RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
28March 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-1105)
Original: English
ACCESSION OFLITHUANIA
Additional Questions andReplies
totheMemorandum ontheForeign Trade Régime (L7551)
andtheQuestions andReplies (WT/ACC/LTU/2 and4)
Addendum
TheMinistry ofForeign Affairs oftheRepublic ofLithuania hassubmitted thefollowing
information regarding thecompletion ofquestionnaires assetoutintherelevant annexes toWT/ACC/1,
namely, thequestionnaires onState Trading, Import Licensing Procedures, Implementation and
Administration oftheCustoms Valuation Agreement andTechnical Barriers toTrade. Theabove
mentioned questionnaires arereproduced hereunder.
_______________
INFORMATION ONSTATE TRADING
Definition ofState-Trading
Governmental andnon-governmental enterprises, including marketing boards, which havebeen
granted exclusive orspecial rights orprivileges, including statutory orconstitutional powers, in
theexercise ofwhich theyinfluence through theirpurchases orsalesthelevelordirection ofimports
orexports.
I. Enumeration ofState Trading Enterprises
Does yourcountry maintain enterprises covered bytheprovisions ofArticle XVII? Ifso,listthe
products orgroups ofproducts forwhich State enterprise ismaintained orforwhich anenterprise
hasexclusive orspecial privileges.
II. Reason andPurpose forIntroducing andMaintaining State-Trading Enterprises
State foreach product thereason andpurpose forintroducing andmaintaining theenterprise
(itshould beindicated, forexample, whether thepurpose ortheeffect oftheenterprise istoprevent
prices toconsumers from exceeding certain maximum limits, ortoprotect domestic producers
bythecontrol ofimports and/or thepurchase ofdomestic supplies atabove world price levels,
ortofacilitate export sales, ortomake itpossible toestablish oradminister astabilization
arrangement). Adescription oflegal provisions should beincluded insofarasthishasnotbeen
submitted inearlier notifications.
Thelegislation inforceintheRepublic ofLithuania doesnotprovide foranyexclusive orspecial
rights orprivileges granted tospecific enterprises, whether State-owned, private ormixed property,
intended fortrade ingoods, except theindicated below. Moreover, theLaw onCompetitionWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page2
(15September 1992) prohibits public andlocal authorities toadopt legal actsortofulfil actions
conferring privileges toordiscriminating individual economic entities, regardless oftheirownership
form, orotherwise restrict competition.
Under theLawonTrade (12January 1995) theGovernment shallhavetheright inspecial
cases tointroduce State monopoly ofthetrade incertain goods, aswellastoestablish special sales
proceduresforcertaingoods.Specialcases(“extraordinarycases”)hasthemeaningofnaturalcalamities,
situationofwar,harmforhealth,emergencyininternationalrelations,etc.(thesemeasuresareconsistent
withtheprovisions ofArticle XXandArticle XXIofGATT 1994). Forsuchextreme cases, Lithuania
could establish centralized supply points fordistribution ofessential goods toitspopulation, including
distribution through certain Stateenterprises. Centralized distribution could alsobeeffected byprivate
companies withtheirconsent. Thiswould innowayaffect ownership ofprivate companies. Butit
isveryimportant tostress thatitisonlyapotential probability, andthisinstrument hasyetnever been
used.
Based ontheprovision oftheLawonTrade concerning theintroduction ofStatemonopoly,
andtheLawonAlcohol Control (18April 1995) Lithuania hasestablished thelegal basis forthe
introduction oftherightofaState monopoly toproduce, sellandimport alcohol products, which
could bejustified under Article XX(b)and(d)withspecial emphasis thatitisonlyapotential measure
which isnotapplied atpresent (dueexception seebelow) andwould beapplied equally todomestic
production andimporters oftheseproducts. Theobjective ofthatLawistoreduce alcohol consumption
ingeneral because ofthedamage itcauses tohuman health, through theintroduction ofaStatemonopoly
onalcohol manufacture, saleandtrade. Butaswasexplained inthedocument WT/ACC/LTU/7 (see
theanswer toQuestion 223), currently Lithuania doesnotmaintain amonopoly onproduction (except
forproduction ofhighalcohol content beverages -duetoexcessive consumption ofthiskindofdomestic
products andtheirassociated consequences -thisrightisgiven totheStatestock company “Lietuviskas
Midus ”),saleandimportation anddoesnotplancurrently tointroduce suchamonopoly.
TheLawalsogives theGovernment therighttoregulate themanufacture, import, trade and
domestic consumption ofliquids containing ethylalcohol which maybeimbibed asintoxicating drinks
andfoodproducts, containing alcohol additives.
According totheLawonSugar (27April 1995), theGovernment shallsupport thedevelopment
ofthedomestic sugar rawmaterial production andprocessing industry. Thissupporting isatemporary
one,andwillbeadjusted inthecourse ofpositive developments inthissector. Also, itshould benoted
thatprovisions ofArticle 6oftheLawallowed nottoapply thesanctions oftheLawonCompetition
(which areestablished fordominant market entities), inconnection withtheestablishment ofasugar
manufacturers ’association. Butthismeasure wasforeseen onlyfortheperiod during which the
manufacturers ’association wasestablished. Their aimwastoshorten andexpedite bureaucratic
procedures. Atpresent, theParliament hasreceived fromtheGovernment aproposal toamend orabolish
thisclause.
Sugar andalcohol products currently arenotsubject ofState trading. Theparticular laws
regulating suchcommodities doprovide thepossibility fortheintroduction ofState monopolies for
trading andimport ofthese commodities, butthese provisions havenotbeenimplemented.
Under theestablished order bytheLawonAmendments andSupplements oftheLawon
Enterprises (5July1995) onlyStateenterprises andspecially designated enterprises which allshares
belong totheState, havetherighttoengage inallactivity related withradioactive, nuclear material
andwaste thereof.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page3
Concerningtheenergyareajoint-stockcompany“Lietuvosenergija”hastheactual(notasserted
bythespecial lawortheGovernment Resolution) right (asanatural monopolies -seebelow) for
production, import, export, transmission anddistribution ofelectricity .
Inthisareaonlynuclear material (aswasindicated above) isthesubject ofState trading. It
isbuying bytheIgnalina Nuclear Power Station, butthepayment isfulfilled through thecompany
“Lietuvos Energija ”.
Here must bementioned thesectors operating asnatural monopolies (seetheanswer to
Question 3,WT/ACC/LTU/2) -where fortechnical andeconomic reasons, there isanabsence or
restriction ofcompetition andconsumer choice possibilities. These alsoaresectors where onedominant
Stateentity isoperating inthewhole orinmainpartoftheLithuanian territory. Thus, theGovernment
regulation andcontrol (including priceforconsumers regulation) isnecessary forthesesectors. Natural
gassupply, production andsupply ofelectricity andheatenergy areconcerned assectors operating
asnatural monopolies incommodities sphere, i.e.sectors where onedominant entity isoperating in
thewhole orinamain partoftheLithuanian territory.
III. Description oftheFunctioning ofState-Trading Enterprises
1. Describe, itembyitem, thefunctioning ofsuchenterprises andstate inparticular:
- Whether theenterprise deals withexports orwithimports ,orboth;
- Whether private traders areallowed toimport orexport and, ifso,onwhat
conditions;
- Whether there isfreecompetition between private traders andtheState-trading
enterprise.
- Thecriteria usedfordetermining thequantities tobeexported andimported;
- How export prices aredetermined;
- How themark-up onimported products isdetermined;
- Howexport prices andthere-sale prices ofimports compare withdomestic prices;
- Whether long-term contracts arenegotiated bytheState-trading enterprise;
- Whether State-trading methods areusedtofulfill contractual obligations entered
intobythegovernment.
TheLawonEnterprises doesnotprovide forthecommodities which areallowed totradeonly
forState trading enterprises. Itonlyprovides fortheactivity which canbeundertaken onlyby
State-owned enterprises having licences issued following theestablished order bytheGovernment.
Thatisallactivity related withradioactive, nuclear material andwaste thereof.
Legislation oftheRepublic ofLithuania doesnotprovide forintroducing andmaintaining State
trading enterprises having anexclusive righttotradeincertain products. Butasaconsequence ofnatural
monopolies (seeChapter I.)energy sector hassome exclusive right.
Energy.
1.JointStock Company “Lietuvos Energija ”dealwithproduction, transmission, distribution,
exports andimports ofelectricity. Lithuania isanetexporter ofelectricity. Norestrictions onthe
ability ofprivate traders toimport orexport; butcurrently, there arenoprivate traders. Therefore
trade isnegotiated onlybythe“Lietuvos Energija ”withimporters andexporters onacase-by-case
basis. Export andimport prices aresuggested bythe“Lietuvos Energija ”andapproved bytheMinistry
ofEnergy. There isnoconnection between domestic prices andimport orexport prices ofelectricity.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page4
Nolong-term contracts arenegotiated bythe“Lietuvos Energija ”.Statetrading methods are
notusedtofulfill contractual obligations entered intobytheGovernment.
2. JointStockCompany“LietuvosDujos”dealswithtransmission,distribution,andimports
ofnatural gas. Lithuania isanetimporter ofnatural gasasitdoesnotproduce natural gas.No
restrictions ontheability ofprivate traders toimport. Currently, some joint-stock companies are
importing fortheirownuseinparallel withtheactivities of“Lietuvos Dujos. ”
“Lietuvos Dujos ”negotiates annual agreements withsuppliers (thisdoesnotinclude contracts
donebytheprivate traders). Import prices arenegotiated withsuppliers andapproved bytheMinistry
ofEnergy.Nodomesticproduction,soquestionsrelatingtotherelationshipbetweenimportanddomestic
prices arenotapplicable.
Nolong-term contracts (longer thanone-year) arenegotiated bythe“Lietuvos Dujos. ”State
trading methods arenotusedtofulfill contractual obligations entered intobytheGovernment.
There mustbestressed thatasasubjects ofnatural monopolies theprices ofnatural gassupply
toconsumers, electric energy, heatenergy arecontrolled bytheGovernment.
Whether long-term contracts arenegotiated bytheState-trading enterprise; Whether State-trading
methods areusedtofulfill contractual obligations entered intobythegovernment.
Thelegalactsdonotregulate therightoftrading enterprises, whether private orState-owned,
tonegotiate long-term contracts. Theright tofulfill contractual obligations entered intobythe
Government isconferred tocompanies byawayofpublic procurement withfreeparticipation init
ofenterprises withdifferent ownership forms.
IV. Statistical Information
1. Furnish statistics (where possible byquantity andvalue) ofimports, exports andnational
production ontheproducts notified, onthefollowing lines.
Thiscould beconcerned onlyelectricity, nuclear material andnatural gasareas, butLithuanian
Statistics Department doesnotprovide information onimports andexports based oneachindividual
enterprise, whether private orState-owned.
V. Reasons Why noForeign Trade HasTaken Place (ifthisisthecase) inProducts Affected
Incases where noforeign trade hastaken place intheproducts affected, state thereasons.
There arenoobstacles forforeign trade. Allcommercial operations, including foreign trade,
arecarried outatthediscretion ofeachindividual company.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page5
INFORMATION ONIMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
I. Outline ofsystems
1. Give abrief description ofeachlicensing system asawhole and, withrespect toeach,
reply tothefollowing questions asrelevant, placing allthematerial withrespect toagiven system
insequence together, andusing cross references asappropriate when elements which havealready
been described arealsopresent inanother system.
