Import Licensing Meet at WTO – India on the Mat

At a meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing on 21 April 2015, WTO members reiterated their concerns about India’s import regime on marble and marble products and boric acid, Brazil’s import licensing requirements on nitrocellulose and Indonesia’s import regulations on cell phones, handheld computers and tablets. In addition, members raised questions on:

• Angola’s non-automatic licensing regime under Joint Executive Decree 2215 of 23 January 2015 regulating the importation, distribution and sale of food/non-food products where domestic supply covered 60% of national consumption. The European Union (EU) raised questions on the entry into force of the decree and on the procedures (whether they have been adopted and/or published, what they contain and how Angola intends to implement them in a neutral manner.)

• Turkey’s surveillance licensing regime, import authorization on old and renovated goods and the import regime for non-fuel petroleum products. On Turkey’s surveillance licensing regime, the EU asked Turkey to explain how the import transactions subject to surveillance are selected, the procedure for submitting applications and the period for processing. On import authorization of old and renovated goods, the EU asked where governments and traders can find information on the measure’s application and if any similar measure has been adopted for the domestic production of vehicles to respond to the health and safety concerns evoked in Turkey’s reply. Turkey said they will send their replies to the EU’s questions shortly.

• Mexico’s automatic licensing procedures on certain steel products. The United States (US) reported that shipments of steel have been subject to delays and additional costs because licences were not approved by the time the steel goods reached Mexico. The US asked whether receipt of an import licence is a condition of entry for the steel products and what the duration of this licensing requirement is.

• Indonesia’s import licensing regulation for the importation of carcasses/processed meat products. Australia asked Indonesia to explain the measures’ consistency with the Agreement given the burden they cause on traders. Indonesia said the objective of the regulation is to guarantee food safety and animal and plant health and to comply with the country’s halal requirements.