Commission Regulation (EC) No 1555/98 of 17 July 1998 establishing administrative procedures for the 1999 quantitative quotas for certain products originating in the People's Republic of China
Date: 1998-07-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: China, footwear industry, household article, import policy, originating product, quantitative restriction

L 202/34

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Official Journal of the European Communities

18. 7. 98

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1555/98

of 17 July 1998

establishing administrative procedures for the 1999 quantitative quotas for
certain products originating in the People’s Republic of China

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 520/94 of 7
March 1994 establishing a Community procedure for
administering quantitative quotas (1), as last amended by
Regulation (EC) No 138/96 (2), and in particular Articles
2(3) and (4), 13 and 24 thereof,

Whereas Council Regulation (EC) No 519/94 of 7 March
1994 on common rules for imports from certain third
countries and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 1765/82,
(EEC) No 1766/82 and (EEC) No 3420/83 (3), as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1138/98 (4), introduced
annual quantitative quotas for certain products originating
in the People’s Republic of China listed in Annex II to
that Regulation; whereas the provisions of Regulation
(EC) No 520/94 are applicable to those quotas;

Whereas the Commission accordingly adopted Regula-
tion (EC) No 738/94 (5), as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 983/96 (6),
laying down general rules for the
implementation of Regulation (EC) No 520/94; whereas
these provisions apply to the administration of the above
quotas subject to the provisions of this Regulation;

Whereas certain characteristics of China’s economy, the
seasonal nature of some of the products and the time
needed for transport mean that orders for products subject
to quota are generally placed before the beginning of the
quota year; whereas it is therefore important to ensure
that administrative constraints do not impede the realiza-
tion of the planned imports; whereas in order not to affect
the continuity of trade flows, the arrangements for allo-
cating and administering the 1999 quotas should accord-
ingly be adopted before the start of the quota year;

Whereas after examination of the different administrative
methods provided for by Regulation (EC) No 520/94, the
method based on traditional
should be
this method the quotas are
adopted; whereas under
divided into two portions, one of which is reserved for
traditional importers and the other for other applicants;

trade flows

(1) OJ L 66, 10. 3. 1994, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 21, 27. 1. 1996, p. 6.
(3) OJ L 67, 10. 3. 1994, p. 89.
(4) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 1.
(5) OJ L 87, 31. 3. 1994, p. 47.
(6) OJ L 131, 1. 6. 1996, p. 47.

Whereas this has proved to be the best way of ensuring
the continuity of business for the Community importers
concerned and avoiding any disturbance of trade flows;

Whereas, however,
the introduction of a Community
system must ensure progressive access by non-traditional
these factors a
importers; whereas in the light of all
in determining the
balance must
portions to be allocated to the two categories of importers;
whereas, to this end, it is appropriate that the portion set
aside for non-traditional importers should be increased as
compared to 1998;

therefore be sought

Whereas the reference period used for allocating the
portion of the quota set aside for traditional importers in
earlier Regulations on the administration of these quotas
should be updated to ensure open access to the quotas;
whereas in order to allow a greater flexibility to the
benefit of traditional importers it is considered appro-
priate to allow them to set their reference period as either
1996 or 1997, which are the most recent years represent-
ative of the normal trend of trade flows in the products in
question; whereas traditional
therefore
prove that they have imported products originating in
China and covered by the quotas in question in the year
1996 or 1997;

importers must

Whereas it has been found in the past that the method
provided for in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94,
which is based on the order in which applications are
received, may not be an appropriate way of allocating that
portion of the quota reserved for non-traditional impor-
ters; whereas, consequently, in accordance with Article
2(4) of Regulation (EC) No 520/94, it is appropriate to
provide for allocation in proportion to the quantities
requested, on the basis of a simultaneous examination of
import licence applications actually lodged, in accordance
with Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94;

Whereas in order to ensure that the quotas can be effi-
ciently allocated and used, any speculative applications
should be excluded, and it is furthermore necessary to
allocate economically significant quantities; whereas to
this end the amount that any non-traditional importer
may request should be restricted to a set volume or value;

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Whereas for the purposes of quota allocation, a time limit
must be set for the submission of licence applications by
traditional and other importers;

Regulation in the Official Journal of the European
Communities until 3 p.m., Brussels
time, on 11
September 1998.

the import

licence applications

Whereas the Member States must inform the Commis-
sion of
in
accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 8 of
Regulation (EC) No 520/94; whereas the information
about
importers’ previous imports must be
expressed in the same units as the quota in question;

traditional

received,

Whereas in view of the special nature of transactions
concerning products subject to quota, and in particular
the time needed for transport, the import licences should
expire on 31 December 1999;

Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are
in accordance with the opinion of the committee for the
administration of quotas set up pursuant to Article 22 of
Regulation (EC) No 520/94,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

This Regulation lays down for 1999 specific provisions for
the administration of the quantitative quotas referred to
in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 519/94.

Regulation (EC) No 738/94 laying down general rules for
the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 520/94 shall
apply, subject to the specific provisions of this Regulation.

