WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
13 June 2006 
 (06-2821) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Arti cle 7.3 of the Agreement on Impo rt Licensing Procedures for 2004  
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
 
 The following communication, dated 6 June 2006, has been received from the delegation of the 
European Communities.                                                            _______________ 
 
 
Outline of system
 
 1. The Community import licensing system is based on the premise that no import licences are 
required except where specific products are subject to quantitative restrictions, safeguard measures or 
import surveillance.  The Community applies no qua ntitative restrictions to WTO Members in the 
industrial sector except for certain textile products  and the quantitative quotas applicable for certain 
products originating in the People’s Republic of China
2.  There are also a number of products subject 
to Community surveillance with the purpose of im proving transparency of import trends of the 
products concerned, but with no intention of limiting ma rket access.  The coverage of products subject 
to Community licensing systems appears in the anne xes and regulations referred to in replies to 
questions 2 and 3.  The relevant legisla tion is mentioned in reply to question 5. 
 The import licensing scheme for agricultural pr oducts serves statistical purposes and is an 
automatic licensing system.  The competent authori ties in the Member States issue import licences to 
every applicant. Import licences are subject to a secur ity and are valid in all the Member States of the 
Community.  Import licences have to be submitted with the import declaration.  
 Furthermore, a licence is required in respect of a number of tariff quotas in the agricultural 
sector.  Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. See reply 1. 
 
                                                      
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. 
 2 These quantitative quotas are based on Council Regul ation (EC) No 519/94, OJ No L 67, 10.3.1994, 
p. 89, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 427 /2003 of 3 March 2003, OJ L 65, 8.3.2003, p.1.  As a 
consequence of the accession of the People’s Republic of  China to the WTO these quotas are being phased out 
over a transitional period and finally abolished by 1.1.2005.  This required some changes to the Community 
legislation that have been implemented on 8 March 2003 (see Annex IV). G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 2  
 
  3. See the following table. 
 
Licensing system Product coverage Country coverage 
Quantitative quotas (other 
than textiles) a. Certain steel products. 
  
 None for WTO Members, 
only for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 
 
 b. Footwear, tableware, 
kitchenware of porcelain or 
china, ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than porcelain or china.  
Council Regulation (EC) No 
519/94 of 7 March 1994, OJ L 67, 10.3.1994, p. 89, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 
of 3 March 2003, OJ L 65, 
8.3.2003, p.1 See Annex IV. People’s Republic of China 
Community surveillance 
(other than textiles) a. Certain steel products.  
Council Regulations (EC)  No. 1445/2003 (Romania OJ L 206 ,15.8.2003) 
152/2002 (FYROM, OJ L 25, 
29.1.2002, p.1).    Commission regulation (EC) N° 2385/2002 (OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 125) amending 
regulation (EC) N°  76 / 2002 
(OJ L 16, 18.01.2002) which was also amended by 1337/2002 (OJ L 195, 24.7.2002). 
 Romania and FYROM    
 
  All countries 
 b. Certain agricultural 
products .  See Annex I. 
 All countries 
 c. Footwear products 
originating in Vietnam  
 Council Regulation (EC) No 
1/2000 of 17 December 1999, 
OJ L001, 04.01.2000, p1.  Vietnam  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Licensing system Product coverage Country coverage 
Textiles: Quantitative limits 
or surveillance Council Regulation (EEC) 
No. 3030/93  (OJ No. L 275, 
8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third 
countries. 
[as last amended by Council 
Regulation (EEC) No. 1627/2004( OJ No. L 295, 18.9.2004, p.1)].
 See text below. 
 
I. TEXTILES 
 Under the Agreement on Textiles and Clot hing, the Community at present maintains 
quantitative restrictions in the textile field agains t the following third countries, which are Members of 
WTO: Argentina, Brazil3, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, 
Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka4, Taiwan and Thailand (Basic Regulation 3030/93). 
Consultation levels were established with Egypt. 
  Furthermore, it should be noted that the Co mmunity maintains bilateral arrangements with 
Bangladesh, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nepal, Mongolia and the United Arab Emirates, all WTO 
Members, under which imports into the Community of products falling unde r a number of categories 
of textile products are subject to a double-che cking system without quantitative restrictions 
(surveillance according to Annex III of Regulation 3030/93)
5. 
  Moreover, the Community maintains bilateral agr eements on trade in tex tile products with the 
following non-WTO Members:  Azerbaijan, Belaru s, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, 
Laos, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tajik istan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.  It should be 
noted that of these countries only Belarus, Uzbe kistan and Vietnam are subject to quantitative 
restrictions (Basic Regulation 3030/93).   In addition, the Community maintains autonom ous quantitative restrictions on imports from a 
number of non-WTO Members with which no bilate ral agreements exist:  Federal Republic of 
Yugoslavia and North Korea.  
II. AGRICULTURE 
 For agricultural tariff quotas subject to import licensing, see reply to question 6. 
 
                                                     
 
3The application of quotas is suspended in acco rdance with the Memorandum of Understanding 
between the European Community and the Federative Repub lic of Brazil on arrangements  in the area of market 
access for textile and clothing products (Council Decision 877/2002 of 5.11 .2002, OJ L 205, 7.11.2002, p.20) 
4The application of quotas is suspended in acco rdance with the Memorandum of Understanding 
between the European Community and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on arrangements in the area of market access for textile and clothing products, and authorising its  provisional app lication (Council 
Decision 214/2001 of 26.2.2001, OJ L 80, 20.3.2001, p. 11). 
5Regulation 3030/93 also governs our textile trad e with non-WTO members with which we have 
bilateral agreements.  These non-WTO countries are:  Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, 
, Kazakhstan, Laos, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkme nistan, Ukraine, Uzbe kistan and Vietnam. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 4  
 
  4. The Community applies no quantitative quotas to WTO Members in the industrial sector 
except for certain products in the textile field where the licensing is intended to restrict the quantity of 
imports. 
 The purpose of import licensing procedure for pr oducts under surveillance is for statistical 
reasons and to strengthen control on imports orig inating from the country concerned and, more 
specifically, to improve control on the origin of th e products concerned.  It is intended to monitor 
import trends and not to restrict the quantity of  imports.  The systems are based on an automatic 
licensing.   In some cases a double-checking system is applie d (certain textile and steel products) with an 
export document issued by third country authorities.  The aim of the double-checking system is to 
improve transparency and to avoid possible diversi on of trade and custom fraud by rapid provision of 
information on the trend of trade flows.   See also reply to question 1. 
 
