Commission Regulation (EC) No 1549/2004 of 30 August 2004 derogating from Council Regulation (EC) No 1785/2003 as regards the arrangements for importing rice and laying down separate transitional rules for imports of basmati rice
Date: 2004-08-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: CCT duties, import, import licence, rice

31.8.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1549/2004

of 30 August 2004

derogating from Council Regulation (EC) No 1785/2003 as regards the arrangements for importing
rice and laying down separate transitional rules for imports of basmati rice

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1785/2003 of 29
September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in
rice (1), and in particular Articles 10(2) and 11(4) thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/619/EC of 11 August
2004 modifying the Community import regime with respect to
rice in the Community (2), and in particular Article 2 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/617/EC of 11 August
2004 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an
Exchange of Letters between the European Community and
India pursuant to Article XXVIII of GATT 1994 relating to
the modification of concessions with respect to rice provided
for in Schedule CXL annexed to the GATT 1994 (3), and in
particular Article 2 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/618/EC of 11 August
2004 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an
Exchange of Letters between the European Community and
Pakistan pursuant to Article XXVIII of GATT 1994 for the
modification of concessions with respect to rice provided for
in EC Schedule CXL annexed to the GATT 1994 (4), and in
particular Article 2 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Decision 2004/619/EC modifies the import regime for
husked rice
in the Community.
Decisions 2004/617/EC and 2004/618/EC lay down
conditions for importing basmati rice. This change in

and milled rice

(1) OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 96.
(2) OJ L 279, 28.8.2004, p. 29.
(3) OJ L 279, 28.8.2004, p. 17.
(4) OJ L 279, 28.8.2004, p. 25.

regime makes it necessary to amend Regulation (EC) No
1785/2003. In order to enable those Decisions to be
applied on 1 September 2004, as provided for in the
by
Agreements
is
necessary
from Regulation (EC) No
1785/2003 for a transitional period expiring on the
date of the entry into force of the amendment to that
Regulation, and no later than 30 June 2005.

approved
to derogate

those Decisions,

it

(2)

(3)

Decisions 2004/617/EC and 2004/618/EC also provide
for a transitional import regime for basmati rice to be set
in place until the entry into force of a definitive import
regime for this type of rice. Specific transitional rules
should be laid down.

In order to be eligible for zero import duty, basmati rice
must belong to a variety specified in the Agreements. In
order to ascertain that basmati rice imported at a zero
it should be
rate of duty meets those characteristics,
covered by an authenticity certificate drawn up by the
competent authorities.

(4)

In order to prevent fraud, provision should be made for
measures to check the variety of basmati rice declared.

(5)

(6)

The transitional import regime for basmati rice provides
for a procedure for consulting the exporting country in
the event of disturbance on the market and possibly
applying the full rate of duty if a satisfactory solution
has not been found at the end of the consultations. It
would be appropriate to define from what point the
market may be considered to be disturbed.

Following the introduction of this transitional regime,
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1503/96 of 29 July
the application of
1996 on the detailed rules
Council Regulation (EC) No 3072/95 with regard to
import duties on rice should be repealed (5).

for

(5) OJ L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 71. Regulation last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 2294/2003 (OJ L 340, 24.12.2003, p. 12).

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(7)

for husked rice and milled rice
The import duties
provided for in the Article 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No
1785/2003 serve as a basis for calculating the reduced
import duties provided for in Commission Regulation
(EC) No 638/2003 of 9 April 2003 laying down
detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No
2286/2002 and Council Decision 2001/822/EC as
regards the arrangements applicable to imports of rice
originating in the African, Caribbean and Pacific States
(ACP States) and the overseas countries and territories
(OCT) (1), by Commission Regulation (EEC) No 862/91
of 8 April 1991 laying down detailed rules applying
Council Regulation (EEC) No 3491/90 to imports of
rice originating in Bangladesh (2) and by Council Regu-
lation (EC) No 2184/96 of 28 October 1996 concerning
imports into the Community of rice originating in and
coming from Egypt (3). The amounts of import duty laid
down by this Regulation should temporarily serve as a
basis for calculating reduced duties for the products
concerned.

(8)

The Management Committee
for Cereals has not
delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its
chairman,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

By way of derogation from Article 11(2) of Regulation
1.
(EC) No 1785/2003, the import duty on husked rice falling
within CN code 1006 20 shall be EUR 65 per tonne and the
import duty on milled rice falling within CN code 1006 30
shall be EUR 175 per tonne.

