Basic information
Outline of the system
The Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) is responsible for issuing import licences for the species covered by the CITES Convention, which aims to ensure that no species is threatened with extinction as a result of unsustainable international trade.
Product coverage
The list of products coming under the conservation of species appears in the Ordinance of the Federal Department of the Interior (DFI) on control of the circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (Ordinance on CITES controls) of 4 September 2013 (RS 453.1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20121349/index.html).
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
CITES aims to ensure that no species is threatened with extinction as a result of unsustainable international trade.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable (no quantitative restrictions).
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?
Legislation on the protection of species with respect to the importation of animals and goods (Article 7 of the Federal Law on circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (LCITES; RS 453, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20092733/index.html) of 16 March 2012), requiring authorization pursuant to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES; RS 0.453) of 3 March 1973, and the Federal Law on Fisheries (LFSP; RS 923.0) of 21 June 1991.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
It is not possible either to make the regime more flexible or to modify the legal bases.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is not possible either to make the regime more flexible or to modify the legal bases.
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?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import licence provided they are established on the Swiss customs territory.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a 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?
Please refer to the website https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home/import und export/import/importe aus drittstaaten.html, following the link "Formulaire".
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?
It is recommended that applications should be submitted at least one week in advance of importation. Only authorizations concerning the species listed in Appendix I of CITES require a slightly longer time frame owing to the procedure stipulated by the international treaty (consultation of scientific authorities). However, many applications are processed on the day on which they are submitted.
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?
Sometimes. In some cases, an approval, opinion or authorization is required from other services (cantonal veterinary services, Federal Office for Agriculture [OFAG], Federal Office for the Environment [OFEV], Technical Commission for the Conservation of Species).
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
See point 7(b) above. The procedure is generally regulated so that the applicant needs to approach only two services (OSAV and OFAG).
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
See point 7(b) above. The procedure is generally regulated so that the applicant needs to approach only two services (OSAV and OFAG).
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
No fee is charged for issuing the authorization itself.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
However, the border control is subject to a fee of CHF 88, which includes the cost of establishing the authorization.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
As a rule, 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, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
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?
Import licence (or, if possible, accreditation as a professional importer), CITES documents, supplementary data sheet, as appropriate. All other import requirements are noted in the working tariff (https://www.tares.ch).
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Sometimes. Subject to cantonal authorizations required under veterinary laws and the laws on foodstuffs.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Import permits for protected species are valid for three months; professional importer accreditations are valid for two years.
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?
The licences are not transferable between eligible persons.
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.