Legislative basis  
 
5. Licensing is statutorily required for the products  listed in the relevant legislative texts. 
Product coverage is defined in the legislation and is not subject to administrative discretion.  The 
system cannot be abolished without legislative approval (regulations generally contain provisions 
relating to the duration and expiry of the licensing regime). 
5.1. General 
 - Council Regulation (EC) 519/94 of 7 March 1994 (OJ L. 67, 10.03.94, p.89) established 
common rules for imports from certain third countries
6. 
 [As amended by: - Council Regulation (EC) N° 1921/94 (OJ L 198, 30.07.94, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 538/95 (OJ L. 55, 11.03.95, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 839/95 (OJ L. 85, 19.04.95, p.9); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 139/96 (OJ L 21, 27.01.96, p.7); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 168/96 (OJ L. 25, 01.02.96, p.2); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 752/96 (OJ L. 103, 26.04.96, p.1); 
- Council Regulation (EC) N° 1897/96 (OJ L. 250, 02.10.96, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC)N° 847/97 (OJ L. 122, 14.05.97, p.1); - Council Regulation (EC) N° 1138/98 (OJ L. 159, 03.06.98, p.1); -  Council Regulation (EC) N° 427/2003(OJ L.65,08.03.2003 , p.1)]. 
 5.2. Textile products 
 
5.2.1. Trade with WTO Member countries and countries with bila teral agreements:  
5.2.1.1.Trade in products not subject to normal GATT rules ("products not integrated" in 
WTO): 
5.2.1.1.1. Basic Regulation: 
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ No. L 275, 8.11.93, p. 1) - on common rules for 
imports of certain textile products from third countries. 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 5 
 
 
  [As amended by: 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3289/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 85) – amends 
Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1410/96 (OJ No. L 181, 20.7.96, p. 15) - concerning the 
partial withdrawal of Regulation 3053/95. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2231/96 (OJ No. L 307, 28.11.96, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and XI to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) - list products to be 
integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 - amends  Annex X to Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II 
to Regulation 3285/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 447/97 (OJ No. L 68, 8.3.97, p. 16) - quantitative limits - 
OPT - China. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 824/97 (OJ No. L 119, 8.5.97, p. 1) - amends 
Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 339/98 (OJ No. L 45, 16.2.98, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, II, 
III, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 856/98 (OJ No. L 122, 24.4.98, p. 11) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1053/98 (OJ No. L 151, 21.5.98, p. 10)- amends Annexes II, 
III and IX to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2798/98 (OJ No. L 353, 29.12.98, p. 1) - amends Annex I to 
Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1072/99 (OJ No. L 134, 28.5.99, p. 1) - amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1591/2000 (OJ No. L 186, 25.7.2000, p. 1) - amends 
Annexes II, III, V, VII, VIII and IX to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 391/2001 (OJ No. L 58, 28.2.2001, P.3) – amends Regulation 
3030/93. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1809/2001 (OJ No. L 252, 20.8.2001) – amends Regulation 
3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 27/2002 (OJ No L9, 11.1.2002) - amends Annexes I, III, V, 
VII and IX to Regulation 3030/93 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 797/2002 (OJ No L128, 15.5.2002) - amends Annexes III 
and VIII to Regulation 3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2344/2002 (OJ No L 357, 31.12.2002) - amends Annexes I, 
III, V and VII to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 138/2003 (OJ No L 23, 28.1.2003) - amends Regulation 
3030/93. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 260/2004 (OJ No L 51, 20.2.2004, p.1) – amends Annexes I, 
II, III, V, VII to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 487/2004 (OJ No L 79, 17.3.2004, p.1) – amends Regulation 
(EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports  of certain textile products from third 
countries.  
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1627/2004 (OJ L 295,  18.9.2004, p. 1) – amending Regulation 
(EEC) No 3030/93 on common rules for imports  of certain textiles products from third 
countries.]  
 
5.2.1.1.2. Derogation from Ba sic Regulation: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1087/97 (OJ L 158,  17.6.97, p1) – authorizing imports into 
Canary Islands and certain quota products originating in China without quantitative 
restrictions. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
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5.2.1.1.3. Regulations granting additional limits for European fairs: 
 
- 1998: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 283/98 (OJ No. L 28, 4.2.98, p. 9); - 1999: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 36/1999 (OJ No. L 5, 9.1.99, p. 57); - 2000: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 297/2000 (OJ No. L 34, 9.2.2000, p. 12; 
- November 2000: Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1658/2000 (OJ No. L 192, 28.7.2000, 
p. 15); 
- November 2001: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1850/2001 (OJ No. L 253, 21.9.2001, 
p. 12); 
- November 2002: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1057/2002 (OJ No. L 161, 19.6.2002, 
p. 4); 
- November 2003: Commission Regulation (EC) No 1498/2003 (OJ L 215, 27.8.2003, p. 85).  
5.2.1.2.Trade in products subject to normal GA TT rules "products integrated" in WTO: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 3285/94 (OJ No. L 349, 31.12.94, p. 53) – repeals 
Regulation 518/94. 
 
