Modifying the Rates of Duty on Certain Imported Articles to Implement Tariff Commitments in Highly Sensitive List (AKFTA)

April 16, 2012 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 73 MODIFYING THE RATES OF DUTY ON CERTAINIMPORTED ARTICLES AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE TARIFF AND CUSTOMSCODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (T CC P), AS AMENDED, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE PHILIPPINETARIFF COMMITMENTS ON CERTAIN PRODUCTSINCLUDED IN THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE LIST UNDER THE ASSOCIATIONOF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)-KOREA FREE TRADEAREA (AKFTA) WHEREAS, the ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea ("The Parties") signed the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation ("Framework Agreement") on 13 December 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; TCHcAE WHEREAS, Articles 1.3 and 2.1 of the Framework Agreement reflect the Parties' commitment to establish the AKFTA covering trade in goods; WHEREAS, to achieve the objective of the Framework Agreement, the Agreement on Trade in Goods (TIG) or the "TIG Agreement" was signed by the Economic Ministers of the Parties on 24 August 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; WHEREAS, Article 3 (2) (b) of the TIG Agreement provides that tariff lines placed in the Sensitive Track by each Party on its own accord shall have their respective applied Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates reduced or eliminated in accordance with the modalities set out in Annex 2 of the TIG Agreement; WHEREAS, Section 4 of Annex 2 of the TIG Agreement provides that the Parties shall reduce the MFN rates on products in the Highly Sensitive List to not more than 50% in Group A not later than 2016 and to not less than 20% in Group B not later than 2016; WHEREAS, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board recommended on 16 January 2012, on ad referendum basis, the tariff reduction schedules of certain tariff lines under the Highly Sensitive Lists; and WHEREAS, Section 402 of the TCCP, as amended, authorizes the President of the Philippines, upon the recommendation of NEDA, to modify import duties (including any necessary change in classification) and other import restrictions, as are required or appropriate to carry out and promote foreign trade with other countries. cHSIDa NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order: SECTION 1. Reduction of Tariff Rates on Articles in the Highly Sensitive List. The articles specifically listed in the Annex hereof, as classified under Section 104 of the TCCP, as amended, shall be subject to the rates of import duty as indicated in Column 4 of the Annex. SECTION 2. Applicable AKFTA Rate. For the Republic of Korea and the ASEAN 9 ( i.e., Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam), the applicable rate shall be the AKFTA rate subject to the submission of the proper Certificate of Origin (CO) Form AK. Pursuant to Section 1313 (a) of the TCCP, as amended, the Tariff Commission may, upon request, issue tariff classification rulings to confirm the applicable rates of duty of particular products subject to this section. SECTION 3. Rates for Articles in the Annex Subject to Rules of Origin. From the date of effectivity of this Executive Order, all articles listed in the Annex entered into, or withdrawn from warehouses in the Philippines for consumption shall be imposed the rates of duty therein prescribed, subject to compliance with the Rules of Origin as provided for in Article 5 of the TIG Agreement. SECTION 4. Right of Recourse. Nothing in this Executive Order shall preclude the Philippines from invoking its right of recourse to all trade remedy measures provided for in its laws, the TIG Agreement and other relevant international agreements, as an effective device against import surges. SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All issuances, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Executive Order are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Executive Order is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting. SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. This Executive Order shall take effect upon publication in a newspaper of general publication. DONE in the City of Manila, this 16th day of April, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twelve. ScTIAH ANNEX ARTICLES GRANTED TARIFF CONCESSION UNDER THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE LIST OF THE ASEAN-KOREA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT Hdg. No. AHTN 2007 Description Applicable AKFTA Rate of Duty (%) Starting 01 January 2016 (1) (2) (3) (4) 01.03 Live swine. - Other: 0103.91.00 - - Weighing less than 50 kg: 0103.91.00A - - - In-Quota 24 0103.91.00B - - - Out-Quota 28 0103.92.00 - - Weighing 50 kg or more: 0103.92.00A - - - In-Quota 24 0103.92.00B - - - Out-Quota 28 01.05 Live poultry, that is to say, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowls. - Weighing not more than 185 g: 0105.11 - - Fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 0105.11.90 - - - Other: 0105.11.90A - - - - In-Quota 28 0105.11.90B - - - - Out-Quota 28 - Other: 0105.94 - - Fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 0105.94.90A - - - - In-Quota 28 0105.94.90B - - - - Out-Quota 32 02.03 Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen. - Fresh or chilled: 0203.11.00 - - Carcasses and half-carcasses: 0203.11.00A - - - In-Quota 24 0203.11.