2. Answer the following questions.

   1. Are there any registration requirements for import and export operations in the RB? Why?

   2. What is customs tariff and how is it systematized?

   3. What does the Customs Code of the Republic of Belarus determine?

   4. What types of tariffs are applied in the RB?

   5. What are export customs duties applied for?

   6. What are the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On alterations in the Law of Belarus "On customs tariff"?

   7. What is to be done to protect Belarus economically?

   8. What goods are free from imported duties?

   9. What can you say about customs procedures in the RB?

III. Using the vocabulary and the information from the articles above discuss the following: What new customs regulations/changes would you propose to introduce? What can be done to protect Belarus economically?

TEXT F. SUSPENSIONS

1. Read the article and translate the words and phrases in bold.

The suspensions constitute an exception to the normal state of affairs (application of normal customs duty rate) since, during the period of validity of the measure and for an unlimited quantity they permit the total (total suspension) or partial waiver (partial suspension) of the normal duties applicable to imported goods (anti-dumping duties are not affected by these suspensions).

In this connection, it should be pointed out that goods imported under the suspension arrangements are in free circulation and enjoy freedom of movement throughout the Community. Furthermore, once a suspension is granted, normally any operator in any Member State is eligible to benefit from it.

This means that the granting of a suspension has consequences for all Member States, and that the sector should therefore be administered on the basis of close and extensive cooperation between the Member States and the Commission so that the latter can see to it that all Community interests are taken into consideration.

Industrial suspensions

The main purpose of tariff suspensions is to enable Community enterprises to use raw materials, semi finished goods or components without being required to pay the normal duties laid down in the common customs tariff.

Suspensions are proposed after a thorough examination of the economic reasons on which the requests are based and only insofar (в полной мере) as they seem likely to benefit the Community economy.

For some economic sectors, it is necessary to stimulate competition by low tariffs, as we find in the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors.

There are temporary or permanent duty suspensions (autonomous tariff suspensions) which role is to stimulate economic activity of Community industries, improving their competitive capacity, creating employment, modernising structures etc.

They are normally granted to

raw materials,

semi-finished goods or

components not available in the EU

but no suspensions are granted for finished products .

When identical, equivalent or substitute products are manufactured in sufficient quantities within the EU or by producers in a third country with preferential tariff arrangements (GSP), the grant of suspension is normally excluded. The same applies where the measure could result in a distortion of competition in respect of the final products.

The measure reduces the administrative burden for companies and customs administrations by eliminating customs procedures like inward processing or end use regimes for certain imported goods used in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of aircraft.

Military

Strengthening the industrial and market situation of European defence companies will greatly improve the EU's ability to fulfil the Petersberg tasks in the accomplishment of European Security and Defence Policy. It will also benefit collective defence by strengthening Europe 's contribution to NATO.

It is in the interests of the Community as a whole that Member States are able to procure for their military forces the most technologically advanced, suitable weapons, and military equipment. In view of the rapid technological developments in this industrial sector worldwide, it is normal practice of the Member States authorities in charge of national defence to procure weapons and military materials from producers or other suppliers located in third countries. Given the security interest of the Member States it is compatible with (совместимый, сочитаемый)the interests of the Community that certain of these weapons and equipment may be imported free of import duties.

Outermost (внешние) Regions

"Taking account of the structural social and economic situation of the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, which is compounded by their remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products, the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall adopt specific measures aimed, in particular, at laying down the conditions of application of the Treaty to those regions, including common policies".

The specific measures referred take into account areas such as customs and trade policies, fiscal policy, free zones, agriculture and fisheries policies, conditions for supply of raw materials and essential consumer goods, State aids and conditions of access to structural funds and to horizontal Community programmes.

There are two categories of customs measures implemented in the outermost regions to offset the serious and permanent handicaps affecting these regions and assist their socio-economic development:

one intended to promote the development of free zones there and

the other allowing the duty-free import of certain products.

Canary Islands

As regards the import of goods without payment of duties, Council Regulation (EC) authorises the suspension of customs duties on the import into the Canary Islands of certain industrial products (goods for capital investment and raw materials for maintenance and processing) and fisheries products until 31 December 2011. These measures are intended to help maintain and develop industrial and commercial activity there, while at the same time gradually abolishing the suspensions of customs duties on goods intended for final consumption. These customs measures for industrial products are accompanied by tariff exemptions (освобождение от налога) based on quotas for fishery products destined for local consumption and supplement those in the agricultural sector.