Certain products for feeding stuff in domestic animal productions (Agricultural Products)
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/NOR/10
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 27/04/2021
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.
There are two automatic licensing systems present in Norway. This includes a licence for certain products which might be used as feed in domestic animal production. This is introduced as part of the comprehensive price and market system in the grain and feeding stuff sector.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
This licence is required for all importers, and a licence is issued to all importers who have handed in an end-use statement to the Norwegian Agriculture Agency. (The Norwegian Agriculture Agency is administratively under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and has been delegated the entire responsibility of administering the import regime for agricultural products.) The end-use statement shall confirm that the products covered will not be used as feeding stuff in domestic animal production. The products covered by this regulation were listed in Annex 1 to Norway's 2008 notification. (G/LIC/N/3/NOR/2). The system is introduced as part of the comprehensive price and market system for grains, meals and feeding stuff in Norway. The purpose is to secure that products suitable for use as feeding stuff are not imported under cover of another end-use, and therefore withheld from the tariffs applicable for feeding stuff products. In the Uruguay Round, the tariff equivalents of the former quantitative import restrictions on feeding stuff (the State monopoly for importation of feeding stuff) were calculated. This resulted in a system of dual tariffs on certain products so that higher tariffs are levied on products meant for use in animal production, and lower tariffs in case of other uses.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system has a global application.
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?
Imports are not regulated on a quantitative basis. The purpose is described under the reply to Question 2.
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?
Regulation No. 556 of 9 June 1995 on import licences for certain products which can be used for animal feeding is introduced pursuant to the Act No.32 of 6 June 1997, concerning import- and export-regulations.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
This Act may not be abolished without legislative approval.
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):
There are no restrictions as to the quantity or value of imports.
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?
Information on imports is given in the form of public announcements. The Agriculture Agency also sends information on changes in tariffs and related matters to enterprises and others who have asked to be put on an e-mailing list. Information is also provided on request.
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?
It is not a quantitative measure.
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.)
Import licences apply to the applicant.
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?
The normal processing time is one week.
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
The licence is valid from the date the application is received.
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?
The Agriculture Agency has been delegated the entire responsibility of administering the import regime for agricultural products, including the issuing of licences. This body is under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
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?
There are no special arrangements for products subject to export licensing in the exporting country.
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?
This is not an arrangement under which import licences are issued on condition that the goods should be re-exported.
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)?
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The end-use statement must be submitted to the Norwegian Agriculture Agency before import licence is granted.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Licence is automatically issued to all importers who have handed in an end-use statement.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Import applications must be written. The application will be handled without unnecessary delay.
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.
Applications for licences are not limited to any particular time of year.
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?
The application is considered by the Norwegian Agricultural Authority.
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?
If the applications meet the criteria, a licence is granted.
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?
All applications are granted irrespective of the firm which makes the application.
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?
The following information is required in the application: Name and address of applicant, item number according to the Norwegian customs tariff, description of goods, end-use statement, country of origin, and other relevant information (such as date, signature, telephone number, reference).
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
At the actual time of importation, the original invoice must be presented along with a plant disease certificate and/or a veterinary certificated where this is required.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
There are no charged levies or other licensing fees.
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.
No deposit or advance payment is required for licensing.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
The end-use statement required for the issuing of import licences is time-limited, and a new statement must be handed in after the expiry date.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty on licences which have not been used or on licences which have only been used partially.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences cannot be transferred between importers.
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?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuing of licences except the above-mentioned.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures required prior to importation apart from veterinary, phytosanitary and quality regulations.
Q19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported? Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange? Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued? What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided.