 
  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/DS315/6 
12 October 2004 
 (04-4266) 
 Original:   English 
  
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – SELECTED CUSTOMS MATTERS 
 
Request to Join Consultations
 
 
Communication from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 7 Octobe r 2004, from the delegation of the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen a nd Matsu to the delegation of the European 
Communities, the delegation of the United States and to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement 
Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
 Pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understa nding on Rules and Procedures Governing the 
Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the Government of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu hereby notifies the consulting pa rties and the Dispute Settlement Body that it 
wishes to join in the consultations requested by the United States regarding selected customs matters 
of the European Communities.  The United States' request for consultations, pursuant to Articles 1 
and 4 of the DSU, and Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tari ffs and Trade 1994, was 
circulated on 27 September 2004 in document WT/DS315/1.   The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan , Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu exported, according 
to our statistics, over US$19 billion in 2003 and US$17 billion in 2002 to the European Communities.  
Much of these exports are subject to the same cust oms laws and regulations challenged by the United 
States.  Because of our substantial trade interest, as well as systemic interest, we request to join these 
consultations.   We would be grateful if we we re to be informed of the date and venue of the consultations so 
as to enable our participation. 
 
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