RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/ACC/JOR/13
19 June 1998
(98-2483)
Working Party on the
Accession of Jordan
ACCESSION OF JORDAN
Questions and Replies
on the Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime
(Documents L/7533, WT/ACC/JOR/2 and 3)
The additional questions submitted by Members and the replies thereto provided by the
authorities of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are reproduced hereunder.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
No.Question
No.
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies
(a) Main directions of ongoing economic policies 1 1-2
Subsidies 1 3
Sectoral policy objectives and industry development policies 2 5-7Pricing policy 3 8-18
(b) Monetary and fiscal policies 7 19-20
(d) Foreign and domestic investment policies  7 21
(e) Competition policies 9 22
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS AND TRADE INSERVICES
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS
1. Import Regulation(a) Registration requirements for engaging in importing 9 24-25(b) Characteristics of National Tariff 12 26-34
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions 14 35-45
(d) Other duties and charges 18 46-59(e) Quantitative import restrictions 25 60-78(f) Import licensing procedures 32 79-80
Import cards 45 81-94
Prior approval 48 95-108
(h) Customs valuation 52 109-120(j) Pre-shipment inspection 55 120-125
(k) Application of internal taxes on imports 57 126
(l) Rules of origin 58 127-135(m-o) Anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards 60 136-141
2. Export Regulation
(d) Export licensing procedures 62 143-144(f) Export financing, subsidy and promotion policies 63 145-148
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade in Goods
(b) Technical regulations and standards 64 149-158(c) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 73 159-170WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page ii
Page
No.Question
No.
(f) State-trading practices 76 171-182
(j) Government mandated counter trade and barter 82 183
(l) Government procurement practices 82 184-190(m)  Regulation of trade in transit 85 191-192
4. Policies Affecting Foreign Trade in Agricultural Products 86 193
(a) Imports 87 195-207(b) Exports 91 208-212(e) Internal policies 92 213-218
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
(b) Membership of international intellectual property conventions
and of regional or bilateral agreements94 219
2. Substantive Standards of Protection
(a) Copyright and related rights 95 220-229(b) Trademarks, including service marks 98 230-244
(c) Geographical indications, including appellations of origin 102 245
(e) Patents 102 246-251(g) Layout designs of integrated circuits 104 252-253(h) Requirements on undisclosed information 104 254-256
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures and remedies 105 257-260(d) Any special border measures 106 261
5. Laws, decrees, regulations and other legal acts relating to the
above107 262
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General 107 2632. Policies Affecting Trade in Services 107 264-2653. Specific Sectors
(a) Financial services 108 266-275
(b) Telecommunications services 112 276-278WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page iii
Page
No.Question
No.
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC
RELATIONS WITH THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral or Plurilateral Agreements Relating to Foreign Trade in
Goods and Trade in Services114 279-287
2. Economic Integration, Customs Union and Free Trade
Agreements127  288-297WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 1
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE
2. Economic Policies(a) Main directions of ongoing economic policies
Question 1.
Will there be a five year plan for the years 1998-2002?  If so, could Jordan supply a copy of this
plan.
Answer:
Yes, there will be a five year plan.  It is in the process of preparation.
Question 2.
Jordan explained that the only instrument of protection is the tariff-import, quotas, bans, and
licensing requirements have been eliminated.  We  welcomes this statement and would note that
this should form the basis for appropriate co mmitments in the draft working party report.
Answer:
There is still ban on imports of table salt, mineral water, used cars older than five years,
plastic and nuclear waste.  Licensing requirements are still in place for imports from countries withwhich Jordan has preferential trade agreements.
Subsidies
Question 3.
We refer Jordan’s reply to question 89 of WT/ACC/JOR/8.  Does Jordan mean that it intends to
seek the agreement to have recourse to Article 27,2 for a period of eight years, or is Jordanproposing a lesser period in which to phase out is subsidies?
Answer:
Jordan has not decided yet on the period to phase out its subsidies.  But it will need sometime
to do that.
Question 4.
In relation to interest rate subsidies, are th e interest rate subsidies (reply to question 81 of
WT/ACC/JOR/8) provided to exporters of agricultural products only?  Can Jordan provide
further details on the nature and administration of  the interest rate subsidies?  Are the subsidies
paid contingent upon export?
Answer:
The interest rate subsidies on loans granted by the Central Bank are not only for exporters of
agricultural products.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 2
Sectoral policy objectives and industry development policies
Question 5.
Jordan’s revised memorandum (WT/ACC/JOR/3) covers a number of sectoral policy objectives
(pages 10-12) and industry development policies (in Section II).
We refer to questions relating to the policies indicated in the Economic and Social Development
Plan for 1993-1997.  It is worth mentioning th at economic development plans in Jordan are
indicative.  Thus some policies might have been  fully realised while others have might not.  To
answers these questions are not relevant any more, as a new plan is in the process of
preparation.
What measures are planned to facilitate energy sector adjustment?
Answer:
Electricity sector
(a) The new Electricity Law  No. 10 of the year 1996 was issued in September 1996.  Based on
this law the following adjustments in the electricity sector have been made:
- the Jordan Electricity Authority (JEA) was transformed to a public share holding
company named National Electricity Powe r Company (NEPCO), owned 100 per cent
by the government and operates on commercial basis;
- the establishment of an independent and transparent regulatory commission to
regulate the power sector including the control of electricity pricing;
- the private sector investments in the electricity generation is allowed.
(b) The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) with the assistance of an
international consulting firm is studying and review ing all the related subjects to introduce the first
Independent Power Project (IPP) in Jordan.
(c) In regard to unbundling of the electricity sector, the Government has taken the decision to
restructure the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) into at least three separate companies.
(i) one or more companies to own and operate the  power generation plants; (ii) one or more
companies to own and operate the distribution asse ts; and (iii) one company to own and operate the
transmission grid.  Private sector investment and ownership would be sought for generation and
distribution companies, while the ownership of the transmission company including the electricity
dispatch center would be held to the public sector.
The new two generation and distribution companies out of NEPCO were officially registered
at the Ministry of Trade and Industry on 12 February 1998.
Oil and gas sector
(a) The Petroleum Directorate in the National Resources Authority (NRA) was partly
transformed to a national company for drilling and exploration, in 1995.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 3
The government has established the Nati onal Petroleum Company (NPC) under Jordan’s
companies law, and gave it concession over the gas-producing Risha area.  The NPC, was formed
partly from assets separated from NRA.
(b) In conformity with the Council of Ministers Resolution of 4 October 1997, the NPC's drilling
operations are being separated into a new private company under the companies law named "Petra for
Drilling".
(c) A mining investment company has been already established as well.
(d) Natural Resources Authority is responsible to negotiate joint ventures with international
companies to generate investments.
Question 6.
Jordan states that it wishes to expand private investment, establish labour intensive projects
and promote export industries (page of WT/ACC/JOR/3).  What measures will be taken to
achieve these ends?
Answer:
Some of these measures were already taken such as, the Investment Promotion Law and its
recent amendments that liberalized investment measures and procedures, the privatization of many
enterprises and the new legislation on companies, financial market, leasing, and establishing chambers
of industry in different cities in Jordan.
Question 7.
How will such measures affect Jordan’s ob ligations as a future member of the WTO?
Answer:
All these measures taken so far to enhance economic growth are in line with WTO
obligations.
Pricing policy
Question 8.
Retail price fixing has no place in an efficien t market economy- distortions are created.  In
Jordan, price fixing remains for a number of commodities (see Memorandum Section II.2 (e.1),
also JOR/8, questions 23 and 24.
Could Jordan advise if and when it intends to discontinue this distortive policy?
Answer:
The price fixing which remained for a number of commodities is to be eliminated. Over the
past two years, the government gradually liberalized its policy in the retail price fixing by freeing the
prices of many products and it will continue gradually implementing this method till it frees the retailprice of the rest.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 4
Find below the list of products which have been freed from pricing and left to the normal
market conditions.
- car equipments
-   car spare parts
-   tyres
-   Halawa  (confectionery)-   canned meat
-   mortadella
-   pasta and spaghetti
-   canned sardine
-   canned tuna
-  tea
-   lentils-   copy books, note books
-   diapers
-   school uniforms
-   paper tissues
-   detergents-   eggs
-   poultry products
-    paper towels
-   cheese
-   frozen fish-   frozen meat
-   vegetable ghee
-   salt table
-   fresh produce (vegetables & fruits)
-   bakery products (excluding the Jordanian regular bread)
Question 9.
We understand Jordan is considering phasing out price fixing/distribution margins for
agricultural commodities?
Answer:
The government is pursuing its policy of phasing out of price fixing for all products including
agricultural products.  In 1997, twenty six products were freed of which fifteen were agricultural
commodities.
Question 10.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 22)  Jordan noted that it has "recently liberalized prices of fresh
agricultural products and poultry products and most other products are in the process of
liberalization".  Could Jordan  please provide, at the HS 6 digit level, a list of products still
subject to price controls, as well as separate list of products that are in process of liberalization.
Could Jordan provide a date for the completion of the liberalization process, or has the process
already been completed as indicated by Jorda n’s reply to Question 127 ("the Government
abolished the fixing of the retail prices for ag ricultural products at the end of April 1997")?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 5
Answer:
The products that are still subject to price controls are:
- Wheat and wheat products 10.01
- Barley    10.03
- Yogurt and labaneh  04.03.10, 04.03, 909
- Imported chilled meat  02.01, 02.04- Fresh cow milk  04.01.
Question 11.
In WT/ACC/JOR/8, question 22, Jordan states that it has recently liberalized prices for fresh
agricultural products and poultry products and that most other products are in the process of
liberalization.  Could Jordan provide a more definite time frame for the liberalization of prices
for  these other products?
Answer:
No time frame is available yet.
Question 12.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 25)  Jordan was asked to provide details of any plans to eliminate
the discriminatory pricing of  bread based on the national source of the wheat from which the
bread was made.  The answer provided did not directly answer this question.  Could Jordanconfirm the existence of any such discrimina tory prices and plans for its elimination.
Answer:
There is no discriminatory pricing of bread based on the source of the wheat from which the
bread is made. The pricing is just for one kind of bread which is the regular Jordanian loaf of bread.
Question 13.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 69) Jordan’s reply to Question 69 noted that the Ministries of
Agriculture, Supply and Industry  and Trade study market conditions in order to set
appropriate retail prices for 19 consumer goods.  Could Jordan provide a list (at the 6 digit HS
level) of the 19 consumer goods for which retail prices are set?
Answer:
The government in its liberalization process had eliminated the retail pricing of 15 out of 19
consumer goods mentioned in our memorandum WT/ACC/JOR/3 which are pasta, fresh poultry,
eggs, cooked cheese, halawa, table salt, fruits and vegetables, lentils, fizzy drinks, barely, frozen meat,
canned meat, canned sardines, tuna and tea.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 6
In addition to that, prices of imported cigarettes have been liberalized also (for details see
answer 74), and the intention is to remove the retail pricing of the rest.
Question 14.
WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 70)  Jordan explained the role and functions of the Agricultural
Marketing Organization (AMO).
What is the relationship between the AMO and the Ministries of Agriculture, Supply and
Industry and Trade in the process of setting appropriate retail prices for 19 consumer goods.
Does the AMO provide the Ministries with information for price setting?
How separate is the AMO from the Government’s process of price setting?
Answer:
AMO has nothing to do with the process of setting appropriate retail prices and it does not
provide any kind of information related to this matter.
Question 15.
According to the responses to question 73 and question 82 of WT/ACC/9, the policy of the
Government of Jordan is to phase out price fixing of imported meat, one brand of dried milk,
sugar, rice, table salt, bread, fizzy drinks with re-usable bottles and cigarettes.
Are prices fixed at the same levels for domestic ally-produced meat, dried milk, sugar, rice, table
salt, bread, fizzy drinks with re-usable bottles and cigarettes?
Question 16.
Please provide a schedule showing the dates that the price controls will be phased out
completely for each of these products prio r to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answers 15 and 16:
Prices of dried milk, sugar and rice are not fixed if they are imported by the private
enterprises.
Prices of all kinds of bread and bakery products are not fixed except the Jordanian regular
loaf of bread.
Prices of fizzy drinks with re-usable bottles have been liberalized since 1 July 1997.
Local cigarette prices are still fixed.
Question 17.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, question 73) Jordan explained that imported meat, one brand of dried milk,
sugar, rice, table salt, bread, and fizzy drinks are subject to price fixing.  See comment and
questions related to WT/ACC/JOR/9, question 69.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 7
Answer:
See answer to question 13 above.
Question 18.
Jordan states retail prices of imported meat, one brand of dried milk, sugar, rice, table salt,
bread and fizzy drinks with re-usable bottles are still fixed but the policy of the government is to
phase out price fixing (response to question 73 of WT/ACC/JOR/9).
We note however, that the response to question 127 of WT/ACC/JOR/8 indicates that the
government abolished the fixing of the retail prices for agricultural products at the end of April
1997.  Can Jordan confirm this?
Answer:
The government abolished the price fixation policy of the retail prices for agricultural
products from 21 April 1997.
(b) Monetary and fiscal policies
Question 19.
Jordan indicates that profits of agricultural in come are exempted from income tax (response to
question 80 of WT/ACC/JOR/9).  Is this exemption provided to domestic sale profits as well, or
is it contingent on export performance?
Answer:
The exemption is provided to domestic sale profits as well as those from export sales.
Question 20.
Is this exemption extended to the agricultural sector only?
Answer:
The exemption of the whole income from income tax only applies to the agricultural sector.
However, profits of export income of manufactured products to non-protocol countries are also
exempt from income tax.
(d) Foreign and domestic investment policies
Question 21.
We would be interested in Jordan’s response to questions 18 and 19 of WT/ACC/JOR/8 on tax
incentives linked to investment and export processes, and sectors benefiting from unspecified
measures to encourage banks to finance "n eeded investments" and the elimination of
"anti-export and anti-manufacturing bias".WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 8
Answer:
Tax incentives which are linked to investment are granted by virtue of the Investment
Promotion Law No. 16 of 1995, to projects which fall in the following sectors and branches thereof:
Industry, Agriculture, Hotels, Hospitals, Maritime, Transport and Railways, Recreational Resorts and
Convention, Exhibition Centres or any other sector added by the Council of Ministers in accordance
with the Kingdom's needs.
Those incentives include:
1. Customs and fees exemptions:
- fixed assets required by a project are exempted from taxes and fees;
- spare parts imported for the project are exempted from taxes and fees provided that
their value does not exceed 15 per cent of the total value of the fixed assets utilising
these spare parts;
- hotel and hospital projects are granted extra exemptions from taxes and fees on their
purchases of furniture and supplies for the purpose of renewal once every seven
years;
- any increase in the value of imported fixed assets is exempted from taxes and fees if
the increase results from the rise in prices, freight charges or changes in exchange
rates.
2. Tax Exemptions:
-   25 per cent if the project is in class "A" development area.
-   50 per cent if the project is in class "B" development area.
-   75 per cent if the project is in class "C" development area.
-   100 per cent in certain areas approved by the Cabinet.If a project expansion, improvement or modernization results in an increase of a minimum of
25 per cent of the production capacity, it will be granted extra exemptions from income and social
services tax for one additional year with a cap of four additional years.
Taxes are defined in the Investment Promoti on Law No. 16 of 1995, to "be taxes that are
imposed on fixed assets pursuant to the laws in force, with the exemption of municipal taxes", whereas fees are defined to include " import charges, custom duties and other fees imposed on fixed assets
pursuant to the Laws in force, with the exception of municipal fees".
As for incentives granted with respect to export processes the Higher Council for Investment
has approved recently the establishment of Jordanian Export Companies specialised in exporting
national products and goods.  These companies which will be exempt from paying income tax wererecommended for the Cabinet’s endorsement and are still awaiting the decision.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 9
Other measures relating to exportation are as follows:
1.  Trade Protocols with other countries usually determine special provisions relating to
exporting certain products and goods.
2. By virtue of the Law No. 7 of 1997 for the unification of taxes and fees, goods exported out
of the Kingdom are exempted from obtaining an export licence except when exporting to countries
that Jordan is committed to with certain bank arrangements namely Syria and Iraq.
3. By virtue of the Income Tax Law No. 57 of 1985 and its amendment, Article 3/C, profits
earned from exportation in the Kingdom may upon the recommendation of the Minister of Finance
and the  Council of Ministers be exempted from in come tax wholly or partially and in this regard
certain decisions were taken by the Cabinet that exempt profits of exports to non-protocol countries,
and with exception of exports of phosphates and potash, from income tax.
(e) Competition policies
Question 22.What progress has there been on the new Competition Law, which was scheduled to be adopted
in June 1997?  Please provide the Working Pa rty with a copy of the draft law in a WTO
language.
Answer:
The Draft Competition Law was referred to the Parliament for their review and approval.
Once we have an English translation of the law we will forward it to WTO Secretariat.
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MA KING AND ENFORCING POLICIES AFFECTING
FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS AND TRADE IN SERVICES.
1. Powers of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches of Government
Question 23.According to the response to question 26 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, "unless the law designates a
different court, civil courts have jurisdicti on in all civil matters including trade".
Please describe instances in which laws provide that civil courts do not have jurisdiction over
matters involving trade.
Answer:
If a court case involves an administrative decision relating to trade that is being contested by a
person or an enterprise, then the whole issue is referred to the Higher Court of Justice which is
specialised in administrative jurisdiction.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 10
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS
1. Import Regulation
(a) Registration requirements for engaging in importing
Question 24.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, any business ent erprise registered in Jordan can engage in
importing, provided that it is in possession of an importing card.
Please describe the requirements that must be satisfied to register a business enterprise in
Jordan and fees that must be paid, listing in detail  the criteria that must be met.  Please describe
any restrictions or conditions on the ability of foreign enterprises to register in Jordan?
Answer:
The requirements for the registration of a business enterprise in Jordan depends on the type of
the business to be registered.
(a) General Partnership and limited Partnership Companies: the following is required and
must be submitted to the Controller of Companies at the Ministry of Industry and
Trade;
(i) an application for registration;
(ii) original partnership agreement signed by all members with a statement by
each of them signed before the Controller or person authorised by him in
writing.  This statement may be signed before the Notary Public or a licensed
lawyer;
(iii) the Controller shall issue his approval within fifteen days from the date of the
submission of the registration application, and a registration certificate isissued;
(iv) the fees paid are as follows:
- JD 10 as registration fee once the application has been approved;
- 0.003 of the capital of the company as revenue stamps;
- JD 10 for publication of the decision of registration in the Official
Gazette;
(b) Limited Liability Companies
The following must be submitted to the Controller of Companies in the Ministry of
Industry and Trade:
(i) an application for registration;(ii) the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association on the approved
forms for this purpose, and shall be signed before the Controller, before any
person delegated in writing by the Controller, before a Notary Public or
before a licensed lawyer;WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 11
(iii) once the Controller approves the registration, he issues a certificate of
registration.  The fees are: 0.002 of the company’s capital as registration
fee,revenue stamps equal to 0.003 of the company’s capital plus 15 Jordan
dinars fees for publishing the registration in the Official Gazette.
(c) Public Shareholding Companies
(i) the promoters of the public shareholding company submit an application to
the Controller on the form designated for such a purpose and accompanied by
the following;
- the Company’s Articles of Association;
- the Memorandum of Association;
- names of promoters of the company;
- names of the promoters’ commitment which shall conduct the formation
procedures;
(ii) each promoter shall sign the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the public shareholding company before the Controller or any
one delegated by him in writing or before the Notary Public or licensed
lawyer.
(iii) fees to be paid are 0.003 of the company’s capital as registration fee plus
0.003 as stamps.  JD 75 -100 for publication of the company’s registration in
the Official Gazette.
Foreign investors have to register their companies in Jordan as Jordanian companies in the
Companies’ Registrar in the Ministry of Industry and Trade.  There are limitations in ownership of a
number of companies in the fields of construction, trade and trading and trade services, and mining.Where foreign ownership is limited to 50 per cent as stipulated by the Investment Regulation No. 39
for 1997 issued in accordance with Article 24  of the Investment Pr omotion Law No. 16 in 1996.
A foreign company that is having a branch in Jordan must submit to the Controller of
Companies a copy of Articles of Association a nd Memorandum of Association as well as written
official documents that certify that the company has obtained approval of the concerned authority inJordan for operating in Jordan.
- a list of the names of the members of the Board of Directors and their nationality and
the names of the persons authorised to sign on behalf of the company;
- the application of registration must be signed by the person authorised to register the
company before the Controller or person authorised by him in writing or the NotaryPublic;
- once the registration is approved, then the registration procedures are completed by
registering the company in the Foreign Co mpanies Registrar, and then published in
the Official Gazette.  The fees are JD 1000 for a company with a capital less than
JD 1,000,000 and JD 2000 for a company with a capital JD 1,000,000 or more.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 12
Question 25.
Please describe the procedures that must be fo llowed in order to obtain an importing card.
Please describe any restrictions or conditions on the ability of foreign enterprises to obtain an
importing card.
Answer:
To obtain an importing card the following should be done:
(a) the applicant must be registered in the Importers Registration at the Ministry of
Industry and Trade.  This requires the following:
(i) file an application for registration in the Importers Registration which should
include the main information about the co mpany or the enterprise such as the
name, address, capital and trade name of the company or the enterprise;
(ii) the application should be accompanied by a valid profession licence
belonging to the category importer.
This special category pay certain fees specified in the profession licences
Law and the professions licences La w of Greater Amman Municipality.
(iii) the application should also be accompanied by the registration certificate of
the company or the merchant in case of an individual enterprise and the
capital should not be less than JD 5,000;
(b) once this is done a fee of JD 2 is paid and the importers card is issued for one year
ending on 28 February of each year. It can be renewed for another year if the
professional licence is renewed.
Foreign enterprises can import without needing an import card when imports are
subject to prior approval.  Also, Regional Offices need a recommendation from theMinister.  Foreign enterprises that are licen sed to import and registered in Jordan for
that purpose can import under the same terms  like Jordanian enterprises since it is
registered in Jordan as a Jordanian company.
(b) Characteristics of national tariff
Question 26.Does Jordan use the HS 96 nomenclature in its tariff schedule If not, what nomenclature is
being used in the schedule that is availa ble in diskette form in the Secretariat
(WT/ACC/JOR/8/Add.1)?  When does Jordan intend to incorporate the HS 96 tariff
nomenclature?
Answer:
Jordan started using the HS nomenclature as of 1/1/1994.  The HS 96 nomenclature has been
in use since 1 March 1997.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 13
Question 27.
Please provide a translated copy of the draft Customs Law to the WTO Secretariat prior to the
next meeting of the Working Party.  What needs to  be done to complete the legislative process
for the draft Customs Law?  When does the Government of Jordan expect the Customs Law to
be enacted?  When will the Customs Law be implemented?
Answer:
We cannot provide at this stage a translated copy of the draft Customs Law.  The draft
Customs Law is still under discussion in Parliament.
Question 28.
According to the response to question 37 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan acknowledged that it
could provide a list of average rate of import duty by HS chapter.  Please provide this list prior
to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
The average rate of import duty by HS Chapter were supplied to the Secretariat.
Question 29.
We note that Jordan now has six tariff bands (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 per cent).  Will Jordan’s
maximum tariff rate be set at 30 per cent from 1998 when the new Customs Law comes into
effect?
Answer:
Jordan’s maximum tariff rate is expected to be set at 30 per cent before the end of 1998,
except for two products namely:
- manufactured tobacco and substitutes tobacco the tariff rate will be set from 70 per
cent to 100 per cent;
- alcoholic drinks the tariff rate will be set at 180 per cent.
Question 30.
Questions 5 and 7, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Please provide specific answers to these questions, listing
(a) agricultural duties for which Jordan maintain s specific or combined duty rates and (b) all
items qualifying for tariff exemptions (at HS 6 digit level), and the criteria for granting suchexemptions.
Answer:
Jordan maintains combined duty rates on the following agricultural products:WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 14
 - bananas : 30 per cent of the value + JD 250.0 per ton.
 - grapes   : 30 per cent of the value + JD 250.0 per ton.
 - calves    : 5 per cent of the value + JD 10.0 per head.
 - sheep and goats: 5 per cent of the value + JD 2.0 per head.
Items qualifying for tariff exemptions (at HS 6 digit level) can be found in the customs tariff
submitted to WTO Secretariat in electronic form.  Th e criteria for granting such exemption is based
on the following:
- basic production inputs;
- basic food products;
- necessary health and medical goods;
- capital goods and equipment for agriculture and industry.
Question 31.
Does Jordan have any specific or mixed tariffs?Answer:
Yes, Jordan have mixed tariffs on the following agricultural products.
According to national tariff
-   bananas 30 per cent of the value +   JD 250/per ton.
 -   grapes 30 per cent of the value  +   JD 250/per ton. -   apples 30 per cent of the value  +   JD 250/per ton.
According to the unification of taxes and fees law
 -  sheep and goats 5 per cent of the value + JD 2 per head.
 -  calves 5 per cent of the value + JD 10 per head.
Question 32.
Does Jordan have any plans to introduce specific or mixed tariffs, if there are none at present?
Answer:
No.
Question 33.
If Jordan has any specific or mixed tariffs, do es Jordan have any plans to increase its specific
tariffs or the specific components of its mixed tariffs?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 15
Answer:
No.
Question 34.
Question 6, WT/ACC/JOR/9.   Please provide further information on the proportion of duty-
free imports under bilateral trade agreements, and on whether barter or counter-trade is
specified in any bilateral trade agreements.
Answer:
Barter and counter trade are not part of the bilateral trade agreements.  In the past it was with
Sudan, but it has finished and was not renewed since.
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions
Question 35.
Section IV.1(c) of the memorandum states that im ports by government institutions enjoy tariff
exemptions.  In WT/ACC/JOR/8, question 41, Jordan was asked if such imports were solely forthe consumption of the respective government entities?  Could Jordan answer this element of
question 41?
Answer:
The imported goods for Government instituti ons which are mentioned in JOR/8 Q.41 and
enjoying tariff exemptions are restricted to those institutions and necessary for production in theirprojects.
Question 36.
Could Jordan state whether there are cases where the duty free imports are used as inputs for
further processing by government-owned and operated production or service facilities and
eventual resale or use in the market?
Answer:
The imported goods that enjoy tariff exemptions are capital goods (equipments and
machines), and there are no cases where the duty free imports are used as inputs for further processing
by government-owned and operated production or service facilities and eventual resale or use in the
market.
Question 37.
Does Jordan intend to continue this type of exemptions?
Answer:
Exemptions are to be eliminated gradually.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 16
Question 38.