By way of derogation from Article 11(2) of Regulation
2.
(EC) No 1785/2003,
rice falling
within CN code 1006 20 17 and CN code 1006 20 98, as
specified in Annex I, shall be eligible for zero import duty.

the varieties of basmati

Import
2.
accompanied by:

licence applications

for basmati

rice shall be

(a) proof that the applicant is a natural or legal person who has,
for at least 12 months, carried on a commercial activity in
the rice sector and is registered in the Member State where
the application is made;

(b) a product authenticity certificate issued by a competent
body in the exporting country, as listed in Annex III hereto.

Article 3

The authenticity certificate shall be drawn up on a form

1.
based on the specimen given in Annex IV hereto.

The form shall measure approximately 210 × 297 millimetres.
The original shall be drawn up on such paper as shall show
up any tampering by mechanical or chemical means.

The forms shall be printed and completed in English.

The original and the copies thereof shall be either typewritten
or handwritten. In the latter case, they shall be completed in ink
and in block capitals.

Each authenticity certificate shall contain a serial number in the
top right-hand box. The copies shall bear the same number as
the original.

The body issuing the import licence shall keep the original

2.
of the authenticity certificate and give the applicant a copy.

The authenticity certificate shall be valid for 90 days from the
date of issue.

It shall be valid only if the boxes are duly completed and it is
signed.

Article 4

Where the first
provided for in Articles 2 to 8 shall apply.

subparagraph is applicable,

the measures

Import
1.
following details:

licences

for basmati

rice

shall

contain the

Article 2

(a)

in box 8, indication of the country of origin and the word
‘yes’ marked with a cross;

Import licence applications for basmati rice shall contain

1.
the following details:

(b) in box 20, one of the entries listed in Annex V hereto.

(a) in box 8, an indication of the country of origin and the

word ‘yes’ marked with a cross;

By way of derogation from Article 9 of Commission
rights accruing under

2.
Regulation (EEC) No 1291/2000 (4),
import licences for basmati rice shall not be transferable.

(b) in box 20, one of the entries listed in Annex II hereto.

(1) OJ L 93, 10.4.2003, p. 3.
(2) OJ L 88, 9.4.1991, p. 7. Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC)

No 1482/98 (OJ L 195, 11.7.1998, p. 14).

(3) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 1.

By way of derogation from Article 12 of Commission
import

3.
Regulation (EC) No 1342/2003 (5),
licences for basmati rice shall be EUR 70 per tonne.

the security for

(4) OJ L 152, 24.6.2000, p. 1.
(5) OJ L 189, 29.7.2003, p. 12.

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Article 5

Member States
information by fax or e-mail:

shall

send the Commission the following

(a) no later than two business days following a refusal, the
quantities
import
in respect of which applications
licences for basmati rice have been refused, with an indi-
cation of the date of refusal and the grounds, the CN code,
the country of origin, the issuing body and the number of
the authenticity certificate, as well as the holder's name and
address;

for

(b) no later than two business days following their issue, the
quantities
import
in respect of which applications
licences for basmati rice have been issued, with an indi-
cation of the date, the CN code, the country of origin, the
issuing body and the number of the authenticity certificate,
as well as the holder's name and address;

for

(c)

in the event of the cancellation of a licence, no later than
two business days after cancellation, the quantities in respect
of which licences have been cancelled and the names and
addresses of the holders of the cancelled licences;

(d) on the last business day of each month following the month
of release for free circulation, the quantities actually released
for free circulation, with an indication of the CN code, the
country of origin, the issuing body and the number of the
authenticity certificate.

The information referred to in the first subparagraph shall be
sent separately from that relating to the other applications for
import licences for rice.

Article 6

random checks or checks

In the context of
targeted at
operations entailing a risk of fraud, Member States shall take
representative samples of imported basmati rice. The samples
shall be sent to the competent body in the country of origin, as
listed in Annex VI, for a DNA-based variety test.

The Member State may also carry out a variety test on the same
sample in a Community laboratory. If the results of one of
those tests show that the product analysed does not correspond
to the variety indicated on the authenticity certificate,
the
import duty provided for in Article 1(1) shall apply.

Article 7

The rice market shall be considered to be disturbed when, inter
alia, a substantial increase in basmati rice imports is noted for
one quarter of the year relative to the previous quarter and no
satisfactory explanation exists.

Article 8

The Commission shall keep Annexes III and VI up to date.

