Import licensing is a state regulatory mechanism that restricts or controls the importation of certain types of goods into Georgia. Although import is generally liberalized in Georgia, there are categories of products (risky for health, safety, or the environment) that require a prior license or permit. This applies to medicines, weapons, dual-use items, ozone-depleting substances, cultural valuables, etc. Importing such goods without a license is considered a violation of customs rules or smuggling. Legal services in this area involve managing license acquisition procedures, interacting with relevant ministries, and preventing delays at customs.
What Does Import Licensing Service Cover?
Our lawyers offer full support in obtaining import permits:
- Requirement Verification: Determining based on the commodity code (HS code) whether a specific product needs an import license or permit.
- Dual-Use Goods: Obtaining permits for importing products that can be used for both civilian and military purposes (Revenue Service, Ministry of Defense).
- Pharmaceutical Products: Medicine import permits and registration procedures at the Ministry of Health.
- Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control: Managing certificates and permits required for importing food and animal products.
- Weapons and Explosives: Special permits for importing weapons, ammunition, and pyrotechnics.
- Radio-Electronic Equipment: Permits from the Communications Commission for importing devices operating on certain frequencies.
Common Scenarios and Needs
Businesses often face problems when cargo (e.g., drones, chemical reagents, encryption-enabled tech) is detained at customs because it requires a dual-use permit, which the importer was unaware of. Also, delays in medicine imports due to serial control or packaging rule violations are frequent. Obtaining a license is a time-consuming process, so it is recommended to start before shipping the cargo.
Georgian Legislation and Regulations
The field is regulated by the "Law on Licenses and Permits" and the "Law on Import, Export and Transit of Armaments, Military Equipment and Dual-Use Items". Licenses are issued by various agencies: Revenue Service, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Environmental Protection, etc.
The Process: How a Specialist Works
The lawyer analyzes the invoice and technical description. If the product requires a permit, an application is prepared for the relevant agency. For example, for dual-use cargo, submitting an End-User Certificate is necessary. The lawyer monitors review deadlines and answers additional questions from the agency.
Why Legal.ge?
Import licensing requires thorough knowledge of bureaucratic procedures. A mistake leads to long cargo detention or confiscation. Legal.ge gives you access to customs and administrative law lawyers. Specialists on our platform will help you obtain necessary permits on time and carry out imports smoothly. Save time and money with Legal.ge.
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