheresponse toAnnex 4,onlytwoofthese methods areexpressly prohibited by
Georgian law:theselling price inthecountry ofimportation ofgoods produced insuchcountry
andtheprice ofgoods forexport toacountry other thanthecountry ofimportation.
DoesGeorgian lawprohibit anyoftheother fivemethods ofcustoms valuation listed inArticle 7.2
oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement?
Answer:
According totheGeorgian lawthefollowing fourmethods ofcustoms valuation listed in
Article 7.2oftheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement, areprohibited:
- theselling price inthecountry ofimportation ofgoods produced insuchcountry;
- theprice ofthegoods forexport toacountry other thanthecountry ofimportation;
- minimum customs values;
- arbitrary orfictitious values.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page30
Question 67.
Forpurposes ofdetermining thetransaction value, what ismeant bytheterm "multi-circulated
tare" inparagraph 6(b)ofAnnex 4?
Answer:
"Multi-circulated tare"isthetare,which according toitsphysical andchemical characteristics
canbeusedrepeatedly foritsproper purpose. Such tarecanbethefollowing: metal -casks, flasks;
wooden -veneer, plank; glass -bottles ofBorjomi, lemonade, wine.
Question 68.
Please explain howparagraphs 6(c)and6(d)ofAnnex 4differ indetermining transaction value.
Doesparagraph 6(c)apply ifthebuyer offers toprovide goods andservices atbelow market costs,
but,infactdoesnotsupply thegoods andservices pursuant totheterms offered? What isthe
rationale forparagraph 6(c)?
Paragraph 6(e)ofAnnex 4provides fortheinclusion intransaction value ofanamount ofdirect
orindirect income ofbuyer, gained ontheterritory ofGeorgia from anysubsequent sale,transfer
orusing ofthegoods tobeevaluated. How doesthisprovision differ from thatdescribed in
paragraph 6(d)? Isthedirect orindirect income from anysubsequent sale, transfer oruseof
thegoods included inthecustoms value, pursuant toparagraph 6(e)ofAnnex 4,eveniftheincome
doesnotultimately accrue back totheexporter?
Answer:
Paragraphs 6(a),6(b), 6(c),6(d)and6(e)ofAnnex 4oftheMemorandum were taken from
theInstruction “Onrules ofdetermining customs valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory of
Georgia ”adopted bytheResolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia. These paragraphs
indicate components, which areincluded intothetransaction value iftheyhavenotbeenincluded into
itearlier.
Butitisnecessary tostress thatatthepresent stage theGeorgian authorities areintheprocess
ofrevising these items inorder tosimplify itsunderstanding andtobring itintolinewithArticle 8
oftheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement. Inthisconnection, theappropriate Georgian authorities
areconsidering toeliminate fullyparagraph 6(d)except thepartofthisparagraph, where itisstated:
"licensing andothers feesforuseofintellectual property objects, which willbedirectly orindirectly
undertaken bybuyer asacondition ofsale(alienation) ofgoods tobeevaluated".
Wealsointend toreplace paragraph 6(e)bythefollowing paragraph: "part ofincome that
importer gained from every subsequent sale(alienation) orusing ofgoods tobeevaluated, which is
subject toreturn toexporter".
Assoon asthedecision onthissubject isadopted, wewillimmediately inform the
WTO Secretariat.
Question 69.
Article9oftheCustomsValuationAgreementrequiresthe"competentauthorities"oftheimporting
country topublish therateofexchange where theconversion ofcurrency isnecessary.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page31
Dothecustoms authorities inGeorgia publish therateofexchange asrequired bytheCustoms
Valuation Agreement?
Answer:
Therateofexchange issystematically published inthepress.
Question 70.
Does Georgia apply therateofexchange ineffect atthetimeofexportation oratthetimeof
importation?
Answer:
Georgia canapply therateofexchange ineffect bothatthetimeofexportation andatthetime
ofimportation.
Question 71.
Article 10oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement provides thatconfidential information shall not
bedisclosed without thepermission oftheperson orgovernment providing such information,
"except totheextent thatitmayberequired tobedisclosed inthecontext ofjudicial proceedings".
According toparagraph 8ofAnnex 4,theinformation maybedisclosed "ifspecified bylegislative
actsofGeorgia".
Please identify alllegislative actsanddescribe allprovisions thatrequire disclosure ofthe
confidential information. Isconfidential information allowed tobedisclosed forreasons other
than"inthecontext ofjudicial proceedings"?
Answer:
Chapter IV"Disclosure oftheconfidential information" oftheGeorgian Law"OnStateSecrets"
describes reasons (Article 1.7)andrules(Article 1.8)ofsuchdisclosure aswellastherights toapply
toGeorgian authorities, physical andjuridical persons onthesubject ofdisclosure oftheconfidential
information (Article 1.9).
According toArticle 1.7thebasis fordisclosure isthefollowing:
- international obligations undertaken bytheGeorgian sidetoexchange openly thatinformation
which before wasclosed;
- change oftheobjective reasons thatentails disclosure oftheformerly confidential information;
- timeofsecrecy isup.
Inorder toestimate thenecessity ofsecrecy ineachconcrete situation, theGeorgian authorities
which make information secret arebound toreview confidential dataevery year.
According toArticle 1.9Georgian Government authorities, legal andnatural persons are
authorized toapproach thegovernment authorities, alsoenterprises, institutions, organizations with
therequest about thedisclosure oftheState confidential information.
Thegovernment authorities, alsoenterprises, institutions, organizations which wereasked by
suchquestion areobliged todiscuss andanswer thequestion within aonemonth period. IftheyareWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page32
notauthorized todisclose theabove-mentioned information, within oneweek therequest willbe
transmitted tothose government authorities which areauthorized toanswer ortotheStateinspection
forprotection ofStatesecret. Therequest havetobeanswered bygrounded answer within onemonth.
Theavoidance ofdetailed discussion oftherequest byofficial, willcause theofficial reprimand
andthesummary punishment according totheexisting legislation.
Thereason ofrecognition oftheStateconfidential information maybeappealed atthecourt.
Incaseofproof oftheunfounded conclusion about therecognition ofinformation asaState secret
bythecourt, theinformation hastobedisclosed immediately.
Incaseofproof oftheunfounded conclusion about therecognition ofinformation asaState
secret bythecourt, thewhole damage, oflegalandnatural persons hastobecompensated byState,
including thatprofit which theycould notreceived. Thequantity ofthecompensation isdetermined
bythecourt.
Question 72.
Please describe indetail theappeal procedure provided bytheCustoms Code. Does theappellant
havetheright ofappeal without penalty toajudicial authority? Please identify anddescribe any
discrepancies between theappeal procedures provided bytheCustoms Code andtherequirements
ofArticle 11oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement.
Does theGeorgian Customs Code provide fortheprovision ofawritten notice ofthedecision
onappeal andthereasons forsuchdecision? Does theGeorgian Customs Code require thatthe
appellant shall beinformed ofanyrights offurther appeal?
Answer:
According toparagraph 4"Protection ofConfidence ofInformation" oftheInstruction “On
rules ofdetermining customs valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory ofGeorgia ”adopted by
Resolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia: "Ifinformation about thecustoms value
ofgoods declared bytheapplicant isconfidential, thecustoms body canuseitonlyforpurpose of
thecustoms andcannot passittoanythird person including State bodies without special permit of
theapplicant,exceptcasesspecifiedbythelegislativeactsoftheRepublicofGeorgia.Shouldthecustoms
bodyoftheRepublic ofGeorgia oritsofficials divulge commercial secret orconfidential information
theyareanswerable inaccordance withthelegislation oftheRepublic ofGeorgia".
AccordingtoArticle10ofthe"CustomsCodeofGeorgia"adoptedbytheGeorgianStateCouncil
on21October 1992, "ifnototherwise considered bytheCode, enterprises andorganizations submit
theircomplaints onthesubject ofillegitimate actions, made bytheGeorgian customs authorities and
itsofficials, tothehigher Georgian customs body. Appeal isexamined andthedecision istaken during
10days".
Itisnecessary tostress thatSection XIIIofthedraftofanewCustoms Code ofGeorgia, that
passed itsfirsthearing inParliament, isdevoted tothisproblem.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page33
Section XIII. Appeal Against andHearing theDiscussions Actions orInactions ofCustoms Bodies
andTheir Authorized Officials
Chapter 56. General Provisions ofAppeal.
Article 373. TheSphere ofUseofThisSection.
Theprovisions ofthissection areusedineachcaseofdecisions, action andinaction ofcustoms
bodies andtheir authorized officials, with theexception oftheappeal against themeasures of
administrative andcriminal procedures.
Article 374. TheRight toAppeal.
Anyperson isauthorized toappeal against decisions, actions andinactions ofcustoms bodies
andtheirauthorized officials, ifheconsiders his(her)rights andlegalinterests infringed andincase
ifthementioned decision, action orinaction isdirectly orindividually connected withtheperson.
Article 375. TheRuleofAppeal.
TheruleofAppeal against decisions, action andinaction ofcustoms bodies andtheirauthorized
officials includes theprimary appeal andthesecondary appeal.
Chapter 57. ThePrimary Appeal.
Article 376. Filing ofthePrimary Appeal.
Theprimary appeal against decisions, action andinaction ofcustoms bodies andtheirauthorized
officials iscorrespondingly filedtothehigher customs body ortothehigher authorized official.
Theprimary appeal against decisions, action andinaction oftheCustoms Department andits
authorized official isfiledtotheCustoms Department.
Article 377. Terms ForFiling ThePrimary Appeal.
Theprimary appeal isfiledwithin threemonths 'period starting fromthedaywhen theperson
isnotified about thedecision ortheaction hasbeencarried out.
Iftheperson hasnotbeennotified about thetaken decision, he(she)canfiletheappeal within
asixmonth period starting from thedaythedecision hasbeentaken.
Article 378. Terms ForHearing TheFirstAppeal.
Itiscompulsory todiscuss thefirstappeal within amonth 'speriod. TheCustoms Department
canextend theterms forhearing ofappeal, butnomore thanfortotwomonths.
Article 379. Restoration OfForFiling OfAppeal
Incaseofmissing theterms mentioned inArticle 378oftheCode, theterms onthebasis of
thestatement submitted bytheappellant canbecorrespondingly restored byahigher authorized official,
byahigher customs body ortheCustoms Department.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page34
Article 380. TheForm OfAppeal.
Theappeal isfiledinawritten form andissenttothecorresponding customs body oran
authorized official.
Article 381. Results ofFiling Appeal
Filing ofappeal donotsuspend theexecution oftheappealed decision andaction, withthe
exception ofthecaseconsidered inthesecond partoftheArticle.
Incase,thecustoms bodyoranauthorized official, whoisincharge oftheappeal, hassufficient
basis forasuspicion thattheappealed decision oraction arenotinconformity withthelegislation of
Georgia, hecanpartially orcompletely suspend execution oftheappealed decision andaction.
Article 382. TheSignature OfaPerson Filing aPrimary Appeal
Aperson filing aprimary appeal isobliged tocooperate withthecustoms bodies andits
authorized official intheprocess ofhearing thecase.
Article 383. Withdrawal OrCancellation OfAPrimary Appeal.
Aperson, filing aprimary appeal, canwithdraw orcancel theappeal anytime, before the
decision onitistaken. Thewithdrawal orcancellation oftheappeal ispossible onthebasisofawritten
application ofthestated person. Withdrawal orcancellation oftheprimary appeal deprives theperson
oftherightoftherepeated filing ofappeal, withtheexception ofthecasewhen some newcircumstances
ofthecasearerevealed.
Repeated filing oftheprimary appeal should takeplacewithin theterms setupforfiling appeal.
Article 384. Decision OfCustoms Body OrItsAuthorized Official OnThePrimary Appeal.
Thedecision ofcustoms body oritsauthorized official ontheprimary appeal istaken asa
written form. Fortheperson filing theappeal thedecision maybelessfavourable thantheappealed
decision. Theappellant isnotified about thetaken decision.
Thegeneral decision onappeal should bemade public.
Chapter 58. TheSecondary Appeal.
Article 385. Subordination OfTheSecondary Appeal.
Secondary appeals against decision, action orinaction ofcustoms bodyoncustoms supervision,
customs clearance, taking legalproceedings on,andhearing thecaseonviolation ofcustoms regulations,
andagainst other cases ifthese decisions arenotrelated totheeconomic policy ofGeorgia, arefiled
inthecourt according tothelocation ofthecustoms bodyoraccording tothelocation ofworking place
ofanauthorized official ofthecustoms body whose decision, action orinaction isappealed.
Secondary appeals against normative actsoftheCustoms Department ofGeorgia, which are
addressed tocertain circle ofpersons orappeals against theapplication oflawintheactivities ofcustoms
bodies which isrelated totheeconomic policy ofGeorgia, arefiledintheConstitutional Court of
Georgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page35
Therestofsecondary appeals against decisions, action orinaction oftheCustoms Department
ofGeorgia oritsauthorized officials canbefiledwiththegeneral public prosecutor ofGeorgia.
Article 386. TheRuleForAppeal Against Filing OfSecondary Appeals, Hearing, Decision And
TheDecisions Taken OnThem.
Theruleforappeal against flingofthesecondary appeals, hearing decisions andthedecisions
taken onthem isdefined bythecorresponding legislation ofGeorgia.
Chapter 59. Hearing OfDecisions, Action OrInaction OfCustoms Bodies OfGeorgia OrTheir
Authorized Officials InConnection With TheProtest OfThePublic Prosecutor and
ByMeans OfLegal Control.
Article 387. Protest OfThePublic Prosecutor.
Thecustoms body oritsauthorized official hears theprotest ofthepublic prosecutor within
10daysperiod fromthedaytheprotest isreceived bythecustoms body. Thepublic prosecutor isnotified
about theresults ofthehearing isinawritten form.
Article 388. Hearing OfDecisions, Action AndInaction OfCustoms Bodies AndTheir Authorized
Officials ByHigher Customs Bodies AndByHigher Authorized Officials OfCustoms
Bodies ByMeans OfLegal Control.
Higher customs bodies orhigher authorized officials ofcustoms bodies areauthorized, any
time, bymeans ofcontrol overobservation ofthelaw,tocancel orchange thedecision ofthe
subordinated customs body orsubordinated authorized official ofcustoms body, aswellastocarry
outanymeasure considered inother legislative actsofGeorgia, related tosubordinated customs bodies
andsubordinated authorized officials ofcustoms bodies.
Question 73.
Where doestheGovernment ofGeorgia intend topublish regulations concerning theapplication
oftheCustomsValuationAgreementandthejudicialdecisionsandadministrativerulingsofgeneral
application relating totheCustoms Valuation Agreement?
Does theGovernment ofGeorgia intend topublish further rules regarding customs valuation?
Which topics would these rules cover?
Answer:
Georgian Customs Department publish itsinternal department regulations inthenewspaper
"Sabajo" (Custom). Information andconsultation service isalsofunctioning within theCustoms
Department. Thisservice isauthorized toanswer allburning questions concerning customs activities.
Georgiaintendstopublishfurtherrulesregardingcustomsvaluation,thatwillcover,forexample,
thefollowing major topics:
(a) determination ofthecustoms value ofimported goods onthebasis oftransaction value;
(b) appeal procedure.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page36
Question 74.
Please identify theprovisions oftheGeorgian customs legislation thatprovide forthewithdraw
from customs described inparagraph 11(a) ofAnnex 4.
Answer:
Paragraph 5(3)oftheInstruction “Onrulesofdetermining customs valuation ofgoods imported
totheterritory ofGeorgia ”,adopted bytheResolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia,
states: "When there aregrounds forverification ofcustoms value ofgoods presented byimporter,
thelatter hastherighttoaddress totheGeorgian customs authority withtherequest tohandoverto
him(her)goods under question. Release oftheproducts canberealized onthesecurity ofproperty
orrepresentative bank'sguarantees, orincaseofpayment ofcustoms duties inaccordance withcustoms
value determined bytheGeorgian customs authority".
Question 75.
Please identify theprovisions oftheGeorgian customs legislation that"envisages" theprovision
ofanexplanation inwriting concerning thecustoms value.
Answer:
- Article 14."Customs Value" oftheDecree oftheRepublic ofGeorgia "Concerning Customs
Tariffs";
- paragraph 8."Order ofDefinition ofCustoms Value";
- paragraph 9."Method ofDefinition ofCustoms Value According totheTransaction Price of
Imported Goods (Version 1);
- paragraph 10."Method ofDefinition ofCustoms Value ofGoods According totheTransaction
Price ofIdentical Goods" (Version 2);
- paragraph 11."Method ofEstimation According totheTransaction Price ofSimilar Goods"
(Version 3);
- paragraph 12."Method ofEstimation byDeduction inValue" (Version 4);
- paragraph 13."Method ofEstimation byAddition inValue" (Version 5);
- paragraph 14.Emergency Method (Version 5)oftheInstruction “Onrules ofdetermining
customs valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory ofGeorgia ”,adopted bytheResolution
No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia.
Question 76.
How does theGovernment ofGeorgia intend toimplement theprovisions oftheDecision of
26April 1984 ontheTreatment ofInterest Charges intheCustoms Value ofImported Goods
(Val/6/Rev.l)?
Answer:
Theissueofimplementation oftheprovisions oftheDecision of26April 1984ontheTreatment
ofInterest Charges intheCustoms Value ofImported Goods (Val/6/Rev.l) hasnotyetbeenconsidered
byGeorgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page37
Question 77.
Webelieve thatGeorgia 'slegal provisions oncustoms valuation arenot,asyet,inconformity
withtheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement. Georgia should identify specific deficiencies and
indicate totheWorking Party prior tothenextmeeting what measures itistaking andisprepared
totaketoimplement theWTO Agreement onCustoms Valuation prior tothenextWorking Party
meeting.
Answer:
Georgia 'slegalprovisions oncustoms valuation, thatareaccumulated intheInstruction “On
rules ofdetermining customs valuation ofgoods imported totheterritory ofGeorgia ”adopted by
Resolution No.843oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia, wereelaborated onthebasisoftheWTO
Customs Valuation Agreement. Therefore there arenodisparities andcontradictions between these
twodocuments.
However, thework ofbringing Georgia 'slegalprovisions oncustoms valuation intofullline
withtheWTO Customs Valuation Agreement requirements isintheprogress. Assoonastheresults
onthissubject occur, wewillimmediately inform theSecretariat oftheWTO.
(k) Application ofinternal taxes onimports
Question 78.
TheMemorandum mentions Georgia ’spolicy onnational treatment oninternal taxation butnot
onlawsandregulations affecting thesale,offering forsale,purchase, transportation, distribution
oruseofproducts. What isthecontent ofGeorgia ’spolicy inthisarea? Please explain howit
complies withArticle III.4 ofGATT?
Answer:
Georgia 'spolicy intheabove-mentioned fields isinfullconformity withtheArticle III.4of
theGATT, which observes thenational treatment clause forthesale,offering forsale,purchase,
transportation, distribution oruseofdomestic andimported products.
Question 79.
Please indicate when itisenvisaged thatGeorgia willbring itssystem ofVAT application into
linewithArticles IandIIIoftheGATT 1994, sothatitisapplied equally toimports from all
third countries andtodomestic production.
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheTaxation Code ofGeorgia, theruleofVAT taxation onimport into
Georgia fromCIScountries, namely taxation totheprinciple ofplace oforigin ofgoods isabolished.
Inaccordance withtheTaxation Code, imported goods from anyforeign country willbesubject to
VAT taxation tothedestination principle. Import ofgoods anddomestic production willbeequally
levied byVAT rateofwhich is20percent.
Question 80.
AreVAT exemptions applied withfullrespect forthenational treatment andMFN principles?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page38
Answer:
VATexemptions areapplied toallgoods withrespect fornational treatment andMFN principles
except those mentioned below.
Inaccordance withArticle 101oftheTaxation Code ofGeorgia, import ofscientific andartistic
literatureisexemptedfromVATiftheauthorsareGeorgiancitizens;importofGeorgianclassicliterature
isalsoexempted from VAT. Journals andnewspapers registered andpublished onlyinGeorgia are
exempted from VAT.
Currently theGovernment intends toabolish thisprovision which doesnotcorrespond tothe
Article IIIoftheGATT.
Question 81.
Areexcise taxes paidonimports intoGeorgia from CIScountries?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 124oftheTaxation Code import ofgoods intoGeorgia from
CIScountries issubject toexcise tax.
Question 82.
Please describe howtheexcise taxes listed insection II.2(b) oftheMemorandum areapplied,
e.g., atwhat point ofsale, onwhat taxable base, overwhat period oftime, forbothdomestic
andimported goods.
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 130oftheTaxation Code ofGeorgia, excise ratesarethesame
forimported anddomestically produced goods. Thepoint ofsaleatwhich theexcise taxisapplied
toimported goods isthecustoms border ofGeorgia andthepoint ofsaleatwhich theexcise taxis
applied todomestic goods istheplace ofproduction ofthegoods. Thetaxable baseisanamount to
belevied byexcise taxisdefined byArticle 125oftheLaw; theperiod oftimefortaxation isdefined
byArticle 126oftheLaw. According tothisArticle, themoment ofimplementation oftaxation during
production ofgoods inGeorgia subject toexcise tax,isconsidered 90daysaftersupplying thegoods
orthemoment ofreimbursement, ifreimbursement happens before 90dayshaveelapsed aftersupplying
thegoods; incaseofimport ofgoods, themoment ofimportation isconsidered asthemoment of
implementation oftaxation.
Question 83.
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft Law"OnValue Added Tax" totheSecretariat for
review bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
TheLawofGeorgia “OnValue Added Tax”hasbeenadopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia
andentered intoforce on1September 1997 (SeeChapter IIIoftheTaxation Code).WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page39
Question 84.
Please describe fortheWorking Party howindirect taxes areapplied toimports andtodomestic
goods. What isthepoint ofsaleatwhich theyareapplied? Does Georgia apply VAT andexcise
taxes toimports from other CIScountries? Ifnot,willthenewdraft law"OnValue Added Tax"
change that? What other aspects ofthenewdraft lawwillchange thecurrent regime?
Answer:
Asitismentioned intheanswers above, indirect taxesthatareapplied toimports anddomestic
goods arethesame.
Inaccordance withthenewTaxation Code, Georgia willapply VATandexcise taxestoimports
from CIScountries from 1September 1997.
TheLawofGeorgia “OnValue Added Tax”wasadopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia and
entered intoforce on1September 1997 (SeeChapter IIIoftheTaxation Code). TheTaxation Code
willmove VAT taxation tothedestination principle from 1September 1997.
Thepoint ofsaleatwhich theVAT isapplied toimported anddomestic goods istheplace
ofsupply ofgoods. Ifsupply ofgoods requires transportation, thenthelocation ofgoods before
transportation isconsidered astheplace ofsupply. Inother cases theplace oftransfer ofgoods is
considered astheplace ofsupply. Theplace ofreceiving ofgoods isconsidered astheplace ofsupply
ofelectric orthermal energy, natural gasorwater.
Thepoint ofsaleatwhich theexcise taxisapplied toimported goods isthecustoms border
andthepoint ofsaleatwhich theexcise taxisapplied todomestic goods istheplace ofproduction
ofthegoods.
Question 85.
Inparagraph II.2(b) oftheMemorandum (Fiscal policies), Georgia describes itsvalue-added and
excise taxsystems oncertain products, including beverage andtobacco products.
Please confirm thatthetaxes levied onimported products arethesame asthose levied onequivalent
products produced domestically.
Answer:
VAT andexcise taxes levied onimported goods arethesame asthose levied onequivalent
products produced domestically.
Question 86.
According totheMemorandum, imported books andjournals onscience, artandfiction are
exemptedfromVATiftheauthorsareGeorgiancitizens.GATTArticleIII.2providesthatimported
products shall notbesubject, directly orindirectly, tointernal taxes inexcess ofthose applied,
directly orindirectly, tolikedomestic products.
Does Georgia exempt domestically-produced books andjournals onscience, artandfiction with
national authors from itsvalue-added tax?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page40
Answer:
Georgia doesnotexempt domestically-produced books andjournals onscience, artandfiction
withnational (Georgian) authors from itsvalue-added tax
Question 87.
Does theGovernment ofGeorgia agree thatbooks andjournals written byGeorgian citizens are
"like" otherwise similar books andjournals written bycitizens ofother countries? Ifnot,please
explain whythese items arenot"like" within themeaning ofGATT Article III.
Answer:
TheGovernment ofGeorgia agrees thatbooks andjournals written byGeorgian citizens are
"like" books andjournals written bycitizens ofother countries.
Question 88.
TheGovernment ofGeorgia exempts from VAT goods, contemplated bycontracts ongrants,
approved according totheprocedure specified byaDecree ofthePresident ofGeorgia. Georgia
alsoexempts from VAT goods financed bygrants orconcessional loans, containing a25percent
grant element, provided bybilateral ormultilateral international organizations.
Please identify, including HSnumber, allgoods currently exempted from VAT pursuant tothese
provisions. Dothese VAT exemptions apply toimports onamost-favoured-nation basis?
Please describe more fullythesortsofgoods exempted under thisprogramme andwhy,andindicate
therelative volume ofsuchgoods inGeorgia 'simports.
Answer:
Though itisstipulated bytheGeorgian legislation, therearenostatistical dataconcerning this
issue.
Question 89.
Georgia exempts goods from VAT which areimported byaperson whoexported therawmaterials
forthepurpose oftheir processing.
How isthisbenefit administered? IstheVAT rebated atthetimethefinished good isexported?
Ifso,istheleveloftheVAT rebate limited totheamount associate withthephysically incorporated
input, orissome other calculation used?
WTOAgreementonSubsidiesandCountervailingMeasuresprohibitssubsidies,includingforegone
revenue, contingent upon export performance. Please explain theGATT rationale forthisVAT
exemption.
Answer:
Inaccordance withthenewLawOnValue Added Taxwhich isincluded intheTaxation Code,
Georgia doesnotexempt goods from VAT which areimported byaperson whoexported therawWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page41
materials forthepurposes oftheirprocessing. So,thisissue appears nottobeincontradiction with
theWTO Agreement onSubsidies andCountervailing Measures.
Question 90.
According toparagraph II.2(b) oftheMemorandum (Fiscal policies), theGovernment ofGeorgia
intends toconclude bilateral agreements toenable ittomove VAT taxation ontrade withCIS
countries tothedestination principle.
What isthecurrent status ofeachofthese efforts?
Answer:
ThenewTaxation Code ofGeorgia willmove theVAT taxation tothedestination principle
which entered intoforce from1September 1997. VAT rateisthesame forimported anddomestically
produced goods inaccordance withArticle 102oftheTaxation Code ofGeorgia.
Question 91.
Please confirm thattheVAT rateforimported wheat is10percentofthecustoms value and
thattheVAT forlocally-produced wheat isalso10percent.
Answer:
Georgia confirms thatinaccordance withthenewTaxation Code ofGeorgia which entered
intoforce on1September 1997, theVAT rateforimported anddomestically produced wheat is
zeropercentofcustoms value.
Question 92.
Please provide theHSnumbers forthegoods which areexempt from VAT: medicines, asspecified
inChapter 30oftheHS;medical technology specified incodes 9018through 9022; andfixed assets
andspare parts described inchapters 84,85,and90oftheharmonized system.
Answer:
Chapter 30oftheHS:
30 PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
3001 Glands andother organs fororgano-therapeutic uses, dried, whether ornot
powdered; extracts ofglands orother organs oroftheirsecretions fororgano-
therapeutic uses; heparin anditssalts; other human oranimal substances prepared
fortherapeutic or...
3001.10 Glands andother organs, dried, whether ornotpowdered
3001.20 Extracts ofglands orother organs oroftheirsecretions
3001.90 Other
3002 Human blood; animal blood prepared fortherapeutic, prophylactic ordiagnostic
uses; antisera andother blood fractions; vaccines, toxins, cultures of
micro-organisms (excluding yeast) andsimilar products.
3002.10 Antisera andother blood fractionsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page42
3002.20 Vaccines forhuman medicine
3002.3 Vaccines forveterinary medicine:
3002.31 Vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease
3002.39 Other
3002.90 Other
3003 Medicaments (excluding goods ofheading No.3002, 3005 or3006) consisting of
twoormore constituents which havebeenmixed together fortherapeutic or
prophylactic uses, notputupinmeasured doses orinforms orpacking forretail
sale.
