Textile and clothing imports from Belarus in 2010

Imports into the European Union of textile and clothing products originating in Belarus and exports of these products from the EU to Belarus following the expiry of the bilateral textiles agreement with Belarus on 1 January 2010

By the present notice, operators in the European Union are informed that on 31 December 2009 the bilateral textiles and clothing agreement between the European Community and Belarus which has been in force since 19931 will expire.

This will entail two important changes in the EU – Belarus trade in textile and clothing products.

On the one hand, exports of certain textile and clothing products from the European Union to Belarus will no longer benefit from preferential tariff rates. The tariff rates applied for all textile and clothing products as from 1 January 2010 are those set by the Customs Union between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus of which Belarus will be member as from 1 January 2010. Detailed information on the applicable duty rates can be found under: www.tsouz.ru/db/ettr/tnved/Pages/default.aspx.

On the other hand, quantitative restrictions in the form of quotas will continue to be imposed on certain textile and clothing imports originating in Belarus. These quotas will be maintained on an autonomous basis. Therefore the Council Regulation (EC) 517/94 setting out common rules for imports from certain third countries has been amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1260/2009 of 18 December 2009 so as to include the overall quota levels and product coverage. These levels will remain the same as applied in 2009. Consequently, shipments of certain textile and clothing products into the European Union released for free circulation as from 1 January 2010 shall comply with the quota and surveillance management system under the provisions of the Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94. These provisions require importers to apply for import license as set out in the Management Regulation Commission Regulation (EU) No 1258/2009 of 18 December 2009. This Regulation includes the quota levels per operator and license by category of textile and clothing product applicable for the year 2010.