Import Licensing Notification Portal

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.

In the context of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the ozone layer, the import of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) is subject to licensing.

Below is an outline of the system for ODS imports in Great Britain. EU ODS legislation and systems are directly applicable in Northern Ireland, including Regulation (EU) 2024/590 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2024 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009.

The Environment Agency issues ODS licences for imports into Great Britain based on applications submitted via the ODS quota, licensing and reporting system. Imports (as well as exports) of controlled substances, referred to hereby as ODS and products and equipment containing or relying on ODS are prohibited. However, there are exemptions to this prohibition. Below, the responses to the questionnaire focus on the procedures in place for the importation of controlled substances.

Licensing System:

A licence is required in case of import or export of ODS. Licences are issued by the Environment Agency through the use of webforms hosted on the UK Government website,

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone -depleting -substances -guidance -for -users https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone-depleting-substances-guidance-for-users-producers-and-traders producers -and -traders . An undertaking applies for the licence using a webform, the Environment Agency process their applications and issues a licence via email. A licence is required for the import or export of the substance itself, a mixture containing ODS and a product or equipment containing or relying on ODS.

The rules on the import of controlled substances or of products and equipment containing or relying on controlled substances, including licensing, are outlined in Article 15 of Assimilated Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 as assimilated law (previously known as retained EU law) (the ODS Regulation). Annex I of the ODS Regulation outlines the controlled substances subject to licensing, and Annex II are those that are exempt from licensing.

The licensing requirement does not apply in rare cases when the ODS goods are imported for no longer than 45 days and are not presented for release for free circulation, destroyed or processed before subsequent re-export. Four customs procedures are exempted from the licensing requirement under the 45-day re-export rule.

The customs procedures exempted under the 45-day re-export rule are:

Transit;

Temporary storage;

Customs warehousing;

Free zone procedure.

Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.

The following goods are covered by the ODS licensing system:

	Substances (ODS)	CN/TARIFF code
Dibromomethane		2903 69 11 00
CFC-11		2903 77 60
CFC-12		2903 77 60
CFC-113		2903 77 60
CFC-113a		2903 77 60 10
CFC-114		2903 77 60
CFC-115		2903 77 60
Trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorotrifluoroethanes, dichlorotetrafluoroethanes and chloropentafluoroethane > Other		2903 77 60 90
CFC-13		2903 77 90 60
CFC-111		2903 77 90 15
CFC-112		2903 77 90 20
CFC-211		2903 77 90 25
CFC-212		2903 77 90 30
CFC-213		2903 77 90 35
CFC-214		2903 77 90 40
CFC-215		2903 77 90 45
CFC-216		2903 77 90 50
CFC-217		2903 77 90 55
Halon-1211		2903 76 10
Halon-1301		2903 76 20
Halon-2402		2903 76 90
Carbon tetrachloride		2903 14 00
1,1,1-trichloroethane		2903 19 00 10
Methyl bromide		2903 61 00 00
HBFC-21 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-22 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-31 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-121 B4		2903 79 30
HBFC-122 B3		2903 79 30
HBFC-123 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-124 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-131 B3		2903 79 30
HBFC-132 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-133 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-133a B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-141 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-142 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-151 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-221 B6		2903 79 30
HBFC-222 B5		2903 79 30
HBFC-223 B4		2903 79 30
HBFC-224 B3		2903 79 30
HBFC-225 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-226 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-231 B5		2903 79 30
HBFC-232 B4		2903 79 30
Trans-1-chloro-3.3,3-trifluoropropene (cas rn 102687-65-0)		2903 79 30 10
HBFC-233 B3		2903 79 30
HBFC-234 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-235 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-241 B4		2903 79 30
HBFC-242 B3		2903 79 30
HBFC-243 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-244 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-251 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-252 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-253 B1 (CAS: 421-46-5)		2903 79 30
HBFC-253 B1 (CAS: 460-32-2)		2903 79 30
HBFC-261 B2		2903 79 30
HBFC-262 B1		2903 79 30
HBFC-271 B1		2903 79 30
HCFC-21		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-22		2903 71 00
HCFC-31		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-121		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-121a		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-122		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-123		2903 72 00
HCFC-123a		2903 72 00
HCFC-124		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-124a		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-131		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-132		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-133		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-133a		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-141		2903 73 00
HCFC-141b		2903 73 00
HCFC-142		2903 74 00
HCFC-142b		2903 74 00
HCFC-151		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-221		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-222		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-223		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-224		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-225		2903 75 00
HCFC-225ca		2903 75 00
HCFC-225cb		2903 75 00
Other perhalogenated derivatives (CAS: 75-61-6)		2903 78 00
HCFC-226		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-231		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-232		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-233		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-234		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-235		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-241		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-242		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-243		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-244		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-251		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-252		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-253		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-261		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-262		2903 79 30 90
HCFC-271		2903 79 30 90
Bromochloromethane		2903 79 30 20

