G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10  
10 October 2014  
(14-5774)  Page: 1/8  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: French  
 
  AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT  
SWITZERLAND  
The following communication, dated 19 September 2014,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland.  
_______________ 
  In general terms, Switzerland's import licensing regime, notified in documents G/LIC/N/3/CHE/8 
and G/LIC/N/3/CHE/9, remains valid for the year 2014. Minor amendments and clarifications have 
been made to the following chapters: I, II, III, VI  and VII. In addition, legislation on circulation 
of protected species of fauna and flora has been revised (see Chapter III). G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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1  AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS .......................................................................................... 2  
1.1  Equines (A), breeding and dair y stock, and bovi ne semen (B) ........................................... 3  
1.2  Animals for slaughter and meat (A), prepared meat products (B) and eggs (C) .................... 4  
1.3  Milk, dairy products and casein ..................................................................................... 4  
1.4  Fresh fruit and vegetables (A), fruit for cider and fruit products (B), cut flowers (C), 
frozen vegetables (D), potatoes (including seed potatoes) and potato products (E), 
fruit seedli ngs (F ) ........................................................................................................... .. 5 
1.5  Grain for human consumption: durum wheat (A), common wheat (B), coarse grain 
for human consumption, such as barley, oats an d maize (C) ................................................... 5  
1.6  Grapes for pressi ng and grap e juice .............................................................................. 6  
1.7  Wine ......................................................................................................................... 6  
2  SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES ............................................................... 6  
2.1  Import, transit and export of  animals and anim al products ............................................... 6  
3  CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD 
FAUNA AND FLOR A (CITES) ............................................................................................. 7  
3.1  Animals................................................................................................................... .. 7 
4  BLOOD, BLOOD PRODUCTS AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS .................................... 8  
5  NARCOTIC DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AND PRECURSORS USED 
AND MARKETED FOR LEGAL PURPOSES ............................................................................ 8  
 
1  AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS1 
Horizontal replies 
 
Outline of systems 
1. The licensing systems for agricultural products are essentially governed by the Federal Law 
on Agriculture of 29 April 1998, which entered into force on 1 January 1999 (RS 910.1), and the 
Ordinance on imports of agricultural products of 26 October 2011 (RS 916.01). They provide the 
legal basis for the statistical control of imports, the collection of those portions of customs duty that are not collected by the Federal Customs Admini stration (i.e. that are levied by bodies outside 
the customs system) and for the individual allocation of tariff quota (TQ) shares and the control 
of their utilization. To this end, the two following instruments are applied: 
 (a) Automatic licensing (general import licence - PGI): In principle, all imports of the groups 
of products listed under headings I(i) to I(ix ) are subject to the PGI system. This licence, 
granted automatically and for an indefinite duration, is used for statistical purposes. It is also used to ensure collection of those portions of customs duty that are not levied by the 
Federal Customs Administration in the case of compulsory holding of stocks. The licensing 
system to cover the expenses of compulsory stocks is described in Chapter IX. Persons liable to customs controls must show their PGI number on their customs declaration. 
 
(b) Non-automatic licensing governed by conditions set forth in the PGI, for the allocation 
o f  t a r i f f  q u o t a  ( T Q )  s h a r e s :  T h i s  l i c e n c e  i s  p a r t  o f  a n  a d m i n i s t r a t i v e  p r o c e d u r e  w h e r e b y  
importers who meet the relevant legal requirements are authorized to carry out imports within the TQ. Quota shares may be transfe rred among holders of non-automatic licences. 
They are usually allocated for a limited period. The importer is not required to produce this 
authorization at the border; controls are performed electronically when the customs 
declaration is processed. 
 
