Basic information
Outline of the system
The general import permit (GIP), granted automatically, free of charge and for an indefinite duration, is used for statistical purposes and tariff quota (TQ) management. Persons liable to customs controls must state their GIP number on their customs declaration. The GIP is issued by the Federal Office for Agriculture (OFAG, www.import.ofag.admin.ch Formulaire Web: Permis général d'importation PGI).
A GIP is also required for the importation of agricultural products subject to compulsory stockpiling. In such cases, it is issued by Rèservesuisse Genossenschaft (see Chapter 9.1).
The Swiss working tariff (www.tares.ch) indicates in the comments for each tariff number whether a licence is required or not. If one is needed, the name of the competent authority from which the importer may request further information is also given.
Product coverage
The goods for which a GIP is required, including agricultural goods subject to compulsory stockpiling (see Chapter 9.1), are listed in Annex 1 to the Ordinance on the import of agricultural products (RS 916.01 - Ordonnance du 26 octobre 2011 sur l'importation de produits agricoles (Ordonnance sur les importations agricoles, OIAgr) (admin.ch)). Goods for which GIPs are issued by OFAG are classified under the following Swiss customs tariff numbers (HS 2022): See Products
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Automatic licensing allows for the statistical monitoring of imports.
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Automatic licensing allows for the statistical monitoring of imports.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The GIP is not used to limit the quantity or value of imports.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The regulations apply to imports of all goods, irrespective of where they come from.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Legal bases: Federal Law on Agriculture (LAgr; RS 910.1, Article 24, RS 910.1 - Loi fédérale du 29 avril 1998 sur l'agriculture (Loi sur l'agriculture, LAgr) (admin.ch)) and Ordinance on the import of agricultural products (RS 916.01 - Ordonnance du 26 octobre 2011 sur l'importation de produits agricoles (Ordonnance sur les importations agricoles, OIAgr) (admin.ch)).
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The Federal Law on Agriculture empowers the Federal Council to determine which agricultural products should be subject to licensing, and also gives the government the right to abolish the GIP.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The Federal Law on Agriculture empowers the Federal Council to determine which agricultural products should be subject to licensing, and also gives the government the right to abolish the GIP.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
As a rule, any natural or legal person domiciled in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, irrespective of nationality or origin, is eligible to receive a licence.
In the case of GIPs for wine, grape must and grapes for pressing, the applicant firm must provide its Swiss Wine Trade Inspection (CSCV) identification number to the Federal Office for Agriculture. An applicant who does not yet have this number must first request it from the CSCV.
Is there a registration fee?
The fee for registering with the CSCV is given on the following website: http://www.cscv swk.ch/.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
There is no published list of authorized importers.
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Only the usual information is required. The form is available on the following website: www.import.ofag.admin.ch, Formulaire Web: Permis général d'importation PGI (admin.ch).
(https://www.blw.admin.ch/blw/fr/home/markt/einfuhr-von-agrarprodukten/Ge...)
The GIP for wine, grape must and grapes for pressing can be found on the same website and is subject to the special conditions set out in point 9 above.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
In view of the time required to obtain a licence, the application must be submitted one to five days in advance of the importation itself.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Generally, yes.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
However, licences are normally issued in less than two days and may also be issued on the day the application is submitted.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Applications are considered by a single authority, the Federal Office for Agriculture, (OFAG, www.ofag.admin.ch)
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Applications are considered by a single authority, the Federal Office for Agriculture, (OFAG, www.ofag.admin.ch)
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
No.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no reasons to refuse an application for a licence other than failure to meet the specific criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
No.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
All other import requirements are noted in the working tariff (www.tares.ch).
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
All other import requirements are noted in the working tariff (www.tares.ch).
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The validity is not limited as long as the conditions on which the licence was granted are met.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
General import permits are not transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.