Proposal for a Council regulation establishing, pursuant to Article 1 (7) of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93, the list of textiles and clothing products to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1 January 2002 and amending Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 3285/94
Date: 2000-07-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: GATT, import policy, tariff quota, textile product, third country

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 12.7.2000
COM(2000) 441 final

2000/0190 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

establishing, pursuant to Article 1 (7) of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93, the list of textiles
and clothing products to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1 January 2002 and
amending Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation (EC)
No 3285/94

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Background: the legal requirement

As part of the results of the Uruguay Round, the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
(ATC) provides for a progressive integration into normal GATT rules of textiles and clothing
products from the special regime derived from the Multi-Fibre Agreement (MFA) as
established in under the ATC.

The ATC provides for a process of integration by four stages: 1.1.1995 (Council Regulation
(EC) No 3285/94)1, 1.1.1998 (Council Regulation (EC) No 2315/96)2, 1.1.2002 and
31.12.2004. In each stage, WTO Members have to integrate a minimum percentage of the
volume (tons) of their 1990 imports into GATT 1994: 16 % in the 1st stage, 17 % in the 2nd
stage, 18 % in the 3rd stage, and the rest on 31.12.2005. "Integration" of a product under the
normal GATT rules means essentially the elimination of any quotas imposed on the imports
of the products concerned and foregoing the possibility of applying the special safeguard
provision of the ATC. The ATC also contains provisions for the opening of markets of all
WTO Members including by those WTO countries which do not apply quantitative
restrictions.

Pursuant to Article 2 paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the ATC, the list of products to be integrated in
the third stage has to be notified to the Textiles Monitoring Body (TMB) by 31.12.2000.

Annex X of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93 on common rules for imports of certain textile
products from third countries lists the products not yet integrated into GATT. According to
Article 1 paragraph 7 of Regulation 3030/93 the Council, upon proposal by the Commission,
shall amend this annex in order to integrate the remaining products according to the stages
defined by the ATC.

Annex 1 to the present Proposal contains the list of textiles and clothing products proposed
for integration in stage 3.

The EU regime for imports of textiles and clothing products

The EU is the world's largest importer of textiles and clothing products together with the US.
59.3 billion. Despite the existence of quotas
In 1999, the value of imports amounted to over
on the imports from a total of 21 countries, of which 14 are WTO members, overall the EU
market for textiles and clothing products can be regarded as rather open. This explains why
EU textiles and clothing imports grew between 1995 and 1999 by 31 %, and account for
around 50 % of total consumption in the EU:

€

• EU tariffs are low: 0.7 % for raw materials, 5.3 % for yarns and fibres, 6.3 % for fabrics

and 11.9 % for clothing, an average of 9 %.

• The EU has no quotas on textiles and clothing imports from the least developed countries.
In addition, these countries usually benefit from zero duties arising either from preferences

1 OJ No L 349 of 31.12.1994, p.57
2 OJ No L 314 of 4.12.1996, p. 1

2

under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) or under the Lomé Convention. This
includes large garment suppliers such as Bangladesh. In 1999 roughly 44 % of the EU's
imports in textiles and clothing products were duty free. For 46% of the imports a GSP
reduction of 15 % of the MFN tariff rate was applied.

• In 1999 the value of imports under quota3 from WTO Members represented a bit less than
a quarter of total imports of textiles and clothing by the EU. Many of the quotas have low
levels of utilisation: only a tenth of EU quotas applied to imports from WTO countries are
currently highly utilised (95 % or more), and less than one in twenty of such quotas will
grow between 1994 and 2002 by less than 50 %.

• The quotas are not fixed, but are subject to annual increases. The ATC provides for the
progressive relaxation of the existing quotas on textiles and clothing trade with WTO
Members during the 10-year transitional period. Small suppliers of textiles and clothing -
Sri Lanka and Peru - benefit from greater growth rates. The enhanced growth provisions of
the Agreement have lead to a significant growth of quotas. Between 1995, the first year of
the ATC and 2002, the first year of stage 3, quotas will have generally been increased by
about between 60 and 90 %. The more sensitive quotas will have grown by between 25 %
and 35 %, while in certain cases growth rates of up to 160 % will have been implemented
as a result of the ATC.

• For some of the countries the number of product categories subject to import quotas is very

low: for instance, two categories for Peru, and three for Argentina.

The integration under the 3rd phase of the ATC will result
liberalisation.

in significant additional

Third country market access aspects

Before drawing up its proposal for products to be integrated, the Commission took into
consideration the degree of market access that third countries, likely to benefit from EU
liberalisation, have granted for EU exports. A report required by Article 1 paragraph 7 of
Regulation 3030/93 on the respect of the market access commitments of third countries under
the GATT rules and disciplines referred to in Article 7 of the ATC, is being provided
separately.

The analysis and different studies carried out by the Commission shows that there has not
been a substantive market opening by the EU's trade partners and the existence still of
significant tariff and non-tariff trade barriers.