Please identify all charitable organizations th at have received Cabinet approval for free duty
imports.  What criteria is considered by th e Cabinet in making its determination to approve
duty-free import status for charitable organizations?  Please describe the eligibility
requirements for charitable organizations seek ing to obtain Cabinet approval for duty-free
import status.  What restrictions exist on th e resale of goods imported duty-free by these
institutions?
Question 39.
According to the reply to Question 8, WT/ACC/JOR/9, Jordan states that the imports of foreign
charitable organizations are usually subject to the provisions of an agreement with the Ministry
of Social Development.  Please provide details of such provisions.  Please describe the extent to
which they allow for duty-free imports from third countries.
Answers 12 and 13:
Imports of charitable organizations that enjoy customs duty exemptions are:
(a) hearse cars are 95 per cent exempt from customs duties;
(b) the following are duty free imports:
(i) medical equipment and medications are 100 per cent exempt subject to
approval of Minister of Health and Minister of Finance / Customs.
(ii) equipment and apparatus that are used as fixed fixtures and education
apparatus for use by schools and institutions run by charitable organizations.
This exemption is subject to recommendations by the Minister of Social
Development and approval of Minister  of Finance/Customs, on condition that
there is evidence to support that such equipment and apparatus are either adonation or grant.
(iii) clothes, food, furnishings (carpets and curtains) that are received as donations
or grants to orphanages, old people homes and hospitals upon direction from
the Minister of Social Development and approval of the Minister of
Finance/Customs on condition that evidence is provided to support that suchimports are donations or grants.
(iv) building materials that come as donations or grants for building mosques,
churches or schools that belong to religious or charitable organization
accredited by the Ministry of Social Development, and for their own use
subject to direction from the Ministry of Public Works and approval ofMinister of  Finance/Customs.  Evidence should be submitted to prove that
such materials are donations or grants.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 17
(c) imports of educational and medical materials and any other apparatus, equipment,
machines and their spare parts as well as transport vehicles for handicapped schools,
institutions and programmes for handicapped persons are fully exempted from
customs duties. Transport vehicles specially designed for use by handicapped persons
are also fully exempted from customs duties.
Such exemption is subject to direction from the Ministry of Social Development
according to conditions agreed upon between the Ministry and the Customs
Department.
Question 40.
Please describe the procedures applicable to charitable organizations for obtaining an import
licence from the Ministry of Industry and Trade in the form of a response to the Questionnaire
on Import Licensing Procedures.
Answer:
Charitable organizations get an import licence for importing goods for their charitable
activities after obtaining recommendation from the Ministry of Social Development to certify that the
goods to be imported are for charitable purposes. In that case the goods are exempted from customs
duties and fees in accordance with a decision by Council of Ministers.
The procedures for achieving the above are as follows:(i) file an application by the charitable organization to obtain the recommendation for
exemption of duties;
(ii) file an application to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for an import licence.  The
recommendation for exemption from duties from the Ministry of Social Development
should be attached to the application form;
(iii) get prior approval from the department concerned if the imported products require
such approval;
(iv) the issuance of the import licence takes about half an hour from the time the
application is submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
These charitable organizations are registered in a special registry at the Ministry of Industry
and Trade.
Once the goods are imported and they are eligible for exemption according to the
recommendation from the Ministry of Social Development then the goods are cleared without
payment of duties.
Question 41.
According to the response to question 39 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, about 60 per cent of the total
value of imports in 1996 was received pursuant to duty exemptions.
Please provide the percentage share over a r ecent representative period of the major
components of the 60 per cent of the value of imports received pursuant to duty exemptions, i.e.,
the percentages of the duty exempt imports that are received as "protocol trade," imports by
governmental institutions, charitable imports,  imports under the Investment Promotion Law.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 18
Answer:
Percentage distribution of duty exempt imports according to beneficiary
Beneficiary 1997 January-July 1996
By Tariff Exemptions 40.2 53.2
Government Departments 21.3 22.2
Educational Institutions 0.5 0.2
Military & Security Forces 5.7 3.3
Public Agencies 0.5 0.5
Protocol Agreements 3.6 2.8
Charitable Organizations 0.1 0.3
Diplomatic Missions 0.4 0.4
Hospitals 0.5 0.1
Public Share Holding Cos. 23.1 12.4
Investment Promotion 3.4 4.0
International Organizations 0.4 0.3
Expatriates 0.3 0.4
Total: 100 per cent represent
50 per cent of imports100 per cent represent
60 per cent of imports
Question 42.
According to the response to question 41 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the procurement by eleven
specified companies, of imports (other than cars and spare parts, tires, petroleum products and
office equipment) is exempt from customs duties.
Does Jordan consider the customs duty exemptions for these companies to be in conformity with
the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures? If yes, please explain why the
Government of Jordan does not consider thes e exemptions to be prohibited subsidies.
Answer:
The Custom duty exemptions granted to the eleven companies are not prohibited subsidies
because  they are not contingent on export performance or upon use of domestic over imported goods
as stipulated in Article 3 of the Agreement on subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
Question 43.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 41)  Jordan noted that the procurement of certain companies, such
as the Vegetable Oil Factories Company, are exempted from customs duties upon special
decision by the Council of Ministers.
Could Jordan provide, at the HS 6 digit level, which products of the Vegetable Oil Factories
Company would be exempted from customs duties upon special decision by the Council of
Ministers.
Could Jordan also indicate how the Council of Ministers determines whether a company such as
the Vegetable Oil Factories Company should be exempted from customs duties?  Is such
exemption given irrespective of the origin of the product?
Answer:WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 19
This exemption is based on the fact that the Vegetable Oil Factories Company has had
exclusive rights of producing vegetable oil which will end in the year 2000 and will not be renewed.
Since then more factories producing vegetable oil were established in Jordan and do not enjoy such
exemptions.
Question 44.
Do the customs duty exemptions for wheat and flour apply to all countries on a most-favoured-
nation basis?
Answer:
Customs duty exemptions for wheat and flour apply to all countries on MFN basis.
Question 45.
Question 11, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Please confirm that educational institutions can import only
"educational materials" duty free.
Answer:
See answer to questi on 18 of WT/ACC/JOR/9.
(d) Other duties and charges
Question 46.
Has the Jordanian Parliament already passed the law mentioned in the respective section of the
Memorandum (WT/ACC/JOR/3) aiming at unifying all other fees and charges and bringing theJordanian legislation in line with Article VIII of the GATT 1994?
Answer:
The Law was passed as of the beginning of March 1997.
Question 47.
In WT/ACC/JOR/8, question 42, Jordan lists a number of agricultural products which are
exempt from customs duties and import fees under bilateral agreements with Arab countries,
Israel and the Palestinian National Authority at certain times of the year.  The exemption
granted to Lebanon is one example provided.
Could Jordan indicate whether it intends to apply these exemptions on an MFN basis should
they be admitted to the WTO?
Answer:
These exemptions are granted to these coun tries you refer to only according to the
arrangements stipulated in the bilateral trade agreements between Jordan and its neighbours and do
not apply to other countries on MFN basis.
Question 48.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 20
According to the response to question 43 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan imposes non-tariff ad-
valorem charges for exchange permits, re-export ed goods tax, and overtime wage fees for re-
exported and imported goods.  The fee assessed for certification of invoices and certificates of
origin also increases for goods with a value in excess of JD 10,000.
Please outline how the Government of Jordan inte nds to alter the structure of these charges to
bring them into conformity with the requirements of GATT Article VIII, which limits theamount of the fees to the approximate cost of services rendered?
Answer:
When Jordan prepares its schedules of tariff c oncessions it will consider how to bring them in
conformity with Article VIII of GATT 1994.
Question 49.
Do imported goods receive national treatment in the application of the general sales tax?
Answer:
Imported goods subject to General Sales Tax receive national treatment in the application of
the tax with the following exceptions:
(a) all products that appear in table No. 1 attached to the General Sales Tax Law are
exempted with the exception of the following items:
- used clothes and shoes;- used furniture;
- blankets, rugs, wooden mattresses, quilts and towels;
- yeast and bread embellishes (improves);
- quick lime and neutral lime and sand-lime bricks;
- stoves heaters and related accessories;- dried legumes, treated including, peas, chick peas, broad beans, blacked eyed
beans, beans;
- eggs;
- sun-powered water heaters;
- insulating materials for construction;- knitted fabrics;
- ground spices, herbs and Zatar (kind of thyme);
- agricultural and plastic irrigation equipment;
(ii) products listed in table (2) attached to the General Sales Tax are subject to specific
sales tax that differentiates between domestic and imported goods and as follows:WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 21
Sales Tax
Product Unit Domestic JD. Imported JD.
1. Beer, including non-alcoholic:
(a) In containers up to 35 cl
(b) In contains from 35 cl to 2/3 litre
(c) Othercontainer
container
one litre0.175
0.245
0.4200.285
0.385
0.585
2. Alcohol:
Pure litre 0.325 0.330
3. Wines with less  than 25 per cent alcohol:
(a) Sparkling wine
(b) Otherlitre
litre0.500
0.5001.155
0.891
4. Liquors including
wines with 25 per cent or more alcohol.
(a) Arak
(b) Cognac(c) Otherlitre
litre
litre0.600
0.650
0.8500.850
1.000
1.200
5. Cigarettes for local consumption pack 0.197-0.385 0.385
Question 50.
Please describe the taxable base used in the application of non-tariff taxes, fees, charges and
surcharges to imports, i.e., c.i.f., c.i.f. plus customs duty, etc.
Answer:
The taxable base used in the application of non-tariff taxes is the c.i.f. value.
Question 51.
According to the response to question 46 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the  surcharge tax, municipalities
fees, university fees, surcharge tax 1969 (as amended) and fees for veterinary and laboratory
analysis, have been consolidated into the tariff rates.
Do the tariff rates included in the sche dule provided to the WTO Secretariat
(WT/ACC/JOR/8/Add.1) incorporate these fees?
Answer:
The schedule provided to WTO Secretariat includ e all the fees referred to in your question
with the exception of veterinary and laboratory fees.
As for commitment on elimination of all duties and charges on imports other than ordinary
customs duties or customs charges reflecting the costs of services rendered, please see answer to
question 14.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 22
Question 52.
We refer to the reply to question 56(b) of WT/ACC/JOR/8.  We welcome Jordan’s advice that
all fees other than customs duties have been cons olidated and that this action will bring these
fees in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII of GATT 1994.
We seek Jordan’s confirmation that the previous ad valorem fees have been changed to flat rate
ones reflecting the approximate costs of services  rendered and advice of the rates of the fees to
be charged.
Answer:
The following fees and other taxes were consolidated  into customs duties:
-    consolidated surcharge added fees and taxes;
-    municipalities and Universities fees;
-     surcharge tax for 1969;
-     import fees.Other charges and fees levied on imports are:
1. A fine equal to 5 per cent of the value of the imported product if imported by a person who
does not hold an import card.
2. Fees levied on radios in accordance with by-law No.20 for 1966 of the Ministry of Post and
Telecommunication as follow:
(i) 200 fils on each one wave transistor radio;  (JD 1 is equal to 1000 fils)
(ii) 300 fils on each two wave transistor radio;  (JD 1= US$1.4)
(iii) 400 fils on each three wave transistor radio;
(iv) 500 fils on each transistor radio with electric transformer;
(v) JD 2 dinars on each radio operated by electricity.
3. Over time fee equal to 0.002 of the c.i.f. value of the imported good that exceeds JD 50, and
0.001 on goods in transit.  This fee is for services  rendered by Customs Department employees during
official working hours and, performing difficult and risky tasks.
4. Fees for viewing of  video films according to Law No. 52 of 1951.
(i) JD 10 for a tape that takes more than 30 minutes to view and does not contain any
news;
(ii) JD 3 for a non-news tape that takes less than 30 minutes to view.
5. Veterinary fees equalling 70 fils per head, and sheep census equalling 800 fils per head of
camels, buffalo, cows and pigs, and 200 fils per head of goats and sheep.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 23
They are levied in accordance with by-law No. 17 for 1987 issued in accordance with the
Agriculture Law No.20 for 1973  and their amendments.  These fees are for veterinary treatment and
cost of census.
6. A fee of  86.5 fils on each imported packet of 20 cigarettes in accordance with the decision of
the Economic Security Commission No. 16 dated 20 September 1984.  The revenue is earmarked for
support of some agricultural products.
7. Consular fees for certifying commercial bills if not paid at the time of certifying from the
consular authority in the exporting country.  It is in accordance with by-Law No. 1 for 1989 based on
Article 2 of consular fees Law No. 36 for 1947.
The fees on each bill are as follows:
(i) JD 2 on each bill less than JD 100
JD 5 from JD 100 to  < JD 1,000
JD 15 from JD 1,000 to  < JD 5,000JD 25 from JD 5,000 to  < JD 10,000
JD 30 from JD 10,000 to  < JD 25,000
JD 40 from JD 25,00 to  < JD 50,000
JD 50 from JD 50,000 to  <JD 100,000
JD 2 on every JD 10,000 or any fraction of it above the value of JD 100,000
(ii) JD 2 for certifying each certificate of origin.
Question 53.
Please confirm that legislation has been passed incorporating fees, charges etc.  in the customs
duty.  Please provide the Working Party with a co py of the draft or new law in a WTO language
as soon as it becomes available.  What fees and charges levied on or in connection withimporting remain e.g. fee for issuing import ca rd, fee paid by individual importers, fee for
exchange permit, fee for certificate of origin, fee for prior approvals?
Answer:
The law that incorporates fees, charges into customs duty was passed and became effective on
1 March 1997.
Other fees and taxes still levied are:
1. A fine equal to 5 per cent of the value of the imported product if imported by a person who
has no import card;
2. fees levied on radios as follows and in accordance with by-law No.30 for the year 1966.
(Ministry of Post and Communication);
(a) 200 fils on each one transistor radio;    (JD 1 is equal to 1000 fils)
(b)  300 fils on each two wave transistor radio;
(c)  400 fils on each three wave transistor radio;WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 24
(d)  500 fils on each transistor radio with electric transformer;
(e) JD 2 on each radio operated by electricity.
3. Over time fee equal to 0.002 of the c.i.f. value of the imported good that exceeds JD 50.0 and
0.001 on goods in transit.  This fee is for services  rendered by Customs Department employees during
official working hours and, performing difficult and risky tasks.
4. Fees for viewing video films according to Law No. 52 of 1951;
(a) JD 10 for a tape that takes more than 30 minutes to view and does not contain any
news;
(b) JD 3 for a non-news tape that takes less than 30 minutes to view.
5. Veterinary fees equalling 70 fils per head, and sheep census equalling 800 fils per head of
camels, buffalo, cows and pigs and 200 fils per head of goats and sheep.
They are levied in accordance with by-regulation No. 17 for 1987 issued in accordance with
the Agriculture Law No. 20/73 and their amendments.  These fees are for veterinary treatment andcost of census.
6. A fee of 86.5 fils on each imported packet of 20 cigarettes.
7. Consular fees for certifying commercial bills if not paid at the time of certifying from the
consular authority in the exporting country.
  The fees on each bill is a follows:(a) JD 2 on each bill less than JD 1000
JD 5 from JD 100  to  < JD  1,000
JD 15 from JD 1000  to  < JD  5,000
JD 25 from JD 5000  to  < JD  10,000
JD 30 from JD 10,000 to  < JD  25,000JD 40 from JD 25,000 to  < JD  50,000
JD 50 from JD 50,000 to  < JD  100,000
JD 2 on every JD 10,000 or any fraction of it above the value of JD  100,000
(b)    JD 2 for certifying each certificate of origin.
Question 54.
Question 13, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Please confirm that Jordan’s proposed accession offer will
incorporate these elements and that no extra dutie s and charges will be liable to products in the
sense of Articles II:1 (b) or Article VIII of GATT 1994.
Answer:
Once Jordan’s accession is finalised such duties will be incorporated in accordance with
Article II:1 (b).WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 25
Question 55.
We refer to the customs fees and charges listed in Jordan’s reply to question 43 (b) of
WT/ACC/JOR/8.  What service is rendered for traded scrap iron excluding galvanised iron that
would justify a customs fee or charge of JD 25 per ton?
Answer:
According to the instruction No. 1 of 1995 issued in accordance with Article 20 of the Import-
Export by Law No. 74 of 1993, the customs authorities will collect export-fees on scrap iron of
JD 25/per ton.  The service rendered is a mining fee and the exporter of goods should prove that the
incurred fees are paid to the Natural Resources Authority prior to exporting the goods.
Question 56.
What service is rendered for re-exported goods that would justify a customs fee of one per cent
of c.i.f. Value?  Why is this fee levied in ad valorem terms rather than in specific terms?  How
does the service that has been rendered depe nd on the c.i.f. value of the consignment?
Answer:
The service rendered for re-exported goods that would justify a custom fee are:
  -  one per cent as examination fee of c.i.f. value;
  -  one per cent as additional fee of c.i.f. value.
Both fees were cancelled in accordance with Law No. 7 of 1997 for consolidation fees and
taxes.   Now there is a valuation fee on re-exported foreign goods of consolidating fees and taxes
equal to 2 per cent of the value of good, with the following items and institutions exempted from these
fees:
- exports by diplomatic missions and their employees;
- personal belongings;- articles exempted from customs duties under tariff;
- re-exported foreign goods prior to leaving  stores and warehouses;
- used household furniture;
- equipment and machinery imported on temporary basis for the purpose of executing
projects;
- any commodities which the Council of Ministers decides to exempt upon
recommendation from the Minister of Finance.  The justification for this fee is for
revenue purposes.
Question 57.
What service is rendered for re-exported goods that would justify imposing a one per cent
additional tax?  If a service is rendered, why is the tax levied in ad valorem  terms rather than in
specific terms?  How does the service that has been rendered depend on the c.i.f. value of the
consignment?
Answer:
See answer to question 56 above.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 26
Question 58.
Does Jordan levy this one per cent additional tax on goods other than re-exported goods?
Which goods are affected?  Do the affected goods include imported goods which are not re-
exported and domestically produced goods?
Answer:
See answer to question 56 above.
Question 59.
We seek confirmation that there are no other duties and charges (ODCs) of a GATT Article II
type.
Answer:
The duties and other charges which are imposed on the imports other than the custom tariff is
answered in question 51 above.  Most of those fees and charges are imposed for service rendered to
the importer.  If there is any charges or fees that do not comply with the requirement of Article II ofGATT it will be consolidated with Article II.1(b) a nd VIII when Jordan makes its market access offer.
(e) Quantitative import restrictions
Question 60.
Please provide translated copies of the Import /Export Law No. 14 of 1992 and the by-law No. 74
of 1993, the Instructions No. 1 of 1995 and any other relevant laws or regulations amendingthese provisions to the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
Once the laws are translated they will be provided to the WTO Secretariat.
Question 61.
Question 48, WT/ACC/JOR/8.  Please provide the Working Party with a copy of the
Import/Export law in a WTO language.
Answer:
No copy of the Law is available in English.
Question 62.
In the reply to Question 1, WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan states that "currently the only form of
protection is the tariff: import quotas, bans and licensing requirements have been eliminated".
Please could Jordan confirm that some bans are in place (reply to question 53, WT/ACC/JOR/8,
and licensing requirements remain for products imported in accordance with bilateral trade
protocols and agreements, and for products requiring prior approvals (reply to question 20,
WT/ACC/JOR/9)?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 27
Answer:
The bans in place were outlined in answer to question 49 of WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Question 63.
Please identify all products, including HS number, the import and export of which is restricted
to certain agencies.  For each such product, please provide the reason that importation and
exportation is restricted to certain agencies.
Answer:
Products whose import and export is restricted to  certain enterprise appear in the following
table:
Product Enterprise HS No. Reason for restriction
Natural raw leather Jordan Tanning Co. 41.01+
41.02+
41.03The Law of the Company
Petroleum and   derivatives,
excluding   mineral oilsJordan Petroleum Refinery Company
(JPRC)27.09 The Law of the Company
Gas cylinders  for house use JPRC 73.11 The Law of the Company
Black cement Jordan Cement Factories Co. 25.23 The Law of the Company
Ammonium Nitrate Jordan Phosphates Mining Co. (JPHC) 28.34 The Law of the Company
and because it is also used
as input for explosives
Raw Phosphates JPMC 25.10 The Law of the Company
Gun Powder  salt andexplosivesJPMC 36.01
36.0236.03The Law of the Company
and for security reasons
Used  automobile   tires Tires factories 40.12 for safety and ecological
reasons
Question 64.
Please provide a table showing each import ban, prior approval, etc.., the products affected
(with HS number), GATT justification and, where applicable, the date for elimination.
Answer:
Please find below item that need prior approval and items which are banned.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 28
Prior Approvals
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
1. Rice 10.06 Ministry of Supply (MS)
2. Halibuna Powdered Milk 04.02 MS
3. Wheat Flour 11.01 MS
4. Sugar 17.01 MS
5. Wheat 10.01 MS
6. Barley 10.03 MS
7. Corn 10.05 MS
8. Milk for Industrial Use 04.02 MS
9. Live Animals Chapter 1 Ministry of Agriculture
10. Frozen animal Semen 0511.10 Ministry of Agriculture
11. Fresh Chilled and Frozen Meat Chapter 2 Ministry of Agriculture
12. Potato 07.01 Agricultural Marketing Organization
13. Onion 0703.10 Agricultural Marketing Organization
14. Garlic 0703.20 Agricultural Marketing Organization
15. All Kinds of Arms & Ammunition Chapter 93 Ministry of Interior, Public Security Dept.
(PSD)
16. All Kinds of Explosives 36.01
36.0236.0336.04PSD
17. Pen Knives and Similar Articles 82.11 PSD
18. Children Automobile Toys Operated
With Fuel95.01 PSD
19. Remote Control and Toy airplanes 9503.20 PSD
20. Electrical and  Electronic Video
Games Machines  95.04 PSD
21.  Self-Defense Electrical Equipment  85.43 PSD
22. Radio-Active Materials and Uranium 28.44 Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources
23. Wireless Transmitters and Receivers 85.25 Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission (TRC)
24. Wireless Alarm Equipment 85.31 TRC
25. All Kinds of Remote-Control
Equipment (except those for TV &
Video8543.209
8526.92TRC
26. Radar Apparatus 8526.91 TRC
27. Transmission and Reception Stations 85.25 TRC
28. Cellular Telephone Systems 85.25.201 TRC
29. Cordless Telephones 85.17.11 TRC
30. Cordless Microphones 8518.10 TRC
31. Electrical Equipment for line
Telephony & Telegraphy85.17 TRC
32.  Decoders 8543.899 TRCWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 29
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
33. Satellites 85.29
8529.1018543.891TRC
34. Coloured Photocopying Machines 90.09 Central Bank of Jordan
35. Medicaments, Antibiotics, Human
Blood, Vaccines29.41
30.0230.03
30.04Ministry of Health (MOH)
36. Food Preparations Used by Athletes 2106.90 MOH
37. Bromides of Potassium 2827.51 MOH
38. Food Colourings 13.02 MOH
39. Sheets and Pipes of Asbestos 68.11 MOH
40. Milk and Foods for Children 04.02
2106.90MOH
41. Ice Cream and Other Edible Ice 21.05 MOH
42. Postage Franking Machines 84.70 Ministry of Post and Communications
43. Halogenated Derivatives of
Hydrocarbons2903.4
2903.46Public Corporation for Protection of the
Environment
44. Boring Machinery for Water 8430.4 Ministry of Water & Irrigation
45. Used Automobile Tires 40.12 Ministry of Industry & Trade
46. Military Clothing Chapters 61+62 General Command of the Armed Forces
Banned  Imports
Products HS Code
Plastic Waste 39.15
Mineral Water 2201.10
Table Salt 25.01
Cars older than five year 87.03
Passenger cars using other than benzene as fuel 87.03
Question 65.
According to the response to question 63 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan bans
the importation of toy automobiles because special tracks on which to drive them are not readily
available in Jordan.
Are domestically-produced toy automobiles also banned in Jordan?  If not, how does Jordan
intend to provide national treatment to toy automobile imports prior to WTO accession?
Answer:
Jordan does not produce such toy automobiles.
Question 66.
Why does the Government of Jordan ban the im portation of mineral water?  When does the
Government of Jordan intend to eliminate the import prohibition on mineral water?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 30
Answer:
It is the Government intention to eliminate the import-ban on mineral water, but as it was
explained in Jordan’s memorandum and Jordan’s response to question 49 of WT/ACC/JOR/8 and due
to socio-economic impact of the removal of the ban, a gradual rehabilitation is needed to qualify its
competency before lifting the ban.
Question 67.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 120)  Jordan stated that the Government is considering whether to
lift a ban on the importation of mineral water and confirmed this during the Working Party.
Can Jordan indicate when a decision whether or not to lift the ban will be taken?
Answer:
The decision on lifting the ban on the importation of mineral water has not been taken yet.
Question 68.
We note that the government is considering lift ing the import ban on mineral water (reply to
question 120 of WT/ACC/JOR/8).  Does Jordan have a timetable for the elimination of this
restriction?
Answer:
See answer to question 68.
Question 69.
Jordan’s bans on imports of mineral water, table salt and used cars (replies to questions 49 and
120 of WT/ACC/JOR/8) are clearly inconsistent with Article XI:1 of the GATT 1994.  Their
retention for mineral water and table salt is also  inconsistent with Jordan’s statement that "the
only instrument of protection is the tariff" (page 2 of WT/ACC/JOR/8).  Issues such as safety
and impact on the environment need to be a ddressed by measures such as standards and
taxation applied in a manner consistent with the national treatment provisions of the WTO.
When will these quantitative restrictions be removed?
Answer:
Mineral water and table salt were banned from importation due to their social-economic
impact.  The Government is considering removing this quantitative restriction, the time table forelimination depends on the ability of the market to absorb the lifting up of this quantitative restriction.
As a step toward achieving this, the Government phased out the retail price of the table salt in
June 1997 and left it to the market conditions to be decided.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 31
Question 70.
According to the response to question 49 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, there is a total ban on the import
of table salt, because it is produced in areas which are least developed in Jordan and people
have a high rate of unemployment.
This prohibition is not consistent with any of the exceptions provided for the non-application of
GATT Article XI.  How does the Government of Jordan intend to eliminate this import ban ontable salt prior to WTO accession?
Answer:
As a gradual step towards achieving the elimination of the restriction on import of table-salt,
the Government phased out the price fixation policy for the table salt in June 1997.
Question 71.
According to the response to question 49 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan bans
the importation of used cars, because the purchase of spare parts and tires is a drain on foreignreserves, some of these cars are more than ten years old and lack safety options found in new
cars, and these cars are more  harmful to the environment.
