RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/LIC/Q/MUS/2
20January 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-0185)
Original: English Committee onImport Licensing
NOTIFICATION OFREPLIES TOTHE QUESTIONNAIRE ONIMPORT LICENSING
PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE 7.3OFTHE AGREEMENT1
Replies ofMAURITIUS toQuestions from theUNITED STATES2
Thefollowingcommunication,dated17July1996,hasbeenreceivedfromthePermanentMission
ofMauritius.
_______________
Question
Provide theexact application procedure forimport permits andtheroleofeachandevery
Ministry involved intheprocess.
Reply
Anapplication forimport permit fortheimportation ofanitemwhich issubject tothe
authorization ofanother controlling agency isprocessed asfollows:
(i) theimporter maybeasked tocontact theappropriate controlling agency (Ministry, Department,
para-statal body, etc.)toobtain therelevant authorization forimport; or
(ii) theMinistryofTradeandShippingmayalsocommunicatewiththecontrollingagencyconcerned
andobtain theauthorization directly. However, withtheproposed introduction oftheE.D.I.
(Electronic DataInterchange) System, theimport section oftheMinistry willactasaone-stop
shopwhereby direct contact willbeestablished withallthecontrolling agencies through the
system.
Itshould benoted thatauthorization from theMinistry orDepartment involved isrequired
fortheimport ofspecific products aslisted hereunder:
Ministry ofHealth -forpharmaceutical products, edible oilanddangerous chemicals;
Ministry ofWorks -forsecond-hand motor vehicles;
1G/LIC/N/3/MUS/1.
2SeeUnderstanding reached bytheCommittee onImport Licensing (G/LIC/M/4, paragraphs 5,6,9and10).G/LIC/Q/MUS/2
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Ministry ofIndustry -forrawmaterials andequipment which arefound onthescheduled list
ofE.P.Z. companies. Control bytheMinistry ofIndustry isexercised ifthese products are
being imported duty-free;
Ministry ofAgriculture -forallagricultural products andsalted fishtoensure thattheymeet
phytosanitary requirements;
Ministry ofTourism -fortheregistration ofpleasure boats;
Ministry ofFisheries -forfishing vessels;
Ministry ofEnvironment -forozone-depleting substances;
Customs Department -theMinistry works incollaboration withCustoms forverification
purposes;
Pesticides Control Board -forherbicides, pesticides andinsecticides;
Marketing Board -forpulses andspices;
Passport andImmigration Office -thisOffice certifies thatreturning residents from abroad
withsecond-hand vehicles havestayed outside Mauritius for10outof12years, which factor
determines thattheyareeligible forexemption from dutypayable;
Police Department -forarms andammunitions;
Mauritius Standards Bureau -issues certificates forsuchproducts aswater heaters, fireworks,
PVCpipes andcorrugated ironsheets, determining theircompatibility withrequired standards.
Question
Howwould animporter ofaspecific product know thevarious Ministries/Departments that
needtobecontacted?
Reply
Anycontrol exercised onaspecific itemiscommunicated tothepublic asfollows:
(i) publication intheGovernment Gazette;
(ii) alistofcontrolled items andthecontrolling agencies concerned isaffixed ataprominent
place intheMinistry fortheattention ofimporters;
(iii) anEnquiryCounterisavailableattheImportSectionoftheMinistryforanyinformation
which importers mayseekwithregards tocontrolled items andimport procedures;
(iv) thesame arrangement ismade attheCustoms Department toinform importers on
controlled items andimport procedures aswell.
Departments andMinistries concerned withtheapplication forimport permits
(a) Ministry ofHealthG/LIC/Q/MUS/2
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(b) Ministry ofWorks
(c) Ministry ofIndustry andIndustrial Technology
(d) Ministry ofAgriculture andNatural Resources
(e) Ministry ofTourism
(f) Ministry ofFisheries
(g) Ministry ofEnvironment andQuality ofLife
(h) Customs Department
(i) Pesticides Control Board
(j) Agricultural Marketing Board
(k) Passport andImmigration Office
(l) Police Department
(m) Mauritius Standards Bureau