In addition to a large amount of non-tariff barriers, the average tariffs for textiles and clothing
applied in WTO of 9 % compare with average applied tariffs of between 20 % and 25 % by
countries such as Argentina, Brazil or Thailand and of 38 % for India and 39 % for Pakistan;
this difference is greater for clothing, as applied tariffs are higher with averages rarely lower
than 20 % and reaching 40 % for Thailand and India and 45 % in Pakistan. Average tariffs for
the sector bound in WTO are considerably higher: while the end-rates bound by the EU for
2005 average 7,9 %, in other countries these range between 25 % and 30 % in Chile, the
Philippines and Thailand, over 35 % in Colombia or Indonesia, and for countries such as

3 WTO Members under quota are: Argentina, Brazil, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Singapore, India,

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru and Philippines.

3

India and Pakistan tariffs have been bound at levels either exceeding 35 % or not bound at all
for a number of products. Some countries apply additional import duties and/or specific
duties. The amount and intensity of such barriers may be a relevant factor explaining the
modest exports of textiles and clothing products from the EU to ATC countries, which in fact
went down from
2.78 bn in 1999.

3.16 bn in 1995 to

€

€

There are significant potential gains of improved market access in third countries. A
substantial degree of adjustment and investment has been taking place in the EU's textiles and
clothing industry over the last few years. Many segments of EU textiles and clothing industry
are very competitive, as proves the fact that the EU is the second world largest textiles and
clothing exporter (its exports in 1999 amounted to
34.8 billion), that it is the world's largest
textiles exporter, and that it has consistently had a surplus in textiles trade.

€

An analysis of export performance related to the level of tariffs applied by third countries
shows that the levels of EC exports to countries whose tariffs are lower or close to those
applied by the EU (US, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong) are considerably higher
than those for countries applying significantly higher tariffs (China, India, Indonesia,
Pakistan, Thailand). Although the relatively poor performance by EU industry in the latter
countries can at least partially be explained by the considerably lower purchasing power of
those countries, high tariffs and important non-tariff barriers act also as an important deterrent
against exports.

the list

to be submitted for stage 3 should meet

The Commission considers that
the
Community's obligations under the ATC in a way that may best encourage other countries to
make progress in market opening. Thus, the current proposal, whilst implying considerable
steps to further open the EU market, would not give away unnecessarily negotiating leverage
that could be used to open third countries' markets. Instead, it leaves open the possibility of
achieving further, more far-reaching liberalisation of textile products under quota through
bilateral discussions with a selected number of trade partners. These partners should be
prepared to improve market access for EU exports in exchange for improvements in the quota
regime (increases or elimination of quotas). A proposal for negotiating directives by the
Commission to the Council to this effect was adopted on 9 June 2000.

Consultation with interested parties

For the preparation of the decision on selecting products for liberalisation, it was decided to
engage in a process of consultation with the concerned public, notably the industry, importers,
consumers and third countries. A notice inviting comments from the public was published in
the Official Journal C/88/10 of 25.3.2000, and on 14.4.2000 Mr. Lamy chaired a Round Table
meeting with representatives of industry, and he has also met representatives of trade
associations. Replies to the Commission call for comments were received from EU textiles
and clothing industry, importers and traders' associations, and one third country.

Elements for consideration in the preparation of the proposal

The proposal draws a careful balance between a large number of different considerations and
interests. Basically, the proposal intends to combine, within the full respect of the WTO
obligations:

(a)

the progressivity of the phasing out of quotas during the 10 years of transition from the
quota-based MFA towards the full elimination of quotas in 2005, agreed in the Uruguay
Round as an appropriate period to allow for the necessary improvement in the EU
industry's competitiveness;

4

(b) the expectations from developing countries as to the pace of dismantling of the MFA in
combination with progress on their side in offering better market access in textiles and
clothing products in accordance with the provisions of the ATC;

(c)

the impact of the proposal on the EU's strategy for achieving improved market access in
third countries, especially with a view to keep the possibility of using existing quotas as a
bargaining chip to obtain better market access in third countries;

(d) a correct burden sharing of the impact of liberalisation between the different segments of
industry (in order for instance to avoid that the most export-oriented segments of industry
are disadvantaged by the degree of protection in the upstream part of production), and
between Member States and regions;

(e)

(f)

the interest for consumers and traders in the liberalisation of certain items as compared
with others, taking into account the costs of protection for them, and the overall benefits
of import liberalisation for the economy as a whole;

the positive contribution that liberalisation of EU imports of textiles and clothing may
provide for the economic development of developing countries as a sector of export
interest to them.

