EU Autonomous Import Controls on Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan

EU Autonomous Import Controls on Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan

EU quotas on steel products for Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan for the period of January-June 2002: The Department of Trade has advised that Member States of the EU have agreed to introduce autonomous import controls(quotas) on imports of certain steel products originating in Russian Federation,Ukraine or Kazakhstan, effective January-June 2002. During this period, negotiations will be held with these exporting countries. The hope is that bilateral agreements will be introduced and will supersede the autonomous import controls. Despite the introduction of autonomous controls, import licenses will continue to be issued in exchange for a valid export license issued by the exporting country. Detailed arrangements are as follows: RUSSIAN FEDERATION During the period from January-June 2002, imports of certain steel products originating in the Russian Federation will be subject to quantitative limits. Importers will have to complete form ILB/W and submit it together with the following documents: a) Valid 2002 export license issued by the appropriate authorities in the Russian Federation. b) A copy of contract of sale or purchase and pro-forma invoice. Importers must note, that four additional codes( 7226 2020, 7226 9110, 7226 9190, 7226 9920 those with BORON added) have been added to the Other Flat Products category. UKRAINE Same period and documents required but three additional codes(7225 4020, 7225 4050, 7225 9910 those with Boron added) have been added to the Heavy Plate category KAZAKHSTAN Same period and documents required but no additional codes(As NIL Plate quota available) Background on BORON issue and additional codes: Some importers and exporting countries have tried to be clever by declaring tariff codes for plates which are effectively ALLOY Steels (ie; with Boron content). The tariff codes in question were not part of any previous quota so no quota license was required. The Commission discovered this loophole that actual Boron content was so small as to be meaningless, so meanwhile, introduced tariff codes for BORON plates into the quota arrangements.