The Republic of the Philippines, 2001The Republic of the Philippines, 2001 Chapter 1 : Tariffs

Chapter 1 : Tariffs

 

Objective

 

APEC Economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific Region by :

 

(a)           Progressively reducing tariff measures

 

(b)          Ensuring the transparency of APEC economies’ respective tariff measures

 

 

Guidelines

 

Each APEC economy will:

 

(a)                 take into account, in the process of progressive reduction of tariff measures, intra-APEC trade trends, economic interests and sectors or products related to industries in which this process may have positive impact on trade and on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region;

 

(b)                ensure that the progressive reduction of tariffs is not undermined by the application of unjustifiable measures; and

 

(c)                 consider extending, on a voluntary basis, to all APEC economies the benefits of reductions and eliminations derived from sub-regional arrangements.

 

 

Collective Actions

 

APEC Economies have agreed to take Collective Actions to help achieve these goals.  These actions are contained in Collective Action Plans (CAPs) which are updated annually. The current CAP relating to tariffs can be found in the Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures Collective Action Plan. 

 

 

The Philippines's  Approach to Tariffs in 2001

 

           

The Philippines continues to pursue the Tariff Reform Program, a comprehensive review and rationalization of the country’s tariff structure which started in 1980.  The Tariff Reform Program calls for the progressive reduction in applied rates of duty. The targeted final rate under the Program is a uniform rate of 5% by year 2004, except for “sensitive” agricultural products. “Sensitive” agricultural products relate to those agricultural products the quantitative restrictions of which were lifted and converted into tariff equivalents under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (please see Attachment A for the list of “sensitive” agricultural products).  

 

            The Philippines continues to reduce bound tariffs in line with WTO commitments. It has eliminated tariffs on substantially all information technology products by the agreed timetable of 2000 under the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA).

 

            The Philippines participates in the Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (CEPT-AFTA). Under the CEPT Scheme, the Philippines will reduce tariffs to 0-5% by 2002, with some flexibility. Tariffs on 60% of the products included in the CEPT Scheme will be reduced to 0% by 2003; those on “sensitive” agricultural products to a range of 0-5% by 2010

 


 

 

Case Study of a Tariff Liberalisation Initiative

                       

 

The ongoing Tariff Reform Program is considered the most significant tariff liberalization initiative ever undertaken, on a most-favored-nation basis, by the Philippine Government as it would bring down to 5% tariffs across all product sectors, with the exception of “sensitive” agricultural products.* The magnitude of the tariff reductions may be gleaned from the table below which show the simple average applied tariffs by sector prevailing in 1996 and in 2001.

 

 

                                    Sector                                                   1996                 2001    

 

            All goods                                                               13.99                6.70

            Agriculture excluding fish**                                         17.94                6.59

            Fish and fish products                                                            19.80                8.87

            Petroleum oils                                                               5.40                  3.00

            Wood, pulp, paper and furniture                                     17.59                8.45

            Textiles and clothing                                                       21.19                12.64

            Leather, rubber, footwear and travel goods             17.60                7.64

            Metals                                                                          13.77                6.17

            Chemical and photographic supplies                                    7.69                  4.35

            Transport equipment                                                      14.33                8.21

            Non-electric machinery                                                         6.25                  3.29

            Electric machinery                                                         13.13                5.39

            Mineral products, precious stones and metals                    10.44                5.43

            Manufactured articles, n.e.s.                                        15.65                5.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*           The figures provided for this sector do not include "sensitive" agriculture products.


The Philippines'  Approach to Tariffs in 2001

Section

Improvements Implemented Since Last IAP

Current Tariff Arrangements

Further Improvements Planned

 

Bound Tariffs

 

 

 

Reduced bound tariffs in line with WTO commitments.  As a result, the simple average bound tariff fell from 27.59% in 2000 to 27.53% in 2001.

 

 

 

The Philippines continues to reduce bound tariffs in line with WTO commitments. 63% of the Philippines’ total tariff lines are bound under the WTO. Tariffs on industrial products, except textiles, reached their bound levels in 1999. Tariffs on agricultural and textile products are being reduced and will reach their bound levels in 2003 and 2004, respectively.  

