In accordance with European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2652, a reference quantity requirement is introduced for the management of certain import quotas for rice. The amendment concerns the rice quotas defined in the Regulation, which have been subject to over-subscription over several periods.
What's changing?
In the past, operators were able to apply for any quantity of rice under the quotas fixed by the Commission by regulation, provided that the quantity did not exceed the total quantity available under the tariff quota.
Under the new rules, importers of rice are not allowed to apply for a quota quantity exceeding their reference quantity. This is based on imports of the two previous years from the origin covered by the quota and may not exceed 15 % of the quantity available under the quota (Article 9 of Regulation 2020/760).
The aim of the amendment is to ensure fair and efficient management of quotas.
What is the reference quantity?
The reference quantity shall determine the quantity for which an undertaking may submit an application under the quotas concerned during the quota year. The reference quantity shall be the average annual quantity of products released for free circulation in the Union during the two consecutive 12-month periods ending two months before the submission of the first application for the tariff quota period. The release for free circulation is verified by means of an import customs declaration.
When will the change occur?
The amendment will enter into force for licences with an application period from 23 to 30 November 2026, which will enter into force for the quota year 2027. The documents used to verify the reference quantities should be attached to the application in the Siilo service and must be presented in time intervals of 23.9.2024–22.9.2025, and 23.9.2025–22.9.2026.
The amendment concerns the following import quotas for rice:
09.4112 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in Thailand
09.4117 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in India
09.4118 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in Pakistan
09.4119 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in all third countries except Belarus, India, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, the United States of America and the United Kingdom
09.4130 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice originating in all third countries except Australia, Belarus, Russia, Thailand, the United States of America and the United Kingdom
09.4154 – Broken rice originating in all third countries except Australia, Belarus, Guyana, Russia, Thailand, the United States of America and the United Kingdom
09.4166 – Wholly milled or semi-milled rice in all third countries except Belarus, Russia and the United Kingdom
09.4168 – Broken rice originating in all third countries except Belarus, Russia and the United Kingdom
More information
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2652
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/760, 9 article
- tuovi@ruokavirasto.fi