Robert Carter Jun 29, 2018:

@Robin Fair enough, but I can't see any daylight between the two concepts in Spanish and English myself.

Jennifer Levey Jun 28, 2018:

@Robert OK, I’ve had a look – but for reasons mentioned here earlier I can’t agree/disagree under your answer.

I still think Valeria’s own “Application for Quota Allocation” is the best solution on offer here - which is basically the same as Patinba’s answer “Application for allocation of quota”. If I could, I’d give her my “agree” – and let you off the hook with a “neutral”.

Robert Carter Jun 28, 2018:

@Robin Yes, I think you're right, "cupo" is not exactly a "preferential tariff treatment", but it's not exactly a quota either, I think.
On further investigation, I found the term "tariff-rate quota". I've posted it below as an answer with some references if you'd care to take a look. Saludos!

Jennifer Levey Jun 27, 2018:

@Robert Surely the whole problem here is that “cupo” is a multi-purpose word whose precise translation very much depends on context (and even on the context within a context…).

“cupo” may refer to the “licence” (the document that certifies the validity of a given tariff in a given transaction), it may also be “a predetermined amount of trade allowed by the license” (aka, a ‘quota’). But I don’t think ‘cupo’ can be equated to a “preferential tariff application” – where the noun is “application” (= solicitud), not the “thing” that is being applied for (the ‘cupo’). IOW, the concept of “cupo” does not embrace (let alone englobe) that of “preferential tariff’.

Looking now at the additional context provided by Valeria after I stumbled into this discussion, I think her own suggestion “Application for Quota Allocation” is closest to the mark - at least in the specific context of the title: “SOLICITUD DE ASIGNACIÓN DE CUPO”.

Robert Carter Jun 27, 2018:

Robin, even if you were to translate the title as "license application", I think Valeria still needs a viable translation for "cupo" here.

¿QUÉ ES UN CUPO?

Un Cupo tiene como propósito la importación de un monto determinado de un producto o mercancía, con un arancel (un impuesto) menor al que se aplica a las mercancías que se importen sin este beneficio. La autorización se otorga a través de un certificado de cupo y tiene una vigencia determinada, la cual se establece en el propio certificado.
https://www.gob.mx/se/acciones-y-programas/siicex-transparen...

Perhaps "preferential tariff treatment application" would work in this case?

Valeria Delmar (asker) Jun 26, 2018:

Keeping it Simple I wish I could! Upon doing further research, I've discovered that it is an application to obtain an allocation/portion/share of a certain Mexican-government established quota for importing particular goods (whether its vehicles, pork, corn, etc.). I'm leaning toward using "Application for Quota Allocation," and once the application is approved, then a "certificado de cupo" (which also appeared later in the original document I was translating--not the form) would indeed be the license permit, which in the spirit of keeping things simple, I would be inclined to translating as "Quota Allocation Certificate." Thank you so much for your contribution!!

Jennifer Levey Jun 26, 2018:

It's a document title ... ... so keep it simple:

SOLICITUD DE ASIGNACIÓN DE CUPO
-->
License Application

Valeria Delmar (asker) Jun 26, 2018:

Response to Robin Levey Hi Robin, thanks for the hospitality and prompt help! I see, the word "cupos" makes sense now, but what about the "asignación" part? Would it be Application for license permit allocation or Application for allocation via a license permit?

Jennifer Levey Jun 26, 2018:

@Valeria Hola - y welcome to Kudoz!

You may like to note that by filtering this question to site users who are "Proz.com members", you have severly restricted the number of people who can answer.

Although you've filtered me out (I'm a native English speaker but not a paying member), I offer this:

cupo (in this context) --> "license permit"

https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/36556/1/sp02ma03.pdf
duty-free quota for U.S. corn. This quota is divided among the various importers in. Mexico with “cupos”, which are import license permits. U.S. exports to Mexico ...