WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/3/DMA/1
23 February 2001
(01-0906)
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
DOMINICA
The following notification, dated 8 February 2001, has been received from the Permanent
Representative of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
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Outline of system
1. Import licensing system is regulated by the Supplies Control (Restricted Imports and Exports)
Order, SRO No. 25 of 19982.  The licensing system is administered by the Ministry of Trade through
its Consumer Affairs Division.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. Imports of goods which appear on the Supplies Control (Restricted Imports and Exports)
Order, SRO No. 25 of 1998, commonly referred to as the negative list, are subject to licensing.
3. The system applies to goods originating from the Caribbean Community and extra regional
countries.
4. Licences are automatically granted except for potatoes, candles, aerated beverages and plastic
sandals.  A licence granted may be either general or limited to a specific person.
5. The licensing system is a statutory requirement.Procedures
6. For products under restriction:I. Information relating to quotas is communicated to the traditional importers in writing.
II. All licences are issued on request except for potatoes, candles, aerated beverages and plastic
sandals.  The application must be made prior to importation.
                                                     
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.
2 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (English only).G/LIC/N/3/DMA/1
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III. Upon importation, the importer is required to  submit the approved licence along with the
relevant customs declaration forms to the Customs Department.
IV. The importer must complete an application in quadruplicate.  The completed form is then sent
to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Marketing through the Consumer Affairs Division.
V. Applications for licences are processed within 1-2 days and the licence is valid for six weeks
from the date of issue.
VI. Licence applications are considered by one administrative body.VII. Export permits from exporting countries are not required.VIII. No licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the
domestic market.
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a
particular country:
(a) Application for licences must be made prior to importation.(b) There is no limitation as to the period of the year during which applications for licence and/or
importation may be made, except in the case of potatoes when the market for imports is closed at a
particular time of the year as a means of protection for local potato farmers.
(c) An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an application.
8. None.  The reasons for any refusal are given a nd the applicant has the right of appeal to the
Tribunal.
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 application form is attached for reference3.  An importer is not required to submit
documents with the application.
11. Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit the approved licence to the
Customs Department.
12. A fee of EC$1.00 is charged per set of licence forms.  Forms are sold in quadruplicate.
13. There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issuance of licences.
Conditions of licensing
14. A licence is valid for six weeks from the date of issue.  The validity period is not extended,
however a new licence may be issued.
                                                     
3 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in English only).G/LIC/N/3/DMA/1
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15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of it.
16. Licences are not transferable between importers.17. A licence may be absolute or conditional.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 for goods to be
imported.
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