Basic information
Outline of the system
Dominica's import licensing system is regulated by the Supplies Control (Restricted Imports and Exports) Order, SRO No. 14 of 2003 . The licensing system is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour.
Product coverage
Imports of goods which appear on the Supplies Control (Restricted Imports and Exports) Order, SRO No. 14 of 2003, commonly referred to as the negative list, are subject to licensing.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Import licences for items listed in Schedule II (Flour, oxygen, carbon dioxide and candles) of the Order are issued automatically. The licence is intended to restrict the value and quantity of imports of all these items. A licence granted may be either general or limited to a specific person.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
See answers 6.1-6.11
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating from non-CARICOM countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The licensing system is a statutory requirement.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The Legislation does not leave the designation of products to be subjected to administrative discretion.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is possible for the system to be abolished without legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Labour
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
A sample application form is attached for reference. An importer is not required to submit documents with the application.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Application for licences must be made prior to importation.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There is no limitation as to the period of the year during which applications for licence and/or importation may be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Licences are granted immediately on request.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
A licence may be absolute or conditional.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Yes.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
A fee of EC$1.00 is charged per set of licence forms. Forms are sold in quadruplicate.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
There are no foreseeable circumstances in which an applicant for a licence may be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
The reasons for any refusal are given
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Yes.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
The applicant has the right of appeal to the Tribunal
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
There is no limitation as to the period of the year during which applications for licence and/or importation may be made.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved licence to the Customs Department.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no other administrative procedures apart from import licensing required prior to importation.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
A licence is valid for eight weeks from the date of issue. The validity period is not extended, however a new licence may be issued.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are not transferable between importers.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)
Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
The information is made known to the public by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Trade and Labour.
Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
The quota system no longer applies.
Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)
Licences are issued on request and for any quantity.
From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
The quota system no longer applies.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Applications for licences are processed upon receipt and the licence is valid for eight weeks from the date of issue.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Not applicable.
Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Licence applications are considered by one administrative body.
If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Not applicable.
In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.
In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Export permits from exporting countries are not required.