[As amended by: 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 139/96 (OJ No. L 21, 27.1.96, p. 7) – amends 
Regulation 3285/94 and Regulation 519/94 with  respect to the uniform Community 
surveillance document. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2315/96 (OJ No. L 314, 4.12.96, p.1) –- list of products 
to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1.1.98 and amends Annex X to 
Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation 3285/94. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2474/2000 (OJ No. L 286, 11.11.2000, p.1) –- list of 
products to be integrated into GA TT 1994 on 1.1.2002 and amends Annex X to 
Regulation 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation 3285/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1437/2003 (OJ L 204, 13.8.2003, p. 3) – amends Annexes I, 
II, IIIB and VI to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1484/2003 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2003, p 46) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/94 as regards quotas for Serbia and Montenegro. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2309/2003 (OJ L 342, 30.12.2003, p. 21) – amends annexes 
IIIB, IV and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/ 94 as regards textile quotas for 2004. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2003 (OJ No. L. 65, 8.03..2003, p.12) – establishes 
the allocation method  for the quota increa se set forth in Council Regulation (EC) No 
427/2003 for certain products  originating in China (including footwear). 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1985/2003 (OJ No. L.295, 13.11.2003, p.3) – 
establishes the allocation method  for the fir st tranche of the quota increase set forth 
in Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 fo r certain products originating in China 
(including footwear). 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2044/2003 (OJ No. L.  303, 21.11.2003, p.3) – 
establishes the allocation method  for the second tranche of the quota increase set 
forth in Council Regulation (EC) No 427/ 2003 for certain products originating in 
China (including footwear). 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1985//2003 (OJ No. L. 295,13.11.2003, p.43) – amends 
Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 in view of EU enlargement.] 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
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  5.2.2. Imports from other countries ("autonomous regime"): 
 
5.2.2.1. Basic Regulation:    - Council Regulation (EC) No. 517/94 (OJ No. L 67, 10.3.94, p. 1) – on common rules for 
imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, 
protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Community import rules. 
 
[As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1470/ 94 (OJ No. L 159, 28.6.94, p. 14) - opens 
quantitative import quotas for products (cat. 160) from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1756/94 (OJ No. L 183, 19.7.94, p. 9) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 122, 123, 124, 125 B, 140 and 146 C) from China and amends Annexes IV and V of Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2612/ 94 (OJ No. L 279, 28.10.94, p. 7) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 127 B and 145)  from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2980/94 (OJ No. L 315, 8.12.94, p. 2) - opens 
quantitative import quotas (cat. 146A and 146B) from China and amends Annexes IV 
and V to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) - 
establishes in the field of application of Regulation 517/94 a Community import 
licence and amending certain prov isions of the Regulation. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1325/ 95 (OJ No. L 128, 13.6.95, p. 1) - amends 
Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/95:  (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) - amends 
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the fiel d of 517/94 a Community import licence 
and amends certain provisi ons of the Regulation. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 538/96 (OJ No. L 79, 29.3.96, p.1) - amends 
Regulation 517/94 concerning imports of  products - Yugoslavia (Serbia and 
Montenegro). 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/96 (OJ No. L 188, 27.7.96, p. 4) - opens 
quotas for imports of products falling w ithin cat. 87 and 109 originating in North 
Korea and amends Annexes IV and V to Re gulation 517/94.(Corrigendum in OJ No. L 
225, 6.9.96, p. 11) 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1937/96 (OJ No. L 255, 9.10.96, p. 4) - amends 
Annexes III B and VI to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1457/ 97 (OJ No. L 199, 26.7.97, p. 6) – amends 
annexes IIIB, IV and VI to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2542/ 99 (OJ No. L 307, 2.12.99, p. 14) – amends 
Annex I to Regulation 517/94. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 7/2000 (OJ No. L 2, 5.1.2000, p. 51) - amends 
Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 28 78/2000 (OJ L 333, 29.12.2000, p. 60) – amends 
Annex IV to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2245/2001 (OJ L 303, 20.11.2001, p. 17) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI to Regulation 517/94. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
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  - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 888/2002 (OJ L 146,  4.6.2002, p. 1) – amends Annexes I 
and II to Regulation 517/94. 
- Council Regulation (EC) No 1309/2002 (OJ No L 192, 20.7.2002, p. 1) – amends Regulation 
517. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1437/2003 (OJ L 204, 13.8.2003, p. 3) – amends Annexes I, 
II, IIIB and VI to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 1484/2003 (OJ L 212, 22.8.2003, p 46) – amends Annexes 
IIIB and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/94 as regards quotas for Serbia and Montenegro. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2309/2003 (OJ L 342, 30.12.2003, p. 21) – amends annexes 
IIIB, IV and VI of Regulation (EC) No 517/ 94 as regards textile quotas for 2004]. 
 5.2.2.2. Regulations concerning the import licence: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3168/94 (OJ No. L 335, 23.12.94, p. 23) – establishes in 
the field of application of Regulation 517/ 94 a Community import licence and amending 
certain provisions of the Regulation . 
 
[As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1627/ 95 (OJ No. L 155, 6.7.95, p. 8) – amends 
Regulation 3168/94, establishes in the field  of application of Regulation 517/94 a 
Community import licence and amends certa in provisions of the Regulation.] 
 
5.2.2.3. Regulations concerning the distribution of quotas: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2458/97 (OJ No. L 340, 11.12.97, p. 31) – (end 31.12.98) – 
distribution of quotas for 1998 pursuant to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2650/98 (OJ No. L 335, 10.12.98, p. 43) – distribution of 
quotas for 1999 pursuant to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2629/99 (OJ No. L 321, 14.12.99, p. 8) – distribution of 
quotas for 2000 pursuant to Regulation 517/94.  
 
