Experience-sharing on transparency in spotlight at import licensing committee meeting

Public and private sector representatives joined the Committee on Import Licensing's second experience-sharing session on 4 June, focusing on improving WTO members' transparency and notification compliance. Speakers from Cambodia, the European Union, Myanmar, Thailand and the United States shared practices on notifications, public-private cooperation, access to information and digitalization of licensing procedures. The Committee also reviewed recent notifications, addressed 12 specific trade concerns and heard an EU presentation on its Electronic System for Agricultural Non-Customs Formalities during its regular session.

Experience-sharing on transparency in spotlight at import licensing committee meeting

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• Import licensing

Experience-sharing session

The Committee's second experience-sharing session explored how greater transparency, improved notification practices, digital tools and public-private engagement can support more predictable import licensing procedures.

Speakers highlighted the importance of providing traders with clear, accessible and up-to-date information on licensing requirements, noting that transparency can reduce uncertainty, facilitate compliance and lower trade costs.

The discussion also underscored the role of inter-agency coordination and digitalization in improving licensing procedures. Examples included national single windows, electronic licensing systems and data-sharing arrangements that can enhance transparency and reduce administrative burdens. Speakers noted that digital tools are most effective when supported by clear rules and practical guidance for traders.

Participants also highlighted the importance of transparency obligations under the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. They noted that timely notifications and readily available information on applicable procedures can help traders navigate licensing requirements and support the effective implementation of import licensing systems.

Notifications

The Chair, Mr Tiago Serras Rodrigues (Portugal), informed members that since the last Committee meeting in October 2025, a total of 55 notifications were received under various provisions of the Agreement on Import Licensing.�

Specifically, 23 notifications of the annual questionnaire were submitted under Article 7.3 of the Agreement since the last Committee meeting, the Chair said. Article 7.3 mandates members to complete the questionnaire on import licensing procedures promptly and in full.

The Chair said the figures show a familiar pattern - 21 members have yet to submit a single reply to the annual questionnaire since joining the WTO, and 13 members have never submitted any notification under the Agreement. These figures have changed marginally over the past five years, with only a handful of members notifying legislation or the questionnaire for the first time, he noted.�

On the positive side, the Chair welcomed first-time notifications from the WTO's newest members, Comoros and Timor-Leste.�

The Chair encouraged those members that have not submitted notifications to consider ways to begin engaging with their notification obligations, including reaching out to the WTO Secretariat for support where appropriate.

Specific trade concerns

The Committee addressed 12 trade concerns at the 4 June meeting, covering the import licensing regimes of various products. Three of these concerns were raised for the first time, while the others were raised at the Committee's�previous meeting�in October 2025 or at earlier� meetings:

• Egypt's import licensing requirements for certain agricultural and processed products, raised by the European Union;
• India's quality control for plywood and wooden flush door shutters, raised by Indonesia;
• India's importation of pneumatic tyres, raised by the European Union, Indonesia and Thailand;
• India's import licensing measures on personal computers, tablets and other electronic products, raised by Japan;
• India's import licensing suspension for refurbished medical devices, raised by the United States;
• India's furniture quality control order, raised by Indonesia
• Indonesia's commodity balancing mechanism, raised by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom;
• Indonesia's import licensing regime for certain textile products, raised by Japan;
• Indonesia's compulsory registration by importers of steel products, raised by Japan;
• Indonesia's import restriction on air conditioners, raised by Japan;
• Mexico's steel mills cancellation, raised by Indonesia;
• Thailand's import procedures for wheat feed, raised by the European Union.

EU presentation on agricultural non-customs formalities

The Committee also heard a presentation� by the European Union on the implementation and transitional application of the European Union's Electronic System for Agricultural Non-Customs Formalities (ELAN).�

Next meeting

The Chair said the next Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for 15 October 2026.

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