Basic information
Outline of the system
The purpose of the regulations on the monitoring of imported marine fishery products is to ensure that only fishery products of lawful origin (that is without products derived from illegal, unreported and unregulated [IUU] fishing) are imported into Switzerland. The consignments of marine fishery products concerned undergo inspection and must be registered with the Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV, https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/fr/home.html) for verification of documents.
Product coverage
Marine fishery products, which must be declared in advance to OSAV and require an authorization number, are listed in Annex 1 to the Ordinance on verification of the lawful origin of imported marine fishery products (see https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20153280/index.html#app1ahref0).
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Protect human, animal or plant life and health
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No restrictions.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable (no quantitative restrictions).
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Consignments from all countries of origin, except those listed on Annex 2 to the Ordinance, are subject to verification (see https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20153280/index.html#app2ahref0).
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Indefinite
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Legal basis: Ordinance of 20 April 2016 on verification of the lawful origin of imported fishery products (RS 453.2, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20153280/index.html), on the basis of Articles 7(2)(a), 9(1), 12(5), 13(3), 20(4), 21 and 26(5) of the Federal Law of 16 March 2012 on the movement of protected species of marine plants and animals (BGCITES, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20092733/index.html).
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Any firm wishing to import marine fishery products into Switzerland may apply to OSAV for an IUU release number.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (OSAV)
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (OSAV)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Since 1 March 2022, consignments of notifiable marine fishery products must be registered via the IUU portal of the INPEC IT application and submitted for inspection.
The IUU portal of the INPEC IT application allows the digitized registration and processing of IUU controls on marine fishery consigments.
Access to the IUU portal: https://www.inpec.admin.ch/app/iuu/.
For consignments subject to the prior notification procedure, the following information is entered into the system by the person responsible (declarant/importer):
(a) information on the destination establishment;
(b) the name and address of the importer and the person declaring the consignment to Customs for clearance:
(c) consignment information, specifically quantities in kilograms, the species of fish and the fishing zones by means of the catch certificate, and the catch certificate numbers;
(d) flag State which issued the catch certificates.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The person responsible (declarant/importer) must submit the following documents to OSAV in a timely manner:
catch certificate;
invoice;
way billstransport documents;
processing declaration, if applicable;
Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED).
health certificate or CHED-P TRACES.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The person responsible (declarant/importer) must notify consignments of marine fishery products with OSAV at least three business days prior to their planned importation. For consignments imported by air, the time-limit is one business day.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
This sometimes occurs. For example, if a new consignment is imported on short notice.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
IUU verification is carried out only by OSAV and the release number for customs clearance is assigned only by OSAV.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
IUU verification is carried out only by OSAV and the release number for customs clearance is assigned only by OSAV.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Yes, the importer is charged CHF 60 per consignment for the inspection. Consignment: Fishery products sent to an importer at the same time or under a single way bill.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no reasons to refuse a licence application other than failure to meet the specific criteria set out in Articles 4 and 8 of the Ordinance on verification of the lawful origin of imported marine fishery products.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The reasons for any refusal are communicated to the applicant, who has a right to appeal the decision to the Federal Administrative Court and, at second instance, to the Federal Supreme Court.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
No.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
For importation, the applicant must have the documents indicated in point 10 and a release number from OSAV.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The release is valid for the importation of a specific consignment; extensions or the use of the same release number for another consignment are not permitted.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
There are no restrictions on foreign exchange in force.