A.-System tolicence certain fields ofcommercial activity, including importation, which applies
toproducts containing alcohol (A1), tobacco andtobacco products (A2), oilproducts (A3), narcotics
andhighly effective andpoisonous substances (A4), chemicals materials which canharmfully actthe
environment (A5), biological materials forplants protection (A6)andspecial foodstuffs andfood
additives (A7).
B.-System tolicence theimport ofstrategical goods whose import iscontrolled forreasons of
national security orenvironmental protection, including import ofstrategical goods andtechnologies
(B1), order ofconveyance toLithuania ofsecret loads (B2), order ofconveyance toLithuania of
dangerous loads (B3), import ofradio-electronic equipment, special control andsecurity devices, guns,
colour-copying equipment, etc.,onnational security grounds (B4), import ofusedtyresandelectric
fishing tackle onenvironmental protection grounds (B5).
C.-System toadminister general tariff ratequotas (atlessthanMFN tariffs), ofglobal application,
which areopened upwhen Lithuania faces ashortage ofparticular agricultural orother goods, and
which areusedinminimal quantities (C1).
System toadminister tariff ratequotas (atlessthanMFN tariffs) forcertain products which are
opened upaccording totheprovisions ofsigned andenforced freetrade agreements (C2).
Theadministration ofeachsystem isfollowing.
A1. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN FIELDS OFACTIVITY, INCLUDING THE
IMPORTATION,WHOLESALEANDRETAILTRADEOFPRODUCTSCONTAINING
ALCOHOL
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
1. Identify eachlicensing system maintained andstatewhatproducts, appropriately grouped,
arecovered.
2. Thesystem applies togoods originating inandcoming from which countries?
3. Isthelicensing intended torestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports, andifnot,what are
itspurposes? Have alternative methods ofaccomplishing thepurposes been considered andif
sowhich? Why have theynotbeen adopted?
4. Citethelaw,regulationand/oradministrativeorderunderwhichthelicensingismaintained.
Isthelicensing statutorily required? Does thelegislation leave designation ofproducts tobe
subjected tolicensing toadministrative discretion? Isitpossible fortheGovernment (orthe
executive branch) toabolish thesystem without legislative approval?WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page6
Applies to:
- alcoholicbeverages(HS2203,2204-2208,except2204.30,2207,2208.10,2208.20.40);
- undenatured ethyl alcohol (HS2207.10, 2208.90.99);
- denatured ethyl alcohol (HS2207.20);
- technical ethyl alcohol (HS2207.10);
- alcohol-based foodadditives containing flavourings (HS2103.90.30, 2103.90.90,
3302.10);
- alcohol-based non-food additives containing flavourings (HS3302.90.10);
- rawmaterials containing ethylalcohol (HS2204.29, 2204.30, 2205.90, 2206.00.81,
2206.00.89, 2208.10, 2208.20.40, 2208.20.40, 2208.20.62, 2208.90.35, 2208.90.38,
2208.90.71-2208.90.79).
Only enterprises holding licences toimport alcoholic products --with theexception of
undenatured ethylalcohol andrawmaterials containing ethylalcohol --arepermitted toengage intheir
wholesale trade. Theimport ofthetwoexcepted products ispermitted exclusively forproduction
purposeswithouttherighttosellthemtoothereconomicentities.Thesystemappliestogoodsoriginating
inandcoming from allcountries.
Foralcoholic beverages, theimport licensing doesnotrestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports
although currently licences aregranted through public tender process which means onlyacertain number
oflicences willbeawarded eachyear. Thelicensing isintended tocontrol illegal import andsmuggling
ofproducts containing alcohol andtoavoid theimportation oflowprice andpoorquality beverages
(often counterfeits ofmore expensive brands); andtoimprove collection ofduties andtaxes.
Forproducts containing alcohol other thanalcoholic beverages. Undenatured ethyl alcohol
fortechnical uses-thelicensing implements minimum import levels (7000 dl),nomaximum levels
areestablished. Forother products, thelicensing isnotintended torestrict thequality orvalue of
imports. Thelicensing isintended tocontrol production processes andprevent human consumption
oftheproduct.
Thelicensing forallproducts containing alcohol, including alcoholic beverages, ismaintained
under theGovernment Resolution No.1459 (17November 1995) “OnLicensing Import, Wholesale
andRetail Trade inAlcoholic Products ”which willbestarted toapply on1July1996. Licensing is
required inconnection withtheLawonAlcohol Control (18April 1995) andtheLawonEnterprises
(8May1990) anditsamendment (5July1995); thedesignation ofproducts isnotlefttoadministrative
discretion; itisnotpossible fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
III. Procedures
1. Forproducts under restriction astothequantity orvalue ofimports (whether applicable
globally ortoalimited number ofcountries orwhether established bilaterally orunilaterally):
(a) Isinformation published, andwhere, concerning allocation ofquotas andformalities of
filing applications forlicences? Ifnot,howisitbrought totheattention ofpossible
importers? Ofgovernments andexport promotion bodies ofexporting countries andtheir
trade representatives? Istheoverall amount published? Theamount allocated togoods
from eachcountry? Themaximum amount allocated toeachimporter?
(b) How isthesizeofthequotas determined: onayearly, six-monthly orquarterly basis?
Arethere cases where thesizeofquota isdetermined onayearly basis butlicences areWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page7
issued forimports onasix-monthly orquarterly basis? Inthelatter case, isitnecessary
forimporters toapply forfresh licence onasix-monthly orquarterly basis?
(c) Arelicences forcertain goods partly oronlytodomestic producers oflikegoods? What
steps aretaken toensure thatlicences allocated areactually usedforimports? Areunused
allocations added toquotas forasucceeding period? Arethenames ofimporters towhom
licences have been allocated made known togovernments andexport promotion bodies
ofexporting countries upon request? Ifnot,forwhat reason? (Indicate products towhich
replies relate).
(d) From thetimeofannouncing theopening ofquotas, asindicated inIabove, what isthe
period oftimeallowed forthesubmission ofapplications forlicences?
(e) What aretheminimum andmaximum lengths oftimeforprocessing applications?
(f) How much timeremains, ataminimum, between thegranting oflicences andthedate
ofopening oftheperiod ofimportation?
(g) Isconsideration oflicence applications effected byasingle administrative organ? Ormust
theapplication bepassed ontoother organs forvisa,noteorapproval? Ifso,which? Does
theimporter have toapproach more thanoneadministrative organ?
(h) Ifthedemand forlicences cannot befully satisfied, onwhat basis istheallocation to
applicants made? Firstcome, firstserved? Pastperformance? Isthere amaximum amount
tobeallocated perapplicant and,ifso,onwhat basis isitdetermined? What provision
ismade fornewimporters? Areapplications examined simultaneously oronreceipt?
(I) Inthecaseofbilateral quotas orexport restraint arrangements where export permits are
issued byexporting countries, areimport licences alsorequired? Ifso,arelicences issued
automatically?
(j) Incases where imports areallowed onthebasis ofexport permits only, howistheimporting
country informed oftheeffect given bytheexporting countries totheunderstanding
between thetwocountries?
(k) Aretheproducts forwhich licences areissued oncondition thatgoods should beexported
andnotsoldinthedomestic market?
Alcoholic beverages:
(a) Information onpublic tenders andformalities forfiling applications forreceiving alicence
under public tender ispublished inthe“Valstybes zinios ”(“State News ”)andinthemain daily
newspapers;
(b) tenders areadvertised astheyaredetermined tobeneeded bytheGovernment ofLithuania;
thenextsuchpublic tender willbeorganized onlyafteranewOrder onAlcoholic Beverages is
promulgated;
(c) no,licencesarenotlimitedtodomesticproducersoflikegoods;theGovernmentcloselymonitors
thatallocated import licences areusedforimports; thenames ofapproved importers arepublished
inthe“State News ”;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page8
(d) 30days;
(e) enterprises which aregranted licences arenotified within 30daysofapplication forlicence;
(f) notspecified inlegislation;
(g) currently, theMinistry ofIndustry andTrade withintention toreplace withtheStateTobacco
andAlcohol Control Agency (STACA);
(h) theenterprises thatbestsatisfy therequirements forlicence areawarded licences;
(i) seedescription oftariff ratequotas onFTAbasis, otherwise, notapplicable;
(j) see(i);
(k) no.
2. Where there isnoquantitative limit onimportation ofaproduct oronimports from a
particular country:
(a) Howfarinadvance ofimportation must application foralicence bemade? Canlicences
beobtained within ashorter time-limit orforgoods arriving attheportwithout alicence
(forexample, owing toinadvertency)?
(b) Canalicence begranted immediately onrequest?
(c) Arethere anylimitations astotheperiod oftheyearduring which application forlicence
and/or importation maybemade? Ifso,explain.
(d) Isconsideration oflicence application effected byasingle administrative organ? Ormust
theapplication bepassed ontoother organs forvisa,noteorapproval? Ifso,which? Does
theimporters have toapproach more thanoneadministrative organ?
Products containing alcohol except foralcoholic beverages:
(a) notspecified inlegislation;
(b) no,butlicences areissued within 30daysofreceipt ofapplication;
(c) no;
(d) forundenatured ethylalcohol, rawmaterials containing ethyl alcohol andalcohol-based food
additives containing flavourings, thelicences arecurrently issued bytheMinistry ofAgriculture and
eventually willbeissued bytheSTACA. Licences toimport undenatured ethylalcohol andrawmaterials
containing ethylalcohol canbeissued onlytoenterprises holding alicence toproduce alcoholic products.
Licences fordenatured ethyl alcohol, technical ethyl alcohol andalcohol-based non-food additives
containing flavourings areissued bytheMinistry ofTrade andIndustry (toeventually bereplaced by
theSTACA).
3. Under what circumstances mayanapplication foralicence berefused other thanfailure
tomeet theordinary criteria? Arethereasons foranyrefusal given totheapplicant? HaveWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page9
applicants aright ofappeal intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence and,ifso,towhat bodies
andunder what procedures?
Allproducts containing alcohol, except alcoholic beverages:
Ordinary criteria (notalltherequired documents aresubmitted; submitted documents are
incompletely orfalsely filled in;thedatasubmitted isfalse) arenotmeetandifthecontrolling state
supervising agencies present comments andclaims concerning theactivities oftheenterprise andthe
validity oftheprevious licence wassuspended. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting about therefusal
tobegranted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissue alicence can
notbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence
theapplicant mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions oftheappropriate ministries.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
Areallpersons, firms andinstitutions eligible toapply forlicences:
(a) under restrictive licensing systems?
(b) under non-restrictive systems?
Ifnot,isthere asystem ofregistration ofpersons orfirms permitted toengage inimportation?
What persons orfirms areeligible? Isthere aregistration fee?Isthere apublished listofauthorized
importers?
(a) Under restrictive licensing systems: alcoholic beverages -licences toimport alcoholic products,
including alcoholic beverages, canbeissued toalltypes ofenterprises registered inLithuania iftheir
registration certificates provide forforeign purchase orsaleoperations, wholesale tradeorproduction.