                                               
1 General information for agricult ural products is available at: http://www.import.ofag.admin.ch  
(in French, German and Italian only). G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  Procedures 
6. Non-automatic licence: This does not apply to TQs which, for other reasons, are not currently 
applied.  
I. The administration of TQs for the calendar year 2014 is described in Switzerland's 
notification to the Committee on Agriculture (G/AG/N/CHE/13/Add.16). All information concerning TQ utilization (quantities, application procedures for licences, exceptions, 
exemptions, etc.) is set forth in the specific ordinances published in the RO and RS 
(see Chapters I(i) to I(iv), I(vi) and I(viii) to I(ix)). The customs tariff
2 indicates, in the 
specific remarks under each tariff item number, whether or not a licence is required. If so, the name of the authority through which the importer may obtain further details 
is also provided. 
Specific replies 1.1  Equines (A), breeding and da iry stock, and bovine semen (B) 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. Equines (tariff headings: 0101.21, 0101.29, 0101.30, 0101.90) are no longer subject to 
licensing and may be imported freely until the TQ is used up. Other breeding and dairy animals are 
subject to automatic licensing, and to non-automatic licensing for imports within the TQs. Since 
2014, bovine semen has been subject only to automatic licensing. All licence holders are authorized to import within the TQ. For tariff item numbers within the TQs, see Switzerland's notification to the Committee on Agriculture (G/AG/N/CHE/13/Add.16). 
 
Procedures 
6.IV. In the case of bovine semen, the deadline for applications in the case of auctions is 
generally set at 30 working days following publication. For the other systems, there is no 
time-limit for application, which may take place throughout the year of opening of the TQ. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9.(a) See horizontal replies. 
 (b) See horizontal replies.  
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
10. For breeding animals, the importer is required  to provide a copy of the pedigree certificate. 
In the case of non-pure-bred breeding or dairy anim als, a written statement justifying the animal's 
use is required. 
 11.-13. See horizontal replies. 
 
Conditions of licensing 
14. Automatic licensing: see horizontal replies; non-automatic licensing: see point 6.II. 
 
15. No, except in the case of TQs for pigs, sheep  and goats (for tariff item numbers within the 
TQs, see Switzerland's notification to the Committee on Agriculture (G/AG/N/CHE/13/Add.16)). In the case of these TQs, when demand is higher  than the offer importers that import less than 
90% of the share allocated to them during the TQ period will be allocated no more than the 
amount they actually imported for the next TQ period.  
                                               
2 http://www.tares.ch . G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  1.2  Animals for slaughter and meat (A), prepared meat products (B) and eggs (C) 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 2. Tariff headings for (A): ex 0101-0104, ex 0201-0207, ex 0209; for (B): ex 0210, 
ex 1601-1602; for (C): ex 0407-0408, ex 3502. All products of (A) and (B) are subject to 
automatic licensing, and to non-automatic licensing for in-quota imports. Products under (C) are 
no longer subject to licensing.  
Procedures 
6.IV. For (A) and (B), the deadline for applications involving auctions is generally set at 
30 working days following publication in the case of tariff lines with a one-year TQ period, and six days for the others. 
 
VIII.  
(A) TQ distribution according to purchases within the country (10% for bovine and ovine 
meat); auctioning (90% for bovine and ovine meat, 100% for other products). 
 
(B) TQ distribution by auction. 
(C) The allocation of TQ shares takes place as needed. The TQ is allocated in chronological 
order of actual imports, upon customs cleara nce, as long as the TQ is not exhausted. 
In other words, the TQ is allocated in the order in which the customs declarations are 
received. The volume of imports under the TQ is recorded by the customs authorities, 
whose website continuously provides information on the current TQ fill rate. There is no maximum amount per importer. 
 
1.3  Milk, dairy products and casein 
Outline of systems 
1. See horizontal replies. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. Tariff headings: subchapters 0401-0405 and ex 3501. These products are subject to automatic 
licensing, and to non-automatic licensing as regards imports of certain dairy products (0401.1010, 
0401.2010, 0402.2111, 0402.2911, 0403.1091, 0403.9041, 0403.9051, 0403.9091, 0404.9081, 0405.1011, 0405.1091, 0405.2011, 0405.2019, 0405.9010) within the TQs. Tariff headings 
of subchapter 0406 are no longer subject to licensing. 
 Procedures 
6.IV. For partial TQs No. 2 (milk powder) and No. 4 (butter), the deadline for applications in the 
case of auctions is generally set at 14 working days foll owing publication. 
 Conditions of licensing 
15. No, except in the case of partial TQ No. 7.3 (various dairy products). In the case of this partial 
TQ, when demand is higher than the offer importers that import less than 90% of the share allocated to them during the TQ period will be allocated no more than the amount they actually 
imported for the next TQ period. G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  1.4  Fresh fruit and vegetables (A), fruit for cider and fruit products (B), cut flowers (C), 
frozen vegetables (D), potatoes (including se ed potatoes) and potato products (E), fruit 
seedlings (F) 
Procedures 
6.II.(A)  See horizontal replies. In principle, non-automatic licences are granted for the period 
indicated in point 2 above. 
 
