WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
4 February 2002
(02-0518)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Article 7.3 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures1
ALBANIA
The following communication, dated 28 January 2002, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Albania.
_______________
Outline of system
1. The Albanian Government maintains its import licensing system under the following laws
and regulations:
- Decree No. 468 of 6 October 1999 – Decision of the Council of Ministers Approving the
WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures;
- Law No. 8648 of 28 July 2000 – For the Ratification of the Protocol of Accession of Albania
to the WTO, which includes the Memorandum on Restrictions and Prohibitions for Importable
Products (see Annex I).  This Memorandum establishes the list of goods subject to import licensing
(WT/ACC/ALB/35/Rev.1);  and
- Order of the Minister No. 55 of 24 August 1999 on "Creation of Inter-Agency Working
Group for the Approval of the WTO Agr eement on Import Licensing Procedures".
The purpose of the import licensing system is not to restrict the quantity or value of imports,
but for the protection of health and safety of humans and animals, protection of the environment and
national security.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. Imports subject to non-automatic import licensing:  arms and munitions, parts and accessories
thereof (93.01-93.07 of the Harmonized System Code);   explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches,
psychotropic alloys (HS 36.01-36.06.90.90);  non-danger ous waste (HS 28.44);  narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances in accordance with the Conventions of 1961 and 1971.
                                                     
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 2
Imports subject to automatic licensing:  pharmaceutical products (HS Chapter 30), seeds and
seedlings (HS Chapter 12), pesticides (HS Chapter 31), live animals and products (HS Chapters 01-
02), fish and seafood products (HS Chapter 03).
3. The automatic and non-automatic import licensing system applies to goods originating in and
coming from all countries.
4. Automatic import licensing is for statistical and monitoring purposes.  The non-automatic
system is maintained for the protection of public health and national security.  It has not been
necessary to use alternative methods for accomplishing the purpose of restricting imports by quantity
and value.
5. The import licensing system is maintained under the following laws accompanied by their
relevant regulations:
Law No. 8648 of 28 July 2000 Ratifying the Protocol of Accession of Albania to the World Trade
Organization, which includes the Memorandum on Restriction and Prohibitions for ImportableProducts;
Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 468 of 6 October 1999 Approving the WTO Agreement on
Import Licensing Procedures;
Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 365 of 6 June 1994 on the Extermination and Sales of
Armaments and Munitions;Decision of Council of Ministers No. 257 of 16 April 1996 for Working with Explosive Materials;
Regulation of 10 September 1994 for the Licensing of Trade and Sales of Armaments;
Decision of Council of Ministers No. 26 of  31 January 1994 on Dangerous and Non-Dangerous
Waste;
Law No. 7975 of 26 July 1995 on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances;Law on Medicaments No. 7815 of 20 April 1994;
Law No. 7659 of 12 January 1993 on Seeds and Saplings;
Decision of Council of Ministers No. 447 of 3 September 1993 setting up the State Entity of Seeds
and Saplings;
Decision of Council of Ministers No 552 of 14 November 1994 on Approving the Regulations for the
Production, Reproduction, Treatment, Assessment, Trade, Control of Seeds and Saplings and for
Protection and Treatment of Genetic Material of Plants;Decision of Council of Ministers No 584 of 6 December 1993 on Pesticides;
Law No 7674 of 23 February 1993 on Veterinary Service;
Law No 7941 of 31 May 1995 on Food;
Law No. 7908 of 5 April 1995 on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
All these laws and regulations are published in the Official Gazette and were submitted to
WTO Secretariat at the time of accession.
Import licensing is a statutory requirement and the Government cannot abolish the system
without legislative approval.  If this is necessary it will be effected with a legal or sub-legal act.
Procedures
6.I. Albanian products that are under restriction are narcotic and psychotropic drugs.  Information
on quotas, formalities for filing applications for licences, exceptions and derogations are not publishedin the Official Gazette.  These are published together with pharmaceutical legislation.  Quotas are not
published.
