Exports of construction materials

According to a Government Decree published recently, raw materials and products of strategic importance for the security of supply in the construction industry can only be sold or exported from Hungary to foreign countries after registration with the Minister of the Interior (Ministry of Innovation and Technology) and confirmation of the acknowledgement of the notification. Examples of such products are gravel, pebbles, crushed stone, typically used for road construction, as well as cement, slag wool, flat-rolled and hot-rolled products of iron and non-alloy steel.  

The Government Decree on registration entered into force on 9 July 2021, but the registration obligation applies to deliveries after the 5th working day following the Government Decree's entry into force, i.e. after 16 July.

The registration must be made by the seller or the party intending to export the construction material abroad before the export of the material abroad, using the form published on the Authority's website, also taking into account the Authority's procedural deadline of 10 working days. 

The form is available here.

The registration must be accompanied, for example, by a contract for the sale of construction material abroad or an accepted offer or contract for its delivery, or a copy of any other document proving delivery abroad, and must also indicate the details of the vehicle and the intended place of crossing the border.

In the case of documents issued in a language other than Hungarian, a certified Hungarian translation must also be attached.

The Minister shall confirm the acknowledgement of the registration in writing within 10 working days of receipt of the registration. Please note that delivery is only possible upon receipt of this confirmation.

However, if, after registration, the Minister responsible for the supervision of state property considers that the foreign sale of construction material significantly hinders or makes impossible the construction of critical infrastructure, endangers public supply or threatens the security of supply of the construction industry, the Hungarian State has pre-emption right in respect of construction materials intended to be sold abroad, and a right of purchase in respect of construction materials intended to be exported abroad, if they are to be delivered to the registrant's own premises abroad for its own use.

The minister's confirmation is checked at the border by police and customs authority. If the seller or deliverer of construction materials does not comply with the rules, the construction materials will be impounded and a fine equal to the invoiced value of the materials, but not exceeding HUF 5 million, will be imposed.