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
L 202/34 EN 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; 18. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 202/35 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. L 202/36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 7. 98 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. 18. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 202/37 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. L 202/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 7. 98 ANEXO III ü BILAG III ü ANHANG III ü PAQAQTGLA III ü ANNEX III ü ANNEXE III ü ALLEGATO III ü BIJLAGE III ü ANEXO III ü LIITE III ü BILAGA III Lista de las autoridades nacionales competentes Liste over kompetente nationale myndigheder Liste der zuständigen Behörden der Mitgliedstaaten Pömajar tym aql diym ehmij-m aqw-m List of the national competent authorities Liste des autorités nationales compétentes Elenco delle autorità nazionali competenti Lijst van bevoegde nationale instanties Lista das autoridades nacionais competentes 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 ü Mise en œuvre des politiques commerciales/Bestuur van de Economische Betrekkingen, 4e afdeling ü 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 Upouqceöo Ehmijôr Oijomolöar, Cemijô Cqallateöa Diehm-m Oijomolij-m Swíseym, Cemijô Die-humsg Enyteqij-m Oijomolij-m jai Elpoqij-m Swíseym, Die-humsg Diadijasi-m Enyteqijo- Elpoqöou, Joqmáqou 1, GR-105 63 Ahôma, 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 ü 610471 ü 614478 (39 6) 59 93 26 31 ü 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 18. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 202/39 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