II. Yes, quotas (for narcotic drugs) are determined on an annual basis.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 3
III. Licences are granted to those importers and manufacturers who have applied to carry out such
activity.  For security reasons only one State importer and one former state manufacturer deal with
narcotics.  The legislation does not provide for any division in percentages of the quotas (having only
one importer and one producer, some drugs are imported from importers, and some others aremanufactured by manufacturer only for the domestic market).  In general, quotas are calculated based
on the needs of the health sector where narcotic drugs are used (i.e. number of terminal cancer
patients, number of surgical interventions, etc.).  There have been no cases of unused amounts, but
should this be the case there is a subtraction of the following year's quotas.  It is not the practice to
publish the names of importers.
IV. The quotas are open with the beginning of the new year. There is no period defined for
submission of applications.
V. Applications for licences are processed within five days for all products, except those for
explosives and non-dangerous wastes, within one month.
VI. There is no limitation to the period for granting import licences.   Importation can take place
after the opening of quotas.
VII. Yes, the application is considered by only one administrative body.
VIII. Yes, mainly.  Generally new importers are involved in psychotropic imports for which there
are no quotas.  Applications are examined on receipt.
IX. No, there are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.  Countries of importation
change time after time.
X. Export permits are not required.XI. No import licence is issued on condition that any narcotic and psychotropic drugs should be
exported and not sold in the domestic market.  Imports are for domestic health care needs.
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a
particular country:
(a) Application for a licence (automatic) must be made at least five working days in advance of
importation.  Licences may be obtained within a shorter time for goods arriving at the port without a
licence, when customs authorities prohibit entry of the goods, until the importer obtains a licence.Thirty days in the case of non-automatic licences.  Explosives may not be imported into Albanian
ports without an import licence, as exporting count ries do not allow exportation of them without an
Albanian import licence.
(b) Under extraordinary circumstances (products arrive at the port and they need special storage
conditions) a licence may be granted immediately upon the request of the importer, sometimes even
within a day.  In these cases, for the importation of  live animals, fisheries, seedlings, livestock
products, the importer must have submitted to the competent authorities the veterinary/sanitary
certification.
(c) No.  The importer may choose when to submit the application for importation.
(d) The importer has to submit his applications for licence to only one administrative organ, i.e.
for arms and munitions, parts and accessories thereof, explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches,G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 4
psychotropic alloys and nuclear and radioactive materials etc., the importer should approach the
Ministry of Defence;  for non-dangerous waste the Committee of Environmental Protection;  for
narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and pharmaceutical products the Directorate of Pharmaceutics
in the Ministry of Health;  for seeds and seedling s, the State Entity for Seeds and Seedlings in the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food;  for pesticides the Directorate of Plant Protection Services in theMinistry of Agriculture and Food;  for  live animals and products, fish and seafood products the
Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
8. None.  The reasons for refusal are explained to applicants in written form.  If an applicant is
not satisfied, he may address his concerns to the Head of the Institution and then, he may open a civil
suit to the court.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. All persons/enterprises registered in the Court of the First Degree to become natural or
juridical subjects, and registered with the Tax Office, are eligible to apply for licences.
All wholesale companies known by the court for importing activity in pharmaceutical and
medical field and having the professional licence of the Ministry of Health, and all health institutions
(public and private) licensed by the Ministry of Health can apply for a licence. Health institutions
import pharmaceutical products for their own needs.  For armaments, the import licence is available
only for the State enterprise “MEICO” (Council of Ministers Decision No. 336 of 5 October 1991).
Normally, it is not the practice to publish the list of authorized importers.  However for
information data, the competent administrative bodies are ready to make known their lists, except
those of explosive importers.
There are registration fees.  The amount of the fees are specified in the relevant regulations of
the administrative authorities which issue these licences.  Fees are different depending on the kind of
licence (automatic or non-automatic) or on the product to be imported.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Prior to applying for an import licence, a person or enterprise must be registered in the Court
of First Degree to become a natural or juridical subj ect, and then be registered with the Tax Office.
