Basic information
Outline of the system
The licensing in imports of seeds and propagating material is regulated by Law on Seed Cultivation of 15 November 2001 and the Government Resolution No. 268 “On the Procedure of Export and Import Regulation in the Republic of Lithuania” of 24 March 1997, and is administrated by State Seed and Grain Service under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Product coverage
The licensing covers the seeds and propagating material of agricultural and horticultural plants. The imports of the products are subject to automatic licensing if seeds and propagating material are imported with a certificate of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) and are subject to non-automatic licensing when seeds and other propagating material are imported without ISTA certificate.
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
The licensing is intended to assure the minimum quality of the seed and propagating material of species of agricultural and horticultural plants and the cultivating material.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No quantitative or value restrictions.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to the products originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The licensing of trade in seeds and propagating material is based on and is maintained under the Law on Seed Cultivation of 15 November 2001 published in Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No.102-3623, 2001 and the Government Resolution No. 268 “On the Procedure of Export and Import Regulation in the Republic of Lithuania” of 24 March 1997, published in Official Gazette “Valstybes zinios” No. 27-645, 1997.
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 licences.
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?
An application for a licence should contain the name, address, telephone number and fax number of the applicant, the number of commercial register or non-profit associations and foundations register or identity code, the list, HS codes, quantity and price of imported products, way to purchase and country from which it is imported.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
An importer is required to submit the following documents with the application:
• in the case of plant species subject to certification, the imported seed lots and lots of propagating or cultivating material shall be supplied with an ISTA certificate, an OECD certificate or a document attesting certification issued by the authority exercising state supervision in the exporting country;
• in the case of other plant species, with a document attesting quality issued by the authority exercising state supervision in the exporting country;
• the plant health certificate, plant passport or a copy thereof issued by the authority exercising state supervision in the exporting country;
• phytosanitary certificate.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
It is up to the applicant to decide when to apply for a licence, knowing that the document will be issued within a maximum of one month.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
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?
An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application, namely State Seed and Grain Service under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application, namely State Seed and Grain Service under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is no licensing fee or administrative charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.
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?
Under no circumstances other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria may an application for a licence be refused.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are given to the applicant in writing.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
In the event of refusal to issue a licence, the applicant has a right of appeal pursuant to the procedure provided by law.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved licence along with the general document while conducting customs procedures.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing required prior to importation of seeds and propagating material.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The period of licence validity is established by the administrative authority, namely by the State Seed and Grain Service under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for the products to be imported.