./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/Q/DMA/2
18 June 2002
(02-3393)
Committee on Import Licensing Original: English
NOTIFICATION OF REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT
LICENSING PROCEDURES FROM DOMINICA1
Replies of DOMINICA to questions by the UNITED STATES2
The following communication, dated 3 June 2002, has been received from the Permanent
Mission of Dominica.
_______________
Question: We seek clarification on the purpose of these requirements, e.g. for what purpose are
automatic licences required for the products listed in Supplies Control Act?
Reply: Prior to January 1999 the manufacturers of the items listed in Schedules I and II of the
Supplies Control (Restricted Imports and Exports) Order (the Negative List) enjoyed protection
through the import licensing mechanism. Importation of these items from outside CARICOM or the
OECS and Belize in the case of Schedule II were restricted, as import licences were not granted to
importers.
In January 1999 Dominica initiated a policy of using the tariff instead of the import licence.
From then the tariffs were increased on most of the items on the negative list and import licences
became automatic for these items. The items have remained on the list to monitor the implementation
of the new tariffs and the opening up of the local market to extra CARICOM imports. It is the
intention that all items for which the automatic licence applies will be removed from the Order. This
will be done within the next few months.
Question: For what purpose are non-automatic licences required, i.e., for the importation of
potatoes, candles, aerated beverages and plastic sandals? What criteria are applied in granting these
licences? Are there quotas, and if so, how are they made known to importers and other interested
parties?
Reply: The items for which a non-automatic import licensing system applies are those items which
are considered sensitive. In the case of aerated beverages, candles and plastic and rubber sandals, it
was determined that due to the low level of competitiveness of the local and sub-regional producers of
these items, the new policy would not be implemented for these items and imports from outside
OECS/Belize or CARICOM as applicable would not be allowed for the time being until the situation
is reviewed. Licences are not issued to persons wishing to import these items. Hence there are no
criteria to be met. There is also no quota being applied. The situation is to be reviewed with the
intention of applying tariff rates and automatic licences with the eventual removal of all items from
the negative list.
1G/LIC/N/3/DMA/1.
2G/LIC/Q/DMA/1.G/LIC/Q/DMA/2
Page 2
Question: Does Dominica regulate the import of products with health and security implications, e.g.,
explosives, armaments, narcotics? Are these products regulated with a system of prior import
authorization? If so, we suggest that Dominica notify these to the Committee.
Reply: For the purpose of public health and safety Dominica does regulate the imports of these
products and they are regulated by a system of prior import authorization. Dominica is in the process
of updating and fulfilling its outstanding notifications and these will be notified over the coming
months.
__________