WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/DOM/1
25 August 2003
(03-4422)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  Spanish
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The following notification, dated 24 June 2003, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of the Dominican Republic.
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Outline of system
1. There is no import licensing regime in the Dominican Republic, except in the case of
agricultural products, which are subject to tariff quotas.
The procedure for importing agricultural products is administered by the Ministry of
Agriculture.
An import authorization is required for the importation of agricultural products into the
Dominican Republic (whenever such products are to be imported), for which purpose a health
clearance certificate and, in the case of seeds, a clearance certificate from the Seeds Department, mustbe obtained in advance.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. The established import procedure applies to all agricultural products, whether fresh or
processed.
3. The established procedure applies to products originating in and/or consigned from any
country.
4. The established procedure is applied for statistical purposes and to administer import
restrictions.
5. The import procedure for agricultural products was established in a Ministry of Agriculture
resolution.  As regards the products covered by the technical rectification of Schedule XXIII of tariff
bindings of the Dominican Republic, Decree No. 505-99 establishes the regulations governing
imports under these tariff headings (garlic under item 0703.20, onions under item 0703.10, rice under
item 1006, beans under items 0713.31, 0713.32 and 0713.33, sugar under item 1701, chicken meat
                                                     
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/1
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under items 0207.10, 0207.21 and 0207.41, powdered milk under item 0402.10, and maize (corn)
under item 1005);  a Commission for Agricultural Imports is also established, and an annual
timetable.
All agricultural products, whether fresh or processed, are subject to the established procedure.
The executive branch has the power to abolish the established procedure.
Procedures
6.I. The timetable establishing the quotas and dates for the importation of products under the
technical rectification is published annually in the national newspapers.  Information concerning quota
fill levels may be obtained on the website:  www.agricultura.net.do.  Details are given of the
quantities allocated to each importer.
The established procedure applies to all imports, whether effected by traditional importers or
by private or public institutions.
II. The quotas for products under the technical rectification are determined on an annual basis.
The authorized volume corresponds to the requested  volume.
III. Import authorizations are granted to interested parties regardless of whether they are
producers of like goods.  As regards powdered milk from the European Union, authorizations are
granted to importers with export licence certificates issued by the European Union.
Unused allocations are not added to quotas for the following year.The names of importers are made known to governments and export promotion bodies of
other countries upon request, unless the information is confidential.
IV. There are prescribed time-limits.V. Applications for import authorizations  are processed in two to three days.
VI. Import licences are valid for 45 days.
VII. Import authorization applications are considered by a single administrative body, so that
importers do not have to approach any other body.
VIII. The demand for import authorizations can be fully satisfied, except in the case of milk from
the European Union.
Authorizations are allocated on a first come, first served basis.Traditional imports made in previous years are taken into account in determining the quantity
to be allocated to each applicant.  Smaller quotas are allocated to new importers.
IX. Import authorizations are issued automatically.X. There is no mechanism for informing countries.
XI. Free zone enterprises are licensed to import certain products subject to their being exported.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/1
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7. (a) Import authorization applications must be made in advance of importation.  However,
in practice, applications are made after goods have arrived in the country.  For
products subject to tariff quotas under the annual timetable, importers must submit
applications two months before the date on which importation is to be initiated.
Applications are processed in two to thr ee days, but in some cases within a day.
(b) Import authorizations are valid for 45 days.  In the event that importation cannot be
effected within that period, a new authorization is issued.
(c) There are no time-limits for the submission of import authorization applications.(d) Applications are considered by a single administrative body.
8. Import authorizations are hardly ever refused, usually only when fraud or negligence is
suspected in connection with an application.
The reasons for any refusal or delay in the application process are made known to the
applicant.
There is no specific legal procedure, but the interested party may appeal to the competent
authority.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licences
9. (a) There are cases in which no person, firm or institution is eligible to apply for an
import authorization (e.g. to import powdered milk from the European Union).
(b) Any person, firm or institution is eligible to apply for an import authorization.
Documentational and other requirements for licence applications
10. Written applications for import authorizations must indicate the product, quantity, US dollar
value and provenance.
Applicants must attach a health clearance certificate (obtainable from the same administrative
body), as well as a copy of the invoice or pro forma invoice.  A clearance certificate from the
Seeds Department must also be attached to applications to import seeds.
11. The import authorization, clearance certificate(s) and invoice.12. An administrative charge is payable for a clearance certificate or import authorization.
13. No deposit or advance payment is required for an import authorization to be issued.
Conditions of licensing
14. The import authorization is valid for 45 days;  upon expiry of that period, a new one may be
issued under the same procedure.
15. There are no penalties for the non-utilization of an import authorization or a portion thereof.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/1
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16. The import authorization is not transferable.
17. (a) There are no other conditions attached to the issue of an import authorization.
(b) There are no other conditions attached to the issue of an import authorization.
Other procedural requirements
18. Imports are not subject to any other administrative procedures.19. The Government does not intervene in operations to obtain foreign exchange.  Importers must
pay the total value of the goods with their own foreign exchange or by bank transaction, and nolicence is required as a condition for obtaining foreign exchange.
Foreign exchange is freely available from commercial banks or on the informal market.
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