Basic information
Outline of the system
The Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) Permit – the Import permit system is regulated by Georgian Law on Ambient Air Protection and Government Decree No. 266 (21 June 2016) establishing the list of substances subject to import permit and relevant accounting form. On 29 May 2018, Government Decree No. 272 Amended Decree No. 266. Amendment entered into force on 1 June 2018. The permit system is administered by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.
Product coverage
The Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) Permit - Import, export, re-export and transit of ozone depleting substances (ODSs) are subject to permitting.
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
Permitting intended to restrict the quantity of imports of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and limit purposes of import of Methyl Bromide (from 2015 import of Methyl Bromide is allowed only for quarantine and pre-shipment uses).
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The Information relating to quotas, formalities of filing applications for permit, exceptions and derogations are published in the Government Gazette. In addition, information is disseminated by different media outlets. Quotas are determined and permits for import are issued on an annual basis. Permits are allotted to importers regardless of whether they are producers of like products. To ensure that quotas are allocated actually, an annual import quota parceling for HCFCs is defined by sub-law. Unused allocations are not added to quotas for the next year. Names of importers to whom permits have been allocated can be made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, a period of at least 42 days is allowed for the submission of applications for permits. Applications for permits are processed within 2-3 weeks. There is no time gap between the granting of permit and the date of opening of the period of importation. There are no exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement established by the legislation.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The Georgian Law on Ambient Air Protection and subordinated by- law on ODSs import and export permitting system are the legislative bases under which the permitting is maintained.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Existing legislation does not leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is not possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval.