Ozone depleting substances

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

The approval process for importation of ozone depleting substances consists of two steps:
- Permits are issued by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management;
- Based on permits the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation issues licenses. The List of Ozone depleting substances subject to import/export prohibitions or restrictions in the Eurasian Economic Union (the EAEU) applicable to trade with third countries is approved by the Eurasian Economic Commission (the EEC) Board decision No. 30 of 21 April 2015 (as amended). Annex 2.1. of the document sets out full list of such goods.

2

Product coverage

The requirements of the licensing system are:
- imports or exports of ozone depleting substances with import quotas are set in line with obligations under the Montreal Protocol;
- pre-charged equipment containing ozone depleting substances.
Strict conditions and reporting requirements are applied to all issuded licenses.
See Products "Ozone depleting substances"

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

4

If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime

In regard to the licensing procedure for ozone depleting substances outline of system, the licensing system implements Russian Federation’s legal obligations under the Montreal Protocol. As well as limits on production and consumption of ozone depleting substances leading to eventual phase-out, the Protocol requires the establishment of a licensing and quota system.

5

Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The licensing system regulates commitments taken by the Russian Federation through the Montreal Protocol. As well as restrictions on production and consumption of ozone depleting substances leading to eventual phase-out, the Protocol requires the establishment of licensing and quota system.

6

Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The quantity of ozone depleting substances permitted for importation into the Russian Federation is restricted in line with the Montreal Protocol. See answers 6.1-6.11

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

The system applies to goods originating in and coming from the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

8

Expected duration of licensing procedure

Eligibility of applicants

12

Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?

13

What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?

All persons, entities and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

16

Ministry/Authority

Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation

17

Address

Kitaygorodskiy proezd 7, Moscow, Russian Federation 109074

18

Telephone

8 (495) 539-21-87)

19

Fax

8 (495) 539-21-72

20

E-mail address

NA

21

Website

NA

22

Contact officer

NA

Submission of an application

23

Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

Application forms are available on the special website "Support for foreign trade participants" (http://www.non-tariff.gov.ru).

25

What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

An importer is required to submit the following documents with the application:
- Digital copy of application form;
- Copy of a contract;
- Copy of document on registration on tax authority or on state registration;
- Permit from the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management or data on existence of the license for the licensed type of activity.

Window of submission of an application

26

How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?

Application should be fulfilled in advance of arrival of the goods

27

Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain

Permits may be issued at any period of the year.

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

No.

29

Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence

The processing time for permit and license is ten days.

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation is authorized for granting licenses.

31

Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?

32

Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?

Licensees are not permitted to trade in ozone depleting substances with non-parties to the Montreal Protocol.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

Licence application fees are charged.

34

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

Fees are: for permit – 160, 000 roubles, for licence – 7, 500 roubles.

35

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 issue of licences.

36

Amount or rate?

37

Is it refundable?

38

What is the period of retention?

39

What is the purpose of this requirement?

Refusal of an application

40

Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?

A licence may not be granted if the applicant does not meet ordinary criteria.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

If applicants are not granted, applicants will be informed about the reasons for that in writing.

42

Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?

An applicant may apply to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for a review of the rejection to issue a licence.

43

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

An applicant may apply to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for a review of the rejection to issue a licence.

Importation

44

Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?

Permits may be issued at any period of the year.

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

Upon importation, an importer is required to submit standard customs documentation along with a valid licence.

46

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 import licensing required for the importation.

Conditions of licensing

47

What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?

Licences are valid for the certain period.

48

Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?

There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or a portion of a licence.

49

Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Licences are not transferable between importers.

Foreign Exchange

50

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.

51

Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?

52

Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?

53

What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?

The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)

6.1

Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?

Information on quotas is published on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation (http://minpromtorg.gov.ru/) and on the website "Support for foreign trade participants" (http://www.non-tariff.gov.ru). There are no quotas on amounts to be imported from specific countries, but imports and exports of ozone depleting substances must be conducted from and into the Parties to the Montreal Protocol and its relevant amendments. The legislation does not provide any exception or derogation from licensing requirements.

6.2

Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?

The size of the quotas is determined annually. Each license specifies the amount and type of substance to be imported for the entire duration of the license. Quotas are based on the total annual consumption (i.e. production plus imports minus exports) restraints under the Montreal Protocol.

6.3

Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)

The size of quota and volume of production is based on total annual consumption restrictions under the Montreal Protocol. The names of importers are in public access on the website of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

6.4

From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?

License applications may be submitted at any time. The Government determines the quota allocations within two weeks from announcing the opening of quotas.

6.5

What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

The maximum processing period for permit and license is 27 days.

6.6

How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

Not applicable.

6.7

Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?

The approval process for importation of ozone depleting substances consists of two steps:
- Permits are issued by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management;
- Based on permits the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation issues licences.

6.8

If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?

The number of licenses that can be issued is not restricted. The quantity of ozone depleting substances that can be imported is restricted under the Montreal Protocol. Quota allocation is based on relative imports in the previous license period (three years).

6.9

In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?

There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.

6.10

In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?

Not applicable.

6.11

Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

Not applicable.