Mixtures of substances containing ODS	CN /TARIFF code
Deuterium and compounds thereof; ...; mixtures and solutions containing these products	2845 90 10
Isotopes other than those of heading 2844; ...other, other	2845 90 90 90
Mixtures of substances containing ODS	CN /TARIFF code
Preparations and charges for fire-extinguishers … for use in certain types of aircraft	3813 00 00
Preparations and charges for fire-extinguishers … other	3813 00 00
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents ...; certified reference materials	3822 90 00
Mixtures containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), whether or not containing (HCFCs), (PFCs) or (HFCs)	3827 11 00
Mixtures containing bromochlorodifluoromethane, bromotrifluoromethane or dibromotetrafluoroethanes (Halons)	3827 20 00
Mixtures containing hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)	3827 12 00
Mixtures containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), ..., but not containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)	3827 31 00 3827 32 00 3827 39 00
Mixtures containing carbon tetrachloride	3827 13 00
Mixtures containing 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)	3827 14 00
Mixtures containing bromomethane (methyl bromide) or bromochloromethane	3827 40 00

Description	CN/TARIFF code
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles (for example, sulphur-treated bands, wicks and candles, and fly- papers)– unlikely to contain ODS but may contain methyl bromide	3808 91 90
Rodenticides – may contain methyl bromide	3808 99 10
Rodenticides – may contain methyl bromide	3808 99 90

Products & equipment that may contain or rely on ODS	CN/TARIFF code
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses (including those in the form of transdermal administration systems) or in forms or packings for retail sale: - Containing hormones or other products of heading 2937 but not containing antibiotics: -- Containing corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives or structural analogues	3004 32 00
- Other	3004 90 00
Paints and varnishes	All codes under: 3208, 3209, 3210
Pigments (including metallic powders and flakes) dispersed in non-aqueous media, in liquid or paste form, of a kind used in the manufacture of paints (including enamels); stamping foils; dyes and other colouring matter put up in forms or packings for retail sale: - other	3212 90 00
Lubricating preparations (including cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations, anti-rust or anti- corrosion preparations and mould- release preparations, based on lubricants) and preparations of a kind used for the oil or grease treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials, but excluding preparations containing, as basic constituents, 70 % or more by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals: - Containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals: -- Preparations for the treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials	3403 11 00
- Other -- Preparations for the treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins or other materials	3403 91 00
Organic composite solvents and thinners, not elsewhere specified or included; prepared paint or varnish removers:	3814 00 90
Fireproofing, waterproofing and similar protective preparations used in the building industry	3824 99 70
Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; municipal waste; sewage sludge; other wastes specified in note 6 to this chapter: Waste organic solvents Halogenated	3825 41 00

