Basic information
Outline of the system
All ships, boats and floating structures, which are imported to Iceland, have to be approved by the Icelandic Maritime Administration, hereinafter referred to as “IMA”. The approval is made by inspections of vessels, their documents and in some cases approval of their drawings prior to import and registration. All ships, boats and floating structures of 6 meters in length and over shall be registered. The right to register a ship, a boat or a floating structure is limited to Icelandic citizens or companies with a legal residence in Iceland. This right also applies to citizens of the EEA Member States. Ships, boats and floating structures used for fishing may only be registered by persons who are Icelandic citizens and have legal residence in Iceland and companies registered in Iceland, which are fully in the ownership of Icelandic citizens with legal residence in Iceland.
Product coverage
No licensing system, as such, is maintained. With regard to import of ships, boats and floating structures, the importer applies to IMA for a permission to import. After a survey of drawings and other documents and an inspection on board the importer is either granted the permission or rejected.
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 is to maintain a certain standard of safety and pollution prevention of Icelandic ships, boats and floating structures. No alternative methods have been considered with regard to import licensing.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable for Iceland.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The regulations apply to importation from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Act no. 47/2003 on control of ships applies to import of ships, boats and floating structures. The licensing is statutory required.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not leave the designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative description.
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.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
There is no system for registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
For persons or firms eligible see reply 1.
Is there a registration fee?
There is a registration fee.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
There is no published list of authorised importers.
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?
The importer must submit to the IMA, drawings and other documents related to safety, labour matters and pollution prevention. There is no specific form for an application.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
In Iceland there are no regulation specifying a maximum or minimum time limit for an application.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
No; see replies 1 and 2.
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?
Customs Authorities must approve the importation of ships, boats and floating structures as other importation of any goods into the country. If the ship or the boat is designed for fishing within the Icelandic 200-mile fishing limit, the ship must obtain a fishing quota either through purchase or rent. The Ministry for Fisheries has to approve the transfer of the quota to the ship or the boat.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
See reply 1.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
The amount depends on the type of the type of the ship, the boat or the floating structure and ranges from USD 50 to USD 120. In addition, the buyer has to pay a special survey fee which depends on the costs involved. Finally the buyer has to pay a stamp fee of 0.4% of the price of the ship, the boat or the floating structure.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
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?
None.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reason for refusal shall be given to the applicant.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The applicant has the right to appeal.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
In case of IMA, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Ministry of Transport and Communication according to Act. No. 47/2003. The applicant also has the right to appeal to the courts.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
No.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The buyer must submit to the IMA the Bill of Sale and, if applicable, a document confirming that the ship, the boat or the floating structure has been deleted from the former registry.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
There is no maximum period of validity of import licences specified. However, if the time from the issue of licence to the actual registration is abnormally long, another survey might be required.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
See reply 1.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Yes.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
No.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Yes.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
An application form with the name and ID number of the applicant has to be filled out at the exchange. Foreign exchange is available without any restrictions at all.