The Government of Jordan should be prepared  at the next meeting of the Working Party to
describe the steps it intends to take to eliminate or replace with alternative measures, this
import ban prior to WTO accession.
Answer:
Though the reasons given might not satisfy certain articles of WTO agreements, Jordan does
not think it is wise to import used cars when it is  trying to replace the used cars it has for the same
reasons.
Question 72.
Please describe the procedures to obtain an exemption from customs duties for new cars by
owners of old cars used for public transport,  like taxis and service cars, in the form of a
response to the Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures.
Answer:
Persons who wish to make use of the offer of changing their cars used for public transport had
two options:
(i) exchange their used car for a new one with a motor capacity not less than (1600 cm3).
The used car must be five years old or more.  Such an exchange requires the owner to
surrender its old car to the state.  In this case he is exempted from paying the customs
tariff and the sales tax;
(ii) keep the used car, and buy a new car with a motor capacity not less than (1600 cm3)
and be exempted from customs tariffs.  But he must pay the General Sales tax equal
to 10 per cent and pay additional sales tax equal to 8-15 per cent depending on the
motor capacity of the car.  The old car must be cancelled from service and used as
spare parts after cutting the chassis or re-exported to the free trade zone or abroad.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 32
Question 73.
Question 50, WT/ACC/JOR/8.  Enforcement of quantitative restrictions:  An import ban is a
quantitative restriction in that quantity is set at zero.  To be effective, an enforcement
mechanism is necessary.  What system of enforcement does Jordan employ?
Answer:
Import products that are banned are usually known to importers.  However, if they are
imported, the customs official will not allow their entry or clearance.  The importer is given two
options either to re-export them to the country of origin or to the Free Zones.
Question 74.
Question 51, WT/ACC/JOR/8.  Are there safety restrictions for domestically-owned cars more
than five years old sold on the Jordanian market?
Answer:
Cars registered in Jordan are subject to yearly licensing.  Before being licensed, they are
subjected to a thorough mechanical examination by the Traffic Department.  If they are found not safe
to drive they will not be licensed.
Question 75.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 54)  Jordan noted that "sugar, wheat, rice one brand of powdered
milk, cigarettes need prior approval but there are no quantitative restrictions on their import".
This replies appears to contradict questions 19 and 68 of WT/ACC/JOR/9 which indicate that
the Government has recently allowed the private sector to import rice, sugar, and cigarettes.
Could Jordan please confirm that the private sector is permitted to import rice, sugar, and
cigarettes?  Is there any limitation on the volume of imports?  Are licences granted
automatically?
We understand that Jordan has recently applied new laws on the importation of grains and
oilseeds.  Under the new laws, grains (which were previously imported by the Ministry of
Supply and sold at subsidized prices)  can now be imported directly by the private sector and
sold at market prices.  Furthermore, import licences which were mandatory for grains and
oilseeds are no longer required.  The only requi rement which still remains is a phytosanitary
certificate.  We welcomes these developments a nd would appreciate responses to the following
questions:
(a) When were the new law passed?
(b) Could Jordan please provide informat ion about the mandatory phytosanitary
certificate?
(c) Do the new laws only pertain to the importation of grains and oil seeds, or do
they remove import barriers for other products as well?
Answer:
Private sector is permitted to import rice, sugar, without any limitation on the volume of
imports and the prior approvals are granted automatically.  Concerning the cigarettes the cabinet in its
decision of 29 June 1997 permitted the private sector to import cigarettes.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 33
(a) It was not a law, it was the cabinet decision to permit the importation of grains which
were previously imported and sold by the Ministry of Supply.
(b) The phytosanitary certificate is issued by the exporting country to ensure that the
grains and oil seeds are free of any diseases.
(c) Imports, from countries that have preferential trade agreements with Jordan and
imports of dried milk for industry and used tires are still subject to import licensing.
Question 76.
Question 19, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Please clarify arrangements for the regulation and importation
of cigarettes, by the Government and private sector.
Answer:
The Ministry of Supply stopped importing cigarettes in accordance with a decision by the
Cabinet on 29 June 1997 that allowed the private sector to import cigarettes.
Question 77.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 19 (b))  Jordan noted that the Government is considering whether
to allow the private sector to import and distribute cigarettes yet states in question 19c that it
has recently allowed the private sector to import cigarettes.  Could Jordan confirm that the
private sector can import cigarettes.
Answer:
Yes, the private sector can import cigarettes.
Question 78.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 66) Jordan was asked to provide information about whether
criteria for refusal exist for the automatic licensi ng system.  The reply does not provide a clear
response to this question and we would appreciate information in this regard.  Please also notecomments with respect to the import of cigarettes of question 19 b.
Answer:
This system is currently in force for all imported goods from all countries except the countries
which have trade agreements or protocols with Jordan (i.e. Arab countries and Israel).
Concerning the imported cigarettes the private sector is allowed to import cigarettes after
obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Su pply and import licence from Ministry of Industry
and Trade, there is no quantitative restrictions on import of cigarettes.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 34
(f) Import Licensing Procedures
Question 79.
According to the response to question 49 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the importation of other products,
like sugar, wheat rice, one brand of powdered milk and cigarettes need prior approval, but
there are no quantitative restrictions on their import.  Nevertheless, GATT Article XI.1
provides that "no prohibitions or restrictions othe r than duties, taxes or other charges, whether
made effective through ... import licences or ot her measures ... shall be maintained on the
importation of any product ..."  The response to the Questionnaire contained in the annex to
WT/ACC/JOR/3 does not identify the products covered by the licensing and does not provide
sufficient detail for products not being imported from Arab countries.
Prior to the next meeting of the Working Part y, please identify all products by HS tariff
line number, for which quotas or import bans are applied, or whose importation requires prior
approvals. Please provide GATT and WTO justification for the measure, where appropriate. Inareas where no justification is possible, please explain how these restrictions will be eliminated
prior to WTO accession.
Answer:
Please find below the items that need prior approval and those which are banned.
Items Requiring Prior Approvals
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
1. Rice 10.06 Ministry of Supply (MS)
2. Halibuna Powdered Milk 04.02 MS
3. Wheat Flour 11.01 MS
4. Sugar 17.01 MS
5. Wheat 10.01 MS
6. Barley 10.03 MS
7. Corn 10.05 MS
8. Milk for Industrial Use 04.02 MS
9. Live Animals Chapter 1 Ministry of Agriculture
10. Frozen animal Semen 0511.10 Ministry of Agriculture
11. Fresh Chilled and Frozen Meat Chapter 2 Ministry of Agriculture
12. Potato 07.01 Agricultural Marketing Organization
13. Onion 0703.10 Agricultural Marketing Organization
14. Garlic  0703.20 Agricultural Marketing Organization
15. All Kinds of Arms & Ammunition Chapter 93 Ministry of Interior, Public Security Dept.
(PSD)
16. All Kinds of Explosives 36.01
36.0236.0336.04PSD
19. Pen Knives and Similar Articles 82.11 PSD
18. Children Automobile Toys Operated
With Fuel95.01 PSDWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 35
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
19. Remote Control and toy aeroplanes 9503.20 PSD
20. Electrical and  Electronic Video
Games Machines 95.04 PSD
21. Self-Defense Electrical Equipment  85.43 PSD
22. Radio-Active Materials and
Uranium28.44 Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources
23. Wireless Transmitters and Receivers 85.25 Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission (TRC)
24. Wireless Alarm Equipment 85.31 TRC
25. All Kinds of Remote-Control
Equipment (except those for TV &
Video8543.209
8526.92TRC
26. Radar Apparatus 8526.91 TRC
27. Transmission and Reception
Stations85.25 TRC
28. Cellular Telephone Systems 85.25.201 TRC
29. Cordless Telephones 85.17.11 TRC
30. Cordless Microphones 8518.10 TRC
31. Remote Control for Toy Airplanes
for Children9503.20 TRC
32. Electrical Equipment for line
telephony & telegraphy85.17 TRC
33. Decoders 8543.899 TRC
34. Satellites 85.29
8529.101
8543.891TRC
35. Coloured photocopying machines   90.09 Central Bank of Jordan
36. Medicaments, antibiotics, human
blood, vaccines29.41
30.02
30.03
30.04Ministry of Health (MOH)
37. Food preparations used by athletes 2106.90 MOH
38. Bromides of Potassium 2827.51 MOH
39. Food colourings 13.02 MOH
40. Sheets and pipes of asbestos 68.11 MOH
41. Milk and foods for children 04.02
2106.90MOH
42. Ice cream and other edible ice 21.05 MOH
43. Postage franking machines 84.70 Ministry of Post and Communications
44. Halogenated derivatives of
hydrocarbons2903.4
  2903.46Public Corporation for Protection of the
Environment
45. Boring machinery for water 8430.4 Ministry of Water & Irrigation
46. Used automobile tires 40.12 Ministry of Industry & Trade
47. Toy aeroplanes that work with use
of a remote control95.03 TRC
48. Military clothing Chapter 61+62 General Command of the Armed ForcesWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 36
Banned  Imports
Products HS Code
Plastic Waste 39.15
Mineral Water 2201.10
Table Salt 25.01
Cars older than five year 87.03
Passenger cars using other than benzene as fuel 87.03
Question 80.
According to the reply to Question 20, WT/ACC/JOR/9, products imported in accordance with
bilateral trade protocols and agreements and requiring prior approvals are still subject to
import licensing.  Please provide a list of the goods (with HS codes).
Answer:
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment in the bilateral
agreement between Jordan and PNA. (Palestinian Products imported to Jordan).
Product H.S. Code
Sausages and similar products of meat, meat offal or blood food preparations based on
these products16.01
Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included (Halawa) 21.08
Insecticides 38.08
Printing ink 32.15
Base metal mountings, fitting and similar articles suitable for furniture, doors, staircase 83.02
Fruit juices and vegetables juices 20.09
Solar heating machinery 84.19
Floor coverings for cars (vulcanised rubber) 40.18
Women’s slips, petty coats, briefs, panties, nightdresses pyjamas Chapter 62,61
Executive cases 42.02
Foot wear, gaiters and the like Chapter 64
Electrical apparatus for switchi ng or protecting electrical 85.36
circuits, or for making connections to, or in electrical circuits 85.35
Machinery for the preparation of coffee 84.38
Table, kitchen or other household articles and part thereof of aluminum 78.15
Boards for electric control 85.37
Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels without frameworks, 88.4
for grinding sharpening ,polishing, truing or cutting. 68.5
Man’s, boy and babies clothing and underpants Chapter 62.83
Wire, rods, tubes, plates electrodes and similar product 83.11
Weighing machinery 84.23
Hand saws, blades for saws of all kinds 82.02
Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not
frozen20.05
Nuts fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled 08.02WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 37
Product H.S. Code
Dried vegetable 07.12
Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by vinegar
or acetic acid20.01
Ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves 09.10
Soups 21.04
Prepared tunas 16.04
Smoked fish  3.05
Prepared salad 21.05
Screws 73.18
Statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles 69.13
Ceramic tableware, kitchen ware other household articles 69.12
Sand stone merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular
(including square) shapes2516.22
Natural honey 04.09
Jams
Vinegar 22.09
Soap 34.01
Live sheep and goats 01.04
Edible offal of sheep 02.06
Knitted or crocheted fabrics 60.02
Wine of fresh grapes 22.04
Marble crude or roughly trimmed 2515.11
Printed books 49.01
Articles for fun fair 95.04
Glass ware of a kind used for table, kitchen, toilet 70.13
Smoking pipes  96.14
Unglazed ceramic, mosaic articles 69.07
Furnishing articles 63.04
Dolls 95.02
Saddler and harness for any animal 42.01
Articles of woods 44.21
Knives 82.11
Worked ivory 98.01
Wood marquetry and inlaid wood 44.20
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment by Jordan and Saudi
Arabia in the bilateral agreement between the two countries.
Full Exemption
Product H.S. Code
Live chicks 01.05
Frozen poultry 0207.21
0207.220207.23
Other yogurt 0403.90
Butter and other fats derived from milk 04.05WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 38
Product H.S. Code
Cheese and curd 04.05
Birds’ eggs for hatching 04.07
Natural honey 04.09
Other vegetable saps and extracts 1302.19
Lard stearin 15.03
Vegetable oil 15.07 - 15.15
Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions 15.1590 and 15.16 20
Other sugar confectionery 17.04.90
Food preparations of flour or malt extract for infant use 19.01
Homogenized vegetable 20.05.10
Homogenized preparation 20.07.10
Other prepared foods (chips) 19.05.90
Tomatoes prepared or preserved 20.02
Mushrooms and truffles 20.03
Other vegetable prepared 20.04
Other vegetables prepared or preserved not frozen 20.05
Fruit juices and vegetable juices 20.09
Prepared baking powders 21.02.30
Vinegar and substitutes 22.09
Preparation of a kind used in animal feeding 23.09
Sulphur of all kinds 25.03
Chalk 25.09
Natural calcium phosphates natural aluminum calcium Phosphates and phosphatic chalk 25.10
Marble crude or roughly trimmed 25.15.11
Marble merely cut 25.15.12
Gypsum 25.20
White cement, whether or not artificially coloured 25.23.21
Other alkali or alkaline - earth metals 28.05.19
Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) 28.06.10
Sulphuric acid 28.07
Ammonia 28.14
Sodium metasilicates 28.39.11
Other silicates 28.39.19
Ethylene 29.01.21
Styrene 29.02.50
Ethyl chloride 29.03
Vinyl chloride 29.03
Sulphonated nitraded or nitrosated derivatives of hydrocarbon 29.04
Methanol (methyl alcohol) 29.05.11
Propylene glycol 29.05.32
Phenol 29.07.11
Other halogenated 29.80
Acetone 29.14.11
Acetic acid 29.15.21
Esters of methacrylic acid 29.16.14WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 39
Product H.S. Code
Carboxylic acids with additional oxygen 29.18
Carboximide-function compounds 29.25
Hetrocyelic compounds 29.33
Other organo-inorganic compounds 29.31.00
Melamine 29.31.61
Other acyclic hydrocarbons 29.01.29
Human and veterinary medicines 30.3,30.4
Other wadding gauze, bandages and similar articles 30.05.90
Fertilizers chapter 31
Paints and varnishes 32.08-32.12
Printing ink 32.15
Soap 34.01
Organic surface-active agents 34.02
Gelatin 35.03.00
Matches 36.05.00
Photographic paper 37.03
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides 38.08
Ethylene glycol 29.05.31
Phenolic resins 39.09.40
Polyacetals, other polyethers and expoxide resins 39.07-39.14
Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strips of plastics 39.21
Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 39.01.10
Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more 39.01.20
Polymers of styrene 39.03.11 and 39.03.19
Polymers of vinylacetate of other vinylesters 39.05
Polymers of vinyl chloride 39.04
Acrylic polymers 39.06
Petroleum resins 39.11
Synthetic rubber 40.02
Other basketwork, wickerwork 46.02.90
Cigarette paper in the form of booklet 48.13.10
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing contains of paper 48.19
School books 48.20
Man-made filaments Chapter 51- Chapter 54
Woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair 51.11-51.12
Cotton sewing thread 52.04-52.07
Embroidery in the piece, in strips or in motifs 58.10
Twine, cordage, ropes and cables whether or not plaited or braided 56.07
Knitted or crocheted fabrics Chapter 60
Articles of apparel and clothing accesso ries knitted or crocheted Chapter 61
Curtains 63.02
Other furnishing articles 64.04
Other hats and headgear 65.05.90
Floor clothes-dish-cloths dusters and similar cleaning clothes 63.07.10
Outer soles and heels of rubber or plastics 64.06.20WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 40
Product H.S. Code
Building stone 68.02
Articles of cement 68.10
Other refractory ceramic goods 69.03
Ceramic pipes 69.06
Float glass and surface gr ound or polished glass 70.05
Glass bottles jars 70.10
Glass fibres 70.19
Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms 72.01
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles seamless of iron 73.04-73.06
Tube or pipe fitting of iron or steel 73.07
Other articles of iron steel 73.26.90
Reservoirs tanks, vats and similar containers for any material of iron or steel 73.09
Containers for compressed or liquefied gas of iron or steel 73.11
Screws 73.18
Springs and leaves for springs of iron or steel 73.20
Stoves 73.21
Table kitchen or other household or articles and parts 73.23
Sanitary ware and parts thereof of iron or steel 73.24
Other articles of iron steel 73.26
Copper bars, rods and profiles 74.07
Other aluminum cans 76.12.90
Table kitchen or other household and other parts of aluminum 76.15.10
Other articles of aluminum 76.16.99
Filing cabinets 83.04
Wire, rods used for soldering 83.11
Pumps for agriculture 84.13.81
Air conditioning machines 84.15
Solar heaters 84.19.19
Oil or petrol-filters for inte rnal combustion engines 84.21.23
Intake air filters for internal combustion engines 84.21.31
Parts of mechanical appliances  84.24.90
Lifts and skip hoists 84.28.10
Poultry incubators and brooders 84-36-29-84.36.21
Crushing or grinding machines 84.74.20
Ballast for discharge lamps or tubes 85.04.10
Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters 85.16.10
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits or for making connections to or
in electrical circuits85.35 and 85.36
Insulated wire, cable 85.44
Electrical insulators for any materials 85.46
Baby carriages 87.15
Other vehicles 87.10.80
Electricity meters 90.28.30
Liquid meters 90.28.20
Seats 94.01
Other furniture and parts thereof 94.03WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 41
Product H.S. Code
Mattresses  94.04.21 and 94.04.29
Worked ivory, bone, horn antlers, coral and other animal carving material 96.01
Brushes 96.03
Bicycles 87.12
Babies prams 95.01
Ball point pens 96.08.10
66 Per Cent Duty Exemption
Products H.S. Code
Mineral waters 22.01
Undenatured ethyl alcohol 22.07
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 per cent vol. or higher 22.07.10
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits denatured of any strength 22.07.20
Other undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume less than 80 per cent vol. 22.08.90
Solid sodium hydroxide 28.15.11
In aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda) 28.15.12
Other hypochlorites 28.28.90
Perfumes and toilet waters 33.03-33.07
Polypropylene 39.02.10
Articles for conveyance or packing of goods of plastics 39.23-39.24
Suit-case, trunks, vanity-cases, executive cases, brief cases 42.02
Other articles of wood 44.21.90
Doors and their frames and threshold 44.18.20
Carpets and other textile floor coverings Chapter 57
Footwear 64.01-64.05
Rock wool 68.06
Glass mirrors 70.09
Angles shapes and sections 73.01.20
Prefabricated building 94.06.00
Structures and parts of structures of iron or steel 73.08
Other structures of iron or steel 73.08.90
Nails 73.17
Radiators for central heating 73.22
Base metal mounting fittings and similar articles suitable for furniture, doors and windows 83.02
Refrigerators freezers 84.18
Dish washing machines 84.22
Weighing machinery (scales) 84.23
Drying machines 84.51
Primary cells and primary batteries 85.06
Electric accumulation including separators therefor 85.07
Aerials and aerial reflectors 85.29
Other apparatus 85.31.10WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 42
Products H.S. Code
linings  87.08.31
Other mounted brake linings 87.08.39
Radiators 87.08.91
Silencers and exhaust pipes 87.08.92
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment by both countries in
the bilateral agreement between Jordan and Israel.
100 Per Cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Vegetable oil 511-1513
Margarine 151710
Fatty acids 1519
Glycerin 1520
Chocolate 180620
Chocolate 180630
Chocolate 180690 ex
Mineral water 220110
Animal feed exc. 2309ch23
Animal feed 23091090 2309909
Glass ore 2506
Kaolin 2507
Gypsum 2520
Cement 2523
Feldspar 252910
Chlorine 2801
Calcium carbonates 2836
Pharmaceutical products 3002-3004
Pharmaceutical products 3006
Paints 3208
Paints 3209
Paints 3210
Painters fillings 3214
Inks 3215
Glues 3501
Diagnostic reagent 3822
Alkide resins 390750 ex
Roes, yarns of plastic ex.90603916
Yarns 5306-5308
Textile fabrics 5309-5310
Heater wicks 5908
Belts 5910
Footwear upper 640610
Umbrellas 6601WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 43
Product H.S. Code
Marble tiles and building stones 6802
Rolls of bitumen and asphalt 6807
Roofing tiles 690510
Metal pipes 7304
Copper pipe s fittings 7412
Kitchen and tableware 7615
Furniture accessories and locks 8301-8302
Pumps and compressors 8413-8414
Bakery equipment 841720
Chillers and cooling equipment 84186960
Coffee grinding and roasting machines 8419 ex
Car filters 8421 ex
Agricultural ploughs 843210
Bakery equipment 843810
Moulds 8480
Food mixers 850940
Hair driers 851631
Video cassette recorders 8521
Audio video cassettes 852310
T.V. 8528
T.V. antennas and satellite dishes 8529
Electric bells 853180
Lenses 9001
Lenses 9002
Medical syringes 901831
Children’s toys 9501
Children’s toys 9502
Children's’s toys 9503
Empty gelatin capsules 9602ex, 10590ex
Ball point pens and pencils 960810
50 Per Cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Chewing gum 170410
Sweets and confectionery 170490
Halawa 7049010
Dry yeast 2102000
Alcoholic beverages 2208
Animal feed 2309
Tobacco and cigarettes 24-ch
Fertilisers exc. ammonium fertiliser 31-ch
Perfumes 3303
Cosmetics 3307
Detergents 3401-3402
Glues 350520WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 44
Product H.S. Code
Pesticides 3803
Plastic pipes 3917
Kitchen and tableware 3924
Fibre glass (tanks) and swimming pools products 3925
Rubber products 4014-4017
Luggage and suitcases 420210
Leather garments and products 4203
Computer forms ex 4811-4823
Labels 4821
Non wovens for industry 5603
Die-cutters, grinding and polishing stones 6804
Ceramic tiles 6908
Sanitary ware 6910
Lab.utensils 7017
Fibre glass products ex 2090,31907019
Metal pipes 7306
Metal pipes 7306
Steel meshes 7314
Gas heaters, cooker and ovens 7321
Copper bars 7407
Metal wire 7407
Copper pipe s fittings 7412
Aluminum profiles 7604
Steel safes 8303
Air-conditioning equipments 8415
Elevators 8428
Washing and ironing machines 845130-40
Electric accumulators 8507
Brake pads 8708,4016
Frames for spectacles 9003
Furniture 9401
Furniture 9402
Furniture 9403
Mattresses and fillings 940429
Brushes and sweepers 9603
Disposable gas lighters 9613110
30 Per Cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Glues and binding materials 3506
Matches 3605
Ropes-yarns of plastic 3916
Thermo pipes 3917
School supplies of plastic 392610WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 45
Product H.S. Code
Conveyor belts 4010
Articles of rubber 4016
Filter blocks of paper pulp 4812
Card board boxes 4819
School note books 4820
Yarns 5106-5110
Textiles (fabrics) 5111-5113
Yarns 5205-5207
Textiles (fabrics) 5208-5212
Yarns 5402-5407
Textiles (fabrics) 5408
Yarns 5509-5511
Textiles (fabrics) 5512-5516
Clothing 61,62 chaps.
Blankets 6301
Building blocks and bricks 6810
Glass sheets and glass sheets used for automobiles 7004-7005-7007
Steel bars for buildings 7214-7215-7217
Conveyor belts ex 7314
Nails, bolts screws and locks 7317-73118-7320
Ladders (metal and aluminum) 7326-7616
Central heating and steam boilers 8402-8403
Chillers and cooling equipment 8418
Solar energy heaters 8419
Water filters 8421 ex
Taps, cocks, valves 8481
Electrical transformers 8504
Electric water heaters 8516 ex
Electrical switches and breakers, electrical sockets 8535-8536
Electrical cables and wires 8544
Mattress supports 9404203
Import cards
Question 81.
We would appreciate more information about Jord an’s import card system.  Is the possession of
an import card mandatory in order to import into Jordan?
Answer:
Possession of an import  card is essential to any business to engage in importing.  Persons or
agencies who do not possess an import  card can import but they have to pay a fine equal to 5 per cent
of the value of the imported goods.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 46
Question 82.
Are there any grounds on which the issuing authority can refuse to issue an import card
to a person, firm or institution who applies for an import card?
Answer:
Persons, firms or institutions who apply for an import-card can obtain it, if they produce the
required documents:
-   a certificate that the importer is a registered merchant with a capital not less than
JD 5,000;
-    a  current profession licence issued by the municipalities.
Question 83.
Is the Ministry of Industry and Trade the sole issuing authority for an import card?
Answer:
Yes, the import cards are issued from the Trade Directorate in the Ministry of Industry and
Trade.
Question 84.
Can the Ministry of Industry and Trade refuse an  application for an importation on the advice
of any Jordanian entity (e.g. another agency of the Jordanian government)?  On what grounds?
Answer:
No, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has no right to refuse any application for any importer
on the advice of any Jordanian entity unless the imported goods need prior approvals from other
departments  and the importer could  not provide such approval.
Question 85.
What are the rights of an applicant who has b een refused an import card?  Are these the same
for all applicants, regardless of their country of origin or economic sector?
Answer:
The only case that the Ministry of Industry and Trade can refuse an application for an
importation is that a person cannot provide the required documents..
Question 86.
Can an import card be cancelled?  On what grounds?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 47
Answer:
The import card cannot be cancelled, except on the expiry of its validity on 28 February of
each year. This card can be renewed annually after providing all the required documents.  If the
importer cannot provide the professions licence annually then the import card is automatically
cancelled.
Question 87.
What are the rights of an import card holder who has had their import card cancelled?  Are
those the same for all former import card hold ers, regardless of their country of origin or
economic sector?
Answer:
See answer to question 85.
Question 88.
In considering applications for import cards, do es the issuing authority apply identical criteria
to all persons, entities and institutions, regardless of nationality and economic sector?
Answer:
There is no discrimination in issuing import cards.  The issuing authority applies identical
criteria to all persons, entities and institutions regardless of their nationality and economic sector.
Question 89.
What is the period of validity for an import card ?  Is this period of time the same for all import
cards that are issued?  Or are all import cards of permanent validity?
Answer:
See answer to question 85.
Question 90.
What is the maximum period of time that it take s to issue an import card  to an applicant after
the application is lodged with the issuing authority?
Answer:
The maximum period of time to issue an import card is 30 minutes if the person provides the
required documents.
Question 91.
What information is an applicant required to pr ovide with an application for an import card?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 48
Answer:
The information required to provide with an application form are:
-   name of importer;
-   trade name;
-   importer address including telephone number;
-   capital in JD.The following documents should be attached to the application form
-   registration certificate of the company or the individual;
-  registration certificate of the trade name  if the importer has such name, and valid
professions certificate issued by the municipality.