 [As amended by: 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 394/ 2000 (OJ No. L 49, 22.2.2000, p. 33) – amends 
Regulation 2629/99. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2833/2000 (OJ No. L 328, 23.12.2000, p. 20) – 
distribution of quotas for 2001 pursuant to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) N o. 2538/2001 (OJ No. L 341, 22.12.2001, p.73) – 
distribution of quotas for 2002 pursuant to Regulation 517/94. 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 2 357/2002 (OJ No L 351, 28.12.2002, p. 45) –  
distribution of quotas  for 2003 pursuant to Regulation 517/94.] 
 
5.2.2.4. Imports from some non-WTO Members:   - Commission Regulation (EC) No 2040/2002 of 15 November 2002 (OJ L 313/24 of 
16.11.2002) on surveillance measures regarding impor ts of certain textile products originating 
in the Syrian Arab Republic (cotton yarn) fo r the period until 17/5/2004, and Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 1417/2004 of 29 July 2 004 (OJ L 258/8 of 5.8.2004) on surveillance 
measures regarding imports of ce rtain textile products originating in the Syrian Arab Republic 
for the period 06 August 2004 until 31 December 2004. 
 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
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  5.2.3. Outward processing traffic (OPT): 
 
5.2.3.1. Basic Regulation:  - Council Regulation (EC) No. 30 36/94 (OJ No. L 322, 15.12.94, p. 1) - establishes economic 
outward processing arrangements to products reim ported into the Community after working 
in certain third countries. (Corrigenda in OJ No. L 135, 6.6.96, p. 35). 
 
5.2.3.2. Implementing Regulation: 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 3017/95 (OJ No. L 314, 28.12.95, p. 40) – repeals 
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1816/95 (OJ No. L 175, 27.7.95, p.21). 
 
5.2.4. Other communications and information:  
 
- OJ No. C 52, 19.2.98, p.3: List of national competent authorities; - OJ No. C 71, 7.3.98, p.2: List of Members of the World Trade Organization; 
- OJ No. C 321, 20.10.98, p. 27: Notice on SI GL Website (informati on on quota levels for 
textile products – http://sigl.europe.eu.int
); 
- OJ No. C 46, 19.2.2000, p. 20: Notification on provisional application of certain textile 
Agreements; 
- OJ No. C 88, 25.3.2000, p. 18: Preparation of decision on third stage of ATC integration – 
Request for comments; 
- OJ n° C 308, 1.11.2001, p.16: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ No C 356, 14.12.2001, p. 4: China’s accession to the WTO; - OJ No C 364, 20.12.2001, p.11:  Taiwan’s accession to the WTO; 
- OJ No C 367, 21.12.2001, p.27: Pakistan quota increases 2001; - OJ n° C 374, 29.12.2001, p.58: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ n° C 29, 1.2.2002, p. 5: electronic licensing, List of countries; 
- OJ n° C 66, 15.3.2002, p. 11: List of members of the World Trade Organization; - OJ n° C 77, 28.3.2002, p. 38: electronic licensing, List of countries; - OJ n° C 99, 24.4.2002, p. 14: List of the National competent authorities;  5.3. Steel products 
 
Prior community surveillance without quantitative limits:  - Commission regulation (EC) N° 2385/2002 (O J L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 125) amending 
regulation (EC) N°  76 / 2002 (OJ L 16, 18.01.2 002) which was also amended by 1337/2002 
(OJ L 195, 24.7.2002). 
 Double-checking systems without quantitative limits:  - Council Regulations (EC) No.1445/2003 (R omania OJ L206,15.8.2003),152/2002 (FYROM, 
OJ L 25 of 29.1.2002 p.1). 
  In addition, the EC maintains quantitative r estrictions on imports from three countries non-
WTO Members: Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 10  
 
  5.4. Agricultural products 
  In the agricultural sector, the following legisl ation includes provisions related to import 
licensing:  
5.4.1. General: 
 - Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1291/2000 of 9 June 2000 laying down common detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences and advance fixing certificates for agricultural products as amended . 
 
5.4.2. Cereals and rice: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common market 
organization for cereals  (Article 9). 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No.  1785/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organization 
of the market in rice  (Article 10). 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No.  1342/2003 of 23 July 2003  laying down special detailed 
rules for the application of the system of import and export licences for cereals and rice as 
amended. 
 
5.4.3. Beef and veal: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1254/99 of 17 May 1999 on the common market organization in 
the beef sector as amended (Article 29). 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1445/95 of 26 June 1995 on rules of application for import 
and export licences in the beef and veal sect or and repealing Regulation (EEC) No. 2377/80 
as amended.  
 
5.4.4. Sheepmeat and goatmeat:  
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 2529/2001 of 19 December 2001 on the common organization 
of the market in sheepmeat and goatmeat  (Article 13). 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1439/95 of 26 June 1995 laying down detailed rules for the 
application of Council Regulation (EEC) No . 3013/89 as regards the import and export of 
products in the sheepmeat and goatmeat sector as amended . 
 
5.4.5. Milk and milk products: 
 - Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1255/99 of 17 May 1999 on the common market organization 
in the milk and milk product sector as amended (Article 26). 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2535/2001 of 14 December 2001 laying down detailed 
rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/99 as regards the  import arrangements  for milk and milk products a nd opening tariff quotas as amended.  
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 11 
 
 
  5.4.6. Sugar:  
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No.  1260/2001 of 19  June 2001 on the common organization of 
the markets in the sugar sector  (Article 22) as amended. 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1464/95 of 27 June 1995 on special detailed rules for the 
application of the system of import and export licences in the sugar sector as amended. 
 5.4.7   Fruit and vegetables, fresh:  - Council Regulation (EC) N° 2200/96 of 28 Oct ober 1996 on the common organization of the 
market in fruit and vegetables (Article 31) as amended. 
 