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0203.12.00 - - Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in: 0203.12.00A - - - In-Quota: 24 0203.12.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0203.19.00 - - Other: 0203.19.00A - - - Pork bellies, In-Quota 24 0203.19.00B - - - Pork bellies, Out-Quota 32 0203.19.00C - - - Fore-ends and cuts thereof; In-Quota 24 0203.19.00D - - - Fore-ends and cuts thereof, Out-Quota 32 0203.19.00E - - - Other, In-Quota 24 0203.19.00F - - - Other, Out-Quota 32 - Frozen: 0203.21.00 - - Carcasses and half-carcasses: 0203.21.00A - - - In-Quota 24 0203.21.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0203.22.00 - - Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in: 0203.22.00A - - - In-Quota 24 0203.22.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0203.29.00 - - Other: 0203.29.00A - - - Pork bellies, In-Quota 24 0203.29.00B - - - Pork bellies, Out-Quota 32 0203.29.00C - - - Fore-ends and cuts thereof, In-Quota 24 0203.29.00D - - - Fore-ends and cuts thereof, Out-Quota 32 0203.29.00E - - - Other, In-Quota 24 0203.29.00F - - - Other, Out-Quota 32 02.07 Meat and edible offal, of the poultry of heading 01.05, fresh, chilled or frozen. - Of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 0207.11.00 - - Not cut in pieces, fresh or chilled: 0207.11.00A - - - In-Quota 32 0207.11.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.12.00 - - Not cut in pieces, frozen: 0207.12.00A - - - In-Quota 32 0207.12.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.13.00 - - Cuts and offal, fresh or chilled: 0207.13.00A - - - In-Quota 32 0207.13.00B - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.14 - - Cuts and offal, frozen: 0207.14.10 - - - Wings: 0207.14.10A - - - - In-Quota 32 0207.14.10B - - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.14.20 - - - Thighs: 0207.14.20A - - - - In-Quota 32 0207.14.20B - - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.14.30 - - - Livers: 0207.14.30A - - - - In-Quota 32 0207.14.30B - - - - Out-Quota 32 0207.14.90 - - - Other: 0207.14.90A - - - - Mechanically deboned or separated meat 32 0207.14.90B - - - - Other, In-Quota 32 0207.14.90C - - - - Other, Out-Quota 32 07.01 Potatoes, fresh or chilled. 0701.90.00 - Other: 0701.90.00A - - In-Quota 32 0701.90.00B - - Out-Quota 32 07.03 Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceaus vegetables, fresh or chilled. 0703.10 - Onions and shallots: - - Onions: 0703.10.11 - - - Bulbs for propagation 32 0703.10.19 - - - Other 32 - - Shallots: 0703.10.21 - - - Bulbs for propagation 32 0703.10.29 - - - Other 32 0703.20 - Garlic: 0703.20.10 - - Bulbs for propagation 32 0703.20.90 - - Other 32 07.04 Cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar edible brassicas, fresh or chilled. 0704.10 - Cauliflowers and headed broccoli: 0704.10.10 - - Cauliflowers 20 0704.10.20 - - Headed broccoli 20 0704.90 - Other: 0704.90.10 - - Cabbages 32 07.05 Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.), fresh or chilled. - Lettuce: 0705.11.00 - - Cabbage lettuce (head lettuce) 20 07.06 Carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, salsify, celeriac, radishes and similar edible roots, fresh or chilled. 0706.10 - Carrots and turnips: 0706.10.10 - - Carrots 32 07.11 Vegetables provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption. 0711.90 - Other vegetables; mixtures of vegetables: 0711.90.10 - - Sweet corn 16 0711.90.20 - - Chillies 16 0711.90.40 - - Onions, preserved by sulphur dioxide gas 32 0711.90.50 - - Onions, preserved other than by sulphur dioxide gas 16 0711.90.60 - - Other, preserved by sulphur dioxide gas 16 0711.90.90 - - Other 16 07.14 Manioc, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artichokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots and tubers with high starch or inulin content, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets; sago pith. 0714.10 - Manioc(cassava): - - Sliced or in the form of pellets: 0714.10.11 - - - Dried chips 32 0714.10.19 - - - Other 32 0714.10.90 - - Other 32 0714.20.00 - Sweet potatoes 32 10.05 Maize (corn). 