WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/DOM/2
4 May 2004
(04-1982)
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 communication, dated 28 April 2004, is being circulated at the request of the
delegation of the Dominican Republic.
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I. TARIFF QUOTAS – AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
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, must
be obtained in advance.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. The established import procedure applies to 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
1See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/2
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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.
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 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.
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. ForG/LIC/N/3/DOM/2
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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 three 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) In the case of powdered milk from the European Union, application for import
authorizations by persons, firms or institutions is determined by the European Union,
which allocates licences to exporters. Only persons, firms and institutions with a
European exporter's licence are eligible for an import authorization.
(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 products, 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.
16. The import authorization is not transferable.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/2
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17. (a)-(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 no
licence is required as a condition for obtaining foreign exchange.
Foreign exchange is freely available from commercial banks or on the informal market.
II. OTHER PRODUCTS
Outline of system
1. The import registration or licensing system is governed by Law No. 467 of 2 November 1976,
which requires natural or legal persons to be registered as importers with the Directorate of Customs
in order to effect imports of a commercial nature.
The licensing system is administered by the Directorate of Customs.
Purposes and coverage of licensing
2. Imports of all products are subject to automatic licensing.
3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.
4. Automatic import licensing is applied for statistical purposes.
5. Licensing is required by law, except for occasional importers who import products worth less
than RD$500.00 f.o.b; and for household and personal effects and furniture imported by persons
coming to settle in the country.
Procedures
6. Not applicable for non-automatic licences.
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product:
(a) Licence applications must be filed in advance of importation and licences can be obtained
within the shortest possible time-limit.
(b) In certain circumstances a licence can be issued immediately on request.
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence or
importation may be made.
(d) An importer applying for a licence needs to approach only one administrative organ.
8. Applications are not refused other than for failure to meet the ordinary criteria. In the event
of refusal, the applicant has a right of appeal to the Ministry of Finance.G/LIC/N/3/DOM/2
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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. Importers must send the following with their applications:
 A written communication addressed to the Directorate of Customs for the attention of
the Legal Department, requesting registration as an importer, showing the address and
particulars of the applicant.
 A copy of the company's articles in full.
 The applicant must have authorized capital of not less than three hundred thousand
pesos (RD$300,000.00).
 Copy of national tax registration (RNC).
 Copy of the applicant's electoral identity card.
 Certificate of good conduct issued by the National Police to the applicant or the
company chairman.
 Last two bank statements or else a letter of credit showing that the applicant has tax
clearance to proceed with import formalities.
 Copy of the property title of the business premises if owned, or contract of lease, if
leased.
 Internal revenue stamps of RD$3.00 and RDS$2.00.
11. Upon actual importation, the importer must supply the registration number on the declaration
form.
12-13. Not applicable.
Conditions of licensing
14. The licence is valid indefinitely.
15. Non-utilization of a licence or portion of a licence incurs no penalties, but use becomes
compulsory as from the second importation effected for commercial purposes.
16. Licenses are not transferable between importers.
17. No other conditions are attached to the issue of a licence.
Other procedural requirements
18. Apart from import licensing, no other administrative procedures are required prior to
importation.
19. The banking authorities provide the foreign exchange for payment of goods to be imported.
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