
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 1281/2013 of 10 December 2013 laying down rules for the management and distribution of textile quotas established for the year 2014 under Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 517/94 of 7 March 1994 on common rules for imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by bilateral agreements, protocols or other arrangements, or by other specific Community import rules, and in particular Article 17(3) and (6) and Article 21(2) thereof,
Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EC) No 517/94 established quantitative restrictions on imports of certain textile products originating in certain third countries to be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

(2) Under that Regulation it is possible, in certain circumstances, to use other allocation methods, to divide quotas into tranches, or to reserve a proportion of a specific quantitative limit exclusively for applications which are supported by evidence of the results of past import performance.

(3) Rules for management of the quotas established for 2014 should be adopted before the quota year begins so that the continuity of trade flows is not affected unduly.

(4) The measures adopted in previous years, such as those in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1163/2012, proved to be satisfactory and it is therefore appropriate to adopt similar rules for 2014.

(5) In order to satisfy the greatest possible number of operators it is appropriate to make the ‘first come, first served’ allocation method more flexible by placing a ceiling on the quantities which can be allocated to each operator by that method.

(6) To guarantee a degree of continuity in trade and efficient quota administration, operators should be allowed to make their initial import authorisation application for 2014 equivalent to the quantity which they imported in 2013.

(7) To achieve optimum use of the quantities, an operator who has used up at least one half of the amount already authorised should be permitted to apply for a further amount, provided that quantities are available in the quotas.

(8) To secure a sound administration, import authorisations should be valid for nine months from the date of issue but only until the end of the year at the latest. Member States should issue licences only after being notified by the Commission that quantities are available and only if an operator can prove the existence of a contract and can certify, in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, that he has not already been allocated a Community import authorisation under this Regulation for the categories and countries concerned. The competent national authorities should, however, be authorised, in response to importers’ applications, to extend by three months and up to 31 March 2015 licences of which at least one half has been used by the application date.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Textile Committee established by Article 25 of Regulation (EC) No 517/94,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1 
This Regulation lays down rules on the management of quantitative quotas for imports of certain textile products set out in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 517/94 for the year 2014.
Article 2 
The quotas referred to in Article 1 shall be allocated according to the chronological order of receipt by the Commission of Member States’ notifications of applications from individual operators, for amounts not exceeding the maximum quantities per operator set out in Annex I.
The maximum quantities shall not, however, apply to operators able to prove to the competent national authorities, when making their first application for 2014, that, in respect of given categories and given third countries, they imported more than the maximum quantities specified for each category pursuant to import licences granted to them for 2013.
In the case of such operators, the competent authorities may authorise imports not exceeding the quantities imported in 2013 from given third countries and in given categories, provided that enough quota capacity is available.
Article 3 
Any importer who has already used up 50 per cent or more of the amount allocated to him under this Regulation may make a further application, in respect of the same category and country of origin, for amounts not exceeding the maximum quantities laid down in Annex I.
Article 4 

1. The competent national authorities listed in Annex II may, from 10 a.m. on 8 January 2014, notify the Commission of the amounts covered by requests for import authorisations.The time fixed in the first subparagraph shall be understood as Brussels time.
2. The competent national authorities shall issue authorisations only after being notified by the Commission pursuant to Article 17(2) of Regulation (EC) No 517/94 that quantities are available for importation.They shall issue authorisations only if an operator:
(a) proves the existence of a contract relating to the provision of the goods; and
(b) certifies in writing that, in respect of the categories and countries concerned:
((i)) the operator has not already been allocated an authorisation under this Regulation; or
((ii)) the operator has been allocated an authorisation under this Regulation but has used up at least 50 per cent of it.
3. Import authorisations shall be valid for nine months from the date of issue, but until 31 December 2014 at the latest.The competent national authorities may, however, at the importer’s request, grant a three-month extension for authorisations which are at least 50 per cent used up at the time of the request. Such extension shall in no circumstances expire later than 31 March 2015.
Article 5 
This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 10 December 2013.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO
ANNEX I

