At the time of each subsequent reduction, each Member State shall reduce its  customs duties as a whole in such manner as to lower by 10% its total customs  receipts as defined in paragraph 4 and to reduce the duty on each product by at least  5% of the basic duty.

In the case, however, of products on which the duty is still in excess of 30%, each  reduction must be at least 10% of the basic duty.

4. The total customs receipts of each Member State, as referred to in paragraph 3, shall be calculated by multiplying the value of its imports from other Member States during 1956 by the basic duties.

5. Any special problems raised in applying paragraphs 1 to 4 shall be settled by  directives issued by the Council acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from  the Commission.

6. Member States shall report to the Commission on the manner in which effect has  been given to the preceding rules for the reduction of duties. They shall endeavour to  ensure that the reduction made in the duties on each product shall amount:

first stage, to at least 25% of the basic duty;  

second stage, to at least 50% of the basic duty.

If the Commission finds that there is a risk that the objectives laid down in Article  13, and the percentages laid down in this paragraph, cannot be attained, it shall make  all appropriate recommendations to Member States.

7.The provisions of this Article may be amended by the Council, acting unanimously  on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament.

Article 15

1. Irrespective of the provisions of Article 14, any Member State may, in the course  of the transitional period, suspend in whole or in part the collection of duties applied  by it to products imported from other Member States. It shall inform the other  Member States and the Commission thereof.

2.The Member States declare their readiness to reduce customs duties against the  other Member States more rapidly than is provided for in Article 14 if their general  economic situation and the situation of the economic sector concerned so permit.

To this end, the Commission shall make recommendations to the Member States  concerned.

Article 16

Member States shall abolish between themselves customs duties on exports and  charges having equivalent effect by the end of the first stage at the latest.

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