Licensing procedures (export and import)

Export licensing procedure

“Export licensing procedure” means an administrative procedure, whether or not referred to as licensing, used for the operation of export licensing regimes, requiring the submission of an application or other documentation, other than that generally required for customs clearance purposes, to the relevant administrative body as a prior condition for exportation from the customs territory.

Import licensing procedure

“Import licensing procedure” means an administrative procedure, whether or not referred to as licensing, used for the operation of import licensing regimes, requiring the submission of an application or other documentation, other than that generally required for customs clearance purposes, to the relevant administrative body or bodies as a prior condition for importation into the territory of the importing customs territory. 

Example 

Thailand applies a discretionary import licensing procedure on worked monumental and building stones including cut and polished marble and granite. Importers need to obtain prior authorisation from the Ministry of Commerce and importation is only authorised for the quantity needed for specified construction projects. Cut and polished stones cannot be imported for other purposes (e.g. kitchen counters, furniture). This licensing system, while aiming at protecting marble processing industry, can be operated as a de facto import restriction to the Thai market. That said, Thailand has never spelled out these licensing criteria in a written form.

Source of the definition

EU - UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Access2Markets database