1005.90 - Other: 1005.90.90 - - Other: 1005.90.90A - - - In-Quota 28 1005.90.90B - - - Out-Quota 40 11.08 Starches; inulin. - Starches: 1108.12.00 - - Maize (corn) starch 16 39.01 Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms. 3901.10 - Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94: 3901.10.30 - - In the form of liquids or pastes 12 3901.10.90 - - Other 12 3901.20.00 - Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more 12 39.02 Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary forms. 3902.10 - Polypropylene: 3902.10.10 - - Powder 12 3902.10.20 - - Granules 12 3902.10.90 - - Other: 3902.10.90A - - - Chlorinated polypropylene for use in printing ink 12 3902.10.90B - - - Other 12 39.03 Polymers of styrene, in primary forms. - Polystyrene: 3903.11.00 - - Expansible: 3903.11.00A - - - In powder form 12 3903.11.00B - - - Other 12 3903.19.00 - - Other 12 39.04 Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms. 3904.10 - Poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substances: 3904.10.10 - - Homopolymers, suspension type 12 3904.10.90 - - Other 12 39.16 Monofilament of which any cross-sectional dimension exceeds 1 mm, rods, sticks and profile shapes, whether or not surface-worked but not otherwise worked, of plastics. 3916.90 - Of other plastics: 3916.90.40 - - Of hardened proteins 12 3916.90.90 - - Other 12 39.18 Floor coverings of plastics, whether or not self-adhesive, in rolls or in the form of tiles; wall or ceiling coverings of plastics, as defined in Note 9 to this Chapter. 3918.10 - Of polymers of vinyl chloride: - - Floor coverings: 3918.10.11 - - - Tiles 12 3918.10.19 - - - Other 12 3918.10.90 - - Other 12 3918.90 - Of other plastics: - - Floor coverings: 3918.90.11 - - - Tiles, of polyethylene 12 3918.90.13 - - - Other, of polyethylene 12 3918.90.19 - - - Other 12 - - Other: 3918.90.91 - - - Of polyethylene 12 3918.90.99 - - - Other 12 39.19 Self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes, of plastics, whether or not in rolls. 3919.90 - Other: 3919.90.10 - - Of polymers of vinyl chloride 15 3919.90.90 - - Other 15 39.20 Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials. 3920.10.00 - Of polymers of ethylene: 3920.10.00B - - Other 12 - Of polymers of styrene: 3920.30.10 - - Of a kind used as an adhesive by melting 15 3920.30.90 - - Other 15 - Of polymers of vinyl chloride: 3920.43.00 - - Containing by weight not less than 6% of plasticizers: 3920.43.00B - - - Other 12 3920.49.00 - - Other: 3920.49.00B - - - Other 12 39.21 Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics. 3921.90 - Other: 3921.90.20 - - Plates and sheets 12 3921.90.90 - - Other ex2 3921.90.90 Other 12 39.22 Baths, shower-baths, sinks, wash-basins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware, of plastics. 3922.20 - Lavatory seats and covers: 3922.20.10 - - Lavatory covers 12 3922.20.20 - - Lavatory seats 12 3922.90 - Other: - - Flushing water closets (lavatory pans), urinals or flushing cisterns: 3922.90.11 - - - Parts of flushing cisterns 12 3922.90.19 - - - Other 12 3922.90.90 - - Other 12 39.23 Articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics. 3923.30 - Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles: 3923.30.10 - - Toothpaste tubes 15 3923.30.90 - - Other 15 3923.90.00 - Other 12 39.24 Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics. 3924.10.00 - Tableware and kitchenware 12 3924.90 - Other: 3924.90.10 - - Bed pans, urinals (portable type) or chamber-pots 12 3924.90.90 - - Other 12 39.25 Builders' ware of plastics, not elsewhere specified or included. 3925.20.00 - Doors, windows and their frames and thresholds for doors 12 3925.30.00 - Shutters, blinds (including Venetian blinds) and similar articles and parts thereof 12 39.26 Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 39.01 to 39.14. 3926.20 - Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts): 3926.20.90 - - Other 12 3926.30.00 - Fittings for furniture, coachwork or the like 12 3926.90 - Other: 3926.90.20 - - Fans and handscreens, frames and handles therefor, and parts thereof 15 - - Articles for industrial uses: 3926.90.53 - - - Transmission or conveyor belts or belting 15 3926.90.59 - - - Other ex2 3926.90.59 Other 15 3926.90.60 - - Poultry feeders 5 3926.90.90 - - Other: 3926.90.90B - - - Other ex2 3926.90.90B Racket strings of a length not exceeding 15 m put up for retail sale; prayer beads and other articles of non-rigid cellular products 15 85.36 Electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 volts; connectors for optical fibres, optical fibre bundles or cables. - Lamp-holders, plugs and sockets: 8536.69 - - Other: - - - Other: 8536.69.91 - - - - Of a kind suitable for domestic use, having a rated current carrying capacity of less than 16 amps; of a kind suitable for use in radio equipment 5 8536.69.99 - - - - Other 5