Grain
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/LVA/2
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 17/01/2002
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
The import licensing system is regulated by Regulation No.348 “Licensing Regulations of Special Types of Entrepreneurial Activity” issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 October 1997. The licensing system is administered by the Cereal Trade Agency.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Imports of products under CN codes 10 (1001-1008), 11 (1101-1104, 1197, 1109), 19 (1902, 1904, 190590300) and 23 (230990930 and 2302 barring 230250) are subject to automatic licensing.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
Licensing applies to grain and/or products thereof originating in and coming from all countries.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
No. Automatic import licensing is for statistical purposes.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Yes. The licensing system is a statutory requirement of Regulation No.348 “Licensing Regulations of Special Types of Entrepreneurial Activity” issued by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 October 1997.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Yes.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
No. The licensing system can be suspended by the Cabinet of ministers whenever it is determined that such action is appropriate.
Procedures
Q6. 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):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? 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?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a 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 fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted 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 the 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.)
Q6.IV. 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?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. 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?
Q6.VIII. 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?
Q6.IX. 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?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed 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?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Licences can be obtained no later than ten consecutive days after submission of an application.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
A licence can be granted immediately on request if goods have already entered a customs area.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
See reply 28
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
No.
Q7.d. 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?
Yes, consideration of licence applications is effected by a single administrative organ, i.e., Cereal Trade Agency.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
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 reasons for refusal are given to the applicant in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Yes.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
In case of refusal appeals may be made to juridical authorities in conventional order.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Grain import licences can be applied for the firms registered with the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia given that their entrepreneurial activities envisage grain processing and/or trade in grain and/or products thereof. Those firms should also be registered with the Cereal Trade Agency.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Applications are of a special format. They contain information on the exporting country, goods description, volumes under importation and customs check-point.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation an importer is required to submit his import licence to the Customs.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
For issuance of licences a licensing fee is taken in the amount of LVL 18.-.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
A licence is valid for the period requested by an applicant within the frame of a current year.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
No. Upon termination of a licence a licence recipient is to submit to the Cereal Trade Agency information on actually imported volumes of grain and/or products thereof.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.