As a rule, imports to the Republic of Croatia are free with the exception of those imports specified in the national legislation (products affecting public security and order, health, environment and cultural heritage). Products subject to import licensing are specified in the tariff headings and are imported under prior authorisation issued by the competent ministry or authorised body. The licensing system is legally regulated by:

- the Trade Act, Article 49 (OG No. 87 on 25 July 2008) and its amendments (OG No. 116 on 11 October 2008, No. 76 on 1 July 2009 and No. 114 on 7 October 2011);
- the Regulation Specifying Goods Subject to Export and Import Licences (OG No. 77 on 19 June 2010) and its amendments (OG No. 146 on 16 December 2011 and No. 25 on 28 February 2012).

Ordinance on import and export licences for agricultural products published in "Official Gazette" No. 74 of 16 June 2010 (amendments of published in "Official Gazette" No. 106 of 8 September 2010, "Official Gazette" No. 148 of 20 December 2011 and "Official Gazette" No. 101 of 6 September 2012).

Agricultural products.
Licences are issued to comply with international agreements, for national security purposes, protection of life and health of humans, animals and plants, the environment and of exhaustible natural resources of the Republic of Croatia.

The licensing regime applies equally to imports from all countries.

The licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports but to protect national security, health, environment and cultural heritage and to fulfil the Republic of Croatia's commitments undertaken by the international agreements.

Is the licensing statutorily required?

Import licensing system is regulated by the Trade Act, Article 49, published in the "Official Gazette" No. 87 on 25 July 2008 and the Amendments of Trade Act published in the "Official Gazette" No. 116 on 11 October 2008, No. 76 on 1 July 2009 and No. 114 on 7 October 2011. Import licensing is also regulated by the Act on Organisation of Agricultural Markets, Article 26, published in the "Official Gazette" No. 149 of 15 December 2009 and the amendments of the Act on Organisation of Agricultural Markets published in the "Official Gazette" No. 22 on 18 February 2011.

Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?

The system of licensing can be abolished or changed by the Government without changing the Trade Act.

There is no fixed time-limit for submitting an application before importation

A license cannot be granted immediately upon request. Prior review of the application is required; the licenses are issued within 30 days from the date on which the complete application was submitted

There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which applications can be made

Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?

Import licences are issued only by one administrative body and it is the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development.

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

The importer does not have to approach more than one administrative organ.

Import licenses for certain agricultural products shall be issued by the Paying Agency for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development according to particular request submitted by an applicant in 30 days following the receipt of a valid application. If the Paying Agency finds out in the administrative control that a particular request is incomplete or ineligible, the applicant shall be given a possibility to complete the application within 7 days from the date on which the initial application was submitted. An importer denied an import license could submit a complaint if a licence application is refused.

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

What information is required in applications?

For import licenses for certain agricultural products the application for import has to provide the following information:

-Company name and full address or name and full address of person;
-Company code;
-Quantity of importing products;
-Tariff number and tariff code;
-Import country.

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

For import of certain agricultural products, the importer is also required to supply other documentation such as evidence of the registration in the relevant registry (copy of the Decision of the registration in the Trade Court Register; Crafts register or copy of identity card), certificate of income for the year preceding the year of application, original specimen of the certificate on fulfilment of financial obligations towards the state budget.

Upon actual importation the importer has to present to the customs authorities invoice, transport documents, specifications, customs declaration, certification of origin and import licence.

For import licences of certain agricultural products, a certain amount of security must be lodged, the amount of which shall be determined depending on the quantity and type of products for which the application is being made.

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

There is no deposit or advance payment requirement regarding the issuance of licence except in case of import licenses for certain agricultural products.

Amount or rate?

At the time of submitting the application for an import license for certain agricultural products the importers must pay the security the amount of which shall be determined depending on the quantity and type of products for which the application is being made. In cases where the total amount of the security per application for an import licence comes to HRK 730.00 or less, the applicant shall not be required to lodge a security.

Is it refundable?

The Paying Agency will reimburse the security payment provided that the importer has submitted the documents proving the level of fulfilment of the obligations under the import licence.

In case of import licences for certain agricultural products the validity of a licence depends on the type of product for which the licence is issued. The validity of a licence cannot be extended.

There are no penalties for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. The exception is import licences for certain agricultural products where the penalty for non-utilization of the license, or its partial utilisation is full or partial retention of the security deposit lodged at the time of application.

Licences are not transferable to other importers.

There are no other conditions related to the issuance of a licence.

No other administrative procedures are required.

The foreign exchange issues are not applicable to import licensing.