The 3rd stage of integration under the ATC is an important step in trade liberalisation terms.
Since an inclusion of the remaining non-quota products provides merely 3.55 % of EU
imports, in order to reach the 18 % (in 1990 volume) required by the ATC, a very significant
amount of products under quota will therefore have to be added to the list, thus resulting in
any event in substantial liberalisation: the proposed list will result in the elimination of 37
quotas vis-à-vis WTO member countries (56 quotas if China is included), i.e. a fifth of the
total 183 quotas applied vis-à-vis current WTO Members. This adds to 12 quotas that the EU
eliminated in the 2nd stage of integration. The value of total EU imports of products of those
product categories in 1999 was 12,9 billion
, or 21,8 % of total textiles and clothing imports
(exactly 18,1 % of total volume of imports in 1990).

€

The main elements considered in the preparation of the proposal are detailed below.

Impact on the European textiles and clothing industry

The proposal attempts to limit the potential negative impact on EU industry of integration, in
order to provide it with the necessary time to continue its restructuring efforts within the year
2005 horizon, and to distribute as evenly as possible such an impact. In particular, it takes into
consideration social aspects and intends to reduce to the minimum any possible adverse effect
on employment which would otherwise risk being concentrated in certain regions within the
EU, of which some already have a comparatively low income. Relevant criteria are:
• sensitivity of products for EU textiles and clothing industry and likely effect of

liberalisation, trying to avoid the most sensitive products;

• product characteristics in terms of prices, added value, quality range, fashion content,

importance of innovation and R&D, degree of capital/labour intensity;

• degree of foreign market penetration (i.e. imports as percent of apparent consumption);
• likely regional impact within the EU and on economic cohesion among Member States and

regions, taking into account the large number of SMEs operating in the sector;

• actual protection derived from quota (number of quotas, both against ATC and non-ATC
members, utilisation rate, targeting of suppliers,…): quotas with low utilisation rates have

5

been considered more positively for elimination;

• impact of liberalisation of a given product on the whole production chain, from fibre to
the interdependency between upstream and

taking account of

finished product,
downstream operators;

• impact of liberalisation of a given product on substitutable textile and clothing products
(e.g. according to the raw material used, for instance wool, cotton synthetic fibres, etc.);
• differential impact among industry segments (fair distribution of burden), taking into
consideration the respective contributions made during previous stages of integration;
• interests of operators with investments in third countries, in particular in Eastern and
Central Europe, Turkey, and in the Mediterranean area, such as in the form of outward
processing transactions.

Interests of importers
• interests of the different kinds of importers: traders, retail and wholesale distributors, and

industry with trading interests

• interests of economic players which have operations in third countries

Consumer concerns
• benefits of consumers in terms of affordable quality and differentiated imports, especially

for clothing products

International trade considerations
• impact on Customs Union partner Turkey;
• impact on EU candidate countries, and on countries situated in the Mediterranean area; due
to the absence of quotas being applied by candidate countries, such a proposal should have
a minimum impact in terms of potential increases of exports from other countries into them
when they join the EU

• expectations from WTO partners, to whom the EC applies quotas, that integration should
lead to substantial liberalisation of products under quota, in conjunction with progress by
these countries in opening their markets in turn;

• impact on market access strategy for EC textiles and clothing exports: in particular, it has
been considered appropriate to retain control over quotas that could be used as negotiating
capital for negotiations with the countries concerned in exchange for better access to their
textiles and clothing markets;

• integration programmes of other importing countries (so far as available to date), such as
United States (which decided to postpone till 2005 the liberalisation of the more sensitive
product categories), Canada or Norway.

Conclusion

The Commission considers that the list in Annex I represents an economically sound and
equitable integration programme that mutually takes into account the different interests listed
above.

6

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

establishing, pursuant to Article 1 (7) of Regulation (EEC) 3030/93, the list of textiles
and clothing products to be integrated into GATT 1994 on 1 January 2002 and
amending Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 and Annex II to Regulation (EC)
No 3285/94

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and, in particular, Article
133 thereof,

Having regard to Article 1 (7) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3030/934 of 12 October 1993
on common rules for imports of certain textile products from third countries,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The European Community has concluded the Agreement establishing the World Trade
referred to as the WTO)5,
to which is attached the
Organisation (hereinafter
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (hereinafter referred to as the ATC).

Under Article 2 (8) (a) and (11) of the ATC, the Community is obliged, on the one
hand, to integrate on 1 January 2002 products which in 1990 accounted for not less
than 18 % of the total volume of 1990 imports into the Community of all textiles and
clothing products covered by the ATC into the normal GATT rules and disciplines
and, on the other hand, to notify the list of such products to the Textiles Monitoring
Body of the WTO before 1 January 2001.

In selecting the products to be integrated, the Council has been guided by a number of
factors, including the sensitivity of the product for the Community industry and its
regional components particularly in terms of economic competitiveness and the
employment situation, the effectiveness of any quantitative restrictions on the product,
the ability of Community industry to continue its process of adaptation to increased
competition in products which currently are subject to a quantitative restriction with
one or more supplier country, the desire to encourage industrial adjustment at an
acceptable pace throughout the ten year transition period, the impact on consumers,
the impact on third countries and the opportunity to simplify the Community import
regime for textile and clothing products.