Products & equipment that may contain or rely on ODS	CN/TARIFF code
Other plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics: - Cellular -- Of polymers of styrene	3921 11 00
-- Of polymers of vinyl chloride	3921 12 00
-- Of polyurethane --- Flexible	3921 13 10
-- Of polyurethane --- Other	3921 13 90
-- Of regenerated cellulose	3921 14 00
-- Of other plastics	3921 19 00
Air-conditioning machines comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, including those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately regulated	All codes under: 8415
Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air-conditioning machines of heading 8415	All codes under: 8418
Machinery for liquefying air or other gases	8419 60 00
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged - for use in civil aircraft	8424 10 00
Mechanical appliances... - Fire extinguishers, whether or not charged – other	8424 10 00
Mechanical appliances ... fire extinguishers... - Parts	8424 90 80
Parts of mechanical appliances of subheading 8424 89 40	8424 90 20 00
Dry cleaning machines	8451 10 00
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles	8710 00 00
Automatic goods-vending machines - Automatic beverage-vending machines -- Incorporating heating or refrigerating devices	8476 21 00
- Other machines -- Incorporating heating or refrigerating devices	8476 81 00
- Parts	8476 90 00
Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter: - Other machinery -- Machines for the manufacture of foam products --- Machines for processing reactive resins	8477 80 11
--- other	8477 80 19
Locomotives, passenger coaches, service vehicles, or goods vans and wagons of all kinds	All codes under: 8601, 8602, 8603, 8604, 8605, 8606, 8607
Containers (including containers for the transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport - Other	8609 00 90
Tractors, motor vehicles, motor cars	All codes under: 8701, 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705
Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705	All codes under: 8708
Works trucks	All codes under: 8709
Trailers and semi-trailers	All codes under: 8716
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000 kg	8802 11 00
Other aircraft... helicopters... of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg	8802 12 00
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000 kg	8802 20 00
Other aircraft... aeroplanes... of an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg but not exceeding 15,000 kg	8802 30 00
Other aircraft... aeroplanes of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg	8802 40 00
Other parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft > Other > Other	8807 30 00 99
Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels principally designed for the transport of persons; ferryboats of all kinds - seagoing	8901 10 10
Refrigerated vessels other than those of 8901 20 – seagoing	8901 30 10
Fishing vessels; factory ships and other vessels for ... fishery products - seagoing	8902 00 10
Yachts and other vessels for pleasure or sports; rowing boats and canoes, other than inflatable	8903 91 00
Motorboats, other than outboard motorboats	8903 92 00
Tugs and pusher craft	8904 00 00
Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms	8905 20 00
Warships	8906 10 00
Component parts of complete industrial plant in the framework of external trade (Commission Regulation EC No. 113/2010 of 9 February 2010)	9880 00

Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?

Country restrictions: The restriction under Article 20 (1) of the ODS Regulation prohibits the import or export of ODS and of products and equipment containing or relying on ODS from any country not party to the Montreal Protocol.

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?

In accordance with Article 16 of the ODS Regulation, ODS licences restrict the quantity and type of ODS that can be imported. Although import for activities outlined in Article 15(2) are allowed under the condition of a licence, this may be overruled by Article 20(1) prohibiting the import of controlled substances and of products and equipment containing or relying on controlled substances from any State not party to the Montreal Protocol.

ODS import/export licensing is required to comply with Article 4B of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Therefore, alternatives to import/export licensing have not been considered. A legislative review is underway, which may look at how the licensing system works in case improvements can be made. The ODS licensing system in Great Britain is operated under assimilated law, meaning the review will be the first opportunity by the UK to consider any changes.

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?

Legal basis: Assimilated Regulation (EC) 1005/2009 as assimilated law (the ODS Regulation).

Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (recast)
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
The Ozone -Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020

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):

The following responses relate to ODS import and export licensing in Great Britain.

An importer must hold a quota for the import of the ODS in the case of some imports.

In accordance with Article 16 of the ODS Regulation, imports for the following uses require quota:

Essential laboratory and analytical uses;

Feedstock uses;

Process agent uses.

Importers must apply for the quantity of ODS they want to import and declare what they will use it for. A licence is granted if the quantity and use is permitted by ODS Regulation.

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?

During the year (usually around June) the Environment Agency publishes a notice on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-for-quota-to-import-or-produce-ozone-depleting-substances about the quota procedure for the following year. The notice informs about the relevant details of the quota application process for the following year including the deadline for applying for quota. Registered entities, as well as trade bodies and associations are also informed via email when the quota window is opened and the relevant timescales. Importers and producers request quota for the period from 1 January to 31 December of the following year. The Environment Agency does not publish a list of GB ODS Quota holders. The rules relating to ODS are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone-depleting-substances-guidance-for-users-producers-and-traders.