Question 92.
What fees and charges is an import card applicant liable for?  When are these paid?
Answer:
The fee to obtain an import card is equal to JD  2, it should be paid before issuing the import
card.
Question 93.
According to the response to question 56 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, there is a fee of 5 per cent of the
value of the imported good and an additional fee of 5 per cent of the value of the imported goodis levied on persons or agencies that import goods without holding an import card to prove they
are registered in the importers registrar in the Ministry of Industry and Trade.  However, these
fees have been consolidated into the customs duty schedule.
Have these fees already been incorporated into  the customs duty schedule that was provided in
electronic form to the WTO Secretariat (WT/ACC/JOR/8/Add.1)?
Answer:
Yes, these fees have been incorporated into the Customs Duty Schedule provided to WTO.
Question 94.
Does an import card specify any particular re striction on the type, the place of origin, the
economic sector of destination in Jordan, the physi cal quantity, the price, the total value, or the
allowable number of consignments within a certain period, of foreign goods?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 49
Answer:
An import card does not specify any particular restriction on the type, the place of origin, the
economic sector of destination in Jordan, the physical quantity, the price, the total value or other
restrictions.
The import card is issued for:
-  administrative purposes by giving the importer special number and special    file in
order to facilitate the clearance stages of the imported goods by presenting to the
customs authorities the import card instead of an import licence;
- in case the importer cannot present the import card,  the customs authority levies 5
per cent fine as additional fee of the value of the good.
Prior Approval
Question 95.
Prior approvals/import licensing.  Discussion on these aspects in particular the distinction
between the two - is confusion.  In some descriptions they are different; in WT/ACC/JOR/8,
question 66, they are one and the same (Prior approvals are considered import licences in
themselves).
Could Jordan explain the difference, if any, between import licensing and prior approval?
Answer:
The prior approvals are issued under specific conditions from certain government institutions
according to prior approval lists, and they are cons idered import licences in themselves in the sense
that there is no need to obtain an import licence for a product if a prior approval for that product has
been granted.
However, if the goods are imported from countries that have trade agreements or protocols
with Jordan, the imported goods need to have an import licence and or prior approval.
Question 96.
What is the relationship between prior approvals and import licensing?
Answer:
There is no relationship between prior approvals and import licence except that the prior
approvals considered as an import licence if the goods are imported from the countries which have no
preferential trade agreement or  trade protocols with Jordan.
The prior approvals are issued under specific conditions from certain government institutions
that are determined by prior approval lists without need to issue an import licence.
If the goods are imported from countries which Jordan have trade agreement or protocols
with, then, the imported goods need to have an import licence and prior approvals.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 50
Issuing an import licence is subject to:
-  the goods are imported from countries which have trade agreements and protocols
with Jordan, provided that those goods originate in those countries;
- the goods that imported are in the name of the following agencies:
-   banks
-  companies under establishment
 -  hotels
-   private universities.
Question 97.
Jordan indicates in its reply to question 77 of WT/ACC/JOR/9 that it intends to abolish all prior
approvals.  Does Jordan have a timetable for the elimination of this system?
Answer:
Jordan does not have a time table for the elimination of this system.  The government has the
full intention to eliminate them gradually.
Question 98.
Jordan indicates that the prior approvals for imports of fruits and vegetables do not apply for
imports from all countries and that the system will be phased out with the phasing out of
protocol trade between Jordan and some Arab countries and Israel (reply to question 67 ofWT/ACC/JOR/9).
Can Jordan confirm that it will be eliminating this system from all agricultural products
requiring prior approval (rice, powdered milk -halibuna brand, wheat, flour, sugar, frozen
lamb, barley, corn, milk for industrial use, frozen  animal semen, live animals, potatoes, onions
and garlic) and not just for fruit and vegetables?
Answer:
The Ministry of Supply for a long time was the sole importer of the products (mentioned in
your questions) which need to have prior approvals now.  Since 1995 it has  been the government
policy to liberalize its trade regime and to activate the role of the private sector.  Based on this, it was
decided to open up the importation of the mentioned pr oducts by allowing the private sector to import
them.  The main role of the government toward achieving the food security goal is to keep a strategic
reserve of wheat, rice, wheat flour, barely, cor n, and powder milk for consumption. Given this fact
and to keep balance between opening up and achieving the food security policy, the prior approvals is
an intermediate step toward the full liberalization of importing these products.  Even though, prior
approvals are still needed for the purpose of controlling the strategic reserve of these products but theretention of the prior approvals is not for a long time and the government has the full intention to
eliminate them whenever the private sector is able to  take the full responsibility of all matters related
to the subject.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 51
Also, these kinds of goods need huge storage facilities which are relatively not available to
the private importers.  The storage of these commodities in the Ministry’s warehouses need to be
regulated and one way of regulating  the whole process is by issuing the automatic prior approvals to
reserve spaces for the imports.
Question 99.
Are there no longer any charge s for obtaining a "prior approval" for importation or other form
of import licence?
Answer:
There are no other charges for obtaining prior approvals on import licences.
Question 100.
Please describe the procedure for obtaining an exchange permit.  To whom does the importer
submit the application and who determines whether or not the application will be approved
Please describe the fees for obtaining the pe rmit.  What information other than the import
licence or "prior approval" must be submitted to  obtain the exchange permit?  What criteria
are considered in determining whether th e exchange permit will be issued?
Answer:
Exchange permits for imports are granted according to the letter of credit opened with a
commercial bank.  The requirements for opening a letter of credit are:
(a) the importer has to show that he holds an importer’s card:
(i) if the goods to be imported do not need import licence or prior approval, then
the importer’s card is all what he needs;
(ii) if imports need prior approval or an import licence then he has to provide this
as well;
(iii) if imports has to provide this as well.
(b) the importer then opens his letter of credit with a commercial bank and the bank gets
the exchange permit from the Central Bank of Jordan;
Fee charged on a letter of credit is 0.001 of the value of the L/C paid to the Central
Bank of Jordan.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 52
Question 101.
According to the response to question 63 of  WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan
requires prior approval for the importatio n of electric and electronic video games.
Please describe the procedures applicable to ob taining the prior approval for the importation of
electric and electronic video games in the form of a response to the Questionnaire on Import
Licensing.
Answer:
To be able to import electric and electronic video games, the importer must get prior approval
from the Ministry of Interior/Public Security Department.  He can apply for that either directly to the
Public Security Department or indirectly throug h the Ministry of Industry and Trade which requests
such approval on behalf of the importer. However, approvals are granted only to shops licensed to use
or deal with such games.  After obtaining the prior approval the importer proceeds in the usual
manner to import the goods.
Question 102.
Please describe the procedures applicable to domestically-produced electric and electronic video
games to ensure that they do not enda nger the social fabric of the country.
Answer:
Jordan does not produce such games.
Question 103.
According to the response to question 63 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, prior approvals for importation
are required for rice, wheat and sugar, in or der to ensure a strategic reserve of these
commodities.
How does the Government of Jordan determine whether to grant prior approvals for
importation of these products?  Does the Govern ment of Jordan have specific import quotas?
How does the Government determine the size of the quota and how does it ensure that it is
equitably allocated among importers?
Answer:
There is no specific import quota imposed on the importation of rice, wheat and sugar.
Question 104.
According to the response to question 63 of  WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan
requires prior approval for the importation of industrial powdered milk in order to ensure that
it is used for chocolate and biscuit factories, and not mixed with dairy products, like yogurt and
cheese.
Does the Government of Jordan prohibit the mi xing of domestically-produced powdered milk
with dairy products, like yogurt and cheese?  If not, how does Jordan intend to provide national
treatment to imported industrial powdered milk?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 53
Answer:
Jordan does not produce powdered milk.  All powdered milk in the country is imported.
Question 105.
Is there a sound scientific basis for the prohibition of mixing of industrial powdered milk with
dairy products, like yogurt and cheese?  If yes, please describe.
Answer:
Industrial powdered milk is imported to be used for confectionery like ice-creams, chocolates
and biscuits and its use is restricted for that purpose. On the other hand yogurt and cheese must be
made from fresh milk.
Question 106.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 66)  Jordan explained that there are 43 items that require prior
approval for import.  Of the 43 items, 12 are agricultural products (rice, one brand of dried
milk powder, wheat and wheat flour, sugar, barley, corn, frozen animal semen, live animals,chilled and frozen meat, potatoes, onion, and garlic).  Same comment and question as per
question 54.
Answer:
See answer to question 74 above.
Question 107.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 67) Jordan noted that the food products that need permission from
the Ministry of Supply now are rice, Halibuna powdered milk, wheat and wheat flour, sugar,
and cigarettes, and that the process of elimination is moving fast.  Same comment and question
as per WT/ACC/JOR/8 question 54.
Answer:
See answer to question 74 above.
Question 108.
In Section IV of the memorandum (10 October 1994) , it is stated that there are six foodstuffs
that require permission from the Ministry of Supply (before they can be imported).  However,
in question 6 of WT/ACC/JOR/8 (4 June 1997), Jordan confirms there are 43 commodities thatrequire prior approval for import, including 12 agricultural products (rice, one brand of milk,
wheat and wheat flour, sugar, barley, corn, froz en animal semen, live animals, chilled and
frozen meats, potatoes, onions and garlic).
Could Jordan explain whether there is a diff erence between the 12 items requiring prior
approval and the six items requiring permission , or whether there are same with the only
change being that there are now 12 items?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 54
Answer:
Of the 12 agricultural products that need prior approvals, six are to be obtained from the
Ministry of Supply.
(h) Customs valuation
Question 109.
Please provide the Working Party with a copy of the new draft Customs Law in a WTO
language.
Answer:
The new draft Custom Law is still being discussed in Parliament and there is no copy in any
of the WTO languages.
Question 110.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, the customs duties in Jordan are calculated on the basis of the
c.i.f. value of imports on the registration date of the customs declaration form.  Please explainhow the registration date of the declaration form  affects the c.i.f. value of the imports and the
calculation of the duties.
Answer:
The registration date of the declaration has an effect on the c.i.f. value for customs valuation
purposes.  First because of the daily swing in prices of goods and also insurance rates and cost.Second because the exchange rate of the dinar is based on the average exchange rates that are issued
monthly by the Central Bank of Jordan.
Question 111.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, in general, there is compliance between real and declared prices.
Please explain what is meant by "real" and "declared" prices.  Are these the same as"transaction value"?  Are these term s defined in Jordan’s valuation law?
Answer:
The real value means the value of the goods acceptable to customs authorities.  The declared
value means the value stated on the bill.  Both definitions do not reflect the exact meaning of
transaction value as it appears in GATT 1994 Agreement.  The Jordanian Law defines only the valuethat must be declared.
Question 112.
Please describe any differences in the burden  of proof on the importer between the customs
practice in Jordan and the requirements of Article 17 of the Customs Valuation Agreement.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 55
Answer:
According to the current customs law the burden  of proof falls totally on the importer.  This
practice is in conformity with Article 17 of the Customs Valuation Agreement.
According to paragraph 1(a)(i) of Annex 4 of  WT/ACC/JOR/8, the current Customs Law
appears to define related persons as "any two persons of whom one has interest in the business of the
other, or when both have a joint interest in any business, or when some third person has an interest inthe business of any of them, whether these two partners were natural or physical persons."  However,
Article 15.4 of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreemen t provides a specific definition of related
persons.
Question 113.
Does the draft Customs Law incorporate the definition of "related persons" provided by the
WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation?  Please explain how the WTO definition is
incorporated into the Jordanian law.
Answer:
The draft Customs Law includes definition of related persons similar to the one used in
Article 15.4 of the Customs Valuation Agreement.  The only difference is with paragraph h of
Article 15.4.  The Jordanian Law limits the family relation to the third degree as far as definition of
related persons is concerned.
Question 114.
According to paragraph 1(a)(iii) of Annex 4 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the current Customs Law does
not contain a provision for giving the communication, required by Article 1.2(a) of the Customs
Valuation Agreement, of the grounds for considering the prices as being influenced by the
relationship between the parties.
Does the draft Customs Law provide for the Article 1.2(a) notification to the importer?
Answer:
The draft Customs Law does not have reference to notifying the importer of the basis for
considering the relation between him and the buyer as influencing the price.
According to paragraph 3 of Annex 4 of the Memorandum, in the future, customs practices
will comply with Article 5.2.
Question 115.
Does the draft Customs Law provide for the Articl e 5.2 valuation method?  If not, how will this
provision be incorporated into future customs practices?
Answer:
Yes, the draft Customs Law incorporates into the text the provisions of Article 5.2 of the
Customs Valuation Agreement.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 56
Question 116.
Jordan will need to incorporate a provision concerning the valuation of lost or damaged goods.
Answer:
The draft Customs Law does not include such a provision. However, this will be addressed
through instructions issued by the Minister of Finance in accordance with Article 33 of the Draft Law,
that will deal with lost or damaged goods.
Question 117.
Does the Draft Customs Law provide for the Article 6.2 computed value method?  If not, how
does the Government of Jordan intend to incorporate this provision into its customs practices
prior to WTO accession?
Answer:
The Draft Customs Law does not include a provision similar to Article 6.2 computed value.
But the actual practice should be consistent with the provisions of Article 6.2 especially if the otherparty implements what it is in the Agreement.  The investigation about the computed value will be
governed by the conditions of the other party.
Question 118.
According to Annex 4 of WT/ACC/JOR/3, the draft Customs Law includes an Article that
subjects anyone who discloses any confidential information to others, to questioning andpunishment.
In order to comply fully with Article 10 of the WTO Valuation Agreement, Jordan should
include a confidentiality provision which stipulates that such information shall not be disclosed
without the specific permission of the person or government providing the information, except
to the extent that it may be required to be disclosed in the context of judicial proceedings.
Answer:
Article 182.a of the Draft Customs Law stresses the importance of confidentiality in dealing
with any documents.  At the same time it preserves the right of the Customs Department to exchange
information with other ministries and government departments for the purpose of implementing the
Customs Law and other Laws.  This should meet the requirements of Article 10.
Question 119.
According to the information provided in Annex 4 of WT/ACC/JOR/3, the right of further
appeal (beyond the Customs Court) is guarant eed by the Law.  Does the draft Customs Law
incorporate Article 11.3 of the WTO Valuation Ag reement, which requires that the notice of the
decision on appeal must be given to the appellant and the reasons for such a decision must beprovided in writing?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 57
Answer:
Article 82.d of the Draft Customs Law stipulates that the decision of the Director General of
the Customs Department can be contested at the Customs Court with 15 days of the date of
notification.  This should meet the requirements of Article 11.3
Question 120.
According to the information provided in Annex 4 of WT/ACC/JOR/3, some of the
interpretative notes will be done through instructions in the Offici al Gazette or issued as special
communiques.  The Government of Jordan should incorporate all of the interpretative notes in
its legislation, in order to satisfy the requirements of Article 14 of the Agreement.
Answer:
Instructions by the Minister of Finance in accordance with the Customs Law will be issued to
incorporate the interpretative notes. Such instructions have the force of Law.
(j) Pre-shipment Inspection
Question 121.
Please give details of Jordan’s plans for a pre-shipment inspection programme.
Answer:
The pre-shipment inspection plan Jordan is going to adopt is to choose an accredited
international company in this field to carry out th is task.  The company will provide its services to
Jordanian importers upon their request, and the importers will pay for the services rendered by the
company.  Such a programme will ensure that goods exported conform to specifications and value of
goods in the contract which will help expedite the clearing process on these goods by the customs
officers in Jordan.
Question 122.
What are Jordan’s plans in the area of preshipment inspection?
Answer:
Currently, Jordan is going to adopt the preshipment inspection services (PSI) on voluntary
basis.  Importers can use this service if they wish, and on their own account.   It is expected that the
use of this service will expedite the customs clearance procedures.
Question 123.
If a possible scheme is being considered, what will be the nature and purpose of such a scheme?
Answer:
The Customs Department is expected to  make use of the services of an international
accredited pre-shipment company to ensure that the goods exported match the specification in the
contract and that they represent the value of such goods.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 58
Question 124.
According to the response to question 1 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan will
allow importers to use the services of a selected pre-shipment certification provider on a
voluntary basis.
Prior to the next Working Party meeting, Jordan should prepare a description of the terms of
its agreement with that firm, comparing it  with the WTO Agreement on Pre-shipment
Inspection and indicating its deficiencies.
Answer:
The pre-inspection inspection company has not started its activities. However, work is
proceeding to lay down instructions based on the cr iteria laid down by the WTO.  The terms of the
agreement and the work instructions will be ready before the next Working Party meeting.
Question 125.
Please describe the fee structure of Jordan’s Pre-shipment Inspection contract.Answer:
Because this service is voluntary, it was left to the importer to reach an agreement with the
service provider on the fee to be charged.  However, a reference in the tender was made that fees to be
charged will be taken into consideration.
As for the need to ensure that the operations of the Pre-shipment Inspection firm should be
consistent with the relevant WTO agreements and in particular GATT Article VIII and the
implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994, the tender document required the company that its
services are consistent with WTO requirements and the agreement of PSI companies.
(k) Application of internal taxes on imports
Question 126.Please give details of excise duties (see WT/ACC/JOR/3, page 27).
Answer:
The excise duties have been replaced by sales tax.  A table showing the specific sales tax that
is imposed on exported and imported goods and includes items that were subject to excise duties like
cigarettes and alcoholic drinks is attached to the General Sales Tax Law.
Products Subject to Specific Sales Tax
No. Product Unit  Domestic
JD.  FilsImported
JD.    Fils
1 All kinds of cement ton 10 -- 10 --
2 Iron for construction ton 40 -- 40 --
3 Mineral lubricating oils Kg. -- 200 -- 200WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 59
No. Product Unit  Domestic
JD.  FilsImported
JD.    Fils
4 Natural and mineral water, gas water including
soda water in- reusable container-  disposable containerlitre -- 20
166175-- 20
166175
5 Fizzy drinks
(a) for immediate consumption    -  reusable container    -  disposable container
(b) Concentrates in
-  drums that yield 96 bottles/25 cl.
capacityeach
-   drums that yield 480 bottles/ 25cl.
capacity
eachlitre
litre
drum
drum--
--
3
19166
175
984
920--
--
3
19166
175
984
920
6 Beer including non-alcoholic beer
(a) 35cl. container(b) 35cl. to 2/3 litre(c)  Othercontainer
container
litre--
----175
245420--
----285
385585
7A l c o h o l
(a) Pure alcohol(b) Mixed alcoholliquid litre.
liquid litre.--
--325
140--
--330
140
8 Wine-  25 per cent  alcohol
(a)  Sparkling wine(b) Otherlitre
litre--
--500
5001
--155
891
9 Alcoholic drinks including wine with more than
25 per cent alcohol(a) Arak(b) Cognac
(c) Otherliquid
litrelitre
litre--
----600
650850--
11850
--
200
10 Tobacco
(a) Ordinary(b) Mixed with fruit syrupKg.
Kg.2
2--
--2
2--
--
11 Snuff Kg. 2 -- 2 --
12 Chopped tobacco Kg. -- 500 -- 500
13 Cigar Kg. 15 -- 15 --
14 Tires for big cars Tire -- 500 -- 500
15 Tires for small cars Tire -- 250 -- 250
16 Lubricating mixtures Kg. -- 005 -- 005
17 Cigarettes
(a) Locally produced cigarettes for local
consumptionbox /20 Range of tax runs from 229 fils to 385
fils depending on the brand name, andfrom 197 fils to 342 fils for the samebrand names sold to armed forces.
(b) Imported Cigarettes box - 385WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 60
(l) Rules of origin
Question 127.
According to the response to question 26 of WT/ACC/JOR/9, a certificate of origin issued by the
authorized body in the exporting country to issue such certificates is required for all products.
Please explain, along with examples, what is a considered to be an "authorized body."
Answer:
The authorised body will differ from one country to another, it could be a Chamber of
Industry, Chamber of Commerce or a Ministry depending on the exporting country.
Question 128.
Annex II.3 (d) of the WTO Agreement on Rule of  Origin requires that Members are to ensure
that exporters, importers, or any person with  justifiable cause will be provided upon request
assessments of preferential origin as soon as possible but no later than 150 days after a request
for such an assessment is made.  A similar requirement exists in Article 2(h) of the WTOAgreement for rules of origin applicable to non-preferential trade regimes.
Please describe in detail the process by which Jordan provides such assessments in compliance
with the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.  Please describe how such assessments are
publicly available, as also required under Article 2(h) of the WTO Agreement.
Answer:
See answer 130.
Question 129.
Please describe in detail the procedures  that provide prompt independent review of
administrative actions taken by Jordan in rela tion to determinations of origin, as required
under Annex II.3 (f) and Article 2(j) of the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.
Answer:
See answer 130.
Question 130.
If there are no rules of origin applicable to MFN trade other than review of a certificate of
origin, how does Jordan ensure compliance with Article 2 (e) of the WTO Agreement, whichrequires that rules of origin are administered in a uniform manner, such as in a situation
whereby countries are issuin g certificates of origin using different standards?
Answer:
All Jordan requires from the exporter country on MFN basis is a certificate of origin which is
issued by an authorised body in that country to issue such a certificate and is stamped by them. Ifthere is a Jordanian Embassy or Consulate in that country then the certificate of origin must be
stamped by them.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 61
As for Jordan’s rules of origin they are basically based on the value added or the local content
of manufacturing.  If a certain country requires a certain value added, then Jordan has to state on its
certificate of origin the value added of the exported product, and the certificate is then stamped by the
Amman Chamber of Industry or a Chamber of Commerce in town other than Amman, and finally
stamped by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Question 131.
We refer to Jordan’s replies to questions 73 and 74 of WT/ACC/JOR/8.  How does Jordan
expect to be able to administer obligations it will assume under the Agreement on Rules of
Origin?
Answer:
Jordan is working on developing its rules of origin and shall do its best to assume the
obligations under the Agreement on Rules of Origin as soon as possible.
Question 132.
What time frame does Jordan envisage for th e development and implementation of rules of
origin?
Answer:
Please see answer to question 36.
Question 133.
We are concerned that at present Jordan appear s to have no specific laws and regulations on
rules of origin (WT/ACC/JOR/8, questions 73-77, WT/ACC/JOR/9, questions 25-26).  While
Jordan has undertaken to implement legislation that conforms with WTO requirements once
rules of origin harmonisation is agreed upon within  the WTO, this appears to be some years off.
Could Jordan provide an indication of how it intends to deal with rules of origin issues in the
interim?
Answer:
Though Jordan does not have specific Laws and regulations on rules of origin, it applies the
rules of origin of the country it exports to.  Ho wever, the practice followed in Jordan for applying
rules of origin is based on the value added or the local content of manufacturing.   If an importingcountry requires a certain value added, then Jordan has to state on its certificate  of  origin the value
added of the exported product, and the certificate of origin is then stamped by the Amman Chamber
of  Industry  or a  Chamber  of  Commerce in a town other than Amman, and finally stamped by the
Ministry of  Industry and Trade.
Question 134.
Given that rules of origin in the Protocol Agre ements impact on the access of third countries to
Jordan’s market, can Jordan provide to the working party the relevant texts of the protocol
agreements?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 62
Answer:
These agreements are in Arabic. The only exception is the one with Israel.
Question 135.
Question 26, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Is a certificate of origin required for all imports? If so, why?
We note that in Jordan there is no legislation outlining the rules of origin.  Please confirm the
basis and the rationale behind requirements for origin licences for all imports.  Please givedetails of (a) arrangements under preferential schemes and (b) for exports.
Answer:
 The certificate of origin is required for all imports.  This requirement is the evidence the
importer produces to prove the origin of the product.
As for the products imported under preferential schemes, they could have their own set of
rules of origin.  But if such rules are not specified in the arrangement, then the principle of 40 per cent
value added is applied.  This requirement applies to Jordanian products exported under suchpreferential schemes as well.
(m-o) Anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards
Question 136.
Please provide a translated copy of the draft safeguard law to the WTO Secretariat for review
prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
The Law  is being discussed by the Parliament. No copy is available in English.
Question 137.
Please identify and describe any discrepancies between the draft safeguard law and the
requirements of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.
Answer:
The Draft Safeguard Law is inconformity with the requirements of WTO Agreement on
safeguards.
Question 138.
Please provide the Working Party with a copy of the draft Safeguard Law in a WTO language
and plans to introduce anti-dumping and countervailing legislation.
Answer:
The draft safeguard  law is available only in Arabic. A by-law will be issued in accordance
with the Safeguard Law, once this law is enacted to deal with anti-dumping and countervailing.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 63
Question 139.
Question 27, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  The reply states that Article 16 of the Customs Law addresses
partially unfair competition and then goes on to  say that a new safeguard law has been drafted.
This seems to imply that Jordan considers safeguard action as a remedy against unfair trade
where as in fact it is a remedy against fairly traded goods.  Can Jordan commit that future
legislation will comply with WTO obligations on trade remedy provisions?
Answer:
See answer to question 134 above.
Question 140.
Does the draft new Customs Law provide for the imposition of anti-dumping or countervailing
duties?  Please describe these provisions of new Customs Law and identify any discrepancies
with the Agreement on Implementation of Ar ticle VI of the GATT 1994 and the Agreement on
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
Answer:
Article 15 of the Draft Customs Law stipulates that countervailing duties could be imposed,
and safeguard measures taken including quantitative restrictions to counter act any procedure other
countries have taken to endanger industry and trade, and to safeguard the interest of the national
economy to the extent the Council of Ministers deems necessary.
Question 141.
If Jordan is unable to complete the implementation of WTO-consistent legislation by the date of
accession, does the Government of Jordan commit to refrain from imposing any anti-dumping,
countervailing or safeguard measures, until WTO-consistent legislation has been enacted andproperly notified to the appropriate WTO Committees?
Answer:
It is hoped that required legislation will be passed by the time Jordan accedes to WTO.
2. Export Regulations
(d) Exporting licensing procedures
Question 142.
According to the Memorandum, no licences are required for exports of Jordanian products,
except for goods exported under protocol trad e if the value of the exported goods exceed
JD 1,000.  Re-exports of foreign goods need export licences if their value exceeds JD 1,000.
Please explain how the Government of Jordan in tends to provide national treatment in export
licensing for re-exports of foreign goods.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 64
Answer:
This requirement has been abolished and re-exported foreign goods do not need export
licence any more.
Question 143.
Please describe how the Government of Jordan determines whether the exports are Jordanian
products or are re-exports of foreign goods, when there has been some additional processing ofthe re-exported goods in Jordan.
