REPORT (2021) OF THE COMMITTEE ON IMPORT LICENSING
TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS

1.       The Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures (hereinafter "the Agreement") which entered into force on 1 January 1995, establishes disciplines on users of import licensing systems with the principal objective of ensuring that the procedures applied for granting import licences do not in themselves restrict trade. It aims to simplify, clarify and minimize the administrative requirements necessary to obtain import licences.

2.       The Committee on Import Licensing was established to afford Members the opportunity of consulting on any matter relating to the operation of the Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives. The Committee's Rules of Procedure, which were approved by the Council for Trade in Goods, are contained in document G/L/147.

3.       All Members of the WTO are ipso facto members of the Committee. Observer governments in the General Council of the WTO have Observer status in the Committee. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and UNCTAD have regular observer status in the Committee.

4.       The focus of this report is on the period since the Committee's last annual report (G/L/1369), namely 10 October 2020 – 8 October 2021 (hereinafter "the reporting period"). In 2021, the Committee held two formal meetings, on 21 April 2021 (G/LIC/M/52), under the chairpersonship of Ms Stephania Aquilina (Malta), and on 8 October 2021 (G/LIC/M/53 to be issued), under the chairpersonship of Mr. Hsin-lung Hung (Chinese Taipei). Due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and related restrictions of in-person activities, the Committee meeting of 21 April 2021 took place in virtual mode only, while the Committee meeting of 8 October 2021 took place in hybrid mode with in-person and remote attendance. The Committee also held one informal meeting, which took place in hybrid mode, on 20 September 2021, under the chairpersonship of Mr. Hsin-lung Hung (Chinese Taipei). On 2 August 2021, through written procedures, the Committee elected Mr. Hsin‑lung Hung (Chinese Taipei) by acclamation as Chairperson of the Committee for 2021.^[1] Pursuant to the Committee's Rules of Procedure, the officers shall hold office until the end of the first meeting of the following year.

5.       Pursuant to Articles 1.4(a) and/or 8.2(b) of the Agreement and procedures agreed by the Committee, all Members are required to notify their laws, regulations, and administrative procedures relevant to import licensing and to submit copies of any relevant publications or laws and regulations upon becoming a WTO Member. Any subsequent changes to these laws, regulations, and administrative procedures are also required to be published and notified. Pursuant to subparagraphs 1‑4 of Article 5, Members are also required to notify the institution of new import licensing procedures or changes in these procedures to the Committee within 60 days of publication. To streamline notification procedures, a notification form, circulated in document G/LIC/28, was adopted by the Committee, at its formal meeting on 4 April 2019, to be used by Members on a voluntary basis for notifications under Article 5.1-5.4, Article 1.4(a), and Article 8.2(b) of the Agreement. These notifications can be found in document series G/LIC/N/2/-.