Communication to traders - Implementation of the rules of origin under the EC-Mexico Agreement
Date: 2000-07-06
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Mexico, agreement (EU), cooperation agreement, export licence, originating product

6.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/3

COMMUNICATION TO TRADERS

Implementation of the rules of origin under the EC-Mexico Agreement

(2000/C 187/03)

Annex III of the Free Trade Agreement between the European
Community and Mexico (Decision 2/200 of
the EC-Mexico
Joint Council (1)), which will enter into force on 1 July 2000,
the
contains
concept of originating products and methods of administrative
cooperation.

the provisions concerning the definition of

DESCRIPTION OF ANNEX III OF DECISION 2/2000 OF THE
EC-MEXICO JOINT COUNCIL

The
structure and general provisions of Annex III are
practically identical to those laid down in the Protocols on
the rules of origin contained in the European Agreements.
However, Appendices I
(Introductory notes to the list of
Appendices II and IIa)) and II (List of working or processing
required to be carried out on non-originating materials in
order that the product manufactured can obtain originating
status) contain new provisions.

Appendix II contains the permanent rules of origin, subject to
the specific provisions concerning the date of entry into force
of certain rules.

includes

Appendix II (a)
the rules of origin temporarily
applicable, as well as the provisions concerning the origin
rules applicable within the framework of quotas. Finally, joint
Declarations provide for
the possible revision of certain
provisions of Annex III.

1. Permanent rules of origin

Permanent rules of origin laid down in Appendix II, which
enter into force on 1 July 2000, can in certain cases be
applicable only at a later date. That is, for example, the case
for the rule concerning the printing of fabrics intended for
making-up of articles of apparel (Chapter 62, applicable after
31 December 2002) or of household linen (Chapter 63,
Joint
after 31 December 2003, unless
applicable
Committee decides otherwise).

the

In practice, for the products concerned,
it is possible for a
product to satisfy different rules in order to acquire originating
status in one of the Parties of the Agreement.

1.1. Textiles

Thus, for printed fabrics of Chapters 52, 54, 55 and of tariff
headings 5801, 5806 and 5811, are regarded as originating:

(cid:151) the fabrics obtained from materials originating in the

Community and/or Mexico (bilateral comulation);

(cid:151) the fabrics of Chapters 52, 54 and 55 obtained from coir
yarn, natural fibres, man-made staple fibres not carded or
spinning, chemical
combed or otherwise prepared for
tariff
materials,
headings 5801, 5806 and 5811 obtained from natural
fibres, chemical materials or textile pulp (2);

textile pulp or paper;

the fabrics of

(cid:151) the fabrics obtained by (cid:145)printing accompanied by at least
two preparatory or finishing operations (such as scouring,
bleaching, mercerising, heat setting, raising, calendering,
shrink resistance processing, permanent
finishing, deca-
tising,
impregnating, mending and burling) where the
value of the unprinted fabric used does not exceed 47,5 %
of the ex-works price of the product(cid:146), within the limits of
the quotas fixed for each chapter of the Harmonised System
concerned (footnotes to Appendix II).

(cid:151) the cotton fabrics of tariff headings 5801, 5806 and 5811,
obtained by weaving of cotton yarn and printing accom-
panied by at least two preparatory or finishing operations
(such scouring, bleaching, mercerising, heat setting, raising,
permanent
calendering,
finishing, decatising, impregnating, mending and burling).

processing,

resistance

shrink

1.2. Footwear

Concerning footwear of
regarded as originating:

tariff heading 6402 to 6404, are

Rules of origin applicable within the framework of quotas

(cid:151) the footwear obtained from materials originating in the

for

exports

Community

In addition of
in Appendix II,
the rules provided for
supplementary rules may be applied within the framework of
quotas
These
those appearing in the
supplementary rules are in fact
European Agreements and which shall apply only to fabrics
(Chapters 52, 54, 55 and ex 58) printed in the Community,
and shoes (tariff headings 6402 to 6404) assembled in the
Community, and exported to Mexico (about quota system,
see below).

to Mexico.

(1) OJ L 157, 30.6.2000. For the time being, the text of Annex III is
site:

only
http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/bilateral/mexico/fta.htm

following

available

Internet

the

on

at

Community and/or Mexico (bilateral cumulation);

(cid:151) the footwear in the manufacture of which (cid:145)all the materials
the
used are classified within a heading other than of
product, except the uppers and parts thereof, other than
stiffeners, of heading 6406(cid:146) (uppers and parts thereof, other
than stiffeners, must be originating in one of the Parties)
(cid:145)and the value of all the materials used does not exceed
(rule of
60 % of
Appendix II);

the ex-works price of

the product(cid:146)

(2) The rules laid down in Appendices apply to the non-originating

materials.