 

The contact person for further information is:

 

The Chairman

Tariff Commission

Philippine Heart Center Building

East Avenue, Diliman

Quezon City

 

Tel: (632) 926-2805

Fax: (632) 921-7960

E-mail: tarcm@pworld.net.ph

 

The Philippines will continue to reduce bound tariffs on agricultural and textile products as per WTO commitments.

 

Applied Tariffs

 

 

 

Reduced the simple average applied tariff from 6.90% in 2000 to 6.70% in 2001.

 

The Philippines is implementing the Tariff Reform Program that calls for the progressive reduction of applied tariffs. The targeted final rate is a uniform rate of 5%, except “sensitive” agricultural products. 

 

Tariffs for products covered under the Early Voluntary Sectoral Liberalization (EVSL) initiative are being reduced in line with the Tariff Reform Program.

 

Detailed information on the Philippines’ applied tariffs may be obtained from http://www.apectariff.org/tdb.cgi

 

The contact person for further information is:

 

 

 

The Chairman

Tariff Commission

Philippine Heart Center Building

East Avenue, Diliman

Quezon City

 

Tel: (632) 926-2805

Fax: (632) 921-7960

E-mail: tarcm@pworld.net.ph

 

 

The Philippines will progressively reduce applied tariffs in line with the Tariff Reform Program.

 

Tariff Quotas

 

 

 

Increased tariff quotas in  line with WTO commitments.

 

The Philippines maintains tariff quotas for “sensitive” agricultural products, the quantitative restrictions of which were lifted and converted into tariff equivalents under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. These products include live animals (except live bovine animals), pork, sheep or goat meat, poultry meat, potatoes, coffee, maize and sugar.

 

The contact person for further information is:

 

The  Chairman

Tariff Commission

Philippine Heart Center Building

East Avenue, Diliman

Quezon City, Philippines

 

Tel:  (632) 926-2805

Fax: (632) 921-7960

E-mail:  tarcm@pworld.net.ph

 

 

The Philippines will gradually expand tariff quotas according to WTO commitments.

 

Tariff Preferences

 

 

Reduced the simple average preferential tariff from 4.53% in 2000 to 3.87% in 2001.

 

The Philippines participates in the Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme for the ASEAN Free Trade Area (CEPT-AFTA). As of 2000, the Philippines has phased in 100% of all manufactured products in the CEPT Scheme, with preferential tariffs of 20% and below.  90% of products in the Philippines’ Inclusion List are now dutiable at 0-5%. 

 

The contact point for further information is:

 

The National AFTA Unit

Bureau of International Trade Relations

Department of Trade and Industry

361 Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue

Makati City 1200 Philippines

 

Tel: (632) 890-5149

Fax: (632) 890-4812

E-mail: bitr@dti.gov.ph

 

Under the CEPT Scheme, the Philippines will:

 

-           reduce tariffs to 0-5% by             2002, with some             flexibility;

 

-           reduce tariffs on 60% of             the products included in              the CEPT Scheme to             0% by 2003; and

 

-           reduce tariffs on             “sensitive” agricultural             products to a range of

             0% - 5% by 2010

 

Transparency of Tariff Regime

 

 

 

No improvements implemented.

 

The Philippines conducts public hearings/consultations on petitions for tariff modification as well as Philippine participation in tariff schemes, e.g., WTO, CEPT-AFTA and EVSL. Tariff changes are published in two newspapers of general circulation before they take effect. The Philippines also provides updates on tariff changes to the APEC Tariff Database and the WTO Integrated Database.

 

The contact person for further information is:

 

The Chairman

Tariff Commission

Philippine Heart Center Building

East Avenue, Diliman

Quezon City

 

Tel: (632) 926-2805

Fax: (632) 921-7960

E-mail: tarcm@pworld.net.ph

 

No further improvements are required.

 



Improvements in Japan’s Approach to Tariff  Measures since 1996

Section

Position at Base Year (1996)

Cumulative Improvements Implemented to Date

 

Bound Tariffs

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines’ simple average bound tariff stood at 31.56%.

 

Reduced the simple average bound tariff to 27.53% (1997-2001).

