Basic information
Outline of the system
The procedure of licensing is performed according to Law “On licensing”, No. 10081, dated 23 February 2009, as well as according to sublegal acts for law implementation. The legislation on licensing defines the activities according to fields (categories and subcategories) and special criteria for licensing; evincive documentation and any other accompanying documents for each activity.
Requests for licensing of activities included in such categories or subcategories are checked over by the National Business Centre (NBC) at the Ministry of Finances and Economy.
Assessment on fulfilment of criteria for licensing (approval) is done by the institution that covers the respective field of activity.
The decision of the competent Directory in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is based on the evaluation of submitted documents and on-site inspection to assess fulfilment of requirements and mandatory standards defined in the legislation. Approval or refusal is published in the register within the deadline, otherwise it is considered as approved.
The final decision of the NBC is published in the register and the title is delivered to the applicant in the premises of the NBC.
The competent Directory in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development can suspend or revoke the license in cases where, during controls and verifications results that the technical-technological and sanitary-veterinary requirements are not fulfilled according to the respective law.
Product coverage
Import licensing system is covering these groups of products:
(a) live animals;
(b) biological material on animal insemination;
(c) veterinary medicinal products.
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 system does not intend to restrict the quantity and the value of imports. There is not any alternative method. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development does not determine quotas for import licenses.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Import is carried out based on bilateral trade agreements that Albania has signed with various countries where the products are imported from (or even from other countries that meet the requirements of the legislation in force).
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Licensing is a legal request, and the licensing system is based on the following legal framework:
• Law No. 10081, dated 23 February 2009 “On licenses, authorization and permission in Republic of Albania”;
• Law No. 10465 dated 29 September 2011 "On veterinary service in the Republic of Albania";
• Law, No. 10137, dated 11 May 2009 “On some amendments in current legislation on licenses, authorization and permission in Republic of Albania”;
• Law No. 9426 dated 06 October 2005 “Animal Breeding” – as amended;
• Decision, No. 538, dated 26 May 2009 “On licenses and permits treated by or through the National Licensing Centre (NLC) and some other common sub-legal regulations”;
• Decision, No. 1295, dated 29 December 2009, “On some amendments in Decision, No. 538, dated 26 May 2009 “On licenses and authorization that are checked over through NBC and some other common sub-legal regulations”.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not leave designation of products to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Licensing is authorized by the Law No. 10 081, dated 23.02.2009 “On licenses, authorization and permission in the Republic of Albania” and the system cannot be abolished 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?
Is there a registration fee?
A list of fees exists which is based on the guidance of the Ministry of Finances and Economy and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, No. 8 dated 8 May 2007 "On the fees and secondary revenues applicable by institutions of the agriculture and food system", as amended.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
The list of approved licenses is published on the NBC's website and is sent to the National Authority of Veterinary and Plant Protections and National Food Authority.
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 necessary information and the documentation to be filled by the applicant are provided by the NBC.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The necessary information and the documentation to be filled by the applicant are provided by the NBC.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Imports can be carried out only after issuance of the import license.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No limitations for the time of application.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
No, because the licensing authority must examine the documentation required. The timing to issue a license is 10-15 days.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Goods cannot arrive at the port without the license. The import is being made only after the NBC issues the license to the importer.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The NBC is the only entity where the applicant needs to apply (each importer) and present all the documentation.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Documents are being sent online (from the NBC office), for approval to the Ministry of Agriculture, and Rural Development. After this process, the NBC issues the import license to the applicant
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?
Depends on the type of license, there is a different fee for different licenses.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The fee for an import license is: (a) for live animals - 10.000 ALL; (b) for trading of racial material - 10.00 ALL; and (c) for veterinary medicinal products - 100.000 ALL.
If made online, the application is free of charge otherwise if made at the NBC's premises the administrative charge is 100 ALL.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No, advance payment or deposit is required.
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 license can be refused in cases when the importer does not meet the requirements set forth in the law and regulations.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The applicant is informed officially by the NBC, for the reasons of a license’s refusal. This information is published automatically on the NBC’s website.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Any interested party has the right to appeal on an administrative procedure
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Any interested party has the right to appeal on an administrative procedure to the NBC or Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for cases of licenses with preliminary inspections. Administrative complaints are analysed by representatives of the NBC, except cases of licenses with preliminary inspection which are analysed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In the cases of preliminary inspection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is informed by the NBC when a complaint is presented to their office.
In both cases, complaints addressed to the NBC or Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, are published in the National Registry of Permits and Licenses.
For administrative issues, a decision given after reviewing the administrative complaint may be directly appealed to the competent court.
The above-mentioned issues are followed by the terms specified in section 6 of the Code of Administrative Procedures on administrative complaints within one month.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The required documents are those issued by the National Business Centre (NBC).
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No, there are not any other administrative procedures.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
All licenses are indefinite based on Article 11, Law No. 10081, dated 23 February 2009 “On licenses, authorization and permission in the Republic of Albania”. In order to check if the conditions are fulfilled by the applicant, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Rural Development performs frequent in-site controls. If some conditions are not fulfilled then the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development presents the proposal to the NBC for the refusal of this license.
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, licences are not transferable.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is provided automatically by banking authorities, every day.