From the sixth year after the entry into force of this Treaty until the end of the second Stage, the initial quota provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be reduced by 20%.

From the beginning of the third stage and throughout that stage, the quota shall be 50% of the initial quota.

For four years after the end of the transitional period, customs duties on raw coffee imported into Italy may, up to an amount not exceeding 20% of the initial quota, continue to be charged at the rate applied in that country at the date of entry into force of this Treaty.

The Commission shall examine whether the percentage and the period provided for in the preceding paragraph are justified.

The provisions of this Treaty shall apply to any quantities imported in excess of the quotas provided for above.

B. The Benelux countries

From the beginning of the second stage and throughout that stage, raw coffee imported from third countries into the territories of the Benelux countries may continue to be imported free of customs duty, up to a tonnage of 85% of the total quantity of raw coffee imported during the last year for which statistics are available.

From the beginning of the third stage and throughout that stage, the duty free imports referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be reduced to 50% of the total tonnage of raw coffee imported during the last year for which statistics are available.

The provisions of this Treaty shall apply to any quantities imported in excess of the quotas provided for above.

Done at Rome this twenty fifth day of March in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty seven.

<280>