Basic information
Outline of the system
For the products which are listed below the automatic import licensing system are applied and is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. Automatic licensing for foodstuffs is regulated by the Government Resolution No. 268 “On the Procedure of Export and Import Regulation in the Republic of Lithuania” of 24 March 1997, the Order of the Minister of Agriculture No. 240 “On the Automatic Licensing Procedure for the Import and Export of Agriculture and Food Products” of 9 November 1998, and the Government Resolution No. 264 “On the Sugar Regime” of 7 March 2001.
Product coverage
The imports of foodstuffs are subject to automatic licensing. The following products are covered:
- Since 1 February 1999 for imported meat of bovine animals (HS 02.01-02.02), meat of swine (HS 02.03), meat and edible meat offal (HS 02.06,02.10), meat and edible offal of the poultry (HS 02.07), fish (HS 03.02-03.03), cereals (HS 1001.90-1004.00.00.0), buckwheat (HS 1008.10.00.0), products of the milling industry, malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten (HS 1001.00-11.06, 11.08, 1109.00.00.0), rape, colza or mustard oil (HS 15.14), margarine (HS 15.17), preserved meat (HS 16.02), preserved fish (HS 16.04), products, which are not subject to Sugar regime set up by Government (HS 1702.11.00.0, 1702.19.00.0, 1702.30.51.0-1702.30.99.0, 1702.40.90.0, 1702.50.00.0, 1702.90.10.0, 1702.90.50.0, 1702.90.70.0,1702.90.79.0).
- Since 1 May 2001 for imported fresh cut flowers (HS 0603.10), potatoes (HS 0701.90), tomatoes (HS 07.00.00.2-0702.00.00.6), onions (HS 0703.10.19.0), other cabbages (0704.90.10.0), carrots, turnips (HS 0706.10.00.0), cucumbers (0707.00.05.2-0707.00.05.5), mushrooms (HS 0709.51.10.0), apples (HS 0808.10.10.0, 0808.10.20.1, 0808.10.20.4-0808.10.50.1, 0808.10.50.4- 0808.10.90.1, 0808.10.90.4).
- Since 1 July 2001 for imported products, which are subject to Sugar regime set up by Government Resolution No. 264 of 7 March 2002 (HS 1212.91, 1212.92.00.0, 1701, 1702.20, 1702.60.95, 1702.90.99, 1702.90.60, 1702.90.71, 1702.30.10.0, 1702.40.10, 1702.60.10, 1702.90.30, 1702.60.80, 1703, 2106.90.30, 2106.90.59, 2303.20).
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 licensing is needed only for statistical purposes.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No quantitative or value restrictions.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to foodstuffs originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The automatic import licensing of foodstuffs is maintained under the Order of the Minister of Agriculture No. 240 “On the Automatic Licensing Procedure for the Import and Export of Agriculture and Food Products” of 9 November 1998, published in Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No. 98-2730, 1998. This Order is based on the Government Resolution No. 268 “On the Procedure of Export and Import Regulation in the Republic of Lithuania” of 24 March 1997 and published in Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No. 27-645, 1997. In the year 2001 the system of the automatic licensing was supplemented by the Government Resolution No. 264 “On the Sugar Regime” of 7 March 2001, published in Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No. 21-702, 2001.
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?
As the system is under Government regulation the Government is authorized to abolish the system without legislation amendments. Notice of such action is published in the Official Gazette.
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 import licences.
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?
An application for the licensing should contain the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the applicant, the number of commercial register or non-profit associations and foundations register or identity code, the list, HS codes, quantity and price of imported foodstuff, way to purchase and country from which it is imported.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For the issuance of the licence an importer is required to submit the application form and following documents:
• A copy of commercial register card in the case of an operating company;
• A copy of foodstuff importers register card;
• A copy of the articles of association and register card in the case of non-profit association or foundation;
• A certificate from the local customs office submitting the conclusions about the fulfillment of the obligations;
• A copy of contract signed by the foreign partner.
Licences are not issued if:
• not all documents are provided;
• previous expired one-off licence are not returned;
• economic entities have debts to customs.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
It is up to the applicant to decide when to apply for a licence, knowing that the document will be issued within a maximum of 10 working days of receipt of 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 application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence 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?
An importer has to approach only one administrative body in connection with an application, namely Ministry of Agriculture.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
An importer has to approach only one administrative body in connection with an application, namely Ministry of Agriculture.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuance of a licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance 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?
Under no circumstances other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria may an application for a licence be refused.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are given to the applicant in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
In the event of refusal to issue a licence, the applicant has a right of appeal pursuant to the procedure provided by law.
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?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved import licence along with the general document while conducting customs procedures.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures, apart from automatic import licensing required prior to importation of foodstuffs.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A licence for all foodstuffs is valid for three months, except fish, for which a licence is valid for 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 or a portion of it.
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?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for the products to be imported.