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In general, the import and export of ozone depleting substances (ODS), or products and equipment containing or relying on ozone depleting substances is prohibited. However, there are a number of exceptions to this general rule. These exceptions are listed in Regulation 1005/2009 under Article 15 for Imports and Article 17 for Exports.
All imports and exports that take place under the various exemptions set out in Articles 15 and 17 respectively are subject to licensing. An electronic licensing system is operated by the European Commission, and all licenses are issued by the Commission to the importer or exporter, according to a specified procedure.
All importers and exporters must be registered in the Commission’s Main ODS Database in order to be able to request and obtain the necessary licences.
Annual quotas are allocated to ozone depleting substances (ODS) being imported for free circulation.
The steps involved in the import procedure are as follows:
To request an import licence, importers should log in to the Main ODS Database, open the link "My Home" and click on the button "Request" or "New" next to the corresponding import license type.
The steps involved in the export procedure are as follows:
To request an export license, exporters should log in to the Main-ODS-Database, open the link "My Home" and click on the button "Request" or "New" next to the corresponding export license type.
All goods imported or exported must be declared according to 8-digit codes, known as Common Nomenclature (CN) or commodity codes. All ozone depleting substances have unique 8-digit codes assigned to them, as listed in Annex IV of Regulation 1005/2009. In addition, the European Commission has identified numerous other CN codes of goods that may fall under the requirements of Regulation 1005/2009.
In the case of import or export of a good that has a CN code which has been identified as possibly falling under the requirements of Regulation 1005/2009, importers or exporters should satisfy themselves that they have adhered to the necessary licensing procedures in the event that the good is an ozone depleting substance.
Further information on the procedure to follow when declaring goods is available from Customs AEP Helpdesk: Lo-call: 1890-204 304. (Open 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri). Email: aephelpdesk@revenue.ie.
The full list of CN codes that are listed in the Regulation or additionally identified by the Commission are available in a document on the Commission’s website and can be downloaded at the link below.
Register or login to the European Commission’s ODS Database
Read the European Commission’s Frequently Asked Questions on imports and exports
Download the EU's Import and Export Licensing Manuals
Download the European Commission’s list of CN codes
Download the Presentation to Irish Exporters Association (Waterford, 31st March 2010)