The tax registration process registers the individual/firm as having the right to engage in a specific
trading activity.  The documentation of these re gistration should be included in every licence
application.  Other documentation to be submitted is specific depending upon the product to be
imported and the administrative body that grants the licence.  These are described in the laws andregulations issued for this purpose.  (See sample application form below for the importation of
explosive materials issued by the Ministry of Defence, which has the authority to grant these
licences – as per Chapter V of the Regulation for Granting Licences, issued by the Ministry of
Defence in 1998).
Documents that must be submitted with the request for an individual  professional licence:
The request for a licence and other documents must be presented at the Licence Office in the first
ten days of each month.
The documents that must be submitted for licensing are:G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 5
- A written request for an autobiographical technical form (Curriculum Vitae) must contain the
following information:  name, paternity, surname, nationality, address, workplace, telephone
& fax number, telefax.
- Type of  activities  to be accomplished.
- Written confirmation from the respective institution or enterprise about projected lines, and
the production lines managed technically.
- Declaration that  the applicant is not in a work relationship with the state.
- Qualification, specialization (if relevant).
- Copy of diploma and list of results.
- Original penalty certification.
- Residence certification.
All the above-mentioned documents should be typed and notarized.
Documents that must be submitted with the request for a professional licence  for a domestic
society:
- Official request in autobiographical technical form that contains the following information:
date of birth, birthplace, nationality, residence address, workplace and the present occupation
(curriculum vitae) from the legal director and technical manager.
- A request about the activity that the company will carry out, which must be fully in
compliance with the approved activity in the personal licence of technical management of thecompany and in the personal licence of the legal manager, if applicable.
- If the legal director of the company does not have a personal licence, he must present a
personal declaration of the technical manager who declares that he is employed in this
company and does not work in any other one.
- Personal licence for carrying out the activity.- The declaration that declares the technical conditions and standards in the field of the
production of the explosive materials will be known and implemented during the company’s
activity.
- The declaration that confirms the undertaking to send information to the ministry every three
months about the company’s activity:  Denomination of the implemented (projected) objects,
accomplishment of the productive work in Lek, investments, number of employees.
- Penalty certification of juridical persons, technical manager and the administrator of the firm.- Residence certification.
- Labour contract of the technical manager and of the director of the company for a year.
- The productive capacity of the company, including the equipments, work force and technical
ability.
- Financial creditability.
Documents that must be submitted with the request for a professional licence for foreign or
common society:
- A written request that presents a short autobiography of the company and the activity it will
exercise.
- Professional permit for exercising the activity.
- Curriculum vitae of the technical manager of the company who will work in our country and
of the director of the company.
- If it is a common company, it must present its status.- Court registration.
- Labour contract of the technical management and of the director of the company valid for one
year.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 6
- Technical ability including main equipment, work force, technical ability, etc.
- Financial creditability.
- The declaration that conforms the undertaking to send information to the Ministry every three
months about the company’s activity:  Denomination of the implemented objects,
accomplishment of the productive work in Lek, investments, number of employees.
- All the documents must be presented in Albanian language and must be notarized.
11. The above-mentioned documents.12. The licence fee to be paid by importers:
- Licence to juridical persons 300 000 Lek
- Licence renewal fee 100 000 Lek
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement.Conditions of licensing
14. The licence is valid for two years from the date of issuance for explosives;  two months for
narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, pharmaceutical products, pesticide, live animals and
products, fish and seafood products;  one year for non-dangerous wastes, seeds and seedlings.  If
importation is not realized within the given time, the validity can be extended partly or wholly for
another period.
15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.16. Licences are not transferable.
17. No, as long as all required documentation is provided for granting the import licence.
18. There are no other procedures.19. All banks provide foreign exchange automatically.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 7ANNEX 1
Memorandum on Import Licensing and Prohibitions on Importable Products
Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
93.01 - 93.07 Arms and munitions, parts and
accessories thereof:  Military weapons,munitions such as bullets of all calibers,
missiles, grenades, mines, fireworks of 180 mm,
etc.