Noregistration fee.Thelistofapproved importers ispublished inthe“State News. ”
(b) Under non-restrictive systems: products containing alcohol withtheexception ofalcoholic
beverages -licences toimport alcoholic products canbeissued toalltypes ofenterprises registered
inLithuania iftheirregistration certificates provide forforeign purchase orsaleoperations, wholesale
trade orproduction. Noregistration fee.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
1. What information isrequired inapplication? Submit asample form. What documents
istheimporter required tosupply withtheapplication?
2. What documents arerequired upon actual importation?
3. Isthere anylicensing feeoradministrative charge? Ifso,what istheamount ofthefee
orcharge?
4. Isthere anydeposit oradvance payment requirement associated withtheissueoflicences?
Ifso,statetheamount orrate, whether itisrefundable, theperiod ofretention andthepurpose
oftherequirement.
1.1. Alcoholic beverages:
Anenterprise which wants toparticipate inapublic tender toobtain alicence toimport alcoholic
beverages must submit thefollowing documents:WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page10
(i) Application including name oftheenterprise, itscode,address, telephone number, adescription
ofthecommercial-economic activity forwhich alicence isrequested, names ofthecountries and
companies fromwhich theenterprise intends toimport alcoholic beverages, names ofgroups ofalcoholic
beverages tobeimported, andaddresses ofwarehouses from which thewholesale trade shall be
conducted;
(ii) Acopyoftheregistration cardoftheenterprise;
(iii) Approval oftheCityMayor (theadministration oftheregion) inwhich theenterprise is
registered;
(vi) Certificate fromthecity(district) StateTaxInspectorate thattaxes havebeenpaidandincome
declaration from thecity(region) inwhich theenterprise isregistered;
(v) Certification fromthecustoms house situated intheenterprises trade zonethattheenterprise
hasimplemented necessary commitments andhaspaidtaxes;
(vi) Originals oftheauthorization offoreign firms producing alcoholic beverages torepresent them
(toselltheir production) withtranslations intoLithuanian. Thelistofapproved (reliable) foreign
enterprises (firms) producing alcoholic beverages (except beer) areincluded inthebulletin ofthe
Association ofProducers ofAlcoholic Beverages;
(vii) Certificate (intheoriginal) issued bythemanager ofaforeign register oraforeign firm
producing alcoholic beverages certifying thattheenterprise-producer, fromwhich alcoholic beverages
shallbeimported, hasbeenregistered inthatcountry (thenature oftheenterprise ’sactivity istobe
indicated inthecertificate), anditstranslation intoLithuanian;
(viii) Samples ofthelabels ofbeverages planned tobeimported orcatalogues;
(ix) Theoriginal ofaquality certificate (issued separately foreachkindofalcoholic beverage) issued
byaforeign firmproducing alcoholic beverages;
(x) Remittance withbankstamps orconfirmation receipt thatthestamp taxhasbeenpaid(submitted
afterthepublic tender toobtain alicence hasbeenwon); and
(xi) Other documents indicated intheregulations ofthespecific public tender.
1.2. Products made ofalcohol other thanalcoholic beverages:
Anenterprise which wants toobtain alicence toimport alcoholic products (except alcoholic
beverages) must submit thefollowing:
(i) Applicationincludingthenameoftheenterprise,itscode,address,telephonenumber,description
ofthecommercial-economic activity forwhich alicence isrequested, theaimsofimporting, thetype
ofalcoholic products tobeimported andtheplace theyareplanned tobeimported from, andthe
addresses ofthewarehouses inwhich theimported alcoholic products shallbestored;
(ii) Copy oftheregistration cardoftheenterprise;
(iii) Certificate fromthecity(district) StateTaxInspectorate inwhich theenterprise isregistered
ontheincome declared thattaxes havebeenpaid;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page11
(iv) Certification from theCustoms situated intheenterprises trade zonethattheenterprise has
implemented necessary commitments andhaspaidtaxes;
(v) Copies ofthecontracts ofpurchase ofalcoholic products concluded witheconomic subjects
offoreign countries; newcontracts shallalsobesubmitted aftertheyhavebeenconcluded;
(vi) Quality certificate ofalcoholic products issued bytheeconomic subject oftheforeign country;
(vii) (Foralcohol-based foodadditives containing flavourings) certificate issued bytheRepublican
Catering Centre totheMinistry ofHealth certifying thatthese additives havebeenregistered withthe
Centre.
Thetaxinspection andcustoms certificates must beissued within onemonth ofthedaythe
application foralicence issubmitted.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxisrequired bythefollowing order:
Forimport ofalcoholic beverages:
-33,150Litas/year forbeer(4Litas isequal to1USD);
-165,750Litas forwineofalcohol content ofupto22percent andbeer;
331,500Litas forimport ofallalcoholic beverages (beer, wine, other alcoholic beverages)
except vodka;
-350,000Litas forimport ofallalcoholic beverages including vodka.
Forproducts containing alcohol other thanalcoholic beverages: 300Litas/year.
4. Nodeposit oradvance payment associated withtheissue oflicences.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
1. What istheperiod ofvalidity ofalicence? Canthevalidity ofalicence beextended? How?
2. Isthere anypenalty forthenon-utilization ofalicence oraportion ofalicence?
3. Arelicencestransferablebetweenimporters?Ifso,areanylimitationsorconditionsattached
tosuchtransfer?
4. Areanyother conditions attached totheissue ofalicence:
(a) forproducts subject toquantitative restriction?
(b) forproducts notsubject toquantitative restriction?
1.Theimport licence forallproducts containing alcohol, including alcoholic beverages, isissued
foroneyear. Noprovision forextension oflicence. Upon theexpire ofthelicence validity, anew
licence totheenterprise shallbeissued intheestablished order -theenterprise shallsubmit anapplication
toobtain anewlicence nolaterthan30dayspriortotheexpire ofthevalidity oftheprevious licences..
2. Nopenalty fornon-utilization oflicence.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
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3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.
4. Noother conditions areattached totheissueofalicence fortheimport ofproducts containing
alcohol, including alcoholic beverages.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
1. Arethere anyother administrative procedures, apart from import licensing andsimilar
administrative procedures, required prior toimportation?
2. Isforeign exchange automatically provided bythebanking authorities forgoods tobe
imported? Isalicence required asacondition toobtaining foreign exchange? Isforeign exchange
always available tocover licences issued? What formalities must befulfilled forobtaining the
foreign exchange?
1. Enterprises, holding licences toimport alcoholic products shallbeobliged toissue acopyof
aquality certificate ofanestablished standard foreachname oftheproduct (selling imported alcoholic
beverages withquality certificates marked “Additional Control isObligatory ”bytheLithuanian Frontier
Customs Control onFoodstuffs, acopyofalicence toselltheconsignments ofgoods issued bythe
State Public Health Surveillance Agency must beattached).
Thelicence toimport alcoholic products (except undenatured ethylalcohol andrawmaterials
containing ethylalcohol) alsogives therighttotheenterprise toengage inwholesale tradeinimported
alcoholic products.
Enterprises holding licences toimport undenatured ethyl alcohol orrawmaterials containing
ethyl alcohol mayimport onlythose ofthese products, which areproduced ofrawmaterials suitable
forhuman consumption andexclusively fortheirownproduction needs, without therighttosellthem
toother economic entities.
Enterprises holding licences toimport alcoholic beverages, under theestablished order may
havethem supplemented when theassortment ofimported alcoholic beverages isincreased.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A2. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN FIELDS OFACTIVITY, INCLUDING THE
PRODUCTION OFTOBACCO AND ITSPRODUCTS AND THEIR IMPORT
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Applies totobacco (HS 2401.10-2401.30; 2403.10.90) and tobacco products
(HS2402.10-2402.90; 2403.10-2403.99.90, except 2403.10.90). Thesystem isapplied onaglobal
basis. Thelicensing isnotintended torestrict thequantity orvalue orimports. Itspurpose isto
strengthen control overimports andimprove thecollection ofduties andtaxes.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.1622 (27December 1995)
“OnLicensing theProduction ofTobacco anditsProducts andtheir Import intotheRepublic of
Lithuania ”.Licensing isstatutorily required under theLawonTobacco Control (20December 1995),WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page13
theLawonEnterprises (8May1990) anditsamendment (5July1995); designation ofproducts is
notlefttoadministrative discretion; itisnotpossible fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without
legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. Thereisnoquantitativelimitonimportationofaproductoronimportsfromaparticularcountry.
(a) licence willbegranted notlaterthan30daysfromthedateofreceipt ofapplication materials;
(b) notprovided forinlegislation;
(c) no;
(d) theMinistry ofAgriculture grants import licences fortobacco; theMinistry ofIndustry and
Trade grants import licences fortobacco products incoordination withtheMinistry ofAgriculture
andtheMinistry ofHealth.
3. Nocircumstances other thanfailure tomeettheordinary criteria (A1.III.3). Applicant shall
beinformed inwriting about therefusal tobegranted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shall
begiven. Refusal toissue alicence cannotbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity.
Intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence theapplicant mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions ofthe
appropriate ministries.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply foraLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foran
import licence.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Anenterprise wishing toobtain alicence fortheimportation oftobacco ortobacco products
must submit:
(i) application including enterprise code, itsname andaddress; types ofproducts tobeimported,
listed according toHScodes; anddateofapplication;
(ii) copies ofenterprise registration cardandenterprise ’sstatute intheprocess ofestablishment;
(iii) certification fromthecity(district) StateTaxInspectorate thattaxeshavebeenpaidandincome
declared;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page14
(vi) certification from thecustoms authority located inthezoneinwhich theenterprise hasbeen
registered thatcommitments tocustoms havebeenimplemented andcustoms duties havebeenpaid.
TheStateTaxInspectorate andCustoms documents shallbeissued notearlier thanonemonth
before submission ofapplication.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxfortobacco -6,000 Litas/year; stamp taxfortobacco products -15,000 Litas/year.
4. Nodeposit oradvance payment associated withtheissue oflicences.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII.)
1. Licence valid for3years. Re-application thennecessary.
2. Nopenalty fornon-utilization ofthelicence.
3. Licences nottransferable between importers.
4. Noother conditions attached tolicence.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. Noadministrativeprocedures,apartfromimportlicensingandsimilaradministrativeprocedures,
which arerequired prior toimportation.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A3. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE IMPORTATION
OFOILPRODUCTS
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Applies topetrol, diesel gas,fueloil,andlubricants (HS2710.00.26-2710.00.37; 2710.00.51;
2710.00.55; 2710.00.69; 2710.00.74-2710.00.78; 2710.00.87-2710.00.98.). Thesystem isapplied
togoods originating inandcoming from allcountries. Thepurpose isnottorestrict thequantity or
value ofimports buttomake andenforce uniform conditions andrulesforallcompanies involved in
importation.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.1221 (14September 1995)
“OnLicensing Wholesale andRetail Trade inImport andExport ofOilProducts andRetail Trade
inLiquid Gas.”Licensing isstatutorily required under theLawonEnterprises (8May1990) anditsWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page15
amendment(5July1995);designationofproductsisnotlefttoadministrativediscretion;itisnotpossible
fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. There isnoquantitative limitonimportation ofaproduct orimports fromaparticular country.
