INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 2017 CHANGES INTO
WTO SCHEDULES OF CONCESSIONS

Draft Waiver Decision

The General Council,

Having regard to Articles IV:2 and IX:3 of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (the "WTO Agreement");

Recognizing that the adoption of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (hereinafter referred to as the "Harmonized System") has, in addition to facilitating international trade and the analysis of trade statistics, ensured greater uniformity in countries' customs classification, thus enabling them to monitor and protect the value of tariff concessions;

Noting that, in accordance with Article 16 of the Harmonized System Convention, the Council of the World Customs Organization adopted a Recommendation on 27 June 2014 concerning amendments to the Harmonized System which will come into force on 1 January 2017, and that a second Recommendation was adopted on 11 June 2015, which includes corrections and complementary amendments to Chapter 44 (both amendments are collectively hereinafter referred to as "HS2017 changes");