Article 2

1.
The quantitative quotas referred to in Article 1 shall
be allocated using the method based on traditional trade
flows, referred to in Article 2(2)(a) of Regulation (EC) No
520/94.

2.
The portions of each quantitative quota set aside for
traditional importers and other importers are set out in
Annex I to this Regulation.

3.
The portion set aside for non-traditional importers
shall be apportioned using the method based on alloca-
tion in proportion to quantities requested; the volume
requested by a single importer may not exceed that
shown in Annex II.

Article 3

Applications for import licences shall be lodged with the
competent authorities listed in Annex III to this Regula-
tion from the day following the day of publication of this

Article 4

For the purposes of allocating the portion of each
1.
quota set aside for
‘traditional'
traditional
importers shall mean importers who can show that they
have imported goods in the calendar year 1996 or 1997.

importers,

2.
The supporting documents referred to in Article 7 of
Regulation (EC) No 520/94 shall relate to the release for
free circulation during either calendar year 1996 or 1997,
as indicated by the importer, of products originating in
the People’s Republic of China which are covered by the
quota in respect of which the application is made.

Instead of the documents referred to in the first
3.
indent of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94 appli-
cants may enclose with their licence applications docu-
ments drawn up and certified by the competent national
authorities on the basis of available customs information
as evidence of the imports of the product in question
during the calendar year 1996 or 1997 carried out by
themselves or, where applicable, by the operator whose
activities they have taken over.

4. Article 18 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/
92 (1)
are
expressed in national currencies.

apply where supporting documents

shall

Article 5

Member States shall
inform the Commission no later
than 25 September 1998 at 10 a.m., Bussels time, of the
number and aggregate quantity of import licence applica-
tions and, in the case of applications from traditional
importers, of the volume of previous imports carried out
by traditional
importers during the reference period
referred to in Article 4(1) of this Regulation.

Article 6

The Commission shall adopt the quantitative criteria to
be used by the competent national authorities for the
purpose of meeting importers’ applications no later than
14 October 1998.

Article 7

Import licences shall be valid for one year, starting on 1
January 1999.

Article 8

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its
publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.

(1) OJ L 302, 19. 10. 1992, p. 1.

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This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Brussels, 17 July 1998.

For the Commission
Leon BRITTAN

Vice-President

ANNEX I

Allocation of the quotas

Product description

HS/CN code

Portion reserved for
traditional importers

Portion reserved for
other importers

Footwear falling within HS/CN codes

ex 6402 99 (1)

29 363 611 pairs
(75 %)

9 787 870 pairs
(25 %)

6403 51
6403 59

2 096 250 pairs
(75 %)

698 750 pairs
(25 %)

ex 6403 91 (1)
ex 6403 99 (1)

9 090 000 pairs
(75 %)

3 030 000 pairs
(25 %)

ex 6404 11 (2)

13 671 585 pairs
(75 %)

4 557 195 pairs
(25 %)

6404 19 10

23 923 287 pairs
(75 %)

7 974 429 pairs
(25 %)

Tableware, kitchenware of porcelain or
china

6911 10

Ceramic tableware or kitchenware

6912 00

36 068 tonnes
(75 %)

27 287 tonnes
(75 %)

12 023 tonnes
(25 %)

9 096 tonnes
(25 %)

(1) Excluding footwear involving special technology: shoes which have a cif price per pair of not less than ECU 9 for use in
sporting activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially
designed to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral movements and with technical features such as hermetic 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, bats or the like, with a non-injected sole;

(b) footwear involving special technology: shoes which have a cif price per pair of not less than ECU 9 for use in sporting
activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially
designed to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral movements and with technical features such as hermetic pads
containing gas or fluid, mechanical components which absorb or neutralize impact or materials such as low-density
polymers.

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ANNEX II

Maximum quantity which may be requested by each importer other than traditional

Product description

HS/CN code

Predetermined
maximum quantity

Footwear falling within HS/CN codes

ex 6402 99 (1)

6403 51
6403 59

ex 6403 91 (1)
ex 6403 99 (1)

ex 6404 11 (2)

6404 19 10

6911 10

6912 00

Tableware, kitchenware of porcelain or china

Ceramic tableware or kitchenware

4 000 pairs

4 000 pairs

4 000 pairs

4 000 pairs

4 000 pairs

4 tonnes

4 tonnes

(1) Excluding footwear involving special technology: shoes which have a cif price per pair of not less than ECU 9 for use in
sporting activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially
designed to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral movements and with technical features such as hermetic pads containing
gas or fluid, mechanical components which absorb or neutralize 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, bats or the like, with a non-injected sole;

(b) footwear involving special technology: shoes which have a cif price per pair of not less than ECU 9 for use in sporting
activities, with a single- or multi-layer moulded sole, not injected, manufactured from synthetic materials specially
designed to absorb the impact of vertical or lateral movements and with technical features such as hermetic pads
containing gas or fluid, mechanical components which absorb or neutralize impact or materials such as low-density
polymers.