(a) notindicated inlegislation;
(b) no,butlicences areissued within 30daysofreceipt ofapplication;
(c) no;
(d) theMinistry ofEnergy.
3. Ordinarycriteria(A1.III.3)plusiftheimportersdonotprovideaccurateinformationonimports,
exports andproduction; andifthecontrolling statesupervising agencies issuenegative reports onthe
companies wishing toimport. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting about therefusal tobegranted
alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissue alicence cannotbebased
ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence theapplicant
mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions oftheMinistry ofEnergy.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
inwhich by-laws orregistration documents theimportation ofoilproducts asanactivity isincluded;
andalsoenterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration withappropriate record
about suchactivity intheirdocuments havetherighttoapply foranimport licence.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Enterprises wishing toapply toimport oilandoilproducts must submit:
(i) application including enterprise name, address, code, registration number, date, phone/fax
number, description ofthecommercial-economic activity forwhich alicence isrequested; types of
products tobeimported listed according toHScodes; listofdocuments enclosed, timeperiod forwhich
licence isdesired, andsignature ofmanager ofenterprise;
(ii) copies ofenterprise registration cardandenterprise ’sstatute intheprocess ofestablishment;
(iii) enterprise ’sstatute;
(iv) certificate fromthecity(district) StateTaxInspectorate thattaxes havebeenpaidandincome
declared;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page16
(v) certification ofcustoms house thatcommitments havebeenimplemented andduties paid;
(vi) confirmation thatStamp Taxhasbeenpaid(submitted afterlicence isgranted); and
(vii) declaration onthelocation ofoilproducts ’depots; actofapproval inaccordance withLithuanian
standards.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxisapplied bythefollowing order:
-alltypes ofoils(only) -10,000Litas/year;
-heavy fueloil(only) -10,000Litas/year;
-alltypes ofpetrol andoilproducts -500,000Litas/year.
4. No.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. Sixmonths oroneyear.Licences issued forsixmonths maybeextended foranother sixmonths
iftheadditional Stamp Taxhasbeenpaid.
2. No.
3. Licences arenottransferable.
4. No.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. Acopyofanimport licence shallbesubmitted totheCustoms Department inadvance.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A4. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN FIELDS OFACTIVITY, INCLUDING THE
IMPORTATION OFNARCOTICS AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCES
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Applies toHS1211; 1301; 1302; 2905; 2918; 2921; 2922; 2924; 2925; 2926; 2932; 2933;
2934; 2939; 2914.30.10; 2924.29.50; 2932.90.75; 2932.90.77; 2939.40.10; 2939.40.30; 2939.60.10;
2939.60.30; 2939.60.50; 2939.90.71. System applies togoods originating inandcoming from all
countries andincludes atwo-stage process ofobtaining import licence andobtaining approval ofthe
StatePublicHealthSurveillanceAgency.ThepurposeistoadministerinternationalagreementstomonitorWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page17
andcontrol trading ingoods which mayharm human lifeorhealth andtomaintain accurate statistics
ontheamount imported intoLithuania.
Thelicensing ontheimportation ofnarcotics andhighly effective substances isstipulated by
theinternational Vienna Conventions of1961 and1971 years. Thelicensing ismaintained under the
Government Resolution No.1630 (28December 1995) "OnRegulation forLicensing ofProduction,
Import andExport ofNarcotics andHighly Effective Substances". Licensing isstatutorily required
under theLawonEnterprises (8May1995) anditsamendments (5July1995); designation ofproducts
isnotlefttoadministrative discretion; itisnotpossible fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without
legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
1. Under restriction astothequantity ofimports:
(a) annual quotas bycountry aredetermined bytheInternational Narcotics Control Committee
andarepublished bythisorganization;
(b) quotas bycountry aredetermined onayearly basis;
(c) no,licences arenotlimited partly orwholly todomestic producers ofthose goods; thisisa
special casetocontrol goods which mayharmhuman lifeorhealth andtheNarcotics Control institutions
ofLithuania andtheexporting countries exchange information about exports andimports;
(d) notindicated inlegislation;
(e) 30days;
(f) notspecified inlegislation;
(g) theState Public Health Surveillance Agency;
(h) allocation ofquotas ismade bycountry;
(i) export/import takes place onthebasis ofbilateral monitoring;
(j) see(i);
(k) no,forthedomestic market only.
3. Nothing other thanfailure tomeetordinary criteria (A1.III.3); however, ifaninfringement
ofearlier licence hastaken place andisnotremedied within twomonths, thelicence canbedenied
orrevoked. Thelicence alsocanbedenied orrevoked iftheapplicant haslostauthorization toengage
inaparticular pharmaceutical activity. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting about therefusal tobe
granted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissue alicence cannotbe
based ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissuealicence theapplicant
mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions oftheState Public Health Surveillance Agency.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page18
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered aspharmaceutical enterprises under theLaw
onEnterprises andenterprises which have begun theprocess ofestablishment aspharmaceutical
enterprises havetherighttoapply foranimport licence.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Toobtain animport licence, theapplicant must submit:
(i) application including name, address, code, typeoflicence desired, dateofapplication;
(ii) copies ofenterprise registration cardandenterprise ’sstatute intheprocess ofestablishment;
(iii) permission fromtheMinistry ofHealth fortheenterprise toengage inpharmaceutical activity;
(iv) permission fromtheMinistry ofHealth forthepharmacist employed bytheenterprise toengage
inpharmaceutical activities;
(v) verification thatthedirector oftheenterprise hasassigned thepharmacist towork inthe
particular pharmaceutical enterprise;
(vi) description ofpremises where theactivity willtakeplace;
(vii) nomenclature ofnarcotics andhighly effective substances tobeimported;
(viii) character ofimport operations;
(ix) intended exporting countries.
Inaddition, approval oftheState Public Health Surveillance Agency isnecessary foreach
shipment imported under validlicences. Thequantity ofmedicines ’active part,theformofmedicine,
thepackaging material, exporting andimporting enterprises, theiraddresses, andtheintended producer
ofthemedicine.
2. Import licence andverification ofapproval fromtheStatePublic Health Surveillance Agency.
3. Stamp Taxof300Litas/year.
4. Nodeposit oradvance payment.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page19
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. 5years buttheState Public Health Surveillance Agency must approve eachshipment under
valid licences. Thisapproval isvalid fortwomonths.
2. No.
3. No,nottransferable.
4. No.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. Inaddition, approval oftheState Public Health Surveillance Agency isnecessary foreach
shipment imported under valid licences. Thisapproval isvalid fortwomonths.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A5. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE IMPORTATION
OFCHEMICAL MATERIALS WHICH CAN HARMFULLY ACT THE ENVIRONMENT
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Concerning theproducts towhich suchlicensing isapplied seeSection B3onII-IX classof
dangerous loads. System applies togoods originating inandcoming from allcountries. Thesystem
doesnotrestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.229 (9February 1996) "On
Licensing forProduction, Import, Transportation, Sale, Usage, Storage andBurying forChemical
Materials Which CanHarmfully ActtheEnvironment". Licensing isstatutorily required under the
LawonEnterprises (8May1990) anditsamendment (5July1995); designations ofproducts isnot
lefttoadministrative discretion; itisnotpossible fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without
legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. Thereisnoquantitativelimitonimportationofaproductoronimportsfromaparticularcountry.
(a) licence willbegranted during theperiod of30daysfrom thedateofreceipt ofapplication
materials;
(b) notprovided forinlegislation;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page20
(c) no;
(d) theMinistry ofEnvironmental Protection
3. Nocircumstances other thannotmeeting ordinary criteria (A1.III.3) andiftheapplicant used
theprevious licence fortheimportation offorbidden materials. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting
about therefusal tobegranted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissue
alicence cannotbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. After theelimination ofreasons
impededtogetalicence,applicantcanrepeattheapplicationtotheMinistryofEnvironmentalProtection.
Intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence theapplicant mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions ofthe
Ministry.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foran
import licence.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Toobtain animport licence theapplicant must submit:
(i) application which shallinclude theimporter ’sname, address, code, registration number and
description ofthecommercial-economic activity forwhich alicence isrequested;
(ii) copyoftheregistration cardoftheenterprise;
(iii) hygiene passport-permission issued bytheMinistry ofHealth;
(iv) certificate from thecity(district) State TaxInspectorate thattaxes havebeenpaid;
(v) certificate ofchemical materials ’quality;
(vi) certificate oflocal environmental protection institutions about suitability ofstorehouse for
chemical materials;
(vii) document confirming thattransport means meet therequirements forthetransportation of
chemical materials;
(viii) licence ofnatural resources exploitation.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxof700Litas/year.
4. NoWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page21
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. Fiveyears orfewer depending ondemonstrated needofenterprise. Fortheimportation of
pesticides andtotrade bythem -nolonger than2years. Licence canbeextended byreapplying for
licence.
Theadditional approval isnecessary foreachshipment imported under valid licences.
2. No.
3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.
4. Noadditional conditions attached totheissue ofalicence.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. Theadditional approval under order established bytheMinistry ofEnvironmental Protection
isnecessary foreachshipment imported under valid licences.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A6. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE IMPORTATION
OFBIOLOGIC MATERIAL FOR PLANTS PROTECTION
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
AppliestoHS3002.90.50.Systemappliestogoodsoriginatinginandcomingfromallcountries.
Thelicensing ofbiological materials forplant protection isnotusedtolimittheamount ofimports.
Taking intoaccount thespecificity ofplant protection materials, themain purpose forthelicensing
istocontrol andtoaccount fortheflowofbiological materials intotheterritory ofLithuania. The
system oflicensing enables Lithuanian authorities toknow howmany ofthese materials wereutilized
atdomestic market andhowmany were exported.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.44 (8January 1996) "On
Licensing forProduction, Import andTrade ofBiological Materials forPlants Protection". Licensing
isstatutorily required under theLawonEnterprises (8May1990) anditsamendment (5July1995);
designations ofproducts isnotlefttoadministrative discretion; itisnotpossible fortheGovernment
toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. Noquantitative limitonimportation ofaproduct orimports from aparticular country.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page22
(a) Thelicence isissued after30daysifallrequired documents arepresented;
(b) Thelicences cannotbeissued immediately onrequest;
(c) There arenolimitations ontheterms ofyearduring which application maybemade; licences
areissued foranone-year term; thelicences cannotbegranted toimporters which didnotfulfil all
requirements related withtheutilization oftheprevious licence;
(d) Thelicences aregranted bytheStatePlant Protection Agency oftheMinistry ofAgriculture.
3. Nocircumstances other thannotmeeting ordinary criteria (A1.III.3) andiftheapplicant does
notmaintain therequirements forplant protection. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting about the
refusal tobegranted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissuealicence
cannotbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissuealicence
theapplicant mayappeal tocourt.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which began theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foranimport
licence.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Toobtain animport licence, theapplicant must submit:
(i) application including name, address, code, typeoflicence desired, dateofapplication;
(ii) copies ofenterprise registration cardandenterprise ’sstatute, ifthatenterprise isintheprocess
ofestablishment;
(iii) store passport-permit issued byregion general agronomist -stateinspector forprotection of
plants, hygiene inspector andenvironment protection inspector;
(iv) certificate ofbiological materials forplants protection.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxof500Litas/year.