Answer:
For an imported good that undergoes some additional processing to be considered national
export, the value added must be 40 per cent or more.  Otherwise, it is considered foreign good when it
is exported.
Question 144.
According to the Memorandum, Jordan requires pr ior approval for the exportation of several
products, including wheat, wheat flour and other wheat products, sugar, rice, halibuna (milk)
and milk for industrial use; ewes and cows; marble slabs, broken marble and mineral ores and
fresh fruits and vegetables destined for protocol countries.  GATT Article XI provides that no
prohibitions or restrictions other than duties, taxes or other charges ... shall be instituted or
maintained ... on the exportation or sale for expo rt of any product destined for the territory of
any other Member.
How does the Government of Jordan reconcile th ese "prior approval" requirements with the
GATT Article XI prohibition on export licensing? What are the reasons for requiring prior
approval for each of these export items?
Answer:
The reason for such approvals is based on the fact that most of these products are strategic
food products.  However, a phasing out of prior approvals is taking place and with time will be
brought in line with the GATT article XI requirements.
(f) Export financing, subsidy and promotion policies
Question 145.According to the response to question 87 of  WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan
exempts income tax on export sales of non-traditional products to non-Arab countries, in
accordance with Article 27.2(b) of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing
Measures.
Why does the Government of Jordan subsidize exports (through income tax exemption) only to
non-Arab countries?  How does Jordan intend to bring its export subsidy scheme into
conformity with most-favoured-nation requirements?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 65
Answer:
Jordan’s manufactured exports were geared traditionally to Arab countries.  During the Gulf
war in 1991 and afterwards Jordan’s economy suffer ed from this pattern of trade. To encourage
exporters to diversify both the products and the export markets, it gave them export incentives
through exemption from income tax on profits realised on manufactured products exported to non-
traditional markets.  It is worth adding that this rule applies to products exported through non-preferential trade arrangement.
Question 146.
What steps is the Government of Jordan ta king to reduce and eliminate the income tax
exemption on export sales?  When does the Government of Jordan intend to eliminate fully this
subsidy?
Answer:
Jordan realises that such practice is not in conformity with WTO requirements.  In due time
such subsidy will be eliminated.
Question 147.
Please provide a timetable for terminating in come tax exemption in respect of exports.
Answer:
Jordan is planning to phase out the tax exemption of exports.  But the date to start a phasing
out has not been decided on yet.
Question 148.
In the reply to Question 31, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Jordan states that exports promotion incentives
are consistent with WTO disciplines "because th ey do not lead to an increase in Jordanian
exports in the world market more  than its equitable share".  Please provide percentages for
those exports for which incentives are available.
Answer:
The few incentives that are still in place are not product specific, they apply to all exports
other than mineral exports and exports destined to countries Jordan has protocol trade with.
Exports that  Benefited from the Above-Mentioned Incentives:
Exports which benefited from
incentives
(Million JD)Domestic exports
(Million JD)Percentage
(1) / (2)
1995 10.8 1004.5 1.1 per cent
1996 14.6 1039.8 1.4 per centWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 66
3. Internal Policies Affecting Foreign Trade in Goods
(b) Technical regulations and standards
Question 149.
We noted Jordan’s comments during the July Working Party meeting regarding border
inspection/testing.  Are change s planned for the border inspection service, and if so, could
Jordan provide more details of how it intends to operate these services?
Answer:
Currently the Customs Department is executing plans to develop the inspection services on
goods through the following procedures:
- by adopting the green lane classification that allows phasing out the actual inspection
for all goods crossing the border;
- by using random inspection of goods.Also, the Customs Department intends to use the preshipment inspection (PSI) and X-ray
machines to check the containers in order to facilitate the clearance process.
Question 150.
Could Jordan including in its explanation a full outline of the scientific basis for setting of
standards for various products?
Answer:WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 67
A.14- Procedure for the preparation of a new Jordanian Standard (JS)
Purpose:   This procedure was written to organize and unify the process of preparing a new
Jordanian Standards.
Scope:  this procedure applies whenever a new Jordanian standard is prepared.
The proposed project is given a name and a number
Draft for the proposed project is prepared according to the
directives for the drafting and presentation of JS.Information needed for the preparation of the project is
collected and references are specified.
The proposed project is submitted to standardization
director.
A date for the meeting of the technical committee is set and
invitations are sent with the draft of the project.
The initial project is circulated to relevant parties.A technical committee for studying the proposed project is
formed
       S.D
S.D
S.OS.D
S.OThe task of preparing the draft is given to the standard
officer in charge.S.D
S. O
S.O
S.OIdentifying the need for a specific
Standard.
S.D
S.D
S.O 1WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 68
Yes
No(iii) The proposed project is discussed and then
submitted to the standardization director as an
initial project.
Comments on the initial project are received. S.O
The initial project is submitted to the general
director.S.DIs there a need for a
technical change?
The final project is submitted to the board of directorsTo be approved as a Jordanian standard.
G.DT.C
Is there a technicalchange?
The standard is given a number and a cover.Has the project
been approved as a
standard?
S.D
The standard is published in the official
gazette.S.DStudy suggestions.S.D
S.ONo
Yes
No
Yes1WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 69
Abbreviations:
S.D: Standardization Director
S.O:  Standard officer
T.C:  Technical committee
G.D:  General director
JS: Jordanian Standard
Responsibilities Process
ConnectorWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 70
Question 151.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 91)  Jordan noted that it will assume the responsibilities of the TBT
and SPS Agreements "as soon as it finds itself in a position to do so".  Could Jordan provide
more information about the nature of measures that need to be brought into conformity and
when and how it intends to fulfil the obligations of the TBT and SPS Agreements?
Answer:
Jordan is committed to implement the TBT and SPS agreements.  However, Jordan needs
time to bring its measures in conformity with the TBT and SPS agreements through changing the SPS
legislation and increasing  the efficiency of the existing laboratories.
Question 152.
According to the response to question 91 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan will assume its
responsibilities on TBT and SPS Agreements as soon as it finds itself in a position to do so.
Please provide a translated copy of the St andards and Metrology Law No. 15 for 1994 to the
WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
A copy was sent to the WTO Secretariat.  (WT/ACC/JOR/4)
Question 153.
Do agricultural imports require certification before importation? If yes, could you provide
detailed information regarding the certification process for both domestic and imported
agricultural products, including the specific cr iteria applied in granting the certification?
Answer:
Agricultural products need certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate and pesticide residue
certificate.
Question 154.
Please indicate the provisions of Jordan’s law or regulation in its standards and inspection
regime that implement each Article of the WTO TBT Agreement.  Please describe in detail any
aspects of Jordan’s standards and inspection reg ime that are currently deficient and the steps
Jordan is taking or will take to remedy the deficiency prior to WTO accession.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 71
Answer:
(a) Articles of WTO TBT Agreement and the Related Articles in the
Jordanian Law of Standards and Metrology No. (15) 1994.
Articles in WTO
TBT AgreementArticles in the Jordanian Law
 (for details see annex 1)
2.2 4-(c)
2.4 5 (a)-13
2.6 5 (a)-13
2.9.1 5 (a)-14
2.11 5 (a)-14
5.1 and 5.2 5 (a) -5
Procedures for product certification (Jordanian Quality Mark
No. 49/1997) draft procedures for quality system certificationand labs accreditation.
6.1 5 (a) -11
6.1.1 5 (a) - 8
6.1.2 5 (a) -11
6.3 5 (a) -11
10.4 5 (a) -14
(b) Deficiencies in the Jordanian Law regardin g the implementation of the WTO TBT and their
remedies:
(i) Article 5 -13 addresses only standards, not international guides or recommendations.
The law need to be amended to cover these aspects. However, The Jordan Institute
for Standards and Metrology (JISM) uses international guides and recommendations
as a reference in the preparation of its regulations;
(ii) JISM issues voluntary and mandatory standards. Mandatory standards should be
replaced by technical regulations which addresses health protection, safety, and
environmental aspects;
(iii) most of the Jordanian standards are based on descriptive characteristics rather than on
the performance, but this has started to change since JISM has started the applicationof code of good practice;
(iv) Article 12 states that no commodity or mate rial shall enter Jordan unless if conforms
with Jordanian mandatory standards except in certain cases and for specific reasons.Until now, every consignment is subjected to test to prove its compliance regardless
of any conformity assessment procedure previously taken on the product;
(v) there is no article in the law regarding the TBT inquiry point.  However, an inquiry
point is established as a division at JISM’s information center.  The inquiry point will
be developed with the assistance of the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the
UNDP;
(vi) the inquiry point would have to collect all regulations that could affect the
international trade from all relevant governmental organizations, but a mechanism is
still needed to strengthen the communication channels between the inquiry point andsuch organizations.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 72
Question 155.
Please indicate the number of cases, in the past  three years, in which the Government of Jordan
has denied or significantly delayed entry of foreign goods on the grounds that the goods did not
satisfy regulations on standards, measurement or quality, or were not correctly documented
under such regulation.  Please describe generally the most significant problems that foreign
goods have encountered in satisfying standards requirements.
Answer:
During the year 1996, 33,300 customs transactions were received by the Control
Department/JISM, out of which products related to 76 transactions were re-exported because they did
not comply with Jordanian Mandatory Standards.  These are distributed as follows:
- foodstuff  47 transactions;
- chemicals 19 transactions;
- engineering technology 10 transactions.During the year 1997, 51,000 customs transactions were received by the Control
Department/JISM, out of which products related to 65 transaction were re-exported because they did
not comply with Jordanian Mandatory Standards.  These are distributed as follows:
- foodstuff 41 transactions;
- chemicals 6  transactions;- electrical devices 18 transactions.
The most frequent non-compliancies concerning foreign goods is the shelf-life of foodstuff
(specially sweets and candies).  Another problem on which milk products and chocolates were
rejected was the Mad-Cow Disease.  A resolution on that issue was published by the Ministry of
Health.  Furthermore, labelling is another occasional problem.
Article (4), Article (5) and Article (12)of Law No. 15/1994
Article 4:
The Institution aims at achieving the following objectives:
(a) adopt a national system for standards and metrology founded on the current scientific
basis;
(b) keeping pace with scientific development in the fields of standards, metrology and
quality control activities;
(c) provide health, economic and environmental protection for the citizens by ensuring
that consumable goods and the materials conform with their approved standards;
(d) support the national economy and economic development plans by assuring the
quality of the national industries and domestic production of commodities and other
materials through the provision of adequate levels of standards that enable them to
take part in the fields of competition and its various manifestations.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 73
Article 5:
(a) To achieve the objectives intended from this la w, the Institute shall undertake the following
functions and powers:
(i) prepare, approve, revise, amend, replace and monitor the implementation of standards
for commodities, materials except for drugs, veterinary medicines, serums and
vaccines;
(ii) establish a national system of measurement and supervise its implementation;
(iii) unify  means and methods of measurement;
(iv) develop, calibrate, adjust and control measuring instruments;
(v) grant quality mark and certificate of conformity;
(vi) approve the national basic measurement standards (etalons) necessary for calibrating
measuring instruments in order to hallmark or stamp them;
(vii) control, examine and hallmark the established finances for precious metals and stones
and jewellery;
(viii) accredit qualified testing or calibration laboratories (at the public and scientific
institutions) specialised in carrying out examinations, analysis and tests of
commodities and materials for the sake of applying standards;
(ix) utilise local facilities available at government bodies and scientific institutions to
enable the institution to achieve its objectives and carry out is functions and powers;
(x) support and promote studies and research at the accredited testing laboratories in the
fields relevant to standards, metrology and quality control, and organise training
courses relevant to the fields of concern to the institution;
(xi) conclude agreements with Arab, regional and international institutions and bodies
regarding the mutual acknowledgment of quality marks and certificates of conformity
provided that nay agreement should include the advance and continuous inspection of
commodities and materials contained therein, to ensure their conformity with
approved criteria and technical requirements;
(xii) cooperate and coordinate with, or join the membership of the Arab, regional and
international institutions active in the fields of standardisation and metrology;
(xiii) may accept and approve, for ,the purpose of this law, standards of other countries and
of Arab, regional and international organizations, provided that such standards are in
Arabic or English languages;
(xiv) publish, distribute and sell publications related to approved standards and other
publications issued by the institution, or by Arab, regional, or international
organizations or other countries.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 74
(b) The Institute is the sole reference in the Kingdom for all matters related to standardization and
metrology.  It may seek the advice and recommendations of the other ministries and
departments in such fields.
Article 12:
(a) No commodity or material shall be imported, entered into or produced in the Kingdom, unless
it conforms with the approved mandatory sta ndards for that commodity.  The Council may
exempt any commodity from the provisions of this article in certain cases and for specific
reasons.
(b) The ministries, government departments, public  official institutions and municipal and rural
councils are bound to restrict their activities, projects, tender documents, and purchases of
commodities, materials and services, to approved mandatory standards as a minimum for their quality,
together with observing the valid "Code of the Jordanian National Building Council".
(c) The owners of existing factories shall adhere to the approved mandatory standards for the
commodities and materials they produce in their factorie s, as well as for all the activities and materials
they use therein.  It is forbidden to print any phrase which may mean conformance with the Jordanian
Standards on the label of any commodity without written approval from the Institute.
(d) All industrial and commercial institutions, public and private, as well as all individuals, shall
fully adhere to the approved mandatory standard s relating to the protection of environment and
occupational health.
Question 156.
Does the Jordan Institute for Standards and Metrology publish and circulate draft standards
for comments at least 60 days in advance of finalization?  If not, please indicate the steps Jordan
is taking to meet this requirement of the WTO TBT Agreement.  Please describe the proceduresused by the Institution for Standards and Metrology to ensure that public notice of draft
standards for comment is provided to all parties.  How long is the period for comments on draft
standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures?
Answer:
The Jordan Institute for Standards and Metrology (JISM) publishes and circulates draft
standards and technical regulations and allows a period of 50 days for the submission of comments on
draft standards by all interested parties such as the industry through the Chamber of Industry, the trade
through the Chamber of Commerce, the Customer Protection Association, research institutions and
testing laboratories.
Question 157.
Do the laws or regulations direct the Institut ion for Standards and Metrology or other agencies
to consider the use of appropriate internationa l standards when they are drafting standards?
Please outline the process by which standards are developed in Jordan.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 75
Answer:
According to Article No. 5 clause 13 of Law N o. 15/1994 "Law of Standards and Metrology",
JISM is allowed to adopt International Standards as national standards.  The process by which
standards are developed is described in instruction no. 4/1995 "preparation of Jordanian Standards"
(enclosed).
Question 158.
How are final standards and technical regulations published in an official gazette or otherwise
notified to the public. How are importers notified  of draft standards or changes in the technical
regulations?
Answer:
JISM has started publishing a bulletin since the beginning of 1998, in which the work
programme of the standards is published, which contains standards currently being prepared, draft
standards and withdrawn standards.  In addition to that a list of draft standards, new standards and
updated standards together with copies of these standards are monthly sent to the Chamber of
Commerce, Chamber of Industry and Consumer Protection Association.
(c) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures
Question 159.
WT/ACC/JOR/9, questions 33 and 35 refer to SPS.  Could Jordan advise the extent to which it
is considering working towards the concept of e quivalence, is allowing importing countries like
New Zealand to certify that products leaving New Zealand are meeting equivalent Jordanian
standards?
Answer:
Jordan has not yet issued any procedures or regulations regarding the concept of equivalence.
However, the Jordan Institute for Standards and Metrology understands the need for issuing new
regulations for the acceptance of the sanitary or phytosanitary measures of other members, if the
exporting member objectively demonstrates to Jordan that its measures achieved the same level of
health protection to consumers.  The new procedures will consider Jordan’s right to have the access to
verify inspection testing and other procedures of the exporting member and to sign bilateralagreements or recognition of equivalence.
Question 160.
Does Jordan accept equivalence and ISO procedures?
Answer:
Jordan accept ISO procedures and is considering equivalence as explained in answer to
question 158.
Question 161.
Will Jordan be able to comply with the provisions of the SPS Agreement from date of
accession?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 76
Answer:
Jordan will not be able to comply with the provisions of the SPS Agreement from date of
accession. Jordan needs to enhance the ability of the diagnostic labs and their personnel to cope with
these requirements.
Question 162.
Please identify all products, including HS numbers, that are subject to stricter sanitary and
phytosanitary measures than are set out by in ternational standards organizations.  For each
such product, please describe how the Jordanian standard is more strict than the international
standard and the scientific basis for imposing a more restrictive standard.
Answer:
Jordan does not have any products that are subject to stricter sanitary and phytosanitary
measures than are set out by international standards organizations.
Question 163.
Please identify any provisions of the SPS Ag reement for which Jordan intends to seek a
transition period for the implementation of th e WTO SPS Agreement.  Would such transitions
be product specific?  If so, please list all products, including HS numbers, for which the
Kingdom of Jordan seeks a transition, and for ea ch such product, please describe the specific
reason that a transitional period may be required.
Answer:
Jordan needs transitional period to be able to implement the SPS agreement especially to
update and develop capability of test laboratories.
Question 164.
Has the Government of Jordan published all sani tary and phytosanitary regulations which have
been adopted?  If so, where can traders find them?
Answer:
Yes, Jordan has published all sanitary and phytosanitary regulations in the Official Gazette.
Traders can find such information from Chambers of Trade in Jordan.
Question 165.
Do the procedures followed in implementing Jordan’s sanitary and phytosanitary regime
conform fully with the requirements provided in Annex C of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary
and Phytosanitary Measures?  Please identify and describe any deficiencies.
Answer:
The procedures Jordan follows in implementing the sanitary and phytosanitary regime are in
line with annex C of the SPS agreement.  But to conform fully with SPS requirements Jordan need to
upgrade the capability of its Labs and their staff.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 77
Question 166.
Please indicate which of these Jordanian SPS standards are more trade restrictive than
corresponding international standards.  Whe re domestic standards are more restrictive than
international standards, is Jordan prepared to pr ovide objective scientific justification for the
discrepancy?
Answer:
There are no products that have standards that are different from international standards.
Question 167.
Please provide a list of all quarantine pests.  Are any of these pests established in Jordan?  If so,
please describe any measures that have been taken to control these pests domestically.
Answer:
A list of all quarantine pests, is being updated.  It shall be sent to WTO Secretariat as soon as
it is finalised.
Control measures applied domestically include use of pesticides, soil fumigation with methyl
bromide and soil solarisation if possible.
Question 168.
For products subject to mandatory sanitary or phytosanitary certification, are importers
required to apply for such certification for each  individual shipment?  Are there provisions for
longer-term certification, perhaps subject to se lf-declaration and random inspection?  If so, to
which products do such provisions apply?
Answer:
Each shipment needs a health certificate.
Question 169.
For imported products subject to mandatory shipment-by-shipment sanitary or phytosanitary
certification requirements, what procedures are us ed to ensure that domestic producers of the
same products also comply with the relevan t standards? For such products, are domestic
producers required to certify compliance with  mandatory standards for each ex-factory
shipment?
Answer:
Domestic procedures have to comply with the required standards.  A random sample
inspection is carried out in farms and in the mark et for testing pesticide residue in these products.
Animals are examined before slaughter, and carcasse s are examined to decide on their suitability for
human consumption.  Every shipment exported from Jordan is accompanied by a health certificateand a certificate of origin.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 78
Question 170.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 33)  Jordan indicated that the available laboratory capacities and
capabilities may not be enough to cope with a possible increase in demand for inspections under
the SPS Agreement due to increased imports.  We appreciate the reply in the Working Party
that Jordan provides  for mutual recognition of certificates issued by governmental inspection
agencies.  Is Jordan prepared to accept inspecti on certifications from other countries on a
mutual basis in order to relieve the burden identified by them?
Answer:
Yes, Jordan is prepared to accept inspection from other countries on a mutual basis in order to
relieve the burden identified by them.
(f) State-trading practices
Question 171.
We welcome the privatization process of the agricultural Marketing and Processing Company.
Is Jordan in a position to tell when the AMPCO will be totally privatized?
Answer:
It is difficult to give the exact date when AMPCO will  be totally privatized.  But it is
expected to be finalised before the end of 1999.
Question 172.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 42)  Jordan explained that the Agricultural Marketing and
Processing Company "is a private company owned by State agencies" such as the Jordan
Investment Corporation, the Social Security Corporation, and the Agricultural Credit
Corporation.  Furthermore, Jordan noted that the Agricultural Marketing and Processing
Company is in the process of being privatized.
Could Jordan please explain the relationship [ between the Agricultural Marketing and
Processing Company and the State agencies which own it?  How can the Company be "private"
and "state-owned" at the same time?  When will the privatization process be completed?
Answer:
The company is now privatized and functions on commercial basis.
Question 173.
Does the Agricultural Marketing and Processing Company have any exclusive or special
privileges in its purchases or sales involving either imports or exports?  Please describe these
privileges.
Answer:
The Agricultural Marketing and Processing Company does not have any exclusive or non-
exclusive rights in purchase or sales involving imports or exports as it does not engage in such
operations at all.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 79
Question 174.
According to the response to question 100 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Agricultural Marketing
Organization (AMO)  regulates the import and export of agricultural products from and to
Arab countries with whom Jordan has bilateral trade agreements or trade protocols according
to a yearly plan and quarterly agenda.  These measures are intended to prevent excess supplies
of similar products during the production season in Jordan.  However, GATT Article XVIIrequires state trading enterprises to make any purchases or sales in accordance with
commercial considerations, including price, quality, availability, etc.
The AMO’s regulation of imports and exports of agricultural products is not being made on the
basis of commercial considerations, but rather to support a governmental policy of preventing
excess supplies of products.  How does the Gove rnment of Jordan intend to bring the operations
of the Agricultural Marketing Organization in to conformity with the requirements of GATT
Article XVII?
Answer:
In response to your enquiry about how to bring the operations of the Agricultural Marketing
Organization into conformity with Article XVII, it is not a clear cut that AMO is a state-trading
enterprise as it does not engage in commercial activities of importing, exporting, selling or
distributing goods.
Question 175.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 109)  Jordan explained that the Agricultural Marketing
Organization (AMO) is one of its state-import ing agencies and a marketing board.  Jordan’s
response to question 90 stated that the AMO does not provide any support to producers, and
does not engage in actual importing or exporting activities, but simply regulates imports/exports
of agricultural products to and from Arab count ries.  If  the AMO does not engage in actual
importing or exporting activities, why does Jordan classify it as state-importing agency?  Could
Jordan provide more detailed information about the AMO’s functions and responsibilities?
Answer:
The classification was based on that it helps marketing of exports.  The following might help
clarify the role of AMO.
The Agricultural Marketing Organization (AMO), an autonomous government entity,
established in 1987 to help formulate marketing policies pertaining to agricultural products, develop
domestic markets, open new export markets and to support the private sector.  Moreover, AMO serves
as an information bank for all fresh produce imports and exports.  AMO major activities are asfollows:
(i) conducting market studies for agricultural products on both local and international
markets;
(ii) issuing periodical statistical reports that have detailed information on fresh produce
prices, quantities, exports and imports;
(iii) promote agricultural export by facilitating  the participation of the private sector in the
international trade fairs and exhibitions;
(iv) collecting information and finding new export markets;WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 80
(v) publishing brochures, guidebooks and news letters for producers, exporters and
foreign importers of agricultural products;
(vi) monitoring the quality of fresh produce exported from Jordan.
Question 176.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 40)  Jordan noted that the Ministry of Supply possesses exclusive
trading rights for wheat and one brand of dried milk (halibuna).  Same comment and questionas question 54 of WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Answer:
See answer to ques tion 54 WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Question 177.
According to the response to question 40 of WT/ACC/JOR/9, the Ministry of Supply still
imports wheat and one brand of dried milk (Halibuna). However, the response to question 100
of WT/ACC/JOR/8 states that the Ministry of Supply imports wheat, barley, corn, sugar, rice,one brand of milk (Halibuna) and cigarettes.
Please clarify exactly which products are imported by the Ministry of Supply.
Answer:
The Government has made it possible for the private sector to import all the products referred
to above.
Question 178.
Are private enterprises allowed to compete with Ministry of Supply in the importation and
exportation of wheat, barley, corn, sugar, rice, one brand of dried milk (Halibuna) and
cigarettes? What conditions, if any, does the Ministry of Supply impose on private enterprises,
pursuant to the "prior approval" process, on thei r ability to import these agricultural products.
Does the Ministry of Supply impose price or quantity limitations?
Answer:
If the sugar or the rice was imported by the private sector the Ministry of Supply does not
impose any price or quantity limitation.
All the brands of dried milk (excluding Halibuna brand) are imported by the private sector
enterprises and no price or quantity limitations are imposed on them.
There is not any kind of price or quantity restriction imposed on the corn imported by the
private sector.
The private sector is allowed to import barely without any quantity limitation but there is a
ceiling price imposed by the Government.
 Wheat prices and quantities imported by the private enterprise are not restricted by the
Government.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 81
 Concerning the imported cigarettes,the Ministry of Supply stopped importing cigarettes, and
it was decided by the cabinet on 29 June 1997 to allow the private sector to import cigarettes.
Question 179.
According to information provided in the responses to question 41 and question 80 of
WT/ACC/JOR/8, it appears that some private enterprises have exclusive or special rights to
import and export several important products, including phosphates, petroleum, cement,fertilizers, potash, leather and vegetable oils.
Please describe the special or exclusive privileges relating to importation and exportation for
each of the following enterprises in the form of  a response to the Questionnaire on state trading:
Jordan Tanning Company, Jordan Petroleum Re finery Company, Jordan Cement Factories
Company, Jordan Phosphates Mining Company, Fertilizers Company, Arab Potash Company
and the Arab Company for Manufacturing White Cement.
Answer:
The exclusive privileges of importation and exportation are given to these enterprises in
accordance with their Laws.  The exemption from customs duties is granted upon a special decision
by the Council of Ministers.  See answers 41 and 80 of document WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Question 180.
What percentage of the total values of Jordan ian imports and exports is attributed to the
activities of these companies?
Answer:
Enterprise / Period Imports Exports
Value JD mn % of Total
ImportsValue
JD mn% of Total Exports
Jordan Tanning Co.,
199719960.23
0.708.00%
.00%2.961
7.6290.3%
0.7%
Arab Co.for White Cement199719960.498
0.204.00%
.00%2.639
1.8350.2
0.2
Jordan Petroleum Refinery19971996461.0
461.015.9%
15.1%Jordan Petroleum Refinery does not
export any of its products.  They arelocally used.