 

Applied Tariffs

 

 

 

In 1996, the Tariff Reform Program was already being implemented, including the progressive reduction of tariffs on products covered under EVSL. The simple average tariff was 13.99%; those on EVSL sectors were as follows:

 

>  environmental goods – 6.14%

>  fish and fish products – 19.12%

>  toys  - 25.45%

>  gems and jewelry – 9.11%

>  medical equipment and instruments - 3.58%

>  forest products – 17.89%

>  oilseeds and oilseed products – 18.09%

>  chemicals – 6.39%

>  natural and synthetic rubber -  4.84%

>  fertilizers – 3.47%

>  food sector – 28.02%

>  energy sector – 9.15%

>  automotive – 14.80%

>  civil aircraft  - 11.46%

 

Reduced the simple average applied tariff to 6.70% (1997-2001).

 

The simple average applied tariffs on EVSL sectors have been reduced significantly:

 

>  environmental goods - 3.21%

>  fish and fish products - 8.78%

>  toys  - 7.48%

>  gems and jewelry - 5.56%

>  medical equipment and instruments - 3.00%

>  forest products - 8.70%

>  oilseeds and oilseed products - 6.76%

>  chemicals - 3.51%

>  natural and synthetic rubber -  2.68%

>  fertilizers - 1.34%

>  food sector - 12.28%

>  energy sector - 5.20%

>  automotive - 6.83%

>  civil aircraft  - 6.02%

 

Tariff Quotas

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines had already promulgated the administrative order providing for the gradual expansion of tariff quotas according to WTO commitments.

 

Gradually increased tariff quotas according to WTO commitments (1997-2001).

 

Tariff Preferences

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines had already signed on to the CEPT-AFTA Scheme. The simple average preferential tariff was at 10.56%.

 

Reduced the simple average preferential tariff to 3.87%  (1997-2001).

 

 

 

Transparency of Tariff Regime

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines was already conducting public hearings/consultations on petitions for tariff modifications. Updates were being provided to the APEC Tariff Database and the WTO Integrated Database.

 

 

 


 

APEC INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN:  TARIFF SUMMARY REPORT FOR 2000

(PLEASE COMPLETE BOXES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Goods

Agriculture excluding Fish

Fish and Fish Products

Petroleum Oils

Wood, Pulp, Paper and Furniture

Textiles and Clothing

Leather, Rubber, Footwear and Travel Goods

Metals

Chemical & Photographic Supplies

Transport Equipment

Non-Electric Machinery

Electric Machinery

Mineral Products, Precious Stones & Metals

Manufactured Articles, n.e.s

ITEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bound tariff lines as a percentage of all lines

64.25

12.08

0.11

*

2.04

14.65

1.15

3.70

11.70

0.97

7.43

4.11

2.37

3.94

Duty-free tariff lines as a percentage of all lines

5.86

0.78

0.07

-

0.15

0.04

0.07

0.15

0.33

0.24

1.64

1.57

0.31

0.51

Preferential tariff lines as a percentage of all lines

99.73

11.53

1.99

0.18

5.44

14.85

3.16

11.79

16.42

3.01

10.35

7.04

5.68

8.28

Ratio of tariff lines with quotas to all lines

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Simple average bound tariff rate

27.53

39.51

34.00

*

24.48

32.14

33.09

25.98

20.20

20.00

18.83

21.05

22.81

24.16

Simple average applied tariff rate

6.70

6.59

8.87

3.00

8.45

12.64

7.64

6.17

4.35

8.21

3.29

5.39

5.43

5.35

Simple average applied preferential tariff rate - indicate for

each preferential arrangement

3.87

4.03

5.41

3.00

4.57

4.72

4.24

3.73

3.39

6.24

2.82

2.92

3.82

3.60

Average applied tariff rate for all lines subject to duty

7.11

7.07

9.21

3.00

8.68

12.67

7.82

6.25

4.44

8.93

3.91

6.92

5.74

5.69

Import-weighted average applied tariff rate - specify FOB

or CIF

3.93

8.90

3.35

3.00

7.46

9.08

8.74

5.10

5.93

8.52

2.17

1.92

4.47

4.20

Import-weighted average bound tariff rate - specify FOB

or CIF

19.52

34.85

10.83

*

22.07

29.94

28.67

24.18

21.51

12.72

28.28

6.28

13.65

16.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                * No tariff binding was offered on this product group  (petroleum oils).

 

                        -   The figures do not include "sensitive" agricultural products under E.O. 313 and E.O. 328.

