WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/LCA/1
17 October 2002
(02-5658)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
SAINT LUCIA
The following notification, dated 14 October 2002, has been received from the Ministry of
External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of St. Lucia.
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Outline of system
1. The import licensing system is regulated by External Trade Act No. 5 of 1968 and by the
Customs (Management and Control) Act No. 23 of 1990.  The schedules relating to goods subject to
import licensing are contained in SI No. 31 of 1996 and in the Restricted Items Schedule attached to
the Customs (Management and Control) Act.  The licensing system is administered by the Ministry of
Commerce.  A sample of the relative application form is attached.2
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. See schedules attached to External Trade (Restricted Imports) Order No. 31 of 1996.
3. The system applies to goods originatin g outside the OECS and/or CARICOM (Second
Schedule), products originating from the OECS and CARICOM (Third Schedule), goods originating
from any country which is not a member of the OECS (Fourth Schedule).
4. The St. Lucia import licensing regime was adopted to facilitate the regulating and monitoring
of imports and for the following:
• national security
• public health
• public safety
• animal health
• moral issues
5. The External Trade Act and the External Trade (Restricted Imports) Order are the legal
authorities for the import licensing regime in St. Lucia.  The various goods and products are classified
in the schedules to the Order and therefore administrative discretion is unnecessary.  However goods
                                                     
1  See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.
2 The legislation referred to in this notification as well as the sample application form are available for
consultation in the Secretariat (Marke t Access Division) (in English only).G/LIC/N/3/LCA/1
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such as controlled substances, firearms and ammunition which require non-automatic licences may be
subject to administrative discretion.  A list of all items which require an import licence may be
obtained from the Customs and Excise Department or from the Ministry of Commerce.  The legal
instruments were published in the Official Gazette as required by law.
Procedures for restricted products
6.I Information is advised by the Ministry of Commerce in the local press and in the Official
Gazette from time to time regarding quotas and other related formalities.
II. Quotas (when and where applicable) are determined annually.
III. Licences are allotted on a non-discriminatory basis, first come, first served.
IV. Import licences are usually for a duration of one month from the date of issue and must be
utilised in their entirety.  No part may be transferred to other shipments.
V. Applications are processed within 48 hours.
VI. Applications are usually presented within 72 hours prior to arrival of goods, but in several
instances it has been observed that applications are presented a few hours before clearing customs.
VII. All trade licences covered under the External Trade Act are processed by the Ministry of
Commerce.  However import licences for plants and animals are processed by the Ministry of
Agriculture.  Weapons and ammunition – Ministry of Internal Security – The Police Commissioner.
Drugs and public health – Ministry of Health.
VIII. Licences are allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Applications are examined on
receipt.
IX. There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.  Export permits are required
from country of origin when importing plants and animals into St. Lucia.
X. Importers are asked to advise exporters of national requirements.XI. No licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the
domestic market.
7.(a) Importers are asked to submit applications prior to arrival of goods.  Licences are on most
occasions processed within 48 hours of receipt by the Ministry of Commerce.  Licences can be
obtained over a shorter period for goods already on the docks.
(b) In special circumstances a licence can be granted on request.
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence
and/or importation may be made.
(d) Licences related to the External Trade Act are processed by the Ministry of Commerce.
However for items such as meat and meat products, plant and plant material, permits are processed bythe Ministry of Agriculture.  Weapons and amm unition – Police Commissioner, motor vehicles –
Ministry of Transport, medical supplies – Ministry of Health.  In all of the above an importer would
have to interface with at least two Government departments before obtaining clearance.G/LIC/N/3/LCA/1
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8. All applications are automatically approved except those that fail to meet the ordinary criteria.
Applicants are informed of the reason for refusal.  Applicants may appeal to the Permanent Secretary
or directly to the Minister of Commerce.  Applicants may seek representation through one of the
following:  The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, the St. Lucia Small Business Association or the
Manufacturers' Association.  Applicants may also seek redress through the Civil Court.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences.Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. A sample of the application form is attached.3  A copy of the relative commercial or pro
forma invoice is required with each application.
11. In the case of goods originating out of CARICOM a certificate of origin is required.
12. No licensing or administrative fees are charged.
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.Conditions of licensing
14. A licence is valid for one month from date of issue.  The validity may be extended to facilitate
the delivery of goods, if required.
15. There is no penalty for the non-utilisation of a licence or a portion of it.16. Licences are non-transferable.17. There are no conditions attached to the issuance of a licence.Other procedural requirements
18. There are no other administrative procedures apart from import licensing required prior to
importation.
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the banking authorities to pay for imported
goods.
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3 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in English only).