International convention and customs procedures of the Czech Republic

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Party to the Kyoto Protocol
Party to the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
Party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer
Party to the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls For Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies
Party to the International Coffee Agreement

International Economic Cooperation

Czech Republic is a member of the following international economic organisations: IMF, European Union, ICC, Central European Initiative (CEI), WTO, OECD, Schengen Convention, among others. For the full list of economic and other international organisations in which participates Czech Republic click here. International organisation membership of Czech Republic is also outlined here.

Non Tariff Barriers

In accordance with its European Union membership, the Czech Republic applies the European Union trade policy as well as the European Union import rules.

While the EU has a rather liberal foreign trade policy, some products need import licences. Following the implementation of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), the application of compensations on import and export of farm products imposes a certain number of control and regulation systems for goods entering the EU territory.

When being introduced into the Czech market, some products must be 'CE' marked in respect to the European Directives adopted on the basis of the New Approach and the Global Approach. For further information, please consult the Guide to the Implementation of Directives based on New Approach and Global Approach.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Operations carried out within the EEA are duty-free.
The Common Customs Tariff of the European Union applies to goods originating outside Europe. Generally the duty is relatively low, ranging from 5.0% to 14% on industrial goods. However, many products have reduced duties or no duties at all by virtue of trade agreements (according to Eurostat, around 70% of the imports that enter the EU do so at zero tariff).
Agricultural products imported from outside the EU are subject to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with custom duties on these items being supplemented with a system of variable levies or other charges.

For more information, consult the Taxation and Customs Guide published by the European Commission.

Customs Classification

The Combined Nomenclature of the European Union integrates the HS nomenclature and supplements it with its own subheadings with an eight-digit code number and its own Legal Notes created for Community purposes. In order to get exhaustive regulations and custom tariffs rates regarding their products, exporters shall refer to the TARIC code and its database, which includes all applicable customs duties and all customs trade policy measures for all goods.

Import Procedures

The following documents must be presented to the Customs office:

1. a brief declaration (air or maritime manifest) of the goods.
2. a common law declaration (SAD, single administrative document), as well as the accompanying documents to allow their clearance. The SAD form can be obtained from Chambers of Commerce or an authorised printer. A computerised Customs clearance platform (SOFI: International freight computer system) can be accessed in Customs offices or in some Chambers of Commerce.
3. Commercial invoice
4. Packing list
5. Certificate of origine
6. Insurance certificate (where applicable)

In the case of deliveries and purchases within the European Union, the declaration of exchange of goods (DEB) or Intrastat declaration must be sent to the Customs service.
All companies established outside of the EU are required to have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number if they wish to lodge a customs declaration or an Entry/Exit Summary declaration.

As part of the 'SAFE' standards advocated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the European Union has set up a new system of import controls, the 'Import Control System' (ICS), which aims to secure the flow of goods at the time of their entry into the customs territory of the EU. This control system, part of the Community Programme eCustoms, has been in effect since January 1, 2011. Since then, operators are required to pass an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the customs of the country of entry, prior to the introduction of goods into the customs territory of the European Union.

The Modernised Customs Code (MCC) of the European Union simplifies various procedures such as: introducing a paperless environment, centralised clearance and more. For more information, check the EU’s Customs website and the Czech Customs Administration website.

Importing Samples

For the import, export and re-export of commercial samples, the ATA (Temporary Admission) carnet can be used. Temporary entry can be allowed for goods in transit, for manufacturing, for temporary storage in bonded warehouses or for temporary importation. Generally, temporary entry of goods requires the deposit of a guarantee for import duties and VAT.
It must be written on the product that it is a free sample and that it may not be sold. Otherwise, in order for samples of commercial value to enter Czech Republic duty- and tax-free, a bond or deposit of the total amount of duties and taxes must be arranged. Samples must be re-exported within maximum 24 months. When the goods are re-exported, 3% of the duty value per each month the goods were in the country must be paid if the goods were used (up to the full duty amount).

To go further, check out our service Import Controls and Export Controls.

For Further Information

The Customs Adminstration of The Czech Republic
Ministry of Industry and Trade
Czech Republic Trade Portal