36.01 - 36.06.90.90 Explosives, pyrotechnic
products, matches, pyrophoric alloys: military
explosives and powders such as TNT, egzogyn,
dynamite, ammonite, etc. all kinds of firearms
Regulation for the "Licensing of Trade and Sale
of Armaments" of 10 September 1994, approved
by the Prime Minister;
Decision of the Council of Ministers: On the
Extermination and Sales of Armaments andMunitions" No. 365 of 6 June 1994
Decision of the Council of Ministers: "For
Working with Explosive Materials" No. 257 of16 April 1996 and No 336 of 5 October 1991National security The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has defined the procedures for
obtaining import licences for these products and is authorized toissue licences.
There are two types of licences, one for armaments and one for
explosive materials.  For armaments, the licence is available only for
the state enterprise “MEICO” for security reasons (under Decree
CMD No 366 of 5 September 1991.  For explosive materials, thelicence is authorized under MOD Order No. 402 of 1998.  The
licence is transferable and can be automatically renewed in part or
whole by the Minister.
The licensed enterprise or person must have an Import Authorization
by the MOD.  The authorization is granted when the following
documents are supplied:  legal registration of the enterprise or
person, the right to excise the activity and the certificate of the end-
user.
For explosives, licences are issued under Order No. 402 by a
commission in the MOD.  A licence defines the purposes of the
activity, the date of issue, validity, the terms of renovation of the
licence and the registration number.  The licence is issued to
professionals and is non-transferable.  It is for two years and isrenewable.
28.44  Nuclear materials, radioactive materials,sources for the radioactive radiation (including
radioactive waste), technologies, equipment and
plants, special non-nuclear materialsFor national security, as well as to
adhere to international commitments
related to non-proliferation, mass
destruction and production oftechnologies thereof.The Ministry of Defence has defined the procedures for obtaining
import licensing for these products.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 8Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
Non-dangerous waste: Waste from social and
economic activities and physically consumed
products that are not included in the definition
of dangerous waste (see section on prohibitions
for the definition of dangerous waste); these
products include waste from steel, foundry,copper, brass, bronze, glass, paper and card
board, wool and cotton fibres, fabrics of wool
and cotton; contemporary productive technology
(equipment, methods or new technologies that
are used to prevent or minimize the damage tothe environment); and urban waste from houses
and social activities.
Decision of the Council of Ministers: "On
Dangerous and Non-dangerous Waste" No. 26of 31 January 1994.To protect the life and health of the
population and the environment.The Ministry of Health and the Committee of Environmental
Protection has defined the procedures for obtaining import licensing
for non-dangerous waste.
To request a  licence one must be a physical and juridical person,
must provide a declaration that contains a list of the waste to be
imported, its quality and composition, its destination within Albania,
and an explanation of the purposes of its use (i.e., if to be used in
productive economic activity or as waste without additional value-
added activities).  The importer must respect all standards ofenvironmental protection.
The importer must have a declaration on waste provided by the
authorized institutions of the country of origin, certificates that
demonstrate that such waste are not dangerous, and that the exporter
have permission from the customs authorities of the country oforigin.  Finally, all transportation documents must accompany the
above-mentioned documents.
The Ministry of Health or Committee on Environmental Protection
must issue or refuse a licence within 30 working days after the
submission of the application.  Licences are valid for one year and
are non-automatic.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 9Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
refer to the list in accordance with theConventions of 1961 and 1971.  See Annex 2 of
this table, titled List of Narcotic Drugs and
Phychotropic Substances which require import
Licensing and Special Import Authorization to
be imported into Albania.
Law On Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, No. 7975 of 26 July 1995.
This law was drafted in accordance with the
Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 andConvention on Psychotropic Substances 1971,
and the Amendments of 1993.To control narcotics through import
quotas as well as the controlling of the
whole import process.
To protect the life and health of the
population and to adhere tointernational conventions to which
Albania is a signatory.Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medicinal purposes
are permitted to be imported into Albania after they have beenregistered.  Both local and foreign products are subject to
registration. What follows are the conditions for importing narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances.