Maximum amounts referred to in Articles 2 and 3Country concerned Category Unit Maximum amount
Belarus 1 Kilograms 20 000
2 Kilograms 80 000
3 Kilograms 5 000
4 Pieces 20 000
5 Pieces 15 000
6 Pieces 20 000
7 Pieces 20 000
8 Pieces 20 000
15 Pieces 17 000
20 Kilograms 5 000
21 Pieces 5 000
22 Kilograms 6 000
24 Pieces 5 000
26/27 Pieces 10 000
29 Pieces 5 000
67 Kilograms 3 000
73 Pieces 6 000
115 Kilograms 20 000
117 Kilograms 30 000
118 Kilograms 5 000Country concerned Category Unit Maximum amount
North Korea 1 Kilograms 10 000
2 Kilograms 10 000
3 Kilograms 10 000
4 Pieces 10 000
5 Pieces 10 000
6 Pieces 10 000
7 Pieces 10 000
8 Pieces 10 000
9 Kilograms 10 000
12 Pairs 10 000
13 Pieces 10 000
14 Pieces 10 000
15 Pieces 10 000
16 Pieces 10 000
17 Pieces 10 000
18 Kilograms 10 000
19 Pieces 10 000
20 Kilograms 10 000
21 Pieces 10 000
24 Pieces 10 000
26 Pieces 10 000
27 Pieces 10 000
28 Pieces 10 000
29 Pieces 10 000
31 Pieces 10 000
36 Kilograms 10 000
37 Kilograms 10 000
39 Kilograms 10 000
59 Kilograms 10 000
61 Kilograms 10 000
68 Kilograms 10 000
69 Pieces 10 000
70 Pairs 10 000
73 Pieces 10 000
74 Pieces 10 000
75 Pieces 10 000
76 Kilograms 10 000
77 Kilograms 5 000
78 Kilograms 5 000
83 Kilograms 10 000
87 Kilograms 8 000
109 Kilograms 10 000
117 Kilograms 10 000
118 Kilograms 10 000
142 Kilograms 10 000
151A Kilograms 10 000
151B Kilograms 10 000
161 Kilograms 10 000
ANNEX II
List of Licensing offices referred to in Article 4
1. Belgium 

FOD Economie, KMO, Middenstand en Energie (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy)Algemene Directie Economisch PotentieelDienst VergunningenVooruitgangstraat 501210 BrusselBELGIËTel +32 22776713Fax +32 22775063

SPF Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie (FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy)Direction générale Potentiel économiqueService LicencesRue du Progrès 501210 BruxellesBELGIQUETél +32 22776713Fax +32 22775063

2. Bulgaria 

Министерство на икономиката, енергетиката и туризмаДирекция „Регистриране, лицензиране и контрол“ул. „Славянска“№ 81052 СофияБЪЛГАРИЯТел. +359 29407008/+359 29407673/+359 29407800Факс +359 29815041/+359 29804710/+359 29883654

Ministry of Economy, Energy and TourismSlavyanska Str. 81052 SofiaBULGARIATel. +359 29407008/+359 29407673/+359 29407800Fax +359 29815041/+359 29804710/+359 29883654

3. Czech Republic 

Ministerstvo průmyslu a obchodu (Ministry of Industry and Trade)Licenční správaNa Františku 32110 15 Praha 1ČESKÁ REPUBLIKATel. +420 224907111Fax +420 224212133

4. Denmark 

Erhvervs- og Vækstministeriet (Ministry for Business and Growth)ErhvervsstyrelsenLangelinje Allé 172100 KøbenhavnDANMARKTlf. +45 35466030Fax +45 35466029

5. Germany 

Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA) [Federal Office of Economics and Export Control]Frankfurter Str. 29-3565760 EschbornDEUTSCHLANDTel. +49 6196908-0Fax +49 6196908800

6. Estonia 

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications)Harju 1115072 TallinnEESTI/ESTONIATel +372 6256400Faks +372 6313660

7. Ireland 

Department of Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentInternal MarketKildare StreetDublin 2IRELANDTel. +353 16312121Fax +353 16312826

8. Greece 

Υπουργείο Ανάπτυξης, Ανταγωνιστικότητας & ΝαυτιλίαςΓενική Διεύθυνση Διεθνούς Οικονομικής ΠολιτικήςΔιεύθυνση Καθεστώτων Εισαγωγών-Εξαγωγών, Εμπορικής ΆμυναςΚορνάρου 1105 63 ΑθήναΕΛΛΑΔΑΤηλ. +30 2103286041-43, 2103286021Φαξ +30 2103286094

Ministry of Development, Competitiveness and Shipping,General Directorate for International Economic Policy,Directorate of Import-Export Regimes, Trade Defence InstrumentsUnit A'Kornarou Str. 1105 63 AthensGREECETel. +30 2103286041-43, 2103286021Fax +30 2103286094

9. Spain 

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness)Dirección General de Comercio e InversionesPaseo de la Castellana, 16228046 MadridESPAÑATel. +34 913493817, 3493874Fax +34 913493831E-mail: sgindustrial.sscc@comercio.mineco.es

10. France 

Ministère du Redressement Productif(Ministry for Production Recovery)Direction générale de la compétitivité, de l'industrie et des servicesBureau des matérieauxBP 8000167 rue Barbès94201 Ivry-sur-Seine CEDEXFRANCETél. +33 179843449E-mail: isabelle.paimblanc@finances.gouv.fr

