Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-II§24 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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In 2015, Iceland and the European Union concluded new bilateral agreements on agricultural products and GIs under the auspices of the EEA Article 19. The new agreements, which will supersede the previously applicable agreement, will increase market access for agriculture by significantly increasing the number of agricultural products granted duty-free status by Iceland to more than 800 tariff lines, and with reduced tariffs on nearly 200 tariff lines. This results in duty-free trade on nearly all processed agricultural products and above 90% of trade of basic agricultural products. At the same time, many bilateral quotas are increased to gain better access and new ones created; the agreement now provides for Iceland to grant quotas under nine categories of products [31], and the European Union under eight categories. (...)
[31] Beef, pig meat, poultry, poultry – organic/free-range, meat (salted, dried, or smoked), cheese, sausages, and processed meat products.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-II§50 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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Iceland also offers incentives pursuant to EU regulations. EU Regulation No. 651/2014 provides the legal basis for Iceland pursuant to the EEA to offer training aid, aid to SMEs, and to environmental protection investment projects.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§47 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes, Tax concessions |
Chemicals, Manufacturing, Other |
Relevant information
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Since 1 January 2006, pursuant to Iceland's commitments under the EU Directive on packaging and packaging waste , Iceland has levied a recycling fee upon importation on all cardboard, paper, and plastic packaging waste. Certain other categories of products (listed by HS code) are also subject to a recycling or disposal fee upon importation – oil products, organic solvents, halogenated compounds, isocyanates and polyurethanes, paint, printing inks, batteries and accumulators, photographic products, mercury products, pesticides, refrigerants, tyres, motor vehicles, synthetic fishing gear, and electrical and electronic equipment. [49] Importers, at the time of importation, should declare the net weight of all packaging imported into Iceland on the basis of which a fee is levied and collected by Customs. Exported packaging is exempt from the fee provided the exporter can demonstrate the packaging will be transported out of the country. The recycling fees on domestic packaging are collected by regional tax authorities in the same manner as the excise tax. The recycling fee is collected in a recycling fund which is managed by a seven-member board. The fees are then channelled to cooperatives operated by local authorities to offset their costs of operating waste collection and disposal facilities. The fund has been running a surplus in recent years and has set aside the additional amounts for future liabilities. The recycling fee varies depending on type of packaging or product concerned. The fees have been updated several times; as of January 2017, the recycling fee for paper/paperboard packaging was ISK 15/kg and for plastic packaging ISK 16/kg; fees for other products vary considerably, e.g. ISK 0.20/kg for certain oils, ISK 2,880/kg for certain photographic products, and ISK 707/piece for certain batteries for vehicles. In 2015, the recycling fees levied on imported goods amounted to ISK 1,147.2 million.
[49] The law (Act No. 162/2002) provides for a special exemption for manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic devices if they have their own system for the collection of electric and electronic waste in the country and dispose of it appropriately.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§52 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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The general excise duty was abolished as of 1 January 2015. However, a specific excise is still charged on certain motor vehicles (e.g. rental cars, taxis, etc.), based on CO2 emissions. (...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§54 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Internal taxes |
Energy |
Relevant information
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(...) A carbon tax is also charged on domestic and imported carbon based fuels as a specific duty per litre which varies by product based on its emissions. (...)
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§55 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Import licences |
Chemicals, Other |
Relevant information
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Iceland maintains a number of measures that either prohibit or restrict imports. Many of these measures are long-standing, although there have been a few developments during the review period as outlined below. Eight categories of restrictions or prohibitions on imports are maintained and several relate to international agreements such as CITES, Montreal Protocol, etc. (Table 3.5). (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§56 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Import licences |
Other |
Relevant information
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Other developments during the period include changes to the product coverage and the enumeration of certain exemptions in 2014 to CITES. Certain sharks were added to the coverage, while certain whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sharks were excluded through the exemptions.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-Table-III.5 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition, Import licences |
Chemicals, Other |
Relevant information
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Table 3.5 Prohibitions or restrictions on imports, 2017
Product Measure Legislation
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Certain animal and plant species pursuant to CITES Restriction Regulation No. 813/2014 amending Regulation No. 829/2005.
Asbestos and products containing asbestos Prohibition Act No. 61/2013, Chemicals Act, amending Act 52/1988 on toxic and dangerous substances.
Ozone-depleting substances Prohibition Act No. 61/2013, Chemicals Act, amending Act No. 52/1988 on toxic and dangerous substances; Act No. 7/1998 on public health and pollution control; and Regulation No. 586/2002 on substances that deplete the ozone layer
PCBs Prohibition Act No. 52/1988 on toxic and dangerous substances; Regulation No. 489/1988 on the import, use and disposal of PCBs
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-III§60 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Ban/Prohibition |
Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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Amendments were made in 2013 to the Law on Radiation , which clarified a number of provisions related to nuclear and radioactive material/equipment. In particular, the amendments prohibited the importation of certain goods (food, feed, toys, jewellery and cosmetics) to which radioactive substances have been added.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/361 |
S-Table-III.6 |
Iceland |
2017 |
Measures |
Import licences |
Chemicals, Manufacturing |
Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Products subject to import licensing, 2017
Product Regime Automatic/non-automatic Legislation
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Toxic and hazardous substances To ensure the safe handling of the materials and to control the quantity of imported goods Non-automatic Act No. 52/1988
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Nuclear and radioactive material/equipment Requires prior approval and following the regulations of the Radiation Safety Authority Non-automatic Act No. 44/2002, Act No. 121/2013
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