Basic information
Outline of the system
At present, Paraguay has import licences administered by the Under Secretariat for Trade in the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC); by the National Food and Nutrition Institute (INAN), the National Health Monitoring Directorate (DINAVISA) and the Central Laboratory of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare; the National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service (SENAVE); the National Animal Quality and Health Service (SENACSA); and the Environment Secretariat (SEAM). They may be of two kinds: automatic and non automatic. The former, as the name implies, are those that are granted subject to the sole requirement of completion of the necessary applications.
These automatic import licences are approved in all cases in which they comply with the legal requirements and are consistent with the provisions of Article 2 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Product coverage
Household sanitary products, in any form, which, by nature, may contain sodium tripolyphosphate and which have a cleansing action.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
To control and obtain statistical data.
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
For materials that do not pose a threat to the environment and for household sanitary products, the licensing procedure is not intended to limit the quantity of imports.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The system applies to products originating from which country?
In the case of SEAM for all the countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention, the Montreal Convention and amendments, and the Basel Convention.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Up to three (3) working days, once all the requirements laid down in the relevant regulations have been met.
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) Resolution No.1029/08 regulating the importation and marketing of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, perfumery and household sanitary products classified under risk category I and repealing Resolution MIC No.646 of 13 August 2008; Decree No.3214/09 establishing as a requirement for the importation and marketing of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, perfumery and household sanitary products classified under risk categories I and II a prior import licence issued by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) establishing the validity period for the fees regulated by Decree 1738/09; Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIC) Resolution No.171/08 regulating the importation and marketing of household insecticides; Decree No.8832/69 updating the regulations of Article 24 of Law 2.001 insofar as they pertain to hygiene and beauty articles and repealing Decree No.8.466 of 18 January 1937; Law No.4.397/11 prohibiting the use of sodium tripolyphosphate in domestic and/or foreign household sanitary products throughout the national territory and its implementing Decree No. 7505/11; Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPyBS) Resolution No.1219/11 establishing and regulating the procedure for issuing certificates showing that imported products subject to control do not contain sodium tripolyphosphate, pursuant to Decree No.7505/11 regulating Law No.4397/11 prohibiting the use of sodium tripolyphosphate in domestic and/or foreign household sanitary products throughout national territory; and Decree No.7505/11 regulating Law No.4397/11 prohibiting the use of sodium tripolyphosphate in domestic and/or foreign household sanitary products throughout national territory.
Yes, licensing is mandatory for a specified universe of goods.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation stipulates that the designation of the products to be subjected to licensing is left to the discretion of the relevant administration.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The executive branch does not need to obtain legislative approval in order to abolish these licensing systems. Except in those cases in which the licences are established by international agreements or national laws.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
All persons and enterprises are entitled to register. Yes, they are eligible, provided they are enrolled in the corresponding register.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All importers are eligible to apply for licences, the only requirement being that they be enrolled as such in the register of importers of the National Customs Directorate and in the registers of importers of the respective organs previously mentioned.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a registration fee.
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Secretaría del Ambiente, SEAM (Environment Secretariat)
Address
Madame Lynch N° 3500
Telephone
+595 21 615-803/6, Ext. 253
Fax
+595 21 615-803/6, Ext. 253
Contact officer
Mr Patricio Ortiz; Ms Daniela Cardozo
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Secretaría del Ambiente, SEAM (Environment Secretariat)
Dirección General de Control de la Calidad Ambiental (Directorate-General for Environmental Quality Control)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The information required in import licence applications is indicated on the respective application forms. (See annexes to the resolutions in force.)
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
For SEAM, in the case of equipment: commercial invoice and technical data sheet indicating the gas with which the equipment operates.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Licence applications can be submitted on any working day preceding the date of import clearance.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which licence applications can be made.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
If, for various reasons, the product has not arrived within the time stipulated and an application has been submitted, then yes an extension can be granted, provided a request is made.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
If all the requirements for granting a licence are met, a licence may be issued within a shorter time-limit.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
The administrative organs are those mentioned in the previous replies.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Products generally require approval and registration by more than one administrative organ.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
There are no conditions other than those mentioned attached to the issue of a licence.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
In all cases the amounts are periodically updated.
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
Amount or rate?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
Is it refundable?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
What is the period of retention?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
What is the purpose of this requirement?
The issuing of an import licence is not associated with the lodging of any deposit or advance payment.
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 reasons for refusal other than those that derive from failure to comply with the requirements and in all cases the interested party is notified so that the errors observed can be rectified.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
In all cases of refusal, administrative proceedings may be intiated.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Where a licence is denied by the SEAM, an application for reconsideration may be made to that organ.
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Each law or regulation specifies the necessary documents. In all cases, in addition to the import licence or authorization, the documents needed for import clearance are required.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
There are no requirements other than those mentioned above.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Prior import licence for personal hygiene products, cosmetics, perfumery and household sanitary products in risk categories I and II: between thirty (30) and sixty (60) working days from the date of issue. Prior import licence for household insecticides: thirty (30) calendar days from the date of issue, with the possibility of extension.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
Once an import licence has been issued, there is no penalty for total or partial non utilization.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Licences are non transferable and only issued to the holders themselves or authorized persons or agents duly accredited as such.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
The foreign exchange market is free.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
The foreign exchange market is free.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
The foreign exchange market is free.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The foreign exchange market is free.