Article 2
Quantitative limits 1. The importation into the Community of the steel products listed in Annex I originating in the Russian Federation shall be subject to the annual quantitative limits laid down in Annex IV. The release for free circulation in the Community of the products set out in Annex I originating in the Russian Federation shall be subject to the presentation of an import authorization issued by the Member States' authorities in accordance with the provisions of Article 4. The authorized imports shall be counted against the quantitative limits laid down for the year in which the products are shipped in the exporting country. 2. In order to ensure that quantities for which import authorizations are issued do not exceed at any moment the total quantitative limits for each product group, the competent authorities shall issue import authorizations only upon confirmation by the Commission that there are still quantities available within the quantitative limits for the relevant product group of steel products in respect of the supplier country, for which an importer or importers have submitted applications to the said authorities. 3. Imports of products as from 1 January 2002, for which a licence was required pursuant to Commission Decision 2001/932/ECSC, as amended, shall be counted against the relevant limits for 2002 laid down in Annex IV. 4. For the purposes of this Decision and as from the date of its application, shipment of products shall be considered as having taken place on the date on which they were loaded onto the exporting means of transport.