(B) See horizontal replies. Non-automatic licences for fruit for cider are issued for a maximum 
period of 12 months. 
 (C) The size of the TQ is determined for the period from 1 May to 25 October. Non-automatic 
licences are issued for that period. 
 (D) and (E) See horizontal replies. Non-automatic lic ences are issued for 12 months maximum. 
 
6.IV.  
(A) and (C) With respect to non-automatic licences granted according to previous imports by the 
applicant, the Federal Office of Agriculture (OFAG) sends the new licence to the importers at the beginning of each year. As regards other licensing systems, there is no time-limit for the submission of applications. They can be submitted throughout the year of opening of 
the TQ. Licences are issued primarily on the basis of the applicants' previous imports. 
 (B) The deadline for applications in the case of auctions is generally set at 30 working days 
following publication. 
 (D) The OFAG sends the new licences to the importers before the beginning of the TQ period. 
 
(E) With respect to non-automatic licences granted according to previous purchases of 
Swiss products, the OFAG sends the new licence  to the importers before the beginning of 
the TQ period. For potato products, the deadline for applications in the case of auctions is 
generally set at 30 working days following publication. For the other systems, there is no 
time-limit for application, which may take place throughout the year of opening of the TQ. 
 
1.5  Grain for human consumption: durum wh eat (A), common wheat (B), coarse grain 
for human consumption, such as barley, oats and maize (C) 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. In-quota imports are subject to automatic licensing, except for common wheat (B), which is 
subject to an applied TQ. TQs for durum wheat (A) and coarse grain for human consumption, such 
as barley, oats and maize (C) are not currently administered, i.e. importation at the TQ rate is not 
limited. As regards common wheat (B), the TQ is allocated in stages according to need (allocation 
in the order in which the customs declarations are received). 
 Tariff headings: 
 
(A) 1001.1921; 
 
(B) 1001.9921, 1002.9021, 1007.9021, 1008.1021, 1008.2921, 1008.5021, 1008.4021, 
1008.6031, 1008.9023; 
 (C) 1003.9041, 1004.9021, 1005.9021 
1107.1012, 1107.2012, 1205.1039, 1205.1069, 1205.9039, 1205.9069. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  1.6  Grapes for pressing and grape juice 
Outline of systems 1. See horizontal replies. The TQ is not administered. These products are covered by the automatic 
licensing regime. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. Grapes for pressing (tariff headings: 0806.1021 and 0806.1029) and grape juice (2009.6111, 
2009.6119, 2009.6122, 2009.6129, 2009.6910, 2009.6990; 2202.9018, 2202.9019, 2202.9041, 
2202.9049) and fruit juices containing grape juice (2009.9030, 2009.9069, 2009.9099) are subject to automatic licensing only.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9. See horizontal replies. In order to be eligible to market the products in question, the importers 
have to be listed in the commercial register and must make themselves known to the control 
authority before they begin their commercial activities. 
 1.7  Wine 
Procedures 
6.I-VII. See horizontal replies. 
 VIII. The allocation of TQ shares takes place as needed (allocation in the order in which the 
customs declarations are received). Licences are issued in chronological order of actual 
imports, upon customs clearance, as long as the TQ is not exhausted. 
 
IX-XI. See horizontal replies. 
 7.-8. See horizontal replies. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
9. See horizontal replies. In order to be eligible to market the products in question, importers have 
to be listed in the commercial register and have to make themselves known to the control 
authority before they begin their commercial activities. 
 2  SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
2.1  Import, transit and export of animals and animal products 
Outline of systems 1. The purpose of sanitary measures is to prev ent the introduction of epizootics and goods that 
present a health risk. As a rule, these measures also apply to re-importation and transit. The 
Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) is responsible for issuing the authorizations laid down by veterinary law
3 for the importation of animals and goods. For the 
importation of animals and animal products covered by the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), see also section 3(i) below. 
 
