Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Latvia. 2010 ‘Export Controls.’ National Report of Latvia on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA); Part 7, pp. 10-11. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations. 1 January
Relevant contents
Export Controls
According to the Law On the Circulation of Goods of Strategic Significance and Cabinet of Ministers Regulations "Procedures by Which Licenses and Other Documents of the Control of Strategic Goods Are Issued or Denied":
1. Licences are issued to traders registered with the Latvian Commercial Register or Government institutions for each export, import, transfer and transit transaction in strategic goods, including arms and weapons. Licences are valid for 6 months. The licensing procedure is similar for double-used goods as well as arms, weaponry and ammunition. There are no restrictions on quantity or value.
2. In order to receive a licence, the merchant must submit to the Strategic Goods Export Control Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia:
- Licence application addressed to the Committee on specific form, including information on partners for the transaction, carrier, consignee and end-user;
- Registration certificate for commercial operations;
- Special permit (licence) for individual types of commercial operations (if such a permit is necessary);
- Confirmation that the goods will not be used in relation to weapons of mass destruction or means for their delivery;
- Contract or invoice (or copies thereof).
When submitting application the merchant certifies that he is aware of the legislation on controlling strategic goods in the Republic of Latvia and the liability for violating this legislation or providing false information.
4. If the exporting country's export licence and importing country's import certificate, licence or end-use certificate have been issued for the transit of strategic goods, including arms and weapons, and no Latvian merchant is involved in the transit operation, no Latvian transit licence is required. Yet, if Latvian merchant is moving goods in transit outside Latvian Customs borders, a licence is necessary.
5. Strategic Goods, including arms, may be re-transferred with the permission of the Committee only in accordance with the laws of the country of origin of the goods on export control.
6. The Strategic Goods Export Control Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia shall, no later than within one month of receiving the application and declaration for licence issue the approved licence to the merchant or advise of the Committee's decision to refuse a licence, however this period may be prolonged for another month if additional information or investigation is required. During the process of preparing documents the Strategic Goods Export Control Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia co-ordinates the licences with the Ministry or Agency issuing to the respective merchant a permit to engage in specific commercial operations. The Ministry or Agency in question shall approve the issuing of a licence or provide a reasoned refusal within 7 days.
7. The Strategic Goods Export Control Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia may request from the merchant additional information on the origin of goods, their technical description and end-use certificate.