Basic information
Outline of the system
The import, export and transit of civil weapons (rifled-, combined- and smooth-bore guns, pneumatic and gas weapons for the purposes of hunting, sport or self-defence), except pistols (revolvers) for self-defence, are regulated by the Government Resolution No. 436 “On the Approval of the Rules on Export, Import and Transit of Weapons and Ammunition” of 10 April 1998. Under this Government Resolution a single permit to import, export and transit weapons and (or) ammunition must be obtained from the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior.
Combat and service weapons, explosives and explosive substances, as well as pistols (revolvers) for self-defence, are imported, exported and carried by transit pursuant to the Law concerning Control of Import, Transit and Export of Strategic Goods and Technologies of 5 July 1995, according to which, a single licence to import, export and transit must be obtained from the Ministry of Economy. However, the Ministry of Defence and Weapons Foundation under the Government may import the above weapons and ammunition without having been granted a licence by the Ministry of Economy.
Pyrotechnical devices, police ammunition, special devices of control and security and equipment for criminalists are imported according to the Government Resolution No. 718 “On the Restrictions on the Import, Export and Transit of Some of the Items (Goods)” of 19 May 1995. When importing pyrotechnical devices, a single permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Defence. In case of importing police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, a single permit must be obtained from the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior.
Other legal acts, which regulate the licencing of imports of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives, explosive substances and other ammunition are the Chapter 22 of the Law on Basics of National Security of 19 December 1996, the Law on the Control of Arms and Ammunition of 15 January 2002 and the Order of Minister of Interior No. 183 “On Prohibiting the Import, Export or Transit of Items (Goods) to, from or through Lithuania provided the Permits were not Issued by the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior” of 23 March 1999.
Product coverage
Licensing procedure is applied to imports of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives, explosive substances and other ammunition originating from all countries. Imports of these goods are subject to non-automatic licensing.
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 purpose of licensing is to observe the routes of weapons and ammunition, as well as to prevent their entrance to the countries for which the United Nations Organisation has imposed an embargo. The licencing of imports of pyrotechnics and explosives is intended to protect national security and public safety.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No quantitative or value restrictions.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Licensing procedure is applied to imports of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives, explosive substances and other ammunition originating from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The legal acts indicated in the paragraph 1 cover an exceptional area of regulation, i.e. import, export and transit of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives, explosive substances and other ammunition.
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?
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?
Only those enterprises are eligible to apply for a permit to import civil weapons and their ammunition, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defence, which have a right for the acquisition. Enterprises that have a right for the acquisition of civil weapons and their ammunition, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defence are registered by the Police Department.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Such list of the enterprises is published in the Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios”.
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?
An application form for a permit to import, export and transit weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives and explosive substances contains the name, the number of commercial registered card, address and telephone, fax number of importer, the list, quantities and HS codes of the goods to be imported and exporting country.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The following documents must be submitted together with an application:
• a document proving the fact that state fee has been paid;
• for receiving a permit to import weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances:
- contract;
- requirements established by the exporter or producer;
• for receiving a permit to transit weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances:
- contract;
- final consumer certificate issued by the Policy Department.
Applications for permits to import police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances must contain:
• name, code number, address of a legal entity, or name, surname, citizenship, personal code number and/or passport number and address, telephone and fax numbers of a natural entity;
• names, surnames, citizenship, personal code numbers and/or numbers of passports of persons, authorised to take the permit and responsible for transporting items (goods) (when the permit is being issued to a legal entity);
• names, quantities, models, other characteristics of imported (exported) items (goods); date of arrival and departure and state border control posts, through which items (goods) will be imported (exported).
The application must be submitted together with a copy of a permit to export issued by a foreign country from which items (goods) are to be exported and/or a copy of a permit to import issued by a foreign country into which items (goods) are to be imported or documents, proving that items (goods) are imported into a foreign country (exported from a foreign country) without permits.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Regarding a permit to transport civil weapons, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defense: The Police Department under the Ministry of Interior issues a permit not later than within 30 days from the date of the submission of a request.
Regarding a permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances: The Police Department issues a permit not later than within 10 working days from the date of the submission of an application.
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 other limitations.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Regarding a permit to transport civil weapons, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defense: Permits are not granted immediately, but in most cases they are granted within a shorter period than 30 days.
Regarding a permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances:Permits are not granted immediately.
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?
Regarding a permit to transport civil weapons, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defense:The importer files an application only with the Police Department but the issuance of a permit is co-ordinated with the Weapons Foundation under the Government.
Regarding a permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances:The issuance of a permit is not coordinated with other administrative institutions and an importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application, namely the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Regarding a permit to transport civil weapons, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defense:The importer files an application only with the Police Department but the issuance of a permit is co-ordinated with the Weapons Foundation under the Government.
Regarding a permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances:The issuance of a permit is not coordinated with other administrative institutions and an importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application, namely the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No other conditions for issuance of a licence shall be applicable.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
The state fee shall be collected for licence issuance in accordance with the Government Resolution No. 1458 “On Approval of the List of Entities Subject to Imposition of the State Fee, the Fee Rate and the Procedure for its Payment and Repayment” (Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No. 108-3463, 2000).
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The following state fees are set:
• 50 LTU (15 EUR) for a permit to import, export or transit civil fire-arms – per fire-arm;
• 50 LTU (15 EUR) for a permit to import police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists;
• 500 LTU (145 EUR) for a permit to import, export or transit ammunition of civil weapons;
• 50 LTU (15 EUR) for a permit to import, export or transit a substitute barrel of a civil weapons or a shell of a barrel or any other main part of a gun - per part;
• 50 LTU (15 EUR) for a permit to import, export or transit pyrotechnical devices, explosives and explosives substances.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of a licence.
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 for a permit to transport civil weapons, except pistols (revolvers) for self-defence, and for a permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devises, explosives and explosive substances may be rejected if:
• not all necessary documents are submitted or they are not correctly formalised;
• they contradict national security interests, international agreements and obligations;
• the importer cannot ensure appropriate conditions of storage for the number of weapons and ammunition to be imported;
• a licence of an enterprise is no longer valid or is not valid for a certain period of time (import of weapons and/or ammunition).
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
In the event of refusal to issue a licence, the applicant has a right of appeal pursuant to the procedure provided by 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 other limitations.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation an importer is required to submit the permission to import along with the general document while conducting customs procedures.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures applied for the importation of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives and explosive substances, apart from import licence required to be presented prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A permit to import, export or transit civil weapons is valid for six months. The Police Department, having received a motivated application, may extend the term of validity. A permit to import (export) police ammunition, special devices of control and security, equipment for criminalists, pyrotechnical devices, explosives, and explosive substances is also valid for six months. This permit to import, export or transit is onetime and valid for six months.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Unused permits for import, export or transit of weapons and ammunition, pyrotechnical devices, explosives and explosive substances must be handed over to the Police Department under the Ministry of Interior or to the Ministry of Interior.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences 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.