Article 9

Regulation (EC) No 1503/96 is hereby repealed.

licences

for basmati

to 1
Import
September 2004 under this Regulation shall remain valid and
products imported under such licences shall be eligible for the
import duty provided for in Article 1(2) of this Regulation.

rice applied for prior

Article 10

On a transitional basis, the import duties referred to in Article
1(1) of this Regulation shall serve as a basis for calculating the
reduced import duty referred to in Article 1(2) and (3) of Regu-
lation (EEC) No 862/91, Article 1 of Regulation (EEC) No
2184/96 and Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 638/2003.

Article 11

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

It shall apply from 1 September 2004.

It shall apply until the date of entry into force of the Regulation
amending Article 11(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1785/2003, but
not beyond 30 June 2005.

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

Done at Brussels, 30 August 2004.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER
Member of the Commission

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ANNEX I

Varieties referred to in Article 1(2)

Basmati 217

Basmati 370

Basmati 386

Kernel (basmati)

Pusa basmati

Ranbir basmati

Super basmati

Taraori basmati (HBC-19)

Type-3 (Dehradun)

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ANNEX II

Entries referred to in Article 2(1)(b)

— in Spanish: Arroz Basmati del código NC 1006 20 17 o 1006 20 98 importado con derecho cero en aplicación del
Reglamento (CE) no 1549/2004, acompañado del certificado de autenticidad no … expedido por [nombre de la
autoridad competente]

— in Czech: rýže Basmati kódu KN 1006 20 17 nebo 1006 20 98, která se dováží za nulové clo na základě nařízení (ES)

č. 1549/2004, a ke které se připojí osvědčení o pravosti č. … vydané [název příslušného subjektu]

— in Danish: Basmati-ris henhørende under KN-kode 1006 20 17 eller 1006 20 98 importeres med nultold i henhold
til forordning (EF) nr. 1549/2004, ledsaget af ægthedscertifikat nr. … udstedt af [den kompetente myndigheds navn]

— in German: Basmati-Reis des KN-Codes 1006 20 17 oder 1006 20 98, eingeführt zum Zollsatz Null gemäß der
Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1549/2004 und begleitet von einer Kopie des Echtheitszeugnisses Nr. …, ausgestellt durch
[Name der zuständigen Behörde]

— in Estonian: basmati riis CN-koodiga 1006 20 17 või 1006 20 98, mis on imporditud tollimaksu nullmääraga
vastavalt määrusele (EÜ) nr 1549/2004 ning millega on kaasas [pädeva asutuse nimi] välja antud autentsussertifikaat
nr …

— in Greek: Ρύζι μπασμάτι του κωδικού 1006 20 17 ή 1006 20 98 εισαγόμενο με μηδενικό δασμό κατ’ εφαρμογή του
κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 1549/2004, συνοδευόμενο με το πιστοποιητικό γνησιότητας αριθ. … που εκδόθηκε από [ονομασία
της αρμόδιας αρχής]

— in English: basmati rice falling within code of CN 1006 20 17 or 1006 20 98 and imported at a zero rate of duty
certificate No … drawn up by
accompanied by

authenticity

under Regulation (EC) No 1549/2004,
[name of the competent authority]

— in French: Riz Basmati du code NC 1006 20 17 ou 1006 20 98 importé à droit nul en application du règlement (CE)
no 1549/2004, accompagné d’une copie du certificat d’authenticité no … établi par [nom de l’autorité compétente]

— in Italian: Riso Basmati di cui al codice NC 1006 20 17 o 1006 20 98 importato a dazio zero ai sensi del rego-
autenticità n. … rilasciato da

corredato di una copia del

certificato di

lamento (CE) n. 1549/2004,
[nome dell’autorità competente]

— in Latvian: Basmati rīsi ar KN kodu 1006 20 17 vai 1006 20 98, ko importē bez ievedmuitas nodokļa saskaņā ar
Regulu (EK) Nr. 1549/2004, kuriem pievienota autentiskuma apliecības Nr. … kopija, ko izsniegusi [kompetentās
iestādes nosaukums]

— in Lithuanian: Basmati ryžiai klasifikuojami KN kodu 1006 20 17 arba 1006 20 98, įvežti pagal nulinį muito mokestį
pagal Reglamentas (EB) Nr. 1549/2004, prie kurio pridėtas autentiškumo sertifikatas Nr. …, išduotas [kompetentingos
institucijos pavadinimas], kopija.