3003.10 Containing penicillin orderivatives thereof, withapenicillanic acidstructure, or
streptomycins ortheirderivatives
3003.20 Containing other antibiotics
3003.3 Containing hormones orother products ofheading No.29.37 butnotcontaining
antibiotics:
3003.31 Containing insulin
3003.39 Other
3003.40 Containing alkaloids orderivatives thereof butnotcontaining hormones orother
products ofheading No.2937 orantibiotics
3003.90 Other
3004 Medicaments (excluding goods ofheading No.3002, 3005 or3006) consisting of
mixed orunmixed products fortherapeutic orprophylactic uses, putupinmeasured
doses orinforms orpacking forretail sale.
3004.10 Containing penicillin orderivatives thereof, withapenicillanic acidstructure, or
streptomycins ortheirderivatives
3004.20 Containing other antibiotics
3004.3 Containing hormones orother products ofheading No.29.37 butnotcontaining
antibiotics:
3004.31 Containing insulin
3004.32 Containing adrenal cortical hormones
3004.39 Other
3004.40 Containing alkaloids orderivatives thereof butnotcontaining hormones, other
products ofheading No.2937 orantibiotics
3004.50 Other medicaments containing vitamins orother products ofheading No.2936
3004.90 Other
3005 Wadding, gauze, bandages andsimilar articles (forexample, dressings, adhesive
plasters, poultices), impregnated orcoated withpharmaceutical substances orputup
informs orpacking forretail saleformedical, surgical, dental orveterinary
purposes.
3005.10 Adhesive dressings andother articles having anadhesive layer
3005.90 Other
3006 Pharmaceutical goods specified inNote 3tothisChapter.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page43
3006.10 Sterile surgical catgut, similar sterile suture materials andsterile tissue adhesives for
surgical wound closure; sterile laminaria andsterile laminaria tents; sterile
absorbable surgical ordental haemostatics
3006.20 Blood-grouping reagents
3006.30 Opacifying preparations forX-ray examinations; diagnostic reagents designed tobe
administered tothepatient
3006.40 Dental cements andother dental fillings; bonereconstruction cements
3006.50 First-aid boxes andkits
3006.60 Chemical contraceptive preparations based onhormones orspermicides
Seebelow thelistofmedical technology specified incodes 9018 through 9022 ofHS92.
Chapter 84:
84 NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL
APPLIANCES; PARTS THEREOF
8401 Nuclear reactors; fuelelements (cartridges), non-irradiated, fornuclear reactors;
machinery andapparatus forisotopic separation.
8401.10 Nuclear reactors
8401.20 Machinery andapparatus forisotopic separation, andparts thereof
8401.30 Fuelelements (cartridges), non-irradiated
8401.40 Parts ofnuclear reactors
8402 Steam orother vapour generating boilers (other thancentral heating hotwater
boilers capable alsoofproducing lowpressure steam); super-heated water boilers.
8402.1 Steam orother vapour generating boilers:
8402.11 Watertube boilers withasteam production exceeding 45tperhour
8402.12 Watertube boilers withasteam production notexceeding 45tperhour
8402.19 Other vapour generating boilers, including hybrid boilers:
8402.20 Super-heated water boilers
8402.90 Parts
8403 Central heating boilers other thanthose ofheading No.8402.
8403.10 Boilers
8403.90 Parts
8404 Auxiliary plant forusewithboilers ofheading No.8402 or8403 (forexample,
economizers, super-heaters, sootremovers, gasrecoverers); condensers forsteam
orother vapour power units.
8404.10 Auxiliary plant forusewithboilers ofheading No.8402 or8403
8404.20 Condensers forsteam orother vapour power units
8404.90 Parts
8405 Producer gasorwater gasgenerators, withorwithout theirpurifiers; acetylene gas
generators andsimilar water process gasgenerators, withorwithout theirpurifiers.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page44
8405.10 Producer gasorwater gasgenerators, withorwithout theirpurifiers; acetylene gas
generators andsimilar water process gasgenerators, withorwithout theirpurifiers
8405.90 Parts
8406 Steam turbines andother vapour turbines.
8406.1 Turbines:
8406.11 Formarine propulsion
8406.19 Other
8406.90 Parts
8407 Spark-ignition reciprocating orrotary internal combustion piston engines.
8407.10 Aircraft engines
8407.2 Marine propulsion engines:
8407.21 Outboard motors
8407.29 Other
8407.3 Reciprocating piston engines ofakindusedforthepropulsion ofvehicles of
Chapter 87:
8407.31 Ofacylinder capacity notexceeding 50cc
8407.32 Ofacylinder capacity exceeding 50ccbutnotexceeding 250cc
8407.33 Ofacylinder capacity exceeding 250ccbutnotexceeding 1,000 cc
8407.34 Ofacylinder capacity exceeding 1,000 cc
8407.90 Other engines
8408 Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel orsemi-diesel
engines).
8408.10 Marine propulsion engines
8408.20 Engines ofakindusedforthepropulsion ofvehicles ofChapter 87
8408.90 Other engines
8409 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withtheengines ofheading No.8407 or
8408.
8409.10 Foraircraft engines
8409.9 Other:
8409.91 Suitable forusesolely orprincipally withspark-ignition internal combustion piston
engines
8409.99 Other
8410 Hydraulic turbines, water wheels, andregulators therefor.
8410.1 Hydraulic turbines andwater wheels:
8410.11 Ofapower notexceeding 1,000 kw
8410.12 Ofapower exceeding 1,000 kwbutnotexceeding 10,000 kw
8410.13 Ofapower exceeding 10,000 kw
8410.90 Parts, including regulators
8411 Turbo-jets, turbo-propellers andother gasturbines.
8411.1 Turbo-jets:
8411.11 Ofathrust notexceeding 25knWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page45
8411.12 Ofathrust exceeding 25kn
8411.2 Turbo-propellers:
8411.21 Ofapower notexceeding 1,100 kw
8411.22 Ofapower exceeding 1,100 kw
8411.8 Other gasturbines:
8411.81 Ofapower notexceeding 5,000 kw
8411.82 Ofapower exceeding 5,000 kw
8411.9 Parts:
8411.91 Ofturbo-jets orturbo-propellers
8411.99 Other
8412 Other engines andmotors.
8412.10 Reaction engines other thanturbo-jets
8412.2 Hydraulic power engines andmotors:
8412.21 Linear acting (cylinders)
8412.29 Other
8412.3 Pneumatic power engines andmotors:
8412.31 Linear acting (cylinders)
8412.39 Other
8412.80 Other
8412.90 Parts
8413 Pumps forliquids, whether ornotfitted withameasuring device; liquid elevators.
8413.1 Pumps fitted ordesigned tobefitted withameasuring device:
8413.11 Pumps fordispensing fuelorlubricants, ofthetypeusedinfilling-stations orin
garages
8413.19 Other
8413.20 Hand pumps, other thanthose ofsubheading No.8413.11 or8413.19
8413.30 Fuel, lubricating orcooling medium pumps forinternal combustion piston engines
8413.40 Concrete pumps
8413.50 Other reciprocating positive displacement pumps
8413.60 Other rotary positive displacement pumps
8413.70 Other centrifugal pumps
8413.8 Other pumps; liquid elevators:
8413.81 Pumps
8413.82 Liquid elevators
8413.9 Parts:
8413.91 Ofpumps
8413.92 Ofliquid elevators
8414 Airorvacuum pumps, airorother gascompressors andfans; ventilating or
recycling hoods incorporating afan,whether ornotfitted withfilters.
8414.10 Vacuum pumpsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page46
8414.20 Hand- orfoot-operated airpumps
8414.30 Compressors ofakindusedinrefrigerating equipment
8414.40 Aircompressors mounted onawheeled chassis fortowing
8414.5 Fans:
8414.51 Table, floor, wall, window, ceiling orrooffans, withaself-contained electric
motor ofanoutput notexceeding 125w
8414.59 Other
8414.60 Hoods having amaximum horizontal sidenotexceeding 120cm
8414.80 Other
8414.90 Parts
8415 Airconditioning machines, comprising amotor-driven fanandelements for
changing thetemperature andhumidity, including those machines inwhich the
humidity cannot beseparately regulated.
8415.10 Window orwalltypes, self-contained
8415.8 Other:
8415.81 Incorporating arefrigerating unitandavalve forreversal ofthecooling/heat cycle
8415.82 Other, incorporating arefrigerating unit
8415.83 Notincorporating arefrigerating unit
8415.90 Parts
8416 Furnace burners forliquid fuel,forpulverized solid fuelorforgas;mechanical
stokers, mechanical grates, mechanical ashdischargers andsimilar appliances.
8416.10 Furnace burners forliquid fuel
8416.20 Other furnace burners, including combination burners
8416.30 Mechanical stokers, mechanical grates, mechanical ashdischargers andsimilar
appliances
8416.90 Parts
8417 Industrial orlaboratory furnaces andovens, including incinerators, non-electric.
8417.10 Furnaces andovens fortheroasting, melting orother heat-treatment ofores, pyrites
orofmetals
8417.20 Bakery ovens, including biscuit ovens
8417.80 Other
8417.90 Parts
8418 Refrigerators, freezers andother refrigerating orfreezing equipment, electric or
other; heatpumps other thanairconditioning machines ofheading No.8415.
8418.10 Combined refrigerator-freezers, fitted withseparate external doors
8418.2 Refrigerators, household type:
8418.21 Compression-type
8418.22 Absorption-type, electrical
8418.29 Other
8418.30 Freezers ofthechest type, notexceeding 800litres capacity
8418.40 Freezers oftheupright type, notexceeding 900litres capacityWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page47
8418.50 Refrigerating orfreezing display counters, cabinets, show-cases andthelike
8418.6 Other refrigerating orfreezing equipment; heatpumps:
8418.61 Compression typeunits whose condensers areheatexchangers
8418.69 Other
8418.9 Parts:
8418.91 Furniture designed toreceive refrigerating orfreezing equipment
8418.99 Other
8419 Machinery, plant orlaboratory equipment, whether ornotelectrically heated, for
thetreatment ofmaterials byaprocess involving achange oftemperature suchas
heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilizing, pasteurizing,
steaming ...
8419.1 Instantaneous orstorage water heaters, non-electric:
8419.11 Instantaneous gaswater heaters
8419.19 Other
8419.20 Medical, surgical orlaboratory sterilizers
8419.3 Dryers:
8419.31 Foragricultural products
8419.32 Forwood, paper pulp, paper orpaperboard
8419.39 Other
8419.40 Distilling orrectifying plant
8419.50 Heatexchange units
8419.60 Machinery forliquefying airorother gases
8419.8 Other machinery, plant andequipment:
8419.81 Formaking hotdrinks orforcooking orheating food
8419.89 Other
8419.90 Parts
8420 Calendering orother rolling machines, other thanformetals orglass, andcylinders
therefor.
8420.10 Calendering orother rolling machines
8420.9 Parts:
8420.91 Cylinders
8420.99 Other
8421 Centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers; filtering orpurifying machinery and
apparatus, forliquids orgases.
8421.1 Centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers:
8421.11 Cream separators
8421.12 Clothes-dryers
8421.19 Other
8421.2 Filtering orpurifying machinery andapparatus forliquids:
8421.21 Forfiltering orpurifying water
8421.22 Forfiltering orpurifying beverages other thanwaterWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page48
8421.23 Oilorpetrol-filters forinternal combustion engines
8421.29 Other
8421.3 Filtering orpurifying machinery andapparatus forgases:
8421.31 Intake airfilters forinternal combustion engines
8421.39 Other
8421.9 Parts:
8421.91 Ofcentrifuges, including centrifugal dryers
8421.99 Other
8422 Dishwashing machines; machinery forcleaning ordrying bottles orother
containers; machinery forfilling, closing, sealing, capsuling orlabelling bottles,
cans, boxes, bagsorother containers; other packing orwrapping machinery;
machinery foraerating ...
8422.1 Dishwashing machines:
8422.11 Ofthehousehold type
8422.19 Other
8422.20 Machinery forcleaning ordrying bottles orother containers
8422.30 Machinery forfilling, closing, sealing, capsuling orlabelling bottles, cans, boxes,
bagsorother containers; machinery foraerating beverages
8422.40 Other packing orwrapping machinery
8422.90 Parts
8423 Weighing machinery (excluding balances ofasensitivity of5cgorbetter),
including weight operated counting orchecking machines; weighing machine
weights ofallkinds.
8423.10 Personal weighing machines, including babyscales; household scales
8423.20 Scales forcontinuous weighing ofgoods onconveyors
8423.30 Constant weight scales andscales fordischarging apredetermined weight of
material intoabagorcontainer, including hopper scales
8423.8 Other weighing machinery:
8423.81 Having amaximum weighing capacity notexceeding 30kg
8423.82 Having amaximum weighing capacity exceeding 30kgbutnotexceeding 5,000 kg
8423.89 Other
8423.90 Weighing machine weights ofallkinds; parts ofweighing machinery
8424 Mechanical appliances (whether ornothand-operated) forprojecting, dispersing or
spraying liquids orpowders; fireextinguishers, whether ornotcharged; spray guns
andsimilar appliances; steam orsandblasting machines andsimilar jetprojecting
machines
8424.10 Fireextinguishers, whether ornotcharged
8424.20 Spray gunsandsimilar appliances
8424.30 Steam orsandblasting machines andsimilar jetprojecting machines
8424.8 Other appliances:
8424.81 Agricultural orhorticultural
8424.89 OtherWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page49
8424.90 Parts
8425 Pulley tackle andhoists other thanskiphoists; winches andcapstans; jacks.
8425.1 Pulley tackle andhoists other thanskiphoists orhoists ofakindusedforraising
vehicles:
8425.11 Powered byelectric motor
8425.19 Other
8425.20 Pit-head winding gear; winches specially designed foruseunderground
8425.3 Other winches; capstans:
8425.31 Powered byelectric motor
8425.39 Other
8425.4 Jacks; hoists ofakindusedforraising vehicles:
8425.41 Built-in jacking systems ofatypeusedingarages
8425.42 Other jacks andhoists, hydraulic
8425.49 Other
8426 Ships'derricks; cranes, including cable cranes; mobile lifting frames, straddle
carriers andworks trucks fitted withacrane.
8426.1 Overhead travelling cranes, transporter cranes, gantry cranes, bridge cranes, mobile
lifting frames andstraddle carriers:
8426.11 Overhead travelling cranes onfixed support
8426.12 Mobile lifting frames ontyres andstraddle carriers
8426.19 Other
8426.20 Tower cranes
8426.30 Portal orpedestal jibcranes
8426.4 Other machinery, self-propelled:
8426.41 Ontyres
8426.49 Other
8426.9 Other machinery:
8426.91 Designed formounting onroadvehicles
8426.99 Other
8427 Fork-lift trucks; other works trucks fitted withlifting orhandling equipment.
8427.10 Self-propelled trucks powered byanelectric motor
8427.20 Other self-propelled trucks
8427.90 Other trucks
8428 Other lifting, handling, loading orunloading machinery (forexample, lifts,
escalators, conveyors, telepheriques).
8428.10 Liftsandskiphoists
8428.20 Pneumatic elevators andconveyors
8428.3 Other continuous-action elevators andconveyors, forgoods ormaterials:
8428.31 Specially designed forunderground use
8428.32 Other, bucket type
8428.33 Other, belttypeWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page50
8428.39 Other
8428.40 Escalators andmoving walkways
8428.50 Mine wagon pushers, locomotive orwagon traversers, wagon tippers andsimilar
railway wagon handling equipment
8428.60 Telepheriques, chair-lifts, ski-draglines; traction mechanisms forfuniculars
8428.90 Other machinery
8429 Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical
shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines androadrollers.
8429.1 Bulldozers andangledozers:
8429.11 Track laying
8429.19 Other
8429.20 Graders andlevellers
8429.30 Scrapers
8429.40 Tamping machines androadrollers
8429.5 Mechanical shovels, excavators andshovel loaders:
8429.51 Front-end shovel loaders
8429.52 Machinery witha360degrees revolving superstructure
8429.59 Other
8430 Other moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tapping, compacting,
extracting orboring machinery, forearth, minerals orores; pile-drivers andpile-
extractors; snow-ploughs andsnow-blowers.
8430.10 Pile-drivers andpile-extractors
8430.20 Snow-ploughs andsnow-blowers
8430.3 Coalorrockcutters andtunnelling machinery:
8430.31 Self-propelled
8430.39 Other
8430.4 Other boring orsinking machinery:
8430.41 Self-propelled
8430.49 Other
8430.50 Other machinery, self-propelled
8430.6 Other machinery, notself-propelled:
8430.61 Tamping orcompacting machinery
8430.62 Scrapers
8430.69 Other
8431 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withthemachinery ofheadings
Nos. 8425 to8430.
8431.10 Ofmachinery ofheading No.8425
8431.20 Ofmachinery ofheading No.8427
8431.3 Ofmachinery ofheading No.8428:
8431.31 Oflifts,skiphoists orescalators
8431.39 OtherWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page51
8431.4 Ofmachinery ofheading No.8426, 8429 or8430:
8431.41 Buckets, shovels, grabs andgrips
8431.42 Bulldozer orangledozer blades
8431.43 Parts forboring orsinking machinery ofsubheading No.8430.41 or8430.49
8431.49 Other
8432 Agricultural, horticultural orforestry machinery forsoilpreparation orcultivation;
lawnorsports-ground rollers.
8432.10 Ploughs
8432.2 Harrows, scarifier, cultivators, weeders andhoes:
8432.21 Discharrows
8432.29 Other
8432.30 Seeders, planters andtransplanters
8432.40 Manure spreaders andfertilizer distributors
8432.80 Other machinery
8432.90 Parts
8433 Harvesting orthreshing machinery, including straw orfodder balers; grass orhay
mowers; machines forcleaning, sorting orgrading eggs, fruitorother agricultural
produce, other thanmachinery ofheading No.8437.
8433.1 Mowers forlawns, parks orsports-grounds:
8433.11 Powered, withthecutting device rotating inahorizontal plane
8433.19 Other
8433.20 Other mowers, including cutter barsfortractor mounting
8433.30 Other haymaking machinery
8433.40 Straw orfodder balers, including pick-up balers
8433.5 Other harvesting machinery; threshing machinery:
8433.51 Combine harvester-threshers
8433.52 Other threshing machinery
8433.53 Root ortuber harvesting machines
8433.59 Other
8433.60 Machines forcleaning, sorting orgrading eggs, fruitorother agricultural produce
8433.90 Parts
8434 Milking machines anddairy machinery.
8434.10 Milking machines
8434.20 Dairy machinery
8434.90 Parts
8435 Presses, crushers andsimilar machinery usedinthemanufacture ofwine, cider,
fruitjuices orsimilar beverages.
8435.10 Machinery
8435.90 PartsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page52
8436 Other agricultural, horticultural, forestry, poultry-keeping orbee-keeping
machinery, including germination plant fitted withmechanical orthermal
equipment; poultry incubators andbrooders.
8436.10 Machinery forpreparing animal feeding stuffs
8436.2 Poultry-keeping machinery; poultry incubators andbrooders:
8436.21 Poultry incubators andbrooders
8436.29 Other
8436.80 Other machinery
8436.9 Parts:
8436.91 Ofpoultry-keeping machinery orpoultry incubators andbrooders
8436.99 Other
8437 Machines forcleaning, sorting orgrading seed, grain ordried leguminous
vegetables; machinery usedinthemilling industry orfortheworking ofcereals or
dried leguminous vegetables, other thanfarm-type machinery.
8437.10 Machines forcleaning, sorting orgrading seed, grain ordried leguminous
vegetables
8437.80 Other machinery
8437.90 Parts
8438 Machinery, notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthischapter, fortheindustrial
preparation ormanufacture offoodordrink, other thanmachinery forthe
extraction orpreparation ofanimal orfixed vegetable fatsoroils.
8438.10 Bakery machinery andmachinery forthemanufacture ofmacaroni, spaghetti or
similar products
8438.20 Machinery forthemanufacture ofconfectionery, cocoa orchocolate
8438.30 Machinery forsugar manufacture
8438.40 Brewery machinery
8438.50 Machinery forthepreparation ofmeatorpoultry
8438.60 Machinery forthepreparation offruits, nutsorvegetables
8438.80 Other machinery
8438.90 Parts
8439 Machinery formaking pulpoffibrous cellulosic material orformaking orfinishing
paper orpaperboard.
8439.10 Machinery formaking pulpoffibrous cellulosic material
8439.20 Machinery formaking paper orpaperboard
8439.30 Machinery forfinishing paper orpaperboard
8439.9 Parts:
8439.91 Ofmachinery formaking pulpoffibrous cellulosic material
8439.99 Other
8440 Book-binding machinery, including book-sewing machines.
8440.10 Machinery
8440.90 PartsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page53
8441 Other machinery formaking uppaper pulp, paper orpaperboard, including cutting
machines ofallkinds.
8441.10 Cutting machines
8441.20 Machines formaking bags, sacks orenvelopes
8441.30 Machines formaking cartons, boxes, cases, tubes, drums orsimilar containers,
other thanbymoulding
8441.40 Machines formoulding articles inpaper pulp, paper orpaperboard
8441.80 Other machinery
8441.90 Parts
8442 Machinery, apparatus andequipment (other thanthemachine-tools ofheading Nos.
8456 to8465), fortype-founding ortype-setting, forpreparing ormaking printing
blocks, plates, cylinders orother printing components; printing type, blocks, plates,
....
8442.10 Phototype-setting andcomposing machines
8442.20 Machinery, apparatus andequipment fortype-setting orcomposing byother
processes, withorwithout founding device
8442.30 Other machinery, apparatus andequipment
8442.40 Parts oftheforegoing machinery, apparatus orequipment
8442.50 Printing type, blocks, plates, cylinders andother printing components; blocks,
plates, cylinders andlithographic stones, prepared forprinting purposes (for
example, planed, grained orpolished)
8443 Printing machinery; machines forusesancillary toprinting.
8443.1 Offset printing machinery:
8443.11 Reelfed
8443.12 Sheet fed,office type(sheet sizenotexceeding 22x36cm)
8443.19 Other
8443.2 Letterpress printing machinery, excluding flexographic printing:
8443.21 Reelfed
8443.29 Other
8443.30 Flexographic printing machinery
8443.40 Gravure printing machinery
8443.50 Other printing machinery
8443.60 Machines forusesancillary toprinting
8443.90 Parts
8444 Machines forextruding, drawing, texturing orcutting man-made textile materials.
8444.00 Machines forextruding, drawing, texturing orcutting man-made textile materials
8445 Machines forpreparing textile fibres; spinning, doubling ortwisting machines and
other machinery forproducing textile yarns; textile reeling orwinding (including
weft-winding) machines andmachines forpreparing textile yarns foruseonthe
machines ....
8445.1 Machines forpreparing textile fibres:
8445.11 Carding machinesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page54
8445.12 Combing machines
8445.13 Drawing orroving machines
8445.19 Other
8445.20 Textile spinning machines
8445.30 Textile doubling ortwisting machines
8445.40 Textile winding (including weft-winding) orreeling machines
8445.90 Other
8446 Weaving machines (looms).
8446.10 Forweaving fabrics ofawidth notexceeding 30cm
8446.2 Forweaving fabrics ofawidth exceeding 30cm,shuttle type:
8446.21 Power looms
8446.29 Other
8446.30 Forweaving fabrics ofawidth exceeding 30cm,shuttleless type
8447 Knitting machines, stitch-bonding machines andmachines formaking gimped yarn,
tulle, lace,embroidery, trimmings, braid ornetandmachines fortufting.
8447.1 Circular knitting machines:
8447.11 With cylinder diameter notexceeding 165mm
8447.12 With cylinder diameter exceeding 165mm
8447.20 Flatknitting machines; stitch-bonding machines
8447.90 Other
8448 Auxiliary machinery forusewithmachines ofheading No.8444, 8445, 8446 or
8447 (forexample, dobbies, Jacquards, automatic stopmotions, shuttle changing
mechanisms); parts andaccessories suitable forusesolely orprincipally withthe
machines of...
8448.1 Auxiliary machinery formachines ofheading No.8444, 8445, 8446 or8447:
8448.11 Dobbies andJacquards; cardreducing, copying, punching orassembling machines
forusetherewith
8448.19 Other
8448.20 Parts andaccessories ofmachines ofheading No.8444 oroftheirauxiliary
machinery
8448.3 Parts andaccessories ofmachines ofheading No.8445 oroftheirauxiliary
machinery:
8448.31 Card clothing
8448.32 Ofmachines forpreparing textile fibres, other thancardclothing
8448.33 Spindles, spindle flyers, spinning rings andringtravellers
8448.39 Other
8448.4 Parts andaccessories ofweaving machines (looms) oroftheirauxiliary machinery:
8448.41 Shuttles
8448.42 Reeds forlooms, healds andheald-frames
8448.49 Other
8448.5 Parts andaccessories ofmachines ofheading No.8447 oroftheirauxiliary
machinery:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page55
8448.51 Sinkers, needles andother articles usedinforming stitches
8448.59 Other
8449 Machinery forthemanufacture orfinishing offeltornon-wovens inthepiece orin
shapes, including machinery formaking felthats;blocks formaking hats.
8449.00 Machinery forthemanufacture orfinishing offeltornon-wovens inthepiece orin
shapes, including machinery formaking felthats;blocks formaking hats
8450 Household orlaundry-type washing machines, including machines which bothwash
anddry.
8450.1 Machines, eachofadrylinen capacity notexceeding 10kg:
8450.11 Fully-automatic machines
8450.12 Other machines, withbuilt-in centrifugal drier
8450.19 Other
8450.20 Machines, eachofadrylinen capacity exceeding 10kg
8450.90 Parts
8451 Machinery (other thanmachines ofheading No.8450) forwashing, cleaning,
wringing, drying, ironing, pressing (including fusing presses), bleaching, dyeing,
dressing, finishing, coating orimpregnating textile yarns, fabrics ormade uptextile
articles ...
8451.10 Dry-cleaning machines
8451.2 Drying machines:
8451.21 Each ofadrylinen capacity notexceeding 10kg
8451.29 Other
8451.30 Ironing machines andpresses (including fusing presses)
8451.40 Washing, bleaching ordyeing machines
8451.50 Machines forreeling, unreeling, folding, cutting orpinking textile fabrics
8451.80 Other machinery
8451.90 Parts
8452 Sewing machines, other thanbook-sewing machines ofheading No.8440; furniture,
bases andcovers specially designed forsewing machines; sewing machine needles.
8452.10 Sewing machines ofthehousehold type
8452.2 Other sewing machines:
8452.21 Automatic units
8452.29 Other
8452.30 Sewing machine needles
8452.40 Furniture, bases andcovers forsewing machines andparts thereof
8452.90 Other parts ofsewing machines
8453 Machinery forpreparing, tanning orworking hides, skins orleather orformaking
orrepairing footwear orother articles ofhides, skins orleather, other thansewing
machines.
8453.10 Machinery forpreparing, tanning orworking hides, skins orleather
8453.20 Machinery formaking orrepairing footwear
8453.80 Other machineryWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page56
8453.90 Parts
8454 Converters, ladles, ingot moulds andcasting machines, ofakindusedinmetallurgy
orinmetal foundries.
8454.10 Converters
8454.20 Ingot moulds andladles
8454.30 Casting machines
8454.90 Parts
8455 Metal-rolling mills androllstherefor.
8455.10 Tube mills
8455.2 Other rolling mills:
8455.21 Hotorcombination hotandcold
8455.22 Cold
8455.30 Rolls forrolling mills
8455.90 Other parts
8456 Machine-tools forworking anymaterial byremoval ofmaterial, bylaserorother
lightorphoton beam, ultrasonic, electro-discharge, electro-chemical, electron beam,
ionic-beam orplasma arcprocesses.
8456.10 Operated bylaserorother lightorphoton beam processes
8456.20 Operated byultrasonic processes
8456.30 Operated byelectro-discharge processes
8456.90 Other
8457 Machining centres, unitconstruction machines (single station) andmulti-station
transfer machines, forworking metal.
8457.10 Machining centres
8457.20 Unitconstruction machines (single station)
8457.30 Multi-station transfer machines
8458 Lathes forremoving metal
8458.1 Horizontal lathes:
8458.11 Numerically controlled
8458.19 Other
8458.9 Other lathes:
8458.91 Numerically controlled
8458.99 Other
8459 Machine-tools (including way-type unitheadmachines) fordrilling, boring, milling,
threading ortapping byremoving metal, other thanlathes ofheading No.8458.
