IMPORTANT NOTICE TO IMPORTERS (Notice No. 09 of 2005) Importation of Textile Products originating in the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) Revised 2005 Arrangements.
This notice updates the notice below dated 12 August 2005: http://www.entemp.ie/trade/marketaccess/imports/safeguard_12_08_05. doc
1. REVISED APPLICATION PROCESS:
A: Textile Categories: 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 28, 29, 35, 78, 83, 97, 117, 118, 122, 136A, 156, 157, 159 and 163. TYPE OF IMPORT LICENCE REQUIRED: Prior Surveillance Licence until further notice.
CATEGORY NUMBER: 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 28, 29, 35, 78, 83, 97, 117, 118, 122, 136A, 156, 157, 159 and 163 LICENSING PROCESS REQUIRES: Fully completed application form1 Copy of Invoice for goods Packing List may be required (in cases where textile category is measured in weight) Bill of Lading
At present, this type of import licence is not subject to quantitative restrictions.
B Textile Categories: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 26, 31, 39 and 115.
TYPE OF IMPORT LICENCE REQUIRED: For goods that shipped on or after 20 July 2005 from the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC): Quota Licence CATEGORY NUMBER: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 26, 31, 39 and 115 LICENSING PROCESS REQUIRES: Fully completed application form Original Export Licence from the Chinese Authorities
Please note that an import licence will only be issued if quantities within the quantitative limits (quota) are available and the application form is correctly completed and accompanied by an original and valid export licence issued by the Chinese Authorities. The deadline for the presentation of an export licence issued in 2005 is 31 March 2006.
1
(please contact us before submitting the application form if you are not sure of process)
*Please note that for the purposes of the above application process “shipped” refers to “loaded on board the exporting vessel” in mainland China (i.e. not Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan).
2. MONITORING QUOTA UTILISATION:
The SIGL website shows in real time, import licences issued against the quota available. Given the current situation, all Importers should regularly check utilisation of quantities by accessing the following hyperlink: http://sigl.cec.eu.int/query.html.
3. EXHAUSTED QUANTATITIVE LIMITS (QUOTAS):
If a quota is exhausted, import licences, will only be issued by national authorities for goods shipped during the period 11 June and 12 July 2005 inclusive. The change in date from 11 July to 12 July 2005 is an amendment by the Legal Services of the European Commission and was communicated to all EU MS on 12 August 2005. To date, the Licensing Unit has issued all import licences that were pending (“blocked”) for goods that were shipped from China (PRC) on this date (12 July 2005). Applications for goods that shipped in the period 13 to 19 July 2005 (inclusive) are currently “blocked” for categories 5, 6 and 7 and will continue to remain blocked pending a solution to the over shipment problem. There continues however to be some minor clearances of “blocked” applications. The Licensing Unit will contact Importers about any clearances in relation to pending applications. Importers should also note that it is likely that further “blockages” are likely to occur over the coming days (currently categories 5, 6 and 7 are blocked) and categories 4, 31 and 115 are almost reaching full utilisation. These categories will remain “blocked” for goods that shipped from the PRC during the period 13 to 19 July 2005 (inclusive) and for goods that shipped on or after 20 July 2005 (quota period) until a solution is agreed on the over shipment issue between the European Commission and the Chinese Authorities. Importers are however advised to lodge import licence applications with the Licensing Unit even if the categories are “blocked” to facilitate “queuing” procedures.
4. HANDLOOM, PRODUCTS:
FOLKLORIC
AND
TEXTILE
HANDICRAFT
Imports of certain cottage industry and folklore products will not be subject to quantitative limits (quota restrictions). This exemption covers fabrics woven on manually operated looms, traditional folklore products, garments made by hand or other cottage industry products. Importers must still however apply for an import licence from the Licensing Unit. A standard application form should be completed and accompanied with either a handloom/folkloric certificate issued by the Chinese Authorities or some other type of supporting documentation deemed to be representative of evidence of the above.
5. OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE (OPT):
OPT is an arrangement that allows certain substances (cloth/fabric/wool) of EU origin to be exported to 3rd countries including China and the final fabricated garments to return outside of quantitative restrictions (quota arrangements). Separate OPT quotas are in the process of being incorporated into EU legislation (awaiting publication of revised EU Regulation). Importers who may fall into this category are advised to e-mail the Licensing Unit with details of the substances to be exported and the number of garments contracted for return to Ireland. Retrospective OPT may be possible for 2005, and importers are advised to contact the Licensing Unit to determine if they are eligible to benefit from the above. Retrospective OPT will NOT be available in 2006 and 2007. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have any queries in relation to any of the above please do not hesitate to contact us for advice:
Ms. Debbie Daly Licensing Unit. Tel: + 353 (1) 631 2545. Fax: + 353 (1) 631 2562.
Ms. Celyna Coughlan. Licensing Unit Tel: + 353 (1) 631 2534. Fax: + 353 (1) 631 2562.
Disclaimer: This notice is for information purposes only and has no force in law. Date of this Notice: 19 August 2005.