C 187/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

6.7.2000

(cid:151) the footwear obtained (cid:145)from materials of any heading,
except for assemblies o uppers affixed to inner soles or
to other sole components of heading 6406(cid:146), within the
limits of the quotas fixed for each tariff heading. For the
footwear of tariff heading 6403, this possibility is available
only for pairs with a customs value over USD 20 (rule of
Appendix II(a)).

2. Temporary rules of origin

Temporary rules of origin contained in Appendix II(a) apply,
for the products concerned, from the entry into force of the
Agreement until the indicated deadline instead of the rules laid
down in Appendix II. These rules apply:

(cid:151) either to both Parties, such as for chemials of the heading
ex 2914 and ex 2915, leather of bovine or equine animals
of heading 4104, certain articles of clothing of Chapters 61
and 62, engines of heading 8407 and 8408 or motor cars,
chassis and bodies of heading 8703, 8706 and 8707
respectively.

(cid:151) or to one of the Parties, in the framework of quotas granted
by the Community to Mexico concerning vehicles of
heading ex 8701, 8702 and 8704, which are managed
according to the usual Community system.

If the quota is not entirely allotted, the price to be paid is 1
Mexican cent (minimum price for an offer).

Each winner receives a letter indicating the allocated quantities
and the period of validity as well as a magnetic card from
which the quantities are drawn at each importation. The
quotas are regularly re-allocated until the total amount of the
quota is drawn.

Origin certification:

In order to be able to benefit from the quota, the Mexican
importer has
to have a proof of origin showing that
products satisfy the specific origin rule established within the
framework of
the quotas. For that purpose, either box 7
(Remarks) of the movement certificate EUR. 1 or the invoice
declaration must include the following:

(cid:151) For textile quotas of tariff headings 5208 to 5212, 5407,
5408, 5512 to 5516, 5801, 5806 and 5811 at importation
into Mexico: (cid:145)Meets the specific rule of origin as set out in
Appendix II(cid:146)

(cid:151) For quotas on footwear of tariff headings 6402, 6403 and
6404 at importation into Mexico: (cid:145)Meets the specific rule of
origin as set out in Appendix II(a), note 9(cid:146).

3. Joint declarations

Joint declarations contain a reference to the review, extension
or postponement, by the Joint Committee,of the application of
certain rules and of the voluems of the quotas.

for

Similarly, for the quotas on certain vehicles of tariff heading ex
semi-tailers), 8702 and 8704 at
8701 (road tractors
importation into the Community,
the following indication
shall be included in box 7 of the movement certificate EUR.
1 or in the invoice declaration: (cid:145)Meets the specific rule of origin
as set out in Appendix II(a), note 12.1(cid:146).

SYSTEM QUOTAS ON EXPORTS TO MEXICO

The tariff quotas applied by Mexico on EC exports are
managed by Secofi
(Secretar(cid:237)a de Comercio y Fomento
Industrial) and are granted through an auction system.

Auction system:

The notice of auction, describing the quota, the place and the
date of the inviation to tender,
is published in the Mexican
Journal at least twenty days before the date of the
Official
participants’ registration. Interested parties will have access to
the information concerning the inviation to tender, such as the
type and the volume of the quota, the requirements for partici-
pation,
the
certificates.

the period of validity of

the auction criteria,

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATING TO PROOFS OF ORIGIN

It should be noted that the movement certificates EUR.1 issued
by the customs authorities of the Community which are used
in other preferential agreements to which the Community is a
Party, shall be accepted by the customs authorities of Mexico,
provided that:

(a) box 8 of this certificate EUR.1 includes the tariff classifi-
cation of the goods at a tariff heading (four digit code)
level; and

(b) the other requirements set out in Annex III to Decision

2/2000 are fulfilled.

The auction is granted according to the (cid:145)least winning price(cid:146)
principle. Each participant can submit five offers, by specifying
the quantities desired and the price the participant is ready to
pay for these quantities (at least one Mexican cent by offer).
The winning offers are those corresponding to the highest
prices proposed, until exhausting of
the quota. The price
actually paid by the winners will be the least winning price.

Regarding invoice declarations, attention is drawn to the fact
that the text of that declaration (see Appendix IV of Annex III)
additionally includes mention of the (cid:145)competent governmental
authorisation number(cid:146) which is granted by SECOFI. Notwith-
standing the fact that this mention is releant for exports from
Mexico to the Community only, it should be included also in
invoice declarations issued by approved exporters in a Member
State of the Community.

6.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/5

INFORMATION OF THE COMMISSION

In order to allow the Commission to assess the function of the
system of rules of origin, the Commission will collect details of
quantities for which certificates EUR.1 and invoice declarations
are issued in connection with export quotas. Users of invoice
declarations are requested to inform the competent central
office in the relevant Member State (see list of offices in

Annex). That office will transmit the data to the Commission
at least once per month.

The running total of quantities according to the information
received will be displayed every day on the (cid:145)Quotas & ceilings(cid:146)
website
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/
taxation_customs/databases/quota_en.htm).

