Basic information
Outline of the system
The Czech Republic import licensing system continues to be regulated by Act No.62/2000 Coll., On some Measures in the Export or Import of Products and the Licensing Procedures and on the Change of some Acts. The products that are subject to licensing procedures are newly contained in Government Regulation No. 185/2000 Coll., Determining Products that can be Imported to the Czech Republic or Exported from the Czech Republic only on the basis of a Licence under Act No. 62/2000 Coll., as amended , as well as in Government Regulation No. 272/2002 Coll., Determining the List of Certain Steel Products that can be Imported to the Czech Republic Only on the basis of an Automatic Licence and that are subject to the Surveillance of Imports to the Czech Republic. The latter can be found in document G/LIC/N/2/CZE/1 dated 1 August 2002.
Product coverage
Certain iron and steel products
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
The present situation on the world market and imports of certain iron and steel products threatens to cause injury to the domestic procedures and therefore the automatic licensing procedure has been introduced in order to obtain reliable and accurate statistical data without delay and enable import trends to be swiftly investigated.
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.
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?
It applies to products originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
From 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2003
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The system was put in place by virtue of Government Regulation No.272/2002 Coll., dated 12 June 2002, Determining the list of certain steel products that can be imported to the Czech Republic only on the basis of an automatic licence and that are subject to the surveillance of Imports to the Czech Republic.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
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, all natural or legal persons domiciled in the Czech Republic, irrespective of nationality or origin, are eligible to apply for a licence, provided their economic activities have been registered in the Czech Republic.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Licensing Office - Goods and Services Department
Address
Washingtonova 13, 112 49 Praha 1
Telephone
(004202) 2406 2680
Fax
(004202) 242 21561
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Ministry of Industry and Trade, Licensing Office
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
A sample of the application is contained in Annex 6 to Government Regulation No. 185/2000 Coll., as amended.
The application for a licence contains the usual information regarding the importer, product(s) in question and purpose of the import.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The following documents have to be annexed to the application:
- extract from the commercial register or trade licence;
- contract for the importation of the product in question;
- other documents as set forth in Government Regulation No. 185/2000 Coll., as amended.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Generally, the application for a licence is not restricted in time, unless otherwise provided in the implementing legislation. According to Government Regulation 185/2000 Coll., as amended, the applications for a licence for products subject at present to automatic licensing have to be made no sooner than 45 days prior to the period of utilization of a licence. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has 14 days to process the application.
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 the applications can be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
The licence cannot be granted immediately on request.
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?
Only the Ministry of Industry and Trade has the authority to issue licences.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Only the Ministry of Industry and Trade has the authority to issue licences.
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?
The administrative fee is set at the level of 500 CZK.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The administrative fee is set at the level of 500 CZK.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No deposit or advance payment is required in connection with the issue of licences.
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?
The application for a licence shall be refused if it does not meet the set requirements.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right of appeal to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and, at a second instance, to the 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 of appeal to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and, at a second instance, to the court.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right of appeal to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and, at a second instance, to the court.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
In addition to the automatic license, the documents usually required by the customs services have to be submitted.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required to importation apart from health, veterinary, sanitary and quality regulations.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A licence is generally valid for a calendar year with the exception of poppy straw for which the period of validity is six months.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The foreign exchange is automatically provided for goods to be imported.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
A licence is not a condition for obtaining foreign exchange.