8459.10 Way-type unitheadmachines
8459.2 Other drilling machines:
8459.21 Numerically controlled
8459.29 Other
8459.3 Other boring-milling machines:
8459.31 Numerically controlledWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page57
8459.39 Other
8459.40 Other boring machines
8459.5 Milling machines, knee-type:
8459.51 Numerically controlled
8459.59 Other
8459.6 Other milling machines:
8459.61 Numerically controlled
8459.69 Other
8459.70 Other threading ortapping machines
8460 Machine-tools fordebarring, sharpening, grinding, honing, lapping, polishing or
otherwise finishing metal, sintered metal carbides orcermets bymeans ofgrinding
stones, abrasives orpolishing products, other thangearcutting, geargrinding or
gear...
8460.1 Flat-surface grinding machines, inwhich thepositioning inanyoneaxiscanbeset
uptoanaccuracy ofatleast0.01mm:
8460.11 Numerically controlled
8460.19 Other
8460.2 Other grinding machines, inwhich thepositioning inanyoneaxiscanbesetupto
anaccuracy ofatleast0.01mm:
8460.21 Numerically controlled
8460.29 Other
8460.3 Sharpening (toolorcutter grinding) machines:
8460.31 Numerically controlled
8460.39 Other
8460.40 Honing orlapping machines
8460.90 Other
8461 Machine-tools forplaning, shaping, slotting, broaching, gearcutting, geargrinding
orgearfinishing, sawing, cutting-off andother machine-tools working byremoving
metal, sintered metal carbides orcermets, notelsewhere specified orincluded.
8461.10 Planing machines
8461.20 Shaping orslotting machines
8461.30 Broaching machines
8461.40 Gear cutting, geargrinding orgearfinishing machines
8461.50 Sawing orcutting-off machines
8461.90 Other
8462 Machine-tools (including presses) forworking metal byforging, hammering ordie-
stamping; machine-tools (including presses) forworking metal bybending, folding,
straightening, flattening, shearing, punching ornotching; presses forworking metal
or....
8462.10 Forging ordie-stamping machines (including presses) andhammers
8462.2 Bending, folding, straightening orflattening machines (including presses):
8462.21 Numerically controlledWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page58
8462.29 Other
8462.3 Shearing machines (including presses), other thancombined punching andshearing
machines:
8462.31 Numerically controlled
8462.39 Other
8462.4 Punching ornotching machines (including presses), including combined punching
andshearing machines:
8462.41 Numerically controlled
8462.49 Other
8462.9 Other:
8462.91 Hydraulic presses
8462.99 Other
8463 Other machine-tools forworking metal, sintered metal carbides orcermets, without
removing material.
8463.10 Draw-benches forbars, tubes, profiles, wireorthelike
8463.20 Thread rolling machines
8463.30 Machines forworking wire
8463.90 Other
8464 Machine-tools forworking stone, ceramics, concrete, asbestos, cement orlike
mineral materials orforcoldworking glass.
8464.10 Sawing machines
8464.20 Grinding orpolishing machines
8464.90 Other
8465 Machine-tools (including machines fornailing, stapling, gluing orotherwise
assembling) forworking wood, cork, bone, hardrubber, hardplastics orsimilar
hardmaterials.
8465.10 Machines which cancarry outdifferent types ofmachining operations without tool
change between suchoperations
8465.9 Other:
8465.91 Sawing machines
8465.92 Planing, milling ormoulding (bycutting) machines
8465.93 Grinding, sanding orpolishing machines
8465.94 Bending orassembling machines
8465.95 Drilling ormorticing machines
8465.96 Splitting, slicing orparing machines
8465.99 Other
8466 Parts andaccessories suitable forusesolely orprincipally withthemachines of
heading Nos. 8456 to8465, including work ortoolholders, self-opening dieheads,
dividing heads andother special attachments formachine-tools; toolholders forany
type...
8466.10 Toolholders andself-opening dieheads
8466.20 Work holdersWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page59
8466.30 Dividing heads andother special attachments formachine-tools
8466.9 Other:
8466.91 Formachines ofheading No.8464
8466.92 Formachines ofheading No.8465
8466.93 Formachines ofheadings Nos. 8456 to8461
8466.94 Formachines ofheading No.8462 or8463
8467 Tools forworking inthehand, pneumatic orwithself-contained non-electric motor.
8467.1 Pneumatic:
8467.11 Rotary type(including combined rotary-percussion)
8467.19 Other
8467.8 Other tools:
8467.81 Chain saws
8467.89 Other
8467.9 Parts:
8467.91 Ofchain saws
8467.92 Ofpneumatic tools
8467.99 Other
8468 Machinery andapparatus forsoldering, brazing orwelding, whether ornotcapable
ofcutting, other thanthose ofheading No.8515; gas-operated surface tempering
machines andappliances
8468.10 Hand-held blow pipes
8468.20 Other gas-operated machinery andapparatus
8468.80 Other machinery andapparatus
8468.90 Parts
8469 Typewriters andword-processing machines
8469.10 Automatic typewriters andword-processing machines
8469.2 Other typewriters, electric:
8469.21 Weighing notmore than12kg,excluding case
8469.29 Other
8469.3 Other typewriters, non-electric:
8469.31 Weighing notmore than12kg,excluding case
8469.39 Other
8470 Calculating machines; accounting machines, cashregisters, postage-franking
machines, ticket-issuing machines andsimilar machines, incorporating acalculating
device
8470.10 Electronic calculators capable ofoperation without anexternal source ofpower
8470.2 Other electronic calculating machines:
8470.21 Incorporating aprinting device
8470.29 Other
8470.30 Other calculating machines
8470.40 Accounting machinesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page60
8470.50 Cash registers
8470.90 Other
8471 Automatic dataprocessing machines andunits thereof; magnetic oroptical readers,
machines fortranscribing dataontodatamedia incoded form andmachines for
processing suchdata, notelsewhere specified orincluded
8471.10 Analogue orhybrid automatic dataprocessing machines
8471.20 Digital automatic dataprocessing machines, containing inthesame housing atleast
acentral processing unitandaninput andoutput unit,whether ornotcombined
8471.9 Other:
8471.91 Digital processing units, whether ornotpresented withtherestofasystem, which
maycontain inthesame housing oneortwoofthefollowing types ofunit:storage
units, input units, output units
8471.92 Input oroutput units, whether ornotpresented withtherestofasystem and
whether ornotcontaining storage units inthesame housing
8471.93 Storage units, whether ornotpresented withtherestofasystem
8471.99 Other
8472 Other office machines (forexample, hectograph orstencil duplicating machines,
addressing machines, automatic banknote dispensers, coin-sorting machines, coin-
counting orwrapping machines, pencil-sharpening machines, perforating orstapling
machines).
8472.10 Duplicating machines
8472.20 Addressing machines andaddress plateembossing machines
8472.30 Machines forsorting orfolding mailorforinserting mailinenvelopes orbands,
machines foropening, closing orsealing mailandmachines foraffixing or
cancelling postage stamps
8472.90 Other
8473 Parts andaccessories (other thancovers, carrying cases andthelike)suitable for
usesolely orprincipally withmachines ofheadings Nos. 8469 to8472.
8473.10 Parts andaccessories ofthemachines ofheading No.8469
8473.2 Parts andaccessories ofthemachines ofheading No.8470:
8473.21 Oftheelectronic calculating machines ofsubheading No.8470.10, 8470.21 or
8470.29
8473.29 Other
8473.30 Parts andaccessories ofthemachines ofheading No.8471
8473.40 Parts andaccessories ofthemachines ofheading No.8472
8474 Machinery forsorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing
orkneading earth, stone, oresorother mineral substances, insolid (including
powder orpaste) form; machinery foragglomerating, shaping ormoulding solid
mineral fuels,
8474.10 Sorting, screening, separating orwashing machines
8474.20 Crushing orgrinding machines
8474.3 Mixing orkneading machines:
8474.31 Concrete ormortar mixersWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page61
8474.32 Machines formixing mineral substances withbitumen
8474.39 Other
8474.80 Other machinery
8474.90 Parts
8475 Machines forassembling electric orelectronic lamps, tubes orvalves orflashbulbs,
inglass envelopes; machines formanufacturing orhotworking glass orglassware.
8475.10 Machines forassembling electric orelectronic lamps, tubes orvalves orflashbulbs,
inglass envelopes
8475.20 Machines formanufacturing orhotworking glass orglassware
8475.90 Parts
8476 Automatic goods-vending machines (forexample, postage stamp, cigarette, foodor
beverage machines), including money-changing machines.
8476.1 Machines:
8476.11 Incorporating heating orrefrigerating devices
8476.19 Other
8476.90 Parts
8477 Machinery forworking rubber orplastics orforthemanufacture ofproducts from
these materials, notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter.
8477.10 Injection-moulding machines
8477.20 Extruders
8477.30 Blow moulding machines
8477.40 Vacuum moulding machines andother thermoforming machines
8477.5 Other machinery formoulding orotherwise forming:
8477.51 Formoulding orretreading pneumatic tyres orformoulding orotherwise forming
inner tubes
8477.59 Other
8477.80 Other machinery
8477.90 Parts
8478 Machinery forpreparing ormaking uptobacco, notspecified orincluded elsewhere
inthisChapter.
8478.10 Machinery
8478.90 Parts
8479 Machines andmechanical appliances having individual functions, notspecified or
included elsewhere inthisChapter.
8479.10 Machinery forpublic works, building orthelike
8479.20 Machinery fortheextraction orpreparation ofanimal orfixed vegetable fatsoroils
8479.30 Presses forthemanufacture ofparticle board orfibrebuilding board ofwood or
other ligneous materials andother machinery fortreating wood orcork
8479.40 Rope orcable-making machines
8479.8 Other machines andmechanical appliances:
8479.81 Fortreating metal, including electric wirecoil-windersWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page62
8479.82 Mixing, kneading, crushing, grinding, screening, sifting, homogenising,
emulsifying orstirring machines
8479.89 Other
8479.90 Parts
8480 Moulding boxes formetal foundry; mould bases; moulding patterns; moulds for
metal (other thaningot moulds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or
plastics.
8480.10 Moulding boxes formetal foundry
8480.20 Mould bases
8480.30 Moulding patterns
8480.4 Moulds formetal ormetal carbides:
8480.41 Injection orcompression types
8480.49 Other
8480.50 Moulds forglass
8480.60 Moulds formineral materials
8480.7 Moulds forrubber orplastics:
8480.71 Injection orcompression types
8480.79 Other
8481 Taps, cocks, valves andsimilar appliances forpipes, boiler shells, tanks, vatsorthe
like,including pressure-reducing valves andthermostatically controlled valves.
8481.10 Pressure-reducing valves
8481.20 Valves foroleohydraulic orpneumatic transmissions
8481.30 Check valves
8481.40 Safety orrelief valves
8481.80 Other appliances
8481.90 Parts
8482 Ballorroller bearings.
8482.10 Ballbearings
8482.20 Tapered roller bearings, including coneandtapered roller assemblies
8482.30 Spherical roller bearings
8482.40 Needle roller bearings
8482.50 Other cylindrical roller bearings
8482.80 Other, including combined ball/roller bearings
8482.9 Parts:
8482.91 Balls, needles androllers
8482.99 Other
8483 Transmission shafts (including camshafts andcrank shafts) andcranks; bearing
housings andplain shaftbearings; gears andgearing; ballscrews; gearboxes and
other speed changers, including torque converters; flywheels andpulleys, including
pulley ...
8483.10 Transmission shafts (including camshafts andcrank shafts) andcranksWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page63
8483.20 Bearing housings, incorporating ballorroller bearings
8483.30 Bearing housings, notincorporating ballorroller bearings; plain shaftbearings
8483.40 Gears andgearing, other thantoothed wheels, chain sprockets andother
transmission elements presented separately; ballscrews; gearboxes andother speed
changers, including torque converters
8483.50 Flywheels andpulleys, including pulley blocks
8483.60 Clutches andshaftcouplings (including universal joints)
8483.90 Parts
8484 Gaskets andsimilar joints ofmetal sheeting combined withother material oroftwo
ormore layers ofmetal; setsorassortments ofgaskets andsimilar joints, dissimilar
incomposition, putupinpouches, envelopes orsimilar packings.
8484.10 Gaskets andsimilar joints ofmetal sheeting combined withother material oroftwo
ormore layers ofmetal
8484.90 Other
8485 Machinery parts, notcontaining electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or
other electrical features, notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter.
8485.10 Ships'propellers andblades therefor
8485.90 Other
Chapter 85:
85 ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF;
SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND
SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND
ACCESSORIES OFSUCH ARTICLES
8501 Electric motors andgenerators (excluding generating sets).
8501.10 Motors ofanoutput notexceeding 37.5w
8501.20 Universal AC/DC motors ofanoutput exceeding 37.5w
8501.3 Other DCmotors; DCgenerators:
8501.31 Ofanoutput notexceeding 750w
8501.32 Ofanoutput exceeding 750wbutnotexceeding 75kw
8501.33 Ofanoutput exceeding 75kwbutnotexceeding 375kw
8501.34 Ofanoutput exceeding 375kw
8501.40 Other ACmotors, single-phase
8501.5 Other ACmotors, multi-phase:
8501.51 Ofanoutput notexceeding 750w
8501.52 Ofanoutput exceeding 750wbutnotexceeding 75kw
8501.53 Ofanoutput exceeding 75kw
8501.6 ACgenerators (alternators):
8501.61 Ofanoutput notexceeding 75kva
8501.62 Ofanoutput exceeding 75kvabutnotexceeding 375kvaWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page64
8501.63 Ofanoutput exceeding 375kvabutnotexceeding 750kva
8501.64 Ofanoutput exceeding 750kva
8502 Electric generating setsandrotary converters.
8502.1 Generating setswithcompression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel
orsemi-diesel engines):
8502.11 Ofanoutput notexceeding 75kva
8502.12 Ofanoutput exceeding 75kvabutnotexceeding 375kva
8502.13 Ofanoutput exceeding 375kva
8502.20 Generating setswithspark-ignition internal combustion piston engines
8502.30 Other generating sets
8502.40 Electric rotary converters
8503 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withthemachines ofheading No.8501
or8502.
8503.00 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withthemachines ofheading No.8501
or8502
8504 Electrical transformers, static converters (forexample, rectifiers) andinductors.
8504.10 Ballasts fordischarge lamps ortubes
8504.2 Liquid dielectric transformers:
8504.21 Having apower handling capacity notexceeding 650kva
8504.22 Having apower handling capacity exceeding 650kvabutnotexceeding 10,000 kva
8504.23 Having apower handling capacity exceeding 10,000 kva
8504.3 Other transformers:
8504.31 Having apower handling capacity notexceeding 1kva
8504.32 Having apower handling capacity exceeding 1kvabutnotexceeding 16kva
8504.33 Having apower handling capacity exceeding 16kvabutnotexceeding 500kva
8504.34 Having apower handling capacity exceeding 500kva
8504.40 Static converters
8504.50 Other inductors
8504.90 Parts
8505 Electro-magnets; permanent magnets andarticles intended tobecome permanent
magnets aftermagnetisation; electro-magnetic orpermanent magnet chucks, clamps
andsimilar holding devices; electro-magnetic couplings, clutches andbrakes;
electro-magnetic ...
8505.1 Permanent magnets andarticles intended tobecome permanent magnets after
magnetisation:
8505.11 Ofmetal
8505.19 Other
8505.20 Electro-magnetic couplings, clutches andbrakes
8505.30 Electro-magnetic lifting heads
8505.90 Other, including parts
8506 Primary cellsandprimary batteries.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page65
8506.1 Ofanexternal volume notexceeding 300cm3:
8506.11 Manganese dioxide
8506.12 Mercuric oxide
8506.13 Silver oxide
8506.19 Other
8506.20 Ofanexternal volume exceeding 300cm3
8506.90 Parts
8507 Electric accumulators, including separators therefor, whether ornotrectangular
(including square).
8507.10 Lead-acid, ofakindusedforstarting piston engines
8507.20 Other lead-acid accumulators
8507.30 Nickel-cadmium
8507.40 Nickel-iron
8507.80 Other accumulators
8507.90 Parts
8508 Electro-mechanical tools forworking inthehand, withself-contained electric
motor.
8508.10 Drills ofallkinds
8508.20 Saws
8508.80 Other tools
8508.90 Parts
8509 Electro-mechanical domestic appliances, withself-contained electric motor.
8509.10 Vacuum cleaners
8509.20 Floor polishers
8509.30 Kitchen waste disposers
8509.40 Food grinders andmixers; fruitorvegetable juiceextractors
8509.80 Other appliances
8509.90 Parts
8510 Shavers andhairclippers, withself-contained electric motor.
8510.10 Shavers
8510.20 Hairclippers
8510.90 Parts
8511 Electrical ignition orstarting equipment ofakindusedforspark-ignition or
compression-ignition internal combustion engines (forexample, ignition magnetos,
magneto-dynamos, ignition coils, sparking plugs andglow plugs, starter motors);
generators ...
8511.10 Sparking plugs
8511.20 Ignition magnetos; magneto-dynamos; magnetic flywheels
8511.30 Distributors; ignition coils
8511.40 Starter motors anddualpurpose starter-generators
8511.50 Other generatorsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page66
8511.80 Other equipment
8511.90 Parts
8512 Electrical lighting orsignalling equipment (excluding articles ofheading No.8539),
windscreen wipers, defrosters anddemisters, ofakindusedforcycles ormotor
vehicles.
8512.10 Lighting orvisual signalling equipment ofakindusedonbicycles
8512.20 Other lighting orvisual signalling equipment
8512.30 Sound signalling equipment
8512.40 Windscreen wipers, defrosters anddemisters
8512.90 Parts
8513 Portable electric lamps designed tofunction bytheirownsource ofenergy (for
example, drybatteries, accumulators, magnetos), other thanlighting equipment of
heading No.8512.
8513.10 Lamps
8513.90 Parts
8514 Industrial orlaboratory electric (including induction ordielectric)furnaces and
ovens; other industrial orlaboratory induction ordielectric heating equipment.
8514.10 Resistance heated furnaces andovens
8514.20 Induction ordielectric furnaces andovens
8514.30 Other furnaces andovens
8514.40 Other induction ordielectric heating equipment
8514.90 Parts
8515 Electric (including electrically heated gas), laserorother lightorphoton beam,
ultrasonic, electron beam, magnetic pulse orplasma arcsoldering, brazing or
welding machines andapparatus, whether ornotcapable ofcutting; electric
machines and....
8515.1 Brazing orsoldering machines andapparatus:
8515.11 Soldering irons andguns
8515.19 Other
8515.2 Machines andapparatus forresistance welding ofmetal:
8515.21 Fully orpartly automatic
8515.29 Other
8515.3 Machines andapparatus forarc(including plasma arc)welding ofmetals:
8515.31 Fully orpartly automatic
8515.39 Other
8515.80 Other machines andapparatus
8515.90 Parts
8516 Electric instantaneous orstorage water heaters andimmersion heaters; electric space
heating apparatus andsoilheating apparatus; electro-thermic hair-dressing apparatus
(forexample, hairdryers, haircurlers, curling tongheaters) andhanddryers; ....
8516.10 Electric instantaneous orstorage water heaters andimmersion heaters
8516.2 Electric space heating apparatus andelectric soilheating apparatus:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page67
8516.21 Storage heating radiators
8516.29 Other
8516.3 Electro-thermic hair-dressing orhand-drying apparatus:
8516.31 Hairdryers
8516.32 Other hair-dressing apparatus
8516.33 Hand-drying apparatus
8516.40 Electric smoothing irons
8516.50 Microwave ovens
8516.60 Other ovens; cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings; grillers androasters
8516.7 Other electro-thermic appliances:
8516.71 Coffee orteamakers
8516.72 Toasters
8516.79 Other
8516.80 Electric heating resistors
8516.90 Parts
8517 Electrical apparatus forlinetelephony orlinetelegraphy, including suchapparatus
forcarrier-current linesystems.
8517.10 Telephone sets
8517.20 Teleprinters
8517.30 Telephonic ortelegraphic switching apparatus
8517.40 Other apparatus, forcarrier-current linesystems
8517.8 Other apparatus:
8517.81 Telephonic
8517.82 Telegraphic
8517.90 Parts
8518 Microphones andstands therefor; loudspeakers, whether ornotmounted intheir
enclosures; headphones, earphones andcombined microphone/speaker sets;audio-
frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets.
8518.10 Microphones andstands therefor
8518.2 Loudspeakers, whether ornotmounted intheirenclosures:
8518.21 Single loudspeakers, mounted intheirenclosures
8518.22 Multiple loudspeakers, mounted inthesame enclosure
8518.29 Other
8518.30 Headphones, earphones andcombined microphone/speaker sets
8518.40 Audio-frequency electric amplifiers
8518.50 Electric sound amplifier sets
8518.90 Parts
8519 Turntables (record-decks), record-players, cassette-players andother sound
reproducing apparatus, notincorporating asound recording device.
8519.10 Coin- ordisc-operated record-players
8519.2 Other record-players:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page68
8519.21 Without loudspeaker
8519.29 Other
8519.3 Turntables (record-decks):
8519.31 With automatic record changing mechanism
8519.39 Other
8519.40 Transcribing machines
8519.9 Other sound reproducing apparatus:
8519.91 Cassette-type
8519.99 Other
8520 Magnetic taperecorders andother sound recording apparatus, whether ornot
incorporating asound reproducing device.
8520.10 Dictating machines notcapable ofoperating without anexternal source ofpower
8520.20 Telephone answering machines
8520.3 Other magnetic taperecorders incorporating sound reproducing apparatus:
8520.31 Cassette-type
8520.39 Other
8520.90 Other
8521 Video recording orreproducing apparatus.
8521.10 Magnetic tape-type
8521.90 Other
8522 Parts andaccessories ofapparatus ofheadings Nos. 8519 to8521.
8522.10 Pick-up cartridges
8522.90 Other
8523 Prepared unrecorded media forsound recording orsimilar recording ofother
phenomena, other thanproducts ofChapter 37.
8523.1 Magnetic tapes:
8523.11 Ofawidth notexceeding 4mm
8523.12 Ofawidth exceeding 4mmbutnotexceeding 6.5mm
8523.13 Ofawidth exceeding 6.5mm
8523.20 Magnetic discs
8523.90 Other
8524 Records, tapes andother recorded media forsound orother similarly recorded
phenomena, including matrices andmasters fortheproduction ofrecords, but
excluding products ofChapter 37.
8524.10 Gramophone records
8524.2 Magnetic tapes:
8524.21 Ofawidth notexceeding 4mm
8524.22 Ofawidth exceeding 4mmbutnotexceeding 6.5mm
8524.23 Ofawidth exceeding 6.5mm
8524.90 OtherWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page69
8525 Transmission apparatus forradio-telephony, radio-telegraphy, radio-broadcasting or
television, whether ornotincorporating reception apparatus orsound recording or
reproducing apparatus; television cameras.
8525.10 Transmission apparatus
8525.20 Transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus
8525.30 Television cameras
8526 Radar apparatus, radio navigational aidapparatus andradio remote control
apparatus.
8526.10 Radar apparatus
8526.9 Other:
8526.91 Radio navigational aidapparatus
8526.92 Radio remote control apparatus
8527 Reception apparatus forradio-telephony, radio-telegraphy orradio-broadcasting,
whether ornotcombined, inthesame housing, withsound recording or
reproducing apparatus oraclock.
8527.1 Radio-broadcast receivers capable ofoperating without anexternal source ofpower,
including apparatus capable ofreceiving alsoradio-telephony orradio-telegraphy:
8527.11 Combined withsound recording orreproducing apparatus
8527.19 Other
8527.2 Radio-broadcast receivers notcapable ofoperating without anexternal source of
power, ofakindusedinmotor vehicles, including apparatus capable ofreceiving
alsoradio-telephony orradio-telegraphy:
8527.21 Combined withsound recording orreproducing apparatus
8527.29 Other
8527.3 Other radio-broadcast receivers, including apparatus capable ofreceiving alsoradio-
telephony orradio-telegraphy:
8527.31 Combined withsound recording orreproducing apparatus
8527.32 Notcombined withsound recording orreproducing apparatus butcombined witha
clock
8527.39 Other
8527.90 Other apparatus
8528 Television receivers (including video monitors andvideo projectors),whether ornot
combined, inthesame housing, withradio-broadcast receivers orsound orvideo
recording orreproducing apparatus.
8528.10 Colour
8528.20 Black andwhite orother monochrome
8529 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withtheapparatus ofheadings Nos. 8525
to8528.
8529.10 Aerials andaerial reflectors ofallkinds; parts suitable forusetherewith
8529.90 Other
8530 Electrical signalling, safety ortraffic control equipment forrailways, tramways,
roads, inland waterways parking facilities, portinstallations orairfields (other than
those ofheading No.8608).WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page70
8530.10 Equipment forrailways ortramways
8530.80 Other equipment
8530.90 Parts
8531 Electric sound orvisual signalling apparatus (forexample, bells, sirens, indicator
panels, burglar orfirealarms), other thanthose ofheading No.8512 or8530.
8531.10 Burglar orfirealarms andsimilar apparatus
8531.20 Indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) orlightemitting diodes
(LED)
8531.80 Other apparatus
8531.90 Parts
8532 Electrical capacitors, fixed, variable oradjustable (pre-set).
8532.10 Fixed capacitors designed forusein50/60 hzcircuits andhaving areactive power
handling capacity ofnotlessthan0.5kvar(power capacitors)
8532.2 Other fixed capacitors:
8532.21 Tantalum
8532.22 Aluminium electrolytic
8532.23 Ceramic dielectric, single layer
8532.24 Ceramic dielectric, multilayer
8532.25 Dielectric ofpaper orplastics
8532.29 Other
8532.30 Variable oradjustable (pre-set) capacitors
8532.90 Parts
8533 Electrical resistors (including rheostats andpotentiometers), other thanheating
resistors.
8533.10 Fixed carbon resistors, composition orfilmtypes
8533.2 Other fixed resistors:
8533.21 Forapower handling capacity notexceeding 20w
8533.29 Other
8533.3 Wirewound variable resistors, including rheostats andpotentiometers:
8533.31 Forapower handling capacity notexceeding 20w
8533.39 Other
8533.40 Other variable resistors, including rheostats andpotentiometers
8533.90 Parts
8534 Printed circuits.
8534.00 Printed circuits
8535 Electrical apparatus forswitching orprotecting electrical circuits,or formaking
connections toorinelectrical circuits (forexample, switches, fuses, lightning
arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs, junction boxes), foravoltage
....
8535.10 Fuses
8535.2 Automatic circuit breakers:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page71
8535.21 foravoltage oflessthan72.5kv
8535.29 Other
8535.30 Isolating switches andmake-and-break switches
8535.40 Lightning arresters, voltage limiters andsurge suppressors
8535.90 Other
8536 Electrical apparatus forswitching orprotecting electrical circuits,or formaking
connections toorinelectrical circuits (forexample, switches, relays, fuses, surge
suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders, junction boxes), foravoltage not...
8536.10 Fuses
8536.20 Automatic circuit breakers
8536.30 Other apparatus forprotecting electrical circuits
8536.4 Relays:
8536.41 Foravoltage notexceeding 60volts
8536.49 Other
8536.50 Other switches
8536.6 Lamp-holders, plugs andsockets:
8536.61 Lamp-holders
8536.69 Other
8536.90 Other apparatus
8537 Boards, panels (including numerical control panels), consoles, desks,cabinets and
other bases, equipped withtwoormore apparatus ofheading No.8535 or8536, for
electric control orthedistribution ofelectricity, including those incorporating
instrume
8537.10 Foravoltage notexceeding 1,000 volts
8537.20 Foravoltage exceeding 1,000 volts
8538 Parts suitable forusesolely orprincipally withtheapparatus ofheading Nos. 8535,
8536 or8537.
8538.10 Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets andother bases forthegoods ofheading
No.8537, notequipped withtheirapparatus
8538.90 Other
8539 Electric filament ordischarge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units andultra-
violet orinfra-red lamps; arc-lamps.
8539.10 Sealed beam lamp units
8539.2 Other filament lamps, excluding ultra-violet orinfra-red lamps:
8539.21 Tungsten halogen
8539.22 Other, ofapower notexceeding 200wandforavoltage exceeding 100volts
8539.29 Other
8539.3 Discharge lamps, other thanultra-violet lamps:
8539.31 Fluorescent, hotcathode
8539.39 Other
8539.40 Ultra-violet orinfra-red lamps; arclamps
8539.90 PartsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page72
8540 Thermionic, coldcathode orphotocathode valves andtubes (forexample, vacuum
orvapour orgasfilled valves andtubes, mercury arcrectifying valves andtubes,
cathode-ray tubes, television camera tubes).
