Armaments and military equipment

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

As a rule, imports to the Republic of Croatia are free with the exception of those imports specified in the national legislation (products affecting public security and order, health, environment and cultural heritage). Products subject to import licensing are specified in the tariff headings and are imported under prior authorisation issued by the competent ministry or authorised body. The licensing system is legally regulated by:

- the Trade Act, Article 49 (OG No. 87 on 25 July 2008) and its amendments (OG No. 116 on 11 October 2008, No. 76 on 1 July 2009 and No. 114 on 7 October 2011);
- the Regulation Specifying Goods Subject to Export and Import Licences (OG No. 77 on 19 June 2010) and its amendments (OG No. 146 on 16 December 2011 and No. 25 on 28 February 2012);
- the new Regulation on Military List and Non-Military Lethal Goods List (OG No. 89 on 2 August 2012).

The new changes on import licensing procedures are related to the following:
- with the new Regulation on Military List and Non-Military Lethal Goods List (OG No. 89 on 2 August 2012) Appendix IV-Military List and Appendix V –Non-Military Lethal Goods List have been abolished within the Regulation Specifying Goods Subject to Export and Import Licences. New Military List is completely harmonized with the Common Military List of the European Union OJ 2012/C 85/01.

2

Product coverage

Licences are issued to comply with international agreements, for national security purposes, protection of life and health of humans, animals and plants, the environment and of exhaustible natural resources of the Republic of Croatia.

Import licences are compulsory for tanks, war vessels, military arms, revolvers, pistols, guns, parts and equipment for arms, ammunition, swords and sabres.

Licences for imports of armaments and military equipment for Croatian Army and Croatian Police are issued by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, respectively.

Nature of licensing

Automatic

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If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

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If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime

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Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports but to protect national security, health, environment and cultural heritage and to fulfil the Republic of Croatia's commitments undertaken by the international agreements.

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Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

General Procedures
Licences for import under Regulation Specifying Goods Subject to Export and Import are issued by the competent ministries and authorised state bodies upon written application of the importer.

Exceptionally, if the application for issuing import licences falls under specific regulations then it is submitted according to specific regulation as set forth in the Regulation Specifying Goods Subject to Export and Import Licences.

The competent ministries i.e. other competent government administration bodies shall issue the licence not later than within 15 days from the date of the duly submitted application if not specifically regulated. The exceptions are licences issued for certain agricultural products which are issued within 30 days from the date of the duly submitted application.

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

The licensing regime applies equally to imports from all countries.

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Expected duration of licensing procedure

Eligibility of applicants

12

Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?

13

What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?

All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.

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Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

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Ministry/Authority

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Address

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Telephone

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Fax

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E-mail address

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Website

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Contact officer

Submission of an application

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Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

The application for import of certain products has to provide the following information:

1.Title and seat of the company, i.e. title and residence of natural person;
2.Company ID number, i.e. personal identity number for natural persons;
3.Title and seat of the end user with written Statement of End-Use for Goods;
4.Commercial description, quantity and value of the imported goods respectively;
5.Chemical description, structural formula and concentration for chemicals referred to in Annex III of Regulation;
6.Classification of nuclear material, nuclear content by weight, chemical and physical characteristics; radioactivity (Bq/kg);
7.CN Code;
8.Unit price;
9.Country of production;
10.Title and address of producer;
11.Exporting country;
12.Title and address of the exporting company and, importing company;
13.Import deadline.

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What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

The importer is also required to supply other documentation depending on the products imported (weapons, munitions) such as end-user statement, contract and the material safety data sheet.

Window of submission of an application

26

How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?

There is no fixed time-limit for submitting an application before importation

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Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain

There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications can be made

Issuing the license

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Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

A license cannot be granted immediately upon request. Prior review of the application is required; the licenses are issued within 30 days from the date on which the complete application was submitted

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Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence

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Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, respectively.

31

Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?

Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, respectively.

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Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?

There are no other conditions related to the issuance of a licence.

Fees and other administrative charges

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Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

For non-agricultural products an administrative fee of HRK 125.00 is charged for each import licence.

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What is the amount of the fee or charge?

For non-agricultural products an administrative fee of HRK 125.00 is charged for each import licence.

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Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?

There is no deposit or advance payment requirement regarding the issuance of licence.

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Amount or rate?

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Is it refundable?

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What is the period of retention?

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What is the purpose of this requirement?

Refusal of an application

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Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?

For non-agricultural products applications could only be rejected if the importer did not fulfil the conditions stipulated in international conventions for specific goods or did not meet standard criteria for the transportation of certain goods.

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Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

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Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?

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If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

Importation

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Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?

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What documents are required upon actual importation?

Upon actual importation the importer has to present to the customs authorities invoice, transport documents, specifications, customs declaration, certification of origin and import licence.

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Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

No other administrative procedures are required.

Conditions of licensing

47

What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?

For non-agricultural products in most cases the import licence is valid for six months during which it has been granted. The validity of a licence could be extended upon request of the licence holder except for weapons and narcotics.

48

Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?

There are no penalties for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. The exception is import licences for certain agricultural products where the penalty for non-utilization of the license, or its partial utilisation is full or partial retention of the security deposit lodged at the time of application.

49

Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Licences are not transferable to other importers.

Foreign Exchange

50

Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?

The foreign exchange issues are not applicable to import licensing.

51

Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?

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Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

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What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?