WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
G/LIC/N/3/NAM/4
29 October 2002
(02-5936)
Committee on Import Licensing Original:  English
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
Notification under Articles 1.4(a), 8.2(b) and 7.31 of the
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
NAMIBIA
The following communication, dated 8 October 2002, has been received from the Ministry of
Trade and Industry of Namibia.
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In accordance with the notifications relating to publications and legislation requirements
under Articles 1.4(a) and 8.2(b) of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures, the Governmentof the Republic of Namibia herewith submits the following notifications to the Secretariat
2:
1. The Import and Export Control Act, 1994
2. The Import Licensing Procedures
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Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures
I. NAMIBIAN AGRONOMIC BOARD PERMIT
Outline of the system
1. The Namibian Agronomic Board utilises an import permit system for the importation of
agronomic crops – white maize, wheat and sunflower seed as well as wheat flour, maize meal and
sunflower oil.  Sunflower seed is currently in the process of being decontrolled as is sunflower oil.
When this is finalized the permit system will no longer apply to these products.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. There is a single permit system and the system applies to products as outlined in paragraph 1
above.
3. The system is non-country-specific.
                                                     
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire.
2 Available for consultation in the Secretariat (Market Access Division) (in English only).G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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4. The permit system is intended as an instrument to manage the uptake of domestic production
following which permits for importers are granted on an unlimited basis.
5. The Agronomic Industry Act, 1992 (Act 20 of 1992) gives powers to the Namibian
Agronomic Board to issue permits with respect to the importation or exportation of controlled crops.
Controlled crops are defined by Government Notice No. 45 of 1993.  It is not possible to abolish the
system without the approval of the Minister  of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development.
Procedures
6.I. Information on the issuing of permits is available on request from the Board.  In addition, the
Board publishes its annual report which outlines the functions of the Board including the issuing of
permits.
II. There is no quota system in place.III-IV. Not applicable.V. Import permits are issued daily.
VI. Recipients of a permit are allowed to import immediately.
VII. An importer must also be in possession of a phytosanitary permit from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Water and Rural Development and an import permit from the Ministry of Trade and
Industry.
VIII-X. Not applicable.XI. No.7.(a) No time-limit.
(b) Yes.
(c) Permits are granted freely following takeup of the local crop.(d) See 6.VII above.8. Applicants have the right to appeal a permit refusal or withdrawal to the Minister of
Agriculture, Water and Rural Development.  Reasons are provided to the applicant for such refusal or
withdrawal.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. Importers/exporters of controlled agronomic products must register with the Board.  There is
a registration fee of N$25.  The list of importers is not published but is available on request from the
Board.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Quantity and type of products to be imported, town and country of origin, port of entry.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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11. The holder of an import permit is obliged not later than the last day of each calendar month to
furnish to the board a statement regarding the quantities of controlled agronomic products that, on the
strength of the authorization granted by way of such a permit, were actually imported during thepreceding calendar month.
12. N$25 per licence issued.  In addition, an administrative fee is charged at a rate of N$2.10 per
tonne of commodity imported.
13. No.
Conditions of licensing
14. Three months which may be extended upon request.
15. No.16. Licences are non-transferable.17. No.
Other procedural requirements
18. Import permits must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural
Development and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided on production of import licences.
II. MEAT BOARD OF NAMIBIA PERMIT
Outline of system
1. The Meat Board of Namibia utilises an import/export permit system for the importation/
exportation of live animals (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) and meat derived therefrom.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. A separate licensing system is used for imports/exports of live animals and meat.
3. The system does not differentiate by country.
4. The system is designed to monitor the imports and exports of the commodities mentioned.5. The licensing system is maintained under the statutory provisions of the Meat Industry
Act 1981.  The implementation of licences requires the approval of the Minister of Agriculture, Water
and Rural Development and thus may be abolishes at the Minister's discretion.
Procedures
6. Not applicable.7.(a) One to seven days.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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(b) Yes.
(c) No.(d) An importer must also be in possession of a veterinary import permit from the Ministry of
Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, a permit from the Livestock Improvement Board in the
case of stud animals, a permit from Wildlife and Tourism in the case of protected species and an
import permit from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
8. There are no circumstances other than specified by the Act.  Applicants have the right to
appeal a permit refusal or withdrawal to the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development.