5.4.8. Fruit and vegetables, processed: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/96 of 28 Oc tober 1996 on the common organization of the 
market in processed fruit and vegetabl es products (Article 11) as amended. 
 
5.4.9. Bananas:  
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 404/93 of 13 Fe bruary 1993 on the common organization of 
the market of bananas as amended (Article 17)  by Council Regulation (EC) 2587/2001 of 19 
December 2001. 
 
- Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 896/2001 of  7 May 2001, laying down detailed rules for 
the application of the arrangement for importi ng bananas into the Community as amended. 
 
5.4.10. Oil and fats: 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No. 865/2004 of 29 April 2004on the common organization of the 
market in olive oil and table olives(Article 10). 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1476/95 of 28  June 1995 laying down special detailed rules 
for the application of the system of impor t licences in the olive oil sector as amended. 
 
5.4.11. Seeds: 
 
- Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2358/71 of 26 October 1971 on the common organization of 
the market in seeds as amended (Article 4). 
 - Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 1117/79 of 6 June 1979 specifying the products in the 
seed sector to be subject to the system of import licences as amended. 
 
5.4.12. Wine: 
 
- Council Regulation (EC) No. 1493/99 of 17 May 1999 on the Common organization on the 
market in wine as amended (Article 59). 
 
- Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 883/2001 of 24 April 2001 laying down special detailed 
rules in respect of import and export licences in the wine sector (Articles 1 to 5) as amended. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 12  
 
  5.4.13  Processed products : 
 - Council Regulation (EC) No 670/2003 of 8 April 2003 laying down specific measures 
concerning the market in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin 
 
5.4.14  Transitional measures: 
 By reason of the enlargement some transitional measures have been laid down :  -  Commission Regulations (EC) No 228/2004 of 3 February 2004 and (EC) No 229/2004 of 10 
February 2004 laying down transitiona l measures for imports of garlic. 
 - Commission Regulation (EC) No 359/2004 of 27  February 2004 laying down transitional 
measures for imports of mushrooms. 
 
- Commission Regulation (EC) No 838/2004 of 28 April 2004 on transitional measures for 
imports of bananas.   
 Procedures
 
 6. The answers provided to question 6, I-XI, relate  exclusively to textiles, with the exception of 
the reference to agricultural tariff quotas). 
 I.  Information related to the allocation of the quotas, the formalities for licence applications and 
the amount of goods allocated to each country is pu blished in the Official Journal of the European 
Communities (see reply 5).  There is no de rogation from the licensing requirement. 
 
II. The size of textile quotas is determined on a yearly basis.  There are no cases where the size 
of the quota is determined on a yearly basis and where import authorisations would be issued for 
imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis.  III. The issuing of import authorisations is not  limited to domestic producers of like goods.  The 
competent licensing authorities notify the Commissi on immediately after having been informed of 
any quantity that is not used during the duration of validity of the import authorisation.  Such unused quantities are automatically transferred into the re maining quantities of the total of the Community 
quantitative limit for each category products and each third country concerned.  Names of importers 
to whom import authorisations have been a llocated are not made known to governments and 
exporting countries for privacy protection reasons. 
 IV. The authorised imports are charged against th e quantitative limits laid down for the year in 
which the products are shipped in the supplier country  concerned.  An import authorisation is issued 
upon presentation of an export licence issued by the exporting country.  This presentation must be effected not later than 31 March of the year follo wing that in which the goods covered by the licence 
have been shipped.  In exceptional circumstan ces, a Member State may put the deadline for 
presentation of the export licence back to 30 June on a duly motivated request.  V. The licensing authorities have to issue an import authorisation within a maximum of five 
working days of the presentation by the importer of  the original of the corresponding export licence. 
 
VI. Import authorisations are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue.  VII. Each Member State has only one national competent authority for the issuing of import 
authorisations.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 13 
 
 
   
VIII. Import authorisations are issued on a "first-c ome, first-served" basis.  There are no special 
provisions for new importers. Applications are examined on receipt.  IX. Concerning trade with WTO Members and with  countries with bilateral agreements, the so-
called double-checking system applies.  The compet ent authorities of the supplier countries issue an 
export licence in respect of all consignments of tex tile products subject to qu antitative limits, up to the 
level of those limits.  The importer shall present th e original of the export licences for the purposes of 
the issue of the import authorisation.  An import au thorisation is not issued automatically but only 
after the Commission has confirmed that the amount  requested is available within the quantitative 
limit in question. 
 X. There are no cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only.  XI. There are no products for which licences ar e issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market. 
 7. Agricultural tariff quotas subject to import li censing:  Some of the Community's agricultural 
tariff quotas are subject to import licensing.  Licences may be issued on a pro-rata or an historical 
basis, or related to quotas administrated by expor ting countries.  Details are being notified in parallel 
to this general notification
6. 
 
7.1. For products subject  to Community surveillance (other than textiles): 
 (a)-(b) It is up to the applicant to decide when to  apply for a licence, knowing that the document will 
be issued within a maximum of five working days  of receipt of the application.  Normally an 
import licence is presented at the moment of the import declaration and licences are granted 
immediately (except for sheepmeat and goatmeat and milk products). 
 (c) There are no limitations as to the time of year during which applications may be made. 
 (d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent 
authorities in the Member States delivering impor t licences is published in the "C" series of 
the Official Journal.  The application must not  be passed on to other organs for approval and 
the importer has to approach only one administrative organ. 
 7.2. For textile products subject to Comm unity surveillance the following applies: 
 
(a) The licensing authorities have to issue a su rveillance document within a maximum of five 
working days: 
 - of the presentation by the importer of the original of the corresponding export licence (in the 
case of a double-checking system); 
- of a request being submitted by the importer (in the case of a single-checking system). 
 (b) Surveillance documents are issued on th e basis of "first-come, first-served". 
 (c) There are limitations as to the time of ye ar during which applications may be made. 
 