                        -   Preferential  tariff rates refer to CEPT-AFTA rates.

                        -   Import-weighted average tariff rates are based on 2000 CI

 


 

APEC INDIVIDUAL ACTION PLAN:  TARIFF DISPERSION TABLE FOR 2000

(PLEASE COMPLETE BOXES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Goods

Agriculture excluding Fish

Fish and Fish Products

Petroleum Oils

Wood, Pulp, Paper and Furniture

Textiles and Clothing

Leather, Rubber, Footwear and Travel Goods

Metals

Chemical & Photographic Supplies

Transport Equipment

Non-Electric Machinery

Electric Machinery

Mineral Products, Precious Stones & Metals

Manufactured Articles, n.e.s

NUMBER OF TARIFFS AT OR BETWEEN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

321

43

4

-

8

2

4

8

18

13

90

86

17

28

0%

3,055

319

28

10

120

195

81

417

726

88

421

179

199

272

0%<X<=5%

1,181

180

38

-

101

278

35

117

88

34

41

76

51

142

5%<X<=10%

464

86

39

-

27

11

53

84

65

2

15

14

43

25

10%<X<=15%

435

2

-

-

42

328

-

20

2

6

-

32

-

3

15%<X<=20%

24

4

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

20

-

-

-

-

>20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific

5,480

634

109

10

298

814

173

646

899

163

567

387

310

470

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                 Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                       Excludes "sensitive" agriculture products under E.O. 313 and E.O. 328

 

 



List of “Sensitive” Agricultural Products

List of “Sensitive” Agricultural Products

 

HDG No.

Description

01.02

Live bovine animals other than pure-bred breeding animals and feeder cattle weighing not more than 330 kg

01.03

Live swine, other than pure-bred breeding animals

01.04

Live goats other than pure-bred breeding animals

01.05

Live poultry, that is to say, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls other than for breeding and game cocks.

02.01

Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled

02.02

Meat of bovine animals, frozen

02.03

Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen

02.04

Meat of goats, fresh, chilled or frozen,

02.07

Meat and edible offal, of the poultry of heading No. 01.05, fresh, chilled or frozen

02.10

Meat and edible meat offal (other than bovine meat), salted, in brine, dried or smoked, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or meat offal

07.01

Potatoes, fresh of chilled other than seed potatoes

07.03

Onions, shallots and garlic, fresh or chilled

07.04

Cabbages, fresh or chilled

07.14

Manioc and sweet potatoes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets

09.01

Coffee, whether or not roasted or decaffeinated; coffee husks and skins; coffee substitutes containing coffee in any proportion.

10.01

Wheat used as feeds

10.02

Rye

10.03

Barley

10.04

Oats

10.05

Maize (corn) other than seed

10.06

Rice

10.07

Grain sorghum

10.08

Other cereals

11.03

Groats and meal of wheat (other than durum semolina), of oats, of maize (corn), of rice and of other cereals. 

11.04

Other worked grains (for example, hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled) of barley, of oats, of maize (corn) and of other cereals.

16.01

Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood; food preparations based on these products

16.02

Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood

17.01

Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form

21.01

Extracts, essence and concentrates of coffee and preparations with a basis of these extracts, essences or concentrates or with a basis of coffee

23.02

Bran, sharps and other residues of maize (corn), whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from the sifting, milling or other working

23.06

Oil-cake and other solid residues of maize (corn), whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of fats or oils

23.09

Animal feeds

 



Chapter 2 : Non-Tariff Measures

Chapter 2 : Non-Tariff Measures

 

Objective

 

APEC Economies will achieve free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific Region by :

 

(a)           Progressively reducing non-tariff measures

 

(b)          Ensuring the transparency of APEC economies’ respective non-tariff measures

 

 

Guidelines

 

Each APEC economy will:

 

(a)                 take into account, in the process of progressive reduction of non-tariff measures, intra-APEC trade trends, economic interests and sectors or products related to industries in which this process may have positive impact on trade and on economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region;

 

(b)                ensure that the progressive reduction of non-tariff measures is not undermined by the application of unjustifiable measures; and

 

(c)                 consider extending, on a voluntary basis, to all APEC economies the benefits of reductions and eliminations of non-tariff measures.

