Temporary anti-dumping duties on Chinese and Vietnamese shoes imports are due to expire in October, but member states disagree over whether and how to impose new measures afterwards.

Under the temporary action, Chinese-made shoes with leather uppers are subject to a 19.4 percent import duty while a 16.8 percent duty is levied on Vietnamese shoes.

Last week the commission proposed instead of new duties to set quotas for shoe imports with penalties for shipments above the limits.

However, a majority of member states shot the proposal down with a group of southern EU countries led by Italy finding it too generous and more free-market friendly northern countries judging it too harsh.

Seeking to bridge the divide, the commission's new proposal would therefore extend duties although at a lower rate.

Representatives of EU members are due to consider Thursday a commission proposal to slap an import duty of 16.5 percent on Chinese shoes and 10 percent on Vietnamese shoes for five years from October 7.

"We're in a phase where we're sounding out the member states on a proposal which would bring together all member states behind a single agreement," said commission spokesman for trade issues, Peter Power.

If member states supported the measures, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson would go ahead with preparing formal proposals for after the summer break, Power said.

"If they dont like it there will clearly need to be fresh thinking," he said, adding: "We will be hopeful that we get agreement on this particular proposal."

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