TAXUD

DG

of

Each quota will be identified by an order number as follows:

00.0001

00.0002

00.0003

00.0004

00.0011

00.0012

ex 5208
ex 5209
ex 5210
ex 5211
ex 5212

ex 5407
ex 5408

ex 5512
ex 5513
ex 5514
ex 5515
ex 5516

ex 5801
ex 5806
ex 5811

ex 6402

annual volume: 2 million square metres

annual volume: 3,5 million square metres

annual volume: 2 million square metres

annual volume: 0,5 million square metres

annual volume: 120 000 pairs

ex 6403 (for men)

annual volume: 250 000 pairs with a customs value over
USD 20

00.0013

ex 6403 (for women)

00.0014

ex 6403 (for children)

annual volume: 250 000 pairs with a customs value over
USD 20

annual volume: 125 000 pairs with a customs value over
USD 20

00.0015

ex 6404

annual volume: 120 000 pairs

For the purposes of these quotas on that website, the term (cid:145)origin(cid:146) should be understood to mean
destination, with Mexico as the country of destination, and references to importation and procedures
for release for free circulation should be ignored. The numeric code for Mexico is 412.

C 187/6

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Official Journal of the European Communities

6.7.2000

ANNEX

List of the central offices responsible for the collection of data in each Member State:

Member State

Central office

BELGI¸
BELGIQUE
BELGIEN

LUXEMBOURG

DANMARK

DEUTSCHLAND

ELLAS

ESPA(cid:209)A

FRANCE

IRELAND

ITALIA

MinistŁre des finances
Administration centrale des douanes et accises
CitØ administrative de l’(cid:201)tat
Tour Finances 50 (cid:151) Bte 37
Boulevard du Jardin Botanique
B-1010 Bruxelles
TØl. (32 2) 10 32 82
Fax (32 2) 10 33 13

Told- og Skattestyrelsen
Erhvervsafdelingen
S(cid:230)rlige Opgaver, Padborg
Toldbodvej 8
DK-6330 Padborg
Att: Kontingentadministrationen
Telefonnummer (45) 7640 4736
Telefax (45) 7467 5592

Oberfinanzdirektion K(cid:246)ln
Zoll- und Verbrauchsteuerabteilung
Au(cid:223)enstelle D(cid:252)sseldorf
(cid:151) Zentralstelle Zollkontingente (cid:151)
Postfach 10 11 14
D-40002 D(cid:252)sseldorf
Tel. 49 (0) 211-9088-701
Fax 49 (0) 211-9088-704

Ministry of Finance
General Directorate of Customs and Excise
17th Tariff Division
Section A (cid:151) Department A II
10, Karageorgi Servias Str.
10184 Athens
Tel. (00301) 32 55 570
Telefax (00301) 32 28 627
e.mail adress: gdt-dasmo@otenet.gr

Departamento de Aduanas e Impuestos Especiales
Subdirecci(cid:243)n General de Gesti(cid:243)n Aduanera
Avenida Llano Castellano, 17
E-28071Madrid
Tel. (34) 917 28 98 59
Fax (34) 913 58 47 21

Direction gØnØrale des douanes
8, rue de la Tour des dames
F-75436 Paris Cedex 09
TØl. (33 1) 44 74 48 59
Fax (33 1) 44 74 48 32

Office of the Revenue Commissioners
Government Offices
Nenagh
County Tipperary
Ireland
Tel. (353) 673 35 33 (ext. 632 60)
Fax (353) 674 43 88

Ministero delle Finanze
Dipartimento delle Dogane e delle Imposte indirette
Direzione centrale Servizi doganali
Ispettorato 2(cid:176) (cid:151) Divisione III
Via Mario Carucci, 71
I-00143 Roma
Tel. (00-39) 06 50 24 20 86
Fax (00-39) 06 50 95 70 03

6.7.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/7

Member State

Central office

NEDERLAND

(cid:214)STERREICH

PORTUGAL

SUOMI
FINLAND

SVERIGE

UNITED KINGDOM

Belastingdienst
Centrale Dienst voor in- en uitvoer
Postbus 30003
9700 RD Groningen

Zollamt Suben
Suben 25
A-4975 Suben

MinistØrio das Finan(cid:231)as
Direc(cid:231)ªo-Geral das Alfa(cid:136)ndegas
Rua das Alfa(cid:136)ndegas, 5
P-1194 Lisboa Codex
Tel. (351-21) 886 05 37 (cid:151) ext. 302
Fax (351-21) 888 42 08

Tullihallitus
Veroyksikk(cid:246)
PL 512
FIN-00101 Helsinki

Tullexpeditionen Helsingborg
Box 1334
S-251 13 Helsingborg
Tfn (46-42) 19 87 03
Fax (46-42) 19 87 09

HM Customs and Excise
Central Tariff Quotas Unit (CTQU)
First Floor
Alexander House
21 Victoria Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS99 1AA