WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.16
14 December 2000
(00-5430)
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
Bran, Sharps and Other Residues
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 475,000 tonnes of bran, sharps and other residues of wheat and cereals other
than maize and rice falling within tariff headings 2302 30 10, 2303 30 90, 2302 40 10 and 2302 40 90.The relevant legislation related to the import licensin g system for this tariff quota is mentioned in the
reply to question 5.  As regards the requirements for applicants for import licences see reply to
question 6.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See answer to question 1.3. The system applies in the European Community to the products mentioned in answer to
question 1 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 most
appropriate to administer this tariff rate quota.
5. The relevant legislation for the administration of import licences for the tariff quota
mentioned in the answer to question 1 is:
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1897/94 of 27 July 1994 (OJ L 194), as last amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) 1335/95 of 13 June 1995 (OJ L 129).
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.16
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Procedures
6. Answer to questions 6.I to VIII and to 6.XI.  Questions 6.IX and 6.X are not relevant.
The information related to the allocation of the quota 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.Applications for import licences have to be s ubmitted to the competent authorities in the
Member States on the first Monday of each month.  On the same day, the competent authorities in theMember States inform the Commission of applications submitted.  If the quantities applied for exceed
the available quota quantity, the Commission fixes not later than the third working day following the
submission of the applications for import licences a single coefficient for reducing the quantities
applied for. Import licences are issued on the fifth day following the day on which applications are
lodged.  Imports are only known to the competent authorities in the Member States to which theimport licence applications have been submitted and to the Commission.  Importers must only
approach one administrative organ.
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.  Applicant must be entered in a VAT register and there is no
registration fee.
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 1897/94 of 27 July 1994 (published in
OJ L 194, page 4), as last amended by Co mmission Regulation (EC) 1335/95 of 13 June 1995
(published in OJ L 129, page 3).
11. The import licence.
12. No.13. The issuance of 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 until the end of the third month following that of issue.  However,
licences are not valid beyond 31 December each year. The period of validity cannot be extended.G/LIC/N/3/EEC/3/Add.16
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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 not transferable.
17. No.
Other procedural requirements
18. No.19. Not relevant.
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