Prior to applying for a licence to import a narcotic or psychotropic
substance, a person or enterprise must be registered in the Court of
first degree to become a natural or juridical subject, and then to be
registered with the Tax Office.  The tax registration process registers
the individual/firm as having the right to engage in specific trading
activity (i.e., import, export, transport, or other marketing activities)or medical/scientific research activities requiring narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances.
Having been registered with the Court and Tax Office, natural or
juridical subjects can apply for a licence to import pharmaceutical
products. To apply for a licence, natural or juridical subjects must
have graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the Faculty of
Natural Sciences or have employed a person who is qualified as
such.  At this point the importer is prepared to present an application
for a licence at the Directory of Pharmaceutics in the Ministry of
Health.  To request for a licence, the importer, either a producer or aparty authorized by him, must provide the name and address of the
technical director (i.e., the licensed pharmacist registered in
Albania), define the scope of the activities, the countries with which
trade will occur and provide a list of the name and quantities of the
substances. The licence is non-automatic, non-transferable and validfor one year. Upon expiry of this term, the importing entity should
apply for a new import licence.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 10Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
Upon issuing of the import licences, the importer of narcotic or
psychotropic medicines may import such medicines only after being
issued an authorization from the Ministry of Health, Directory ofPharmaceutics which is issued within five working days.  The
importer should present a request that includes the name and address
of the exporter, the name of the recipient of the cargo (importer in
Albanian), the joint international name, the name of the medicine in
the tables included the international conventions, the quantity ofeach medicine, the time period when the import is due, the mode of
transport and the point of destination within the Republic of Albania.
The authorization is based on the sample compiled by the Narcotic
Medicines Commission of the Economic and Social Council of
United Nations. The authorization is passed by the Albanian
importer to the foreign producers (the respective exporter) who
presents it to the Control Bodies of his country and the latterpresents this authorization to the International Board of Narcotic
Control (INCB) to carry out the necessary verifications. After
approval from the latter, the exporting country issues to the producer
the export authorization. This document should be together with the
cargo and upon arrival at the destination, a copy of it is sent to theUpon the arrival of cargo in Albania, the respective import
authorization is issued in same mode as proceeded for other
Albanian control authorities, which confirm the arrival of the cargo
to the government of the exporting country.
Upon the arrival of cargo in Albania, the respective import
authorization is issued in same mode as proceeded for other
medicines (refer to the following paragraph).G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 11Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
30.00  Pharmaceutical products
Law on “Medicaments No. 7815 of 20 April
1994To protect the life and health of the
population and to keep statistical
records.Medicines are permitted to enter into the Republic of Albania after
they have been registered.  Both local and foreign products are
subject to registration.  The process for importing a registered
pharmaceutical product is first described and then the process forregistering a pharmaceutical product is described.
Prior to applying for a licence to import pharmaceutical products, a
person or enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to
become a natural or juridical subject, and then be registered with the
Tax Office.  The tax registration process registers the individual/firm
as having the right to engage in specific trading activity (i.e., import,
export, transport or other marketing activities for pharmaceuticalproducts).
Having been registered with the Court and Tax Office, natural or
juridical subjects can apply for a licence to import pharmaceuticals
products into Albania. To apply for a licence, natural or juridical
subjects must have graduated with a degree in pharmacy from the
Faculty of Natural Sciences or have employed a person who is
qualified as such.  The importer has to submit an application for alicence at the Directorate of Pharmaceutics in the Ministry of Health.
