EU Repeals Certain Proof of Origin Requirements for Textile Imports
In the October 4, 2011 edition of the Official Journal, the European Union published a new regulation repealing certain proof of origin requirements for textile products that are imported from third countries. The EU states the origin certification and declaration requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 of July 1998 on proof of origin for certain textile products are not needed as customs requires the country of origin of imported products in all cases to be indicated in Box 34 of the Single Administrative Document.
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The regulation will enter into force on approximately October 24, 2011 (20 days after its publication in the Official Journal).
Regulation Would Repeal Origin Certificate & Declaration Requirements
This new regulation repeals Council Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 which requires proof of origin for textiles and apparel falling within Section XI of the Combined Nomenclature. Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 requires certain products1 to be accompanied by a certificate of origin and requires other products2 to be accompanied by a declaration by the exporter or supplier on the invoice or other commercial documents. Customs authorities may also request additional proof of origin, in the event of doubt, on a case-by-case basis.
EU Says Such Requirements Place Unnecessary Burden on Economic Operators
The EU also states that since Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 was adopted, the import measures applied to textile products falling within Section XI of the Combined Nomenclature have gradually decreased in number and impact and are now residual in terms of headings covered and countries concerned.
The EU states that Regulation (EC) No 1541/98 is being repealed because its obligation to provide additional proof of origin on a systematic basis for those textile products places an unnecessary burden on economic operators. Additionally, the textile products in question can be imported without any constraints and customs authorities are able to require additional information in the event of doubt concerning the origin of the imported products.
1Products listed in groups IA, IB, IIA, and IIB of Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 3030/93.
2Products other than those listed above.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11080503 for BP summary of the European Council adopting a regulation on textile fiber compositions and labeling.)