                                                     
 
6The notification relating to agricultural tariff rate quotas is contained in the Addendum to this 
document, G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7/Add.1. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 14  
 
  (d) A single administrative body effects consider ation of licence applications.  The Commission 
services collect statis tical information on products subj ect to simple or double-checking 
surveillance (SIGL electronic system). 
 7.3. For agricultural products the rules are as follows: 
 
(a)-(b) Import licences must be presented to the cust oms authorities at the moment of acceptance of 
the import declaration.  Import licences can be granted immediately, except for some products 
(i.e. milk and milk products). 
 
(c) No. 
 (d) Several administrative organs can deliver import licences.  The list of the competent 
authorities in the Member States delivering impor t licences is published in the "C" series of 
the Official Journal.  The application must not  be passed on to other organs for approval and 
the importer has to approach only one administrative organ. 
 8. Failure to meet the ordinary criteria is the only circumstance in which licence applications 
may be refused.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 
9. Import licences are issued without discrimina tion to any importer in the Community wherever 
the place of his establishment may be in the Comm unity, without prejudice to compliance with the 
other conditions required under current rules.  All persons are eligible to become importers. 
 
Documentational and other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10. For certain steel products and with a very limited number of countries, the Community 
applies a dual licensing arrangement.  In order to obtain an import document issued by the competent authorities of the Member states, the correspondi ng export document issued by the competent 
authorities of the exporting country must be provided.  (See questions 2 and 3.) 
  For textile products subject to quantitative limits
:  For information required in application see 
Annex III . Sample form is contained in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ No. L 275, 
8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certa in textile products from third countries, as last 
amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No. 138/2003 (OJ No. L 23, 28.1.2003, p. 1).   The applicant is required to supply a copy of  the bill of lading and of the purchase contract. 
 
 For textile products subject to Community surveillance
: For information required in 
application see Annex III .  Sample form is contained in Co uncil Regulation (EEC) No. 3030/93 (OJ 
No. L 275, 8.11.93, p.1) - on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries, as last amended by Council Regulation (E C) No. 138/2003 (OJ No. L 23, 28.1.2003, p. 1). 
 
 Concerning the application for the import authorisation in the case of a double-checking system for textiles, the applicant is required to supply a copy of the bill of lading and of the purchase 
contract.  Concerning the application for the impor t authorisation in the case of a single-checking 
system the applicant is required to supply a certifie d copy of the bill of lading, letter of credit, 
contract, or any other commercial document indicati ng a firm intention to carry out the importation. 
  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 15 
 
 
   Applications for surveillance document (other than textile)  shall be sent to or lodged with the 
competent administrative authorities in the Member States.  Regarding the information required in 
applications, see Council Regulation N° 519/94 (OJ L.  67, 10.03.94, p.89), as amended by Council 
Regulation N° 139/96 (OJ L. 21, 27.01.96, p.7).  A surveillance document sample form is contained 
in Regulation N° 139/96. 
 
 In the agricultural field the application for an  import licence has to be forwarded to or lodged 
with the competent authorities in the Member States conforming to the specimen set out in Annex I of 
Commission Regulation (EC) 1291/2000 (OJ L 152, 24 June 2000, p. 25).  
11. The licence/surveillance docum ent itself or an extract is required upon importation.  For 
textile products subject to quantitativ e limits/surveillance there is also , if needed, a requirement for a 
certificate of origin upon actual importation.   For certain steel products the Community appli es prior surveillance.  The imports are subject 
to a surveillance document (import licence) th at is released automatically upon request. 
 12. There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.  13. In general, there is no deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of 
import authorisations.  However, in the agricultural field the issuance of import licence is subject to a 
security in order to guarantee that the undertakin g to import will be fulfilled during the period of 
validity of the licence.  The amount of the security depending on the products  is laid down in the 
specific Community provisions applicable to the re levant product sector.  The security is released 
when the obligation to import is considered to ha ve been fulfilled and the right to import under the 
licence is considered to have been exercised name ly on the day the import declaration is accepted and 
the product concerned put into free circulation. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14. For textile products  subject to quantitative limits/surveillance, import authorisations/ 
surveillance documents are valid for a period of six months from the date of their issue.  Upon a duly 
motivated request by an importer, the competen t authorities of a Member State may extend the 
duration of validity for a two further periods of three months.  Such extensions shall be notified to the 
Commission.  In exceptional circumstances, an importer may request a third period of extension.  These exceptional requests may only be  granted by a decision of the textile committee, composed of 
representatives of the Member States and chaired by a Commission.  The period of validity of the 
import licences depends on the products, please refer to  Annex IV.   The validity of a licence can only 
be extended in case of  "force majeure". 
  For agricultural products
 the period of validity of the import licences depends on the product 
subject to licensing. General periods of validity ar e set in the relevant regulations mentioned per 
product in points 5.4.2 to 5.4.12 of this notification7.  Information concerning periods of validity of 
import licences allocated in the context of tariff rate  quotas is included in replies to question 14 in the 
Addendum.  The validity of a licence can only be extended in case of " force majeure ". 
                                                      
7 For ease of reference, the following is an indicativ e résumé of the various durations:  Cereals and rice : 
a range of validity between 45 days from the date of issue until the end of the fourth month following the issue; beef and veal
:  90 days from the date of issue;  sheepmeat and goatmeat :  3 months from the date of issue;  
sugar:   from the day of issue until the end of the month following;  milk and milk products :  from the date of 
issue until the end of the third month following;  bananas :  from the day of issue until the seventh day of the 
fourth month following the month in which they are issued;  oils and fats :  60 days from the date of issue;  wine :  
until the end of the fourth month following the date of issue. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 16  
 