— in Hungarian: az 1006 20 17 vagy az 1006 20 98 KN-kód alá sorolt, a 1549/2004/EK rendelet alkalmazásában nulla
vámtétel mellett behozott basmati rizs, a [illetékes hatóság neve] által kiállított, … számú eredetiségigazolással együtt

— in Dutch: Basmati-rijst van GN-code 1006 20 17 of 1006 20 98,

ingevoerd met nulrecht overeenkomstig Veror-
dening (EG) nr. 1549/2004, vergezeld van het echtheidscertificaat nr. …, opgesteld door [naam van de bevoegde
instantie]

— in Polish: Ryż Basmati objęty kodem CN 1006 20 17 lub 1006 20 98, do którego przywiezienia zastosowano zerową
stawkę celną zgodnie z rozporządzeniem (WE) nr 1549/2004, z załączonym do niego certyfikatem autentyczności nr
… sporządzonym przez [nazwa właściwego organu]

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— in Portuguese: Arroz Basmati do código NC 1006 20 17 ou 1006 20 98 importado com direito nulo em aplicação do
Regulamento (CE) n.o 1549/2004, acompanhado do certificado de autenticidade n.o … estabelecido por [nome da
autoridade competente]

— in Slovak: ryža Basmati s kódom KN 1006 20 17 alebo 1006 20 98 dovážaná s nulovou sadzbou cla v súlade s
nariadením (ES) č. 1549/2004, sprevádzaná osvedčením o pravosti č. … vystavenom [názov príslušného orgánu]

— in Slovenian: Riž basmati s kodo KN 1006 20 17 ali 1006 20 98, uvožen po stopnji nič ob uporabi Uredbe (ES) št.

1549/2004, s priloženo kopijo potrdila o pristnosti št. …, ki ga je izdal [naziv pristojnega organa]

— in Finnish: Asetuksen (EY) N:o 1549/2004 mukaisesti tullivapaasti tuotu CN-koodiin 1006 20 17 tai 1006 20 98
kuuluva Basmati-riisi, jonka mukana on ….:n [toimivaltaisen viranomaisen nimi] myöntämän aitoustodistuksen N:o …
jäljennös

— in Swedish: Basmatiris med KN-nummer 1006 20 17 eller 1006 20 98 som importeras tullfritt i enlighet med
förordning (EG) nr 1549/2004, åtföljt av äkthetsintyg nr … som utfärdats av [den behöriga myndighetens namn]

Bodies authorised to issue the authenticity certificates referred to in Article 2(2)(b)

ANNEX III

INDIA

— Export Inspection Council (Ministry of Commerce, Government of India)
— Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

PAKISTAN

Trading Corporation of Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd

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ANNEX IV

Specimen authenticity certificate referred to in Article 3(1)

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ANNEX V

Entries referred to in Article 4(1)(b)

— in Spanish: Arroz Basmati del código NC 1006 20 17 o 1006 20 98 importado con derecho cero en aplicación del
Reglamento (CE) no 1549/2004, acompañado del certificado de autenticidad no … expedido por [nombre de la
autoridad competente]

— in Czech: rýže Basmati kódu KN 1006 20 17 nebo 1006 20 98, která se dováží za nulové clo na základě nařízení (ES)

č. 1549/2004, a ke které se připojí osvědčení o pravosti č. … vydané [název příslušného subjektu]

— in Danish: Basmati-ris henhørende under KN-kode 1006 20 17 eller 1006 20 98 importeres med nultold i henhold
til forordning (EF) nr. 1549/2004, ledsaget af ægthedscertifikat nr. … udstedt af [den kompetente myndigheds navn]

— in German: Basmati-Reis des KN-Codes 1006 20 17 oder 1006 20 98, eingeführt zum Zollsatz Null gemäß der
Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1549/2004 und begleitet von einer Kopie des Echtheitszeugnisses Nr. …, ausgestellt durch
[Name der zuständigen Behörde]

— in Estonian: basmati riis CN-koodiga 1006 20 17 või 1006 20 98, mis on imporditud tollimaksu nullmääraga
vastavalt määrusele (EÜ) nr 1549/2004 ning millega on kaasas [pädeva asutuse nimi] välja antud autentsussertifikaat
nr …

— in Greek: Ρύζι μπασμάτι του κωδικού 1006 20 17 ή 1006 20 98 εισαγόμενο με μηδενικό δασμό με εφαρμογή του
κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 1549/2004, συνοδευόμενο με αντίγραφο του πιστοποιητικού γνησιότητας αριθ. … που εκδόθηκε
από [ονομασία της αρμόδιας αρχής]

— in English: basmati rice falling within code of CN 1006 20 17 or 1006 20 98 and imported at a zero rate of duty
certificate No … drawn up by
accompanied by

authenticity

under Regulation (EC) No 1549/2004,
[name of the competent authority]

