Implementation of the EU Textiles Memorandum of Understanding with China

Following its examination in the Textiles Committee on 21 June, the EU Commission will be adopting a Regulation to implement the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Commission and China’s Ministry of Commerce, which reflects the outcome of the consultations held with China.  

In agreement with the Chinese authorities, a “double checking” will be introduced, according to which EU authorities shall issue import licences upon presentation of a corresponding export authorisation issued by the Chinese authorities (and upon verification of the existence of the necessary quantities). This “double checking” system will be operational from 20 July.  

The import of textile and clothing products originating in China to the EU will be subject to the following rules:

Import of products not covered by the MoU (i.e. textile and clothing products other than the ten product categories for which quantitative limits have been agreed): the regime will not change (i.e. import subject to the issuance of surveillance documents), until and unless a decision is made that such import surveillance is discontinued.

Products imported before the entry into force of the Regulation: remains unchanged.

From the entry into force of the Regulation and the products covered by the MoU, imports will be subject to the presentation an import authorisation (licence) requirement. The granting of such licences will be subject to the following rules: 

a)      Goods shipped before 11 June 2005: they will not be covered by the MoU or subject to any limitations, and import authorisations shall be granted automatically. However, such goods can also be released into free circulation upon presentation of the surveillance documents that may have been issued for them before the entry into force of the Regulation. 

b)      Goods shipped between 11 June and the date of entry into force of the Regulation: they will be subject to import licensing, that will be granted automatically without limitations. However, such imports shall be counted against the quantitative limits agreed for the rest of 2005. 

c)      Goods shipped from the entry into force of the Regulation and before the Chinese system of export licensing is operational (20 July): imports will be subject to import licensing (authorisation) and will be counted against the agreed quantitative limits. Import licenses can be denied in case the agreed quantitative limits had been exceeded in the meantime.  

Goods shipped from the date when the Chinese export licensing system will be operational (announced for 20 July): import licences shall be issued only upon presentation of a valid export licence and verification of availability.

Back to Index of July 2005