Commercial clothes collection industry — EU-Ukraine DCFTA

28.4.2016

Question for written answer E-003444-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Emma McClarkin (ECR)

The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Ukraine began to enter into force on the 1st January 2016.

I have been made aware of concerns within the commercial clothes collection industry, which collects clothes on behalf of charities and exports them across the world, that the DCFTA poses potential problems for the sector. Annex 1-B of the agreement appears to suggest that an entry price will be charged on imported worn clothing from 1 of January 2017. The calculation of the entry price is as yet unclear given the vast difference in prices within the sector.

The industry is worried that a high calculation will negatively affect their business model, possibly leading to their enforced withdrawal from the Ukrainian market altogether.

Can the Commission clarify that any eventual duty imposed will be less than or equal to the current ‘most favoured nation’ (MFN) rate of 5.3%?

Has the Commission had contact with Ukrainian authorities to seek their reassurance on this issue and to clarify how the entry price will be calculated?

If so, does it expect an answer well ahead of the 1 January 2017 implementation date?