Basic information
Outline of the system
The licensing of imports of seeds and propagating material is regulated by the Seed and Plant Propagating Material Act and the Regulations of the Minister of Agriculture Nos. 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 of 20 April 1999, No.20 of 3 June 1999, the Regulation of the Minister of Environment No.68 of 7 July 1999 and is administered by the Plant Production Inspectorate and the National Forestry Board.
Product coverage
The licensing covers the seeds and propagating material of agricultural and horticultural plants, the seed and plant material of forestry plants. The imports of the goods are subject to non-automatic licensing.
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 of forestry plants.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
No quantitative restrictions.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to the goods 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 Seed and Plant Propagating Material Act and is maintained under the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Nos. 11, 12, 14, 15, of 20 April 1999, published in Riigi Teataja Lisa 1999 No. 93; the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Nos. 16, 17, 18 of 20 April 1999, published in Riigi Teataja Lisa 1999 No. 100; the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 20 of 3 June 1999, published in Riigi Teataja Lisa 1999 No. 101; and the Regulation of the Minister of Environment No. 68 of 7 July 1999, published in Riigi Teataja Lisa 1999 No. 114 and Riigi Teataja Lisa 2000 No. 30.
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?
Sample application forms are available for reference in the Secretariat. 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 a certificate of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), 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.
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?
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
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.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions attached to the issuance 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?
None.
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?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved licence.
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.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The administrative organ establishes the period of validity of a licence.
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 persons.
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 goods to be imported.