Basic information
Outline of the system
The hydrobiological species authorized for import are those which, in accordance with Article 13 of Supreme Decree No. 430 of 1991 of the Ministry of the Economy, Development and Tourism (MINECON), are included in the list published annually by the Undersecretariat of Fisheries (SSP Resolution No. 3189 of 2019). It should be noted that the list describes the farming conditions and authorized uses for some such species.
Product coverage
It applies to all imports of live hydrobiological species (regular imports or first time imports), at any stage of development, including their gametes.
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
The licence is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports; rather it seeks to prevent the entry, through the importation of hydrobiological species and their eggs and gametes, of diseases and their causal agents, in particular diseases which are not present in Chilean national territory and diseases covered by a specific surveillance or eradication programme in the country.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
Only specimens coming from countries that have undergone a health assessment or risk analysis may be imported. The list of assessed and authorized countries of origin is contained in the document entitled "Handbook on procedures for importing live species IMP/MP3" http://www.sernapesca.cl/sites/default/files/imp mp3_20200723.pdf.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Laws and regulations under which the licensing is maintained:
MINECON Law No. 18.892 of 1989: General law on fisheries and aquaculture
MINECON Supreme Decree No. 72 of 2012: Regulations on certification and other sanitary requirements for the importation of hydrobiological species
MINECON Supreme Decree No. 730 of 1996: Regulation governing first time imports of species
MINECON Resolution No. 3189 of 2019: List of live hydrobiological species authorized for import
MINECON Resolution No. 1741 of 2013: Classification of high risk diseases
Resolution No. 2085 of 2010, establishing, for the purpose of importing hydrobiological species, the diagnostic technique and the organs to be sampled for the detection of infectious salmon anaemia virus
National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA) Resolution No. 65 of 2003 establishing the general health programme for the disinfection of roe
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
All natural and legal persons are eligible to apply for import permits.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
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
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
It is necessary to submit the document entitled "Acta de Internación de Especies Hidrobiológicas" ("Hydrobiological Species Importation Certificate"), which is available on the SERNAPESCA website: http://www.sernapesca.cl/manuales publicaciones/control de ingresos. It can also be found attached.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The live species import application must be submitted to SERNAPESCA at least 72 hours prior to the arrival of the specimens in the country.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Not applicable.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Licences cannot be granted immediately.
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?
Consideration of licence applications is effected in full by a single administrative organ (Chilean National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (SERNAPESCA)). Background information shall be assessed pursuant to Law No. 19.880 on bases of administrative procedures governing the acts of state administration bodies.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no other conditions.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Not applicable.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Not applicable.
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?
None apart from the criteria set out in the regulations.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
In the event of refusal of an import application, the applicant is always notified, and the reasons for the decision are explained.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Not applicable.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The following documents are required upon actual importation:
Hydrobiological Species Importation Certificate (available at: http://www.sernapesca.cl/manuales publicaciones/control de ingresos)
Quarantine order (available at: http://www.sernapesca.cl/manuales publicaciones/control de ingresos)
Invoice from exporter (copy)
Health certificate issued by the competent health authority of the country of origin (copy)
CITES certificate (copy, where applicable)
Air waybill (copy)
SERNAPESCA report authorizing the quarantine station (applicable to first time imports of species)
Authorization granted by the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG), in the event that aquatic plants need to be imported
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Imported live ornamental species must be quarantined for 15 days in stations previously authorized by SERNAPESCA by means of a resolution.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
There is no period of validity. It is possible to extend the validity of the licence: if the validity of the health certificate granted by the competent health authority of the country of origin expires, the importer can obtain a new certificate with a new effective date.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There are no penalties.
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?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Not applicable.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
Not applicable.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
Not applicable.