Wild live animals and certain wild growing plants
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/RUS/6
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 25/10/2021
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.
The List of Goods subject to import/export prohibitions or restrictions within the EAEU is approved by the EEC Board Decision No.30 of 21 April 2015. Annex 2.7, of the document sets out list of wildlife animals and certain wild growing plants. The Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No.337 ensures fulfilment of obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES (except sturgeon fishes).
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation is responsible for permit issuance on imports of wild live animals and certain wild growing plants.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
Resolution No.337 regulates:
- Importation of all live animals and plants listed under CITES;
- Importation of non-live animals and plant specimens, including parts and derivatives, of species listed under CITES.
The whole list is described in G/MA/QR/N/RUS/5.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
The system is applied to goods 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?
RF Government Resolution No.337 seeks to implement the commitments made by the Russian Federation under CITES, regulating international trade in wildlife and wildlife products, to contribute to the protection and conservation of species that are endangered, or could become endangered.
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?
The controls on imports of goods specified in this category is statutory requirement under the legislation detailed below:
- "Instruction for registration of an application for license for exports and/or imports of certain types of goods and for making up these licenses (approved by the EEC under the Decision of the Board No.30";
- Decision of the Board of the EEC No.30;
- Federal Law No.164-FZ "On the Fundamentals of the State Regulation of Foreign Trade Activity";
- Federal Law No.52-FZ;
- Order of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia No.135 "On approval of the Administrative Regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation for public services delivery of permits and other permit documents for export and (or) import of certain goods, as well as for establishment and maintenance of a federal record of issued licences";
- Order of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia No.2132 "On approval of requirements for the formats of applications and other documents necessary for the provision of public services, in the form of electronic documents and recognition of orders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia No.1575 and No.52";
- RF Government Resolution No.337 "On measures to ensure fulfilment of the obligations of the Russian Federation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, on March 1973, in respect of species of wild fauna and flora, endangered, except sturgeon";
- RF Government Resolution No.1113 "On the formation and maintenance of the Federal Bank of licenses (in conjunction with the "Rules for the formation and maintenance of a Federal Bank of Licenses Issued")";
- RF Government Resolution No.1567-p "On approving the list of federal executive bodies authorized for approval of applications for licenses to exports and/or imports of goods and execution of other permits in foreign trade in the cases provided for applications on the application of restrictions on goods subject to bans or restrictions on the importation or exportation by Member States of the Customs Union within the EurAsEC in trade with third countries".
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management is responsible for administration of the legislation in this sphere. The legislation bans administrative discretion regarding goods/items subject to import surveillance.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is not possible for the Government or executive bodies to abolish the system 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):
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?
Application should be submitted within appropriate time in advance of importation of the goods for its assessment in context of legislation and the relevant import policy.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Permits under CITES will not be issued retrospectively. The maximum processing time for permits and licenses is 30 days.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
In case of this category of goods, immediate permit issuance is not possible.
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.
Permits may be issued at any period of the 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 authorized body for permit issuance is the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management.
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?
A license may not be granted if the applicant does not meet ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
If applications are not granted, applicants will be informed about the reasons for that in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence? If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
An applicant may apply to the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management for a review of the decision not to issue a license.
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, entities and institutions are eligible to apply for licenses.
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?
Application forms are available on the special website of Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Nature Management (http://www.rpn.gov.ru).
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon importation, an importer is required to submit standard customs documentation along with a valid license.
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?
Licence application fees are charged.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Fees are 3,500 roubles
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.
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
Licenses are valid for certain period of time.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a license or a portion of a license.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licenses are not transferable 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 conditions attached to the issuance of a license.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
The applicant for permit is obliged to obtain all relevant approvals and licenses.
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 by the banking authorities for goods to be imported.