Declaration of goods and other articles brought into the territory of Latvia is not required:

-     if the value does not exceed 150 Ls (lats); and

-     if there are no more than three units of each type of good; and

-     if the value for each type of good does not exceed 15 Ls.

In cases where a customs declaration is not required, value-added tax (VAT) and customs fees will not be applied so long as the products and articles have not been imported for commercial purposes.

Documentation Requirements for Animals

 Domesticated (dogs, cats)

Imports

-        For pets and animals which are not intended for commercial purposes, the only documentation required is an international animal passport with information concerning vaccinations against rabies (hydrophobia).

-        With pets and animals that are intended for re-sale or for commercial purposes, in addition to the international animal passport, the following documentation is required: a veterinary certificate (issued by an authorized veterinarian of the country from which the animal is being exported); and an import license (issued by the State Veterinary Department, Republikas laukums 2, Room 1601, tel. (+371) 702747 

Exports

-        a veterinary certificate is required

Transit

-        a veterinary certificate

-        an import license (issued by the state-authorized veterinary service of the country of destination)

Live Animals, Fur-Bearing Animals, Bees and Bumblebees, Wild Animals, and Animals for use in laboratories

Imports

-        Veterinary certificate

-        Import license

Exports

-        Veterinary certificate

Transit

-        Veterinary certificate

-        Import License (from state-authorized veterinary service of the country of destination)

Documentation Requirements for Plants

For personal (non-commercial) use, the following types and quantities of plants may be imported without documentation:

-        cut flowers and branches in quantities (limit:  25 units)

-        fresh vegetables and fruits (limit:  5 kg)

-        seed material

-        including, for example, bulbs, tubers, roots, rootstock, rhizomes, spores, etc. (limit:  3kg)  

-        packets of seeds (limit: 50g)

Plants and plant materials not included in the above category, require the following documentation for import:

-        a “phytosanitary certificate” (issued by the authorized plant protection service of the exporting state)

-        a “quarantine license for imports” [issued by the Plant Quarantine Section[1]  of the State Plant Protection Station, Pulkveza Brieza Street 17, Riga, tel. (+371) 7323622]

Endangered Species

Latvia has acceded to the 1973 Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES).  In accordance with the terms of the Convention, the following documentation is required:

For species included in CITIES Annex I

-        an import license (issued by the Department of Environmental Protection at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Peldu Street 25, Riga, tel. (+371) 7026524, 7026517.

-        an export license (issued by the state supervisory authority of the country from which the animal has been exported)

For species included in CITIES Annex II & Annex III

-        an export license (issued by the state supervisory authority of the country from which the animal has been exported)

Border Control Points through which imports and exports of plants and animals are permitted

For shipments by road:

For shipments by railway:

For shipments by sea:

For shipments by air:

For shipments by mail (via postal service):

Documentation Requirements for Weapons

Licenses for import of weapons are issued by the State Police of the Ministry of Interior (Brivibas Street 61, Riga, tel. (+371) 7075258.

Regulation of Imports of Personal Firearms

Foreign citizens are permitted to import only firearms intended for hunting purposes. No other categories of firearms are allowed.

Import of personal firearms by foreign diplomats

Documentation must be arranged through the respective mission accredited to Latvia. The mission must apply to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Latvia.   The Latvian Foreign Ministry forwards the application to the State Police of the Republic of Latvia.

Import of Firearms for Hunting by Foreign Citizens

A hunting license is mandatory (such licenses are issued by the State Forestry Service, 13.janvara Street 15, Riga, tel. (+371) 7212776; fax (+371) 7211176).  To receive a license, the following documentation must be provided:

-        Copy of passport

-        Copy of Hunting License

-        Copy of registration papers for firearm

Documentation Requirements for Equipment

In accordance with Latvian Law, the following categories of equipment will require special documentation from the Customs Service of the Republic of Latvia. 

Medical equipment and medical products

-        “Registration License for Medical Goods and Medical Devices” (issued by the Center for Health Statistics and Medical Technology, Unijas Street 45/47, Riga, tel. (+371) 2279562.

Equipment emitting radiation including ionizing radiation and radioactive emissions

-        the import license (permission) for such equipment is issued by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Section of the Inspectorate for the State Environment, Rupniecibas Street 25, Riga, tel. (+371) 7320064, 7320341; fax (+371) 7243077.

Special attention is given to equipment of the following categories:

-          devices and systems for communications including telecommunications

-          special camera equipment

-          various types of laser equipment

To confirm that certain equipment are not strategic goods and do not require special documentation, it is recommended to contact the Export and Import Control and Registration Department of the Latvian Development Agency, Perses Street 2, Riga, tel. (+371) 7212595; fax (+371) 7287503.