4. Nodeposit oradvance paymentWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page23
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. Oneyear. Licence canbeextended byreapplying forlicence.
2. No.
3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.
4. Noadditional conditions attached totheissue ofalicence.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. No.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
A7. SYSTEM TOLICENCE CERTAIN FIELDS OFACTIVITY, INCLUDING SPECIAL
FOODSTUFFS AND FOOD ADDITIVES
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Theregulation onlicensing isunder preparation. Licensing isstatutorily required under the
LawonEnterprises (8May1990) anditsamendment (5July1995).
Thisregulation willcover special foodstuffs andfoodadditives -products assigned forthe
nutritionofbabies,children,sportsmen,diabeticsandfordieteticnutrition(HS0402.29.11;1704.90.81;
1901.10.00; 2005.10.00; 2007.10; 2104.20.00; 21.06).
Licences willbeissued bytheRepublican Catering Centre oftheMinistry ofHealth.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. There willbenoquantitative limitonimportation ofaproduct oronimports fromparticular
country.
(a) Licence willbegranted notlaterthan30daysfromthedateofreceipt ofapplication materials;
(b) No;
(c) No;
(d) TheRepublican Catering Centre oftheMinistry ofHealth.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page24
3. Nocircumstances other thannotmeeting ordinary criteria (A1.III.3) andrequirement that
products arenotinjurious tohealth. Applicant shallbeinformed inwriting about therefusal tobegranted
alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal toissue alicence cannotbebased
ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissue alicence, theapplicant
mayappeal tocourt.
IV. Eligibility ofImports toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foran
import licence. Butonlyspecial foodstuffs andfoodadditive products which arenotinjurious tohealth
willbeabletobeimported toLithuania. Thiswillbedetermined under aspecial order established
bytheMinistry ofHealth, andalistofapproved products willbeannounced inthe“State News ”.
Thenames ofauthorized importers arepublished inthe“State News ”.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Enterprises wishing toobtain thelicence must submit thefollowing:
(i) applicationincludingnameofenterprise,address,nameandpositionofrepresentative,assortment
offoodstuffs andfoodadditives tobeimported;
(ii) copies ofenterprise registration cardandenterprise ’sstatute;
(iii) health andquality certificates ofproducts tobeimported;
(iv) approval ofhealth supervision agency fromproducing country thatimported products belong
tothegroup ofspecial foodstuffs orfoodadditives;
(v) official documentation confirming theregistration suchproducts inproducing country andother
countries;
(vi) information about special foodstuffs andfoodadditives;
(vii) label(with which thetrade ofsuchproducts takeplace) drafted inLithuanian;
(viii) certificate fromthecity(district) StateTaxInspectorate thattaxeshavebeenpaidandincomes
declared;
(ix) certification ofcustoms house thatcommitments havebeenimplemented andduties paid;
(x) samples ofspecial foodstuffs andfoodadditives tobeimported.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Tax-amount yettobedetermined.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page25
4. No.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. 3years.Foranadditionalextension,theenterprisesmustsubmitdocumentsindicatedinVI.1.1.;
VI.1.8. andVI.1.9.
2. Nopenalty fornon-utilization ofthelicence.
3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.
4. Only special foodstuffs andfoodadditive products which arenotinjurious tohealth willbe
abletobeimported toLithuania. Thiswillbedetermined under aspecial order established bythe
Ministry ofHealth, andalistofapproved products willbeannounced inthe“State News ”.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. SeeVII.4.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
B. SYSTEM TOLICENCETHEIMPORTOFSTRATEGICALGOODSWHOSEIMPORT
ISCONTROLLED FOR REASONS OFNATIONAL SECURITY ORENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
B1. SYSTEM TO LICENCE THE IMPORT OFSTRATEGICAL GOODS AND
TECHNOLOGIES
Applies togoods andloads ofdouble purpose (civil andmilitary), means ofdefence, chemical
andbiological materials which canbeusedintheproduction ofchemical andbacteriogical weapons
ofmassive destruction; nuclear materials, equipment andtechnologies; andgoods andtechnologies
usedintheproduction ofmissiles.
Thelicensing system isrequired bytheLawonControl ofImport, Transit andExport of
Strategical Goods andTechnologies (5July1995) which willbeinforce from1January 1997. Now
suchsystem isordered bytheGovernment. TheLawwasprepared according toCOCOM requirements
andthesubsequent regulations willbeprepared according toCOCOM requirements also.Thepurpose
oftheLawistohelptoimplementinternationalagreementsandmeasureswhichprohibittheproliferation
ofweapons ofmassive destruction andmissiles; toguarantee theimplementation ofinternational
obligations ontheestablishment ofeffective control system forimports, exports andtransit ofstrategical
goods andtechnologies; toencourage foreign trade andinvestments ontheobtaining ofprogressive
technologies; andtoguarantee national security.
Thelicences forimport ofsuchgoods andtechnologies willbeissued bytheMinistry of
Economics.TheMinistryofEnergy,theMinistryofDefence,theMinistryofEnvironmentalProtection,
andtheCustoms Department willconsult withtheMinistry ofEconomics ontheissuing oflicences.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page26
B2. ORDER OFCONVEYANCE TOLITHUANIA OFSECRET LOADS
Theright toconvey toLithuania secret loads isgranted bythespecial resolution ordecree
oftheGovernment. Applies toHS2844.50.00; 3601.00.00; 3602.00.00; 3603; 3604.90.00; ex3704;
ex3705; ex3706; 4905; 4906.00.00; 4907; ex4911.99.00; 8401; ex8517; ex8518; ex8520; ex8521;
ex8524; ex8525; 8526; ex8527; ex8528; 8529.10; ex8531; 8710.00.00; 8802.11.90; 8802.12.90;
ex8802.20.90; ex8802.30.90; ex8802.40.90; 8906.00.10; ex90; ex93.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.718 (19May1995) “On
Restricting ofImport, Export andTransit ofSome Goods ”andtheGovernment Resolution No.716
(8August 1994) “OnApproval ofOrder onConveyance ofSecret Loads toandfrom theRepublic
ofLithuania ”.Thelicensing ismaintained fornational security reasons.
Theconveyance ofmilitary ammunition isgiven bytheMinistry ofDefence.
Itisprohibited toconvey other goods together withsecret loads.
B3. ORDER OFCONVEYANCE TOLITHUANIA OFDANGEROUS LOADS
Thelicensing isrequired bytheGovernment Resolution No.718 (19May1995) “OnRestricting
ofImport, Export andTransit ofSome Goods ”.
Inaccordance withthisResolution theMinistry ofDefence issues licences fortheconveyance
ofIclassdangerous loads. Inaccordance withtheGovernment Resolution No.938 (3October 1994)
“OnApproval ofRules onConveyance ofDangerous andMilitary Loads ofForeign Countries through
theRepublic ofLithuania ”issue single licences forIclassdangerous loads offoreign countries.
Theorder ofconveyance ofII-IX class dangerous loads isprovided bytheMinistry of
Environmental Protection. Thelicences areissued under thelistofdangerous loads approved bythe
UN(ST/SG/AC.10/1/Rev.2). Thelicensing ofII-IX classdangerous loads ismaintained under the
Orders oftheMinistry ofEnvironmental Protection No.112 (30June1995) andNo.144 (12September
1995). Thelicensing ismaintained fornational security reasons.
B4. SYSTEM TOLICENCE THE IMPORT OFRADIO-ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT,
SPECIAL CONTROL AND SECURITY DEVICES, GUNS, COLOR-COPYING EQUIPMENT,
ETC., ONNATIONAL SECURITY GROUNDS
II. Purposes andCoverage ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.II)
Applies toproducts listed inAttachment. Thesystem isapplied togoods originating inand
coming fromallcountries. Thepurpose isnottorestrict thequantity orvalue ofimports buttocontrol
andprevent smuggling ofgoods intoLithuania; andtoguarantee national security.
Thelicensing ismaintained under theGovernment Resolution No.718 (19May1995) “On
Restricting ofImport, Export andTransit ofSome Goods ”andunder theOrder oftheMinistry of
theInteriorNo.570(3July1995).Thelicensingismaintainedfornationalsecurityreasons.Thelicensing
isnotrequired under law;designation ofproducts isbyadministrative order; itwould bepossible
fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page27
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
2. Noquantitative limitonimportation ofaproduct oronimports from aparticular country.
(a) Theapplication must bemade 1month inadvance;
(b) Yes;
(c) There arenosuchlimitations;
(d) Thelicence isgranted bytheMinistry oftheInterior; forradio-electronic equipment -additional
permission from theState Inspection ofElectric Appliances.
3. Anapplication foralicence mayberefused forthefollowing reasons: there isnoindication
ofthequantity wished tobeimported; there isnoindication oftheimporter ’scountry; there isno
indication oftheperson incharge oftransportation; thebuyer isnotindicated. Refusal toissuealicence
cannotbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal toissuealicence,
theapplicant mayappeal tocourt against thedecisions oftheMinistry oftheInterior.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foran
import licence.
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Application mustinclude: amount ofgoods tobeimported, name ofexporting country, personal
dataonperson incharge oftransportation, copyofthecontract.
2. Import licence.
3. Stamp Taxisdetermined, butthevariety forallcommodities groups isverywide.
4. Nodeposit oradvance payment associated withtheissue oflicences.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. Twomonths; noprovisions forextending licence although reapplication possible.
2. Nopenalty fornon-utilization ofthelicence.
3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page28
4. Forradio-electronic equipment theadditional permission fromtheStateInspection ofElectric
Appliances isnecessary.
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. No.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
B5. SYSTEM TOLICENCE THE IMPORT OFUSED TYRES AND ELECTRIC FISHING
TACKLE ONENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GROUNDS
II. Purposes andCovering ofLicences
(Questions seeA1.II)
Applies tousedtyresofautomobiles (HS4012.20.90) andelectric fishing tackle. System applies
togoods originating inandcoming fromallcountries. Thelicensing ofelectric fishing tackle isintended
torestrict thequantity ofimports -theusage ofthistypeoffishing tackle inLithuania isstrictly limited.
Thelicensing ofusedtyresisnecessary duetoenvironment protection fromthelittering ofusedtyres
andtosolve better theproblem ofutilization ofusedtyres inLithuania.
Thelicensing toimport usedtyres andelectric fishing tackle isrequired bytheGovernment
Resolution No.718 (19May1995) “OnRestricting ofImport, Export andTransit ofSome Goods ”.
TheMinistry onEnvironmental Protection isresponsible forissuing suchlicences.
Inaddition theimportation ofusedtyresismaintained bytheGovernment Resolution No.49
(8January 1996) “OntheSupplement oftheGovernment Resolution No.718 (19May1995) ”and
bytheOrder oftheMinistry onEnvironmental Protection No.15 (24January 1996) “OntheOrder
ofLicensing onImport andTransit ofUsed Tyres ”.Licensing isnotrequired byLaw; itispossible
fortheGovernment toabolish thesystem without legislative approval.
III. Procedures
(Questions seeA1.III)
1. Theimport ofelectric fishing tackles toLithuania isstrictly restricted. Licence maybeissued
onlywiththeappropriate substantiation onnecessity suchfishing tackles. Licences areissued bythe
Ministry ofEnvironmental Protection.
