G/LIC/N/2/TON/5  
 
24 August 2021  
(21-6386) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Import Licensing    
 
AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES  
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 5.1 TO 5.4 OF THE AGREEMENT1 
TONGA  
The following notification dated 16 August  2021, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Tonga . 
_______________  
 
 
BUSINESS LICEN CES ACT [CAP.17.01]   
 Category  Notification details  
1 Notifying Member  Tonga  
2 Title of new legislation/  
procedure  Business Licences Act [Cap.17.01]   
3 Date of Publication  14 October  2002 
4 Date of entry into force  2 April 2007  
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  Business Licences Act (ago.gov.to)  
 
6 Have you attached a copy of 
the regulation (PDF) to the 
Secretariat  [ ] Yes. ( Please attach a copy of the regulation to the notification. ) 
 
[x] No. 
7 Type of notification  [x] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure2; (please answer question 8 
to 14)  
 
[ ] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been previously 
notified in document ; (please answer question 15 and 16 ) 
8 List of products subject to 
licensing  N/A 
 
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic:  [ ] 
 
Non-Automatic: [x] 
10 Administrative 
purpose/measure being 
implemented  (a)  Protect public morals;  
(b)  Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect 
environment;  
(c)  Collect trade statistics or market surveillance;  
(d)  Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and the 
prevention of deceptive practices;  
 
1 It is understood that the notifying Member has also completed its notification obligations under 
Article  1.4(a) and Article 8.2(b) regarding the relevant law/regulation/procedure notified for by filling this form 
in a full and complete manner.  
2 "New licensing regulation/procedure" is understood to refer to any newly introduced law, regulation or 
procedure, and those which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  
 G/LIC/N/2/TON/5  
 
- 2 - 
 
   Category  Notification details  
(e)  Pursue obligations under the UN Charter and other 
international treaties ( i.e. CITES, Basel Convention, 
Rotterdam Convention, UNSC Resolutions etc.)  
(f)  Quota (including TRQ) administration;  
(g)  Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable 
materials and safeguard national security;  
(h)  Other: Regulate Importing Businesses   
11 Administrative body(ies) for  
submission of applications   
 Ministr y/authority and Department: Ministry of Trade and Economic 
development /Business Registry Division  
Address: Latai Estate, Cnr.of Tupoulahi and Salote Road, Fasi -moe-Afi, 
Nukualofa, Tonga.  
Website: https://mted.gov.to   
Telephone: 7400105/7400104  
E-Mail: ceo@mted.gov.to   
12 Contact point for 
information on eligibility  Ministry/authority and Department: Ministry of Trade and Economic 
Development/ Business Registry Division  
Address: Latai Estate, Cnr.of Tupoulahi and Salote Road, Fasi -moe-Afi, 
Nukualofa, Tonga.  
Website: https://mted.gov.to    
Telephone: 7400105/7400104  
E-Mail: ceo@mted.gov.to  
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure  Ongoing  
 
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages   This Act provides for the licensing of business activities including import 
businesses.  
15 In the case of 7(b), please 
indicate the type of new 
change(s)  (a)  Termination  
(b)  Suspension  
(c)  Modification of specific details in existing  
procedures:  
 Product coverage;  
 Administrative purpose;  
 Automatic or Non -automatic;  
 Duration of licensing;  
 Change the nature of quantity/value restriction;  
 Eligibility of applicants;  
 Contact information on eligibility;  
 Administrative body(ies) for submission of application;  
 Documentation requirements (including application form);  
 Period for Application;  
 Administrative body(ies) to issue licence;  
 Processing time for issuing licence;  
 Licence fee/administrative charge;  
 Deposit/advance payment and relevant conditions;  
 Appeal regulations/procedures;  
 Validity of licence;  
 Other conditions of licence (extension, transferability, 
penalty of non -use etc.);  
 Foreign exchange requirements;  
 Other: __________ (please specify).  
 
