Basic information
Outline of the system
The licensing of imports of oil and petroleum products specified below is regulated by the "Petroleum Administration Act". The importer is required to submit an approval from the Bureau of Energy, MOEA to customs for clearance.
Product coverage
The licensing under this system is non-automatic. The oil and petroleum products covered by this system are naphtha, crude oil, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel oil, fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas. Their C.C.C. codes are as follows:
2709.00.10.00-8, 2709.00.90.00-1, 2710.12.10.00-1, 2710.12.20.00-9, 2710.12.30.00-7, 2710.12.90.00-4, 2710.19.11.00-3, 2710.19.19.00-5, 2710.19.20.00-2, 2710.19.31.00-9, 2710.19.39.00-1, 2710.19.41.00-7, 2710.19.49.00-9, 2710.19.64.00-9, 2710.19.67-00-6, 2710.20.10-00-1, 2710.20.21-00-8, 2710.20.29-00-0, 2710.20.30-00-7, 2710.20.40-00-5, 2711.12.00-00-2, 2711.13.00-00-1, 2711.19.10-00-3, 2711.29.10-00-1, 2901.10.20-00-0, 3606.10.00.00-0.
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 purposes of the system are to promote the sound development of the oil industry, maintain order in the production and sales in the oil market, ensure the steady supply of oil; to develop the national economy and enhance people’s livelihoods, and at the same time to give equal consideration to environmental protection. There is no other method for the import of these substances that can substitute for this current system.
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 originating in and coming from all countries and customs territories, unless otherwise specified in the accession protocol of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, or the agreement on the terms of accession to the WTO.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The system is managed in accordance with the "Petroleum Administration Act".
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?
Repeal of the system would require legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
Please refer to the "Petroleum Administration Act".
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs
Address
Telephone
Fax
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Details and document requirements related to an application are set forth in the governing regulations (Petroleum Administration Act), which are available for reference in the Secretariat.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Details and document requirements related to an application are set forth in the governing regulations (Petroleum Administration Act), which are available for reference in the Secretariat.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
An application can be submitted on any work day.
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 import approval and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
The import approval cannot be granted immediately on request. The screening on the application will be completed within two working days.
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?
Applicants need to approach only one administrative body.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Applicants need to approach only one administrative body.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no conditions attached to the issuance of an import approval.
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 an approval.
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?
An application will not be refused for any reason other than failure to meet the prescribed conditions.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons an application is refused are furnished to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
An applicant who is refused can file a complaint with the refusing agency or appeal to its superior agency according to the relevant provisions of the Appeal 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 import approval and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon the arrival of imports, importers are required to submit the import approval Certificate No. (14 codes).
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Imported products have to pass inspection by Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, MOEA.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The validity of an import approval is 1 (one) month from the date of issuance, but this can be increased or decreased by the agency that manages these import approvals when looking at the needs of the practical conditions.
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 an import approval or a portion of it.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Approval documents 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 goods to be imported.