11. Croatia 

Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova (Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs)Trg N. Š. Zrinskog 7-8HR-10000 ZagrebHRVATSKATel. +385 16444626Faks +385 16444601

12. Italy 

Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico (Ministry of Economic Development)Dipartimento per l'impresa e l'internazionalizzazioneDirezione Generale per la Politica Commerciale InternazionaleDivisione III - Politiche settorialiViale Boston 2500144 RomaITALIATel. +39 0659647517, 59932202, 59932406Fax +39 0659932263, 59932636E-mail: polcom3@mise.gov.it

13. Cyprus 

Ministry of Commerce, Industry and TourismTrade DepartmentAndrea Araouzou Str. 61421 NicosiaCYPRUSTel. +357 2867100Fax +357 2375120

14. Latvia 

Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas ministrija (Ministry of Economics of the Republic of Latvia)Brīvības iela 55Rīga, LV-1519LATVIJATālr. +371 67013248Fakss +371 67280882

15. Lithuania 

Lietuvos Respublikos ūkio ministerija (Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania)Gedimino pr. 38 / Vasario 16-osios g. 2LT-01104 VilniusLIETUVA/LITHUANIATel. +370 70664658, +370 70664808Faks. +370 70664762E-mail: vienaslangelis@ukmin.lt

16. Luxembourg 

Ministère de l'Economie et du Commerce Exterieur (Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade)Office des licencesBoîte postale 1132011 LuxembourgLUXEMBOURGTél. +352 4782371Fax +352 466138

17. Hungary 

Magyar Kereskedelmi Engedélyezési Hivatal(Hungarian Trade Licencing Office)BudapestNémetvölgyi út 37-39.1124MAGYARORSZÁG/HUNGARYTel. +36 14585503Fax +36 14585814E-mail: keo@mkeh.gov.hu

18. Malta 

Ministry of Finance, Economy and InvestmentCommerce Department, Trade Services DirectorateLascarisValletta LTV 2000MALTATel. +356 25690202Faks +356 21237112

19. Netherlands 

Belastingdienst/Douane (Customs Administration)centrale dienst voor in- en uitvoerKempkensberg 12Postbus 300039700 RD GroningenNEDERLANDTel. +31 881512122Fax +31 881513182

20. Austria 

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Familie und Jugend (Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth)AußenwirtschaftskontrolleAbteilung C2/9Stubenring 11011 WienÖSTERREICHTel. +43 171100-0Fax +43 171100-8386

21. Poland 

Ministerstwo Gospodarki (Ministry of Economy)Pl. Trzech Krzyzy 3/500-950 WarszawaPOLSKA/POLANDTel. +48 226935553Faks +48 226934021

22. Portugal 

Ministério das Finanças (Ministry of Finance)Direcção Geral das Alfândegas e dos Impostos Especiais sobre o ConsumoRua Terreiro do TrigoEdifício da Alfândega1149-060 LisboaPORTUGALTel. +351 1218814263Fax +351 1218814261E-mail: dsl@dgaiec.min-financas.pt

23. Romania 

Ministerul Economiei (Ministry of Economy)Comerțului și Mediului de AfaceriDirecția Politici ComercialeCalea Victoriei nr. 152, sector 1010096 BucureștiROMÂNIATel. +40 213150081Fax +40 213150454E-mail: clc@dce.gov.ro

24. Slovenia 

Ministrstvo za finance (Ministry of Finance)Carinska uprava Republike SlovenijeCarinski urad JeseniceCenter za TARIC in kvoteSpodnji Plavž 6 cSI-4270 JeseniceSLOVENIJATel. +386 42974470Faks +386 42974472E-mail: taric.cuje@gov.si

25. Slovakia 

Ministerstvo hospodárstva SR (Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic)Odbor výkonu obchodných opatreníMierová 19827 15 BratislavaSLOVENSKO/SLOVAKIATel. +421 248547019Fax +421 243423915E-mail: jan.krocka@mhsr.sk

26. Finland 

Tullihallitus (National Board of Customs)PL 512FI-00101 HelsinkiSUOMI/FINLANDP. +358 96141F. +358 204922852

Tullstyrelsen (National Board of Customs)PB 512FI-00101 HelsingforsFINLANDFax +358 204922852

27. Sweden 

Kommerskollegium (National Board of Trade)Box 6803SE-113 86 StockholmSVERIGETfn +46 86904800Fax +46 8306759E-mail: registrator@kommers.se

28. United Kingdom 

Import Licensing Branch (ILB)

Department for Business Innovation and Skills

E-mail: enquiries.ilb@bis.gsi.gov.uk