2. Noquantitative limitonimportation ofusedtyres orimports from aparticular country.
(a) Notindicated inlegislation;
(b) No,butlicences areissued within 5daysofreceipt ofapplication;
(c) No;WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page29
(d) TheMinistry ofEnvironmental Protection.
3. Nocircumstancesotherthannotmeetingordinarycriteria(A1.III.3).Applicantshallbeinformed
inwriting about therefusal tobegranted alicence andthereasons fortherefusal shallbegiven. Refusal
toissuealicence cannotbebased ontheinadvisability oftheenterprise activity. Intheevent ofrefusal
toissuealicence theapplicant mayappeal tocourtagainst thedecisions oftheMinistry ofEnvironmental
Protection.
IV. Eligibility ofImporters toApply forLicence
(Questions seeA1.IV)
Allpersons, firms andinstitutions registered asenterprises under theLawonEnterprises and
enterprises which havebegun theprocess ofestablishment registration havetherighttoapply foran
import licence.
Allinformation onimportation ofusedtyres ispublished inthe“State News ”;
VI. Documentation andOther Requirements forApplication forLicence
(Questions seeA1.VI)
1. Enterprise which wants toobtain alicence toimport usedtyres must submit anapplication
which must include:
-thename ofenterprise, itscode, address;
-dataabout exporting company (country, city,company name, address);
-copyofthecontract withexporting country orcompany;
-amount ofusedtyres tobeimported;
-method oftransportation;
-foreseen period ofimportation ortransit;
-name ofCustoms postthrough which theimportation ortransit willbefulfilled;
-substantiation concerning thefurther usage oftyres.
2. Import licence.
4. Nodeposit oradvance payment associated withtheissue oflicences.
VII. Conditions ofLicensing
(Questions seeA1.VII)
1. Licensing isissuing onlyforthesingle importation.
2. Nopenalty fornon-utilization ofthelicence.
3. Licences arenottransferable between importers.
4. Noadditional conditions attached totheissue ofalicence.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page30
VIII. Other Procedural Requirements
(Questions seeA1.VIII)
1. Anenterprise holding alicence mustinform thelocalagency ofenvironmental protection after
importation ofusedtyres hastaken place. Then theimported tyres must bechecked forquality.
2. Nolimitations ontheprovision offoreign exchange. Licence isnotrequired asacondition
forobtaining foreign exchange.
C1. SYSTEM OFIMPORT UNDER GENERAL TARIFF RATE QUOTAS
Seetheanswer toQuestion 201(WT/ACC/LTU/7).
C2. SYSTEM OFIMPORTLICENSINGTOIMPLEMENTTARIFFRATEQUOTASUNDER
FTA-S
Seetheanswer toQuestion 201(WT/ACC/LTU/2).WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page31
ATTACHMENT
Goods meant forcivilpurpose (fornational security concerns), import, export ortransit ofwhich
across theterritory oftheRepublic ofLithuania without alicence isprohibited:
No HSCode Items
1. special purpose audio, video, digital signal broadcasting
equipment anditscomponents functioning bymeans of:
1.1. ex85.25 telecommunication network andradio waves
1.2. ex90 lightandinfra-red rays
1.3. ex85.25 ultrasound, sound
2. special purpose audio, video, digital signal broadcasting
equipment anditscomponents functioning bymeans of:
2.1. ex85.27 telecommunication network andradio waves
2.2. ex90 lightandinfra-red rays
2.3. ex85.27 ultrasound, sound
3. special purpose reception-transmission equipment
functioning bymeans oflightandinfrared rays:
3.1. ex90.05 night vision device
3.2. ex8525.30 thermovision device
3.3. ex90orex85.27 lasersignal reading devices
4. 85.26 devices usedfordetection ofdevices indicated above in
No_1, 2and3
5. ex8525.10 radio search system devices
6. 85.26 radiolocation equipment
7. 85.26 radionavigation equipment
8. 8526.92 remote central radio wave equipment except toysthatare
controlled bymeans ofradio waves thecapacity ofwhich
doesnotexceed 10_mW
8.1. 8526.92 security andremote control radio devices
9. ex85.31 electronic andmechanic security devices neutralization
equipment
10. ex83.01 electronic andmechanic lockopening devices
11. 85.26 radio direction finder system
12. 85.26 equipment capable ofsearching devices indicated inthislist
No_6 andNo_7
13. ex85.27 reception equipment meant forradiotelephone and
radiotelegraphic communication aswellasforradio
broadcasting, installed inonecaseandcombination with
sound recorder andsound reproduction devices orablock;
radio setscapable offunctioning without thenet-feeding
source including theequipment capable ofreceiving
radiotelephone andradiotelegraph signals.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page32
No HSCode Items
14. ex85.27 radio setsnotcapable offunctioning without net-feeding
source thetypeofwhich isusedintransport vehicles,
including theequipment which iscapable toreceive
radiotelephone andradiotelegraph signals
15. ex85.27 other radio setsincluding theequipment which iscapable to
receive radiotelephone andradiotelegraph signals
16. 8531.10.80 centralized security systems
17. 9303.00.00 signal pistols anddevices
18. 3604.90.00 signal reactive cartridges
19. ex6506.10 special purpose helmets
20. ex6307.20.00 armoured vests
21. ex7326.90.98 metallic shields
22. ex3926.90.99 plastic shields
23. 9304.00.00 rubber batons
24. 8301.40.90 handcuffs
25. 9306.90.90 tear-gas grenades
26. 9306.90.90 smoke grenades
27. 9303.20; 9303.30 hunting guns
28. 9303.20; 9303.30 sporting guns
29. 9303.10.00 special purpose smoothbore rifles
30. 9304.00.00 pneumatic guns
31. ex93.05 spare parts ofgunsindicated above inNo_27-30
32. ex93.06 cartridges forhunting, sporting andspecial purpose guns
33. 9506.99.90 arbalests andtheirarrows
34. 3602.00.00 explosive materials usedforconstruction, ground exposures
andgeological work
35. 3602.00.00 civilpurpose pyrotechnics
36. ex9009.22.90 coloured copying machines
37. 9304.00.00 more than2gaspistols (revolvers), more than4cartridges
setsforthem
38. 9304.00.00 more than2gassprayersWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page33
INFORMATION ONIMPLEMENTATION AND
ADMINISTRATION OFTHE CUSTOMS VALUATION AGREEMENT
Theprinciples oftheLithuanian customs valuation system arespecified inArticle 10ofthe
LawonCustoms Tariffs which wasadopted on27April 1993. Those principles arecurrently
implemented inaccordance withtheGovernment Resolution No.449 (16June1993) "OnApproval
oftheOrder ofCustoms Valuation ofGoods", which ingeneral complies withtheprovisions ofthe
GATT 1994 Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII(“GATT 1994 Agreement ”),andwhich
includes transaction value astheprimary method forvaluing goods, although some oftheprovisions
oftheGATT 1994 Agreement aremissing. However, theParliament isnowconsidering the
Government ’sdraftofanewCustoms Code which isintended toprovide asingle legalbasis forthe
administration ofLithuania ’scustoms regime; oncetheCode isadopted, itsprovisions dealing with
customs valuation willreplace theGovernment Resolution No.449 andtherelevant provisions ofthe
LawonCustoms Tariffs. These newprovisions oftheCustoms Code willfully incorporate the
provisions oftheGATT 1994 Agreement. Orders oftheCustoms Department referenced below are
largely procedural innature, arelikely toremain inplaceevenafteradoption ofthenewCustoms Code.
1. Questions concerning Article 1:
(a) Sales between related persons:
(i) Aresales between related persons subject tospecial provisions?
Under theGovernment Resolution No.449, paragraph 5,Lithuania requires theimporter of
goods being valued toindicate inthevalue declaration submitted tocustoms ’authorities whether a
salebetween related persons istaking place. Under thissame Resolution, persons aredeemed tobe
“related ”inthecases specified under Article 15,paragraph 4oftheGATT 1994 Agreement.
Otherwise, there arenospecial procedures except those which appear inArticle 1.2(b)oftheWTO
Agreement (seeanswer (iv)below).
(ii) Isthefactofintercompany prices prima facie considered asgrounds forregarding the
respective prices asbeing influenced?
No.However, under Order oftheCustoms Department No.383 (7August 1995) (“Filing of
Value Declaration andRelated Customs Formalities ”),thecustoms ’authorities decide whether toaccept
thedeclared transaction value onlyafterexamining thecircumstances ofthesaleandcomparing the
value inquestion withvalues considered asuninfluenced. Thisistheprocedure followed unless the
customs ’authorities havepreviously examined therelationship between aparticular buyer andseller,
inwhich casethecustoms ’authorities alsowilltakethatprevious analysis intoaccount.
(iii) What istheprovision forgiving thecommunication oftheabove-mentioned grounds in
writing iftheimporter sorequests? (Article 1.2(a))
Under Declaration No.383, ifthetransaction value isnotaccepted bythecustoms ’authorities
because oftherelationship between thebuyer andtheseller, thegrounds fornon-acceptance shallbe
stated inthecorresponding value declaration (inthebox"Forofficial use").
(iv) How hasArticle 1.2(b)been implemented?WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page34
Under theLawonCustoms Tariffs, iftheimport ofgoods involves asalebetween related
persons, theLithuania customs ’authorities examine thecircumstances ofthesaletodetermine whether
therelationship affected thedeclared price. Ifitisclearthattherelationship didnotaffect theprice,
thenthedeclared value (thetransaction value) isusedforvaluing theimports. Thetransaction value
alsoisaccepted ifitclosely approximates: thetransaction value insalestounrelated buyers ofidentical
orsimilar goods forexport tothesamecountry ofimportation; thecustoms value ofidentical orsimilar
goods asdetermined under theprovisions ofArticle 5oftheGATT 1994Agreement; orthecustoms
value ofidentical orsimilar goods asdetermined under theprovisions ofArticle 6oftheGATT 1994
Agreement.
(b) Price oflostordamaged goods:
Arethere anyspecial provisions orpractical arrangements concerning thevaluation oflostor
damaged goods?
Theonlyspecial regulation ofsuchkindadopted bytheCustoms Department regulates the
valuation ofusedcarswhich areimported inadamaged state. Under Regulation No.577 (18December
1995) (“Order Concerning Imported Damaged Automobiles ”),therepair costs ofthecararetaken
intoaccount indetermining thedecrease invalue attributable tothedamage. Also, ifthetransaction
value cannot beused, theimported goods arevalued taking intoaccount theminimum market prices
forautomobiles assetbytheCompetition Office oftheAgency ofConsumers Rights Protection and
Competition.
2. How hastheprovision ofArticle 4toallow theimporter anoption toreverse theorder
ofapplication ofArticles 5and6been implemented?
Under theGovernment Resolution No.449, paragraph 8,theimporter mayreverse theorder
ofapplication ofthemethods “value ofidentical orsimilar imported goods soldwithin thecustoms
territory ofLithuania topersons notrelated tothesellers ”with“computed value. ”Thisprovision
maybeinvoked bytheimporter when thetransaction value isnotaccepted bycustoms ’authorities.
3. How hasArticle 5.2been implemented?
Under theGovernment Resolution No.449, paragraph 8,iftheimporter sorequests, thecustoms
value maybebased onthevalue ofprocessed imported goods soldwithin thecustoms territory of
Lithuania topersons notrelated tothesellers. Thevalue added bysuchprocessing andthecostsreferred
toinparagraph 1(a)oftheGATT 1994 Agreement shallbededucted from thevalue oftheabove
mentioned processed goods.