8540.1 Cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes:
8540.11 Colour
8540.12 Black andwhite orother monochrome
8540.20 Television camera tubes; image converters andintensifiers; other photo-cathode
tubes
8540.30 Other cathode-ray tubes
8540.4 Microwave tubes (forexample, magnetrons, klystrons, travelling wavetubes,
carcinotrons), excluding grid-controlled tubes:
8540.41 Magnetrons
8540.42 Klystrons
8540.49 Other
8540.8 Other valves andtubes:
8540.81 Receiver oramplifier valves andtubes
8540.89 Other
8540.9 Parts:
8540.91 Ofcathode-ray tubes
8540.99 Other
8541 Diodes, transistors andsimilar semiconductor devices; photosensitive semiconductor
devices, including photovoltaic cellswhether ornotassembled inmodules ormade
upintopanels; lightemitting diodes; mounted piezo-electric crystals.
8541.10 Diodes, other thanphotosensitive orlightemitting diodes
8541.2 Transistors, other thanphotosensitive transistors:
8541.21 With adissipation rateoflessthan1w
8541.29 Other
8541.30 Thyristors, diacs andtriacs, other thanphotosensitive devices
8541.40 Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cellswhether ornot
assembled inmodules ormade upintopanels; lightemitting diodes
8541.50 Other semiconductor devices
8541.60 Mounted piezo-electric crystals
8541.90 Parts
8542 Electronic integrated circuits andmicroassemblies.
8542.1 Monolithic integrated circuits:
8542.11 Digital
8542.19 Other
8542.20 Hybrid integrated circuits
8542.80 Other
8542.90 Parts
8543 Electrical machines andapparatus, having individual functions, notspecified or
included elsewhere inthisChapter.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page73
8543.10 Particle accelerators
8543.20 Signal generators
8543.30 Machines andapparatus forelectroplating, electrolysis orelectrophoresis
8543.80 Other machines andapparatus
8543.90 Parts
8544 Insulated (including enamelled oranodised) wire, cable (including co-axial cable)
andother insulated electric conductors, whether ornotfitted withconnectors;
optical fibrecables, made upofindividually sheathed fibres, whether ornot
assembled with....
8544.1 Winding wire:
8544.11 Ofcopper
8544.19 Other
8544.20 Co-axial cable andother co-axial electric conductors
8544.30 Ignition wiring setsandother wiring setsofakindusedinvehicles, aircraft or
ships
8544.4 Other electric conductors, foravoltage notexceeding 80v:
8544.41 Fitted withconnectors
8544.49 Other
8544.5 Other electric conductors, foravoltage exceeding 80vbutnotexceeding 1,000 v:
8544.51 Fitted withconnectors
8544.59 Other
8544.60 Other electric conductors, foravoltage exceeding 1,000 volts
8544.70 Optical fibrecables
8545 Carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons andother articles
ofgraphite orother carbon, withorwithout metal, ofakindusedforelectrical
purposes.
8545.1 Electrodes:
8545.11 Ofakindusedforfurnaces
8545.19 Other
8545.20 Brushes
8545.90 Other
8546 Electrical insulators ofanymaterial.
8546.10 Ofglass
8546.20 Ofceramics
8546.90 Other
8547 Insulating fittings forelectrical machines, appliances orequipment,being fittings
wholly ofinsulating material apart from anyminor components ofmetal (for
example, threaded sockets) incorporated during moulding solely forpurposes of
assembly, other
8547.10 Insulating fittings ofceramics
8547.20 Insulating fittings ofplastics
8547.90 OtherWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page74
8548 Electrical parts ofmachinery orapparatus, notspecified orincluded elsewhere in
thisChapter.
8548.00 Electrical parts ofmachinery orapparatus, notspecified orincluded elsewhere in
thisChapter
Chapter 90:
90 OPTICAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC, CINEMATOGRAPHIC, MEASURING,
CHECKING, PRECISION, MEDICAL ORSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND
APPARATUS; PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF
9001 Optical fibres andoptical fibrebundles; optical fibrecables other thanthose of
heading No.8544; sheets andplates ofpolarising material; lenses (including contact
lenses), prisms, mirrors andother optical elements, ofanymaterial, unmounted,
other
9001.10 Optical fibres, optical fibrebundles andcables
9001.20 Sheets andplates ofpolarising material
9001.30 Contact lenses
9001.40 Spectacle lenses ofglass
9001.50 Spectacle lenses ofother materials
9001.90 Other
9002 Lenses, prisms, mirrors andother optical elements, ofanymaterial, mounted, being
parts oforfittings forinstruments orapparatus, other thansuchelements ofglass
notoptically worked.
9002.1 Objective lenses:
9002.11 Forcameras, projectors orphotographic enlargers orreducers
9002.19 Other
9002.20 Filters
9002.90 Other
9003 Frames andmuntings forspectacles, goggles orthelike,andparts thereof.
9003.1 Frames andmountings:
9003.11 Ofplastics
9003.19 Ofother materials
9003.90 Parts
9004 Spectacles, goggles andthelike,corrective, protective orother.
9004.10 Sunglasses
9004.90 Other
9005 Binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, andmountings therefor; other
astronomical instruments andmountings therefor, butnotincluding instruments for
radio-astronomy.
9005.10 Binoculars
9005.80 Other instruments
9005.90 Parts andaccessories (including mountings)WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page75
9006 Photographic (other thancinematographic) cameras; photographic flashlight
apparatus andflashbulbs other thandischarge lamps ofheading No.8539.
9006.10 Cameras ofakindusedforpreparing printing plates orcylinders
9006.20 Cameras ofakindusedforrecording documents onmicrofilm, microfiche orother
microforms
9006.30 Cameras specially designed forunderwater use,foraerial survey orformedical or
surgical examination ofinternal organs; comparison cameras forforensic or
criminological purposes
9006.40 Instant printcameras
9006.5 Other cameras:
9006.51 With athrough-the-lens viewfinder (single lensreflex (SLR)), forrollfilmofa
width notexceeding 35mm
9006.52 Other, forrollfilmofawidth lessthan35mm
9006.53 Other, forrollfilmofawidth of35mm
9006.59 Other
9006.6 Photographic flashlight apparatus andflashbulbs:
9006.61 Discharge lamp ('electronic ')flashlight apparatus
9006.62 Flashbulbs, flashcubes andthelike
9006.69 Other
9006.9 Parts andaccessories:
9006.91 Forcameras
9006.99 Other
9007 Cinematographic cameras andprojectors, whether ornotincorporating sound
recording orreproducing apparatus.
9007.1 Cameras:
9007.11 Forfilmoflessthan16mmwidth orfordouble-8 mmfilm
9007.19 Other
9007.2 Projectors:
9007.21 Forfilmoflessthan16mmwidth
9007.29 Other
9007.9 Parts andaccessories:
9007.91 Forcameras
9007.92 Forprojectors
9008 Image projectors, other thancinematographic; photographic (other than
cinematographic) enlargers andreducers.
9008.10 Slide projectors
9008.20 Microfilm, microfiche orother microform readers, whether ornotcapable of
producing copies
9008.30 Other image projectors
9008.40 Photographic (other thancinematographic) enlargers andreducers
9008.90 Parts andaccessoriesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page76
9009 Photocopying apparatus incorporating anoptical system orofthecontact typeand
thermo-copying apparatus.
9009.1 Electrostatic photo-copying apparatus:
9009.11 Operating byreproducing theoriginal image directly ontothecopy(direct process)
9009.12 Operating byreproducing theoriginal image viaanintermediate ontothecopy
(indirect process)
9009.2 Other photo-copying apparatus:
9009.21 Incorporating anoptical system
9009.22 Ofthecontact type
9009.30 Thermo-copying apparatus
9009.90 Parts andaccessories
9010 Apparatus andequipment forphotographic (including cinematographic) laboratories
(including apparatus fortheprojection ofcircuit patterns onsensitised semi-
conductor materials), notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter;
negatoscopes; proje
9010.10 Apparatus andequipment forautomatically developing photographic (including
cinematographic) filmorpaper inrollsorforautomatically exposing developed film
torollsofphotographic paper
9010.20 Other apparatus andequipment forphotographic (including cinematographic)
laboratories; negatoscopes
9010.30 Projection screens
9010.90 Parts andaccessories
9011 Compound optical microscopes, including those forphotomicrography,
cinephotomicrography ormicroprojection.
9011.10 Stereoscopic microscopes
9011.20 Other microscopes, forphotomicrography, cinephotomicrography or
microprojection
9011.80 Other microscopes
9011.90 Parts andaccessories
9012 Microscopes other thanoptical microscopes; diffraction apparatus.
9012.10 Microscopes other thanoptical microscopes anddiffraction apparatus
9012.90 Parts andaccessories
9013 Liquid crystal devices notconstituting articles provided formore specifically in
other headings; lasers, other thanlaserdiodes; other optical appliances and
instruments, notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter.
9013.10 Telescopic sights forfitting toarms; periscopes; telescopes designed toform parts
ofmachines, appliances, instruments orapparatus ofthisChapter orSection XVI
9013.20 Lasers, other thanlaserdiodes
9013.80 Other devices, appliances andinstruments
9013.90 Parts andaccessories
9014 Direction finding compasses; other navigational instruments andappliances.
9014.10 Direction finding compassesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page77
9014.20 Instruments andappliances foraeronautical orspace navigation (other than
compasses)
9014.80 Other instruments andappliances
9014.90 Parts andaccessories
9015 Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic,
hydrological, meteorological orgeophysical instruments andappliances, excluding
compasses; rangefinders.
9015.10 Rangefinders
9015.20 Theodolites andtacheometers
9015.30 Levels
9015.40 Photogrammetrical, surveying instruments andappliances
9015.80 Other instruments andappliances
9015.90 Parts andaccessories
9016 Balances ofasensitivity of5cgorbetter, withorwithout weights.
9016.00 Balances ofasensitivity of5cgorbetter, withorwithout weights
9017 Drawing, marking-out ormathematical calculating instruments (forexample,
drafting machines, pantographs, protractors, drawing sets,sliderules, disc
calculators); instruments formeasuring length, foruseinthehand(forexample,
measuring rodsand....
9017.10 Drafting tables andmachines, whether ornotautomatic
9017.20 Other drawing, marking-out ormathematical calculating instruments
9017.30 Micrometers, callipers andgauges
9017.80 Other instruments
9017.90 Parts andaccessories
9018 Instruments andappliances usedinmedical, surgical, dental orveterinary sciences,
including scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus andsight-testing
instruments.
9018.1 Electro-diagnostic apparatus (including apparatus forfunctional exploratory
examination orforchecking physiological parameters):
9018.11 Electro-cardiographs
9018.19 Other
9018.20 Ultra-violet orinfra-red rayapparatus
9018.3 Syringes, needles, catheters, cannulae andthelike:
9018.31 Syringes, withorwithout needles
9018.32 Tubular metal needles andneedles forsutures
9018.39 Other
9018.4 Other instruments andappliances, usedindental sciences:
9018.41 Dental drillengines, whether ornotcombined onasingle basewithother dental
equipment
9018.49 Other
9018.50 Other ophthalmic instruments andappliances
9018.90 Other instruments andappliancesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page78
9019 Mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing
apparatus; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or
other therapeutic respiration apparatus.
9019.10 Mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing
apparatus
9019.20 Ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration orother
therapeutic respiration apparatus
9020 Other breathing appliances andgasmasks, excluding protective masks having
neither mechanical parts norreplaceable filters.
9020.00 Other breathing appliances andgasmasks, excluding protective masks having
neither mechanical parts norreplaceable filters
9021 Orthopaedic appliances, including crutches, surgical beltsandtrusses; splints and
other fracture appliances; artificial parts ofthebody; hearing aidsandother
appliances which areworn orcarried, orimplanted inthebody, tocompensate for
adefect
9021.1 Artificial joints andother orthopaedic orfracture appliances:
9021.11 Artificial joints
9021.19 Other
9021.2 Artificial teethanddental fittings:
9021.21 Artificial teeth
9021.29 Other
9021.30 Other artificial parts ofthebody
9021.40 Hearing aids,excluding parts andaccessories
9021.50 Pacemakers forstimulating heart muscles, excluding parts andaccessories
9021.90 Other
9022 Apparatus based ontheuseofX-rays orofalpha, betaorgamma radiations,
whether ornotformedical, surgical, dental orveterinary uses, including
radiography orradiotherapy apparatus, X-ray tubes andother X-ray generators,
hightension generators,
9022.1 Apparatus based ontheuseofX-rays, whether ornotformedical, surgical, dental
orveterinary uses, including radiography orradiotherapy apparatus:
9022.11 Formedical, surgical, dental orveterinary uses
9022.19 Forother uses
9022.2 Apparatus based ontheuseofalpha, betaorgamma radiations, whether ornotfor
medical, surgical, dental orveterinary uses, including radiography orradiotherapy
apparatus:
9022.21 Formedical, surgical, dental orveterinary uses
9022.29 Forother uses
9022.30 X-ray tubes
9022.90 Other, including parts andaccessories
9023 Instruments, apparatus andmodels, designed fordemonstrational purposes (for
example, ineducation orexhibitions), unsuitable forother uses.
9023.00 Instruments, apparatus andmodels, designed fordemonstrational purposes (for
example, ineducation orexhibitions), unsuitable forother usesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page79
9024 Machines andappliances fortesting thehardness, strength, compressibility,
elasticity orother mechanical properties ofmaterials (forexample, metals, wood,
textiles, paper, plastics).
9024.10 Machines andappliances fortesting metals
9024.80 Other machines andappliances
9024.90 Parts andaccessories
9025 Hydrometers andsimilar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers,
barometers, hygrometers andpsychrometers, recording ornot,andanycombination
ofthese instruments.
9025.1 Thermometers, notcombined withother instruments:
9025.11 Liquid-filled, fordirect reading
9025.19 Other
9025.20 Barometers, notcombined withother instruments
9025.80 Other instruments
9025.90 Parts andaccessories
9026 Instruments andapparatus formeasuring orchecking theflow, level, pressure or
other variables ofliquids orgases (forexample, flowmeters, levelgauges,
manometers, heatmeters), excluding instruments andapparatus ofheading
No.9014, 9015, 9028 or....
9026.10 Formeasuring orchecking thefloworlevelofliquids
9026.20 Formeasuring orchecking pressure
9026.80 Other instruments orapparatus
9026.90 Parts andaccessories
9027 Instruments andapparatus forphysical orchemical analysis (forexample,
polarimeters, refractometers, spectrometers, gasorsmoke analysis apparatus);
instruments andapparatus formeasuring orchecking viscosity, porosity, expansion,
surface tension or...
9027.10 Gasorsmoke analysis apparatus
9027.20 Chromatographs andelectrophoresis instruments
9027.30 Spectrometers, spectrophotometers andspectrographs using optical radiations (UV,
visible, IR)
9027.40 Exposure meters
9027.50 Other instruments andapparatus using optical radiations (UV, visible, IR)
9027.80 Other instruments andapparatus
9027.90 Microtomes; parts andaccessories
9028 Gas,liquid orelectricity supply orproduction meters, including calibrating meters
therefor.
9028.10 Gasmeters
9028.20 Liquid meters
9028.30 Electricity meters
9028.90 Parts andaccessoriesWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page80
9029 Revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and
thelike;speed indicators andtachometers, other thanthose ofheading No.9014 or
9015; stroboscopes.
9029.10 Revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and
thelike
9029.20 Speed indicators andtachometers; stroboscopes
9029.90 Parts andaccessories
9030 Oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers andother instruments andmeasuring orchecking
electrical quantities, excluding meters ofheading No.9028; instruments and
apparatus formeasuring ordetecting alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray, cosmic orother
ionizing .....
9030.10 Instruments andapparatus formeasuring ordetecting ionising radiations
9030.20 Cathode-ray oscilloscopes andcathode-ray oscillographs
9030.3 Other instruments andapparatus, formeasuring orchecking voltage, current,
resistance orpower, without arecording device:
9030.31 Multimeters
9030.39 Other
9030.40 Other instruments andapparatus, specially designed fortelecommunications (for
example, cross-talk meters, gainmeasuring instruments, distortion factor meters,
psophometers)
9030.8 Other instruments andapparatus:
9030.81 With arecording device
9030.89 Other
9030.90 Parts andaccessories
9031 Measuring orchecking instruments, appliances andmachines, notspecified or
included elsewhere inthischapter; profile projectors.
9031.10 Machines forbalancing mechanical parts
9031.20 Testbenches
9031.30 Profile projectors
9031.40 Other optical instruments andappliances
9031.80 Other instruments, appliances andmachines
9031.90 Parts andaccessories
9032 Automatic regulating orcontrolling instruments andapparatus.
9032.10 Thermostats
9032.20 Manostats
9032.8 Other instruments andapparatus:
9032.81 Hydraulic orpneumatic
9032.89 Other
9032.90 Parts andaccessories
9033 Parts andaccessories (notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter) for
machines, appliances, instruments orapparatus ofChapter 90.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page81
9033.00 Parts andaccessories (notspecified orincluded elsewhere inthisChapter) for
machines, appliances, instruments orapparatus ofChapter 90
(l) Rules oforigin
Question 93.
According totheDecree “OnCustoms Tariff ”,acountry oforigin isacountry where goods were
completely produced orsufficiently processed. Could Georgia provide uswithmore clarifications
onthemeaning of“sufficiently processed ”?
Answer:
According toArticle 16."Definition ofCountry-Origin ofGoods" oftheDecree oftheRepublic
ofGeorgia "Concerning Customs Tariffs" thegoods areconsidered fairly worked outorprocessed
inthegiven country, if:
- thedeclared goods areclassified byquite another tariff position thanthose ofmaterials and
items produced inthethirdcountries andusedformanufacturing ofthedeclared goods;
- thevalue ofdeclared goods bythefixed volume exceeds thevalue ofmaterials anditems
produced inthethirdcountries andusedformanufacturing ofthese goods;
- technological operations tothefixed listhave been done towards thematerials anditems
produced inthethirdcountries andusedformanufacturing ofthedeclared goods.
Question 94.
Please clarify whether proof oforigin isrequired forproducts originating from allcountries or
onlyfrom those countries exporting toGeorgia under apreferential scheme?
Answer:
Nowadaysproofoforiginisrequiredforproductsoriginatingonlyfromthosecountriesexporting
toGeorgia under apreferential scheme.
Question 95.
Where proof oforigin isrequired, what constitutes thatproof?
Answer:
Product 'sorigin certificate form CT-1 constitutes proof oforigin. Thiscertificate isissued
bytheGeorgian Chamber ofCommerce andIndustry ortheMinistry ofTrade andForeign Economic
Relations.
Question 96.
Under what circumstances might a“group ofcountries beconsidered asonecountry fororigin
purposes ”?Forexample, dotheEuropean Communities count asonecountry fororigin purposes?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page82
Answer:
A"group ofcountries beconsidered asonecountry fororigin purposes" onlyincasewhen
allcountries ofthisgroup exporting toGeorgia under apreferential scheme.
Question 97.
According totheMemorandum, acertificate ofcountry oforigin isonlyrequired forgoods
imported from countries included inthepreferential programme. TheGovernment ofGeorgia
willneedtoimplement rules oforigin fornon-preferential purposes prior toWTO accession, in
order toapply most-favoured-nation treatment, anti-dumping andcountervailing duties andorigin
marking requirements. How doesGeorgia intend toimplement theWTO Agreement onRules
ofOrigin fornon-preferential trade purposes prior toWTO accession?
With respect toGeorgia 'srules oforigin forpreferential trade, please identify anddescribe any
items thatarenotconsistent withtherequirements ofAnnex IIoftheWTO Agreement onRules
ofOrigin.
Please describe indetail theprocess relating torequests forassessments ofpreferential origin,
asrequired byparagraph 3(d)ofAnnex IIoftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin.
Answer:
Theissue ofimplementation oftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin fornon-preferential
trade purposes isbeing considered bytheGovernment. Allnecessary changes willbemade tothe
Georgian legislation prior toWTO accession.
Georgia ’srules oforigin forpreferential trade appear tobeconsistent withtherequirements
ofAnnex IIoftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin.
Assessment ofpreferential origin isimplemented onthebasisofacertificate oforigin (unified
form C-1).
Question 98.
Forpurposes ofdetermining origin ofprocessed goods, theMemorandum states thatgoods are
considered processed inGeorgia if"...declared goods areclassified bydifferent tariff position
thanmaterials andarticles produced inthird countries which areusedfortheir production; cost
ofdeclaredgoodsexceedscostofmaterialsandarticlesproducedinthirdcountriesbyfixedamount;
ordefined technological operations wereperformed withmaterials andarticles produced inthird
countries which were usedforproduction ofdeclared goods".
Please identify, including HSnumber, those items whose origin isdetermined byachange intariff
classification.
Please identify, including HSnumber, those items whose origin isdetermined bythecostofthe
declared goods exceeding costofmaterials andarticles produced inthird countries byfixedamount.
What isthefixed amount?
Please identify, including HSnumber, those items whose origin isdetermined bythedefined
technological operations performed withmaterials andarticles produced inthird countries which
were usedforproduction ofdeclared goods. What arethedefined technological operations?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page83
Answer:
Georgia doesnothaveaspecial listofitems acountry oforigin ofwhich isdetermined according
toeither criteria asitisrequired intherelevant provisions oftheWTO Agreement onRules ofOrigin.
(m-n) Anti-dumping andcountervailing regimes
Question 99.
Itisstated thatanti-dumping customs duties areimposed iftheprice ofgoods imported intothe
territory ofGeorgia isessentially lower than their competitive price intheexporting country.
What arethecriteria tojudge whether theyare“essentially lower ”?
Ifthecompetitive price isnotavailable, what price willbeused? HowdoesGeorgia decide whether
anexport damages orthreatens todamage interests ofGeorgia?
HowdoesGeorgia determine whether exports affected bysubsidies damage orthreaten todamage
interests ofGeorgia?
Answer:
Theabove-mentioned statement hastobeinterpreted asfollows: aproduct istobeconsidered
asbeing dumped, ifitsexport priceislessthanthepriceatwhich alikeproduct issoldforconsumption
intheexporting country. Inother words, ifonthebasis ofacomparison oftheexport price andthe
home consumption price intheexporting country itisfound thatthelatter priceishigher, theproduct
could betreated asbeing dumped.
Ifthecompetitive price isnotavailable, thendumping canbedetermined bycomparing the
export price with:
- acomparable price charged forthelikeproduct when exported toathirdcountry; or
- aconstructed value, calculated onthebasis oftheproduction costs oftheimported products,
plusgeneral, selling andadministrative costs, andprofits.
Investigation andeconomic analyses whether anexport damages orthreatens todamage interests
ofGeorgia, arecarried outbytheMinistry ofEconomy incollaboration withtheCustoms Department,
theMinistry ofIndustry andtheState Department ofSocio-Economic Information.
Actually, Georgia hasnever usedanti-dumping measures inpractice.
Question 100.
AsGeorgia itself states, itsanti-dumping andcountervailing regimes appear tobeinconsistent
withWTO rules inseveral respects (e.g.definition ofdumping, injury standard). Accordingly,
could Georgia please confirm thatitsanti-dumping andcountervailing rules willbeinconformity
withWTO rules from thedateofitsaccession totheWTO?
WhendoestheGovernmentofGeorgiaintendtoadoptWTO-consistentlegislationforanti-dumping
andcountervailing duties? Please provide translated copies ofthedraft legislation totheSecretariat
forreview bytheWorking Party.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page84
Answer:
Atpresent, nolawexists inGeorgia onanti-dumping andcountervailing measures. Georgia
willestablish WTO-consistent legislation foranti-dumping andcountervailing measures prior toits
accession totheWTO, replacing current rulesonthese measures. Georgia willrefrain fromimposing
anyanti-dumping andcountervailing duties untilWTO consistent legislation hasbeenenacted and
properly notified totheappropriate WTO Committees. Georgia intends tostartdrafting thislegislation
inclosecooperation withrelevant WTO Committees, taking intoconsideration theirrecommendations.
Question 101.
Foreach ofthepastthree years, please identify theproducts, including HSnumbers, and
destination countries, which have been subject toexport "anti-dumping duties".
Answer:
Georgia hasnever imposed anti-dumping duties inpractice.
(o) Safeguard regime
Question 102.
Have theprovisions onsafeguard regime been adopted intheLawOnForeign Trade? Ifyes,
what arethemain provisions?
CouldGeorgiapleaseprovidetheWTOSecretariatwithacopyofitsforthcomingLaw"OnForeign
Trade ”inanofficial WTO language assoonaspossible?
TheGovernment ofGeorgia intends toinclude provisions foraWTO-consistent safeguards regime
intheforthcoming LawonForeign Trade.
What isthecurrent legislative status oftheforthcoming LawonForeign Trade? Please provide
copies ofthedraft lawtotheWorking Party forreview.
IfGeorgia isunable tocomplete theimplementation ofWTO-consistent legislation bythedate
ofaccession, doestheGovernment ofGeorgia commit torefrain from imposing anysafeguard
measures, until WTO-consistent legislation hasbeen enacted andproperly notified tothe
appropriate WTO Committees?
Answer:
Georgia hasnotstarted elaborating theLawonForeign Trade yet.Itisenvisaged tocommence
elaborating thislawinthenearfuture.
IfGeorgia doesnotcomplete theimplementation ofWTO consistent legislation bythedate
ofaccession, itwillrefrain fromimposing anysafeguard measures, untilWTO consistent legislation
hasbeenenacted andproperly notified totheappropriate WTO Committees.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page85
(p) Reference prices
Question 103.
What isthepurpose oftheminimum import pricing system?
Answer:
Thepurpose oftheminimum import pricing system isthefollowing: customs valuation of
imported goods aredetermined bytransaction values, buttransaction values must notbelower than
minimal reference prices.
Question 104.
Could Georgia please listtheproducts subject tocompulsory minimum import prices bytariff
heading?
Please identify thetwenty product groups, including HSnumbers, currently subject tominimum
import pricing.
Answer:
No. Name ofproducts Unitof
measurementMin. transaction
value/US$
1 champagne andsparkling wines litre 3.0
2 grape andfruitwines, included strong wines litre 2.5
3 cognac litre 5.0
3-1 rum, gin,whisky litre 3.0
3-2 brandy litre 4.0
4 vodka litre 2.0
5 liqueur litre 2.0
6 beer litre 1.0
7 ethyl spirits litre 1.0
8 wheat flour ton 300
9 oil litre 0.7
10 margarine kilogram 1.0
11 package butter kilogram 1.6
11 butter getweighed kilogram 1.5
12 feathered meat kilogram 0.8
13 fish(frozen) kilogram 0.6
14 products ofmacaroni kilogram 0.4
15 sugar ton 300
16 natural fruitjuice litre 1.0
16-1 other juices litre 0.75
17 tomato-paste kilogram 0.7WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page86
No. Name ofproducts Unitof
measurementMin. transaction
value/US$
18 tobacco, cigar 1000 pieces 16
19 jewellery products kilogram 1500
Question 105.
What happens where theinvoice price submitted atcustoms islower thantheminimum import
price? Does thistrigger anadditional charge tobepaidbytheexporter orimporter? Onwhat
basis iscustoms dutyonproducts subject tominimum import pricing calculated?
Answer:
When theinvoice priceislower thanminimum import price, customs valuation isdetermined
atcustom 'sauthority discretion. Insuchcaseanadditional charge tobepaidbytheexporter orimporter,
doesnotoccur.
Question 106.
Itisstated thatthesystem ofminimum import prices isduetobephased outbytheendof1997,
despite thestatement elsewhere thatthere arepressures toincrease itscoverage. Please confirm
thedatebywhich thissystem willbephased out.
According totheMemorandum, asystem ofminimum reference prices hasbeenintroduced for
twenty product groups. Wecommend theGovernment ofGeorgia foragreeing toeliminate its
system ofminimum import pricing bytheendof1997.
Answer:
Thesystem ofminimum import prices which covered 19product groups, willbeeliminated
gradually. AttheendofAugust of1997 thelistofproducts, currently subject tominimum import
pricing, willberevised inorder toreduce thenumber ofthese goods. Fortherestofproducts the
existing prices willbereviewed ontheaverage world pricebasis. Coverage ofminimum import price
system willnotincrease anditissupposed tobephased outbytheendof1997.
Question 107.
DoesGeorgia haveaprocess ofappeal forimporters iftheCustoms Office contradicts theinvoiced
purchase price?
Answer:
Seetheanswer tothequestion 72.
Question 108.
What isthestatus oftheGovernment ofGeorgia 'sconsideration oftheadoption ofapre-shipment
inspection regime? Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, thatwould besubject
topre-shipment inspection. Willthenumber ofitems subject topre-shipment inspection begreater
thanthenumber ofproducts currently subject tominimum reference pricing?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page87
Please describe fullythepre-shipment regime andexplain howapre-shipment regime willreplace
thereference price system. WillGeorgia contract theservices ofapre-shipment inspection firm
toassist intheimplementation ofitscustoms procedures?