Jordan Phosphates & ChemicalFertilizers Co.,1997
199675.59
89.422.6%
2.9%245.04
254.4423.0%
24.5%
Jordan Cement Factories Co.,1997199612.30
13.600.04%
0.04%31.0
39.02.9%
3.7%WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 82
Enterprise / Period Imports Exports
Value JD mn % of Total
ImportsValue
JD mn% of Total Exports
Arab Potash Co.,
1997
1996116.2
 91.294.0%
3.0% 98.6
126.59.2 per cent
12.1 per cent
Question 181.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 74) Jordan noted that it has plans to deregulate agricultural
production and trade through actions including: (i) the removal of all imports monopolies on
agricultural commodities; (ii) the withdrawal of the Government from the process of pricing
manufactured agricultural products.
Could Jordan please explain which import monopolies are presently involved in the production
and/or trade of agricultural commodities?
When will all import monopolies be remove d for agricultural commodities? Could Jordan
please complete the Questionnaire on State Trading?
When will the Government be withdrawn fr om the process of pricing manufactured
agricultural products?
Answer:
The import monopolies for agricultural commodities have been removed and the private
sector  is permitted to import these products.
For the pricing of the manufactured agricultural products see answer to question 13 above.
Question 182.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 77) Jordan noted that with the exception of sugar, rice, wheat, milk,
and dried milk, "agricultural products that the Government used to import exclusively are now
open for the private sector to import".  Furt hermore, Jordan explained that the Ministry of
Supply intends to abolish all prior approvals for imports.
Jordan’s reply 66 acknowledged that approval is needed from certain government institutions
for imports of agricultural products such as rice, powdered milk, wheat flour, sugar, frozen
lamb, wheat, barley, corn, milk for industrial mi lk, frozen animal semen, live animals, potatoes,
onions, and garlic.
Furthermore, Jordan’s reply to question 67 noted that prior approvals are required for imports
of fruits and vegetables from certain countries.  Finally, response 19 (b) stated that the
Government is currently considering whether to allow the private sector to import cigarettes.
Could Jordan provide a list, at the HS 6 digit le vel, of all products requiring prior approval
from government institutions and indicate, for each item, which government institution is
responsible for granting approval, and target date for any planned removal of such approval
requirements.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 83
Answer:
Jordan’s import regulation Annex 2 provide the list of all products requiring prior approvals
from government institutions, and it indicates which government institutions are  responsible for
granting the approval.  Please find below a translation of Annex 2.
Prior Approvals
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
1. Rice 10.06 Ministry of Supply (MS)
2. Halibuna
Powdered Milk04.02 MS
3. Wheat Flour 11.01 MS
4. Sugar 17.01 MS
5. Wheat 10.01 MS
6. Barley 10.03 MS
7. Corn 10.05 MS
8. Milk for Industrial Use 04.02 MS
9. Live Animals Chapter 1 Ministry of Agriculture
10. Frozen animal Semen 0511.10 Ministry of Agriculture
11. Fresh Chilled and Frozen Meat Chapter 2 Ministry of Agriculture
12. Potato 07.01 Agricultural Marketing Organization
13. Onion 0703.10 Agricultural Marketing Organization
14. Garlic 0703.20 Agricultural Marketing Organization
15. All Kinds of Arms and Ammunition Chapter 93 Ministry of Interior, Public Security
Dept. (PSD)
16. All Kinds of Explosives 36.01
36.0236.0336.04PSD
17. Pen Knives and Similar Articles 82.11 PSD
18. Children Automobile Toys Operated
With Fuel95.01 PSD
19. Remote Control and Toy airplanes 9503.20 PSD
20. Electrical and  El ectronic Video Games
Machines  95.04 PSD
21.  Self-Defense Electrical Equipment  85.43 PSD
22. Radio-Active Materials and Uranium 28.44 Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources
23. Wireless Transmitters and Receivers 85.25 Telecommunications Regulatory
Commission (TRC)
24. Wireless Alarm Equipment 85.31 TRC
25. All Kinds of Remote-Control
Equipment (except those for TV and
Video8543.209
8526.92TRC
26. Radar Apparatus 8526.91 TRC
27. Transmission and Reception Stations 85.25 TRCWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 84
Product HS Code Party Granting Approval
28. Cellular Telephone Systems 85.25.201 TRC
29. Cordless Telephones 85.17.11 TRC
30. Cordless Microphones 8518.10 TRC
31. Electrical Equipment for line Telephony
and Telegraphy85.17 TRC
32. Decoders 8543.899 TRC
33. Satellites 85.29
8529.101
8543.891TRC
34. Coloured Photocopying Machines 90.09 Central Bank of Jordan
35. Medicaments, Antibiotics, Human
Blood, Vaccines29.41
30.0230.0330.04Ministry of Health (MOH)
36. Food Preparations Used by Athletes 2106.90 MOH
37. Bromides of Potassium 2827.51 MOH
38. Food Colourings 13.02 MOH
39. Sheets and Pipes of Asbestos 68.11 MOH
40. Milk and Foods for Children 04.02
2106.90MOH
41. Ice Cream and Other Edible Ice 21.05 MOH
42. Postage Franking Machines 84.70 Ministry of Post and Communications
43. Halogenated Derivatives of
Hydrocarbons2903.4
2903.46Public Corporation for Protection of the
Environment
44. Boring Machinery for Water 8430.4 Ministry of Water and Irrigation
45. Used Automobile Tires 40.12 Ministry of Industry and Trade
46. Military Clothing Chapters 61+62 General Command of the Armed Forces
(j) Government mandated counter trade and barter
Question 183.
According to the response to question 10 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan has a bilateral trade with
Iraq that provides for the exchange of Jordanian exports with Iraqi oil.  Beginning in 1997, the
Agreement no longer provides for a credit arrangement.Please describe the procedure used by the Government of Jordan to pay for imports of Iraqi oil.
How does the Government of Jordan value its exports and the oil imports for purposes of this
exchange?  How does the Government of Jordan  assess customs tariffs and duty charges on the
oil imports received from Iraq?
Answer:
The total value of the Trade Protocol with Ira q, represents the value of imports of oil from
Iraq that equals the value of Jordanian exports to Iraq.  An account is kept in the Central Bank of
Jordan, whereby the value of oil imports are registered and the value of Jordanian goods exported to
Iraq in exchange for the Iraqi oil. The tariff paid on crude oil imported from Iraq or any other country
is 5 per cent.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 85
(l) Government procurement practices
Question 184.
Please provide the Working Party with a copy of Jordan’s public procurement legislation in a
WTO language.
Answer:
Attached is copy of the Tenders Regulations No. 1 of 1994 (WT/ACC/JOR/12).  The Supplies
Regulations No. 37 of 1993 is being translated and we shall provide a copy once translation is
completed.
Question 185.
Please provide a translated copy of Supplies Regulation No. 32 for the year 1993 and the
Tenders Instructions No. 1 of 1994, issued by the Ministry of Fi nance, to the WTO Secretariat
prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
The Supplies Regulation No.32 for 1993 and the Tenders Instruction No. 1 of 1994 will be
supplied to the Secretariat once the Supplies Department is finished with the translation of both
regulations.
Question 186.
Question 46, WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Jordan collects statistics on public procurement.  Please
provide them to the Working Party.
Answer:
Please find below the value of Public Supplies Department purchases during the years 1992-
1996,  and also according to the kind of supplies purchased during the same period.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 86 Purchases in (92,93,94,95,1996), classified as per the kind of supplies (JD. Million)
Kind of
Supplies
(Year)Medical
Disposables
&
AccessoriesMedical
& Lab-
oratory
Equip.Remedies
&
MedicinesVeterinary
&
Fertilisation
SuppliesStationary
& Printing
MattersFurniture &
House
UtensilsInsurance
Services &
MaintenanceSpare
Parts
ServicesTelecommunication
s EquipmentsComputers
&
Accessories Vehicles
Automob
iles &
TiresOffice
Equip-
mentRation
SuppliesTotal
1992 9.8 3.6 1.8 0.490 2.3 2.4 1.3 2.3 4.1 1.4 4.7 4.1 5.7 44.0
1993 6.7 3.5 9.7 0.494 2.0 1.2 1.2 1.2 10.6 2.8 7.1 3.5 5.2 54.6
1994 5.1 7.7 10.2 0.236 1.5 2.2 1.5 1.4 6.8 2.9 7.5 0.4 6.5 53.9
1995 7.0 5.4 12.8 0.447 3.7 1.7 3.4 7.9 7.9 2.4 5.9 5.5 5.9 70.1
1996 6.1 2.5 14.5 0.475 2.4 1.7 4.4 0.443 3.9 4.5 5.2 3.8 8.9 53.8WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 87
Question 187.
(Question 47, WT/ACC/JOR/9.)  Jo rdan gives figures for public sector purchasing 7"excluding
procurement of certain public departments and agencies that enjoy  autonomy on their
procurement according to their rules and regulations".  Please provide a list of such bodies and
the overall value of their purchasing.
Answer:
There are two public departments that fall in that category.  They are the co-operation
Organization and the National Aid fund.
Question 188.
(Question 48, WT/ACC/JOR/9).  Please provide information on the breakdown of the public
procurement market both by contracting entity and product type.
Answer:
See answer to question 185 above.
Question 189.
(Question 55, WT/ACC/JOR/9).  Jordan has provided information on redress for suppliers who
dispute the award of a contract.  Please indicate if there is a timescale for consideration and
final decision.  Can matters be taken to court?
Answer:
The Secretariat of the tenders committee in the General Supplies Department announces the
name of the winning bidders by affixing them on a special announcing board, or any other method
devised by the Director General so as to be accessible for a period of four working days for any
objections submitted by any participant.  Then the tenders committee considers the objections and
issues its decisions.  If any bidder is not satisfied with the tenders committee decision, he can take thematter to court.
Question 190.
(Question 61, WT/ACC/JOR/9).   Please provide a reply:
Answer:
In government tenders, the local products get a 15 per cent privilege in the prices over
imported products if the quality of both is equal.  There is no other privilege for local products.
(m) Regulation of trade in transit
Question 191.
How does Jordan intend to end its discriminatory system of transit charges prior to WTO
accession?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 88
Answer:
The transit system applied is not exactly discriminating. Fees changed on trade in transit is
0.003 for goods passing through Jordan in accordance with the Arab Transit Agreement, and 0.004 for
other goods not subject to the Arab Transit Agreement. The Arab Transit Agreement is an agreement
that is part of the Arab Regional trade arrangements within the Arab League.
Question 192.
Are the provisions of the Arab Transit Agre ement applied on a most-favoured-nation basis?
Answer:
The Arab Transit Agreement is applied on most  favoured nation treatment for countries who
are not members of the regional agreement.
4. Policies Affecting Trade in Agricultural Products
Question 193.
Please provide a translated copy of the Agricultural Law No. 20 for 1973 to the WTO
Secretariat for review by the Working Party.
Answer:
Jordan is working towards translating all the Laws that are required for WTO including the
Agriculture Law No. 20 for 1973.
Question 194.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 64)  Jordan was asked to provide detailed import and export
figures for agricultural products for the last three years.  Could Jordan please provide figures
for 1996 when available.
Answer:
The following table shows the value of agricultural imports and exports in 1996
Products Exports 1996 Imports 1996
Live animals 33.1 26.8
Meat and edible meat offal   0.7  37.8
Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates --    8.4
Dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey, edible products of animal origin,
not elsewhere specified or included2.9 60.4
Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included 1.2   0.3
Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and  the like; cut flowers and
ornamental foliage 0.9   1.0
Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 58.1 20.2
Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons 18.7 49.5
coffee, tea, mate and spices  1.1   19.8WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 89
Products Exports 1996 Imports 1996
Cereals -- 305.4
Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; insulin wheat gluten  0.29     8.5
Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits miscellaneous grains, seed and fruit;
industrial or medical plants; straw and fodder. 0.1   25.5
Lac; gums; resins and other vegetable saps and extracts. -- 0.4
Vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products not elsewhere specified or
included.-- 0.5
Animal or vegetable fats and oil and their cleavage products; prepared
edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes.64.8 73.7
Preparations of meat, of fish, or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic
invertebrates. 1.3    9.00
Sugars and sugar confectionery 0.5 53.9
Cocoa and cocoa preparations 0.4   3.1
Preparations of cereals, flour starch; or milk; pastry cooks product. 3.7   3.9
Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants. 7.2   6.3
Miscellaneous edible preparations. 3.2 17.5
Beverages, spirits and vinegar 3.7  2.5
Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder.  0.9 34.7
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. 0.4 10.1
Total 230.99 789.2
(a) Imports
Question 195.
No response is given to the specific question co ncerning the time frame for the liberalization of
the import of all agricultural products.  Could Jordan explain why it considers it necessary to
regulate the import of food stuffs/agricultural products in this way?
Answer:
The prior approvals help monitor the imported amounts of some agricultural products and to
ensure that there is a strategic reserve of such products that meets the needs of consumers.
Question 196.
Could Jordan be more specific regarding a time frame for liberalization of the import of all
agricultural products?
Answer:
The liberalization will be gradual and no time frame has been established yet.
Question 197.
Does Jordan still charge the 5 percent fee on all agricultural inputs described in
WT/ACC/JOR/3, or is this charge included in the tariff rates that were provided to the WTO
Secretariat (WT/ACC/JOR/8/Add.1)?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 90
Answer:
This fee was incorporated into the consolidated fee which is part of the tariff rates.
Question 198.
According to the response to question 109 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Ministry of Supply sells to
wholesalers at cost, including import price, tran sport, insurance and storage.  As for subsidized
items sold to subsidy coupon holders with prices that are lower than local prices, the differenceis covered by the Government.
Please describe the eligibility requirements to obtain subsidy coupons.  What percentage of
discount given to the subsidy coupon holders on these purchases?
Answer:
The prices of sugar, rice and dried milk (Halibuna)used to be subsidised to the food coupon
holders.  The food coupon holder is part of the family which its monthly income is less than JD 500.
The quantities which are partly subsidised are as follows:
-   1.5  kg of rice/ person per month;
     -   1.5  kg of sugar/person per month;
     -   0.25 kg of dried milk/person per month.
The amount of this subsidy which is just part of the price of any of the above mentioned
products as follows:
-   0.15 JD / kg of sugar;
-   0.19 JD / kg of rice;
-   0.84 JD / kg of dried milk.
The whole process is administered by the Mini stry of Supply with the cooperation of the
Ministry of Finance.  The year was divided into three thirds, for this year the first two thirds weredisbursed in products for the coupon holder but the last third was decided to be disbursed as a cash
money for the coupon holders. The coupons subsidies were replaced by cash transfers.
Question 199.
According to the response to question 122 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan restricts the weight of
imported live sheep, because consumers prefer smaller lambs. This restriction on the size oflambs that can be imported into Jordan appears to violate GATT Article III.4.
Does the Government of Jordan impose similar weig ht restrictions on the sales of domestically-
produced live sheep?
Answer:
Jordan does not impose such a regulation on the sale of domestically produced live sheep.
However, these instructions were changed from weight to age. The sheep should not be more than one
year old.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 91
Question 200.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 122)  Jordan noted that it maintains weight restrictions on
imported live sheep because domestic consumers prefer small lambs.  Jordan also explained
that it is considering to increase weights of imported live sheep, while appreciating consumer
preference and demand.  Canada would note that consumer preference does not require such a
restriction and that such restrictions are not permitted under Article 4 (2) of the Agreement onAgriculture.
Answer:
Jordan has recently approved standard for imported live sheep based on the age of the live
sheep.  (one year or less regardless of its weight).
Question 201.
We refer to weight restrictions on imports of live sheep (see reply to question 122 of
WT/ACC/JOR/8)  Is the sale of live sheep of Jordanian origin within Jordan subject to the samerestrictions as those that apply to imported live  sheep?  Does the government forbid a live sheep
transaction between any two parties in Jordan if  an individual sheep of Jordanian origin weighs
more than 44 kg, or if the average sheep weight  of a consignment of Jordanian origin exceeds 40
kg.
Answer:
This criteria has been changed see answer to question 201 below.
Question 202.
What is the WTO justification for Jordan’s weight restrictions on imports of live sheep?
Answer:
The Ministry of Agriculture stopped using the weight criteria.  This was replaced by age
criteria.  Imported sheep should not be more than one year old.
Question 203.
According to the response to question 78 of WT/ACC/JOR/9, the importation of all fresh fruits
and vegetables from Israel and the Arab countries with whom Jordan has bilateral trade
agreements are subject to a quarterly plan issu ed by the Agricultural Marketing Organization,
which determines commodities, but not the quantities, which can be imported.
The ability of the Agricultural Marketing Organization to restrict or prohibit the importation of
certain commodities from some WTO members during the seasons of production appears to
violate GATT Article XI.  How does Jordan intend to bring this practice into conformity with
WTO requirements?
Answer:
Jordan will move towards elimination of this practice when it revises its protocol trade
agreements where such a practice, which is reciprocal, is applied.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 92
Question 204.
The following products seem to need prior approval: rice, Halibuna powder milk, wheat and
wheat flour, sugar, barley, corn (maize), frozen animal semen, live animals, chilled and frozen
meat, potatoes, onion and garlic.  Could Jordan inform us if at present other agricultural
products need the prior approval?
Answer:
No other agricultural products need prior approval.
Question 205.
Can Jordan confirm that the private sector is allowed to import wheat?  If so, can it sell the
wheat under normal market conditions?
Answer:
The private sector is allowed to import wheat, and it can sell it under normal market
conditions.
Question 206.
We seek confirmation that there are no import quotas on wheat, sugar, rice and dried milk, or
other products.
Answer:
There are no import quotas on wheat, sugar, rice, and dried milk or other products.
Question 207.
Jordan states that although the government has allowed the private sector to import wheat,
importing is done by the Ministry of Supply as the private sector so far has not done so (reply to
question 114 of WT/ACC/JOR/8).  Is Jordan taking any measures to encourage the private
sector to import wheat?  If so, what is the nature of these measures and how are theyadministered?
Answer:
As it was mentioned in the reply to question 114 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the private sector so far
did not import wheat.  The major problem facing the private sector is the storage of the huge
quantities to be imported.  To overcome this problem, the government has encouraged the privatesector to import, and a cabinet decision was taken (effective 1 September 1997), permitting the private
sector to utilise the storage facilities of the Ministry of Supply to store their imported quantities of
wheat for two months and free of charge.  In addition to that, the Ministry of Supply plans to rent its
storage facilities to the private sector.  This will allow the private sector importers of the products
used to be imported by the Ministry of Supply to utilise its storage facilities versus charges.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 93
(b) Exports
Question 208.
Subsidies, including on food products, are discussed in a number of places in the memorandum
including the introduction (reduc ing price subsidy of water removing price subsidies for wheat
and fodder) and the section on Economic Policies, (the government subsidy for commodities is
being reduced and for public institutions completely  eliminated).  Subsidies are also frequentlyraised in the question and answer documents.  It  is not clear which subsidies are in place and
which ones have been removed or reduced.  in re sponse to a specific question, Jordan advised it
has removed subsidies on some key items (wheat, sugar, rice and animal fodder), but there was
no indication of when subsidies on other items would be removed.
Could  Jordan advise when subsidies on these other items will be removed?
Answer:
Subsidies on wheat, sugar, rice, animal fodder have been removed. For price subsidy of water
see WT/ACC/4 tables that will be supplied to WTO Secretariat before the next Working Party
meeting.
Question 209.
Jordan indicates that it does not grant export subsidies to agricultural products (reply to
question 123 of WT/ACC/JOR/8).  We would therefore expect subsidy commitments to be zeroand that Jordan should provide a statement indicating this in the form of supporting table ES:1
in WT/ACC/4.
Answer:
Jordan is working on WT/ACC/4 and shall submit it before the next Working Party meeting.
Question 210.
(WT/ACC/JOR/8, Question 123)  Jordan noted that it does not grant any export subsidies to
agricultural products.  We commend Jordan for such a statement.  Can Jordan confirm that
export subsidies will be bound at 0 in the agriculture schedules.
Answer:
Jordan does not grant any export subsidies to agricultural products.
Question 211.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 71)  Jordan noted that "it does not give any export subsidies for
agricultural products and does not intend to do so".  We would welcome a commitment to
agriculture export subsidies.
Answer:
Please see answer 210 above.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 94
Question 212.
According to the response to question 1 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan removed the generalized
subsidy on wheat.  Did Jordan also remove the subsidy on barley and animal feed?
Answer:
The subsidy on barley and animal feed was also removed.
(e) Internal Policies
Question 213.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 80) Jordan was asked to explain what measures it uses
to"encourage" agricultural exports.  It noted that "there are no direct measures to encourage
agricultural exports.  However, some other me asures could be considered to contribute to
encouraging agricultural exports".  Could Jordan please provide details of measures, direct
and/or indirect, to encourage agricultural expo rts.  How could the fact that the profits of
agricultural income are exempted from income tax encourage agricultural exports?
Answer:
Jordan uses the following measures to encourage the agricultural products in general whether
for local consumption or exports:
- agricultural extension services and scientific research methods to improve the
productivity of the agricultural products;
- provide relevant information and data about external markets to the farmers through
the Agricultural Marketing Organization.
Profits of agricultural income as a whole are exempted from income tax whether they accrue
from domestic or external sale.
Question 214.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 71)  Jordan noted that it is trying to reduce total agricultural trade
deficits by "stimulating agricultural growth and by improving resource management and not
through protectionist measures".  Could Jordan provide more detail on how it plans to
stimulate agricultural growth and improve resource management?
Answer:
Jordan plans to stimulate agricultural growth and improve resource management through the
following procedures:
(i) directing and encouraging the farmers toward growing agricultural products that have
high economic value;
(ii) increasing the efficiency of resources management by using scientific research and
agricultural extension services methods.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 95
Question 215.
We would appreciate information on any measur es that are being used to promote investment
in livestock to reduce dependence on imported red meats.
Answer:
The measures being taken are:
(i) execution of several projects to develop natural grazing lands and establish grazing
conservations;
(ii) encourage farmers to raise Shami goats and Awasi sheep, by offering farmers
agricultural loans;
(iii) supply the farmers with improved rams to improve the productivity of their sheep.
These rams come from the Ministry of Agriculture research and development stations;
(iv) provide extension services to farmers in the field of new technologies to increase
meat production (increasing number of twins) in sheep.  Teach them how to make useof agricultural by-products in mixing with feed products;
(v) provide veterinary services through mobile veterinary  clinics, and provide
vaccination to sheep on location;
(vi) increase the number of land dams and pools in grazing land to catch rain water.
Question 216.
Please prepare a draft agricultural country schedule (WT/ACC/4), including information on
agricultural subsidy and price support policies and supply the background information
documenting the designations to the WTO Secretar iat prior to the next meeting of the Working
Party.
Answer:
The agricultural schedule WT/ACC/4 is in the final stages of preparation and will be
submitted to the WTO Secretariat before the next Working Party meeting.
Question 217.
We look forward to making a more detailed analysis of Jordan’s agricultural support policies
when it supplies the more comprehensive information and data as required in WT/ACC/4.  Weare specially interested in the recent three year period on which Jordan intends to base its
agricultural commitments.
Answer:
The information will be supplied in WT/ACC/4.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 96
Question 218.
Jordan indicates that the prices of sugar, rice and halibuna are still subsidized to the food
coupon holders (reply to question 69 of WT/ACC/JOR/9).  What is the nature and level of the
subsidy provided, who receives the s ubsidy, and how is it administered?
Answer:
The prices of sugar, rice and dried milk (Halibuna) are subsidised to the food coupon holder.
The food coupon holder is part of the family whose monthly income in less than 500 JD.
The quantities which are partly subsidised are as follows:
-  1.5 kg. of rice/person per month.
-  1.5 kg. of sugar/ person per month.
-  0.25 kg. of dried milk/person per month.
The amount of this subsidy which is just part of the price of any of the above mentioned
products as follows:
-  0.15 JD/kg. of sugar.
-  0.19 JD/kg. of rice.
-  0.84 JD/kg. of dried milk.
The whole process is administered by the Mini stry of Supply with the cooperation of the
Ministry of Finance.  The year was divided into three thirds for 1997, the first two thirds weredisbursed in products for the coupon holder (as it is described above), but the last third was disbursed
as a cash money for the coupon holder. There is no price subsidy now.  The Government replaced the
price by cash transfers to those who deserve it and they buy their needs at market prices.
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME
1. General
(b) Membership of international intellectual property conventions and of regional or
bilateral agreements
Question 219.Referring to question 134 in WT/ACC/JOR/8.  When will Jordan become a member of the
Berne Convention?
Answer:
The current Copyright Law No. 22 for 1992 was revised and amended to bring it, among
other considerations, in line with the Berne Convention requirements.  The amended Law wasapproved by the Council of Ministers and sent to the Parliament, and was given the status of urgency
in dealing with it to ensure that it has a priority in being reviewed by Parliament.  It is hoped it will be
passed during 1998.  Accordingly, it is expected that  Jordan will be joining the Berne Convention in
the very near future.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 97
2. Substantive Standards of Protection
(a) Copyright and related rights
Question 220.
Please provide a translated copy of the Jorda nian copyright law and proposed amendments to
the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
A copy is attached. (WT/ACC/JOR/12)
Question 221.
According to the answer to question 134 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the works of foreign authors that
are published abroad are protected in accordance with Article 53 of the current law, by the
principle of reciprocity and international conven tions to which the country of the author and
Jordan are both members.
How does Jordan intend to provide national trea tment in copyright protection, for works not
registered in Jordan, to foreign authors from co untries, such as the United States, with whom
Jordan does not have a reciprocal intellectual property rights agreement?
Answer:
Once Jordan signs the Bern Convention for the protection of literary and Art Works, as well
as joining WTO or any international agreement in th is field, and in accordance with Jordan’s national
legislation, the conditions of these agreements have the same force like Jordanian Laws, and will be
enforced accordingly.  Therefore, works of foreign authors whose countries are signatories to any of
these agreements will be protected in Jordan and get the same national treatment like Jordanian
Authors.
Question 222.
What is the legislative status of the amendm ent referred to in question 136 of WT/ACC/JOR/8,
which will a provision that non-depositing of a copyright work at the Documentation Centre
does not affect the author’s rights stipulated in the law.
Answer:
The amended copyright Law will cancel the text  of Article 45 of the present copyright Law
No. 22 for 1992.
A new text will be installed which reads as follows:
" The non-depositing of an authors work, will not infringe his rights stipulated in this Law".
Question 223.
What is the current status of Jordan’s applicat ion to accede to the Bern Convention?  When
does the Government of Jordan expect to complete the Bern Convention accession process?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 98
Answer:
One of the reasons for amending the present copyright Law No. 22 for 1992 is to bring the
rules of this Law in line with the rules of the Bern Convention which Jordan intends to accede to.  The
Council of Ministers approved the amended draft Law and transferred it to the House of
Representatives with a request for immediate review.  The Parliamentary Committee concerned with
the matter studied the Law and put it on the agenda of the Parliament for discussion in 1998.  Oncethis Law is passed, Jordan will accede to the Bern Convention.