4. How hasArticle 6.2been implemented?
Nospecial provisions concerning theimplementation ofArticle 6.2havebeen adopted in
Lithuania. However, allinformation supplied bytheproducer ofthegoods forthepurposes of
determining thecustoms value shallbedeemed asconfidential andusedonlyforcustoms valuation
purposes. Ifinformation ofsuchkindissupplied bythecustoms authorities ofanother country, Lithuania
applies theprovisions ofexisting agreements onmutual assistance incustoms matters.
5. Questions concerning Article 7:
(a) What provisions havebeenmade formaking value determinations pursuant toArticle 7?WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page35
Theonlycurrent provision concerning theapplication ofArticle 7.1states thattheresults of
application ofprevious valuation methods aretobeapplied forpurposes ofdetermining thecustoms
value. However, theprovisions oncustoms valuation inthedraftCustoms Code under consideration
byParliament willfullycomply withtheprovisions ofArticle 7.1.
(b) What istheprovision forinforming theimporter ofthecustoms value determined under
Article 7?
Nospecial provisions concerning theimplementation ofArticle 7.3havebeen adopted in
Lithuania. However, under theArticle 8oftheCustoms Law, thecustoms ’authorities shallsupply
information tonatural andlegal persons about theimplementation oflaws andother legal acts
administered bythese authorities.
(c) Aretheprohibitions found inArticle 7.2delineated?
Theprohibitions found inArticle 7.2arenotcurrently included inLithuanian legislation;
however, theyareincluded intheprovisions oncustoms valuation inthedraftCustoms Code under
consideration byParliament.
6. Howhavetheoptions found inArticle 8.2beenhandled? Inthecaseoff.o.b. application,
areex-factory prices alsoaccepted?
Inaccordance withGovernment Decision No.449, paragraph 2,thecostsreferred toinArticle
8.2shallbeadded totheprice actually paidorpayable fortheimported goods totheextent thatsuch
costs havenotbeenincluded intheprice. Inthecaseoff.o.b. application, ex-factory prices arenot
accepted.
7. Where istherateofexchange published, asrequired byArticle 9.1?
Theofficialrateofexchangeusedfordeterminationofcustomsvalueisdeterminedandpublished
bytheLithuania ’sCentral Bank (theBank ofLithuania) inalldaily newspapers.
8. What steps have been taken toensure confidentiality, asrequired byArticle 10?
Currently, theconfidentiality ofpersonalized datasupplied tocustoms isensured according
totheStatisticsLaw.However,thenewdraftCustomsCodebeingconsideredbytheParliamentincludes
special provisions concerning confidentiality ofallinformation which isbynature confidential, orwhich
isprovided onaconfidential basis tocustoms ’authorities.
9. Questions concerning Article 11:
(a) What rights ofappeal areopen totheimporter oranyother person?
Pursuant totheArticle 6oftheCustoms Law, natural andlegalpersons havearighttoappeal
against decisions taken byofficials ofcustoms offices totheCustoms Department. Iftheyarenot
satisfied, themayappeal thedecision made bytheCustoms Department totheDistrict Court. AChapter
on"Appeals"isincludedinthenewdraftCustomsCodebeingconsideredbytheParliamentandprovides
detail onthisissue.
(b) How ishetobeinformed ofhisright tofurther appeal?WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page36
Therighttofurther appeal totheDistrict Court isprovided bytheCivil Process Code ofthe
Republic ofLithuania, andthisprovision isincluded inthenewdraft Customs Code nowbeing
considered bytheParliament.
10. Provide information onthepublication, asrequired byArticle 12,of:
(a)(i) therelevant national laws;
(ii) theregulations concerning theapplication oftheAgreements;
(iii) thejuridical decision andadministrative rulings ofgeneral application relating tothe
Agreement;
(iv) general orspecific lawsbeing referred tointherules ofimplementation orapplication.
AllLithuanianlawsandregulations,includingthoseconcerningcustomsvaluation,arepublished
intheofficial newsletter "Valstybes zinios" ("State News"). Moreover, alladministrative rulings of
general application adopted bytheCustoms Department arepublished inthisnewsletter.
(b) Isthepublication offurther rules anticipated? Which topic would theycover?
Asnoted above, theParliament isnowconsidering anewdraftCustoms Code which includes
provisions oncustoms valuation which repeat, verbatim, theGATT 1994 Agreement. Inaddition,
itispossible thattheCustoms Department mayissue from time-to-time newadministrative orders
concerning customs valuation.
11. Questions concerning Article 13:
(a) How istheobligation ofArticle 13(last sentence) being dealt with intherespective
legislation?
Under theGovernment Resolution No.1090 (8November 1994) (“Regulating theApplication
ofCustoms Procedures forImportation forHome UseandforNon-Returnable Exports"), theimporter
isabletowithdraw goods from customs ifasufficient guarantee (equal tothelargest customs duty)
isprovided. Theperiod oftimeforpresentation ofdeclaration and/or other necessary documents is
fixed and,ifnecessary, extended bythecustoms ’authorities.
(b) Have additional explanations been laiddown?
No.
12. Questions concerning Article 16:
(a) Does therespective national legislation contain aprovision requiring customs authorities
togiveanexplanation inwriting astohowthecustoms value wasdetermined?
Under Article 8oftheCustoms Law, Customs shallsupply tonatural andlegalpersons all
information concerning theimplementation oflawsandother legalactsadministrated bythecustoms ’
authorities. Thisobligation alsoisincluded intheprovisions concerning customs valuation inthenew
draftCustoms Code nowbeing considered byParliament.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page37
(b) Arethere anyfurther regulations concerning anabove-mentioned request?
No.
13. How have theInterpretative Notes oftheagreement been included?
Some oftheNotes areincluded inOrder No.176 onCustoms Valuation (1July1993). Lithuania
plans toinclude themostimportant Interpretative Notes oftheAgreement intothenewdraftofCustoms
Code.
14. How have theprovisions oftheDecision of26April 1984 ontheTreatment ofInterest
Charges intheCustoms Value ofimported Goods (Val/6/Rev.1) been implemented?
Nospecial provisions concerning thatDecision havebeenadopted although thelegalactsfor
implementing thenewdraftofCustoms Code willaddress thisissue.
15. Forthose countries applying paragraph 2oftheDecision of24September 1984 onthe
Valuation ofCarrier Media Bearing Software forData Processing Equipment (Val/8), howhave
theprovisions ofthisparagraph been implemented?
Thisparagraph isnotapplied inLithuania although thelegalactsforimplementing thenew
draftofCustoms Code willaddress thisissue.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page38
INFORMATION ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
Background noteonQuestionnaire onTBT
Asaneconomy intransition, Lithuania isintheprocess ofreplacing thestandards system that
existed before thereestablishment ofindependence (theGOST system inwhich allstandards are
mandatory -ineffect technical regulations under theWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade)
withanewsystem ofvoluntary standards andmandatory technical regulations. Standards intheareas
ofhygieneandhouseholdelectricalappliancesandelectronicappliancesarealwaysadoptedasmandatory
technical regulations; other standards areimplemented asvoluntary except when theLithuanian
Government orother governmental institution determines thattheyshould bemandatory. Inpractice,
theoldGOST standard remains untilitisreplaced withanewstandard.
TheLithuanian Standardization Council (seeattached membership list)isresponsible for
coordinating astrategy forthedevelopment ofanewsystem ofstandards including metrology and
conformity assessment procedures. Itapproves long-term programs forthepreparation ofstandards,
etc.Lithuania iscurrently engaged inimplementation ofalong-term priority program for1996-1999
tobring itsstandards andconformity assessment procedures inlinewithinternational andEUstandards.
TheLithuanian Standards Department (Board) (anexecutive power institution) isresponsible
forformulating short-term programs forthepreparation ofdraftstandards within thelong-term program.
Thetechnical committees oftheLithuanian Standards Department (Board) (seeattached listof
38members;maybeexpandedasneeded;includesparticipantsfromMinistries,companiesandconsumer
organizations) aretasked withtheactual drafting ofstandards which arethensentbacktotheLithuanian
StandardsDepartment(Board)forapproval.WhendraftingandadoptingLithuanianstandards,preference
isgiven toISO,IEC,ITU, CEN, CENELEC andETSI standards where possible. Ifnointernational
orEUstandards exist (forexample, intheareaofprocessed agricultural products), thetechnical
committees formulate national standards.
Toprovide arough description oftheanticipated short-term program for1996: itwillresult
intheimplementation of19newstandards which areidentical withISOstandards; 14which areidentical
withETSI standards; 19which areidentical withIECstandards; 7which areidentical withEN/ISO
standards; 13which areidentical withEUstandards; 9which arebased onISOstandards; and
approximately 15Lithuanian national standards. Thestandards cover substantive areas aswellas
provision ofpublic information andcertification issues.
Lithuaniaistakingadditionalstepsaspossibletoensurethatitssystemisinlinewithinternational
norms. Lithuania isacorrespondent member ofISO;a“registrating ”member oftheIEC; andwill
become amember ofETSI sometime thisyear. Lithuania ispaying close attention totheISO/IEC
Guide21,"AdoptionofInternationalStandardsinNationalStandards”,ISO/IECGuide3,"Identification
ofStandardsWhichareEquivalenttoInternationalStandards,"andotherISO/IECGuideswhichprovide
suggestions forincorporating international standards intonational systems. Lithuania willbenefit from
ISOseminars in1996 which willexplain inmore detail howsystems ofmandatory andvoluntary
standards canco-exist.
Lithuania alsohassigned mutual recognition agreements withBelarus, Russia andisnegotiating
agreements withPoland, theCzech Republic andSlovakia.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page39
Membership intheCouncil forStandardization
1. Ministry ofIndustry andTrade
2. Ministry ofPublic Administration Reforms andMunicipalities
3. Lithuanian Standards Department (Board)
4. Ministry ofDefense
5. Ministry ofConstruction andUrban Development
6. Ministry ofForestry
7. Ministry ofTransportation
8. Ministry ofSocial Security andLabour
9. Ministry ofAgriculture
10. Ministry ofEnergy
11. Ministry ofEnvironmental Protection
12. Ministry ofFinance
13. Ministry oftheInterior
14. Ministry ofCommunications andInformatics
15. State Agency ofConsumers Rights Protection andCompetition
16. Lithuanian Academy ofScience
17. Lithuanian Council ofScience
18. Kaunas Technological University
19. Association ofLithuanian Producers
20. Confederation ofLithuanian Industrialists
21. Ministry ofHealth
National Committee
1. National Electrotechnical Committee
Technical Committees
1. Radioelectronical engineering
2. Milk andmilkproducts
3. Meat andmeatproducts
4. Information technology
5. Electrical engineering
6. Canned fruits andvegetables
7. Coatings
8. Electromagnetic compatibility
9. Furniture
10. Veterinary
11. Fermentation products
12. Vehicle roads
13. Agricultural engineering
14. Design systems
15. Cereal andcereal products
16. Chemical analysis
17. Wood
18. Radio-communications
19. Concrete andreinforced concrete
20. Toys
21. TextilesWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page40
22. Firesafety
23. Ceramics
24. Quality
25. Matrix andsilicate ware
26. Thermal insulation materials
27. Bread andconfectionery
28. Gases
29. Water supply
30. Technical drawings
31. Acoustics
32. Health
33. Fishery
34. Metrology
35. Work Safety
36. Environmental Protection.
INFORMATION ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
1. Description ofrelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc., relating to
implementation andadministration oftechnical barriers totrade. Allnecessary references should
beprovided.