 

 

Collective Actions

 

APEC Economies have agreed to take collective actions to help achieve these goals.  These actions are contained in Collective Action Plans (CAPs) which are updated annually.  The current CAP relating to non-tariff measures can be found in the Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures Collective Action Plan.

 

 

The Philippines' Approach to non-Tariff Measures in 2001

 

The Philippines continues to pursue its import liberalization program which calls for the elimination of non-tariff measures other than those necessary to: (a) safeguard public health, safety, security and welfare; and (b) meet international treaty obligations related to the regulation of certain products/commodities as well as medical, scientific and other legitimate needs of the country.

 

In addition, the Philippines maintains export licensing requirements for certain products classified as: (a) “regulated” for reasons of national interest and international agreements; and (b) “prohibited” for environmental reasons or to conserve depletable raw materials.  Regulated and prohibited export products require export clearance from the appropriate government agencies. Exports classified as prohibited may not be exported except for scientific and testing purposes. 

 

To ensure the transparency of its non-tariff measures, the Philippines, through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), maintains a list of regulated commodities which is circularized and made available to the public.  The Philippines fulfills annual notification obligations to WTO bodies such as the Committee on Import Licensing. 

 

 

 


 

 

Case Study of an NTM Reduction or Elimination Initiative

 

none

 


The Philippines' Approach to Non-Tariff Measures in 2001

Section

Improvements Implemented Since Last IAP

Current Non-Tariff Measures Applied

Further Improvements Planned

 

Quantitative Import Restrictions/

Prohibitions

 

 

 

 

 

The Philippines maintains quantitative import restrictions on rice as per flexibility provided under Annex 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.  See import licensing

 

 

Quantitative Export Restrictions/

Prohibitions

 

 

 

 

See export licensing

 

 

Import Levies

 

 

 

 

No import levies collected.

 

 

Export Levies

 

 

 

 

No export levies collected.

 

 

Discretionary Import Licensing

 

 

 

 

No discretionary import licensing maintained.     

 

 

Automatic Import Licensing

 

 

 

 

Import licensing is intended mainly to safeguard public health, safety, security and welfare and to meet international treaty obligations related to the regulation of certain products as well as medical, scientific and other needs of the country.  It is also used to administer the tariff quotas (minimum access volumes (MAV)) for sensitive agricultural products the quantitative restrictions of which were lifted and converted into tariff equivalents, as part of the Philippines’ commitment under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.

 

The list of regulated/prohibited products the importation of which requires clearance/permits from appropriate government agencies include:

 

-           Dangerous drugs and exempt dangerous drug preparations

-           Precursors (various chemicals for the manufacture of             dangerous drugs)

-           Diagnostic kits for drugs of abuse

-           Rice

-           Cyanide, cyanide compounds and chlorofluorocarbons

-           Asbestos

-           Penicillin and its derivatives

-           Mercury and mercury compounds

-           Color reproduction machines

-           Various chemicals for the manufacture of explosives

-           Firearms, ammunitions and parts

-           Pesticides, including agricultural chemicals

-           Used motor vehicles, parts and components

-           Used tires and tubes, used

-           Warships

-           Coins, banknotes and gold

-           Video machines

-           Used clothing

-           Toy guns

-           Radioactive materials

 

Products subject to tariff quotas include live animals (except live bovine animals), pork, sheep or goat meat, poultry meat, potatoes, coffee, maize and sugar.The contact points for further information are:

 

The Director

Bureau of International Trade Relations

Department of Trade and Industry

361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave.

Makati City 1200 Philippines

 

Tel: (632) 890-4883

Fax: (632) 890-4812

E-mail: bitr@dti.gov.ph

 

The Executive Director

MAV Secretariat

Department of Agriculture

Elliptical Road, DilimanQuezon City,

Philippines

 

Tel: (632) 920-1786

Fax: (632) 920-1786

 

 

The Philippines will:·      

 

-           review existing non-tariff             measures; and

 

-           update NTM             notifications, as may be             necessary.

 

Discretionary Export Licensing

 

 

 

 

 

Export licensing is required for certain products classified as: (a) “regulated” for reasons of national interest and international agreements; and (b) “prohibited” for environmental reasons or to conserve depletable raw materials.  Regulated and prohibited export products require export clearance from the appropriate government agencies. Exports classified as prohibited may not be exported except for scientific and testing purposes. 

