Import and Export Company in Lithuania

First, you need to formalize your business by choosing a legal form for your business. Although you can also be engaged in import and export as a natural person with a certificate of individual activity, we recommend you to use the status of a legal person.

Manufacturers of products and materials in contact with food must submit to the Lithuania State Food and Veterinary Service a notification in writing, by e-mail, fax, or other electronic means about the manufacturer or supplier of products and materials in contact with food, and data on the products produced or provided.

It is important to note that disposable dishes must be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practice (Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006) so that their use does not result in the release into foodstuffs of quantities of ingredients that could endanger human health and unacceptably alter the composition of foodstuffs. The purpose of this Regulation is to ensure that the products and materials in contact with food products comply with the requirements applicable to them at all times:

• It is important that the premises are fit for purpose and that personnel are made aware of the critical stages of production.
• A quality assurance and control system has been implemented.
• Selection of suitable feedstock with appropriate evaluation to ensure that the final product is safe and inert.

On food hygiene, the Decree on National Hygiene Requirements establishes special requirements for relevant materials and products intended for contact with food and their research methods. The requirements laid down in Chapter VII of the Decree on National Hygiene Requirements shall apply to paper and paperboard produced in the Republic of Lithuania and imported from countries outside the European Union, except the Republic of Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Kingdom of Norway, intended for contact with foodstuffs. In case you plan to manufacture disposable dishes from paper, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the National Hygiene Requirements.

Enterprises that plan to export goods to other countries should take care of certain documents that can provide not only services provided legally, but also proof of the quality of the goods. Each country has established a list of required export documents. They are different, but there are similar documents, which with minor changes are required by all EU countries.

The most frequently needed export documents are:

• Phytosanitary certificate. This is necessary for the export of fresh fruit or vegetables, cereals, seeds and other products of similar origin.
• Trade document. This is a document that records the product, its quantity, value and other characteristics.
• International consignment note. Document indicating the carrier, i.e. at what time and where the goods must be delivered.
• Product’s certificate of origin. This is a document that specifies the origin of the product. It states that the exported goods are produced in a certain country.
• Customs declaration. This is another document that must be submitted to customs authorities. Forms vary from country to country.
• Packing list. It details which goods are being exported. The list indicates the dimensions of the goods.
• Product quality certificate It is a document that proves that the exported goods meet the quality requirements of the country.
• Veterinary certificate. Required in case of export of livestock or means that are intended for livestock production.

Since depending on the country to which the goods are being exported, specific documents are also required, you are advised to check with the customs department to ensure that you have all the necessary documents.

Those wishing to obtain a license for import and export

For persons wishing to import or export products subject to foreign trade regulation, it is important to fill out applications for a license or certificate issued by the State Food and Veterinary Service.

It is important for applicants to pay attention to the provisions of the legislation governing individual markets and correctly provide data on the exported or imported product in the application. It must contain the name, description and code of the goods in accordance with the combined nomenclature, quantity and other information. It is also important to provide information on place of destination or export and country of origin.

Foreign trade is regulated with regard to products such as olive oil, alcohol, pork, eggs, poultry, cereals, rice, fruit and vegetables, beef, milk and dairy products, sugar, isoglucose and inulin syrup, ethyl alcohol, hemp grown on fiber. If the applicable minimum quantity of imports and exports of these agricultural products is exceeded, and no licence has been applied for, an application for a licence must be made.

TRANSPORT OF INTERNATIONAL GOODS

A license is required for transport of goods on internal routes. The application and documents must be submitted upon arrival directly to the Department of Services of the Lithuanian Transport Security Authority (“Authority”), by submitting the application and documents by mail or courier or electronically including the application and documents or their scanned copies signed by a reliable electronic signature of the head of the legal entity, an individual carrying out individual activities, or a transport manager having legal force. Individuals authorized by the head of a legal entity to receive electronic services may also submit an electronic application. Regarding the licensing of international transport activities, you will also need a permit of the ECMT (Conference of European Ministers of Transport). This permit entitles the carriage of goods for a fee by road between Member States participating in the ECMT permit system (“ECMT Member State”) or transit through the territories of one or more ECMT Member States.

Export declaration

An export declaration is required when goods are exported from the European Union. The export of goods from the EU gives the right to apply a zero VAT rate to the goods.

For declaring the goods, companies usually hire the services of an agent, for example, a customs broker, who submits a declaration to customs on behalf of the client’s company. The customs broker assumes responsibility for what he has filled in the declaration. Customs authorities have the opportunity to verify, on the basis of an export declaration, whether the company complies with the requirements of export control (e.g. licensing). Export declarations are usually submitted electronically.

The most important information in an export declaration:

• Product code, indicating which products you are exporting
• Customs procedure code indicating the process, e.g. whether goods are being exported or temporarily exported.
• Unique identification number of the cargo.

Import declaration

Import means the process of carriage of goods or services into the country from a foreign country. Import procedures and formalities at customs in the European Union, as well as in the Republic of Lithuania, are regulated by the EU Customs Code.

In order for goods not belonging to the Customs Code to enter the EU market or be used or consumed in the customs territory of the EU for personal purposes, these goods must be placed under the release procedure for free circulation (import).

Necessary documents for the import procedure

You can import goods into the EU:

• The person must be assigned an economic operator code – EORI code.
• EORI code is recognized by customs authorities of all EU member states.

When importing goods, it is important to know:

• Applicable duties and taxes;
• Applicable prohibitions or restrictions;
• Required documents (permits, licenses, etc.).

Transit declaration

For the territory of the European Union, a TIR transit declaration (international road transport) is a document confirming the transit mode issued by the customs authorities upon presentation of a transit declaration, TIR Carnet or other documents recognized as transit documents.

Transit declaration T1 applies to goods coming from countries outside the European Union, such as Asia or the USA, as well as to goods coming from customs warehouses from the European Union.

For international transport, the TIR procedure (Transports Internationaux Routiers or International Road Transport) applies. This procedure is carried out using a TIR Carnet, which is a customs declaration and guarantee, but can only be used if part of the transport route passes through the territory of a third country.

Certificate of origin

The certificate of origin of the goods is an international document certifying the origin of the goods, the issuance of which is based on an analysis of the acquisition of goods, documents confirming the origin or performance of production operations, as well as the reliability of material costs, labour and other costs.

If you have decided that Lithuania offers suitable conditions for the implementation of your business ideas, we are here to support you at every stage of the way. Company in Lithuania UAB offers legal advice as well as financial accounting services, and we are happy to assist you in setting up your company in Lithuania. Contact us today for a request of an individual consultation and let me answer your questions.