16  Please elaborate the 
changes in detail (in one of 
the WTO official languages)   
 
 
  G/LIC/N/2/TON/5  
 
- 3 - 
 
  
BUSINESS LICEN CES REGULATIONS  [CAP.17.01.01]   
 Category  Notification details  
1 Notifying Member  Tonga  
2 Title of new legislation/  
procedure  Business Licences Regulation s [Cap.17.01.01]   
3 Date of Publication  7 January 2013  
4 Date of entry into force  7 January 2013  
5 Website link/Official 
publication of the new 
regulation/procedure  Business Licences Regulations (ago.gov.to)  
6 Have you attached a copy of 
the regulation (PDF) to the 
Secretariat  [ ] Yes. ( Please attach a  copy of the regulation to the notification. ) 
 
[x] No. 
7 Type of notification  [x] (a) New licensing regulation/procedure3; (please answer question 8 
to 14)  
 
[ ] (b) Changes to a regulation/procedure which has been previously 
notified in document; ( please answer question 15 and 16 ) 
8 List of products subject to 
licensing  1. Agricultur al Products  
2. Fish Products  
3. Liquor  
4. Therapeutic Goods  
5. Flammable Goods  
6. Transport ation 
7. Recycling  
8. Telecommunication  
9. Construction  
10. Information Technology  
9 Nature of licensing  Automatic: [ ]  
 
Non-Automatic: [ x] 
10 Administrative 
purpose/measure being 
implemented  (a)  Protect public morals;  
(b)  Protect human, animal or plant life and health; protect 
environment;  
(c)  Collect trade statistics or market surveillance;  
(d)  Protection of patents, trademarks and copyrights, and the 
prevention of deceptive practices;  
(e)  Pursue obligations under the UN Charter and other 
international treaties ( i.e. CITES, Basel Convention, 
Rotterdam Convention, UNSC Resolutions etc.)  
(f)  Quota (including TRQ) administration;  
(g)  Regulate imports of arms, ammunition or fissionable 
materials and safeguard national security;  
(h)  Other: Regulate import business activities   
11 Administrative body(ies) for  
submission of applications   
 Ministr y/authority and Department: Ministry of Trade and Economic 
Development /Business Registry Division  
Address: Latai Estate, Cnr.of Tupoulahi and Salote Road, Fasi -moe-Afi, 
Nukualofa, Tonga.  
Website: https://www.mted.gov.to   
Telephone: (+676) 7400105/7400104  
E-Mail: ceo@mted.gov.to   
 
3 "New licensing regulation/procedure" is understood to refer to any newly introduced law, regulation or 
procedure, and those which are in force but being notified for the first time to the Committee.  
 G/LIC/N/2/TON/5  
 
- 4 - 
 
   Category  Notification details  
12 Contact point for 
information on eligibility  Ministr y/authority and Department: Ministry of Trade and Economic 
Development /Business Registry Division  
Address: Latai Estate, Cnr.of Tupoulahi  and Salote Road, Fasi -moe-Afi, 
Nukualofa, Tonga.  
Website: https://www.mted.gov.to   
Telephone: (+676) 7400105/7400104  
E-Mail: ceo@mted.gov.to   
13 Expected duration of 
licensing procedure  Ongoing  
 
14 A summary of the 
notification in one of the 
WTO official languages   This Regulation provides for the licensing of all import business activities.  
15 In the case of 7(b), please 
indicate the type of new 
change(s)  (a)  Termination  
(b)  Suspension  
(c)  Modification of specific details in existing  
procedures:  
 Product coverage;  
 Administrative purpose;  
 Automatic or Non -automatic;  
 Duration of licensing;  
 Change the nature of quantity/value restriction;  
 Eligibility of applicants;  
 Contact information on eligibility;  
 Administrative body(ies) for submission of application;  
 Documentation requirements (including application form);  
 Period for Application;  
 Administrative body(ies) to issue licence;  
 Processing time for issuing licence;  
 Licence fee/administrative charge;  
 Deposit/advance payment and relevant conditions;  
 Appeal regulations/procedures;  
 Validity of licence;  
 Other conditions of licence (extension, transferability, 
penalty of non -use etc.);  
 Foreign exchange requirements;  
 Other: __________ (please specify).  
 
16  Please elaborate the 
changes in detail (in one of 
the WTO official languages)   
 
 
__________