Basic information
Outline of the system
The Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) is responsible for issuing the authorizations for plants and plant products listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora of 3 March 1973 (CITES). CITES aims to ensure that no species is threatened with extinction as a result of unsustainable international trade.
Product coverage
All plants and plant products listed in Appendix I of CITES are subject to licensing. The plants and plant products listed in Appendices II and III are subject to licensing only if they have been taken from the wild. Artificially propagated material is excluded therefrom.
The list of products coming under the conservation of species appears in the Ordinance of the Federal Department of the Interior (DFI) on control of the circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (Ordinance on CITES controls) of 4 September 2013 (RS 453.1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20121349/index.html).
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
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
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The regulations apply to imports of all goods, irrespective of where they come from.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Legal bases: the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora of 3 March 1973 (CITES) (RS. 0.453), the Ordinance on the conservation of species (OCE; RS 453, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20092733/index.html), and the Ordinance on CITES controls (RS 453.1, https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classified compilation/20121349/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?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for an import licence provided they are domiciled in Switzerland.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
A copy of the CITES export document or of the re export certificate must be submitted. In addition, for plants and plant products listed in Appendix I of CITES and taken from the wild, it is necessary to specify the reason for import and provide a description of the establishment and facilities where the plants will be held.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The application must be submitted at least two weeks in advance of importation. Each application for plants and plant products listed in Appendix I of CITES and taken from the wild has to be reviewed by the scientific commission (scientific authority within the meaning of CITES, Article IX).
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?
No.
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?
The importer must contact only the Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV), but each application for plants and plant products listed in Appendix I of CITES and taken from the wild has to be reviewed by the scientific commission. See point (a) above.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
The importer must contact only the Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV), but each application for plants and plant products listed in Appendix I of CITES and taken from the wild has to be reviewed by the scientific commission. See point (a) above.
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?
No.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
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 III V of CITES.
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?
The phytosanitary certificate and, where appropriate, the licence (authorization for goods for which dispensation has been granted). All other import requirements are noted in the working tariff (https://www.tares.ch).
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Specimens are subject to control upon import pursuant to OCE requirements.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The period of validity is six months. A request for extension can be made by sending the original licence, which will then be superseded.
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.