Grains, flour and feed products (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. There is also an automatic licensing of certain agricultural products that are substitutes to domestically produced grains, and are imported both duty-free and out of quota, from least-developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries (LICs) with less than 75 million inhabitants). This system aims at insuring that import from these countries will not cause serious market disturbances in the domestic market. If the expected import volumes of grain and feed-products reach a level where the volumes threaten to cause market disturbances, a safeguard mechanism might be brought into force. Another rationale behind this system is to give priority to imports from the poorest developing countries.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
This automatic licensing system covers imports of grains, flour and feed products from the least-developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries (LICs) with less than 75 million inhabitants. The products covered by this regulation were listed in Annex 2 to Norway's 2008 notification. (G/LIC/N/3/NOR/2).
[LIST A - Flour, grains and feeding stuff which are given a tariff reduction of 30 per cent when coming from the least developed countries (LLDCs)
For least developing countries the 30 per cent preference is given within an indicative tariff ceiling of 20,000 tons for protein feeding stuff, 75,000 tons for carbohydrate feeding stuff, and 100,000 tons for grain for human consumption.
LIST B - Meat and Meat Products which are given a tariff reduction of 100 per cent when coming from least-developed countries and 10 per cent when coming from developing countries (in addition to those mentioned in List 1)
LIST C - Products which are given a tariff reduction of 15 per cent when coming from developing countries]
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The licensing system for grains, flour and feed products originating in LDCs and LICs with less than 75 million inhabitants applies only to products originating in these 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?
The intention of the system is, as described under the outline of the system, to prevent serious market disturbances. In case of an expected serious market disturbance caused by a major increase in import of grains, flour or feed-products from LDCs and LICs with less than 75 million inhabitants, the duty- and quota-free import of such products from these countries might be suspended.
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?
Regulations pursuant to the introductory provisions to the customs tariff lay down provisions for the security mechanism and surveillance system for duty- and quota-free import of grains, flour and feed products from least-developed countries (LDCs) and low-income countries with less than 75 million inhabitants.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The General System of Preferences is adopted by the Parliament (Stortinget).
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)?
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The application must be made at least 10 days before the period starts.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The licences are given for the following periods: 1 August–7 November, 8 November–24 April and 25 April–31 July.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
See Answer 7a
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.
See Answer 7a.
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 Agriculture 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?
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 persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences as long as they are registered in the Register of Business Enterprises in Norway.
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, expected import date, country of origin, and other relevant information (such as date, signature, telephone number, reference). In addition, the Agriculture Agency might require a contract (or a confirmation) as to ensure that the import materializes.
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 licences are given for the following periods: 1 August – 7 November, 8 November-24 April and 25 April–31 July.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The licence is not transferable.
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.