— in French: Riz Basmati du code NC 1006 20 17 ou 1006 20 98 importé à droit nul en application du règlement (CE)
no 1549/2004, accompagné d’une copie du certificat d’authenticité no … établi par [nom de l’autorité compétente]

— in Italian: Riso Basmati di cui al codice NC 1006 20 17 o 1006 20 98 importato a dazio zero ai sensi del rego-
autenticità n. … rilasciato da

corredato di una copia del

certificato di

lamento (CE) n. 1549/2004,
[nome dell’autorità competente]

— in Latvian: Basmati rīsi ar KN kodu 1006 20 17 vai 1006 20 98, ko importē bez ievedmuitas nodokļa saskaņā ar
Regulu (EK) Nr. 1549/2004, kuriem pievienota autentiskuma apliecības Nr. … kopija, ko izsniegusi [kompetentās
iestādes nosaukums]

— in Lithuanian: Basmati ryžiai klasifikuojami KN kodu 1006 20 17 arba 1006 20 98, įvežti pagal nulinį muito mokestį
pagal Reglamenta (EB) Nr. 1549/2004, prie kurio pridėta autentiškumo sertifikato Nr. …, išduoto [kompetentingos
institucijos pavadinimas], kopija.

— in Hungarian: az 1006 20 17 vagy az 1006 20 98 KN-kód alá sorolt, a 1549/2004/EK rendelet alkalmazásában nulla
vámtétel mellett behozott basmati rizs, a [illetékes hatóság neve] által kiállított, … számú eredetiségigazolással együtt

— in Dutch: Basmati-rijst van GN-code 1006 20 17 of 1006 20 98,

ingevoerd met nulrecht overeenkomstig Veror-
dening (EG) nr. 1549/2004, vergezeld van het echtheidscertificaat nr. …, opgesteld door [naam van de bevoegde
instantie]

— in Polish: Ryż Basmati objęty kodem CN 1006 20 17 lub 1006 20 98, do którego przywiezienia zastosowano zerową
stawkę celną zgodnie z rozporządzeniem (WE) nr 1549/2004, z załączonym do niego certyfikatem autentyczności nr
… sporządzonym przez [nazwa właściwego organu]

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— in Portuguese: Arroz Basmati do código NC 1006 20 17 ou 1006 20 98 importado com direito nulo em aplicação do
Regulamento (CE) n.o 1549/2004, acompanhado de uma cópia do certificado de autenticidade n.o … estabelecido por
[nome da autoridade competente]

— in Slovak: ryža Basmati s kódom KN 1006 20 17 alebo 1006 20 98 dovážaná s nulovou sadzbou cla v súlade s
nariadením (ES) č. 1549/2004, sprevádzaná osvedčením o pravosti č. … vystavenom [názov príslušného orgánu]

— in Slovenian: Riž basmati s kodo KN 1006 20 17 ali 1006 20 98, uvožen po stopnji nič ob uporabi Uredbe (ES) št.

1549/2004, s priloženo kopijo potrdila o pristnosti št. …, ki ga je izdal [naziv pristojnega organa]

— in Finnish: Asetuksen (EY) N:o 1549/2004 mukaisesti tullivapaasti tuotu CN-koodiin 1006 20 17 tai 1006 20 98
kuuluva Basmati-riisi, jonka mukana on ….:n [toimivaltaisen viranomaisen nimi] myöntämän aitoustodistuksen N:o …
jäljennös

— in Swedish: Basmatiris med KN-nummer 1006 20 17 eller 1006 20 98 som importeras tullfritt i enlighet med
förordning (EG) nr 1549/2004, åtföljt av äkthetsintyg nr … som utfärdats av [den behöriga myndighetens namn]

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Bodies authorised to conduct the variety tests referred to in Article 6

ANNEX VI

INDIA:

Export Inspection Council

Department of Commerce

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

3rd Floor

NDYMCA Cultural Central Bulk

1 Jaisingh Road

New Delhi 110 001

India

Tel.: +91-11/37 48 188/89, 336 55 40

Fax: +91-11/37 48 024

e-mail: eic@eicindia.org

PAKISTAN:

Trading Corporation of Pakistan Limited

4th and 5th Floor,

Finance & Trade Centre,

Shahrah-e-Faisal,

Karachi 75530,

Pakistan

Tel.: +92-21/290 28 47

Fax: +92-21/920 27 22 & 920 27 31