The request for a licence to import must include the list of medicines
to be imported, the international non-proprietary name (INN) and the
commercial name, the quantity to be imported for each separate
medicine, and the Albanian CIF price.  Upon completion of this
procedure, the import marketing authorization is issued (which only
serves as a document to check the quality and quantity of the
medicine) by the Ministry of Health and is presented to the customs
authority.  If the imported product is what is specified in the import
licence, then the import marketing authorization is automatic andshall be issued in five working days.  There are no substantive
criteria to deny authorization to import;   only when the
abovementioned conditions are not met will authorization be denied.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 12Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
Process for registering a pharmaceutical product:  The substantive
requirements for the registration of medicaments are as defined in
the regulation "On the Registration of Drugs in the Republic of
Albania".  The process to register a medicament, the requirementswhich apply to natural and juridical subjects whether the product is
produced in Albania or abroad, includes the presentation of the Free
Sale Certificate in the country of origin;  a confirmation that the drug
is manufactured according to the Good Manufacturing Practices;  the
presentation of chemical, pharmaceutical and biologicaldocumentation, stability test, toxicological and pharmacological and
clinical documentation;  and a quality control is performed by the
National Center of Drugs Control.  Every pharmaceutical
manufacturer must present samples of the drugs that it wants to
register.  If any one of the documents are not presented or if the drugfails the quality control, then the registration will be refused.  The
regulation does not provide for an appeals process.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 13Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
12.00  Seeds and seedlings
Law "On Seeds and Saplings" No. 7659 of 12
January 1993.
Decision of Council of Ministers "The Setting
up of the State Entity of Seeds and Saplings
(SESS)" No. 447 of 3 September 1993
Decision of Council of Ministers  “On
Approving the Regulations for the Production,
Reproduction, Treatment, Assessment, Trade,
Control of Seeds and Saplings and for Protection
and Treatment of Genetic Material of Plants”
No. 552 of 14 November 1994To control the import of seeds and
seedlings to ensure the quality of seedsand saplings through controls over the
whole import process.  To protect the
environment and safety/health of
humans, animals and plants.  To
adhere to requirements of internationalorganizations to which Albania is a
signatory.Licences are issued by the State Entity of Seeds and Seedlings based
on the regulation of the Law on Seeds and Saplings” No. 7659 of12 January 1993.  Licences are issued to juridical persons, domestic
or foreign, who possess the necessary technical qualification
(university diploma in agronomy)  or have employed in their
companies such a qualified person.  Licences are annual and are
automatically renewable each year.
Prior to applying for a licence to import seeds and seedlings, a
person or enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to
become a natural or juridical subject, and then to be registered withthe Tax Office.  The tax registration process also registers the
individual/firm as having the right to engage in specific trading
activity (i.e., import, export, transport or other marketing activities
for seeds and seedlings).
Having been registered with the Court and Tax Office, natural or
juridical subjects can apply for a licence to import seeds and
seedlings into Albania.  To apply for a licence, natural or juridical
subjects must have graduated from the Faculty of Agronomy or have
employed a person who is qualified as such.  The importer has to
present an application for a licence at the State Entity for Seeds andSeedlings in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
  To obtain the
licence, an importer must supply the required technical information
of the seeds: technical data of the seeds contingent, the name of the
seed, the origin, and the quantity and the quality of the seed.
Only seeds registered in the official catalogue of the State Entity ofSeeds and Seedlings and that satisfy Albanian standards are
permitted to be imported to Albania.  The Albanian standards, inaddition to the international standards such as the DHS test
(distinguishing, homogeneity and stability test) include also a test of
the agronomic and technological value (Value for Cultivation and
Use).  The procedures of registration are identical for Albanian and
foreign subjects.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 14Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
There are occasions when seeds are imported under emergency
measures only by a proposal from the State Entity for Seeds and
Seedlings (with the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food).  Seeds and seedlings which are not registered in the AlbanianCatalogue may be registered, on the condition that they are
compatible with the climatic and soil conditions of Albania.
Registration is applied on a non-discrimination basis.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 15Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
31.00  Pesticides
Decision of the Council of Ministers: "On
Pesticides" No. 584 of 6 December 1993To control the import of pesticides as
well as the controlling of the wholeimport process.  To protect the
environment and safety/health of
humans, animals and plants.  To
adhere to the requirements of
international organizations to whichAlbania is a signatory.Prior to applying for a licence to import pesticides, a person or
enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to becomeeither a natural or juridical subject, and then be registered with the
Tax Office.  The tax registration form also registers the
individual/firm as having the right to engage in specific trading
activity (i.e., import, export, transport or other marketing activities
for pesticides).  Once registered to engage in importing activity, theimporter must go to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food,
Directorate of Plant Protection Services (DPSS) to declare the
pesticides to be imported.  If the pesticide is registered with the
Albanian State Commission for the Registration of Pesticides
(ASCRP), then an import licence is issued by the DPSS inaccordance with the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures of
GATT 1994.