   
           For steel products
 subject to double-checking or prior community surveillance without 
quantitative limits, the period of validity of a surv eillance document is four months and unused or 
partly used documents may be renewed for four months.   
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of an  import authorisation/surveillance document or 
a portion of it.  However, for a licen ce in the agricultural field, the security is forfeit in whole or in 
part if import is not carried out, or only partly carried out during the period of validity of the licence.  16. Import authorisations are not transferable between importers.  Import licences constitute an 
authorisation and give rise to an obligation to import under the licence during its period of validity. 
Obligations deriving from licences are not transferable  but the rights deriving are transferable by the 
titular holder of the licence during its period of validity.  17. No other conditions are attached to the issue of  an import authorisation for products subject to 
or not subject to quantitative restrictions. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
 18. No other administrative procedures, apart fro m import licensing and similar administrative 
procedures are required prior to importation.  
19. The banking authorities automatically provide foreign exchange for goods to be imported as 
well as to cover import licences.  A licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign 
exchange.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 17 
 
 
  ANNEX I 
 
Agricultural products subject to import licensing  
 
 CEREALS: Grain:  common wheat,  durum wheat, barley, rye, oats, maize, buckwheat, canary 
seed, millet, other grain. 
 Processed Products: flour, wheat groa ts and meal, malt, starches, glucos e, cereal products, brans, wheat 
gluten, maltodextrine, caramel, manioc roots, cereal based animal compounds. 
 
RICE:     Paddy rice, husked rice, semi-milled or wholly milled rice, broken rice, rice flour, 
groats and meal of rice, pellets of rice, flaked rice, rice starch. 
 SUGAR:    Beet sugar and cane sugar, in solid form, sugar beet, whole or sliced, fresh, dried 
or powdered, sugar cane, molasses, maple sugar and syrup, other sugars and 
syrups (but not including syrups of lactose, glucose, malto-dextrine and isoglucose), artificial honey, whether or  not mixed with natural honey, caramel 
containing in the natural state 50% or more  by weight of sucrose, flavoured or 
coloured sugar syrups, beet-pulp, bagasse and other waste of sugar manufacture, certain isoglucose, flavoured or coloured isoglucose syrups. 
 
OILS AND FATS:   Olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified;  
other oil and their fractions, obtained solely from olives, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or 
fractions of heading No 1509, olives, fresh  or chilled or provisionally preserved, 
for the production of oil, oil-cake and other solid residues co ntaining more than 
3% by weight of olive oil, soapstocks containing oil having th e characteristic of 
olive oil. 
 MILK PRODUCTS: Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter milk or cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter, buttermilk, curdled milk and cr eam, yoghurt, kephir and other fermented 
or acidified milk and cream whether or no t concentrated or containing added sugar 
or other sweetening matter or flavoured or  containing added fruit, nuts or cocoa, 
whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, products consisting of natural milk constituents, whether or not containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included; 
butter and other fats and oils derived fro m milk; dairy spreads; cheese and curd; 
lactose and lactose syrup, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter and containing by weight 99% of pure product; flavoured or coloured lactose syrup;  
preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. 
 
BEEF AND VEAL: Live bovine animals,  except pure-bred br eeding animals;  meat  of bovine animals, 
fresh, chilled or frozen;  edible offal of bovine animals: thick and thin skirt, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
 SHEEP AND Lambs (up to a year old);  sheep and go ats, other than pure-bred breeding animals;   
GOATS MEAT: meat of sheep or goats , fresh, chilled or frozen;  meat of sheep or goats, with bone 
in or boneless, salted, in brine, smoked or dried. 
 FRESH FRUIT AND See Council Regulation (EC) N° 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 (OJ L 297 of 
VEGETABLES:   21 November 1996).   G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 18  
 
   
PROCESSED  See Council Regulation (EC)  N° 2201/96 of 28 October 1996 (OJ L 297 
FRUIT AND  of 21 November 1996) VEGETABLES:    
BANANAS:   Bananas, excluding plantains, fresh. 
 WINE:   Grape juice (incl. grape must); other than in fermentation or with fermentation 
arrested otherwise than by addition of al cohol;  sparkling wine;  other wine than 
sparkling wine;  grape must with fermentation prevented or arrested by the 
addition of alcohol.  G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 19 
 
 
  ANNEX II 
 
Textiles  
 
Information required in application for import authorisation  
under double-checking system for administering quantitative limits  
 
 The declaration or request made by the importe r to the competent authorities in order to obtain 
the import authorisation needs to contain:  
(a)  the name of the importer and full address (i ncluding if any, telephone and fax number, and 
identification number registered with the compet ent national authorities), and VAT registration 
number, if it is a VAT payer; 
 (b) name and full address of declarant; 
 
(c) name and full address of exporter;  (d) the country of origin of the products and the country of consignment;  (e) a description of the products including: 
- their commercial designation; 
- description of the products and Co mbined Nomenclature (CN) code; 
 
(f) the appropriate category and the quantity in the appropriate unit as indicated in Regulation 
concerned for the products in question; 
 
(g) the value of the products, as indicated in box 12 of the export licence;  (h)  where appropriate, dates of payment and deliv ery and a copy of the bill of lading and of the 
purchase contract; 
 
(i) date and number of export licence; 
 (j) any internal code used for admi nistrative purposes, such as Taric code; 
 (k) date and signature of importer. 
 G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 20  
 
  ANNEX III  
 
Textiles
 
 
Information required in application for import authorisation  
under double-checking system for products subject to surveillance  
 
  The declaration or request made by the importe r to the competent authorities in order to obtain 
the import authorisation needs to contain: 
 
(a)  the name of the importer and full address (i ncluding if any, telephone and fax number, and 
identification number registered with the compet ent national authorities), and VAT registration 
number, if it is a VAT payer; 
 
