Basic information
Outline of the system
The import licensing system is regulated by Regulation No.348 “Licensing Regulations of Special Types of Entrepreneurial Activity” issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 October 1997. The licensing system is administered by the Cereal Trade Agency.
Product coverage
Imports of products under CN codes 10 (1001-1008), 11 (1101-1104, 1197, 1109), 19 (1902, 1904, 190590300) and 23 (230990930 and 2302 barring 230250) are subject to automatic licensing.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Automatic licensing is for statistical purposes.
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. Automatic import licensing is for statistical purposes.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Licensing applies to grain and/or products thereof originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Yes. The licensing system is a statutory requirement of Regulation No.348 “Licensing Regulations of Special Types of Entrepreneurial Activity” issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 October 1997.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Yes.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
No. The licensing system can be suspended by the Cabinet of ministers whenever it is determined that such action is appropriate.
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?
Grain import licences can be applied for the firms registered with the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia given that their entrepreneurial activities envisage grain processing and/or trade in grain and/or products thereof. Those firms should also be registered with the Cereal Trade Agency.
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?
Applications are of a special format. They contain information on the exporting country, goods description, volumes under importation and customs check-point.
Application form for grain.pdfWhat documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Licences can be obtained no later than ten consecutive days after submission of an application.
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?
A licence can be granted immediately on request if goods have already entered a customs area.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
See reply 28
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Yes, consideration of licence applications is effected by a single administrative organ, i.e., Cereal Trade Agency.
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. Upon termination of a licence a licence recipient is to submit to the Cereal Trade Agency information on actually imported volumes of grain and/or products thereof.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
For issuance of licences a licensing fee is taken in the amount of LVL 18.-.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
Amount or rate?
Not applicable.
Is it refundable?
Not applicable.
What is the period of retention?
Not applicable.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Not applicable.
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
None.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for refusal are given to the applicant in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Yes.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
In case of refusal appeals may be made to juridical authorities in conventional order.
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?
Upon actual importation an importer is required to submit his import licence to the Customs.
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?
A licence is valid for the period requested by an applicant within the frame of a current year.
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?
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.