Basic information
Outline of the system
The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL) does not issue import licences. However, pursuant to Resolution No. 029 01, INDOTEL established a procedure for regulating the entry into the Dominican Republic of telecommunications terminals, systems and equipment in conjunction with the Directorate General of Customs.
Under this procedure, any interested party wishing to import telecommunications equipment into the Dominican Republic is required to apply to INDOTEL for a clearance certificate, attaching a description of the equipment in question.
Product coverage
The INDOTEL Resolution applies to any person importing terminals, equipment and systems which use the radio spectrum into the Dominican Republic.
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
It is not intended to restrict quantities, rather to monitor and control the entry into the Dominican Republic of telecommunications equipment and systems which use the radio spectrum.
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 all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The legal basis is Resolution No. 29 01 of 20 April 2001, adopted by the INDOTEL Board of Directors.
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?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
All persons, within the framework provided for in Resolution No. 29 01, which constitutes the only restriction.
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
Dominican Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL)
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
Any interested party wishing to import telecommunications equipment into the Dominican Republic is required to submit a prior application to the Executive Director of INDOTEL. The application must contain the following information:
(i) Business name, domicile or registered office, national tax registration number, telephone number, fax number and e mail address of the applicant, as well as the name, domicile, and identity and electoral cards of the applicant's legal representative;
(ii) copy of the official document, permit or agreement granting the concession, the operating licence and/or the entry in the special register corresponding to the service designated to use the terminal, equipment or system which is to be imported, or which has already been imported if the application is made subsequent to the entry into the country of the goods in question and while the equipment is in the storage facilities or warehouses or in the custody, direct or delegated, of the Directorate General of Customs;
(iii) description of the equipment to be imported (model, series, type approval certification, transmitter power, etc.) and any other further information required by INDOTEL;
(iv) specific details of the location of the equipment (warehouse, port, airport, etc.).
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Importers are required to apply to INDOTEL for clearance 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 are no limitations as regards application periods; importers may submit an application whenever they wish to import equipment.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Yes, subject to verification of the equipment by INDOTEL.
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?
INDOTEL has sole responsibility for the verification of equipment.
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?
No.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
Free of charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
No.
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?
Equipment which can not be approved in the Dominican Republic will be refused an import clearance certificate, pursuant to Article 62 et seq of the General Law on Telecommunications No. 153 98.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
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?
There are no limitations as regards application periods; importers may submit an application whenever they wish to import equipment.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The clearance certificate must be presented to the Directorate General of Customs at the time of importation.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Clearance certificates are applicable to the equipment specified by the importer and requiring customs clearance and have no specified period of validity.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
n/a.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
n/a.
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
n/a.
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
n/a.
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?
Quota allocation is not applicable; importers bring into the country the amount of equipment that they consider necessary, INDOTEL merely ensures compliance with the procedure established in Resolution No. 29 01.
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?
n/a.
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)
n/a.
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?
n/a.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
n/a.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
n/a.
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?
n/a.
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?
n/a.
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?
n/a.
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?
n/a.
Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
n/a.