(b) name and full address of declarant; 
 (c) name and full address of exporter;  (d) the country of origin of the products and the country of consignment;  
(e) a description of the products including  
 
- their commercial designation; - description of the products and Co mbined Nomenclature (CN) code; 
 
(f) the appropriate category and the quantity in the appropriate unit as indicated in Regulation 
concerned for the products in question; 
 (g) the value of the products, as indicated in box 12 of the export licence;  (h)  where appropriate, dates of payment and deliv ery and a copy of the bill of lading and of the 
purchase contract; 
 (i) date and number of export licence;  (j) any internal code used for admi nistrative purposes, such as Taric code; 
 
(k) date and signature of importer.   G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
 Page 21 
 
 
  ANNEX IV  
 
Quantitative restrictions for certain products  
originating in the People’s Republic of China  
 
 1. Introduction  
 Quotas on footwear, tableware and ceramics orig inating in the People’s Republic of China 
(PRC) were introduced in 1994.  There are three main Regulations:  
Council Regulation (EC) No 520/94, OJ L 66, 10.3.1994, p.1;  
Council Regulation (EC) No 519/94, OJ L 67 , 10.3.1994, p.89, as last amended by Council 
Regulation (EC) No 427/2003, OJ L 65, 8.3.2003, p.1; Commission Regulation (EC) No 738/94, OJ L 87, 31.3.1994, p.47.  
The products concerned are the following: 
 
Product name HS/CN code (s) 
Footwear   ex 6402 99 (1)  
6403 51 6403 59 ex 6403 91 (1) ex 6403 99(1) 
ex 6404 11 (2) 
6404 19 10 
Tableware, kitchenware of porcelain or china  6911 10 
Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other 
household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china  6912 00 
 
(1)  Excluding footwear involving special technology:  shoes which have a cif price per pair of not 
less than EUR 9 for use in sporting activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, 
manufactured from synthetic materials specially designe d to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral 
movements and with technical features such as herm etic pads containing gas or fluid, mechanical 
components which absorb or neutralise impact or materials such as low-density polymers. 
 (2)  Excluding:  (a) footwear which is designed for a sporting activity and has, or has provision for the attachment of, spikes, sprigs, stops, clips, bars or the like, with a non-injected sole;   
(b) footwear involving special technology: shoes wh ich have a cif price per pair of not less than 
EUR 9 for use in sporting activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, 
manufactured from synthetic materials specially designe d to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral 
movements and with technical features such as herm etic pads containing gas or fluid, mechanical 
components which absorb or neutralise impact or materials such as low-density polymers. 
  These quotas are being phased out and w ill be abolished on 1 January 2005. 
 
2. Procedure 
 The legislative process related to the regular quota exercise consists of four Commission 
Regulations and two notices to Community importers per year. G/LIC/N/3/EEC/7 
Page 22  
 
   
2.1. Main allocation 
  A Commission Regulation (example:  Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1498/2002, OJ L 225, 22.8.2002, p.15) establishes the rules for the allocation of the quotas and contains the 
quantities available.  Related to this, a notice to Community importers is pub lished (example:  OJ C 
204, 28.8.2002, p.2).  Importers are given at least si x weeks to apply for the quotas.  Authorities in the 
Member States then communicate to the Commissi on the quantities requested.  The Commission then 
publishes, in a second Regulation, the “reduction factors”, i.e. the proportion of the requested quantities that will be covered by an import licence (example:  Commission Regulation (EC) 
No. 2077/2002, OJ L 319, p. 12).  These factor s are negative if the demand exceeds the available 
quotas and positive if the demand fell short of the quot as.  Authorities in the Member States (licensing 
offices) then issue import licences accordingly.  These licences are normally valid between 1 January 
and 31 December.  
 There are two different kinds of importers:  traditional (those having imported in 1998 or 
1999) and non-traditional (those not having import ed in 1998 or 1999).  75% of the overall 
Community quota is distributed to traditional importers and 25% to non-traditional importers. 
 2.2. Redistribution  
 
 At the end of each year, licences expire and importers have to give them back to the licensing 
offices.  National authorities then communicate to the Commission within 20 days after expiry (i.e. by 
20 January 2003, see Art. 20 of Council Regulati on (EC) No 520/94) the amounts of unused quotas. 
  These quantities of unused quotas are published in a Regulation (example: Commission 
Regulation (EC) No. 538/2003, OJ L 80, 27.3.2003, p. 13).  Related to this, a notice to Community 
importers is published (example: OJ C 75, 27.3.2003, p. 5).  Importe rs have at least six weeks to 
request an allocation from these quantities, national authorities then inform the Commission of the 
quantities requested and the Commission publishes “reduction factors” (example:  Commission 
Regulation (EC) No 1242/2002, OJ L 181, 11.7.2002, p.6).  Authorities in the Member States (licensing offices) then issue import licences accordingl y that will be valid until the end of the running 
year. 
 3. Additional quotas due to the WTO accession of the PRC and the EC enlargement in 
May 2004 
3.1. WTO accession of the PRC 
 
 Annex 7 to the Protocol on the Accession of  the PRC to the WTO laid down the phasing out 
of the quotas until the end of 2004, with gradual increases in each year.  The implementation of the 
phasing out plan for these quotas, including the yearly quota increases, is contained in Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003, OJ L 65, 8.3.2003 , p.1, and in Commission Regulation (EC) 
No. 428/2003, OJ L 65, 8.3.2003, p.12. 
 
3.2. EC enlargement in May 2004 
 
 The next EU enlargement has taken place in May 2004.  Council Regulation (EC) No 
1985/2003 (OJ No. L.295,13.11.2003,p. 43) implemented an overall quota increase taking into account 
the enlarged market for the eight months from May 2004 to December 2004.   
__________