Definition of goods of a strictly civilian nature

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Goods of a strictly civilian nature are goods (other than defence-related products, torture goods and dual-use items) for which an authorisation is required for the export, import or transit, including related technology.

Goods are classified in different sections of TARIC:

Section I

Live animals; animal products

Section II

Vegetable products

Section III

Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes

Section IV

Prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes

Section V

Mineral products

Section VI

Products of the chemical or allied industries

Section VII

Plastics and articles thereof; rubber and articles thereof

Section VIII

Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins and articles thereof; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal hut (other than silkworm gut)

Section IX

Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal; cork and articles of cork; manufactures of straw, of esparto or of other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork

Section X

Pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard; paper and paperboard and articles thereof

Section XI

Textiles and textile articles

Section XII

Footwear, headgear, umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof; prepared feathers and articles made therewith; artificial flowers; articles of human hair

Section XIII

Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; ceramic products; glass and glassware

Section XIV

Natural or cultural pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with precious metal and articles thereof; imitation jewellery; coins

Section XV

Base metals and articles of base metal

Section XVI

Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment; parts thereof, sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles

Section XVII

Vehicles, aircraft, vessels and associated transport equipment

Section XVIII

Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; clocks and watches; musical instruments; parts and accessories thereof

Section XIX

Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof

Section XX

Miscellaneous manufactured articles

Section XXI

Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques

Products subject to prohibitions, or restrictions, for export, import or transit, are for example:

  • substances that deplete the ozone layer;
  • products and equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases;
  • animals and foodstuffs;
  • protected animal and plant species;
  • certain products originating in or exported from certain countries such as Myanmar or North Korea;
  • luxury goods;
  • cultural goods.

To find out whether the export, import or transit of goods is subject to any prohibition or restriction (e.g. prior authorisation or declaration), operators are advised to consult the TARLUX and TARIC electronic tools through the following steps:

TARLUX

  • access the TARLUX database;
  • enter the CN code in the 'Commodity Code' box (a navigation tool is available by clicking on the icon to the right of the 'Commodity Code' box (required);
  • click on 'Import' or 'Export' in the 'Trade Direction' box (not required);
  • indicate the type of measure sought in the 'Measure type' box (a drop-down menu is used to select the type of national or European measure) (not required);
  • indicate the country in the 'Country' box (drop-down menu) (not required);
  • click on the 'Search' button;
  • obtain a results page called 'TARIC Information' which:
    • either has a 'no measures found' message appear in a green box, which means that no restrictions apply to the import or export of the product in question;
    • or opens a table made up of several columns (origin, regulation, commodity code, commodity code description, measure type, footnotes, additional code, geographical area, excluded, duty expression, quota order number, conditions);
  • click on the link in the 'Measure type' column (for example, called Import Prohibition);
  • read the legal information text to learn what measure is applicable for the proposed transaction on the concerned good;
  • repeat the previous two steps for all links on the right side of the results page.

TARIC

  • access the TARIC database;
  • enter the CN code in the 'Commodity code' box (navigation and advanced search tools are available);
  • indicate the country of origin or destination in the "Country" box (not required);
  • click on the button 'Search';
  • obtain a results page called 'TARIC Information' which includes the commodity code, the type of measure (for example, export authorisation, prohibition, export control of goods and technologies subject to restrictions, restriction to export, restriction of release for free circulation) and a code (for example, R2216/78 or D0295/14) containing a reference to the text of the regulation, directive or act which introduced the restrictive measure;
  • click on the link placed on the code to the right of the results page;
  • read the text of the legal act to learn what measure is applicable for the proposed transaction on the concerned good;
  • repeat the previous two steps for all links on the right side of the results page.

To find the TARIC code, it is recommended to proceed as follows:

  • access the TARLUX database;
  • click on the relevant Section at the bottom of the page;
  • click on the respective chapter and position, at the bottom of the page;
  • receive the TARIC tariff heading in the left column of the table.

An electronic code search is available on websites developed by private sector providers.

Combined Nomenclature (CN): The Combined Nomenclature (abbreviation: CN) is a nomenclature of goods set up by the European Union. It incorporates the nomenclature of the Harmonized System and subdivisions (called 'CN subheadings').

TARIC: TARIC is the integrated tariff of the European Communities based on the Combined Nomenclature. It sets tariff rates. TARIC is used by the European Commission and the Member States to implement EU import and export measures. TARIC is managed and disseminated by the European Commission.

CN code: The CN code is the numeric code assigned to each subdivision (subheading) of the Combined Nomenclature (CN). It is composed of 8 digits.

TARIC code: The TARIC code is a 10-digit code consisting of the CN code (8 digits) and 2 additional digits (which are 00 in the absence of subdivisions).

TARLUX: TARLUX is the tariffs database applicable to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It contains all the information needed to export or import a good. A search is possible from the TARIC code of the goods, but also via their title. It contains, apart from the information in TARIC, also information on any possible national measures taken under Luxembourg law.

Who to contact

General Directorate for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Investments (Office for Export, Import and Transit Controls - formerly the Licensing Office)

  • Ministry of the Economy Office for Export, Import and Transit Control (OCEIT)

    Address:
    Bâtiment "Mansfeld", 9, rue du Palais de Justice L-1841 Luxembourg Luxembourg

Related procedures and links

Procedures

Links

Further information

Legal references

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