Basic information
Outline of the system
The Forestry Division of the Federal Office for the Environment (OFEV) is responsible for issuing the authorizations required by the regulations governing the import and export of forest reproductive material. The purpose of these measures remains above all to ensure the use of healthy and appropriate forest reproductive material at the place of reforestation.
Product coverage
The regulations cover certain varieties of trees that are important for Swiss forestry (11 varieties of conifers and 31 varieties of broad leaved trees). See also Annex 1 to the Ordinance on forest reproductive material (RS 921.552.1). This concerns the following Swiss customs tariff numbers (HS 2017): 0602.90 and 1209.99.
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
No. The purpose of the Ordinance is to ensure the supply of appropriate forest reproductive material, i.e. suited to the geographical and climatic conditions of Switzerland.
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?
The Federal Law on Forests of 4 October 1991 (LFo; RS 921.0, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/19910255/index.html), the Ordinance on forests of 30 November 1992 (OFo; RS 921.01, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/19920310/index.html), and the Ordinance of 29 November 1994 on forest reproductive material (RS 921.552.1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/19940363/index.html). The tree varieties subject to the Ordinance are listed in Annex I thereto.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not authorize the administration to decide which products will be subject to the licensing system.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The government is authorized to revise the Ordinance.
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 domiciled in Switzerland.
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?
The application for an import licence must indicate the variety of tree, where it comes from, the quantity, the supplier and the buyer.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The importer must include in the application a certificate of origin for the tree varieties. There is no specific form.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Fourteen days.
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?
Only where justified.
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?
Applications for import licences are examined by OFEV's Forestry Division (https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/fr/home/themes/forets.html), which also issues the licence.
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?
No.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Under the Ordinance on OFEV fees (RS 814.014), a fee of CHF 50 may be applied to all import licence applications (to cover administrative costs).
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
CHF 50
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 and certificate of origin.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The import licence is valid for six months, extendable for another six months on request.
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?
No.
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.