 

The list of regulated items include those required as a result of the existence of quotas in other countries such as garments and textiles and sugar. Others include: copper concentrates; all plants, planting materials and plant products capable of harboring pests, insect specimens, live and dead; animals, animal products and animal effects; coffee; antiques, cultural artifacts and historical relics; logs, poles and piles and lumber.

 

Prohibited items include: abaca and ramie seeds, seedlings, suckers and root stocks; buri seeds and seedlings, buri fibres; mangrove; Bangus fry; Mother Bangus; prawn-spawner and fry; certain species of plant and animal wildlife and shells; matured coconuts and coconut seedlings; stalactites and stalagmites; and certain raw materials of cottage industries like bamboo, rattan and buri fibres.

See voluntary export restraints

 

The contact point for further information is:

 

The Director

Bureau of International Trade Relations

Department of Trade and Industry

361 Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue

Makati City 1200 Philippines

 

Tel: (632) 890-4883

Fax: (632) 890-4812

E-mail: bitr@dti.gov.ph

 

 

The Philippines will:

 

-           review existing non-tariff             measures; and

 

-           update NTM             notifications, as may be             necessary.

 

Voluntary Export Restraints

 

 

 

 

 

The Philippines maintains bilateral quotas on exports of textiles and garments to Canada, the European Union and the United States. The Philippines is also a member of the International Sugar Agreement and the International Coffee Agreement. It has quota covering the export of sugar to the United States.

 

See export licensing

 

The contact points for further information are:

 

The Executive Director

Garments and Textile Export Board

357 Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue

Makati City 1200 Philippines

 

Tel: (632) 890-4810

Fax: (632) 890-4653

 

The Administrator

Sugar Regulatory Administration

North Avenue, DilimanQuezon City

Tel: (632) 9204367

Fax: (632) 920 4325

 

 

 

Export Subsidies

 

 

 

 

No exported subsidies granted.

 

 

Minimum Import Prices

 

 

 

 

No minimum import prices maintained.

 

 

Other Non-Tariff

Measures Maintained

 

 

 

 

 



Improvements in  the Philippines' Approach to Non-Tariff Measures since 1996

Section

Position at Base Year (1996)

Cumulative Improvements Implemented to Date

 

General Policy

Position

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines was pursuing an import liberalization program which called for the elimination of non-tariff measures other than those maintained for reasons of health, safety and national security reasons.  The Philippines’ remaining NTMs affecting imports were on rice and those necessary for health, safety and national security reasons.

 

 

Disinvoked GATT Article XVIII:B (restrictions for balance of payments reasons), subject to a phased elimination of restrictions until December 1997.       

 

Quantitative Import Restrictions/

Prohibitions

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines maintained quantitative import restrictions on rice as per flexibility provided under Annex 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.

 

 

 

Quantitative Export Restrictions/

Prohibitions

 

 

 

See export licensing

 

 

Import Levies

 

 

 

No import levies were collected.      

 

 

 

Export Levies

 

 

 

No export levies were collected.

 

 

Discretionary Import Licensing

 

 

No discretionary import licensing requirements were maintained.

 

 

 

Automatic Import Licensing

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines maintained import licensing requirements to safeguard public health, safety, security and welfare and to meet international treaty obligations.

 

 

 

Discretionary Export Licensing

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines maintained export licensing requirements for products classified as  “regulated” for reasons of national interest and international agreements and “prohibited” for environmental reasons or to conserve depletable raw materials. 

 

 

 

Voluntary Export Restraints

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines had bilateral quotas on exports of textiles and garments to Canada, the European Union and the United States. It was already a member of the International Sugar Agreement and the International Coffee Agreement and maintained a quota covering the export of sugar to the United States.     

 

 

 

Export Subsidies

 

 

 

No export subsidies were granted.

 

 

Minimum Import Prices

 

 

 

In 1996, the Philippines was using the Home Consumption Value as the method of valuation for customs purposes.

 

Shifted to transaction value as method of valuation for customs purposes beginning 1 January 2000.

 

Other Non-Tariff

Measures Maintained

 

 

 

 

 



Chapter 3 : Services