Answer:
Theissueofintroducing thepre-shipment inspection regime inGeorgia isunder consideration
inappropriate Georgian authorities.
Asregards theminimum reference prices, theywillbe,inanycase, eliminated attheendof
1997 andproducts thatarecurrently subject tominimum reference pricing willsubject tocommon
rules ofdetermination ofcustoms value which areinforce inGeorgia.
IncaseGeorgia contracts withapre-shipment inspection firmtoassist intheimplementation
ofcustoms procedures, thentheGovernment ofGeorgia willensure thattheoperations ofsuchfirms
areconsistent withtherelevant WTO Agreements, inparticular, GATT Article VIII, theAgreement
onPre-Shipment Inspection andtheAgreement ontheImplementation ofArticle VIIoftheGATT 1994.
2. Export Regulation
(a) Registration requirements forengaging inexporting
Question 109.
Allexporting legal andnatural persons must beregistered withtheState Department ofSocio-
Economic Information. Isanyone allowed toregister orarespecific requirements applied?
Answer:
Alllegalandnatural persons performing financial operations mustberegistered intheState
Department ofSocio-Economic Information. There arenorestrictions forregistration inthegeneral
State register. Ithappens onthebasis ofregistration inthecourt byitsestablished rules.
Question 110.
Oneofthebasic purposes ofthecargo customs declaration istocontrol extra charge ofcustoms
duties totheState Budget. Please provide more information concerning thisextra charge (when
isitlevied, itssize,etc.).
Answer:
The“extra charge ”means therevenue gained from thecollection ofcustoms duties and
transferred totheState Budget. Notaxwasmeant here.
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types ofduties, dutyrates, etc.
Question 111.
VAT ischarged onexports toother CIScountries butnotonexports tonon-CIS countries. Does
Georgia intend toharmonize thisprocedure?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page88
Answer:
ThenewTaxation Code ofGeorgia envisages taxation tothedestination principle which entered
intoforce from1September 1997. Itmeans thatexport fromGeorgia inanyforeign country including
CIScountries issubject totaxation by0percentratefrom 1September 1997.
(c) Quantitative export restrictions, including prohibitions, quotas andlicensing systems
Question 112.
Foreachproduct subject toexport prohibition, please provide theWTO justification. When will
theprohibitions beremoved?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheMemorandum theexport offollowing threetypes ofgoods isprohibited:
- artwork andantiques;
- weapons andgunpowder;
- ferrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals.
Inorder tobring thesemeasures intoconformity withArticle XIoftheGATT, theGovernment
ofGeorgia ispreparing draftlawsaiming atremoving measures ofexport prohibition. Atpresent it
ispossible tochange measures ofexport prohibition byexport licensing procedures. Forexample,
theexport prohibition willberemoved onferrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals andexport ofthese
products willsubject toexport licensing procedures, which willbegradually eliminated. Export
prohibition onweapons andgunpowder willbeeliminated andexport ofthesegoods willbeperformed
inaccordance withinternational commitments taken bytheGeorgian Government.
Thepurpose forexport prohibition onartwork andantiques istoavoid theflowofnational
andcultural values outoftheterritory ofGeorgia; itisregulated byResolution No.744of
23November 1995 oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia andResolution No.637-II of
21February 1995 oftheParliament ofGeorgia.
Question 113.
Concerning quantitative restrictions, weexpect thattheneedtorequire alicence toexport timber
(logs) willberemoved assoonasthesupply increases. Canthisbeconfirmed?
Answer:
Existence oflicensing procedures onexport oftimber (logs) ismainly caused bythreefactors:
- protection offorestry resources ofGeorgia andavoiding uncontrolled cutting offorest;
- relieving critical shortages oftimber inGeorgia (including forheating purposes);
- strengthening thesawing capacities.
Itisalsoaimed atstrengthening thecontrol overecological conditions offorests andensuring
theprecise registration system inthissector.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page89
Therequirement forlicences toexport timber willberemoved oncethedemand ofthedomestic
market fortimber issatisfied andsawing capacities operated. Themajor partofGeorgia ’stimber export
arelogs. Ifatendency toincrease theshare ofsawed timber oftotaltimber export isobserved, then
theneedforlicences toexport logswillbedecreased. Inthiscasetheexpediency ofremoval ofexport
licensing procedures fortimber willbediscussed.
Question 114.
What isthereason fornotallowing exports offerrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals?
Please provide atranslated copy ofResolution No.637-II of21February 1995 totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. Please describe theexport restrictions applicable
toferrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals.
Answer:
Theexport offerrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals isprohibited bytheResolution No.637-II
of21February 1995 oftheParliament ofGeorgia. Currently, thedraftResolution oftheParliament
ofGeorgia onremoval ofthisprohibition isunder process ofelaboration.
Thereason fortheexport prohibition offerrous andnon-ferrous scrap metals wasthelow
provision tothemetallurgical sector ofthecountry ofthese rawmaterials, which might cause full
disruption ofmetallurgical industry ofthecountry.
Question 115.
Resolution No.744oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia requires alicence fortheexport of
timber inorder topreserve scarce resources fornational industry. Caucasian firseedisalsosubject
toexport licensing.
Please provide atranslated copy ofResolution No.744oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia
of30November 1995 totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
ItispossiblethattheissueofexpediencyofremovalofexportlicensingproceduresforCaucasian
firseeds beconsidered inthenearfuture.
TheEnglish version ofResolution No.744oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia of
30November 1995 isavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division,
Room 1126).
Question 116.
Please identify allproducts, including HSnumbers, thataresubject toexport restrictions pursuant
toResolution No.744oftheCabinet ofMinisters ofGeorgia anddescribe thenature ofthe
restriction foreachitem.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page90
Answer:
(a) Biological, mineralogical, archaeological, palaeontological, ethnographical andnumismatic
collection materials -970500000.
Export licensing oftheseitems isaimed atpreserving scientific andcultural values ofGeorgia.
(b) Timber –4403.
Purpose ofexport licensing is:
- protection offorestry resources ofGeorgia andavoiding uncontrolled cutting offorest;
- relieving critical shortages oftimber inGeorgia (including forheating purposes);
- strengthening thesawing capacities.
Itisalsoaimed atstrengthening thecontrol overecological conditions offorests andensuring
theprecise registration system inthissector.
(c) Rawmaterialsofmedicinesofanimalandplantorigin,substancesreceivedfromhumanorganism
-020610100; 020622100; 020629100; 020630100; 020641100; 020649100; 020680100;
020690100; 051000000; 1211; 13021; 150420; 1505; 3001; 3002.
Themotivation forexport licensing oftheseitems istheexport prohibition ofplants possessing
narcotic andpoisonous substances; prohibition ofcriminal obtaining andexport ofhuman organs and
substances oftheirorigin; non-satisfaction ofdomestic demand onthese kindofitems (blood plasma,
insulin, etc.); ecological requirements.
Question 117.
Please describe howthese licences work inpractice. Isaquota set?How isitdetermined that
anexport ispermitted ornot?Who makes thisdecision?
Answer:
Export licensing procedures fortimber
Thespecial commission isestablished under theMinistry ofProtection ofEnvironment and
Natural Resources withparticipation ofinterested institutions. Thecommission studies thequantity
oftimber thatcanbycutinconcrete yearbyregions anddemand foreachregion forsatisfying the
needs ofitspopulation. Tenders areannounced andquotas areallocated onexport ofquantity oftimber
which isleftaftersatisfying theabove-mentioned needs. Quotas allocated areregistered intheProtocol
oftheCommission. Export licences areissued inthescopes ofthese quotas inagreement withthe
Ministry ofProtection ofEnvironment andNatural Resources. Export ofsawed timber doesnotrequire
licensing.
According toDecree No.432/m oftheMinister ofHealth Protection thefollowing documents
arenecessary forexport registration ofrawmaterials ofmedicines ofanimal andplantorigin, substances
received from human organism:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page91
- licence onproduction andrealization ofthese products intheterritory ofGeorgia orlicence
onwholesale ofthese products intheterritory ofGeorgia (except rawmaterials ofmedicines
ofplant origin);
- contract onexport ofthese products;
- approval bythe“Inspection oftheMinistry ofHealth Protection onControl ofLegal Circulation
ofNarcotic andPsychotropic Substances ”onexport ofthese products;
- certificate ofquality andorigin ofthese products;
- approval bytheMinistry ofProtection ofEnvironment andNatural Resources incaseofexport
ofrawmaterials ofmedicines ofplant origin;
- address oftheheadoftheorganization-exporter totheRepublican Service ofLicensing of
Pharmaceutical Activities oftheMinistry ofHealth Protection (signed andsealed).
TheRepublican Service ofLicensing ofPharmaceutical Activities existing under theMinistry
ofHealth Protection considers theabove-mentioned documentation andaddress. Organization-applicant
isresponsible forthecorrectness ofsubmitted documentation anddata.
TheRepublican Service ofLicensing ofPharmaceutical Activities existing under theMinistry
ofHealth Protection considers theapplication within 7days. Certificate ofregistration isgiven in
triplicate toarepresentative oftheapplicant aftersigning inarelevant warrant, permission registration
journal. Atthesame timesubmitted contract andenclosed specifications areregistered. Every change
toaregistration certificate isadopted byanauthorized bodygiving acertificate. Ifdocuments submitted
byanorganization-applicantdonotmeettherequirementsforgivingaregistrationcertificate,amotivated
refusal isgiven toanapplicant within 7days.
Question 118.
IfGeorgia believes thatthese restrictions arecompatible withArticle XIoftheGATT 1994, we
seekadetailed explanation tojustify thisposition. Ifnot,howdoesGeorgia intend toeliminate
these export licensing requirements, inaccordance withtherequirements ofGATT Article XI.l.?
Answer:
Seeanswer toquestion 115.
(h) Import dutydrawback schemes
Question 119.
According toinformation provided inparagraph IV.1(c) oftheMemorandum, Georgia provides
atariff exemption forrawmaterials andsemi-finished goods, destined forproduction ofgoods
forexport within thelimits ofavolume ofpractically exported ready goods.
Please identify allrawmaterials andsemi-finished goods eligible forthisimport dutydrawback
scheme.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page92
Please describe indetail theprocedure usedtoexempt rawmaterial andsemi-finished goodimports
from customs duties andtoensure thatproducts areultimately incorporated intoitems forexport.
What ismeant by"within thelimits ofavolume ofpractically exported ready goods"? Please
giveanexample ofthisconcept.
Answer:
Alistofthese rawmaterials andsemi-finished goods doesnotexist. Georgia provides atariff
exemption forallrawmaterials andsemi-finished goods destined forproduction ofgoods forexport.
According toLawNo.555-rs “OnCustoms Duties ”of27December 1996, import ofraw
materials andsemi-finished goods destined forproduction ofgoods forexport isexempted fromcustoms
duties.
During importation ofthese goods customs duties aretobepaidorbankguarantee should be
provided. Customs duties paidarereturned toimporter orbankguarantee iscancelled onceheexports
finalgoods from theterritory ofGeorgia. Asdetermined byGeorgian legislation, Georgia provides
aVAT exemption forallrawmaterials andsemi-finished goods destined forproduction ofgoods for
export. Inthiscaseitisnecessary toprovide byanimporter thecontract between theimporter and
producer, where volume ofimported rawmaterials andsemi-finished goods willbeindicated, which
isnecessary tobedelivered toproducer forproduction ofcertain quantity ofgoods tobeexported
andwhich isthevolume tobeexempted from customs duties andVAT.
Thewords -"within thelimits ofavolume ofpractically exported ready goods ”-canbe
interpreted asthevolume ofrawmaterials andsemi-finished goods thathasbeenactually utilized for
production offinalgoods tobeexported andwhich issubject toatariff andVAT exemption.
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inGoods
(a) Industrial policy
Question 120.
Could Georgia please specify whether thefinancing ofState enterprises through arrears oftaxes
andwages andthepayment ofenergy isstillpossible? Ifso,doesitapply tospecific sectors/regions
orisitgenerally available?
Answer:
Nosuchmeasures existinGeorgia currently.
Question 121.
Please identify those State enterprises whose operations arebeing subsidized through arrears on
taxes andwages andpayment forenergy. What doestheGovernment ofGeorgia intend todo
withthelargest loss-making enterprises?
Answer:
Nosuchenterprises existinGeorgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page93
TheGovernment ofGeorgia intends toprivatize alltheseenterprises through theirrestructuring
andreorganization.
Question 122.
Please provide alistofthe20largest loss-making State enterprises. Arethese thesame companies
thathave been hard tosell?
Answer:
1. Rustavi ’s“AZOTI ”.
2. Electromechanical factory ofKutaisi.
3. Rustavi ’s“KIMBOCHKO ”.
4. Joint-stock company “MAUDI ”.
5. Automobile plant ofKutaisi.
6. Shipbuilding factory ofPoti.
7. “METSI ”.
8. “ORIONI ”.
9. Agricultural machinery (Saksopmankana) “LILO ”.
10. Joint-stock company “METEI ”.
11. Turbine plant ofMtskheta “TOLIA ”.
12. Paper millofTbilisi.
Yes,theyarethesame companies thathavebeenhardtosell.
(b) Technical regulations andstandards
Question 123.
Georgia hastheintention toreplace theoldState standards bynewinternational ones. Could
Georgia provide uswithafirstspecific timetable ofthischange?
Answer:
"Sakstandarti" hastheintention toreplace existing standards bytheinternational ones. Atthe
present time, interstate standards of21,270 types withabbreviation GOST areinforce intheCIS
countries andinGeorgia aswell. Itwilltakemany years tobring these standards nearer tothelevel
ofinternational standards only bytheefforts ofGeorgia, because "Sakstandarti" follows the
standardizationsystemharmonizedwiththeCIScountriesforlackofinternationalstandardsandtechnical
regulationsofworld'sleadingcountries."Sakstandarti"isnotamemberoftheInternationalOrganization
forStandardization (ISO), doesnothaveexperience ofapplication ofinternational standards anddoes
notpossess funds forconducting work onreplacement ofexisting standards bytheinternational ones.
Thatiswhyforthepurpose ofconducting theabove-mentioned works "Sakstandarti" contacts the
Interstate Council forStandardization, Metrology andCertification oftheCIScountries andwithTACIS
programme oftheEuropean Communities. Andonlyafterpositive solution ofthisproblem, i.e.timely
receipt oftechnical andfinancial assistance, willitbecome possible toprovide theWorking Party with
atimetable.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page94
Question 124.
WillGeorgia beinaposition toaccede totheTBT Agreement from thefirstdayofaccession
totheWTO? What practical steps isGeorgia taking/planning totaketoprepare fortheaccession
totheTBT Agreement?
Answer:
Time ofaccession totheTBTAgreement willdepend onterms ofbringing therelevant Georgian
normative basisintoconformity withinternational requirements andtheefficiency ofassistance which
isnecessary forthispurpose. Inthisconnection, "Sakstandarti" hassubmitted aprogramme which
envisages issues connected withtheWTO accession process totheTACIS Coordinating UnitofGeorgia.
Buttheanswer hasnotbeenreceived yet.
Question 125.
DoGeorgian lawsandregulations explicitly provide forequal treatment ofdomestic andimported
products, asregards technical regulations, standards andcertification procedures? Ifnot,when
isGeorgia planning tointroduce suchguarantees?
Answer:
TheGeorgian lawsandregulations provide forequal treatment ofdomestic andimported
products, asregards standards andcertification procedures.
Question 126.
WillSakstandarti andanyother standardizing bodies inGeorgia beabletosigntheTBT Code
ofGood Practice upon accession, orwillatransitional period berequested?
Answer:
Atransitional period willberequested.
Question 127.
Georgia states thatstandards currently usedaremandatory. What stepsarebeing taken byGeorgia
tomake standards voluntary andwhat timetable isforeseen forthischangeover?
Answer:
Georgia hasalready applied forcorrespondent membership intheInternational Organization
forStandardization (ISO), butthere arestillsome procedures remaining tobeimplemented. After
becoming acorrespondent member oftheISOGeorgia willbeabletobring itsstandards intoconformity
withtheinternational ones, thusmaking them voluntary. Notimetable hasbeenelaborated forthis
changeover yet.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page95
Question 128.
Thelistoverproducts subject tomandatory certification covers anumber ofproducts normally
notcovered bymandatory certification, suchasfoodstuffs, alcoholic beverages, clothes andtextiles,
andelectronic equipment. What steps arebeing taken/planned foranalignment byGeorgia to
international practice inthese areas?
Answer:
Nowadays agreat quantity oftheabove-mentioned goods (foodstuffs, alcoholic beverages,
clothes andtextiles, electronic equipment) areimported intotheterritory ofGeorgia. These goods are
domesticallyproducedaswell.Forthepurposeofprotectionofconsumersfromnon-qualitativeproducts,
Georgia stilladheres tothemandatory certification forthese goods.
Question 129.
Does theGeorgian system forcertification allow fortheuseofmanufacturers ’declaration inany
sectors? Ifnot,when willthispossibility beintroduced inGeorgia andforwhat sectors?
Answer:
TheGeorgian system forcertification contemplates theuseofmanufacturers 'declaration in
anysector.
Question 130.
Could Georgia please provide adescription ofitspost-market surveillance system ifsuchsystem
exists?
Answer:
Certification bodies control andsurvey products certified bythem. Thesystem ofquality control
forproducts (services) isintroduced ontheexample ofTbilisi, which isconducted byaspecialized
agency ofthecity'smunicipality.
Question 131.
Where third party certification isjustifiable, doestheGeorgian system allow forchoice between
different procedures suchastypeapproval procedures andquality system certification?
Answer:
TheGeorgian certification system allows forchoice between different procedures ofproduct
orquality systems.
Question 132.
Istheinquiry point, currently located inSakstandarti, fully operational yet?Ifnot,when will
itbefullyoperational? Does Georgia foresee anyneedtorequest atransitional period asregards
theoperation oftheinquiry point?WT/ACC/GEO/4
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Answer:
Theinquiry point, currently located in“Sakstandarti ”,isnotfullyoperational yet.Time for
bringing theinquiry point intoconformity withtherequirements oftheTBTAgreement andmaking
itfullyoperational depends ontheefficiency ofexternal assistance which isnecessary forthispurpose.
Georgia foresees aneedtorequest atransitional period asregards theoperation oftheinquiry point.
Question 133.
Does theGeorgian legislative framework comprise amechanism thatallows forconsultation on
planned standards andtechnical regulations andallows forcomments tobetaken intoaccount,
aswellasgives adequate leadtimeforproducers toadjust tolegislative changes?
Answer:
TheGeorgian legislation doesnotenvisage particularly amechanism thatallows forconsultation
onplanned standards andtechnical regulations andallows forcomments tobetaken intoaccount, as
wellasgives adequate leadtimeforproducers toadjust tolegislative changes. However, thelegislation
foresees, that“iftherules established bytheGeorgian legislation donotcorrespond totherules
established byaninternational treaty therules oftheinternational treaty aregiven advantage ”.
Question 134.
HowdoesSakstandarti publish orotherwise distribute widely information onadopted andpending
legislation andstandards, feesandnormal processing times forcertification, etc?
Answer:
Georgian lawsandlegal actsarepublished inthe“Parlamentis Utskebani ”.“Sakstandarti ”
hasitsperiodicals: bulletins, standards catalogues andinformational indexes, withthehelpofwhich
legislation connected withstandardization, metrology andcertification ispublished.
Question 135.
Please provide translated copies oftheLaws "OnStandardization" and"OnCertification of
Products andServices," adopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia on6September 1996, tothe
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Translated copies oftheLaws “OnStandardization ”and“OnCertification ofProducts and
Services ”,adopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia on6September 1996 havebeenalready submitted
toandareavailable intheWTO Secretariat (Seedocument WT/ACC/GEO/3/Add.1).
Question 136.
Dotheprocedures followed bytheState Department ofGeorgia forStandardization, Metrology
andCertification ("Sakstandarti") comply withtheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication ofStandards, provided inAnnex 3oftheWTO Agreement onTechnicalWT/ACC/GEO/4
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Barriers toTrade? Please identify anypractices thatarenotcurrently inconformity withthe
Code.
Answer:
Theprocedures followed bytheStateDepartment ofGeorgia forStandardization, Metrology
andCertification ("Sakstandarti") donotcomply withtheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication ofStandards, provided inAnnex 3oftheWTO Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade. Work isgoing ontoidentify allthepractices thatarenotcurrently inconformity
withtheCode.
Question 137.
Averylarge number ofproducts arelisted inAnnex 5oftheMemorandum asbeing subject to
mandatory standards. What steps istheGovernment ofGeorgia taking toreduce thenumber
ofproducts subject tomandatory standards?
Answer:
Forthepurpose ofprotection ofconsumers fromnon-qualitative products, Georgia stilladheres
tothemandatory certification forthese goods.
Question 138.
TheGovernment ofGeorgia intends tomove totheuseofnewinternational standards "step by
step" with thetiming ofthechanges dependent on"financing ofworks inthesphere of
standardization". Which international standards doesGeorgia plantoadopt? Aretheynorms
outlined bytheCodex Alimentarius (CODEX), theOrganization ofInternational Epizootics and
theEuropean Plant Protection Organization?
Answer:
Georgia plans toadopt international standards outlined bytheEuropean Plant Protection
Organization andtheOrganization ofInternational Epizootics. Georgia willconsider thepossibility
ofimplementation oftheharmonized sanitary andphytosanitary measures developed bytheCodex
Alimentarius Commission afterscrutinizing these measures.
Question 139.
Georgia willneedtobemore specific inproposing atimetable forrevising itstechnical standards
tointernational norms. Please provide amore specific indication ofwhen itstechnical standards
foragricultural andfoodproducts willbestandardized withinternational technical standards?
Answer:
Timetable forrevising Georgia ’stechnical standards foragricultural andfoodproducts to
international norms depends onterms ofbringing therelevant Georgian legislative basisintoconformity
withinternational requirements andefficiency ofassistance which isnecessary forthispurpose.WT/ACC/GEO/4
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(c) Sanitary andphytosanitary measures
Question 140.
Does Georgia anticipate anydifficulties inapplying theSPSAgreement infullonaccession?
Answer:
Georgia anticipates difficulties inapplying theSPSAgreement infullonaccession connected
withlackofinternational standards, indications andrecommendations forapplication ofphytosanitary
measures, notdeveloped infrastructure, absence ofmaterial-technical base.
Question 141.
According totheMemorandum, newlaws have been submitted toParliament toincorporate
standards established bytheEuropean Plant Protection Organization andtheOffice International
desEpizootics. What aretheGovernment ofGeorgia 'splans forimplementing theharmonized
sanitary andphytosanitary measures developed bytheCodex Alimentarius Commission?
Answer:
Georgia willconsider implementation oftheharmonized sanitary andphytosanitary measures
developed bytheCodex Alimentarius Commission afterscrutinizing these measures.
Question 142.
HastheGovernment ofGeorgia published allsanitary andphytosanitary regulations which have
been adopted? Ifso,where cantheybefound?
Answer:
TheGovernment ofGeorgia haspublished allsanitary andphytosanitary regulations which
havebeenadopted.
TheLawon“AgriculturalQuarantine”waspublishedinthenewspaper“SakartvelosRespublika”
(Republic ofGeorgia) of5June1997.
Therates offeesforservice ofphytosanitary quarantine were published inthenewspaper
“Sakartvelos Respublika ”of22June1997.
Question 143.
Dotheprocedures followed inimplementing Georgia 'ssanitary andphytosanitary regime conform
fully with therequirements provided inAnnex CoftheWTO Agreement onSanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures? Please identify anddescribe anydeficiencies.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page99
Answer:
Sanitary regime
(a) Vet-sanitary procedures fortheimported andlocal products andcargoes, subject tocontrol
should becarried outwiththesmallest possible delay;
(b) Procedural standards tobeusedforeachtypeofproduct arepublished andareknown tothe
public andtheinterested legalentities. Thecompetent bodyintheveterinary-sanitary field-the
Veterinary Department ofthecountry -secures therightfulness ofthedocument, efficient study
ofthedataandaccuracy oftheresults oftheprocedures tobecarried out;
(c) There havebeenworked outandelaborated theinformation requirements forthevet-sanitary
control;
(d) Theconfidential information ontheimported products, received fromtherelevant sources and
control makes thepriority andisfilled withconsideration oftheinformation onthelocal
products;
(e) Inthecorresponding services there arepermitted therelevant requirement forcontrol;
(f) Tariffs fortheimported product doesnotexceed thetariffs forthelocalproducts;
(g) Thecriteria forselection ofsamples fortheimported andlocalproducts arecommon. Ingeneral
theprocedures correspond eachother. Thedifference occurs incertain methods andmeans,
thatcanbeinculcated intheshortest termwiththehelpoftheWTO Member countries, as
theleading method. Thiswillbring usintoconsistence withalltheprocedure ofthemember
countries, connected withtheissue.
Phytosanitary regime
While carrying outthephytosanitary measures within andontheborders ofGeorgia theState
Inspection ofGeorgia forthePhytosanitary Quarantine isguided bytheLegislation andNormative
ActsofGeorgia inthefieldofplant protection andquarantine, alsobytheInternational Convention
forPlant Protection.
(a) Examination andexpertise oftheproducts, subject toquarantine ontheborder check-points
should notcause ahalttotraffic, orunlawful suspension ofthecargo. Yetwhile carrying out
certain quarantine measures, inorder tofindoutthequarantine condition ofthecargo, the
phytosanitary quarantine inspector mayextend theexamination period andhaltthetraffic in
caseitisanecessity inphytosanitary respects;
(b) Before examination oftheproduct, subject toquarantine, theState phytosanitary quarantine
inspector getsfamiliar withthedocuments, accompanying thecargo delivered through marine,
airandlandtransport. From thedocuments hewillfindoutthetypeandquantity ofthecargo,
which country itwasimported from, thetypeofpackage; presence oftheimport quarantine
permission andphytosanitary certificate, thequarantine conditioned ordered tothesupplier,
whether theproduct underwent thespecial medical treatment before being sentandwhich
medicament andregime wasusedforthat. After thatstarts theexamination procedure starts,WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page100
carried outaccording tothephytosanitary quarantine regulations ofthecountry. Inthis
connection wehavenointernational standards, instructions andrecommendations.
Thenorms ofthetermfortheprocedures tobeimplemented arenotbeing systematically
published. Because oflackofthefacilities, neither isitpossible tosupply theapplicant withthe
necessary information ontime.
(c) Inorder toreceive import quarantine permission ontheimported andtransit products subject
toquarantine, theinterested organisations areobliged tosubmit totheState Inspection for
Phytosanitary Quarantine anapplication withthefollowing data,nolaterthan30daysbefore
thecontract isreached:
- thetitlesandquantity ofthematerials subject toquarantine/one foreachtype/and meant
tobeimported toortransported through Georgia;
- theplace ofdestination/address, inthecaseoftransit cargo -theroute andthename
ofthecountry ofdestination/and thewayofapplication ofthecargo;
- thename ofthecountry where theimport orthetransit cargo issupposed tocome
toGeorgia from, alsothename ofthecountry ofproduction;
- thetentative terms forentrance oftheimport ortransportation ofthetransit cargo,
subject toquarantine;
- names oftheborder checkpoints/railway, station, port,airport, auto-station, postoffice,
etc.through which thecargo willbedelivered intoGeorgia ornames oftheborder
check points, thatthetransit cargo willpassduring theentrance andexit.
Inorder toreceive phytosanitary certificate forexport orre-export thesender isobliged to
prepare thecargo, inaccordance withtherequirements oftheimporter country, nolaterthan30days
before thesending date.Before thecargo issentthesender should submit totheStateInspection for
thePhytosanitary Quarantine anapplication fromtheInterdistrict Service forPhytosanitary Quarantine,
withthefollowing information:
- titlesandquantity ofthematerials, subject toquarantine/separate foreachcargo andeachtype;
- name ofthecountry where thematerials subject toquarantine aresentandtheaddress ofthe
recipient;
- timeandplace ofsending ofthecargo;
- border checkpoints oftheimporter andre-importer countries, where thecargo willbesent
from, border checkpoints inGeorgia, through which thematerials, subject toquarantine will
exitthecountry;
- quarantine requirements/in accordance withcontracts, agreements/ordered bytheimporter
countries forthematerials, subject toquarantine.
