At a meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Import Licensing on 10 October 2025, the chair reported on his efforts to work with members on improving transparency in licensing notification procedures. The committee also reviewed 11 specific trade concerns raised by members, a very high number for a committee meeting.
Transparency
Import licensing refers to administrative procedures requiring the submission of an application or other documentation to relevant authorities as a prior condition for importing goods into a country or customs territory. Members are required to publish all rules and information concerning import licensing procedures to enable traders to understand them and ensure that these remain neutral and no more administratively burdensome than necessary.
The chair of the committee from Portugal noted that the committee had worked over the years on improving transparency in licensing procedures and that it was important the committee continue this work. The chair said that in September he had consulted with members on how to advance work on transparency issues further.
In these consultations, several delegations emphasised the importance of improving the timeliness and coverage of notifications, the chair said, as members’ low response rates to the annual questionnaire on import licensing procedures remain a significant concern. A recurring theme was the need to provide more targeted support to members struggling with notifications. Members also agreed that sharing experiences and best practices could help improve compliance rates, with some citing engagement with the private sector as necessary in highlighting the practical value of notifications.
Members took the floor to share their views on how to advance the transparency work of the committee. The chair noted members’ strong interest in advancing work on transparency issues. It said he would continue consultations with interested delegations.
Specific trade concerns
The committee addressed 11 trade concerns at the 10 October 2025 meeting, covering the import licensing regimes of various products. All but one of the concerns were raised at the committee’s previous meeting in May:
- The European Union (EU) raised Egypt’s import licensing requirements for certain agricultural and processed products.
- Indonesia has raised India’s quality control for plywood and wooden flush door shutters.
- India’s importation of pneumatic tyres, raised by Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Thailand;
- India’s import licensing measures on personal computers, tablets and other electronic products, raised by Japan;
- India’s amended import policy for gold and potassium cyanide imports, raised by Indonesia.
- The EU and Japan raised Indonesia’s commodity balancing mechanism.
- Japan raised Indonesia’s import licensing regime for certain textile products.
- Japan raised Indonesia’s compulsory registration of steel products by importers.
- Japan raised Indonesia’s import restriction on air conditioners.
- Indonesia’s importer registration requests for agricultural, food, and drink products have been raised by the United Kingdom (UK).
- India raised Türkiye’s import restrictions on two-wheelers.
Next meeting
The next committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for 26 May 2026.