- Government Resolution “OnMeans toImprove Foreign Trade Regulation andExport
Development ”(10January 1995) provides basisforLithuanian Standards Department (Board)
toexecuteprogramtobringLithuanianstandardsintoconformitywithinternationalandEuropean
norms.
- Orders oftheLithuanian Standards Department (Board) toestablish theLithuanian Standard
Council andtoestablish technical committees toformulate draftstandards andcertification
procedures.
- LawonMetrology hasbeenprepared andsubmitted toSeimas (Parliament) forapproval.
- LawonStandardization isunder preparation.
- LawonConformity Assessment Procedures isunder preparation.
- Resolution ofLithuanian Standards Department (Board) No.63 “Marking andTrade of
Metrologically Legalized Measuring Instruments ”(6October 1994) provides metrologically
legalized measuring instruments inLithuania anddefines theprocedure foritsmarking and
trade. Producer ofmeasuring instruments must mark thesetform typewiththeconfirming
sign.Inspecial order cases themeasuring instruments (which areincluded intheregister) may
beusedwithout thetypeconfirming sign.Trade bythemeasuring instruments which areused
intheareasofhealth protection; environmental ecological conditions; labour safety; foodstuffs
quality; andquality andquantity ofgoods, energy andservice (except forhousehold use)is
possible onlyinthecaseiftheyareincluded intheregister ofmeasuring instruments of
Lithuania. Thelistofmeasuring instruments which must beincluded intosuchregister is
confirmed bytheLithuanian Standards Office (Board). Thesigns (stamps, sealsorsticks) of
measuring instruments cannot bebroken, otherwise thecertificate ofinitial verification is
necessary.WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
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- Government Resolution No.196 “Concerning Measuring Unity Assurance ”(26March 1992)
provides basicregulations forassurance ofmeasuring instruments. Results ofmeasuring shall
express international unitsofmeasurement. Thepotential exists forLithuania torecognize as
appropriate other countries ’certification ofmeasuring instruments. Regular examination of
measuring instruments, theirperiodical verification andmeasuring methods willbeconfirmed
bytheorder ofLithuanian Standards Department (Board).
- Order ofTechnical Supervision Agency oftheMinistry ofSocial Security andLabour,
Lithuanian Standards Department (Board) andMinistry ofPublic Administration Reforms and
Municipalities No.23/107 “OnConsideration ofImported Potentially Dangerous Equipment"
(23June1995). TheOrder provides certification procedure forthelegalization ofusage of
theimported dangerous equipment inLithuania. Obligatory certification isapplied tothe
following dangerous equipment: steam boiler; water heatboiler andtheirequipment; gas,hot
water network ofpipes; pressure capacity; equipment forwargasproduction, storage,
conveyance andusage; combustible fluid, explosive, dangerous materials; cranes andelevators,
driving attractions; etc.Entities wishing toobtain acertification mustsubmit application to
theTechnical Supervision Agency. Certificate willbegranted notlaterthan30daysfromthe
dateofreceipt ofappropriate materials. Certificate isissued fornolonger than3years. The
Order alsoprovides forsupervision ofproduction, assembly, reconstruction andrepair of
components andmaterials which maybedangerous.
- Regulation No.1 oftheMinistry ofEnergy “Imported Household Equipment which Operates
withGas”(27May1994)requirestestingofsuchequipment,eitherinLithuanianlabsorthrough
recognitionofexportingcountries’testingmethods.Lithuanianstateenterprise“LietuvosDujos”
(Lithuanian Gas)issues certificates forimportation which arevalid3years. Trade, installation
andoperation ofequipment ispossible iftheproduct tobeimported isincluded totheregister
ofequipment which operates using gas.
- Order No.160/144 oftheMinistry ofIndustry andTrade, Lithuanian Standards Department
(Board) andMinistry ofPublic Administration Reforms andMunicipalities “Certification of
Imported Electronics forHousehold andGeneral Use"(29June1995) establishes certification
methods forimported electronics forhousehold andgeneral use.Within twoweeks of
application, thecertification office presents itsdecision concerning possible certification and
onthebasis oftestresults presents certificate. Certificates maybeissued without additional
testing ofequipment iftheyhavebeenpreviously certified byother importers.
LithuaniarecognizesforeigncountriescertificatesaftertheirinclusiontotheLithuania’sregister.
Import ofelectronic sound andsignalling equipment alsorequires permission ofthestateRadio
Frequencies Agency.
- Order ofHead Physician Hygienist ofLithuania andLithuanian Standards Department (Board)
“Concerning NonFoodstuffs Hygienical Estimation ”(30October 1995). Hygienical estimation
confirms apermission issued aftertesting bytheSocial Health Centre. TheOrder isnotapplied
totheproducts requiring hygienical registration: disinfecting, cleaning, washing means,
pesticides, medical cosmetics, etc.
- Order No.42/25/107 oftheMinistry ofIndustry andTrade, Lithuanian Standards Department
(Board) andtheMinistry ofHealth “Concerning Marking ofGoods Produced inLithuania
andImported toLithuania ”(23February 1995). Thisruledefines goods marking requisites
(except medicine andmedical materials). Goods mustinclude thefollowing mandatory marks:WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page42
thename ofproduct; signofdeclared normative document andproducers name andaddress.
Additional requirements forseparate groups ofgoods: special signs andbands fortobacco
products andalcohol beverages; fibreortextile composition forclothing, knitted fabrics and
haberdasher ’sproducts; goods caresymbols forclothing, knitted products; measures and
parameters forfoot-wear, clothing, etc.;destination andinstructions onusage forfoodstuffs,
chemical products, cosmetics, sports equipment, radioelectronics, photo goods, toys,fertilizer
andconstruction material.
- Lithuanian Standards Department (Board) Order No.50 “Concerning theImplementation of
International andEuropean Standard Documents ”(18October 1994).
- Order No.13/80 oftheMinistry ofConstruction andUrban Development andLithuanian
Standards Department (Board) “OnCertification ofConstruction Materials, Products and
Construction”(17December1993).TheOrderestablishescertificationforconstructionmaterials,
andmakesitnecessarytoobtainqualitycertificationfromLithuaniantestcentresandlaboratories
toimport construction materials. Lithuanian institutions recognize documents issued byforeign
countries ’analogical institutions.
- Government Resolution No.474 “Concerning Certification ofHousehold Electrical Engineering
Appliances ”(22June1992) requires certification forelectrical engineering devices. Lithuania
recognizes other countries certification documents.
- Order No.93 oftheMinistry ofCommunications andInformatics “Certification Rules of
Imported Radio-Communication Equipment andTelephone, Telegraph Network Equipment
“(04December 1995) establishes certification procedures forimported radio equipment and
terminal equipment connected tothegeneral telephone andtelegraph network. Entities wishing
toobtain certification must submit application withtherequired documents totheRadio
Frequency Agency. TheOrder requires testing either inLithuanian labsorthrough recognition
ofexportingcountriestestingmethods.RadioFrequentAgencyuponthepresentedtestprotocols,
issues certification documents within seven days. Certification permissible iftheequipment
isincluded intheregister oftheRadio Frequent Agency. Certification isvalid foraperiod
of3years. Thevalidity ofcertification maybesuspended when newstandards havecome into
force. Notification about newstandards shallbeannounced bytheRadio Frequent Agency
before sixmonth.
2. Information regarding:
(a) names ofpublications, ifany,onwork relating todraft technical regulations orstandards
andprocedures:
Asof1January1996,theLithuanianStandardsDepartment(Board)begantopublishinformation
ondraftstandards andconformity assessment procedures (along withcontact addresses) initsperiodical
bulletin. Allofthesestandards arevoluntary unless aparticular Ministry requests thattheybedeclared
mandatory--technicalregulations.Theonlyexceptionsarestandardsforhygieneandhouseholdelectrical
appliances andhousehold electronic equipment --these arealways adopted asmandatory. Alsosee
answer to2.b.
Allinformation ontechnical regulations ispublished inthe“State News."WT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page43
(b) thename andaddress oftheenquiry point(s) foreseen inArticles 10.1and10.3ofthe
WTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade (theAgreement) withanindication whether
itis/they arefully operational.
TheLithuanian Standards Department (Board) must present proposals inthefirstquarter of
1996 fortheestablishment ofaninformation centre onstandards. Thisisnecessary toimplement an
EUDirectivebutalsowouldsatisfytherequirementsoftheWTOAgreementregardingtheestablishment
ofanenquiry point.
Currently information isprovided through three channels:
Technical Supervision Agency oftheMinistry ofSocial Security andLabour
Naugarduko 41
2600 Vilnius
Lithuania
Hygiene Centre
Didzioji 7
2001 Vilnius
Lithuania
Quality Inspection oftheConsumers Rights Protection Association
Gedimino 19
2025 Vilnius
Lithuania
(c) thename andaddress oftheagency dealing withconsultations asforeseen inArticle 14
oftheAgreement:
TheMinistry ofForeign Affairs (consulting withtheLithuanian Standards Department (Board))
Economic Department
Tumo-Vaizganto 2
Vilnius
Lithuania
(d) thename andaddress ofagencies thataredealing withother specific functions foreseen
intheAgreement:
TheLithuanian Standards Department (Board)
A.Jaksto 1/25
2600 Vilnius
Lithuania
Hygiene Centre
Didzioji 7
2001 Vilnius
LithuaniaWT/ACC/LTU/7/Add.1
Page44
Technical Supervision Agency oftheMinistry ofSocial Security andLabour
Naugarduko 41
2600 Vilnius
Lithuania
Radio Frequent Agency oftheMinistry ofCommunications andInformatics
Algirdo 27
2006 Vilnius
Lithuania
Ministry ofIndustry andTrade
A.Vivulskio 11
2693 Vilnius
Lithuania
(e) thescope ofresponsibility ofthecentral government authorities intheareaofnotification
requirements foreseen inArticle 10.11 oftheagreement andofindividual government authorities,
iftheresponsibility isdivided among twoormore suchauthorities:
These responsibilities willbedelegated totheLithuanian Standards Department (Board).
(f) measures andarrangements toensure thatnational andsub-national authorities preparing
newtechnical regulations orsubstantial amendments toexisting ones, provide early information
ontheir proposals:
Ingeneral, nosuchmeasures orarrangements arecurrently inplace fortechnical regulations
since,asmentionedabove,draftstandardsonlybecomemandatoryattherequestofaparticularMinistry,
withtheexception ofthetwoareasofhygiene andelectrotechnical standards, which always areadopted
astechnical regulations. However, forthepreparation ofnewstandards according toEUdirectives
(some ofwhich willbeadopted astechnical regulations), theMinistry ofForeign Affairs coordinates
theprocess andtogether withLithuanian Standardization Department (Board) provides earlyinformation
onnewtechnical regulations.