The licence, issued within two months, specify the time limit as
required by the importer up to one year maximum.  Licences areissued to an individual who has graduated from the Faculty of
Agronomy or a firm which employs such a person.  The pesticide
may not be imported if it is not registered in Albania.
The requirements for registering a pesticide with the ASCRP are the
same for local and foreign products and are based on the same
criteria as the EU's Directive No. 91/414 EEC of 15 July 1991,Annex 2.  The requirements of this Directive were sanctioned by the
Albanian government in the Decision of the Council of Ministers
No. 584 of 6.12.1993.  Registration requirements comply with the
IPPC (International Plant Protection Convention).  Every year the
requests for registration of new pesticides are attached to theMinistry of Agriculture and Food's special publication on the
registered pesticides (Article 62 of the Decision of the Council of
Ministers No. 584 of 6 December 1993).G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 16Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
The licensing process and application for concessions is identical for
natural and juridical subjects.  The information on the procedures of
licensing, application for the concession as well as the registration of
pesticides are available at the offices of the central and localadministration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 17Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
01.00-02.00 Live animals and products
Law on “ Albanian Veterinary Service” No.
7674 of 23 February 1993
Law on "Food" No. 7941 of 31 May 1995To control the import of live animals
and products, to protect the integrity ofbreeding stocks, the environment and
safety/health of humans, animals and
plants.  To adhere to the requirements
of the international organizations to
which Albania is a signatory.Prior to applying for a licence to import livestock, a person or
enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to become anatural or juridical subject, and then to be registered with the Tax
Office.  The tax registration process also registers the individual/firm
as having the right to engage in specific trading activity (i.e., import,
export, transport or other marketing activities related to livestock or
livestock products).
Once the individual/firm is so registered, then the next step is to go
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directory of the Albanian
Veterinary Service, to receive a licence (i.e., to receive "permission"
as is stated the Law No. 7074 of 23.02.1993).  The licence must beissued to all juridical and natural subjects, local and foreign, who are
registered to import livestock or livestock products and who present
the Certificate of the Origin and the Certificate of Sanitation.
Licences are valid for up to 2 months time and specify the quantity to
be imported (only as a means for data collecting and statisticalinformation).  Each time livestock or livestock products are to be
imported, the importer must go the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
to receive a new licence.  Live animals imported are subject to
quarantine conditions which are in conformity with the International
Organization of Epizootics (IOE).
For importing livestock for breeding purposes which are not already
registered as a breed in Albania, in addition to the above criteria, the
importer must have another document from the Central Commission
of the Improvement of Breeds (CCI B), Ministry of Agriculture and
Food which will allow the animals to enter Albania.  The CCIB takesinto consideration the regional policy of breeds in Albania as well as
the program of genetic improvement of such breeds.  The CCIB
allows or does not allow a certain breed based on the breed's
characteristics and their ability to adapt to local conditions.  In cases
where the CCIB refuses the request to import, the importer has theright to appeal the decision in the court of first degree.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 18Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
In the case of a registered and known breed in Albania, a document
from the CCIB is not necessary.
03.00 Fish and seafood products
Law on “Albanian Veterinary Service”,
No. 7674 of 23 February 1993
Law on “ Fisheries and Aquaculture” No. 7908
of 5 April 1995
Law on "Food" No. 7941 of 31 May 1995To control the import of fish and
seafood products, to protect the
integrity of stocks, the environment
and safety/health of humans, animals
and plants.  To adhere to the
requirements of the internationalorganizations to which Albania is a
signatory.Prior to applying for a licence to import fish and seafood products, a
person or enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to
become a natural or juridical subject, and then to be registered with
the Tax Office.  The tax registration form also registers the
individual/firm as having the right to engage in specific trading
activity (i.e., import, export, transport or other marketing activitiesfor fish and seafood products).