Question 224.
According to the response to question 140, ph onograms (sound recordings) and database
compilations are not protected in the curren t copyright law, however, phonograms will be
included in the amended version of the law.
Why is the Government of Jordan not incl uding protections for database compilations
in its draft amendments to the copyright law?
Answer:
The draft amended copyright Law includes a clear text for the protection of data base
compilation in paragraph d of Article 3, and paragraph c of Article 5.
Question 225.
According to the response to question 142 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, compulsory licensing of
copyrighted works for translation into Arabic is  being eliminated in the proposed amendments
to the Copyright Law.
Please describe any other compulsory licensing provisions for copyrights that will remain in
effect after enactment of the amendments to the Copyright Law.
Answer:
According to the draft amended Law the rules concerning licensing for translation of printed
foreign works to Arabic, are in conformity with  the rules of the Annex to the Bern Convention
concerning developing countries.  (Please see paragraph a of Article 11 of the draft amended Law).
This principle also applies to copyright of printed works for the purpose of learning.
Question 226.
Jordan states that its Copyright Law also needs to be changed to meet the requirements of the
TRIPs Agreement as regards the area of "limitations and exceptions" (Article 13 of the TRIPs
Agreement).  Could the Government of Jordan be  more specific?  What exactly are the changes
required?
Answer:
Article 17 of the Copyright Law deals with the published work that may be used without
authorization from the author subject to certain conditions.  Paragraph (a) of this article was amended
as follows: (Please note that amendment is underlined).WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 99
 (a) Presentation, display, delivery, acting or playing of a work in a private family gathering or in
an educational, cultural or social establishment.  Bands belonging to the state may play
musical works, provided that no pecuniary benefit is derived therefrom.
Question 227.
Could the Government of Jordan clarify whether and how compilations of data are protected?
In WT/ACC/JOR/8 it is stated that the protection of compilations of data is one area whereJordanian law needs to be amended to comply  with the TRIPs Agreement.  However, in
WT/ACC/JOR/9 it is said that the protection is covered by the current Copyright Law).
Answer:
The current Copyright Law covers the compilation of data in general in article (3) (a) and (b).
However, article (3) was amended by adding a new paragraph that specifically refers to compilation
of data among other things.  It reads as follows:
"Compilations of literary or artistic works as encyclopedias, anthologies and data collections
which are in a machine readable form or in any other form and which, by reason of the
selection and arrangement of their contents, constitute intellectual creations shall be protected
as well.
Compilations of selected excerpts from poetry, prose, music or the like shall also enjoy
protection provided that the said compilations mention the source of the excerpts and theauthor thereof without prejudice to the rights of authors with regards to each of the works
which constitute part of the compilations".
The rights of the authors of the works referred to above are preserved in the amendment to
article (5)(c) which reads as follows:
"authors of encyclopedias, anthologies, data collections and compilations which are protected
according to the provisions of this law".
Question 228.
Can Jordan confirm that, in accordance with Article 14 of TRIPS and Article 18 of the Bern
Convention, its new copyright law will provide retroactive protection for sound recordings still
under protection in other countries and made up to 50 years ago?
Answer:
The amended draft copyright law provides such retroactive protection for sound recordings in
article (22)(c) which reads; "The terms of protection for performers and producers of phonograms
shall be 50 years starting on 1 January of the year following the year of performance or fixation of the
phonogram as the case may be".
Question 229.
Please provide clarification of the provisions that will be included in Jordan’s new copyright
law to bring it into compliance with the nation al treatment provisions of Article 3 of TRIPs.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 100
Answer:
Article 53 of the current copyright law provides such compliance.  In addition, and in
accordance Jordan’s national jurisprudence the rules of any international or multilateral agreement
Jordan is a signatory to, have the strength of the national law.  Once Jordan joins Bern convention &
WTO the relevant rules will be apply in Jordan.
(b) Trademarks, including service marks
Question 230.
Please provide a translated copy of the amende d trademarks law to the WTO Secretariat prior
to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
A translated copy of the amended trademarks law, will be provided to WTO Secretariat as
soon as it is ready.
Question 231.
Please provide a translated copy of all prop osed, but not yet enacted, amendments to the
trademarks law to the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
See answer to 229.
Question 232.
Could the Government of Jordan give some indication of when the amended Trademark Law
will enter into force?
Answer:
The final draft of the Trademarks Law will be sent to the cabinet for their consideration and
approval.  Then it goes to parliament.  This process might take from 6-12 months.
Question 233.
According to the response to question 144 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, "the current trademarks law
have been amended for compliance with TRIPs trademark obligations."
Have the amendment provisions described in th e response to question 144 already been enacted
into the trademarks law?
Answer:
Yes all requested amendments were included in the amended law.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 101
Question 234.
What is the definition of a well-known mark in the amendment of the current trademark law?
Answer:
The well-know trademark has been mentioned in Article 8(12) of the new amended law and
defined as "any trademark the knowledge of which has emerged outside the country of origin".
A well-known trademark will be protected according to the amended Trademarks Law and no
one can register the well-known trademark for all goods and services other than the owner thereof.
Question 235.
According to the response to question 149 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the owner of a well-known mark
not registered in Jordan can file an object ion to the Trademark Registrar to obstruct
registration of a mark.  However, according to  the response to question 147 of the same
document, there is no definition for a well-known mark in the current law.
Do the proposed amendments to the trademarks  law define well-known mark?  What is the
definition?  In the absence of a definition of  well-known mark, how does the Registrar decide
whether the owner of a mark can validly object to the registration of a mark?
Answer:
A well-known trademark is defined as "any trademark the knowledge of which emerged
outside its original country".  The Registrar will decide in accordance with the provision of
Articles 34 and 8 (6,7 and 10) of the current Tradem arks Law.  The text of Article 34 is given
hereunder:
"No person shall be entitled to institute any proceedings to recover damages for the
infringement of a trade mark not registered in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, but he shall
be entitled to institute proceedings to annul th e registration of a trademark registered in the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan by a person who is not the proprietor thereof, after that such
trademark had been registered abroad, and provide that the grounds of his claim are those laid
down in sub-sections 6,7 and 10 of section 8 of this law".
Question 236.The amended trademark law will contain a provision allowing for the Assignment of a
trademark "with or without goodwill".  Could the Government of Jordan explain what it
understands by the term "goodwill", since Article 21 of the TRIPs Agreement foresees the
assignment of a registered trademark with or without the transfer of the business  (our emphasis)
to which the trademark belongs?
Answer:
Article 19(9) of the amended law will allow the assignment of a trademark with or without
good will.  What is meant by good will, in accordance with the current law, the good will of the
business concerned in the goods for which it has been registered, i.e. it is with full conformity  withthe scope of TRIPs.
Question 237.
What are the conditions in the amended law on  which compulsory licences will be granted?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 102
Answer:
There are no provisions for compulsory licensing for the trademark in the amended or the
current law.
Question 238.
Against what actions, committed by a third part y without the authorizat ion of the right holder,
is a trademark protected under Jordanian law?
Answer:
According to Article 38 of the current and amended law the following actions are considered
as unlawful.
Any person who with intent to deceive, commit or attempt to commit or aids or incites any
other person in committing any of the following acts shall be liable upon conviction to imprisonmentfor a period not exceeding one year or to a fine not exceeding one hundred dinars, or to both such
penalties:
- not being the proprietor thereof makes use of a trademark registered under this law or
of an imitation of such trademark upon the same class of goods as that in respect of
which the mark is registered;
- makes, engraves, prints, or sells, any plate, die, block, stamp or other representation
of a duly registered mark or any other limitation thereof for the purpose of enabling
any person, other than the registered proprietor of such mark, to make use of suchmark or any limitation thereof in connection with goods of the same classification as
those for which registration has already been obtained by another person;
- makes or causes to be made a false entry in the register kept under this law, or makes
or causes to be made a writing falsely purporting to be a copy of any entry in any
such register, or produces or tenders or causes to be produced or tendered in evidence
any such writing, knowing the entry or writing to be false.
Question 239.
Referring to questions 151 and 152 in WT/ACC/JO R/8.  Please lay down the situation according
to the amendment of the current Jordanian law.
Answer:
Article 38(1)(a) will be amended to read as follows:
"use of a trademark registered according to the provisions of the Trademarks Law or any
imitation thereof".
Please note that in the current law it was a condition in Article 38(1)(a) that the infringement
is considered for a registered trademark for the same goods.  In the amended law Article 38(1)(a) thiscondition was excluded.
Question 240.
Referring to question  159 in WT/ACC/JOR/8.  What would be the answer according the
amendment of the trademark law?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 103
Answer:
Compulsory licensing or a registered trademark is not possible in Jordan in accordance with
the current law and/or the amended law.  Only trad emark licensing is allowed in Jordan according to
Article 26(2) of the amended law.
Question 241.
Does the amended law provide a definition of the term "well-known"?Answer:
Yes the amended law will contain special provisions for the protection of well-known
trademark, which will be defined as "the marks the knowledge thereof has emerged outside the
country of origin”"
Question 242.
Does Jordanian law recognise reasons for non-use?  If so, what kind of reasons would be
regarded as being valid?
Answer:
Yes the Jordanian law recognise non-use due to special circumstances in the trade.
Question 243.
Jordan’s reply to question 144 of WT/ACC/JOR/8 suggests that compulsory licences will be
allowed for trade marks.  Please clarify how this complies with Article 21 of TRIPs.
Answer:
In fact compulsory licensing for trademarks will not be allowed, and the Jordanian law will be
in conformity with Article 21 of the TRIPs
Question 244.
The reply to question 100 of WT/ACC/JOR/9 indicates that the registration of a trade mark
may be maintained provided that its period of no n-use does not exceed two years.  Please clarify
how this complies with Article 15 of TRIPs.
Answer:
Proof of use of a registered trademark is not a prerequisite for its renewal.  However, non-
used trademarks will be subject to a cancellation action if non-use is proven to be for the last twoyears proceeding the date of the cancellation action.  The amended draft law will change the period to
three years as from the date of filing the cancellation action and not from filing date.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 104
(c) Geographical Indications
Question 245.
Would the registration of a trademark be refuse d or invalidated if such a trademark not only
contains but also consists of a geographical indica tion?  If so, please describe the conditions, if
any.
Answer:
Geographical names are protectable in Jordan.  In accordance with Article 8 (6 and 7) of the
current Trademarks Law provided that they are represented in special forms and to not give false
indication of origin.
(e) Patents
Question 246.
In its responses to several questions in WT/ACC/JOR/8 and WT/ACC/JOR/9, the Government
of Jordan acknowledged serious deficiencies in its patent law, including exclusion frompatentability for medical drugs and certain pharmaceuticals, as well process protection.  Jordan
also appears to have compulsory licensing prov isions that are not in conformity with TRIPs
requirements.
What is the status of the drafting of amendments to the patent law to bring it into conformity
with WTO TRIPs requirements?  Is Jordan currently receiving any technical assistance toexpedite the drafting of the necessary provisions?  When does the Government of Jordan expect
to complete the drafting of amendments to its patent law.  Please be prepared to update the
Working Party at the next meeting on the current status of the Government’s efforts to bring
the Jordanian patent law into co nformity with TRIPs obligations.
Answer:
Jordan has finished the drafting of the first release of the amended Patents Law.
Please note that the amended law before its enforcement will go through the following stages:
- the text of the law should be studied by all related sectors;
- the text of the law should be studied by the constitutional council and the legal
committee of the cabinet;
- the approval of the cabinet should be then obtained and further sent to the parliament
for final approval;
- after Parliamentary approval, it has to be approved by His Majesty the King.
Question 247.
How does the Government of Jordan intend to staff and equip the patent office to conduct
patent examinations?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 105
Answer:
The Government is planning to establish a special independent department for intellectual
property protection and the measures have been taken to staff and equip this department with the
competent officials and equipment.
Question 248.
The response to question 108 of WT/ACC/JOR/9 seems to indicate that patents for
pharmaceutical products will not be provided.  Please could Jordan clarify  how this complies
with Article 27 of TRIPs and with the reply to question 174 of WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Answer:
Patents for pharmaceutical products will be protectable in accordance with the provisions of
the new amended law, i.e. it will be with full conformity with TRIPs Article 27.
Question 249.
Referring to question 164-174 in WT/ACC/JOR/8 and question 108 in WT/ACC/JOR/9.  When
does Jordan intend to make chemical products, especially medical drugs and pharmaceutical
compositions of food, patentable?  How does Jordan intend to comply with the TRIPS
obligations contained in Articles 70.8 and 70.9 in this respect?
Answer:
Pharmaceutical compostions as well as food products will be patentable in accordance with
the new amended law.
The law has been drafted and is under consideration by all competent authorities and sectors.
In this respect please note the following:
- the protection of the final products of a patent which can be used as medical drugs,
pharmaceutical compositions and food products will be started at the beginning of theyear of the grace period Jordan is going to negotiate with Working Party members,
taking into account that Jordan wishes to take advantage of the grace period given in
Article 65 for the TRIPS Agreement for developing countries;
- the filing of patent applications that contain claims for medical drugs, pharmaceutical
compositions and food products will be accepted as from the date of enforcement ofthe law.
Question 250.
Could Jordan confirm that it will be amending its patent law to provide for a term of protection
not less that 20 years from the date of filing?
Answer:
The period of protection will be amended to twenty years in the new amended law.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 106
Question 251.
Referring to question 110 in WT/ACC/JOR/9.  What does "reasonable requirements of the
public" mean?
Answer:
The satisfaction of the public requirements shall not deemed to have been achieved according
to Article 22(5) of the Patent Law if:
- by reason of the default of the patentee to manufacture to and adequate extent and
supply on reasonable terms a patented article, any trade or industry in the Kingdom is
unfairly prejudiced or the demand for the patented article or the article produced by
the patented proceed is not reasonably met;
- any trade or industry in the Kingdom is unfairly prejudiced by conditions attached by
the patentee to the purchase or use of a patented article or to the working of the
patented process.
(g) Layout designs of integrated circuits
Question 252.
According to the responses to questions in WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan does not have a law to
protect layout designs of integrated circuits.
When does the Government of Jordan expect to enact legislation to satisfy the requirements of
TRIPs Section 6 (Articles 35-38)?
Answer:
WIPO has been requested to draft the required law.
Question 253.
According to the response to question 179 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, Jordan is planning to join the
Washington Treaty on Intellectual Property in Respect of Integrated Circuits in seven years.
Why does the Government intend to delay its accession to the Washington Treaty for seven
years?
Answer:
The Law needs to be studied carefully and the priority now is for the more urging laws.
 (h) Requirements on undisclosed information
Question 254.
Please provide a translated copy of the civil law provisions relating to the protection of
undisclosed information to the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working
Party.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 107
Answer:
Sections 5 (814) and (1+2) 818 of the Jordan Civil Code of 1976 provide protection for trade
secrets in the Employment Contracts.
Section 5 (814) stipulates that "Preserve the em ployers industrial and commercial secrets even
after the termination of the contract and as prescribed by the agreement or custom."
Section (818) stipulates that:(i) If the worker shall perform work which permits him to gain knowledge of the secrets
of the work and acquaintance with the customers of the establishment the two parties
may agree that the worker shall not compete with the employer or participate in
competitive work after the termination of the contract.
(ii) But the agreement shall not be acceptable unless it is restricted in the time place and
type of work to the extent necessary for the protection of the legitimate interests of
the employer.
Question 255.
Please describe the trade secrets that are protected under the civil law.  Please describe the legal
procedures and remedies available under the civil law for damages caused by unauthorized
disclosure of trade secrets.
Answer:
See answer to question 247 above.
Question 256.
Please describe any differences between the trade secrets protections available under existing
Jordanian civil law and the requirements of Article 10 bis of the Paris Convention, incorporated
by reference in Article 39 of the WTO TRIPS Agreement.
Answer:
The provisions of secret information protection included in the Civil Code are in conformity
with the TRIPS.
4. Enforcement
(a) Civil judicial procedures and remediesQuestion 257.
It is stated that the civil and criminal enforcement of copyright is contained in Articles 51 and
52 of the Copyright Law.  Please describe in more detail the possibilities which are provided to
enforce copyright.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 108
Answer:
Articles 46,47,48,49 and 50 have provisions how to deal with infringement of the rights of the
author.  Article 36 of the amended draft copyright Law gives the officers of the copyright office in the
Department of the National Library the status of judiciary officers in the courses of implementing the
provisions of this Law.
Question 258.
Please explain in detail what kind of sanction for the infringement of well-known trademarks
will be introduced by the amended trademark law.
Answer:
The sanction for the infringement of well-known trademarks is the same as for any registered
trademark as explained previously.  However, the use of a well-known trademark on goods and
services not protected will be considered as infringement also.
Question 259.
Please explain in more detail what kind of sanction for the infringement of patents is provided
by the patent law.
Answer:
According to the current law, in an action for infringement of a patent the patents owner shall
be entitled to relief by way of injunction and damages by court order.
In the amended law any third party imitates or uses a registered patent without the permission
of the patentee, or falsely indicate on that the article sold by him is a patented one will be imprisoned
for six months and pay a fine not less than JD 1,000-5,000.  In addition, a civil action can be initiated
for claiming damages according to the civil law.
Question 260.
According to the response to question 183 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Commodities Mark Law
No.  19 of 1953 provides the full range of relief  required by TRIPs, including injunctive relief,
damages, seizure and destruction of foreign goods, provisional relief, border relief and criminal
sanctions.
Please provide a translated copy of this law to  the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of
the Working Party.
Answer:
Copy of the Merchandise (Commodities Marks Law No. 19 of 1953) was sent to WTO
Secretariat. (WT/ACC/JOR/12)WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 109
(d) Any special border measures
Question 261.
Referring to question 150 in WT/ACC/JOR/8.  Under number 3 it is mentioned that customs
officials have the right not to allow the entry of  goods ... provided that a final decision has been
taken regarding such a matter.  Does this mean that there are not provisional border measures
foreseen under Jordanian law?
Answer:
There are no provisional border measures foreseen under Jordanian Law, and to stop the
importation of exportation of any infringing goods a final court order should be obtained first.  The
Minister of Industry and Trade after being notified of the court order shall send the court order to the
customs authorities and ask them to stop the importation or the exportation of the infringing goods.
5. Laws, decrees, regulations and other legal acts relating to the above
Question 262.Referring to question 101-103 in WT/ACC/JOR/9.  Does Jordan intend to comply with the
system of protection for geographical indicati ons, plant variety protection, layout designs of
integrated circuits and requirements on undisclosed information, including trade secrets and
test data according to the TRIPS Agreement?  When?
Answer:
The current law provides for the protection of geographical names in accordance with
Article 8(6 and 7) of the Trademarks Law provided that they are represented in special form and do
not give false indication of origin.
However, Jordan is considering a Law that will cover geographical indications, layout
designs, industrial designs, protection of undisclosed information and control of anti-competitivepractices in contracted licences.
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME
1. General
Question 263.
What is the current status of the preparation of a response to WT/ACC/5?  When will it be
provided to the WTO Secretariat for review by the Working Party?
Answer:
The WT/ACC/5 will be provided to WTO Secretariat before the next Working Party Meeting.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 110
2. Policies Affecting Trade in Services
Horizontal Legislation
Question 264.
Besides the maximum investment limits in the sections mentioned under (1) to (e), are there any
more such limitations regarding foreign investment?
Answer:
On 1 September 1997, the Regulation for the Promotion of non-Jordanian Investment No. 39
of 1997, had entered into force after the introduction of new provisions relating to the maximum
investment limits of foreign investments accordingly:
(a) the sectors where a non-Jordanian investor may own no more than 50 per cent of any
project or economic activity were reduced to just three sectors:
- construction trading;
- trading and trade services;- mining;
(b) the minimum amount of non-Jordanian investment in any project should be
JD 50,000, with the exemption of the participation in public shareholding companies.
Question 265.
Why is there such a provision as a minimum amount required for foreign investment?  Does
this provision only refer to projects mentioned under (a) to (c) or is it applicable to all projects
with foreign investment involved?
Answer:
The provision of the minimum amount required for foreign investment was issued in a by-law
pursuant to Article 24 of the Investment Promotion Law No. 16 of 1995, where the said articlestipulates that a bye-law should be issued for the purposes of determining the minimum foreign
capital allowed for investment and the maximum percentage of foreign ownership in certain projects
and sectors.
The provision of the minimum amount required for foreign investment applies to all projects
with foreign investment involved and not on ly to projects mentioned under (a) to (c).
3. Specific Services
(a) Financial services
Question 266.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, there are a number of limitations on the establishment of foreign
banks and branches, including "a banking system capability to absorb establishing new banks."
Please elaborate on the meaning of this limi tation, including any numerical limitations or
economic needs tests that may apply to establishing a directly-owned bank branch.  Are foreign-
owned bank branches required to secure a licence from Jordanian authorities and hence alsosubject to the general criteria for receiving licences as outlined in WT/ACC/JOR/3?WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 111
Answer:
This statement is not particular to foreign banks alone, it holds true for all new Banks.
Licensing banks  is justified by the need for these banks' services. New banks should offer new andinnovative services or target certain unaddressed needs.
No numerical limitations exist concerning establishing directly-owned foreign banks'
branches.  In addition, currently all legislations and by-laws are being reformed and amended with the
intention of issuing a new complete set.  This ov erhaul of banking legislations will eliminate any
remaining hurdles in the process of the complete opening up of the banking sector to foreign
investors.
The newly amended legislation for the promoti on of foreign investments (Regulation 39 for
1997), which came into effect on 1 September 1997, allowed non-Jordanians to fully own investmentsin all sectors of the economy (including banking)  except for the following three sectors:  mining,
trading, and construction.
Further modifications of licensing procedures, which would apply to both foreign and
domestic banks, are in the process of being developed along these lines:
(i) capital requirement;
(ii) the quality of management;
(iii) innovative or novelty services.
Question 267.
Also according to WT/ACC/JOR/3, any company wishing to establish a bank in Jordan must
obtain a licence from the Central Bank of Jordan, which is granted upon a justified "economicneed," and the bank must be a "public share holding company."  Criteria for granting licences
include:  general particulars of the economy and banking system situation; study of capitalmarket status; and, "services to be extended by the bank."
What is the rationale for applying this criteria?  Please describe the types of legal entities
subject to this licensing criteria.  Is there a numerical limit on the number of bank licences that
Jordan will approve for a wholly-owned bank subsidiary, or bank branch, or representativeoffice?
Answer:
As mentioned in the answer to the question above most of these criteria come from existing
legislation, which is being revised and changed.  The new legislation being developed will subjectboth domestically and foreign owned banks to the same criteria.  Again, it is imperative to emphasise
the non-existence of any numerical constraints on any type of foreign banks.  The only remainingdistinction between domestic and foreign banks will be the requirement for the former to be a "Public
share holding company".  Such a requirement does not hold for the latter.
Question 268.
Please specify the privileges of the "Housing Bank" and the "Industrial Development Bank".WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 112
Answer:
As of 1 May 1997 the Housing Bank was relicensed and announced as a fully-fledged regular
commercial bank under the name "The Housin g Bank:  A Commercial International Bank".
Therefore, all privileges awarded to it by virtue of being a specialized credit institution were
terminated by the Central Bank of Jordan.
Concerning the Industrial Development Bank, it is still one of the specialized credit
institutions.  Accordingly, the Central Bank of Jordan extends the bank advances at two percentage
points below the effective rediscount rate for refinancing the handicraft fund, and at one percentage
point below the effective rediscount rate for export promotion loans.  However, the refinancing
extended through this window is of limited amounts and scope.
Question 269.
What is meant by the licence granting criterium th at considers "services to be extended by the
bank?"  Are certain financial services prohibited by foreign financial institutions (FFIs)?  Areall financial services as defined in the GATS Annex on Financial Services permitted in Jordan
and allowed to be offered by FFIs?
Answer:
What is meant by the licence granting criterium "services to be extended by the bank" is
quality services that are considered an addition to what the market already has.
All financial services as defined in the GATS Annex on Financial Services are permitted in
Jordan and are allowed to be offered by FFIs, except for item (j-iii) derivative products, which is
permitted only for risk management purposes.
Question 270.
Please define "public share holding company."Answer:
The Companies Law, Law No. 22 of 1997, which came into effect on 15 June 1997 regulates
the establishment, formation and legal framework of  companies in Jordan.  The Law offers the full
definition and all other legal matters that relate to public shareholding companies.
The main features of this type of company which must be considered as an integral part of all
related articles of the Law are:
-   a public share holding company can be founded by any number of founders not less
than two, who own shares that are tradable and transferable;
- the founders are of limited liability;
- the founders must not have a share of capital that exceeds 75 per cent of total capital.
In case of banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies, the limit is
50 per cent and the number of founders must not be less than 50;
- the banking business cannot be conducted in any form other than that of a public
share holding company if it is domestically incorporated;WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 113
- the minimum authorised capital for a public share holding company is JD 0.5 million.
Foreign companies can register a company in Jordan, or operate in the form of  a  regional
office or branch.
Question 271.
Does a registered company include a wholly-own ed subsidiary of a foreign bank or securities
firm?  What limitations, if any, are imposed by Jordan on wholly-owned subsidiaries of aforeign bank or securities firm?
Answer:
Yes, a wholly-owned subsidiary of a foreign bank or securities firm can be registered as a
foreign company operating in Jordan after it receives the required licensing from the CBJ.
There are no limitations imposed on wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign banks or securities
firms.  Licensing criteria and other regulations appl y to both domestic and foreign banks.  According
to the law, foreign companies operating in Jordan  are treated on equal footing with domestic ones.
Question 272.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, a non-Jordanian can own no more than 50 per cent of any
project in, among other sectors, banking and insurance.
Please explain what constitutes a "project."  Is th is a 50 per cent limitation on the share that can
be owned by a single investor, including a foreign bank investor?  Can a domestic investor owna greater than 50 per cent interest in either the banking or insurance industries in Jordan?
Please explain the application and rationale for a 50 per cent limitation on foreign share holding
in banking and insurance projects, and any plans for its removal.
Answer:
A project is any investment in any sector of the economy.  The recently amended regulation
for the promotion of non-Jordanian investments No. 39 of 1997, removed the 50 per cent limitation on
foreign share holding in banking and insurance, thereby removing the distinction in this regard
between domestic and foreign investors.