(d) Import-quarantinepermission,phytosanitarycertificate,documentsworkedoutfortheprocedures
connected withimplementation ofphytosanitary measures represent thedocuments ofstrict
reporting andshould bekeptinthefire-resistant safe;
(e) Inaccordance withtheLawofGeorgia “OnAgricultural Quarantine ”theservice oftheState
Inspection forPhytosanitary Quarantine isnotfreeofcharge andpayment fortherenderedWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page101
quarantine service should becarried outinaccordance with theapproved tariff forthe
phytosanitary quarantine service, thatissame forthelocal andimported cargo, subject to
quarantine;
Inorder towork outtheratefortheservice oftheState Inspection forthePhytosanitary
Quarantinetherewasusedthemethodofanalogy.Therewasstudiedthetariffsfortheanalogicalservices
inthe Western countries. Inparticular, there wastaken intoconsideration theVAT ofthe
Russian Federation, Ukraine andUzbekistan. While fixing therate,important issues weretaken into
consideration, likecompetitiveness oftheprices andrealcostofthequarantine service.
(f) Thesamples oftheimported cargo, subject tophytosanitary control, forthelaboratory expertise
areselected inaccordance withthestandards, validintheWest. There aresimilar requirements
towards thecargo subject toquarantine meant forexport;
(g) Theprocedures forhearing theclaims forquarantine examination andimplemented laboratory
expertise stillneedtobeworked out.
Inthecaseofimport ofabigamount ofproducts, subject toquarantine toGeorgia, theimport
quarantine permission willbeissued onlyiftheselective control iscarried outbytheexperts ofthe
Phytosanitary Service ofGeorgia, attheplacethecargo wasprepared andloaded intheexporter country.
Agricultural andforest lands; agricultural, forest, decorative, healing, etc.crops; alsothe
territories andware-houses oftheenterprises, connected withprocessing, storage andselling ofthe
product, subject toquarantine undergo systematic research withthepurpose toreveal theprimary seats
ofquarantine organisms anddefine theirspreading limits.
Inthecaseofrevelation oftheprimary orinsulated seats there willbedeclared quarantine
onthecorresponding territories andenterprises. There willbedefined themeasures, necessary for
theirlocalisation andliquidation; alistoftheproducts, subject toquarantine, forthegiven species;
timelimits fortheirexport andconsumption.
Inthezoneofwidespreading ofthematerials, subjects toquarantine, there areimplemented
measures forreduction oftheirnegative effect andforprevention oftheirfurther spreading.
Alltheprocedures connected tophytosanitary measures arecarried outinaccordance with
thecurrent Legislation andNormative ActsofGeorgia onPhytosanitary Quarantine.
Question 144.
Please provide specific details onsanitary andphytosanitary requirements forallcategories of
imported animal andplant products.
Answer:
Regulations forshipment ofimported under-quarantine products toGeorgia
1. Itisforbidden toimport toGeorgia:
(a) under-quarantine materials which areinfected withquarantine organisms;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page102
(b) soil,liverooted plants andtheirunderground parts withsoil;
(c) things causing plantdiseases -withtheexception ofsamples oflivemushrooms, bacteria, virus
cultures, aswellasharmful insects ofplants, imported forscientific purposes;
(d) fresh fruitandvegetables inparcels, baggage andhand-luggage ofpassengers, which exceed
5kg.
2. Itispermitted toimport from abroad toGeorgia:
(a) seedandplantmaterial forscientific andselection purposes, withtheirobligatory examination
inintroductory-quarantine nursery gardens andhothouses, regardless thequarantine status of
theterritory ofthecountry oforigin;
(b) quarantine andother dangerous vermin, inseedfarms ofagricultural cultures freefromplant
diseases andweeds, forexamination ofbreeds andcrops, incoordination withtheState
inspection ofphytosanitary quarantine ofplants ofGeorgia. Import ofseedandplantmaterials
fromcountries,wherebacterial,virus,micro-plasmicandcertainfungoidandquarantinediseases
ofplantsarewidelyspread,ispermittedonlyforscientificandresearchpurposes,incoordination
withintroductory-quarantine plantandphytosanitary quarantine inspection, inplotsspecially
allocated forexamination ofvarieties;
(c) import ofcommodity lotsofgrain-products forfoodandother purposes from thecountries,
where quarantine weeds arewidely spread, including theexistence oftheirsingle samples,
ispermitted onlyincoordination withthephytosanitary quarantine Stateinspection ofGeorgia,
under thecondition oftheirspecial technological processing inmanufacturing enterprises.
Import ofcommodity lotsofgrain andgrain-products forfoodandcattle feeding purposes
fromcountries where quarantine vermin ofbarniswidely spread, ispermitted onlybymeans
ofwrapping holds ofships withgas-penetrating materials.
3. Importofunder-quarantinecargoesandmaterialsfromforeigncountriestoGeorgiaispermitted,
ifthefollowing documents arepresented atborder posts:
(a) import-quarantine permission granted bytheStatephytosanitary inspection ofGeorgia, where
theborder postofimport andconditions forimport anduseoftheseunder-quarantine materials
aredetermined;
(b) aphytosanitary certificate issued bytheStateorganization ofplant protection andquarantine
ofanexporter country, fromthose countries which donothavethesimilar service, thecargo
shallmeettheconditions indicated intheimport-quarantine permission. Thecertificate shall
beenclosed totransport documents accompanying thecargo.
4.(a) Theimport-quarantine permission shallbegranted onthebasisofawritten warrant received
from thereceiver ofthecargo addressed totheState inspection ofphytosanitary quarantine.
Import-quarantine permission onimport ofcommodity lotsofunder-quarantine materials is
given onlytoorganizations having thestatus ofajuridical person, toentrepreneurs andthose
businessmenwhodonotrepresentajuridicalpersonbuthaveregisteredtheiractivityinGeorgia,
inaproper way, andhave allnecessary conditions fortheimplementation ofquarantine
phytosanitary measures;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page103
(b) While import ofunder-quarantine products/grain, fresh fruit, vegetables, potatoes, seedand
plantmaterials,inlargequantities,toGeorgia,theimport-quarantinepermissionshallbegranted
under thecondition ofimplementation ofselective phytosanitary control bythespecialists of
phytosanitary service ofGeorgia, intheexporter country where thegoods wereproduced and
loaded.
5. Thefollowing under-quarantine materials maybeimported toGeorgia without theimport-
quarantinepermission,onthebasisofaphytosanitarycertificateissuedbyplantprotectionandquarantine
service oftheexporter country:
(a) seedandplantmaterial samples -addressed tobotanical gardens andotherscientific andresearch
institutions, under theruleofexchange;
(b) foodproducts ofvegetable origin -fordiplomatic, consular andtrade representations, for
International andintergovernmental organizations, aswellasforpersons whoenjoy privileges
andimmunity;
(c) samples ofagricultural products andrawmaterials upto5kg-forforeign tradeorganizations
ofGeorgia.
6. From different parts ofGeorgia, without import-quarantine permission andaphytosanitary
certificate ofthesending country, butthefollowing production shallbeadmitted forimport under
obligatory phytosanitary control attheState border postofGeorgia:
(a) forfoodpurposes -starch, hop,ground coffee, tea,packed lump sugar;
(b) seasoning;
(c) processed riceforindustrial articles, henna, basma;
(d) products ofvegetable origin, loaded ontransport facilities, which arefreefrom quarantine
organisms, andwhich areintended forfoodpurposes ofpersonnel andcrew, without the
permission oftaking those products outofthetransport facility;
(e) deepminerals andground (soil), riverandseasand, bottom ground ofseas,rivers andlakes;
(f) under-quarantine materials freefrom quarantine organisms -flour, cereals, dried andfresh
fruit, vegetables, raisins, seasoning, wallnut,nut,etc-inbaggage andhand-luggage of
passengers, personnel andcrew oftransport facilities, parcels -upto5kgofweight.
7. Under-quarantine materials, imported forthepurposes ofinternational exhibitions, aresubject
tophytosanitary control andexpert examination ontheplaces ofholding theexhibitions. After the
endofsuchexhibitions, these exhibited materials shallbereturned tothecountry where theywere
imported from, orshallbetransferred tointroductory quarantine nursery garden andgreen-house,
orbedestroyed. Inthecaseofrevealing, inexhibition materials, thevegetable products theimport
ofwhich toGeorgia isforbidden, orwhich areinfected withquarantine objects, those materials shall
besubject toconfiscation anddestruction.
8. Organizations, conducting import, while concluding agreements andcontracts onimport of
under-quarantine materials from foreign countries toGeorgia, areobligated toreflect inthem theWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page104
phytosanitaryconditionsindicatedinimport-quarantinepermissionandensuremeetingofthoseconditions
bytheexporters. Import ofquarantine materials ispermitted onlythrough those border posts, which
areindicated intheimport-quarantine permissions.
9. Under-quarantinematerials,tobeimportedtoGeorgiathroughtheStateborderpostsofGeorgia,
ormaterials intransit, packing andtransport facilities, aresubject tophytosanitary control conducted
byaState inspector ofphytosanitary quarantine. Under-quarantine materials, packing andtransport
facilities, bymeans ofwhich under-quarantine products havebeenimported, aresubject tosecondary
phytosanitary control conducted bytheState inspectors ofphytosanitary quarantine attheplaces of
destination andareusedonlyinaccordance withtheirdirectives.
10. Import andtransit under-quarantine materials shallbeshipped ontheterritory ofGeorgia only
inclosed, insulated, fixed andsealed carriages, motor-vans, motor-refrigerators orcontainers.
11. Import ofunder-quarantine materials, transit anduseofimported under-quarantine materials
takes place under theconditions established bytheimport-quarantine permission. Itisforbidden to
transfer imported under-quarantine materials toother organizations, ortheirsending toother regions,
without permission oftheState inspection ofphytosanitary quarantine.
12. Organizations, entrepreneurs andpersons, whopermanently roughly violate therules of
phytosanitary quarantine, ordonotobserve thedirectives oftheState inspection ofphytosanitary
quarantine interms ofimplementation ofphytosanitary measures, shallnotbegranted permission to
import under-quarantine cargoes andmaterials.
Regulations fortransit ofunder-quarantine materials
1. Under-quarantine materials (including inbaggage andhand-luggage ofpassengers), which are
shipped through transit viaGeorgia, aresubject tophytosanitary control atborder posts ofshipment.
2. Transit ofunder-quarantine materials, viatheterritory ofGeorgia, iscarried out:
(a) oncommodity lotsofseeds, plantmaterials, fruit, vegetables, wood andtimber, other under-
quarantine products, under theconditions which areestablished bytransit permissions granted
bytheState inspection ofphytosanitary quarantine ofGeorgia. Transit cargoes shall be
accompanied byaphytosanitary certificate oftheexporter country;
(b) seeds, fresh fruit, vegetables andother under-quarantine products ofvegetable origin, which
areimported through post, baggage orhand-luggage, afterconducting phytosanitary control
byaState inspector oftheborder postofphytosanitary quarantine.
3. Transit viaGeorgia isforbidden:
(a) ifunder-quarantine materials areinfected withquarantine vermin;
(b) fungoid livecultures ofmushrooms, collections, bacteria, virus, insects, nematodes andsoil.
4. Under-quarantine cargoes which areinfected withquarantine andother potentially dangerous
plantvermin anddiseases, andregarding which taking ofefficient measures oftreatment isimpossible,
aresubject toreturning backtotheexporter country.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page105
Theruleforimplementation ofphytosanitary control overthematerials andtransport means, subject
toquarantine, meant tobeimported intoGeorgia
1. Phytosanitary control ofthecargo andtransport means, subject toquarantine, atthecheckpoint
oftheState border ofGeorgia iscarried outsimultaneously withthecustoms examination, before
theloading operation starts andalsoduring theloading-unloading process. Phytosanitary quarantine
Stateinspectorsofthebordercheckpointsaremembersofthereceptioncommitteeforthecargodelivered
through ships, trains, airplanes, auto-transport, containers andmail.
Asaresult ofphytosanitary control thereisdetermined presence orabsence ofdangerous pests,
diseases andweeds inthecargo andtransport, subject toquarantine. Thestaffmembers oftheState
customs control areobliged toassist theState inspectors intheprocess ofexamination ofdifferent
cargo, passenger luggage andhandbaggage.
2. Incaseofrevelation ofliving quarantine organisms intransport, containers, package materials,
theinfected transport willundergo special medical treatment, either separately orwiththecargo. In
thiscasethesamples forexpertise willbeselected afterthetreatment. Incasequarantine organisms
arenotrevealed onthesurface oftransport andcargo theStateinspector ofphytosanitary quarantine
border checkpoint takes samples fromthecargo, subject toquarantine andcarries outtheirexpertise
inorder todetermine phytosanitary condition ofplantmaterials. Thesamples areselected inaccordance
withcurrent standards. Inthecaseofnecessity there canbeselected additional samples from the
different parts ofthecargo. Expertise ofthesamples iscarried outinaccordance withthecurrent
methodology. Inthecaseofrevelation ofquarantine organisms thecargo andtransport means, subject
toquarantine areliable tospecial medical treatment orreturn. Thequarantine organisms, revealed
asaresult oftheexpertise aresenttothequarantine laboratory forapproval.
3. Thecontainers withthecargo subject toquarantine thatenterGeorgia, areliable tophytosanitary
control ontheborder check-points andtheplaces ofdestination inthecaseofnecessity. Thecontainers
withindustrial cargo, alsocontainers withthematerials, subject toquarantine, thataretransported
through Georgia without opening orunloading, areliable toexternal phytosanitary control attheborder
checkpoints.
4. Thepassengers, theshipcrewmembers, plane crewmembers, members ofthetrainandauto-
transport teams, thatenter Georgian border checkpoints areobliged toindicate thepresence ofplant
productsandotherplantmaterialsintheirluggageinthedeclarationandtosubmitthemforphytosanitary
control.
5. Carriages,holds,auto-cars,containers,alsoseparatecargo,luggageisopenbytherepresentative
oftransport organization, drivers ortheperson, accompanying thetransport, theowner oftheluggage,
andinaccordance withdemand ofStateinspector ofthephytosanitary quarantine border checkpoint.
6. Theloading operation oftheplant cargo attheentrance points iscarried outafter the
phytosanitary control iscarried outandinaccordance withthepermission oftheState inspector of
thephytosanitary quarantine border checkpoint.
7. Georgian transport means thatenterfromother countries afterunloading ofcargo andluggage
aresubject tothorough cleaning onthepartoftransport organizations attheborder checkpoint, and
bytherecipient -attheplace ofdestination. Inthecaseofnecessity theState inspector ofthe
phytosanitary quarantine border checkpoint gives instructions forsending ships formedical treatment,
andcarriages andauto-transport means tocleaning-disinfection stations.WT/ACC/GEO/4
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8. Thefoodstuff thatenters Georgia onGeorgian andforeign transport means, andareinfected
byquarantine orother dangerous pests, issubject tospecial medical treatment, destruction orlockage
ofwarehouses under instruction ofStateinspector during theperiod ofstaying ontheGeorgian territory.
9. After carrying outthesecondary phytosanitary control andlaboratory expertise, ifnecessary,
theState inspector makes aconclusion ontheconditions ofconsumption oftheproduct anddefines
thenecessary phytosanitary measures ontheplace thematerials subject toquarantine werereceived.
10. Seeds, seedling andother plant cargo received from foreign countries, thatunderwent
phytosanitary control attheStateborder checkout point aresubject tosecondary phytosanitary control
andexpertise attheplace ofdestination.
11. Thematerials subject toquarantine infected byquarantine andother dangerous pests, plant
diseases andweeds, against which noefficient treatment orcleaning measures canbetaken, areliable
toreturn totheexporter country ordestruction inaccordance withthedetermined rule.
12. Thepackages withseeds andseedlings senttoGeorgia through mailaresenttotherecipient
onlyafteritundergoes phytosanitary control andexpertise, incaseitisfreeofquarantine organisms.
TheState inspector putsaspecial stamp ontheexamined packages.
13. Trade samples ofthematerials subject toquarantine thatenter thecountry withtheaddress
oftheinternational tradeorganizations, aresubject tophytosanitary control andexpertise onthegeneral
bases.
14. Thegoods ofindustrial andpublic consumption thatwillbeimported fromthecountries where
Capri bugs, American white butterflies arespread, aresubject tophytosanitary control bothattheborder
checkpoint andtheplace ofdestinations.
Question 145.
Please provide alistofallquarantine pests.
Answer:
Listofquarantine pests, plant diseases andinjurious weeds
1. Which arenotregistered inGeorgia
(a) Plant pests:
- Liriomyza trifalii Burgess;
- Callosobruchus andis L;
- Spodoptera litura Fabs;
- Pseudococcus citriculus green;
- Zabrotes subfasciatus Boh;
- Diabrotica virgifera Conte;
- Spodoptera littoralis Boisd;
- Trogoderma granarium Ev;
- Ceroplastes rusci L;
- Aonidiella aurantii Mask;
- Callosobruchus maculatus F;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page107
- Parabemisia murica (Kuusana);
- Trogoderma simplex jayne;
- Trogoderma ornatum Say;
- Trogoderma angustum Sol;
- Trogoderma ballfinchus Beal;
- Trogoderma grassmane Beal;
- Unaspis citriComst;
- Caulophilus latinasus Say;
- Jpssp.sp.;
- Ceratitis capitata U;
- Dinoderus sp.;Sinoxilon sp.sp.;
- Phyllocnistis citrella Stair;
- Callosobruchus chinensis L.
(b) Plant diseases:
Fungous diseases ofplants
- Thecaphora saloni (Thirumulacher etO‘Brier);
- Synchytrium endobioticum Percival (Schilb);
- Diaporthe helianthi (Promopsis) helianthi (munt costetal);
- Ceratocystis fagocearum (Bretz) Hunt;
- Cochliobdus heterostrophus Drechsler;
- Phimatotrichopsis omnivora (Duggar) Hennebert;
- Didymela ligulicola (K.T. Baker, Dimak andL.H. Davis) vonArx;
- Tilleta (Neovossia) indica (mitra).
(c) Bacteriological diseases ofplants:
- Pseudomonas caryophylley StarQBurk;
- Bacterium steusartii (Smith) Bergey;
- Erusinia amulovora (Burill) Com S.A.B.;
- Clavicebarter tritici (CarlsonQ vidaver) Davis;
- Xanthonomas campestris pvcitri.
(d) Virus diseases ofplants:
- Grapevine flavescene doree M.L.O.;
- Plam poxpotyvirus;
- Citrus tristera virus.
(e) Nematodes:
- Globodera pallida (stone) Brens
(f) Weed plants:
- Ambrozia psilostachia D.C.;
- Jvaaxillaris Pursh;
- Acanthospermum hispidium D.C.;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page108
- Helianthus sp.sp.;
- Emex spinoza L.;
- Cassia occidentalis L.;
- Cassia tora;
- Striga sp.sp.;
- Cenchrus pauciflorus Benth;
- Solanum rostratum Dum;
- Solanum triflorum L.;
- Solanum eleagnifolium Cav.
2. Spread inlimited quantity ontheterritory ofGeorgia:
(a) Plant pests:
- Hyphantria cunea Druru;
- Ceroplastes japonicus green;
- Lopholeucaspis jaronica Ckll;
- Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Comst;
- Phtorimaea opercullela Zell;
- Pseudoccus comstoki Kuus;
- Dialeurades cirtiAshm;
- Preudococus gahani Green;
- Pseudaulacaspis pentagona Targ;
- Viteus vitifolii Fitch.
(b) Plant diseases:
Fungous diseases ofplants
- Diaporthe phascolorum varcaulivora (art.etCald).
(c) Nematodes:
- Globodera rostochinensis (Woll) M.etst.
(d) Weed plants:
- Ambrozia artemisiifolia L;
- Ambrozia trifida L;
- Acroptilon repens D.C.;
- Solanum csrolinense L.
3. Potentially dangerous organisms :
(a) Plant pests:
- Diaphorina citriCuus;
- Dacus dorsalis Hend;
- Chrysomphalus risiiMask;
- Lecanium deltae (Lizeri);
- Bruchidius incarnatus Boh;
- Rhagoletis pomonella Walsh;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page109
- Paralipsa gularis Zell;
- Pantomorus leucoloma Boh;
- Popillia japonica Newn;
- Dysmicoccus wistarial (green);
- Scrobipolpopsis salonivora Pav;
- Pseudoparlatoria parlato rioides (Comst);
- Nipaecoccus nipae (Mask);
- Trogoderma sternale joyne;
- Trogoderma longisetosum Chac;
- Phthorimaea licopersicella Busck;
- Pinnaspis strachani (Cooley);
- Rhizoecus kondonis Kuw;
- Chinoaspis furfura (Fitsh);
- Aceria sholdoni Ewing;
- Aleurocanthus roglum Ashby;
- Aleurothrixus elecosus Mask.
(b) Plant diseases:
Fungous diseases
- Proma andina;
- Phomapsis viticola SaceEaty;
- Phialophoro cinerescens (wr.vanBryma);
- Diplodia macrospora Earle;
- Cercospora kikuchii Mats etTamgard.
(c) Bacteriological diseases:
- Xanthomonas ampelinas.
(d) Virus diseases:
- Peach mosatic virus (American);
- Rosa wiltdisease;
- "Andean" potato virus;
- Potato yellow dwarf virus;
- Potato veinyellowing virus;
- Barley stripe mosaic virus;
- Plum linepattern virus (America);
- Chrysanthemum stunt viroid.
(e) Nematodes:
- Nacobbus aberrans golden etal;
- Radopholus similis Cobb.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page110
(f) Weed plants:
Family
- Aeshynome indica L.B.S.P. Leguminosae;
- Aeshynome virginica (L).B.S.P. Leguminosae;
- Bidens bipinata Compositae;
- Croton capitatus Michx Eaphorbiaceae;
- Diodia terres Walt Rubiaceae;
- Emex australis Stein Polygonaceae;
- Euphorbia marginata Michx Euphorbiaceae;
- Euphorbia dentata Michx Euphorbiaceae;
- Jpomoea hederacca (L)jag Convolvulaceae;
- Jacquemontia tamniofolia L Convolvulaceae;
- Polygonum pensylvanicum L Polygonaceae;
- Raimania laciniata (Hill) Rose Onagraceae;
- Sesbania exaltata (Raf) Cory Leguminosae;
- Sesbania macrocarpe Muhl exRafin Leguminosae;
- Sicyos angulata L Cucurbitacea;
- Sidaspinosa L Malvacea.
Inthecaseofinfectious diseases quarantine isannounced during thefollowing diseases: Turkish
andSiberian ulcer, cattle pneumonia, emphysematic carbuncle, epizootic lymphagogue, infectious
anaemia, encephalitis, infectious catarrh andcontagious pleuropneumonia oftheupper windpipe ways,
pigplague andbacillus chicken-pox, sheep small-pox, goatinfectious pleuropneumonia, fowlplague,
pseudo-plague, pasteurellas, small-pox differite, microplasmus, virose hepatitis, cobra measles,
bronchiomicose, troutfurunculoses.
TheVeterinary Department oftheMinistry ofAgriculture andFood isincharge ofchanges
oramendments intheabove-mentioned listofdiseases.
Question 146.
Please provide aresponse totheQuestionnaire onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures.
Answer:
Additional information onsanitary andphytosanitary measures willbeprovided inthenearest
future.
(e) State-trading practices
Question 147.
According toWT/ACC/GEO/3, State enterprises donothave anyexclusive rights orspecial
privileges intheirpurchases andsales. However, weareinterested inobtaining some information
about theresidual presence androleoftheState inGeorgia 'seconomy.
Please provide additional information about thestructure ofownership andoperation ofState
enterprises inGeorgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page111
Answer:
ThekeyroleoftheStateinGeorgia ’seconomy isdetermination andcoordination ofstrategic
directions ofGeorgia ’seconomic policy inaccordance withfreemarket principles. Atthepresent stage,
theappropriate Georgian State structures areactively involved intheprocess ofelaboration and
implementation ofquantitatively newlegislation inorder tomeetWTO requirements. Itisnecessary
tostress also, thattheshare oftheprivate sector inGeorgia ’seconomy issteadily increasing inits
GDP with decreasing ofState sector share atthesame time.
Practically, currently allState enterprises arelossmaking andtherefore theGovernment of
Georgia intends toprivatize them aftertheirrestructuring andreorganization.
Question 148.
Pleasedescribetheroleof"Sakagrotechservice","Sopltechservice","Soplmomarageba","Agrotrans"
and"Agromontage" inGeorgia 'sagricultural regime. Please listanyadditional State firms that
produce, distribute, orotherwise support agricultural output inGeorgia anddescribe theconditions
ofcompetition fortheir services orgoods inGeorgia 'smarket andintrade.
Answer:
Therepublican amalgamations "Sopltechservice", "Soplmomarageba", "Agrotrans" and
"Agromontage" wereabolished and47localenterprises andorganizations ofengineering services were
privatized asaresult ofreorganization andrestructuring carried outbytheState Corporation
"Sakagrotechservice". Allenterprises ofthissystem areincluded intheprivatization list.
According toDecree No.2-204 of10July1997 oftheMinistry ofAgriculture andFood, a
decisionwastakentoabolishtheStateCorporation"Sakagrotechservice"andcreateajoint-stockcompany
onthebasis ofitsenterprises. Thedecision oncreation ofsuchjoint-stock company wasmade by
35enterprises which constitute onethirdofthetotalnumber ofenterprises inthissystem. Therest
oftheenterprises solve issues ofinstitutional-legal formoftheirfunctioning according totheLaw“On
Entrepreneurship ”.Atpresent theMinistry ofAgriculture andFood andtheMinistry ofStateProperty
Management areworking together toestablish thisjoint-stock company.
Question 149.
Please describe thecompetitive conditions thatexistfortheState Energy company "Sakenergo",
theState Holding Company "Saknavtobproducti", JSC"Satransgaz" and"Sakenergogeneration",
"Georgian Telecom", "Sakartvelos Posta" and"Sakartvelos Elektrokavshiri". Towhat extent are
these firms State-sanctioned ordefactotrading monopolies intheproducts theymake ordistribute?
Answer:
According totheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activities andCompetition ”adopted bytheParliament
ofGeorgia, aneconomic agent isdeemed tobe“ajuridical ornatural person conducting business
activities notwithstanding theform oforganizational-legal ownership ofanenterprise andthenature
ofbusiness ”.Inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLawallStateorprivate entrepreneurs areunder
thesame conditions.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page112
Inaccordance with paragraph 3ofDecree No.334ofthePresident ofGeorgia, dated
20May1996, theState Anti-monopoly Service under theMinistry ofEconomy ofGeorgia controls
theactivities ofnatural monopolies.
Question 150.
DoanyState-owned enterprises receive State funding, either forbudgetary purpose orfor
investment orforrestructuring?
Answer:
Nooneenterprise receives State funding inGeorgia currently.
Question 151.
Please provide alistofwholly orpartially government-owned firms, aswellasanyState-owned
orState-sanctioned monopolies, suchastelecommunications andpublic utilities.
Answer:
Thenatural monopoly operating inthetelecommunications sector isfrequency spectrum, under
theMinistry ofCommunication andPostofGeorgia.
Thefollowing companies arewholly orpartially government-owned firms:
- Georgian TELECOM Ltd.;
- Georgian PostLtd.;
- Georgian telecommunications Ltd.
Nosuchorganization exists inpublic utilities.
(g) Freeeconomic zones
Question 152.
Could weobtain more clarifications onthedraft lawonfreeeconomic zones? Hasitbeenadopted
sofar?
Please provide atranslated copyofthedraft lawonfreeeconomic zones totheWTO Secretariat
forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Several alternative draft lawsonfreeeconomic zones were submitted totheParliament of
Georgia, butthefinalversion ofthedraftlawisnotready yet.TheWTO Secretariat willreceive the
draftlawimmediately afteritsfinalelaboration.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page113
(k) Trade agreements leading tocountry-specific quotas allocation
Question 153.
Please outline thecustoms conditions under which barter trade would beconducted under the
Agreement onTrade andEconomic Cooperation withtheRussian Federation ifitoccurred, e.g.,
what taxes, tariffs, fees,orother border measures would beexempted orapplied? Does suchan
agreement withRussia oranyother country existfor1997-1998?
Answer:
According totheAgreement onTrade andEconomic Cooperation withtheRussian Federation,
import ofgoods covered bythisagreement were exempted from customs duty.
Nosuchagreement exists withanycountry for1997-1998.
(l) Government procurement practices
Question 154.
Does Georgia already have atimetable ofjoining theGovernment Procurement Agreement?
When doesGeorgia intend tojointheGPA?
WilltheGovernment ofGeorgia commit tojoining theWTO Government Procurement Agreement
atthetimeofaccession?