Reasons are provided for any permit refusal or withdrawal.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. No restriction on eligibility.Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Quantity and type of products to be imported, town and country of origin, port of entry (see
7(d)).
11. The following documents are required upon actual importation:  import permit from the
Board, veterinary import permit and an import permit from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
12. No.
13. No.Conditions of licensing
14. Up to three months, which may be extended upon request.15. No.16. Licences are non-transferable.
17. No.
Other procedural requirements
18. See 7(d).19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided on production of import permits.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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III. PHYTOSANITARY IMPORT PERMIT
Outline of the system
1. The phytosanitary import permit system for plants and plant products was established by the
Agricultural Pest Act, 1973 (Act No. 3 of 1973).
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. There is a single permit system and it applies to all plants and plant products.3. The system does not discriminate by country.4. The system is designed to ensure that imports are free of harmful pests.5. The licensing system is maintained under the provisions of the Agricultural Pest Act, 1973.
The issuing of the permit is subject to the submission by the importer of a phytosanitary certificateissued by the country of origin.
Procedures
6. Not applicable.7.(a) A minimum of seven days before date of importation.(b) Yes.
(c) No.
(d) Consideration of licence is by a single administrative organ.8. Refusal only in the case of risk of introduction of pests and diseases.  There is no appeal
procedure.  Reasons for such refusal are provided.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. No restriction on eligibility.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Quantity and type of products to be imported, purpose of importation, town and country of
origin, port of entry and expected date of arrival.
11. A phytosanitary certificate from country of origin and a certificate of origin.12. None at present but a fee will shortly be put in place.13. No.
Conditions of licensing
14. Normally up to three months.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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15. No.
16. Licences are non-transferable.17. No.Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided on production of import permits.
IV. VETERINARY IMPORT PERMIT
Outline of system
1. The importation of animals and animal products into Namibia is governed by the Animal
Diseases and Parasites Act, 1956 (Act No. 13 of 1956) as amended.  A veterinary import permit
issued by the Director, Veterinary Services is required for the importation of all animals and animal
products into Namibia.  The OIE Animal Health Co de is used as the guideline for setting import
requirements.
Purpose and coverage of licensing
2. Import permits are required for all animals/animal products imported into Namibia.
Conditions of importation are as stated on the import permit.
3. The system does not discriminate by country except that:
• Animals/products from South Africa – a veterinary import permit is required for the importation
of ostriches, elephants, wild pigs, wildebeest and buffalo only.  Importation of other
animals/animal products is subject to a veterinary movement certificate issued by an officialveterinarian in South Africa with requirements as set out in the Namibian/South African bilateral
agreement (i.e. no import permit is required).
• SARCCUS member countries – importation of dogs and cats:  a health certificate/movement
permit issued by an official veterinarian in the country of origin is required.  All other animals andanimal products require a veterinary import permit.
4. The system does not restrict quantity except where quarantine is required (space limitations).
The system is aimed at preventing the introduction of disease that could constitute a danger to theanimal population of Namibia.
5.(a) See 1 above.(b) Yes.  The import permit is a statutory requirement.(c) It is not possible to abolish the system without legislative approval.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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Procedures
6. No restriction as to value or quantity.
7.(a) Applications should be made well in advance to allow for risk analysis.
(b) Issuance dependent on 7(a).(c) No.(d) In the case of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and meat derived therefrom, the application for a
veterinary permit must be accompanied by a permit from the Meat Board of Namibia.  Some imports
are subject to the approval of other institutions, e.g. Ministry of Environment in the case of protected
species and the Register of Livestock Improvement in the case of breeding material.  All imports
require an import permit from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
8. Import permits are only refused if normal criteria are not met, e.g. if it appears that the import
constitutes a danger of introducing disease to Namibia, or when quarantine space (where applicable)
is unavailable.  Reasons for refusal are given to the applicant.  Applicants have the right of appeal to
the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development under the provisions of Act 13 of 1956.
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
9. No restriction on eligibility.
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence
10. Number and species to be imported, country and farm of origin, place of loading, port of entry
and date of embarkation.  A list of other requirements by species and commodity is contained in the
application for an import permit.
11. The permits referred to in 7(d).
12. None.
13. Not applicable.Conditions of licensing
14. Varies according to consignment.15. No.
16. Licences are non-transferable.
17. Not applicable.G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1
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Other procedural requirements
18. No.
19. Foreign exchange is automatically provided on production of import permits.
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