4 OJ No L 275, 8. 11. 1993, p. 1. as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1072/99 (OJ No L 134,

28. 5. 1999, p. 1

5 OJ No L 336, 23. 12. 1994, p. 3

7

(4)

(5)

(6)

Account has been taken in this respect of the submissions received from interested
parties who responded to the Commission's invitation for such submissions published
in the Official Journal of the European Communities6.

The list of products contained in Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 has to be
amended to exclude the products to be integrated on 1 January 2002.

The list of textiles and clothing products which are governed by the normal GATT
rules and disciplines, contained in Annex II to Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 of
22 December 1994 on the common rules for imports and repealing Regulation (EC)
No 518/947 has to be amended to include, as from 1 January 2002, the products to be
integrated under the normal rules of GATT.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. The products to be integrated under the normal rules of GATT, as from 1 January 2002, are
listed in Annex I to this Regulation.

2. Annex X to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93 is hereby replaced by the Annex in Annex II to
this Regulation, as from 1 January 2002.

3. Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 is hereby replaced by the Annex in Annex III to
this Regulation, as from 1 January 2002.

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

Article2

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council
The President

6 OJ No C 88, 25. 3. 2000, p. 18
7 OJ No L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 53 as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2315/96 (OJ No L 314,

4. 12. 1996, p. 1)

8

ANNEX I

List of textile and clothing products to be integrated into the normal GATT 1994 rules
(third stage)

Category

Description

10

18

21

24

27

32

33

34

36

37

Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted

Men's or boys’ singlets and other vests, underpants, briefs, night-shirts,
pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted
or crocheted

Women's or girls’ singlets and other vests, slips, petticoats, briefs, panties,
night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar
articles, other than knitted or crocheted

Parkas; anoraks, windcheaters, waister jackets and the like, other than
knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres; upper parts
of tracksuits with lining, other than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-
made fibres

Men's or boys’ night-shirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar
articles, knitted or crocheted

Women's or girls’ night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing
gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

Women's or girls’ skirts, including divided skirts

Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry
fabrics of cotton and narrow woven fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of
wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of
polyethylene or polypropylene, less than 3 m wide

Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, not knitted or
crocheted, obtained from strip or the like

Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of
polyethylene or polypropylene, 3 m or more wide

Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of
category 114

Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

38 A

Knitted or crocheted synthetic curtain fabric including net curtain fabric

40

Woven curtains ( including drapes, interior blinds, curtain and bed valances
and other furnishing articles), other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of
cotton or of man-made fibres

9

42

Yarn of continuous man-made fibres, not put up for retail sale

43

47

48

49

53

54

55

56

59

60

62

Yarn of artificial fibres; yarn of artificial filaments, not put up for retail sale,
other than single yarn of viscose rayon untwisted or with a twist of not more
than 250 turns/m and single non textured yarn of cellulose acetate

Yarn of man-made filament, yarn of artificial staple fibres, cotton yarn, put
up for retail sale

Yarn of carded sheep's or lambs’ wool (woollen yarn) or of carded fine
animal hair, not put up for retail sale

Yarn of combed sheep's or lambs’ wool (worsted yarn) or of combed fine
animal hair, not put up for retail sale

Yarn of sheep's or lambs’ wool or of combed fine animal hair, put up for
retail sale

Cotton gauze

Artificial staple fibres,
processed for spinning

Synthetic staple fibres,
processed for spinning

including waste, carded, combed or otherwise

including waste, carded, combed or otherwise

Yarn of synthetic staple fibres (including waste), put up for retail sale

Carpets and other textile floor coverings, other than the carpets of category
58

Tapestries, hand-made, of the type Gobelins, Flanders, Aubusson, Beauvais
and the like, and needlework tapestries (e.g. petit point and cross stitch)
made in panels and the like by hand

Chenille yarn (incl. flock chenille yarn), gimped yarn (other than metallized
yarn and gimped horsehair yarn)

Tulle and other net fabrics but not including woven, knitted or crocheted
fabrics, hand or mechanically-made lace, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

Labels, badges and the like of textile materials, not embroidered, in the
piece, in strips or cut to shape or size, woven

Braids and ornamental trimmings in the piece; tassels, pompons and the like

Embroidery, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

63

Knitted or crocheted fabric of synthetic fibres containing by weight 5% or
more elastomeric yarn and knitted or crocheted fabrics containing by weight
5% or more of rubber thread

10

66

68

73

93

95

98

101

109

112

113

114

120

123

125 A

127 A

129

131

133

Raschel lace and long-pile fabric of synthetic fibres

Travelling rugs and blankets, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of
cotton or of man-made fibres

Babies' garments and clothing accessories, excluding babies' gloves, mittens
and mitts of categories 10 and 87, and babies' stockings, socks and
sockettes, other than knitted or crocheted, of category 88

Track suits of knitted or crocheted fabric, of wool, of cotton or of man-made
textile fibres

Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods of woven fabrics,
other than made from polyethylene or polypropylene strip

Felt and articles thereof, whether or not impregnated or coated, other than
floor coverings

Other articles made from yarn, twine, cordage, cables or rope , other than
textile fabrics, articles made from such fabrics and articles of category 97

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, other than of synthetic
fibres

Tarpaulins, sails, awnings and sunblinds

Other made up textile articles, woven, excluding those of categories 113 and
114

Floor cloth, dish cloth and dusters, other than knitted or crocheted

Woven fabrics and articles for technical uses

Curtains ( incl. drapes), interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other
furnishing articles, not knitted or crocheted, of flax or ramie

Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics of flax or ramie, other than narrow
woven fabrics

Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, of flax or ramie,
other than knitted or crocheted

Synthetic filament yarn (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than
yarn of category 41

Yarn of artificial filaments (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than
yarn of category 42

Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair

Yarn of other vegetable textile fibres

Yarn of true hemp

11

135

137

138

139

140

141

142

144

145

146 A

146 B

Woven fabrics of coarse animal hair or of horse hair

Woven pile fabric and chenille fabrics and narrow woven fabrics of silk, or
of silk waste

Woven fabrics of paper yarn and other textile fibres other than of ramie

Woven fabrics of metal threads or of metallized yarn

Knitted or crocheted fabric of textile material other than wool or fine animal
hair, cotton or man made fibres

Travelling rugs and blankets of textile material other than wool or fine
animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

Carpets and other textile floor coverings of sisal, of other fibres of the agave
family or the Manila hemp

Felt of coarse animal hair

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables plaited or not abaca (Manila hemp) or of
true hemp

Binder or baler twine for agricultural machines, of sisal or other fibres of the
agave family

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of sisal or other fibres of the agave family,
other than the products of category 146 A

151 A

Floor coverings of coconut fibres (coir)

152

160

161

Needle loom felt of jute or of other textile bast fibres not impregnated or
coated, other than floor coverings

Handkerchiefs of silk or silk waste

Garments, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123
and category 159

640520

Other footwear with uppers of textile materials

660110

Garden or similar umbrellas

870821

Safety seat belts

940490

Other than mattress supports, mattresses or sleeping bags

12

ANNEX II

“ANNEX X

List of textile and clothing products not yet integrated into normal GATT 1994 rules

Category

1

2

Description

GROUP I A

Cotton yarn, not put up for retail sale

Woven fabrics of cotton, other than gauze, terry fabrics, pile fabrics, chenille fabrics, tulle and other
net fabrics

2 a)

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

3

Woven fabrics of synthetic fibres (discontinuous or waste) other than narrow woven fabrics, pile
fabrics ( incl. terry fabrics) and chenille fabrics

3 a)

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

GROUP I B

4

5

6

7

8

9

20

22

Shirts, T-shirts, lightweight fine knit roll, polo or turtle necked jumpers and pullovers (other than of
wool or fine animal hair), undervests and the like, knitted or crocheted

Jerseys, pullovers, slip-overs, waistcoats, twinsets, cardigans, bed-jackets and jumpers (others
jackets and the like, knitted or
than jackets and blazers), anoraks, wind-cheaters, waister
crocheted

Men's or boys' woven breeches, shorts other than swimwear and trousers (incl. slacks); women's
or girls’ woven trousers and slacks, of wool, of cotton or of man made fibres; lower parts of track
suits with lining, others than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Women's or girls’ blouses, shirts and shirt-blouses, whether or not knitted or crocheted, of wool, of
cotton or man-made fibres

Men's or boys' shirts, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, cotton or man-made fibres

GROUP II A

Terry towelling and similar woven terry fabrics of cotton; toilet linen and kitchen linen, other than
knitted or crocheted, of terry towelling and woven terry fabrics, of cotton

Bed linen, other than knitted or crocheted

Yarn of staple or waste synthetic fibres, not put up for retail sale

22 a)

Of which acrylic

23

Yarn of staple or waste artificial fibres, not put up for retail sale

32 a)

Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry fabrics of cotton and
narrow woven fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres
Of which: Cotton corduroy

39

12

Table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen, other than knitted or crocheted, other than of
towelling or a similar terry fabrics of cotton

terry

GROUP II B

Panty-hose and tights, stockings, understockings, socks, ankle-socks, sockettes and the like,
knitted or crocheted, other than for babies, including stockings for varicose veins, other than
products of category 70

13

13

14

15

16

17

26

28

29

31

78

83

Men's or boys’ underpants and briefs, women's or girls’ knickers and briefs, knitted or crocheted, of
wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Men's or boys’ woven overcoats, raincoats and other coats, cloaks and capes, of wool, of cotton or
of man-made textile fibres (other than parkas) (of category 21)

Women's or girls’ woven overcoats, raincoats and other coats, cloaks and capes; jackets and
blazers, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres (other than parkas) (of category 21)