Answer:
TheAgreement onGovernment Procurement doesnotexistinGeorgia currently. Inaccordance
withtheagreement reached withtheWorld Banktechnical assistance willbeprovided totheGovernment
ofGeorgia forelaborating thelawongovernment procurement andrelated normative acts.
TheGovernment ofGeorgia expects toadopt theabove-mentioned agreement inthesecond
halfof1998. Accordingly, Georgia willjointheWTO Government Procurement Agreement after
bringing itsrelevant legislation intoconformity withWTO requirements.
Question 155.
When doesGeorgia intend tointroduce thegeneral requirement ofpublication oftender and
contract? Could Georgia provide uswithalistofthemain entities inthefieldofgovernment
procurement?
Answer:
TheGovernment ofGeorgia intends tointroduce thegeneral requirement ofpublication of
tender andcontract inthesecond halfof1998.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page114
Themain entities inthefieldofgovernment procurement are:
- Ministry ofDefence;
- Ministry ofState Security;
- Ministry ofInternal Affairs;
- State Department ofState Border Protection.
Question 156.
Isourunderstanding right thatgovernment procurement inGeorgia iscarried outina
non-discriminatorymannerbetweendomesticandforeignproviders?Aretheprocurementagencies
obliged tooffer opportunities andfollow procedures inanon-discriminatory manner forboth
domestic andforeign providers?
This delegation hopes thatGeorgia willprepare legislation consistent with theGovernment
Procurement Agreement, which willensure principles ofnational treatment andnon-discrimination
aswellastransparency ofprocedures andregulations.
Georgia ispreparing anewlawinthefieldofgovernment procurement. Wewould welcome an
up-date onthedraft. Does itfollow international standards, suchastheGPA ortheUNCITRAL
Model Law?
Answer:
Government procurement inGeorgia iscarried outinanon-discriminatory manner between
domestic andforeign suppliers, except cases when procurement ofcertain types ofgoods forarmed
forces iscarried out.Insuchcases participation offoreign companies isrestricted.
Ifparticipationingovernmentprocurementisnotrestricted,theprocurementagenciesareobliged
tooffer opportunities andfollow procedures inanon-discriminatory manner forbothdomestic and
foreign providers.
TheGovernment ofGeorgia istaking efforts toprepare thelawongovernment procurement
which willbeinfullconsistency withtheWTO Government Procurement Agreement.
Question 157.
Does theGeorgian Government collect statistics onprocurement? What istheoverall value of
public sector purchasing inGeorgia?
Answer:
Nostatistical dataareavailable inGeorgia ongovernment procurement.
Question 158.
Please provide atranslated copyofDecree No.162of11February 1996 totheWTO Secretariat
forreview bytheWorking Party.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page115
Answer:
Acopyofthisdocument willbeprovided shortly.
Question 159.
Please provide atranslated copyofResolution No.264oftheCabinet ofMinisters oftheRepublic
ofGeorgia of30March 1993"OnDelivery ofProducts andGoods forState Needs oftheRepublic
ofGeorgia" totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
Available forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inAgricultural Products
(c) Export prohibitions andrestrictions
Question 160.
Please provide theinformation requested inWT/ACC/4 ondomestic support andexport subsidies.
Answer:
Theinformation requested inWT/ACC/4 ondomestic support andexport subsidies willbe
circulated asdocument WT/ACC/SPEC/GEO/1.
Question 161.
Georgia mentions thatoneofthestrategic priorities foreconomic development ispromotion of
exports, interalia,agriculture andtheagro-industry. Ontheother hand, theGeorgian Government
doesnotprovide anyexport subsidies. Doesitintend tointroduce export subsidies foragricultural
products?
Answer:
According totheestimates offoreign experts, including specialists oftheWorld Bank, Georgian
agriculture hassuchabigpotential thatthestrategy andtactics ofitstransition toamarket should be
builtonproduction ofexport products.
Notlongago,amongninedifferentbranchesofeconomyonlytheagricultural-complexproduction
hadapositive balance ofgoods turnover among theformer Soviet Union republics. Export ofproducts
ofprocessing andfoodindustries exceeded import by17times.
Thepastperiod confirmed thenecessity ofextension ofproduction oftraditional export products
inthefieldofagricultureandcreationoffacilitatingconditionsforthispurpose.Thiswillbeimplemented
using bothdirect andindirect means.
Atthepresent stage, theGeorgian Government doesnotprovide anyexport subsidies andit
isexpected thatexport subsidies willnotbeintroduced fornextthe2-3years because ofsystematic
non-fulfilment ofrevenues partofthebudget anddefrayal ofalarge partofexpenses bygrants.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page116
In1996, capital expenses within thesystem oftheMinistry ofAgriculture andFood totalled
8,293,000 lari, including 5.6million lariforirrigation arrangements; veterinary measures:
1.7million lari; landrecultivation works: 182,000 lari; plant protection measures: 174,000 lari.
TheGovernment willcontinue topursue thepolicy ofpromotion ofthedevelopment ofnot
onlyexport production, butalsoagricultural production onthewhole. Thispolicy willbeexpanded
asthecountry ’seconomy grows.
(e) Internal policies
Question 162.
When willGeorgia submit afirstlistofdomestic supports intheagricultural sector? Could Georgia
confirm thatitwillnotintroduce anyexport subsidies inthemiddle term?
TheMemorandum refers tospecific tables thatweretohavebeensubmitted following theguidelines
inWT/ACC/4, Information tobeProvided onDomestic Support andExport Subsidies in
Agriculture. However, these tables donotappear tohavebeensubmitted. Please describe domestic
support andexport subsidy measures intheform ofaresponse toWT/ACC/4. Please submit
thefully completed tables, including calculations ofitsAggregate Measure ofSupport (AMS),
assoonaspossible.
Answer:
Theinformation requested inWT/ACC/4 ondomestic support andexport subsidies willbe
circulated asdocument WT/ACC/SPEC/GEO/1.
Proceeding fromthecurrent economic situation inGeorgia itwillbecome necessary tointroduce
export subsidies inthemiddle term. Firstofall,thiswillbeconnected withsupport ofexport oriented
branches from budget.
Production ofexport products iscarried outinlargeregions where thisproduction hasneither
biological noreconomic alternatives. Thesocial situation intheabove mentioned regions isconditioned
bytheexistence ofthese branches (tea-growing andothers).
5. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade inOther Sectors
(a) Textiles regime
Question 163.
Does theGovernment ofGeorgia commit tonotifying itsquantitative restrictions, inplace asof
thedaypreceding accession totheWTO ontextile exports pursuant toitsagreement withthe
European Communities, totheTextiles Monitoring Board?
Answer:
TheAgreement signed between Georgia andtheEuropean Communities of17November 1993
provides fortheintroduction ofquantitative restrictions onGeorgian textiles (Chapter 50to63ofthe
Combined Nomenclature) exports totheEuropean Communities ifthevolume ofGeorgian exportsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page117
exceedspercentagesrangingfrom0.35percentto4percentoftheEuropeanCommunities’totalimports
oftheprevious yeardepending ontheproduct inquestion. Georgia from itssidedoesnotmaintain
anyquantitative restrictions ontextile andclothing products.
(b) Policies affecting foreign trade inother major sectors
Question 164.
Please describe anyquantitative restrictions currently inplace between theEuropean Communities
andGeorgia pursuant toArticle 17ofthePartnership andCooperation Agreement between the
European Communities andGeorgia.
Answer:
NoquantitativerestrictionsarecurrentlyinplacebetweentheEuropeanCommunitiesandGeorgia
pursuanttoArticle17ofthePartnershipandCooperationAgreementbetweentheEuropeanCommunities
andGeorgia.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
(b) Responsible agencies forpolicy formulation andimplementation
Question 165.
Which office isresponsible fortheprotection oftrade secrets?
Answer:
TheState Anti-monopoly Service under theMinistry ofEconomy ofGeorgia isresponsible
fortheprotection oftrade secrets.
(e) Feesandtaxes
Question 166.
Could Georgia provide atimeframe fortheestablishment offeesfortheareas other thanthose
onpage 42oftheMemorandum?
Answer:
Thetimeframe fortheestablishment offeesfortheareas other thanthose onpage42ofthe
Memorandum isnotdefined.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page118
2. Substantive Standards ofProtection, Including Procedures FortheAcquisition and
Maintenance ofIntellectual Property Rights
(a) Copyright andrelated rights
Question 167.
IstheEnglish version ofthedraft copyright lawalready available? Ifnot,when willitbeactually
available?
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft copyright lawtotheWTO Secretariat forreview
bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthedraft copyright law?
Answer:
TheEnglish version ofthedraftcopyright lawisnotavailable yet.TheGovernment ofGeorgia
expects tofinalize thework onitinautumn 1997.
(b) Trademarks, including service marks
Question 168.
Could Georgia indicate when theChamber ofAppeal andPatent Court willbeestablished? Has
thenewdraft lawontrademark beenpresented toParliament? IstheEnglish version ofthedraft
trademarks lawavailable?
Please provide atranslated copyofthedraft lawontrademarks totheWTO Secretariat forreview
bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthedraft trademark law?
Answer:
Atpresent, theChamber ofAppeal exists under theDepartment ofScience andTechnology
oftheMinistry ofEconomy. Thedraftlawonindustrial property envisages theestablishment ofthe
Chamber ofAppeal under thePatent Office ofGeorgia “Sakpatenti ”.TheLawof13June1997 “On
General Courts ”doesnotenvisage aspecial patent court. Intellectual property disputes areconsidered
inaccordance withthegeneral court procedures. Theexpediency ofestablishment ofaspecial patent
court iscurrently under consideration.
Thedraftlawontrademarks hasbeenconsidered bytheministries andsubmitted totheState
Chancellery ofGeorgia forconsideration. Itissupposed thattheParliament ofGeorgia willconsider
thedraft lawuntiltheendof1997.
TheEnglish version ofthedraft trademarks lawisavailable forconsultation intheWTO
Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
(c) Geographical indications, including appellations oforigin
Question 169.
Hasthedraft lawontheprotection ofappellations oforigin andgeographical indications been
presented toParliament? IstheEnglish version available?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page119
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft lawontheprotection ofappellations oforigin to
theWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status of
thedraft lawontheprotection ofappellations oforigin?
Answer:
Thedraftlawonprotection ofappellations oforigin andgeographical indications hasbeen
submittedtotheStateChancelloryofGeorgiaanddistributedtoMinistriesforconsideration.Preliminary
discussions aregoing on.Thedraftlawwillbepresented totheParliament ofGeorgia untiltheend
of1997.
TheEnglish version ofthedraftlawonprotection ofappellations oforigin andgeographical
indications isavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division, Room 1126).
(e) Patents
Question 170.
Hasthedraft patent lawbeen presented totheParliament? IstheEnglish version available?
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft patent lawtotheWTO Secretariat forreview by
theWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthedraft patent law?
Answer:
Thedraftpatent lawhasbeensubmitted totheParliament ofGeorgia. Discussions aregoing
oninrelevant parliamentary committees.
(f) Plant variety protection
Question 171.
Itisstated thatlawwasprepared according toUPOV standards. Arethestandards those of1978
convention orthose of1991 convention?
Please submit atranslated copyoftheLawonProtection ofSelective Achievements totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Answer:
TheLawonProtection ofSelective Achievements wasprepared according toUPOV standards
of1991 convention.
TheEnglish version oftheLawisavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions
Division, Room 1126).WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page120
(g) Layout designs ofintegrated circuits
Question 172.
Please provide atranslated copy ofthedraft lawonprotection oflayout designs totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthedraft
lawonprotection oflayout designs?
Answer:
Thework ondraftlawonprotection oflayout designs isnotcompleted yet.TheEnglish version
ofthedraftlawonprotection oflayout designs willbeimmediately submitted totheWTO Secretariat
afteritscompletion andtranslation.
(h) Requirements onundisclosed information, including trade secrets andtestdata
Question 173.
Howare“trade-relatedinformation”and“commercialsecrets”definedintheLawOnMonopolistic
Activity andCompetition?
What items areconsidered trade-related information orcommercial secrets pursuant toArticle 9.7
oftheLawOnMonopolistic Activity andCompetition?
Answer:
TheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activity andCompetition ”(Article 9)doesnotdefine theitems
thatareconsidered trade-related information orcommercial secrets. Itjustsaysthat“theobtaining,
acquisition, use,ordistribution ofscientific-technical, production, ortradeinformation andcommercial
secrets without thepermission oftheowner ....areregarded asmanifestations ofunfair competition ”.
Currently thereisnolegislation defining “trade-related information ”or“commercial secrets ”
inGeorgia.
Question 174.
Does Georgia grant protection ofundisclosed information which isusedbyothers inamanner
contrary tohonest commercial practices ifthedisclosure isnotcaused byabreach ofcontract
butbyabreach ofconfidence assuchprotection isrequested under Article 39(2) Fn.10ofthe
TRIPS Agreement?
Answer:
Georgianlegislationdoesnotstipulatepreciselyprovisionsregulatingtheprotectionofundisclosed
information ifthedisclosure isnotcaused byabreach contract butbyabreach ofconfidence. However,
itisregarded asunfair competition which isforbidden bytheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activity and
Competition ”.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page121
Question 175.
HowdoesGeorgian lawgrant protection ofundisclosed testorother dataregarding pharmaceutical
oragricultural chemical products inaccordance withArticle 39(3) oftheTRIPS Agreement?
Please describe theprocedures applied bytheGovernment ofGeorgia toprotect undisclosed test
orother datasubmitted inorder toobtain approval tomarket pharmaceutical oragricultural
chemical products.
Answer:
Georgianlegislationdoesnotstipulatepreciselyprovisionsregulatingtheprotectionofundisclosed
testorother dataregarding pharmaceuticals andagricultural chemical products.
According toArticle 202ofthedraftCriminal Code ofGeorgia, illegal disclosure oruseof
commercial secrets without thepermission oftheowner which caused serious damage shallbesubject
toapenalty of300to500times minimum salary ortwoyears corrective labour activities orrestraints
offreedom uptotwoyears.
Question 176.
Pleasedescribeindetailthecivilproceduresandremediesapplicabletotheprotectionofundisclosed
information, including trade secrets.
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 9oftheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activity andCompetition ”and
Articles 165and165(3) oftheLaw“OnAmendments andChanges totheCriminal andCriminal
Procedural Codes ”of29October 1996 unfair competition isprohibited. Theobtaining, acquisition,
use,ordistribution ofscientific-technical, production, ortrade information andcommercial secrets
without thepermission oftheowner areregarded asmanifestations ofunfair competition. Persons
infringing thisprovision arepunished according totheadministrative rules, orthiscaseisbrought
before thecourt according totheCriminal Code.
3. Measures toControl Abuse ofIntellectual Property Rights
Question 177.
Couldyoupleasegivedetailsconcerningthemeasurestheanti-monopolyorganofGeorgiaisentitled
totakeagainst actsofunfair competition?
Answer:
According toArticle 21oftheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activity andCompetition ”adopted by
theParliament ofGeorgia, State Anti-monopoly Service isauthorized to:
- request before theappropriate bodies thecessation orprohibiting ofactivities thatviolate
anti-monopoly legislation;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page122
- demand thattheorgans which violate thislawcease theirillegal activities, andiftheyfailto
doso,tobring thematter totheappropriate superior bodies orindividuals;
- demand thateconomic agents which violate thislawrecognize theirillegal decisions orcontracts
asinvalid, andiftheyfailtodoso,tobring thematter tocourt andparticipate inthecourt
proceedings;
- demand thateconomic agents produce dataconcerning theirlegal, organizational andeconomic
activities;
- become fullyacquainted withthedocumentation andactivities ofaneconomic agent;
- examine andremove, onthebasis ofacourt decision, thedocumentation concerning agiven
economic agent; thedocuments removed inthismanner maynotbepublished andmaybeused
onlyduring theinvestigation ofthegiven case.If,inconnection withtheinvestigation offacts
andthedocumentation associated withagiven case, theAnti-monopoly Service ’ssuspicions
arenotconfirmed,theServiceisobligedtofullycompensatetheeconomicagentfortheresulting
damages ontheorder andintheamount specified bylegislation ofGeorgia;
- raisethequestion ofadministrative andcriminal responsibility oftheindividual violating the
anti-monopoly legislation;
- demandanyandallnecessaryinformationfromministries,otherStateagencies,andtheexecutive
bodies oftheterritorial units. Ifsuchdemands arenotmet,TheService mayraisethematter
ofdisciplinary oradministrative responsibility before theappropriate bodies orindividuals;
- demand that,inorder toissue aruling, theappropriate individuals inagovernment organ or
economic agent supply information concerning thematter inquestion, following theissuance
ofwritten notification totheindividual concerning thepresumed violations andthedates of
theiroccurrence. Intheevent ofanofficial hearing, theeconomic agent hastherighttobecome
fullyacquainted withtherelevant documentation intheAnti-monopoly Service ’spossessions.
If,within aperiod of30daysafterthereceipt ofsuchademand from theAnti-monopoly
Service, thegovernmental organ oreconomic agent doesnotprovide theinformation needed
bytheService, theService maydecide thematter onthebasis oftheinformation andfacts
initspossessions;
- determine onthebasisofeconomic analysis themaximum levelofaneconomic agent’sshare
ofaproduct-financial markets foragiven economic sphere.
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures andremedies
Question 178.
Isthetimeframe thatnewCivil Code willbeenacted bytheendof1997 remaining unchanged?
Please provide atranslated copy ofthenewCivil Code provisions applicable toprotection of
intellectual property totheWTO Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page123
Answer:
TheCivil Code ofGeorgia hasbeenadopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia andwillenter into
force on25November 1997.
Thetranslated copy ofthenewCivil Code provisions applicable toprotection ofcopyright
andrelated rights isnotavailable. Itwillbeimmediately submitted totheWTO Secretariat after
translation.
(b) Provisional measures
Question 179.
Please outline themain characteristics oftheprovisional measures ascontained inthedraft Code
ofCriminal Procedure andinthedraft Code ofCivil Procedure.
Answer:
Information ontheprovisional measures ascontained inthedraftCode ofCriminal Procedure
andinthedraftCode ofCivil Procedure willbesentaftertheirtranslation.
(c) Anyadministrative procedures andremedies
Question 180.
When willCode ofAdministrative Infringements contain wording onintellectual property matters?
Answer:
ThedraftCode ofAdministrative Infringements contains thefollowing provisions concerning
intellectual property matters:
Article 218. Violation ofState Accounting Orders
- Violation ofStateAccounting Order, falsifying original statistical dataornotproviding them
atallbyofficial bodies personal enrichment orthepurpose ofsafeguarding personal interests
isasubject toapenalty of30to50times theminimum wage;
- Latenotification ofbirthordeath ofaperson totherelevant authorities isasubject toapenalty
of30to50times theminimum wage;
- Intentional violation oftherights ofacopyright owner andpatent holder, which doesnot
constitute acriminal offense, isasubject toapenalty of10to50times theminimum wage.
Article 253. Misappropriation ofTrade Marks; Dispersing ofFalse Information about Goods and
Services
- Misappropriation ofanother ’strade (service) mark, registered company name ormeans of
marking withthepurpose ofunfair competition isasubject toapenalty of20to50times the
minimum wage;WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page124
- Disseminating falseinformation about thetrademarks andcertificates ofdistributed goods and
services, andthecertification ofproducts without justification isasubject toapenalty of50
to70times theminimum wage;
(d) Anyspecial border measures
Question 181.
Does Georgia foresee special border measures incaseofcopyright infringement? Please outline
theprocedure under Georgian law.
Answer:
NospecialbordermeasuresareenvisagedbythecurrentGeorgianlegislationincaseofcopyright
infringement. However, anewCopyright Lawwhich isbeing elaborated incooperation withtheWIPO
experts willinclude provisions foreseeing special border measures incaseofcopyright infringement.
Question 182.
Could Georgia explain more about thespecial border measures fortheseizure ofunlawful import
(page 49)?
Answer:
Georgia hasnever applied special border measures fortheseizure ofunlawful imports. No
special provisions concerning special border measures aredetermined bytheGeorgian legislation.
Question 183.
Please describe theprocedures thatareavailable toaright holder, whohasvalid grounds for
suspecting thattheimportation ofcounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods maytake
place.
Answer:
Noprovisions currently existspecifying theprocedures thatareavailable toarightholder who
hasvalidgrounds forsuspecting thattheimportation ofcounterfeit trademark orpirated copyright goods
maytakeplace. However, Article 41ofthedrafttrademark lawprovides that“atrademark holder,
whose rights areinfringed hastheright under thecivillegal procedures, tobring anaction against
aninfringing party anddemand thefollowing:
- toprevent theactsofinfringement;
- tocompensate thedamages;
- destructionofallthoselabels,tags,imprints,packaging,packagingmaterialsandadvertisements
which contain theregistered trademark, oritscopy, resemblance andimitation.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page125
Atrademark holder canalsodemand todestroy plates, matrices andclichés usedformaking
thistrademark, andifseparation ofatrademark from aproduct isimpossible hecandemand even
thedestruction oftheproduct itself.
(e) Criminal procedures
Question 184.
Could Georgia explain thesituation ofdrafting anewCriminal Code?
Please provide translated copies ofArticles 147and166oftheCriminal Code totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party.
Please provide atranslated copy oftheIPRprovisions ofthedraft Criminal Code totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthese draft
Code provisions?
Please describe thecriminal penalties forcopyright piracy andtrademark counterfeiting.
Answer:
ThedraftCriminal Code ofGeorgia hasalready beensubmitted totheParliament ofGeorgia
forconsideration.
Criminal Code ofGeorgia (Currently inForce)
Article 147. Violation ofCopyrights andRights ofInventors
Publication ofanother ’sscientific, literary, musical orfictional works under one’sownname
orother kinds ofappropriation ofit’sauthorship, unlawful duplication ordistribution andforceful
exercises ofshared authorship shallbesubject touptotwoyears ofcorrective labour ortoapenalty
ofupto3,000 rubles.
Appropriation ofauthorship ofanother ’sinvention orinnovation orforceful exercise ofshared
authorship andpublication oftheinvention prior tofiling anapplication foritshallbesubject toup
totwoyears ofcorrective labour ortoapenalty ofupto3,000 rubles.
Article 166. Illegal useoftrademark
Illegal useofanother ’strademark (service mark), registered firmname ormeans ofmarking,
which isdoneaftertheuseofadministrative remedies issubject toapenalty of1,000 to2,000 times
theminimum wage.
Thesame action, doneseveral times orifitcaused serious damage issubject toimprisonment
upto5years.
(Georgian SSR, Supreme Council Order of29December 1982)WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page126
Draft Criminal Code
Article 172. Violation ofIntellectual Property Rights
Appropriation oftheauthorship ofascientific, literary, musical andfictional work, invention,
utility model orindustrial design, orauthorship rights ofother results ofintellectual-creative activity,
orappropriation ofrelated rights shallbesubject toapenalty of300to500times ofminimum wage
ortwoyears ofcorrective labour activities.
Misappropriation oftheresults ofintellectual-creative activities ofothers thatisanobject of
copyright orrelated rights, ortheotherwise unlawful useofthese rights andpublicizing ofdataon
autility model orindustrial design without theauthorization oftheauthor orofanother owner ofthe
rightofauthorship shallbesubject toapenalty of500to1,000 times ofminimum wage ortwoyears
ofrestraints offreedom.
Acts, envisaged inparts 1and2ofthisarticle, ifconducted repeatedly, oriftheyresult in
significant harm totheinterests oftheauthor oranother owner oftherights ofauthorship, aswell
asfalseattribution ofshared authorship shallbesubject torestrains offreedom forupto3years or
imprisonment foruptooneyear.
Article 199. Restriction ofMonopolistic Activities andCompetition
RestrictionofCompetitionandMonopolisticActivitieswiththepurposeofdividingorinfluencing
amarket byretaining highormarket unified prices isasubject toapenalty of200to500times the
minimum wage or4to6month jailing orupto2years ofimprisonment.
Similar activities undertaken either repeatedly orbyanorganized group areasubject toapenalty
of500to700times theminimum wage or2to5years ofimprisonment.
Violation ofparagraphs 1or2ofthisarticle withtheuseofforce orthreat offorce, where
there isnosignofextortion, isasubject to3to7years ofimprisonment.
Article 200. Misappropriation ofTrade Marks
Misappropriation ofanother ’strade (service) mark, registered company name orillegal trade
marking activities orwrongful reference totheplace ofproduction when donerepeatedly orifitcaused
significant damage isasubject toapenalty of200to400times theminimum wage oruptotwoyears
ofcorrective labour work.
Article 201. False Advertisement
False Advertising resulting insignificant lossisasubject toapenalty of200to500times the
minimum wage or3to6months ofjailing oruptotwoyears ofimprisonment.
Article 202. Illegal provision ordistribution ofInformation consisting ofCommercial orBanking
Secret
Collection ofcommercial orbanking secret bymeans ofobtaining document through bribing
orthreatening aperson whopossesses suchsecret, orbymeans ofother illegal activities withapurposeWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page127
ofpublicizing ormaking illegal useofsuchdataisasubject toapenalty of100to200times the
minimum wage oruptooneyearofimprisonment.
Illegal publicizing ofacommercial orbanking secret without permission fromtheowner with
apurpose ofenrichment orpersonal interest resulting inasignificant lossisasubject toapenalty of
300to500times theminimum wage oruptooneyearofcorrective labour work ortwoyears of
imprisonment.
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General
Question 185.
Georgia isrequested toprovide theWorking Party assoonaspossible withasubstantial initial
offer onservices intheGATS framework, binding liberal market access conditions andnational
treatment guarantees onanMFN basis forforeign service suppliers.
Please describe your trade inservices regime intheform ofaresponse toWT/ACC/5.
Answer:
Georgia ’sregime oftrade inservices inform WT/ACC/5 willbesubmitted totheWTO
Secretariat attheendofSeptember 1997.
2. Policies Affecting Trade inServices
Question 186.
Itisstated thataccording toArticle 6oftheLawOnInvestment Promotion Activities, aninvestor
isobliged toregister theinvestment intheAgency ofForeign Investments, thecostofwhich is
United States '$100thousand ormore. Isthisobligation imposed alsoonthedomestic investors?
What arethereasons forimposing suchahighfee?
Answer:
Theabove-mentioned registration requirement applies onlytoaforeign investor butnottoa
domesticinvestor.UnitedStates'$100thousandisnottheregistrationfee,itistheminimuminvestment
which must beregistered.
Theregistration feetobepaidbyaninvestor intheInvestment Agency under theMinistry
ofTrade andForeign Economic Relations equals to200GEL (Georgian Lari; US$1=1.28GEL).
Question 187.
According totheMemorandum, foreign investments withacostofatleastUnited States '$100,000
must beregistered, otherwise, investment activities areprohibited.
Please describe theinvestment registration requirements indetail. Aredomestic investments valued
over United States '$100,000 similarly required toberegistered? What istherationale forWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page128
registering these investments? Canregistration applications bedenied? Under whatcircumstances
cantheyberefused?
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 6(State Registration ofInvestments) oftheLaw“OnPromotion
andGuarantees ofInvestment Activity ”:
"Aforeign investor isobliged toregister attheInvestment Agency under theMinistry ofTrade
andForeign Economic Relations anyinvestment worth 100thousand dollars ormore(oritsequivalent),
within 60daysfrom themoment ofmaking suchaninvestment. Otherwise hewould beprohibited
from investing.
Inorder toberegistered aninvestor hastopresent:
- thefullname oftheinvestment object andinformation ontheactivity oftheenterprise;
- acopyofthedocument confirming theregistration certificate oftheenterprise;
- adocument confirming thevalue ofinvestment;
- aspecial permission (licence) inthecasesprovided bytheArticle 9(Restrictions andLimitations
ofInvestment Activity) oftheLaw.
TheAgency hasnorighttorequest documents other thanasindicated above.
TheInvestment Agency under theMinistry ofTrade andForeign Economic Relations registers
investments in5daysafterbeing provided withtheapplication forregistration. IftheAgency fails
toconsider theregistration within thisperiod, theinvestment isconsidered toberegistered according
totheLaw.
Arefusal forStateregistration canbemade onlywhen aninvestor doesnotmeettheprovisions
ofArticle 9ofthisLaw.
Arefusal togrant aregistration maybeappealed incourt, butiftheinvestor isaforeigner
theaffair willberesolved according totheruleofArticle 17(Dispute Settlement) ofthislaw”.
Domestic investments valued overUnited States '$100,000 arenotrequired toberegistered
attheInvestment Agency under theMinistry ofTrade andForeign Economic Relations.
Therationale forthisregistration isthecreation ofcommon statistical basisofdataconcerning
foreign investment activities carried outontheterritory ofGeorgia.
