Basic information
Outline of the system
The procedure applicable to the importation of used vessels intended for aquaculture involves five stages: operation at origin, departure from origin, route, arrival or call at the first port of destination and, finally, entry into operation in national waters. For some of these stages, mitigation measures have been defined according to the type of vessel and its history.
Product coverage
Procedures and requirements applicable to the importation of used vessels intended for aquaculture.
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 of high risk diseases, both exotic and those covered by a specific health surveillance and control programme (infectious salmon anaemia, caligidosis and piscirickettsiosis), and others that could have a significant impact.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Not applicable.
The system applies to products originating from which country?
It applies to used vessels for use in aquaculture coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The laws and regulations under which the licensing is maintained are as follows:
General Law No. 18.892 on fisheries and aquaculture.
MINECON Supreme Decree No. 319/2001 establishing measures to protect against, control and eradicate high risk diseases of hydrobiological species.
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?
Firms or persons seeking to import used vessels intended for aquaculture must submit a vessel import application (Annex No. 2), available on the website www.sernapesca.cl, to the National Directorate of SERNAPESCA, stating the identification of the vessel, the type of vessel, origin, countries of its last year of operation and their health status, likely departure and arrival dates, port of departure, sailing route from origin to port of destination in Chile and identification of the destination port. The form, "Solicitud de importación de embarcaciones" (Vessel import application) is attached.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Solicitud de importacion de embarcaciones.pdfWindow of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
The application to import used vessels intended for aquaculture must be submitted to the National Directorate of SERNAPESCA at least 20 working days prior to the vessel's departure from the country of origin.
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?
Not applicable.
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)).
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?
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?
Not applicable.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Not applicable.
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Not applicable.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Not applicable.
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?
Together with the vessel import application, complete information must be submitted regarding the design (layout) of the vessel, identifying the areas of direct contact with the fish, their fluids or the waters containing them, as well as a description and maps of the water network systems, and information identifying the location of pumps, filters and other equipment. Vessel import applications must be sent to the following email addresses: acuicultura@sernapesca.cl or impoembarcacion@sernapesca.cl.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
The interested party must also complete certain formalities with the maritime authority prior to importing the vessel.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
The licence has no period of validity.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There are no penalties for the non utilization of licences.
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.