Men's or boys’ suits and ensembles, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-
made fibres, excluding ski suits; men's or boys’ track suits with lining, with an outer shell of a single
identical fabric, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Men's or boys’ jackets or blazers, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-
made fibres

Women's or girls’ dresses, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts (other than swimwear), knitted or crocheted,
of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Women's or girls’ suits and ensembles, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of
man-made fibres, excluding ski suits; women's or girls’ track suits with lining, with an outer shell of
an identical fabric, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Brassières, woven, knitted or crocheted

Garments, other than knitted or crocheted, excluding garments of categories 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 21, 26, 27, 29, 68, 72, 76 and 77

Overcoats, jackets, blazers and other garments, including ski suits, knitted or crocheted, excluding
garments of categories 4, 5, 7, 13, 24, 26, 27, 28, 68, 69, 72, 73, 74, 75

GROUP III A

35

Woven fabrics of synthetic fibres (continuous), other than those for tyres of category 114

35 a)

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

36 a)

Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of category 114

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

37 a)

Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

Of which: Other than unbleached or bleached

38 B

Net curtains, other than knitted or crocheted

50

51

90

97

115

117

Woven fabrics of sheep's or lambs’ wool or of fine animal hair

Cotton, carded or combed

GROUP III B

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of synthetic fibres, plaited or not

Nets and netting made of twine, cordage or rope and made up fishing nets of yarn, twine, cordage or
rope

Flax or ramie yarn

Woven fabrics of flax or of ramie

GROUP IV

14

118

121

122

Table linen, toilet linen and kitchen linen of flax or ramie, other knitted or crocheted

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, of flax or ramie

Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, used, of flax, other than knitted or
crocheted

GROUP V

125 B

Monofilament, strip (artificial straw and the like) and imitation catgut of synthetic materials

127 B

Monofilament, strip (artificial straw and the like) and imitation catgut of artificial textile materials

128

Coarse animal hair, carded or combed

130 A

Silk yarn other than yarn spun from silk waste

130 B

Silk yarn other than of category 130 A; silk-worm gut

132

136

146 C

147

151 B

Paper yarn

Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, whether or not plaited or braided, of jute or of other textile bast
fibres of heading N° 5303

Silk waste( incl. cocoons unsuitable for reeling), yarn waste and garnetted stock, other than not
carded or combed

Carpets and other textile floor coverings, of jute or of other textile bast fibres, other than tufted or
flocked

154

Silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling

Raw silk (not thrown)

Silk waste( incl. cocoons unsuitable for reeling), yarn waste and garnetted stock, not carded or
combed

Wool not carded or combed

Fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed

Waste of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair, including yarn waste but excluding garnetted stock

Garnetted stock of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair

Flax, raw or processed but not spun: flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garnetted
stock)

Ramie and other vegetable textile fibres, raw or processed but not spun: tow, noils and waste,
other than coir and abaca of heading N° 5304

Cotton, not carded nor combed

Cotton waste (incl. yarn waste and garnetted stock)

True hemp (cannabis sativa), raw or processed but not spun:
(including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

tow and waste of

true hemp

Abaca (Manilahemp or MusaTextilis Nee),raw or processed but not spun: tow and waste of abaca
(including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

15

Jute or other textile bast fibres (excl. flax, true hemp and ramie),,raw or processed but not spun:
tow and waste of jute or other textile bast fibres (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

Other vegetable textile fibres, raw or processed but not spun:
(including yarn waste and garnetted stock)

tow and waste of such fibres

156

157

159

Blouses and pullovers knitted or crocheted of silk or silk waste for women and girls

Garments, knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123 and 156

Dresses, blouses and shirt-blouses, not knitted or crocheted, of silk or silk waste

Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, not knitted or crocheted, of silk or silk waste

Ties, bow ties and cravats of silk or silk waste

OTHER

1631)

Gauze and articles of gauze put up in forms or packings for retail sale

1) Only applies to imports from China

”

16

ANNEX III

“ANNEX II

List of textile and clothing products integrated into the normal GATT 1994 rules

Category

Description

10

18

19

21

24

27

32

33

34

36

37

Gloves, mittens and mitts, knitted or crocheted

Men's or boys’ singlets and other vests, underpants, briefs, nightshirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and
similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

Women's or girls’ singlets and other vests, slips, petticoats, briefs, panties, night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges,
bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, other than knitted or crocheted

Handkerchiefs, other than knitted or crocheted

Parkas; anoraks, windcheaters, waister jackets and the like, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton
or of man-made fibres; upper parts of tracksuits with lining, other than category 16 or 29, of cotton or of man-
made fibres

Men's or boys’ nightshirts, pyjamas, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or crocheted

Women's or girls’ night-dresses, pyjamas, négliges, bathrobes, dressing gowns and similar articles, knitted or
crocheted

Women's or girls’ skirts, including divided skirts

Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics (other than terry towelling or terry fabrics of cotton and narrow woven
fabrics) and tufted textile surfaces, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, less
than 3 m wide

Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, not knitted or crocheted, obtained from strip or the like

Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn obtained from strip or the like of polyethylene or polypropylene, 3 m
or more wide

Woven fabrics of continuous artificial fibres , other than those for tyres of category 114

Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres

38 A

Knitted or crocheted synthetic curtain fabric including net curtain fabric

40

41

42

43

Woven curtains ( including drapes, interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles), other
than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Yarn of synthetic filament (continuous), not put up for retail sale, other than non textured single yarn untwisted
or with a twist of not more than 50 turns/m

Yarn of continuous man-made fibres, not put up for retail sale

Yarn of artificial fibres; yarn of artificial filaments, not put up for retail sale, other than single yarn of viscose
rayon untwisted or with a twist of not more than 250 turns/m and single non textured yarn of cellulose acetate

Yarn of man-made filament, yarn of artificial staple fibres, cotton yarn, put up for retail sale

17

46

47

48

49

53

54

55

56

58

59

60

61

62

63

65

66

67

68

Carded or combed sheep's or lambs’ wool or other fine animal hair

Yarn of carded sheep's or lambs’ wool (woollen yarn) or of carded fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

Yarn of combed sheep's or lambs’ wool (worsted yarn) or of combed fine animal hair, not put up for retail sale

Yarn of sheep's or lambs’ wool or of combed fine animal hair, put up for retail sale

Cotton gauze

Artificial staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

Synthetic staple fibres, including waste, carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning

Yarn of synthetic staple fibres (including waste), put up for retail sale

Carpets, carpentines and rugs, knotted ( made up or not)

Carpets and other textile floor coverings, other than the carpets of category 58

Tapestries, hand-made, of the type Gobelins, Flanders, Aubusson, Beauvais and the like, and needlework
tapestries (e.g. petit point and cross stitch) made in panels and the like by hand

Narrow woven fabrics, and narrow fabrics (bolduc) consisting of warp without weft, assembled by means of an
adhesive, other than labels and similar articles of category 62

Elastic fabrics and trimmings (not knitted or crocheted), made from textile materials assembled from rubber
thread

Chenille yarn (incl. flock chenille yarn), gimped yarn (other than metallized yarn and gimped horsehair yarn)

Tulle and other net fabrics but not including woven, knitted or crocheted fabrics, hand or mechanically-made
lace, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

Labels, badges and the like of textile materials, not embroidered, in the piece, in strips or cut to shape or size,
woven

Braids and ornamental trimmings in the piece; tassels, pompons and the like

Embroidery, in the piece, in strips or in motifs

Knitted or crocheted fabric of synthetic fibres containing by weight 5% or more elastomeric yarn and knitted or
crocheted fabrics containing by weight 5% or more of rubber thread

Raschel lace and long-pile fabric of synthetic fibres

Knitted or crocheted fabric, other than those of categories 38 A and 63, of wool, of cotton or of man-made
fibres

Travelling rugs and blankets, other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Knitted or crocheted clothing accessories other than for babies; household linen of all kinds, knitted or
crocheted; curtains (incl. drapes) and interior blinds, curtain or bed valances and other furnishing articles
knitted or crocheted; knitted or crocheted blankets and travelling rugs, other knitted or crocheted articles
including parts of garments or of clothing accessories

Babies' garments and clothing accessories, excluding babies' gloves, mittens and mitts of categories 10 and 87,
and babies' stockings, socks and sockettes, other than knitted or crocheted, of category 88

18

69

70

72

73

74

75

76

77

84

85

86

87

88

91

93

94

95

96

98

99

Women's and girls’ slips and petticoats, knitted or crocheted

Panty-hose and tights of synthetic fibres, measuring per single yarn less than 67 decitex (6,7 tex)

Women's full length hosiery of synthetic fibres

Swimwear, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Track suits of knitted or crocheted fabric, of wool, of cotton or of man-made textile fibres

Women's or girls’ knitted or crocheted suits and ensembles, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres,
excluding ski suits

Men's or boys’ knitted or crocheted suits and ensembles, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres, excluding
ski suit

Men's or boys’ industrial or occupational clothing, other than knitted or crocheted

Ski suits, other than knitted or crocheted

Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of
man-made fibres

Ties, bow ties and cravats other than knitted or crocheted, of wool, of cotton or of man-made fibres

Corsets, corset-belts, suspender belts, braces, suspenders, garters and the like, and parts thereof, whether or not
knitted or crocheted

Gloves, mittens and mitts, not knitted or crocheted

Stockings, socks and sockettes, not knitted or crocheted; other clothing accessories, parts of garments or of
clothing accessories other than for babies, other than knitted or crocheted

Tents

Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods of woven fabrics, other than made from polyethylene
or polypropylene strip

Wadding of textile materials and articles thereof; textile fibres, not exceeding 5 mm in length (flock), textile
dust and mill neps

Felt and articles thereof, whether or not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

