WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/CYP/3
12 April 2002
(02-2019)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
CYPRUS
The following notification, dated 28 March 2002, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Cyprus.
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Outline of system
1. Most goods can be imported into Cyprus without the need of an import licence. However, for
certain imported goods listed in the Annex, an impor ter needs to apply for an import licence to the
competent Authority. In Cyprus this Authority is the Department of Trade of the Ministry of
Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. Import licence is required for the importation of the products listed in the Annex.
3. The system applies in a uniform way to all countries. Importers are free to import from any
source except from countries against which UN Security Council trade sanctions are in force.
4. Licensing is mainly intended  to take into  account considerations such as sanitary
requirements, health, safety, national security, environmental factors and other factors pursuant to
GATT Articles XX and XXI.
5. The licensing system is administered, by th e Department of Trade of the Ministry of
Commerce, Industry and Tourism, based on the Imports Regulation Law 49 of 1962 and its
Amendments 7 of 1967, 39(1) and 82(1) of 1994. Products subject to licensing are designated throughOrders by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, issued under the above-mentioned
legislation. The Orders are published in the Official Gazette of the Republic. Products can be
subtracted from or added to the list only by means of an official Decision.
Procedures
6. For products under restriction
Cyprus no longer administers a quota syst em in respect of any imported goods.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/CYP/3
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7. For products with no quantitative limits on importation
(a) In accordance with the Regulations in force, an importer must obtain a licence before the
placing of orders abroad.
(b) A licence is normally granted on request. In some cases, a time period of up to five working
days is needed.
(c) There are no fixed time limits during which applications and/ or importation may be made.
(d) In principle, one Authority only deals with licence applications. In some cases other
Authorities additionally require certain certificates.
8. The reason for a possible refusal to issue a licence is stated on the application itself, which is
then returned to the applicant. In cases where li cence is refused, the applicant has the right to appeal
to the Court of Justice.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. Any permanent resident of the Republic of Cyprus or Organization to which the right of
conducting business in the Republic has been granted by the Authorities is eligible to import and to be
granted an import licence.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. The information required in applications includes the name, address, telephone, fax and telex
number of the applicant as well as the registration number of the company concerned, if a company is
involved, or the social security number of the applicant. Additionally, details of the goods to be
imported are required which include a description of the goods, their  tariff classification as well as
the quantity and value of goods. The applicant also has to fill in details relating to the country of
origin/ shipment of the goods to be imported. The importer is required to submit the application intriplicate, together with a proforma invoice also in triplicate.
11. Upon actual importation the importer has to pres ent to the Customs Authorities the following
documents: the import licence, the actual invoice, th e bill of lading, the delivery order, the Euro I
Certificate if the origin of the goods is from the European Community countries and any other
documents from other Governmental bodies if deemed necessary.
12. There is a licensing fee of three Cyprus Pounds for every clearance of goods upon importation
where the goods are subject to an import licence.
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement for issuing licences.
Conditions of licensing
14. An import licence is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue. A licence cannot be
renewed, but it can be replaced with a new one.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.G/LIC/N/3/CYP/3
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17. Conditions aimed at safeguarding health, security, environmental and other such reasons may
be imposed on licences in relation to the goods being imported.
Other procedural requirements
18. In so far as the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism is concerned, there are no other
administrative procedures required prior to importation.
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be
imported. However, for imports requiring a licence, the import licence must be presented to the bank
if any facilities (e.g. letter of credit) are to be granted. Any other requirements are subject to the
Exchange Control Law of the Central Bank of Cyprus.G/LIC/N/3/CYP/3
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ANNEX
SCHEDULE OF GOODS UNDER IMPORT LICENSING CONTROL
HS Code PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
03.03 Frozen seabream and sea bass.
27.01 Coal, briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal.
27.02 Lignite, whether or not agglomerated.
27.09 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (crude oil).
27.10 Petroleum partly refined, including topped crude Motor spirit kerosene, jet fuel,
white spirit, diesel oil, fuel oil and residual fuel oils.
27.11 Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons.
28.04 Oxygen and hydrogen.
28.10,28.40 Boric acid, oxides of boron and borates and peroxoborates salts.
29.01-29.42 Organic chemicals, except naphthalene (Heading No. 29.02), saccharin (Heading No.
29.25), vitamins and hormones (headings Nos 29.36 and 29.37), glycosides, naturalor reproduced by synthesis (Heading No. 29.38), vegetable alkaloid (Heading No.
29.39 and antibiotics (Heading No. 29.41).
34.02 Surface-active preparations and washing preparations.
40.11-40.12 Solid or cushion rubber tyres for motor vehicle as follows:
(a) Without indication of the mark or the name of manufacturers, or bearing,
altered or not clear inscriptions;
(b)     used tyres including retreated and regrooved;
(c)     new tyres which are described or with the indication:  Substandard, Regraded,
D/A, Second or Third Quality, Maxi mum Speed of similar description or
indications which denote that they are faulty.
56.08 Fishing nets.
68.13,87.08 Brake systems or parts like brakes and disc brakes with asbestos.
72.13-72.15 Iron bars for building.
73.11 Containers for compressed or liquefied gas.
84.02 Steam boilers.
84.14 Air or other gas compressors with air chamber and air chambers.
84.23 Weighing machinery, scales and weights of all kinds and parts thereof.
84.24 Fire extinguishers.
85.04 Liquid transformers.
85.35 Lighting arresters.
87.08 Wheels with used rubber tyres.
90.09 Photocopying apparatus except black and white.
90.03 Special firearms for humane killing of animals.
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