Once the individual/firm is so registered, then the next step is to go
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directorate of the Albanian
Veterinary Service, to receive a licence (i.e., to receive "permission"
as is stated the Law No. 7074 of 23 February 1993).  The licencemust be issued to all juridical and natural subjects, local and foreign,
who are registered to import fish or seafood products and who
present the Certificate of the Origin and the Certificate of Sanitation.
Licences are valid for up to 2 months and specify the quantity to be
imported (only as a means for data collecting and statisticalinformation).  Each time fish or seafood products are to be imported,
the importer must go the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to receive
a new licence.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 19Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
04.07 Eggs
Law on “Albanian Veterinary Service” No. 7674
of 23 February 1993
Law on "Food" No. 7941 of 31 May 1995To control the import of eggs to protect
safety/health of humans.Prior to applying for a licence to import eggs, a person or enterprise
must be registered in the Court of first degree to become a natural or
juridical subject, and then to be registered with the proper Tax
Office.  The tax registration process also registers the individual/firm
as having the right to engage in specific trading activity (i.e., import,
export, transport or other marketing activities for eggs).
Once the individual/firm is so registered, then the next step is to go
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directory of the Albanian
Veterinary Service, to receive a licence (i.e., to receive "permission"as is stated the Law No. 7074 of 23 February 1993).  The licence
must be issued to all juridical and natural subjects, local and foreign,
who are registered to import eggs and who present the Certificate of
the Origin and the Certificate of Sanitation.  Licences are valid for up
to 2 months and specify the quantity to be imported (only as a meansfor data collecting and statistical information).  Each time eggs are to
be imported, the importer must go the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food to receive a new licence.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 20Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
51.00 Wool
Law on “Albanian Veterinary Service” No. 7674
of 23 February 1993To control against contagious diseases
thereby protecting safety/health of
animals.Prior to applying for a licence to import wool, a person or enterprise
must be registered in the Court of first degree to become a natural or
juridical subject, and then to be registered with the Tax Office.  The
tax registration process also registers the individual/firm as having
the right to engage in specific trading activity (i.e., import, export,
transport or other marketing activities for wool).
Once the individual/firm is so registered, then the next step is to go
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directory of the Albanian
Veterinary Service, to receive a licence (i.e., to receive "permission"as is stated the Law No. 7074 of 23.02.1993).  The licence must be
issued to all juridical and natural subjects, local and foreign, who are
registered to import wool and who present the Certificate of the
Origin and the Certificate of Sanitation.  Licences are valid for up to
2 months and specify the quantity to be imported (only as a meansfor data collecting and statistical information).  Each time wool is to
be imported, the importer must go the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food to receive a new licence.G/LIC/N/3/ALB/1
Page 21Products requiring import licences, by justification, licensing and other requirements
Article and description by Harmonized Code or as
described by Law or International ConventionJustification/rationale for the restriction Licensing procedure, type of licence and duration
41.00 Unprocessed leather
Law on “Albanian Veterinary Service” No. 7674
of 23 February 1993To control against contagious diseases
thereby protecting safety/health of
animals.Prior to applying for a licence to import leather, a person or
enterprise must be registered in the Court of first degree to become a
natural or juridical subject, and then to be registered with the Tax
Office.  The tax registration process also registers the individual/firm
as having the right to engage in specific trading activity (i.e., import,
export, transport or other marketing activities for leather).
Once the individual/firm is so registered, then the next step is to go
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Directorate of the Albanian
Veterinary Service, to receive a licence (i.e., to receive "permission"as is stated the Law No. 7074 of 23 February 1993).  The licence
must be issued to all juridical and natural subjects, local and foreign,
who are registered to import leather and who present the Certificate
of the Origin and the Certificate of Sanitation.  Licences are valid for
up to 2 months and specify the quantity to be imported (only as ameans for data collecting and statistical information).  Each time
leather is to be imported, the importer must go the Ministry of
Agriculture and Food to receive a new licence.
__________