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?

Quota is determined on a yearly basis. The Environment Agency issue ODS licences with a validity period of 28 days. If an import/export falls outside the validity period, the organisation must apply for a new licence. Quota is allocated annually for the next calendar year.

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.)

The unused quota is not added to the next quota period. The Environment Agency notifies importers of the quantity and substance type of the ODS and the specific use for which the import has been applied for and authorised for the following year. The list of importers is provided to HMRC and to DEFRA on request. The Environment Agency works closely with customs and borders to track imports/exports to ensure there is sufficient quota for import/export.

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?

There is a two-month window where companies can apply for quota, however companies that are not registered on the ODS Quota, Licensing and Reporting System have 1 month to register from the opening of the quota window in order to apply for a licence and quota. Further information is published on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/ozone-depleting-substances-guidance-for-users-producers-and-traders. Applications for licences can be made all year long. The Environment Agency must take a decision whether or not to issue a licence no later than 30 days after having received a complete application. In urgent cases the Environment Agency endeavours to process the licences upon request.

Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?

Applications for ODS licences are processed within a maximum 30 days. The Environment Agency will aim to process most applications between five-ten days. There is no statutory length for processing applications for quota. In practice, we aim to notify undertakings by the end of October what their quota will be for the following year.

Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?

Exports cannot be undertaken until a licence has been granted. Undertakings should allow for a minimum of 30 days between applying for a licence and the period of importation opening.

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?

Licence applications on behalf of Great Britain are considered by a single administrative organisation, the Environment Agency.

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?

The decision on how much quota an importer or producer receives is made in accordance with the quota allocation procedure for imports, which require quota as set out in article 16 of the ODS Regulation. The Environment Agency, Climate Change Trading and Regulatory Services ensure that total GB ODS quota and therefore organisations' GB quota does not exceed the limits imposed by the ODS Regulation for end uses that are subject to quantitative limits.

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?

No licences are 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?

N/A

Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?

N/A

Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:

N/A

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)?

N/A

Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

N/A

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.

N/A

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?

N/A

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?

The reason for rejection is always provided by the Environment Agency via email and it is the failure to meet ordinary criteria. An application for a licence is rejected where the organisation does not hold quota, holds insufficient quota, does not hold quota for a substance/has not declared a need for this substance. A licence will also be rejected if the substance import/export is not in accordance with ODS regulations, i.e., a licensable import/export.

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?

Any undertaking which is defined as a natural or legal person can register on the ODS Quota, Licensing and Reporting System and after verification apply for ODS licences free of charge. The list of importers is not published. There is no obligation/requirement to publish the list.

Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?

The general content of a licence form is the following:

Consignee;

Country of destination;

Consignor/ Exporter;

Country of export;

Customs of entry;

Customs of import;

Customs procedure;

Commercial description;

Substance name;

Use;

CN code;

CAS-number;

GROSS mass;

NET mass;

Number of units;

Nature of substance.

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

No documents required.

Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?

There is no fee or charge.

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.

Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?

Most import licences have a maximum validity of 28 days (seven days before and 21 days after the estimated date of import). In cases where this validity period exceeds the licensing year (before 1 January and after 31 December), the validity period is cut accordingly. The validity of the licence is also cut when the date of issue is less than seven days before the estimated date of import or if the licence is issued after that date.

Different rules apply to the validity period for the import licences for fire extinguishers containing halon for use on aircrafts. Such licence is valid from the day it is issued until the end of the calendar year for which it was issued. In cases where the application proceeds the licensing year (i.e., it is issued before 1 January), the validity period starts 1 January the following year.

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 licence or a portion of a licence.

Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?

Licences 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?

Importers of ODS for laboratory and analytical uses may need to make a LABODS declaration to the Environment Agency (for Great Britain).

Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?

N/A

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?

No foreign exchange control.

Ozone-depleting substances

Outline of Systems

Purposes and Coverage of Licensing

Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.

Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which 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?

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.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.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)?

Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?

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.

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?

Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence

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?

Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?

Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?

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?

Q15. Is there any penalty for the 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?

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?

Other Procedural Requirements

Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?