Non-woven fabrics and articles of such fabrics, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated

Other articles made from yarn, twine, cordage, cables or rope , other than textile fabrics, articles made from
such fabrics and articles of category 97

Textile fabrics coated with gum or amylaceous substances, of a kind used for the outer covers of books and the
like; tracing cloth; prepared painting canvas; buckram and similar stiffened textile fabrics of a kind used for hat
foundations

Linoleum, whether or not cut to shape; floor coverings consisting of a coating or covering applied on a textile
backing, whether or not cut to shape

Rubberised textile fabric, not knitted or crocheted, excluding those for tyres

19

100

101

109

110

111

112

113

114

120

123

Textile fabrics otherwise impregnated or coated; painted canvas being theatrical scenery, studio back-cloths,
other than of category 100

Textile fabrics impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with preparations of cellulose derivatives or of other
artificial plastic materials

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables, plaited or not, other than of synthetic fibres

Tarpaulins, sails, awnings and sunblinds

Woven pneumatic mattresses

Camping goods, woven, other than pneumatic mattresses and tents

Other made up textile articles, woven, excluding those of categories 113 and 114

Floor cloth, dish cloth and dusters, other than knitted or crocheted

Woven fabrics and articles for technical uses

Curtains ( incl. drapes), interior blinds, curtain and bed valances and other furnishing articles, not knitted or
crocheted, of flax or ramie

Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics of flax or ramie, other than narrow woven fabrics

Shawls, scarves, mufflers, mantillas, veils and the like, of flax or ramie, other than knitted or crocheted

124

Synthetic staple fibres

125 A

Synthetic filament yarn (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 41

126

Artificial staple fibres

127 A

Yarn of artificial filaments (continuous) not put up for retail sale, other than yarn of category 42

129

131

133

134

135

137

138

139

140

141

142

Yarn of coarse animal hair or of horsehair

Yarn of other vegetable textile fibres

Yarn of true hemp

Metallized yarn

Woven fabrics of coarse animal hair or of horse hair

Woven pile fabric and chenille fabrics and narrow woven fabrics of silk, or of silk waste

Woven fabrics of paper yarn and other textile fibres other than of ramie

Woven fabrics of metal threads or of metallized yarn

Knitted or crocheted fabric of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

Travelling rugs and blankets of textile material other than wool or fine animal hair, cotton or man made fibres

Carpets and other textile floor coverings of sisal, of other fibres of the agave family or the Manila hemp

20

144

145

146 A

146 B

Felt of coarse animal hair

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables plaited or not abaca (Manila hemp) or of true hemp

Binder or baler twine for agricultural machines, of sisal or other fibres of the agave family

Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of sisal or other fibres of the agave family, other than the products of
category 146 A

148 A

Yarn of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading N° 5303

148 B

Coir yarn

149

150

Woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres of a width of more than 150 cm

Woven fabrics of jute or of other textile bast fibres of a width of not more than 150 cm; Sacks and bags, of a
kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other textile bast fibres, other than used

151 A

Floor coverings of coconut fibres (coir)

152

153

160

161

Needle loom felt of jute or of other textile bast fibres not impregnated or coated, other than floor coverings

Used sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of jute or of other textile bast fibres of heading
N° 5303

Handkerchiefs of silk or silk waste

Garments, not knitted or crocheted, other than those of categories 1 to 123 and category 159

5604 10

Rubber thread and cord, textile covered

6309 00

Worn clothing and other worn articles

6405 20

Other footwear with uppers of textile materials

6501 00

Hat forms, hat bodies and hoods of felt, neither blocked to shape nor with made brims; plateaux and manchons
(including slit manchons), of felt

6502 00

Hat shapes, plaited or made by saaembling strips of any material, neither blocked to shape, nor with made
brims, nor lined, nor trimmed

6503 00

Felt hats and other felt headgear, made form the hat bodies, hoods or plateaux of heading No 6502, whether or
not lined or trimmed

6504 00

6505 90

Hats and other headgear, plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed

Hats and other headgear, knitted or crocheted, or made up from lace, felt or other textile fabric, in the piece (but
not in strips), whether or not lined or trimmed

6601 10

Garden or similar umbrellas

6601 91

Umbrellas and sun umbrellas having a telescopic shaft

6601 99

Other umbrellas

8708 21

Safety seat belts

8804 00

Parachutes (including dirigible parachutes and paragliders) and rotochutes; parts therof and accessories thereto

21

9113 90

Other watch straps, watch bands and watch bracelets

9404 90

Other than mattress supports, matresses or sleeping bags

9502 91

Garments and accessories therefor, footwear and headgear for dolls representing only human beings

Ex 3921 12

Ex 3921 13

Ex 3921 90

Ex 4202 12

Ex 4202 22

Ex 4202 32

Ex 4202 92

Ex 6406 10

Ex 6406 99

Ex 7019 10

Ex 7019 20

Ex 9612 10

22