Chinese Regulations Affect the Export of Certain Textile Products to the EU

Logistics Insight Asia - Industry News, 12/6/2008

FedEx Express reminds customers that regulations affecting the export of certain textile products to Europe came into effect on January 1 this year. Here is a summary of the key points:

1. Quantity restrictions on ten textile product items exported from China to the European Union (E.U.) have been eliminated.

• Category 2 (cotton fabrics), category 4 (T-shirts), category 5 (pullovers), category 6 (trousers), category 7 (blouses), category 20 (bed linen), category 26 (dresses), category 31 (brassieres), category 39 (table and kitchen linen), and category 115 (flax or ramie yarn).

2. Eight textile product items (see appendix) exported to E.U. member countries are now subject to permit controls. These controls are valid until December 31, 2008.

• Category 4 (T-shirts), category 5 (pullovers), category 6 (trousers), category 7 (blouses), category 20 (bed linen), category 26 (dresses), category 31 (brassieres), and category 115 (flax or ramie yarn).

3. Businesses engaged in any of the eight textile product items listed in point 2 are subjected to an operational qualifications review. Companies that qualify may apply for the Original Export License and the Certificate of Origin (COO) to export these eight textile products to the E.U.

An export license is issued on a “single shipment” or “single Customs clearance” basis. The Chinese-language version of the export license is valid for 45 days; the English-language version is valid for 75 days. The validity of electronic data (Chinese and English) expires at the same time as the corresponding export license (Chinese and English). The validity period of the Original Export License and the Certificate of Origin cannot be extended.

4. All samples and products for trade shows/display, and products intended for sale at trade shows require the Original Export License and the Certificate of Origin.

5. For exports shipped by air, the local government office will mark “by air” on the related export contract and Power of Attorney submitted by firms and forward it to the Ministry of Commerce. Relevant information will be sent electronically by the Ministry of Commerce to the appropriate contact in the E.U.

To read the full text of the announcement (in Chinese) on the regulations, please go to
http://wms.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/zcfb/d/q/200711/20071105226018.html

FedEx, www.fedex.com