Operations of Ventspils Free Port are stipulated by the following laws:
 

• Law On Ports (1994)
• Law On Ventspils Free Port (1997)
• Law On Tax Application in Free Ports and Special Economic Zones (2002)
   

1. Law On Ports provides the general principles of port operations and navigation safety. It states that the port aquatorium, which is either state or municipal property, is managed by a free port authority, hence the land territory of the port can be state, municipality, legal or other entities’ property. The public hydro technical facilities of the port (including moles, breakwaters, piers, embankments, fairways, floating navigation equipment and facilities) are owned by the state or the municipality. Other hydro technical facilities may be the property of legal or physical entities. Ventspils Free Port Authority is entitled to lease out the land owned by either the state or the municipality. The law also provides the management structure and functions of the free port (see further under the functions of Ventspils Free Port Authority).
 

2. Law On Ventspils Free Port is elaborated in accordance with the Law On Ports, and along with the above-mentioned provisions regulates the procedure of business activities on the territory of Ventspils Free Port. The law entitles Ventspils Free Port Authority to sign land lease agreement with companies, which becomes the basis for granting of free zone license.
 

3. Law On Tax Application in Free Ports and Special Economic Zones provides the procedure for application of indirect (customs, natural resources, excise and added-value) taxes, as well as direct (corporate and real-estate) tax relieves to licensed companies of Ventspils Free Port.
 

The management structure of Ventspils Free Port is stipulated by the Law On Ports (1994) and the Law On Ventspils Free Port (1997). The Board of Ventspils Free Port consists of 8 members – 4 nominated by the municipality and 4 by the state government.
 

Ventspils Free Port Authority is the executive body responsible for the following functions:
 

• maintenance of navigation channels
• navigation safety
• maintenance of hydro technical facilities
• collection of port dues
• control of compliance with port and environmental rules
• issuing of free zone licenses