Basic information
Outline of the system
By virtue of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), CITES document issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is required for the importation and exportation of the species listed in the Foreign Trade Communiqué 2011/1.
Product coverage
Product coverage: Annexed to the Foreign Trade Communiqué 2011/1. Please see Products "Endangered species of wild fauna and flora"
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
The system is intended to ensure the control of imports and exports for the sake of sustainability of the endangered species.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods imported and exported from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The procedure is in the Communiqué (Foreign Trade Communiqué 2011/1) published in the Official Gazette of 27 February 2011 No: 27859 bis. The Communiqué is available at the https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/02/20110227-8.htm link.
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?
Since the system has been designed to comply with the requirements of the provisions of the above-mentioned Convention, it is not 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?
All importers are eligible to apply for licence.
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
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
One copy of the CITES document which comprises the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is attached to the Customs Entrance Manifest.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
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?
Within a maximum of ten working days depending on the process of technical evaluation.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Pre-import permission is granted before live animals which are listed in CITES Annex I arrive in the country in order to secure that the animals do not get stressed.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Different organs involved depending on the species in question to be imported. Management authorities are determined according to Regulation on CITES Implementations.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Import control certificate is required for live animals.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
As of 2022, license document fees for export or import of live/dead parts of derivatives of the species included in the CITES supplementary lists are given in the table below.
|
Name of the Document |
Explanations |
Document Fees |
Export |
Import |
|
CITES Certificate and Certificate of Conformity for Import and Export (for species not included in CITES Annex lists) |
1- Fees are charged per document as a TL. 2- Export Conformity Certificate fees for leather and its derivatives imported outside the scope of CITES; It is calculated over the invoice price in import, according to the amount used. |
1. For personal applications and sending samples |
125 |
240 |
|
2. Zoos |
1,200 |
2,400 |
||
|
3. Bringing animals for demonstration purposes |
1,200 |
2,400 |
||
|
4. For Scientific Materials |
125 |
240 |
||
|
5. For Hunting Trophies |
2,400 |
4,800 |
||
|
6. Invoice fee for Commercial Applications: |
|
|
||
|
For those up to $20,000 |
355 |
710 |
||
|
For those between $20,001-$50,000 |
950 |
1,900 |
||
|
For those more than $50.000 |
1,630 |
3,260 |
||
|
For 3 items sold within the scope of electronic commerce |
125 |
240 |
||
|
|
|
7. For historical artifacts |
1,200 |
2,400 |
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Table
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?
Applications are not refused for reasons other than not meeting the relevant criteria. However, if the wild species to be imported is invasive and harms the native species and biodiversity, the importation of the species in question is prohibited by the Managing Authority by obtaining the scientific reports and opinions of the TUBITAK Presidency, which is the Scientific Authority.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
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?
No extra documents are required upon actual importation. However, import control certificate is required for live animals.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Written scientific proof guaranteeing that import of the species does not threaten the continuation of the endangered species. The rules of transpotation and accomadation are determined according to the CITES Convention procedure and IATA Rules.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Validity of the document is 12 months.
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?
There is no provision regarding the transfer of live animals.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.