Article 4
1. For the purposes of allocating the portion of each quota set aside for the traditional importers, "traditional" importers shall mean: - operators established in the Community before 1 May 2004, who can show that they have imported goods in the calendar year 1998 or 1999 into the Community, - operators established in one of the acceding States before 1 May 2004 who can show that they have imported goods in the calendar year 2001 or 2002 into the acceding States. 2. The supporting documents referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94 shall relate to the release for free circulation during either calendar year 1998 or 1999 for traditional importers established in the Community and either calendar year 2001 or 2002 for traditional importers established in the acceding States, as indicated by the importer, of products originating in the People's Republic of China which are covered by the quota in respect of which the application is made. 3. Instead of the documents referred to in the first indent of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 520/94, applicants may enclose with their licence applications documents drawn up and certified by the competent national authorities on the basis of available customs information as evidence of the imports of the product in question during either the calendar year 1998 or 1999 (Community Member States) or the calendar year 2001 or 2002 (acceding States) carried out by themselves or, where applicable, by the operator whose activities they have taken over.