WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.4
14 December 2000
(00-5423)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Addendum
Import Licensing Procedures for WTO Tariff Quotas for
Frozen Meat of Bovine Animals
Outline of systems
1. The object of the import licensing system is to ensure a sound administration of the EC’s
WTO tariff rate quota for 53,000 tonnes of frozen meat of bovine animals.  The relevant legislation
related to the import licensing system for this tariff quota is mentioned in the reply to question 5.  Asregards the requirements for applicants for import licences see reply to question 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See answer to question 1.  The products covere d by the tariff quota mentioned in answer to
question 1 are as follows:
Description of products Tariff item number(s)
Meat of bovine animals, frozen
Edible offal
- Of bovine animals, frozen
-- Thick skirt and thin skirt0202
0206 29 91
3. The system applies in the European Community to the above-mentioned products originating
in third countries.
4. See answer to question 1.  As referred to in the answer to question 1, the licensing system
covers the relevant WTO tariff quota.  The EC considers the method adopted to be the mostappropriate to administer these tariff rate quotas.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quotas
mentioned in the answer to question 1 is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 980/2000 of 11 May 2000 (OJ L 113).
The licensing is statutorily required.  The legislation does not leave designation of products to
be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion.  The system cannot be abolished without
legislative approval.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.4
Page 2
Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6. XI.  Questions 6.IX and X are not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of  the quotas and the formalities for licence
application is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (see answer to
question 5).  There is no derogation from the licensing requirement.
The tariff quota is an annual tariff quota, opened on 1 July of each year.  The tariff quota is
divided into two parts.  The first, equalling to 80% or 42,400 tonnes is apportioned amongCommunity importers in proportion to the quantities imported by them under Commission
Regulations 1042/97, 1142/98 and 995/1999 before 1 April 2000 (traditional importers).  The second,
equalling 20% or 10,600 tonnes is apportioned among traders who can prove that they have been
engaged for a certain period in trade with third countries in beef and veal according to the conditions
of R980/2000 (newcomers).  This quantity is allocated in proportion to the quantities applied for byeligible traders
Applications for import rights have to be submitted before 29 May 2000 to the competent
authority in the Member State where the applicant is entered in a VAT register.  After the documents
submitted have been verified, the competent authority in the Member States has to forward to theCommission before 12 June 2000 the list of traditional importers and the information related to the
quantities of eligible meat they have imported during the reference period as well as the list of
newcomer applicants and the quantities applied for.  The Commission calculates as soon as possible
to what extent applications can be accepted.  If the quantities in respect of which applications are
made exceed the quantities available, the Commission applies a fixed reduction coefficient.  After thenotification of allocations from the Commission, import licences may be issued as soon as possible by
the competent authority in the Member States.  Licence applications can be lodged solely in the
Member State where the applicant has applied for import rights.  Applicants have to approach only
one administrative organ.  Imports are only known to the competent authority in the Member States
and to the Commission.
7. Question 7 related to no quantitative limits is not relevant in the present case.8. The application for an import licence can only be refused if the relevant criteria are not
fulfilled.  Applicants can appeal to courts in the Me mber States according to the legislation in force in
the respective Member States.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. See answer to question 6.  Importers must be registered in a national VAT register and there
are no registration fees.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. A specimen of the import licence is included  in the EC Regulations set out in answer to
question 10 of the main notification for 2000.  Regarding the information required, see the import
licence and Commission Regulation (EC) No 980/2000 of 11 May 2000 (published in OJ L 113,page 27).
11. The import licence plus appropriate health certificates.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.4
Page 3
12. No.
13. The issuing of the import licence is subject to  a security in order to guarantee that the
undertaking to import will be fulfilled during the period of validity of the licence.  The security is
released when the obligation to import has been fulfilled.
Conditions of licensing
14. Import licences are valid 90 days from their date of issue.  However, no licence is valid before
1 July 2000 or after 30 June 2001 and the period of validity cannot be extended.
15. In case of non-utilisation of an import licence, the security is not released.  In the case of
partial use of the import licence, the security is partially released .
16. Import licences are transferable without limitation.
17. No.Other procedural requirements
18. No.19. Not relevant.
__________