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ANEXO III (cid:190) BILAG III (cid:190) ANHANG III (cid:190) PAQAQTGLA III (cid:190) ANNEX III (cid:190) ANNEXE III (cid:190)
ALLEGATO III (cid:190) BIJLAGE III (cid:190) ANEXO III (cid:190) LIITE III (cid:190) BILAGA III

Lista de las autoridades nacionales competentes
Liste over kompetente nationale myndigheder
Liste der zuständigen Behörden der Mitgliedstaaten
P(cid:148)majar tym aql(cid:149)diym ehmij(cid:150)m aqw(cid:150)m

List of the national competent authorities
Liste des autorités nationales compétentes
Elenco delle autorità nazionali competenti
Lijst van bevoegde nationale instanties
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Luettelo kansallisista toimivaltaisista viranomaisista
Lista över nationella kompetenta myndigheter

1. BELGIQUE/BELGIË

6. FRANCE

Ministère des affaires économiques/Ministerie van Economische
Zaken
Administration des relations économiques, 4e division (cid:190) Mise en
œuvre des politiques commerciales/Bestuur van de Economische
Betrekkingen, 4e afdeling (cid:190) Toepassing van de Handelspolitiek
Services licences/Dienst Vergunningen
Rue Général Leman/Generaal Lemanstraat 60
B-1040 Bruxelles/Brussel
Tél./Tel.:
(32-2) 230 90 43
Télécopieur/Fax:

(32-2) 230 83 22/231 14 84

2. DANMARK

Erhvervsfremme Styrelsen
Søndergade 25
DK-8600 Silkeborg
Tlf.
(45) 87 20 40 60
Fax (45) 87 20 40 77

3. DEUTSCHLAND

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft
Frankfurter Straße 29-31
D-65760 Eschborn
Tel.:
Fax.:

(49) 61 96 404-0
(49) 61 96 40 42 12

4. EKKADA

Upouqce(cid:148)o Ehmij(cid:147)r Oijomol(cid:148)ar,
Cemij(cid:147) Cqallate(cid:148)a Diehm(cid:150)m Oijomolij(cid:150)m Sw(cid:146)seym,
Cemij(cid:147) Die(cid:151)humsg Enyteqij(cid:150)m Oijomolij(cid:150)m jai Elpoqij(cid:150)m
Sw(cid:146)seym,
Die(cid:151)humsg Diadijasi(cid:150)m Enyteqijo(cid:151) Elpoq(cid:148)ou,
Joqm(cid:145)qou 1,
GR-105 63 Ah(cid:147)ma,
Tgk.:
Van:

(30-1) 328 60 31/328 60 32
(30-1) 328 60 29/328 60 59.

5. ESPAÑA

Ministerio de Economía y Hacienda
Dirección General de Comercio Exterior
Paseo de la Castellana, 162
E-28071 Madrid
Tel.:
Fax.:

(34) 913 49 38 94/913 49 37 78
(34) 913 49 38 32/913 49 38 31

Services des titres du commerce extérieur
8, rue de la Tour-des-Dames
F-75436 Paris Cedex 09
Tél.:
Télécopieur:

(33-1) 40 04 04 04

(33-1) 55 07 46 59

7. IRELAND

Department of Tourism and Trade,
Licensing Unit,
Kildare Street,
IRL-Dublin 2
Tel.:
Fax:

(353 1) 662 14 44
(353 1) 676 61 54

8. ITALIA

Ministero del Commercio con l’estero
Direzione generale delle importazioni e delle esportazioni
Viale America, 341
I-00144 Roma
Tel.:
Telefax:
Telex: 610083 (cid:190) 610471 (cid:190) 614478

(39 6) 59 93 26 31 (cid:190) 59 93 22 35

(39 6) 59 931

9. LUXEMBOURG

Ministère des affaires étrangères
Office des licences
Boîte postale 113
L-2011 Luxembourg
Tél.:
Télécopieur:

(352) 22 61 62

(352) 46 61 38

10. NEDERLAND

Centrale Dienst voor In- en Uitvoer
Engelse Kamp 2
Postbus 30003
9700 RD Groningen
Nederland
(31-50) 523 91 11
Tel.
Fax (31-50) 526 06 98

11. ÖSTERREICH

Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Angelegenheiten
Landstraßer Hauptstraße 55-57
A-1031 Wien
Tel.:
Fax.:

(43) 1 71 10 23 61
(43) 1 715 83 47

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12. PORTUGAL

Ministério de Economia
Direcção-Geral do Comércio
Avenida da República 79
P-1000 Lisboa
Tel.:
Telefax:
Telex: 13418

(351-1) 793 09 93/793 30 02

(351-1) 793 22 10/796 37 23

13. SUOMI

Tullihallitus
PL 512
FIN-00101 Helsinki
Puh.:
Telekopio (358) 9 614 2852

(358) 9 61 41

14. SVERIGE

Kommerskollegium
Box 6803
S-113 86 Stockholm
Tfn (46-8) 690 48 00
Fax (46-8) 30 67 59

15. UNITED KINGDOM

Department of Trade and Industry,
Import Licencing Branch,
Queensway House,
West Precinct,
Billingham,
UK-Stockton on Tees TS23 2NF
Tel.:
Fax:

(44 1642) 36 43 33/36 43 34
(44 1642) 53 35 57