Some working document states that the new basic principles announced earlier in the autumn are still included, such as the 2013 volume level (approx. 50% of current import levels), after which a 50% tariff (now 25%) and the melted & poured rule. The transfer of unused imports to the next period would have been reinstated.
The 1.1. schedule is not realistic, perhaps 1.4. could be possible
A leaked draft report from the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade shows lawmakers preparing to back the European Commission’s plan for a 50% over-quota duty on steel imports, while allowing quarterly carry-over of quota volumes, Fastmarkets learned on Thursday November 27.
The draft text from November 24, which has not yet been adopted and remains subject to amendment, confirms that tariff-free steel import quotas would continue to be based on 2013 reference volumes, so about 50% below currently available allocation, with any out-of-quota shipments facing the sharply higher 50% duty, in line with the first draft, published on October 7.The document reconfirms the Commission’s “melt and pour” origin verification requirement for all covered imports.
In the new leaked draft, one of the suggested amendments read: “To ensure continuity and to avoid supply disruptions, carry-over of unused quarterly tariff quota volumes to the following quarter should be permitted. This would provide the necessary operational flexibility while maintaining the overall effectiveness of the measure.”
Market sources, however, believe the deadline of January 1 is not realistic, since the draft needs to go through a “complex negotiations process” before entering into force.
“Procedures in the trilogue take quite some time,” a source in the EU steel market said.
Several market sources suggested that April 1 was a “feasible” deadline for adoption of the new trade regime, while the Commission declined to comment on the timeline.
)