                                               
3 Available at: http://www.blv.admin.ch/dokumentation/01013/01017/index.html?lang=fr  (in French, 
German and Italian only). G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  Purposes and coverage of licensing 
5. Veterinary law4 for the importation of animals and goods (Article 14 of the Ordinance 
of 18 April 2007 on the import, transit and export of animals and animal products [OITE; RS 916.443.10]; Ordinance of 27 August 2008 on the import and transit of animal products 
by air from third countries [OITPA; RS 916.443.13]; and Article 16 of the Ordinance 
of 18 April 2007 on the import of pets [OIAC; RS 916.443.14]). These authorizations are police 
authorizations issued in accordance with the Law on Epizootics of 1 July 1966 (LFE; RS 916.40). 
It is not possible either to make the regime more flexible or to modify the legal bases. 
 Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
10. Please refer to the following websites: 
 
- For laboratory samples and non-commercial samples: 
http://www.blv.admin.ch/ein_ausfuhr /01873/02317/inde x.html?lang=fr . 
 
- for dogs, cats and ferrets: 
http://www.blv.admin.ch/themen/046 70/05325/05326/inde x.html?lang=fr . 
 
12. A fee of CHF 40 will be charged as of 1 Janua ry 2015 for the issuing of authorizations for dogs, 
cats and ferrets; for laboratory samples and non-commercial samples, there is no fee for the actual issuing of the authorization. However, border control is subject to a fee of CHF 88, which 
includes the cost of establishing the authorization. 
 3  CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA 
AND FLORA (CITES) 
3.1  Animals Outline of systems 
1. The Federal Office for Food Security and Veterinary Affairs (OSAV) is responsible for issuing 
import licences for the species covered by the CI TES Convention. The CITES aims to ensure that 
no species is threatened with extinction as a result of non-sustainable international trade.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
2. List of products coming under the conservation of species: see Article 7 of the Federal Law 
on circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (LCITES; RS 453
5) of 16 March 2012, 
the Ordinance on circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (OCITES) (RS 453.0) 
of 4 September 2013, and the Ordinance of the Federal Department of the Interior (DFI) on control of circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (Ordinance on CITES controls), 
of 4 September 2013 (RS 453.1). 
 5. Legislation on protected species with respect to the importation of animals and goods (Article 7 of the Federal Law on circulation of protected species of fauna and flora (LCITES; RS 453)) 
of 16 March 2012, requiring authorization pursuant  to the Convention on International Trade 
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES; RS 0.453) of 3 March 1973, and the Federal Law on fisheries (LFSP; RS 923.0) of 21 June 1991. It is not possible to make the 
regime more flexible or to  modify the legal bases. 
 Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
10. Please refer to the following website, under "Formulaire":  
http://www.blv.admin.ch/themen/handel _wild/05116/05121/in dex.html?lang=fr . 
 
                                               
4 Available at: http://www.blv.admin.ch/dokumentation/01013/01017/index.html?lang=fr  (in French, 
German and Italian only). 
5 Available at: http://www.admin.ch/bundesrecht/00566/index.html?lang=fr  (in French, German and 
Italian only). G/LIC/N/3/CHE/10 
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  4  BLOOD, BLOOD PRODUCTS AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 10. Only the usual information is required. A standard application form is available at the following 
website address:  
https://www.swissmedic.ch/bewilligungen/ 00155/00242/00243/0 0245/00246/00247/01902/index
.html?lang=fr , under <Formulaires>, <Importation à l'unité>. Other certificates may be requested 
for a more detailed examination of the quality of the products. 
 
5  NARCOTIC DRUGS, PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AND PRECURSORS USED AND MARKETED FOR LEGAL PURPOSES 
Outline of systems 
1. The purpose of the authorization system for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is to 
ensure that imports are carried out for the sole  purpose of satisfying legitimate medical and 
industrial needs. Article 5 of the Federal Law on Narcotics of 3 October 1951 (LStup; RS 812.121) 
stipulates that a special authorization is required from Swissmedic, the Swiss Institute for 
Therapeutic Products, for all imports of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. According to the substance involved, Swissmedic may issue single authorizations valid once for 
import, or general authorizations valid for imports carried out over a specific period of time up to 
the end of each calendar year. Swissmedic, through the Narcotics Division, is responsible for granting import/export authorizations. More detailed information can be obtained from Swissmedic, at the following email address: narcotics@swissmedic.ch . 
 
Documentational and other requirements for application for authorization 
10. The importer sends a written application for an import authorization, listing the products to be 
imported and the corresponding quantities. There is  a specific form to be found on the relevant 
website.6 
 
__________ 
                                               
6 https://www.swissmedic.ch/bewilligunge n/00155/00242/00243/00411/index.html?lang=fr .