Phytosanitary and veterinary products

Member: 

Basic information

1

Outline of the system

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - The licensing system as a whole is governed by the Law of Georgia on Licenses and Permits, Resolution No. 426 of the Government of Georgia, of 31 December 2010, on the Approval of Rules and Conditions for Issuing Permits and Forms Thereof by Legal Entity of Public Law – Revenue Service and Legal Entity of Public Law – National Food Agency and the Law of Georgia - Food/Feed Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Code. The licensing system ultimately aims to ensure protection of human, animal and health by preventing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases. The permits in this field are divided into two types: phytosanitary and veterinary permits;

2

Product coverage

The Phytosanitary import permit covers in general live plants and products of plant origin; Veterinary permits, on the other hand, applies to live animals and products of animal origin;

Nature of licensing

Automatic

3

If Automatic, administrative purpose

Non-Automatic

4

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

5

Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports

The permits do not, in any shape or form, intend to restrict quantity or value of imports. For the purpose of licensing, please refer to answer to Question No. 1 above. The Agency deems the aforementioned method of being commensurate to the goals set out by the licensing system.

6

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

Please see Answers 6.1-6.11.

7

The system applies to products originating from which country?

This system applies universally to all countries.

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?

Yes.

13

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

All person, legal or natural, firms and institutions are eligible. Persons or firms permitted to engage in importation must be registered as resident taxpayers in Georgia at Revenue Service of Georgia.

14

Is there a registration fee?

15

Is there a published list of authorized importers?

Contact point for information on eligibility

16

Ministry/Authority

17

Address

18

Telephone

19

Fax

20

E-mail address

21

Website

22

Contact officer

Submission of an application

23

Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application

Documentation requirements

24

What information is required in applications?

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit –
- The application for veterinary permit:
Application;
Service fee payment receipt;
Copy of the veterinary certificate;
Information in the Public Register.
- The application for phytosanitary permit:
Application;
Service fee payment receipt;
Information in the Public Register.

25

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

Window of submission of an application

26

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

No such minimum timeframe exists.

27

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

No such limitations exist.

Issuing the license

28

Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

Yes, granting within one working day is a possibility, provided the applicant pays the corresponding fee.

29

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

The period for processing applications ranges from 1 to 20 working days.

30

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

A single administrative authority processes the application. In case of applications for phytosanitary and veterinary import permits, such authority may be the LEPL-National Food Agency or LEPL-Revenue Service.

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?

No such conditions.

Fees and other administrative charges

33

Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?

No specific licensing fees or administrative charges exists. Licensing is done free of charge.

34

What is the amount of the fee or charge?

35

Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?

No deposit or advance payment is required for the issuance of a permit.

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?

There are no other criteria, just ordinary stipulated conditions. Please refer to legislation above.

41

Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?

Reason for refusal is given.

42

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

According to the General Administrative Code, the decision may be first appealed to superior administrative body and then, if the appeal is not satisfied, to the court. Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence.

43

If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?

According to the General Administrative Code, the decision may be first appealed to superior administrative body and then, if the appeal is not satisfied, to the court. Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence.

Importation

44

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

No such limitations exist.

45

What documents are required upon actual importation?

During the importation, general information concerning the origin, transportation of and financial data on goods are required.

46

Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

An on-site pre-import inspection applies to live animals and certain meat products, that have possible high risk of spreading infectious diseases and originate from countries, where, according to OIE, a contagious disease has been detected.

Conditions of licensing

47

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

The permit shall be valid from one to six months. Extension is not possible, so the applicant should apply for a new application. Procedure remains the same.

48

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

No such penalties for non-utilization of a permit/licence or a portion of a permit/ licence exist.

49

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

Transferring the import permit to other importers is not possible.

Foreign Exchange

50

Is foreign exchange 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?

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 Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit – No such restrictions on products exist for Georgia. No quotas and restrictions exist; therefore, no restricted amounts are published. Publishing in general is undertaken through the Legislative Herald, corresponding websites of relevant responsible authorities and social media platforms;

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 Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - There are no quotas.

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?

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - Since we do not have import quotas, nothing is shared with other countries.

6.5

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

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - Depending on the fees paid, the period for processing application may range from 1 to 20 working 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?

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - The importation may commence immediately upon the issuance of permit.

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 Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - A single administrative authority processes the application. In case of applications for phytosanitary and veterinary import permits, such authority may be the LEPL-National Food Agency or LEPL-Revenue Service.

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 Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - There are exists no legislative or other basis for prioritizing one claim over the other. There is also no differentiation between early and late applicants. Application shall be examined after the payment of fee has been cleared.

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 Quotas.

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?

The Phytosanitary and veterinary import permit - N/A.

6.11

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

No such conditions exist.