Furthermore, the CBJ is preparing a regulation which is expected to require prior approval for
ownership in excess of a maximum limit that may be owned by a single investor.  This limit is
expected to apply equally to national and foreign investors. 
Question 273.
Foreign shareholders can be members of the boar d of directors, and be executive directors, in
either a branch, regional office, or a registered Jordanian company. Are there limitations on the
number of seats on a board which can be occupied by a foreigner or other voting ormanagement limitations?
Answer:
There are no limitations on the number of seats on any company board of directors which can
be occupied by a foreigner or other voting or management limitations.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 114
Question 274.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, licensed banks are limited to investing a maximum of 50
per cent of their foreign currency deposits in loans, and investin g in various types of sovereign
and corporate bonds and bills.
Please explain whether or not this limitation applies to both foreign and domestic licensed
banks.  Are there any other limitations imposed on FFIs in either lending activity or in thedealing in bonds or bills?
Answer:
This limitation, which was introduced on 22 August 1995 as a prudential measure which
aimed at securing the soundness of banks and applies equally to national and foreign banks.
Question 275.
According to WT/ACC/JOR/3, "authorized" banks are permitted to enter into forward
contracts in major currencies and each authoriz ed dealer is subject to a minimum quantitative
limit.
What criteria do authorities apply in deciding whether or not to authorize a bank to deal in
forward contracts?    What is the minimum qua ntitative limit each bank is authorized to deal
in?   What is the rationale for authorizing only certain banks and limiting the amount a bank
can deal in?  Can foreign financial institutions be authorized to engage in forward contracts?Please explain how this limitation is consistent with GATS Article XVI.
Answer:
Domestic and foreign banks alike are permitted to enter into forward contracts.  No minimum,
quantitative limit according to the new regulations, is required nor is any bank excluded from these
forward contracts.
The articles that regulate forward dealings are as follows (they apply to both domestic and
foreign banks):
Article  5 (a) Licensed banks may purchase any amount of foreign currencies from their
customers against the Jordanian dinar on a forward deal basis.
(b) Licensed banks may sell foreign currencies to their customers against the
Jordanian dinar on a forward deal basis to pay for imports to the Kingdom.
(b) Telecommunications Services
Question 276.
Could you please detail the plans to liberalize the telecommunications market?  Could you give
some information on future steps of liberalization in the telecommunications market envisaged?
Answer:
The telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) was established as an independent
regulatory body under the Telecom Law which came into force in October 1995.  The TRC has issued
the following licences:WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 115
- one GSM Service Operator;
- nine Data Service Providers;
- two Paging Operators;
- two Pay Phone Operators;
- three News Service Providers;
all of which are fully owned by private companies as a joint venture with foreign companies, and
none of them has any link with the National Operating Company, Jordan Telecom Company (JTC).
The next milestone is to issue the following Licences through a public tender in accordance
with Government Policy:
- two Trunking Operators;
- a second GSM Operator;
- privatization of JTC.
Question 277.
Could you please describe the economic structure of the telecommunications market in a more
detailed manner (e.g. listing a monopoly and exclusive rights, precise scope of the monopoly of
TCC, number of existing supplies besides TCC etc.)?
Answer:
An independent Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC), has been established
under the Telecom Law 1995 to facilitate a competitive market environment.  In particular, to
improve interconnection, resale, leased lines and the quality of services.  The private sector (local and
foreign investors) is already playing a substantial role in the sector as follows:
(a) Cellular Mobile Telephone (GSM)
GSM licence has been issued to a fully owned private company, not related to the National
Operator Company, Jordan Telecom Company-PSTN (JTC).
The second licence will be issued before the end of 1998.
(b) Paging service
Two licences have been issued to fully owned private companies not related to the Jordan
Telecom Company (JTC).
(c) Payphone Services
Two licences have been issued to fully owned private companies not related to the Jordan
Telecom Company (JTC).WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 116
(d) Data Services
Data service has been liberalized, now we have ten operators fully owned by private
companies not related to the Jordan Telecom Company (JTC)
(e) Trunking Service PAMR
Two licences will be issued to private companies through an open public bidding.
PSTN Service
The Jordan Telecom Company (JTC) which is fully owned by the Government is now the
monopolistic provider of public switched voice service and leased lines until 31 December 2002.
Question 278.
Are there exclusive rights in the field of mobile telephony and date communication?
Answer:
See the answer to question 277 above.
VII. INSTITUTIONAL BASIS FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH
THIRD COUNTRIES
1. Bilateral or Plurilateral Agreements Relating to Foreign Trade in Goods and Trade in
Services
Question 279.
Jordan states that it will not renew the tariff exemptions under the current bilateral trade
agreements when these agreements expire.  What  bilateral agreements with tariff exemption
provisions are currently in force?
Answer:
Please see answer to question 168 in WT/A CC/JOR/9 and answer to question 188 in
WT/ACC/JOR/8.
Question 280.
When will each of these agreements expire?
Answer:
The time has not been set yet, but it will be discussed in future joint meetings between Jordan
and the countries that have such preferential trade agreements.  It is the intention of Jordan to move tofree trade area arrangements.
Question 281.
According to the response to question 1 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Government of Jordan has
reviewed the current tariff exemption policies and has ceased authorizing any new exemptions.
The exemptions existing under the current bilateral trade agreements will also not be renewedonce the agreements currently in force expire.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 117
Please list each bilateral trade agreement curren tly in force and the date that it will expire.
Answer:
Please see answer to question 168 in document WT/ACC/JOR/9.
Question 282.
Is Jordan party to, or in the process of forming, an y trade arrangements that it will be seeking
to justify under Article of the GATT 1994 or Article V of the GATS?
Answer:
The question does not mention which article of GATT 1994 but it is probably referring to
Article XXIV.  Jordan signed the Arab Free Trade Area Agreement on 1 January 1998 which can be
justified under the enabling clause and under article XXIV of GATT 1994.  The Agreement does not
deal with services.
Question 283.
(WT/ACC/JOR/9, Question 6)  Jordan noted that is has bilateral trade agreements with ten
Arab countries and Israel.  Some items are given preferential treatment under those
agreements.  Could Jordan please provide a list (at the 6 digit HS level) of items that are given
preferential treatment and note the tariff levels?
Answer:
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment in the bilateral
agreement between Jordan and PNA. (Palestinian Products imported to Jordan).
Product H.S. Code
Sausages and similar products of meat, meat offal or blood food preparations based on these
products16.01
Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included (Halawa) 21.08
Insecticides 38.08
Printing ink 32.15
Base metal mountings, fitting and similar articles suitable for furniture, doors, staircase 83.02
Fruit juices and vegetables juices 20.09
Solar heating machinery 84.19
Floor coverings for cars (vulcanised rubber) 40.18
Women’s slips, petty coats, briefs, panties, nightdresses pyjamas Chapter 62,61
Executive cases 42.02
Foot wear, gaiters and the like Chapter 64
Electrical apparatus for switchi ng or protecting electrical 85.36
circuits, or for making connections to, or in electrical circuits 85.35
Machinery for the preparation of coffee 84.38
Table, kitchen or other household articles and part thereof of aluminum 78.15
Boards for electric control 85.37
Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels without frameworks, 88.4
for grinding sharpening ,polishing, truing or cutting. 68.5WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 118
Product H.S. Code
Men’s, boy and babies clothing and underpants Chapter 62.83
Wire, rods, tubes, plates electrodes and similar product 83.11
Weighing machinery 84.23
Hand saws, blades for saws of all kinds 82.02
Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwis e than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen 20.05
Nuts fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled 08.02
Dried vegetable 07.12
Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by vinegar or
acetic acid20.01
Ginger, saffron, turmeric, thyme, bay leaves 09.10
Soups 21.04
Prepared tunas 16.04
Smoked fish  3.05
Prepared salad 21.05
Screws 73.18
Statuettes and other ornamental ceramic articles 69.13
Ceramic tableware, kitchen ware other household articles 69.12
Sand stone merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including
square) shapes2516.22
Natural honey 04.09
Jams
Vinegar 22.09
Soap 34.01
Live sheep and goats 01.04
Edible offal of sheep 02.06
Knitted or crocheted fabrics 60.02
Wine of fresh grapes 22.04
Marble crude or roughly trimmed 2515.11
Printed books 49.01
Articles for fun fair 95.04
Glass ware of a kind used for table, kitchen, toilet 70.13
Smoking pipes 96.14
Unglazed ceramic, mosaic articles 69.07
Furnishing articles 63.04
Dolls 95.02
Saddler and harness for any animal 42.01
Articles of woods 44.21
Knives 82.11
Worked ivory 98.01
Wood marquetry and inlaid wood 44.20
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment by Jordan and Saudi
Arabia in the bilateral agreement between the two countries.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 119
Full Exemption
Product H.S. Code
Live chicks 01.05
Frozen poultry 0207.21
0207.22
0207.23
Other yogurt 0403.90
Butter and other fats derived from milk 04.05
Cheese and curd 04.05
Birds’ eggs for hatching 04.07
Natural honey 04.09
Other vegetable saps and extracts 1302.19
Lard stearin 15.03
Vegetable oil 15.07 - 15.15
Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions 15.1590 and 15.16 20
Other sugar confectionery 17.04.90
Food preparations of flour or malt extract for infant use 19.01
Homogenized vegetable 20.05.10
Homogenized preparation 20.07.10
Other prepared foods (chips) 19.05.90
Tomatoes prepared or preserved 20.02
Mushrooms and truffles 20.03
Other vegetables prepared  20.04
Other vegetables prepared or preserved not frozen 20.05
Fruit juices and vegetable juices 20.09
Prepared baking powders 21.02.30
Vinegar and substitutes 22.09
Preparation of a kind used in animal feeding 23.09
Sulphur of all kinds 25.03
Chalk 25.09
Natural calcium phosphates natural aluminum calcium Phosphates and phosphatic chalk 25.10
Marble crude or roughly trimmed 25.15.11
Marble merely cut 25.15.12
Gypsum 25.20
White cement, whether or not artificially coloured 25.23.21
Other alkali or alkaline - earth metals 28.05.19
Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) 28.06.10
Sulphuric acid 28.07
Ammonia 28.14
Sodium metasilicates 28.39.11
Other silicates 28.39.19
Ethylene 29.01.21WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 120
Product H.S. Code
Styrene 29.02.50
Ethyl chloride 29.03
Vinyl chloride 29.03
Sulphonated nitraded or nitrosated derivatives of hydrocarbon 29.04
Methanol (methyl alcohol) 29.05.11
Propylene glycol 29.05.32
Phenol 29.07.11
Other halogenated 29.80
Acetone 29.14.11
Acetic acid 29.15.21
Esters of methacrylic acid 29.16.14
Carboxylic acids with additional oxygen 29.18
Carboximide-function compounds 29.25
Hetrocyelic compounds 29.33
Other organo-inorganic compounds 29.31.00
Melamine 29.31.61
Other acyclic hydrocarbons 29.01.29
Human and veterinary medicines  30.3,30.4
Other wadding gauze, bandages and similar articles 30.05.90
Fertilizers chapter 31
Paints and varnishes 32.08-32.12
Printing ink 32.15
Soap 34.01
Organic surface-active agents 34.02
Gelatin 35.03.00
Matches 36.05.00
Photographic paper 37.03
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides 38.08
Ethylene glycol 29.05.31
Phenolic resins 39.09.40
Polyacetals, other polyethers and expoxide resins 39.07-39.14
Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strips of plastics 39.21
Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94 39.01.10
Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more 39.01.20
Polymers of styrene 39.03.11 and 39.03.19
Polymers of vinylacetate of other vinylesters 39.05
Polymers of vinyl chloride 39.04
Acrylic polymers 39.06
Petroleum resins 39.11
Synthetic rubber 40.02
Other basketwork, wickerwork 46.02.90
Cigarette paper in the form of booklet 48.13.10
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing contains of paper 48.19
School books 48.20WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 121
Product H.S. Code
Man-made filaments Chapter 51-Chapter 54
Woven fabrics of carded wool or of carded fine animal hair 51.11-51.12
Cotton sewing thread 52.04-52.07
Embroidery in the piece, in strips or in motifs 58.10
Twine, cordage, ropes and cables whether or not plaited or braided 56.07
Knitted or crocheted fabrics Chapter 60
Articles of apparel and clothing accesso ries knitted or crocheted Chapter 61
Curtains 63.02
Other furnishing articles 64.04
Other hats and headgear 65.05.90
Floor clothes-dish-cloths dusters and similar cleaning clothes 63.07.10
Outer soles and heels of rubber or plastics 64.06.20
Building stone 68.02
Articles of cement 68.10
Other refractory ceramic goods 69.03
Ceramic pipes 69.06
Float glass and surface gr ound or polished glass 70.05
Glass bottles jars 70.10
Glass fibres 70.19
Pig iron and spiegeleisen in pigs, blocks or other primary forms 72.01
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles seamless of iron 73.04-73.06
Tube or pipe fitting of iron or steel 73.07
Other articles of iron steel 73.26.90
Reservoirs tanks, vats and similar containers for any material of iron or steel 73.09
Containers for compressed or liquefied gas of iron or steel 73.11
Screws 73.18
Springs and leaves for springs of iron or steel 73.20
Stoves 73.21
Table kitchen or other household or articles and parts 73.23
Sanitary ware and parts thereof of iron or steel 73.24
Other articles of iron or steel 73.26
Copper bars, rods and profiles 74.07
Other aluminum cans 76.12.90
Table kitchen or other household and other parts of aluminum 76.15.10
Other articles of aluminum 76.16.99
Filing cabinets 83.04
Wire, rods used for soldering 83.11
Pumps for agriculture 84.13.81
Air conditioning machines 84.15
Solar heaters 84.19.19
Oil or petrol-filters for inte rnal combustion engines 84.21.23
Intake air filters for internal combustion engines 84.21.31
Parts of mechanical appliances  84.24.90
Lifts and skip hoists 84.28.10WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 122
Product H.S. Code
Poultry incubators and brooders 84-36-29-84.36.21
Crushing or grinding machines 84.74.20
Ballast for discharge lamps or tubes 85.04.10
Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters 85.16.10
Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting el ectrical circuits or fo r making connections to
or in electrical circuits85.35 and 85.36
Insulated wire, cable 85.44
Electrical insulators for any materials 85.46
Baby carriages 87.15
Other vehicles 87.10.80
Electricity meters 90.28.30
Liquid meters 90.28.20
Seats 94.01
Other furniture and parts thereof 94.03
Mattresses  94.04.21 and
94.04.29
Worked ivory, bone, horn antlers, coral and other animal carving material 96.01
Brushes 96.03
Bicycles 87.12
Babies prams 95.01
Ball point pens 96.08.10
66 Per Cent Duty Exemption
Products H.S. Code
Mineral waters 22.01
Undenatured ethyl alcohol 22.07
Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 per cent vol. or higher 22.07.10
Ethyl alcohol and other spirits denatured of any strength 22.07.20
Other undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume less than 80 per cent vol. 22.08.90
Solid sodium hydroxide 28.15.11
In aqueous solution (soda lye or liquid soda) 28.15.12
Other hypochlorites 28.28.90
Perfumes and toilet waters 33.03-33.07
Polypropylene 39.02.10
Articles for conveyance or packing of goods of plastics 39.23-39.24
Suit-case, trunks, vanity-cases, executive cases, brief cases 42.02
Other articles of wood 44.21.90
Doors and their frames and threshold 44.18.20
Carpets and other textile floor coverings Chapter 57
Footwear 64.01-64.05
Rock wool  68.06WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 123
Products H.S. Code
Glass mirrors 70.09
Angles shapes and sections 73.01.20
Prefabricated building 94.06.00
Structures and parts of structures of iron or steel 73.08
Other structures of iron or steel 73.08.90
Nails 73.17
Radiators for central heating 73.22
Base metal mounting fittings and similar articles suitable for furniture, doors and windows 83.02
Refrigerators freezers 84.18
Dish washing machines 84.22
Weighing machinery (scales) 84.23
Drying machines 84.51
Primary cells and primary batteries 85.06
Electric accumulation including separators therefor 85.07
Aerials and aerial reflectors 85.29
Other apparatus 85.31.10
Linings  87.08.31
Other mounted brake linings 87.08.39
Radiators 87.08.91
Silencers and exhaust pipes 87.08.92
The following table shows the items that are given preferential treatment by both countries in
the bilateral agreement between Jordan and Israel.
100 Per Cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Vegetable oil 511-1513
Margarine 151710
Fatty acids 1519
Glycerin 1520
Chocolate 180620
Chocolate 180630
Chocolate 180690 ex
Mineral water 220110
Animal feed ex 2309 ch 23
Animal feed 23091090 2309909
Glass ore 2506
Kaolin 2507
Gypsum 2520
Cement 2523
Feldspar  252910
Chlorine 2801WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 124
Product H.S. Code
Calcium carbonates 2836
Pharmaceutical products 3002-3004
Pharmaceutical products 3006
Paints 3208
Paints 3209
Paints 3210
Painters fillings 3214
Inks 3215
Glues 3501
Diagnostic reagent 3822
Alkide resins 390750 ex
Roes, yarns of plastic ex.90603916
Yarns 5306-5308
Textile fabrics 5309-5310
Heater wicks 5908
Belts 5910
Footwear upper 640610
Umbrellas 6601
Marble tiles and building stones 6802
Rolls of bitumen and asphalt 6807
Roofing tiles 690510
Metal pipes 7304
Copper pipes fittings 7412
Kitchen and tableware 7615
Furniture accessories and locks 8301-8302
Pumps and compressors 8413-8414
Bakery equipment 841720
Chillers and cooling equipment 84186960
Coffee grinding and roasting machines 8419 ex
Car filterse ex 8421
Agricultural ploughs 843210
Bakery equipment 843810
Moulds  8480
Food mixers 850940
Hair driers 851631
Video cassette recorders 8521
Audio video cassettes 852310
T.V. 8528
T.V. antennas and satellite dishes 8529
Electric bells 853180
Lenses 9001
Lenses 9002
Medical syringes 901831
Children’s toys 9501
Children’s toys 9502WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 125
Product H.S. Code
Children’s toys 9503
Empty gelatin capsules 9602ex, 10590ex
Ball point pens and pencils 960810
50 per cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Chewing gum 170410
Sweets and confectionery 170490
Halawa 7049010
Dry yeast 2102000
Alcoholic beverages 2208
Animal feed 2309
Tobacco and cigarettes 24-ch
Fertilisers exc. ammonium fertiliserc 31-ch
Perfumes 3303
Cosmetics 3307
Detergents 3401-3402
Glues 350520
Pesticides 3803
Plastic pipes 3917
Kitchen and tableware 3924
Fibre glass (tanks) and swimming pools products 3925
Rubber products 4014-4017
Luggage and suitcases 420210
Leather garments and products 4203
Computer forms ex 4811-4823
Labels 4821
Non wovens for industry 5603
Die-cutters, grinding and polishing stones 6804
Ceramic tiles 6908
Sanitary ware 6910
Lab.utensils 7017
Fibre glass products ex 2090,31907019
Metal pipes 7306
Metal pipes 7306
Steel meshes 7314
Gas heaters, cooker and ovens 7321
Copper bars 7407
Metal wire 7407
Copper pipe s fittings 7412
Aluminum profiles 7604
Steel safes 8303
Air-conditioning equipments 8415WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 126
Product H.S. Code
Elevators 8428
Washing and ironing machines 845130-40
Electric accumulators 8507
Brake pads 8708,4016
Frames for spectacles 9003
Furniture 9401
Furniture 9402
Furniture 9403
Mattresses and fillings 940429
Brushes and sweepers 9603
Disposable gas lighters  9613110
30 per cent Tariff Duty Reduction
Product H.S. Code
Glues and binding materials 3506
Matches 3605
Ropes-yarns of plastic 3916
Thermo pipes 3917
School supplies of plastic 392610
Conveyor belts 4010
Articles of rubber 4016
Filter blocks of paper pulp 4812
Card board boxes 4819
School note books 4820
Yarns 5106-5110
Textiles (fabrics) 5111-5113
Yarns 5205-5207
Textiles (fabrics) 5208-5212
Yarns 5402-5407
Textiles (fabrics) 5408
Yarns 5509-5511
Textiles (fabrics) 5512-5516
Clothing 61,62 chaps.
Blankets 6301
Building blocks and bricks 6810
Glass sheets and glass sheets used for automobiles 7004-7005-7007
Steel bars for buildings 7214-7215-7217
Conveyor belts ex 7314
Nails, bolts screws and locks 7317-73118-7320
Ladders (metal and aluminum) 7326-7616
Central heating and steam boilers 8402-8403
Chillers and cooling equipment 8418
Solar energy heaters 8419WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 127
Product H.S. Code
Water filters 8421 ex
Taps, cocks, valves 8481
Electrical transformers 8504
Electric water heaters 8516 ex
Electrical switches and breakers, electrical sockets 8535-8536
Electrical cables and wires 8544
Mattress supports 9404203
Question 284.
In WT/ACC/JOR/8 (reply to question 42) Jordan has provided examples of agricultural
products exempt from customs duties under bilateral trade agreements with Arab countries,
Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.  Ca n Jordan confirm that the products listed are
the only products exempt from such duties?
Answer:
These are the only products exempted under the agreement with Lebanon.  There are some
variations from country to another.
Please find below the agricultural products that Jordan imports from the countries that it has
agricultural agenda with excluding Lebanon which is found in answer to question 42 in
WT/ACC/JOR/8.  They are Yemen, Oman, National Palestinian Authority and Israel.
Jordan’s imports according to agricultural agenda from:
Oman
Product Period of Importing
White pumpkin 1 - November – April
Yellow pumpkin 1- January – April
Lemons (Lome kind) June – July
Dates all year
Omani gum all year
Fresh and dry cocoa nuts all year
Avocado July- August
Yemen
Product Period of Importing
Papayas All year
Mango 1 April - 30 July
Qishta (fruit) 1 April - 30 August
Okra 1 December - 31 March
Bananas 1 to 3 JulyWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 128
National Palestinian Authority
Product Period of Importing
Guavas 1 September to end of season
Dates All year
Lemons 15 April to end of season
Valencia oranges 15 April to end of season
Shamouti oranges 1 March to end of season
Grapefruit and Pomalo 15 January to end of season
Table grapes 1 November to end of season
Grapes for processing According to need
Bananas According to need
Green almonds During the season
Honey All year
Fresh fish All year
Sweet potato All year
Cactus fruit During the season
Various small plants According to season
Citrus fruit for processing According to need
Onions & Potatoes According to need
Small onions for planting According to needWT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 129
Israel:
There is no specific list.  Jordan imports from Israel according to need.  Israel in return
imports an amount equal to 50 metric tons from agricultural products according to its needs.
Question 285.
Are these seasonal arrangements subject also to quantitative restrictions?
Answer:
No they are not subject to quantitative restrictions.  Israel puts a ceiling of 50 tons on what it
imports from Jordan.
Question 286.
Can Jordan confirm that this preferential treatmen t is provided only to those countries listed?
Answer:
This preferential treatment is provided to the countries referred to in answer to question 269
above.
Question 287.
What MFN treatment does Jordan provide for those products?
Answer:
These products can be imported from all other countries and they have to pay the MFN tariff
rate.
2. Economic Integration, Customs Union and Free Trade Agreements
Question 288.
Please give details of each preferential agreement if such information has not already been
notified to WTO by WTO Members.
Answer:
Please see answer to questions 163 and 168(m) in WT/ACC/JOR/9.
Question 289.
In the reply to Question 163, WT/ACC/JOR/9, Jordan states that they "lately initiated dialogue
with most of these countries to end protocol trade and move toward free trade on a bilateral
basis"  Question 167, WT/ACC/JOR/9. Please give details of progress on the modification of the
Agreement for Facilitating and Developing Trade Exchange Among Arab States to a Free
Trade Area Agreement.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 130
Answer:
The Agreement for Facilitating and Developing Trade Exchange Among Arab States has been
modified and it is now called Arab Free Trade Area.  Seventeen Arab countries signed the Agreement.
The implementation should start as of 1 January 1998.  So far  Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Kuwait,
Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan have announced their commitment to start implementation of the
Agreement on reciprocal basis.  Tariff between member countries will be eliminated over a ten yearperiod at 10 per cent annually.
Question 290.
Please provide a translated copy of the Jordan-Lebanon Agreement to the WTO Secretariat
prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
We have the agreement only in Arabic.  If you like to have it in that form we will provide it to
you.
Question 291.
(Question 171, WT/ACC/JOR/9.)  Has the preferen tial trade agreement with Lebanon now been
reviewed?  If so, please provide details.
Answer:
The preferential trade agreement with Lebanon has not been reviewed yet.
Question 292.
Please provide a translated copy of the Jorda n-Iraq Trade Agreement to the WTO Secretariat
prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
The bilateral agreement with Iraq is like any standard bilateral agreement with other Arab
countries.  However, the Trade Protocol which is part of the agreement fixes the yearly total value for
goods to be exported to or imported from Iraq.
The imports from Iraq are crude oil and the exports to Iraq are goods allowed under the UN
Programme oil for food.
Question 293.
Please provide a translated copy of the Jorda n-European Communities Partnership Agreement
to the WTO Secretariat prior to the next meeting of the Working Party.
Answer:
A copy will be provided as required.WT/ACC/JOR/13
Page 131
Question 294.
According to the response to question 191 of WT/ACC/JOR/8, the Jordan-European
Communities Partnership Agreement excludes some products originated in the EC from
preferential treatment.  Agricultural products will have a different set of measures for entry
into the European Communities Market.
Please identify the EC products, including HS numbers, that are excluded from the partnership
agreement.
Answer:
See chapter 2 of EU-Jordan agreement on agricultural products and protocol 2 attached to that
agreement, which concerns the arrangements appl icable to the importation into Jordan of the
agricultural products originating in the comm unity. (See also article 10 of the agreement).
Question 295.
Please identify the agricultural products, includ ing HS numbers, that are subject to a different
set of measures in the EC Market.  Please desc ribe the measures that apply to each of these
products.
Answer:
See answer to question 123 above.
Question 296.
What percentage of the total amount of good s imported from the European Communities
receives preferential access pursuant to the partnership agreement?  What is the trade-weighted
average tariff rate applicable to imports from the European Communities pursuant to the
partnership agreement?
Answer:
The partnership agreement is expected to become effective in 1999, and after that we will
have information available that will help us address such inquiries.
Question 297.
(Question 173, WT/ACC/JOR/9.)  When will the Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and
Egypt be effective?  Please provide information on the percentage of trade covered by (a) duty
free trade and (b) tariff reductions.
Answer:
The Free Trade Area Agreement between Jordan and Egypt is not effective yet, because
Egypt has not ratified the agreement.
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