Question 188.
Please confirm thatforeign investments costing lessthan United States '$100,000 arenot
prohibited. What aretheregistration requirements forthese smaller investments?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheLaw“OnPromotion andGuarantees ofInvestment Activity ”investments
costing lessthanUnited States $100,000 arenotprohibited andarenotsubject toanyregistration
requirements.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page129
Question 189.
PleaseprovideatranslatedcopyoftheLaw"OnPromotionandGuaranteesofInvestmentActivity"
andtheLaw"OnEntrepreneurship".
Answer:
Atranslated copyoftheLaw“OnPromotion andGuarantees ofInvestment Activity ”andthe
Law“OnEntrepreneurship ”(insome cases itistranslated astheLaw“OnEntrepreneurs ”)hasalready
beensubmitted toandareavailable intheWTO Secretariat (Seedocument WT/ACC/GEO/3/Add.1).
Financial services
Question 190.
Could Georgia provide more information onthepermission orlicence necessary toinvestors for
insurance activities? Arethose requirements identical forforeign anddomestic investors?
Hasthenewinsurance lawbeen adopted sofar?
Please submit atranslated copy ofthedraft Insurance LawtotheWTO Secretariat forreview
bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthislegislation?
Answer:
Foreign ordomestic investors arerequired togetlicences toperform insurance activities in
Georgia. Thelicensing system isregulated bytheInsurance LawofGeorgia. Forevery typeofinsurance
itisnecessary toobtain licences inaccordance withrequirements envisaged bytheLaw. Thelicence
requirements arethesame fordomestic andforeign investors.
Licences areissued bytheState Supervision Service ofInsurance ofGeorgia.
Inaccordance withtheInsurance Lawadopted bytheParliament ofGeorgia andinforce from
2May1997, aSociety ofLimited Responsibilities andJoint-stock Companies aretheonlylegaland
organizational forms allowed toperform insurance activities.
Inaccordance withparagraph 2,Article 9,State budgetary organizations arenotallowed to
beshareholders ofinsurance organizations.
Inaccordance withArticle 21oftheInsurance LawofGeorgia, alicence forinsurance activities
canbegranted onlytoajuridical person whointends toperform insurance andrelated activities, as
stipulated bytheState Supervision Service ofInsurance ofGeorgia.
Alicence canbegranted forpersonal, property andliability insurance activities, performed
notonlyonvoluntary butalsooncompulsory basis. Alicence canalsobegranted forre-insurance
ifthesubject ofactivities oftheinsurance service provider isonlytoprovide re-insurance service.
Thelicence should indicate theconcrete typeofinsurance ithastherighttoprovide.
Alicence isgranted foranindefinite period oftimeandisinforce throughout theterritory
ofGeorgia.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page130
Thestatusofinsuranceorre-insuranceservicesupplier,insurancebrokerandtherighttoperform
insurance activities aregranted tojuridical person onlyafterreceiving alicence.
Alicenceisnotrequiredforactivitiesperformedbyinsuranceagents,norforactivitiesconnected
withassessing theinsurance risk,thevolume oflossandthegenuineness ofacaseorconsultation
andresearch work inthefieldofinsurance.
Alicence forinsurance activities isgranted onthebasis ofanapplication. Thefollowing
documents should beattached totheapplication:
- copies ofincorporation documents;
- acopyofStateregistration document inaccordance withwhich theinsurance service supplier
isajuridical person;
- filled forms onauthorized capital;
- dataoncorporate officials;
- abusiness-plan inaccordance withnorms elaborated bytheState Supervision Service of
Insurance ofGeorgia, conditions inaccordance withthetypes ofinsurance withinsurance
contracts (insurance certificate, insurance policy andtariffs) enclosed.
Anapplication foralicence isconsidered bytheState Supervision Service ofInsurance of
Georgia within onemonth.
Inaccordance withArticle 24oftheInsurance LawofGeorgia, alicence willnotbegranted
if:
- thedocuments submitted forreceiving alicence donotmeettherequirements envisaged by
Article 21ofthisLaw;
- ajuridical person hasapplied foralicence whodoesnothavetherighttoperform insurance
activities inaccordance withthisLaw;
- there isadecision byacourt prohibiting thehead (chief) ofaninsurance company from
performing insurance activities.
Anapplicant receives awritten explained answer ifheisrefused alicence indicating thereason
fortherefusal. Inthecaseofarefusal, theapplicant hastherighttoappeal thedecision.
Banking services
Question 191.
Could Georgia provide more information onthepermission orlicence necessary toinvestors for
banking activities? Arethose requirements identical forforeign anddomestic investors?
Answer:
These requirements areidentical forforeign anddomestic investors.
Inaccordance withArticle 2oftheLaw“OnNational Bank ofGeorgia ”:WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page131
“According tothemaindirection offinancial andmonetary policy formulated bytheParliament
ofGeorgia andaimed atmaintenance ofprice stability, tasks oftheNational Bank shallbe:...
- tolicence andsupervise theactivities ofbanks andcurrency exchange offices; ….”.
Inaccordance withparagraph 2,Article 2oftheLaw“OnCommercial Bank Activities ”:
“nooneshallengage inthebusiness ofreceiving money deposits orother repayable funds
andextending credits foritsownaccount without alicence issued bytheNational Bank ofGeorgia ”.
Inaccordance withArticle 3oftheLaw:
“Banking licences shallbeapplied forinwriting totheNational Bank ofGeorgia insuchform
asshallbeprescribed byregulation oftheNational Bank ofGeorgia andshallbeaccompanied bythe
following information:
- thecharter, registered inthecourt andnotarially confirmed constitutive documents;
- thequalifications andexperience ofthemanagers andsupervisors oftheproposed bank;
- astatement oftheamounts oftheauthorized andsubscribed capital stock oftheproposed bank
andtheamount thathasbeenpaidinofthecapital stock subscriptions;
- abusiness planfortheproposed banksetting out,interalia,thetypes ofactivities envisaged
forandthestructural organization oftheproposed bank;
- thename, residence, andoccupation orprofession ofeachperson (location ofjuridical person),
whoowns fivepercentormore ofthestock oftheproposed bank, andtheamount oftheshares
held;
- additional information, asshallbeprescribed bytheregulations oftheNational BankofGeorgia,
should atleastinclude amounts ofthebank’scapital funds andother financial resources, the
location ofthebank’sheadquarters andbranch offices. ”
Inaccordance withArticle 4oftheLaw:
- “Within onemonth fromthedateofitsreceipt ofancompleted application forabanking licence,
theNational Bank ofGeorgia shalltakeagrounded decision ontheapplication andnotify the
applicant ofitsdecision inwriting;
- TheNational Bank ofGeorgia shallgrant abanking licence tojuridical orphysical persons
which areregistered according totheestablished rules, theamounts ofthebank’scapital stock
subscribed andpaidin,location space andthequalification andexperience ofmanagers and
supervisors ofthebank, alsosubmitted business-plan willcomply withassessment criteria,
previously defined bytheNational Bank ofGeorgia, andthebanking activities thatthebank
waslicensed toengage in;
- Thebanking licences willbegranted onlytobanks whose paidincapital isnolessthan
50percentofsubscribed capital andprovided thatallrequirements totheminimal authorized
capital stock aresatisfied. Inanyevent, thecompliance withtheprescribed prudential economic
requirements tobemaintained bybanks shallbeassessed withrespect tothebank’spaidin
capital;
- Banking licence concerning asubsidiary orabranch office ofaforeign bankshallbegranted
onlyiftheforeign bankisauthorized toengage inthebusiness ofreceiving money depositsWT/ACC/GEO/4
Page132
orotherrepayable funds intheforeign country where itsheadoffice islocated. Banking licences
pursuant tothisArticle shallbegranted onlyfollowing consultations onthegranting ofabanking
licence between theNational BankofGeorgia andthecompetent authorities ofaforeign country
which supervise thebanking activities oftheforeign bankconcerned. ”
Article 5oftheLawenvisages thefollowing provisions forlicensing:
- Banking licences shallbegranted foranindefinite period oftimeandshallnotbetransferable;
- Byitsdecision togrant abanking licence theNational Bank ofGeorgia mayattach conditions
orrestrictions tothebanking licence iftheprovisions ofparagraph 2ofArticle 4arenotfully
satisfied. Thereafter, conditions orrestrictions maybeattached toaparticular banking licence
onlyifthebankconcerned repeatedly hasfailed tocomply withtheprovisions ofthisLaw
oranyapplicable regulation, guideline orinstruction issued bytheNational Bank ofGeorgia
andonlytotheextent required toremedy suchfailure.
Question 192.
Itisstated thatinaccordance withArticle 4oftheCommercial Bank Law, thelicences onbanking
activities ofbranch ordaughter companies areissued onlyafter negotiating between theNational
Bank andthecompetent authorities oftheforeign country providing supervisory activities ofthe
corresponding bank (page 52).Isthisnegotiation obligatory? Whyissuchanegotiation necessary?
Answer:
Inaccordance withArticle 4oftheLaw“OnCommercial BankActivities ”–“banking licences
pursuant tothisArticle shallbegranted onlyfollowing consultations onthegranting ofabanking licence
between theNational Bank ofGeorgia andthecompetent authorities oftheforeign country which
supervise thebanking activities oftheforeign bankconcerned".
These consultations areobligatory.
According toArticle 4oftheLaw“OnCommercial BankActivities ”,concerning consultations
between theNational Bank ofGeorgia andthecompetent authorities offoreign country providing
supervisory activities ofthecorresponding bank, thepurpose forthese consultations istoobtain
information onanon-resident, inorder todetermine thecredibility ofthelatter initsowncountry
andtoavoid theunlawful flowofcapital inGeorgia. Regarding theprocess ofconsultations itself,
itdoesnottakealongperiod, moreover, ithasaform ofjustawritten question senttotheCentral
Bank orother relevant authority ofthecountry, towhich anon-resident belongs. Theprocess will
becompleted oncethewritten answer tothisquestion isreceived bytheNational Bank ofGeorgia.
Questions 193.
CouldGeorgiaexplain“theratioofcompulsory/obligatory(resources)reservations”(topofpage53,
WT/ACC/GEO/3)?
Answer:
Please readinstead of“theratioofcompulsory/obligatory (resources) reservations ”(topof
thepage53)“theratioofcompulsory reserves ”.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page133
InJune1997, theratioofcompulsory reserves onassets attracted bythebanking system was
fixed at15percentrate.Thecurrent sizeoftheratioofcompulsory reserves iscaused bythefact
thatamong theinstruments ofmonetary-credit regulation, onlytheratioofcompulsory reserves and
intervention inthecurrency market areusedatpresent bytheNational Bank ofGeorgia inorder to
achieve goals suchasstability ofthenational currency andreduction ofinflation.
Taking intoaccount theexisting economic situation andmonetary-credit policy conducted by
theNational Bank, theratioofminimum compulsory reserves which constituted 20percentwasreduced
by2percentin1995 andaftersubsequent reduction, inAugust 1996 itreached 15percent. After
itisabletoemploy suchfinancial instruments assecurities, theNational Bank ofGeorgia willbeable
toreduce theratioofcompulsory reserves. TheGovernment ofGeorgia intends toissue securities in
thesecond halfof1997.
Question 194.
Could Georgia explain current situations ontheactivities offoreign banks?
Answer:
NobranchofaforeignbankisregisteredinGeorgiacurrently,exceptrepresentationofDeutsche
Bank which hasexisted since 1993. Thus, theonlyactivities carried outbyforeign banks inGeorgia
arecorrespondent relations. However, several banks havebeenestablished withtheparticipation of
foreign capital.
Question 195.
Please submit atranslated copy oftheLaw "OnCommercial Bank Activities" totheWTO
Secretariat forreview bytheWorking Party. What isthecurrent legislative status ofthis
legislation?
Answer:
Atranslated copyoftheLaw“OnActivities ofCommercial Bank”of23February 1996 has
been already submitted toand isavailable intheWTO Secretariat (See document
WT/ACC/GEO/3/Add.1).
TheLaw“OnActivities ofCommercial Bank”ofGeorgia wasadopted on23February 1996
andiscurrently inforce.
Professional andbusiness services
Question 196.
Itisstated thatgovernmental andindependent companies determine thegeneral policy inthe
professional andbusiness services (page 54,WT/ACC/GEO/3). What isthemeaning andpurpose
ofthis?WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page134
Answer:
Atechnical mistake wasmade during translation. Instead of“governmental andindependent
companies determine thegeneral policy intheprofessional andbusiness services ”itshould read
“governmental andindependent companies provide services inprofessional andbusiness services ”.
Question 197.
Inthearea ofprofessional andbusiness services, canGeorgia ensure therequirement of
transparency (GATS Article 3)andtheobligations thatmeasures should beadministered ina
reasonable, objective andimpartial manner (GATS Article 6.1)?
Answer:
There isnoinformation institution established inGeorgia yet,which would provide WTO
Members withinformation services, asitisindicated inArticle 3ofGATS.
Inconnection withArticle 6.1ofGATS, therearecourts, Statearbitrage organs andprocedures
inGeorgia, which canensure theprotection oftheinterests ofservice suppliers against incorrect
administrative decisions. Furthermore, theCivil Code ofGeorgia adopted on26June1997regulates
many issues connected withthepolicy affecting trade inservices.
Legal services
Question 198.
What isthemeaning of“thelegalservice produced byforeign lawyers isnotregulated byGeorgian
legislation inforce”?Does itmean thatGeorgia donotallow aforeign lawyer toprovide legal
services onthelaws ofthecountry where theforeign lawyer hasthenationality? Arethere
institutional frameworks inwhich foreign lawyers areallowed toprovide legal services?
Ifso,what istherequirement inorder foraforeign lawyer toprovide legal services? What is
thescope ofactivities andlimitation regarding foreign lawyers ’activities?
Ifthere isnotasufficient framework which allow foreign lawyers ’activities, what isthetime
frame forthecompletion oftheframework?
Answer:
There isnolegislative actinGeorgia regulating issues connected withperforming legalservices
inthecountry byforeign service suppliers.
Withthepermission oftheMinistry ofJustice aforeign service supplier hastherighttotake
partinapreliminary investigation.
Theframework forperforming legalservices inGeorgia byforeign service supplier willbe
completed inthemiddle of1998.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page135
Audit services
Question 199.
Areforeign providers allowed toprovide audit services?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheAudit Lawof7February 1995, auditors andaudit firms areallowed
toprovide auditservices intheterritory ofGeorgia onlyafterreceiving alicence issued bytheAuditing
Council. Initssphere ofcompetence, theCouncil includes thedomestication ofdocuments within the
territory ofGeorgia thatareissued byforeign countries forconducting theauditservices, andlicensing
auditors orauditfirms offoreign countries. Thelicensing procedures offoreign auditfirms areapproved
bytheResolution oftheBoard ofAuditing Council (available forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat
(AccessionsDivision,Room1126)).Licensingiscarriedoutduring3daysafterpresentingallappropriate
documents totheCouncil.
Necessary documents tobepresented forlicensing:
- confirming documents oftheauditor (audit firm): diploma, certificate, licence, etc.;
- application forgranting licence, withthetitleoftheobject tobeexamined;
- letter ofconsent oftheobject tobeexamined forconducting auditing;
- receipt confirming thepayment oflicensing fee.
Communication services
Question 200.
What istherequirement toobtain alicence toprovide telecommunication services?
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheLawofGeorgia “OnCommunication ”of12October 1994, licences
forperforming communication activities inGeorgia areissued bytheMinistry ofCommunication and
PostofGeorgia.
Licence isissued bythedecision ofLicence Committee onthebasis ofanapplication made
byajuridical ornatural person oronthebasis oftender.
Thefollowingdocumentsmustbepresentedbyjuridicalornaturalpersonforreceivingalicence:
- application inaccordance withestablished form;
- copies ofcertificate confirming theState registration, andofincorporation documents;
- conclusion from Coordination Division oftheMinistry ofCommunication andPost;
- certificate oftechnical means necessary forperforming communication activities;
- business-plan ofactivities subject tolicensing;
- leasing contract incaseofuseofnetworks andmeans belonging toother juridical ornatural
person.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page136
Adecision ongranting alicence istaken within 30daysofmaking theapplication. Incase
ofpresenting additional documents thisperiod canbeextended by15days.
Distribution services
Question 201.
Could Georgia explain domestic regulations regarding resale, wholesale andfranchise services?
Answer:
TheLawofGeorgia “OnContract Law”ispartoftheCivil Code ofGeorgia of26June1997
(Articles 319-1016), where wholesale services arenotconsidered separately.
Requirements forretail services aregiven intheLawofGeorgia “OnProtection ofConsumer
Rights ”(March 1996), which regulates relationships between consumer andseller (producer, retail
service supplier) notonlyduring thebuying thegoods butalsoduring supplying retail services. The
rights ofbothsides areregulated bythisLaw.
Requirements forfranchise services aregiven intheCivilCode ofGeorgia (Articles 607-614),
according towhich aperson (legal ornatural) granting afranchise isobliged topresent tothereceiver
ofthefranchise thenon-material property rights inaccordance withtheformusedbyhim,trademarks,
samples,packaging,conceptofproduction,buyingandsellingofgoods,andoforganizationofactivities,
alsoother information necessary forrealization ofgoods. From hisside,franchise receiver isobliged
topayafeeforfranchise, amount ofwhich isdefined bytheprovisions oftheCivilCode (Articles 607-
614).
(d) Monopolies andexclusive service suppliers
Question 202.
Adefacto government monopoly exists indifferent sectors asinthetelecommunication services,
inthedepartment ofrailways orinthepipeline transport field.
Does Georgia intend toliberalize those sectors?
Could Georgia confirm thatthose government monopolies donothave anyspecial orexclusive
privilege intheproduction ofanyservices?
How does Georgia explain theinformation given onpage 67related tomonopolies with the
declaration submitted inannex 6:“allpublic sector monopolies onthesupply ofgoods andservices
have been eliminated ”?
Answer:
According toDecree No.334of20May1996ofthePresident ofGeorgia, subjects ofmonopoly
inthementioned sectors arethefollowing:
- Under theMinistry ofCommunications andPost:
- State PostCommunication Service (“Georgian Post”);WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page137
- frequency spectrum (telecommunication service).
- Under theRailway Department ofGeorgia:
- railway lines.
- Under theState Company “Saktransgazmretsvi ”:
- main pipelines.
AtthistimetheGovernment ofGeorgia doesnotintend toliberalize these sectors.
Theabove listed natural monopolies donothaveanyspecial orexclusive privilege inthe
production ofservices using theabove mentioned means andanyservice supplier canobtain theright
tousethem onthebasis ofanappropriate licence.
According totheLaw“OnMonopolistic Activities andCompetition ”adopted bytheParliament
ofGeorgia, aneconomic agent isdeemed tobe“ajuridical ornatural person conducting business
activities notwithstanding theform oforganizational-legal ownership ofanenterprise andthenature
ofbusiness ”.Inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisLaw, allState orprivate entrepreneurs arein
thesame conditions.
Market Access andNational Treatment
(g) Measures providing forlessthanthetreatment accorded tonational services orservice
suppliers
Question 203.
Georgia states thatnomeasures orlawsaremaintained byGeorgia thatprovide forforeign services
orservice suppliers tobeaccorded treatment lessfavourable thanthatprovided tonational services
orservice suppliers.
IstheAgreement creating anEconomic Union between Georgia andtheother CIScountries signed
on24September 1993, providing forthefreecirculation notonlyofgoods butalsoofservices,
capital andmanpower, ineffect between Georgia andanyCIScountry?
Answer:
ThisAgreement isineffect from 14January 1994.
Question 204.
Does Georgia contemplate anyMFN exceptions initsoffer ofcommitments intrade inservices?
Arethere anyagreements inplace thatprovide forexclusive treatment thatwould require such
anexception atthetimeofGeorgia 'sWTO accession?
Answer:
Currently Georgia doesnotcontemplate anyMFN exceptions initsofferofcommitments in
trade inservices.WT/ACC/GEO/4
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There arenoagreements inplace thatprovide forexclusive treatment thatwould require any
MFN exceptions atthetimeofGeorgia 'sWTO accession?
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH THIRD
COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral Agreements Relating toForeign Trade inGoods andTrade inServices
Question 205.
WilltheGovernment ofGeorgia commit toadhering totheWTO Agreement onTrade inCivil
Aircraft from thedateofaccession?
Answer:
Georgia willjoinWTO Agreement onTrade inCivil Aircraft from thedateofitsaccession
totheWTO.
Question 206.
According totheMemorandum, theGovernment ofGeorgia hasconcluded freetrade agreements
withArmenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine andUzbekistan.
Which, ifany,ofthese agreements arecurrently inforce? Aretheterms ofthese agreements
essentially thesame? Please describe anydifferences intheterms andobligations ofthese
agreements.
Foreachofthebilateral freetrade agreements 'please identify allitems, including HSnumber,
thatareexcluded from coverage from these freetrade agreements. Please identify allitems,
including HSnumbers, thatreceive preferential, butlessthan tariff-free access toGeorgian
markets.
Answer:
TheAgreements currently inforce are:
- theFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Republic ofAzerbaijan. Dateofentry intoforce is10July1996;
- theFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Russian Federation. Dateofentry intoforce is10May1994.
There arenodifferences intheterms andobligations ofthese agreements.
Items thatareexcluded from coverage from these freetrade agreements are:
- samples ofartofmuseum value andantiques -9701-970300000; 970658800;
- weapon andgunpowder –930110000; 930200; 9305; 9306;
- ferrous andnon-ferrous scrap metal andwastes –7204; 7404400; 750300;760200; 790200000;
800200000; 810191900; 810310900; 810442000; 810510900; 810600100; 810710000;WT/ACC/GEO/4
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810810900; 810910900; 811000900; 811211000; 811220390; 811223010; 811240190;
811291390; 811300110.
- collection materials ofbiology, mineralogy, palaeontology, ethnography andnumismatics –
970500000;
- timber -4403;
- rawmaterials formedicine offloraandfauna origin, substances received fromhuman organism
–020610100; 020622100; 020629100; 020630100; 020641100; 020649100; 020680100;
020690100; 051000000; 1211; 13021; 150420; 1505; 3001; 3002;
- Caucasian firseeds –120999101.
There arenoitems thatreceive preferential, butlessthantariff-free access toGeorgian markets.
Question 207.
Does theGovernment ofGeorgia provide preferential access toitsmarkets foranyproducts or
servicesfromtheEuropeanCommunitiespursuanttothePartnershipandCooperationAgreement?
Ifso,please identify theproducts andservices anddescribe thenature ofthepreferential access.
Please identify anyservices sectors where national treatment hasbeen agreed.
Answer:
Inaccordance withtheArticle 9ofthePartnership andCooperation Agreement signed on
22April 1996, between Georgia andtheEuropean Communities:
“1.Theparties shallaccord tooneanother most-favoured-nation treatment inallareas inrespect
of:
- customs duties andcharges applied toimports andexports, including themethod ofcollecting
suchduties andcharges,
- provisions relating tocustoms clearance, transit. warehouses andtransshipment,
- taxes andother internal charges ofanykindapplied directly orindirectly toimported goods,
- methods ofpayment andthetransfer ofsuchpayments,
- therulesrelating tothesale,purchase, transport, distribution anduseofgoods onthedomestic
market.
Theprovisions ofparagraph 1shallnotapply to:
- advantages granted withtheaimofcreating acustoms union orfree-trade areaorpursuant
tothecreation ofsuchaunion orarea;
- advantages granted totheparticular countries inaccordance withWTO rules andwithother
international arrangements infavour ofdeveloping countries;
- advantages accorded toadjacent countries inorder tofacilitate frontier traffic.
Theprovisions ofparagraph 1shallnotapply, during atransitional period expiring onthedate
ofGeorgia acceding theWTO oron31December 1998, whichever isearlier, toadvantages defined
inAnnex 1granted byGeorgia toother Statewhich haveemerged fromthedissolution oftheUSSR ”.WT/ACC/GEO/4
Page140
Inaccordance withArticle 20oftheAgreement:
“ Subject tothelaws, conditions andprocedures applicable inGeorgia, Georgia shallensure
thatthetreatment accorded tonationals ofaMember State, legally employed intheterritory ofGeorgia,
shallbefreefromanydiscrimination based onnationality, asregards working conditions, remuneration
ordismissal, ascompared toitsownnationals. ”
2. Economic Integration, Customs Union andFreeTrade Area Agreements
Question 208.
Itisnoted intheforeign trade Memorandum that, pending agreement ongoods tobeexcluded
from theCISFreeTrade AreaAgreement, “theparties arefreetospecify these goods onabilateral
basis”.Itisfurther noted thatGeorgia hasconcluded FTAs withsixCIScountries.
What isthestatus ofeachofthese agreements? (signed, ratified, inforce ornot?)
Which trade agreements doesGeorgia consider willneed tobenotified under Article XXIV of
theGATT 1994 orArticle VoftheGATS?
Please provide theWorking Party withthetexts ofallFTAs towhich Georgia isaParty.
ForeachFTA, please provide details ofthepercentage oftrade overall andineachmajor sector
which isexcluded from thefreetrade regime byGeorgia andbyitspartners.
Answer:
TheFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Republic ofAzerbaijan. Signed inTbilisi on8March 1996, ratified bytheParliament ofGeorgia on
24June1996, dateofentry intoforce is10July1996; Volume ofoverall trade in1996 is
United States '$95.4million andpercentage oftrade overall is11.1percent.
TheFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Russian Federation. Signed inTbilisi on3February 1994, ratified bytheParliament ofGeorgia on
10March 1994, dateofentry intoforce is10May 1994; Volume ofoverall trade in1996 is
United States '$179.7 million andpercentage oftrade overall is21.1percent.
TheFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment of
Turkmenistan. Signed inTbilisi on20March 1996. Notinforce; Volume ofoverall trade in1996
isUnited States '$17.6million andpercentage oftrade overall is2.05percent.
TheFreeTradeAgreementbetweentheGovernmentofGeorgiaandtheGovernmentofUkraine.
Signed inTbilisi on9January 1995, ratified bytheParliament ofGeorgia on2April 1996. Notin
force; Volume ofoverall tradein1996isUnited States '$40.3million andpercentage oftradeoverall
is4.7percent.
TheFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Republic ofArmenia. Signed inStepanavan on14August 1995, ratified bytheParliament ofGeorgia
on28June1997. Notinforce; Volume ofoverall trade in1996 isUnited States '$37.1million and
percentage oftrade overall is4.3percent.WT/ACC/GEO/4
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TheFreeTrade Agreement between theGovernment ofGeorgia andtheGovernment ofthe
Republic ofUzbekistan. Signed inTashkent on4September 1995. Notinforce; Volume ofoverall
trade in1996 isUnited States '$3.7million andpercentage oftrade overall is0.43percent.
GeorgiaconsidersthattheAgreement“OnCreationofZoneofFreeTradeoftheCommonwealth
ofIndependent States ”needs tobenotified under Article XXIV oftheGATT 1994 orArticle Vof
theGATS. Itshould bementioned thatthisagreement isnotinforce yet.
Thedataabout thepercentage ineachmajor sector which isexcluded fromthefreetraderegime
byGeorgia andbyitspartners isnotavailable.
Texts ofallFTAs areavailable forconsultation intheWTO Secretariat (Accessions Division,
Room 1126).
Question 209.
WillGeorgia'strade-weightedcustomstariffrateincreaseiftheCIScustomsunionisimplemented?
Answer:
Thestrong position oftheGovernment ofGeorgia isnottojointheCIScustoms union, which
doesnotcorrespond totheWTO requirements. Accordingly, theimplementation oftheCIScustoms
union willnotinfluence Georgia ’strade-weighted customs tariff rate.
Question 210.
Please provide atranslated copy oftheCoal andMetal Association Agreement. Please identify
theproducts, including HSnumbers, thatarecovered bythisagreement. Please describe any
provisions relating topreferential market access byparties totheagreement. Doesthisagreement
provide forrestrictions onproduction, saleorexport ofanyproducts? Ifyes,please describe
fully thenature oftherestrictions.
Answer:
TheCoal andMetal Association Agreement does notcontain anyprovisions relating to
preferential market access granted toanycontracting party oftheAgreement.
ThisAgreement doesnotprovide forrestrictions onproduction, saleorexport ofanyproducts.
TheCoalandMetal Association will:
- develop therecommendations oncooperation supply ofrawmaterials, fuel,semi-finished goods
andfinalproducts forthemost effective useofproductivity potentials ofenterprises;
- coordinate theconditions oftransportation, organize anefficient control andregulation of
turnover, etc.
Alistofproducts which arecovered bythisAgreement isnotdetermined.