G/LIC/N/3/URY/16   
29 March 2023  
(23-2215) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: Spanish  
 
  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT ON  
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (2022)  
URUGUAY  
The following communication, dated 20 March 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Uruguay.  
 
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Outline of systems  
 
AUTOMATIC LICENSING IN URUGUAY  
 
1. Automatic import licensing regime for statistical purposes of the National Directorate of Industry 
(DNI) under the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM).  
  
Licences for the importation of edible oils (Mercosur Common Nomenclature (MCN) headings 
1507.90.11.00, 1507.90.19.00, 1512.19.11.00, 1512.19.19.00, 1515.29.10.00, 1515.29.90.00, 
1515.90.00.19, 1515.90.00.99, 1517.90.10.00 and 1 517.90.90.00). Decree No. 275/001. The 
importation of oils classified under the above MCN headings requires, as a precondition, the filing of 
an import application with the DNI of the MIEM, which will forward it immediately to the Trade Policy 
Advisory Off ice (APC) at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance (MEF). The DNI and the APC will 
approve such applications when received in appropriate and complete form.  
 
Licences for all headings for footwear and parts thereof (Chapter 64) Decree No. 6/022. The 
importation of products listed in Chapter 64 of the NCM will be subject to the prior filing of an import 
application with the DNI of the MIEM, which will approve such applications when received in 
appropriate and complete form.  
 
Licences for certain textile tariff headings listed in the Annex to Decree No. 8/022. (Chapters 61 and 
62 of the NCM, and headings 4203, 4303.10, 6302.21, 6302.3, 6302.22, 6302.31, 6302.32, 6505.00 
and 9404.90.00.20 of the NCM). The importation of products listed in the aforementioned  Annex will 
be subject to the prior filing of an import application with the DNI of the MIEM, which will approve 
such applications when received in appropriate and complete form.  
 
NON-AUTOMATIC LICENSING IN URUGUAY  
 
1. Exemptions from import prohibition: Article 318 of Law No. 18.172: Diesel engines and kits. 
Decree No. 290/008 and Decree No. 277/009. Prior (non -automatic) import licence issued by the 
MIEM. The DNI will issue a licence if the party concerned provides documented proof that the goods 
to be i mported are to be used for the purposes indicated in Decree No. 290/008.  
 
Licences for the importation of acetic acid. Decree No. 75/009 (NCM headings 2915.21.00.10 and 
2915.21.00.90). Article 4 of Decree No. 75/009 provides that the importation of acetic  acid shall be 
subject to the requirement that a prior import licence be issued by the DNI of the MIEM:  
 
1 The questionnaire may be found in the annex to document G/LIC/3.  G/LIC/N/ 3/URY/16  
 
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-  For food -grade acetic acid, the granting of a licence is subject to verification of the relevant 
food grade by the Technical Laboratory of Uruguay ( LATU).  
-  For other acetic acids, a licence will be granted only if the application has been duly completed 
and it has been proved, by means of the declarations prescribed by Article 2 of Decree 
No. 75/009, that previous imports by the applicant were used  properly.  
 
Licences for the importation of baby feeding bottles. Ministry of Public Health Ordinance No. 158 of 
2 March 2012 (MCN 3924.10.00). Ministerial Ordinance (MSP) No. 158 of 21 March 2012 provides 
that the importation of baby feeding bottles shall be subject to the presentation of a sworn statement 
by the importing firm with the data requested under the Ordinance and a sworn statement fro m the 
technical manager of the factory of origin declaring that they do not use the monomer BPA in the 
production of baby feeding bottles.  
 
Licences for the importation of goods controlled by the Ministry of National Defence (MDN), granted 
by the Material  and Arms Service. Decree No. 91/993, Law No. 17.300. Article 1 of Decree No. 
91/993 provides that the Material and Arms Service shall have the responsibility to receive 
applications for the importation of explosives, firearms, ammunition and hazardous che mical 
substances, and to grant import certificates subject to the submission of the relevant technical 
documentation.  
 
Exemptions from import prohibition: Article 2 of Law No. 17.887 (used vehicles). The Executive may 
authorize exemptions from the prohibi tion on imports of used vehicles, provided that a certificate of 
necessity has been granted by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining and the Ministry of 
Transport and Public Works, and that they relate to the goods listed in Article 2 of Law No. 17.8 87.  
 
Licences for the importation of cannabis seeds, cannabis plants and finished or semi -finished 
cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research. Decree No. 246/021, Law 
No. 19.172. Persons interested in importing or exporting cannab is seeds, cannabis plants, or finished 
or semi -finished cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research must apply to 
the Division of Controlled Substances of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) for the relevant 
import/export authorizat ion, under the provisions of existing legislation.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Licences for the importation of oils (MCN  headings 1507.90.11.00, 1507.90.19.00, 
1512.19.11.00, 1512.19.19.00, 1515.29.10.00, 1515.29.90.00, 1515.90.00.19, 1515.90.00.99, 
1517.90.10.00 and 1517.90.90.00).  
 
Licences for all headings for footwear and parts thereof (Chapter 64).  
 
Licences for certai n textile tariff headings (Chapters 61 and 62 of the NCM, and headings 4203, 
4303.10, 6302.21, 6302.3, 6302.22, 6302.31, 6302.32, 6505.00 and 9404.90.00.20 of the NCM).  
 
Acetic acid (MCN 2915.21.00.10; 2915.21.00.90).  
 
Baby feeding bottles (MCN 3924.10.00) . 
 
Licences for the importation of goods controlled by the MDN: arms material, dangerous chemical 
substances, explosives, firearms and related materials (MCN 3601.00.00, 3602.00.00, 3603.00.00, 
3604.10.00, 3604.90.90, 9301.10.00, 9302.00.00, 9303.20.00, 93 03.30.00, 9303.90.00, 
9304.00.00, 9305.10.00, 9305.20.00, 9305.91.00, 9305.99.00, 9306.21.00, 9306.30.00, 
9306.90.00).  
 
Exemptions from the prohibition on imports of used vehicles. Chapter 87: specialized vehicles that 
cannot be assembled in the country; donations of units for non -profit purposes received from 
abroad; cabs for vehicles covered under the existing headings 8704.22, 8704.23 and 8704.32 
corresponding to the third amendment to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding 
System; sports or cl assic vehicles over 20 years of age used exclusively for exhibition or competition 
purposes in accordance with the regulations set by the MIEM for these purposes, and special vehicles 
for the transport of persons on sports grounds.  G/LIC/N/3/URY/16  
 
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Licences for the impor tation of cannabis seeds, cannabis plants and finished or semi -finished 
cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research (MCN 0602.10.00, 0602.90.89, 
1209.99.00, 1211.90.90, 2202.10.00).  
 
3. In all the cases cited, the licences apply to  any origin.  
 
4. The licensing procedure is not intended to restrict the quantity of imports.  
 
Purpose of licences: statistical purposes (for textiles, footwear and oils), human health care (acetic 
acid, baby feeding bottles, cannabis, used vehicles) and security reasons (goods controlled by the 
Ministry of National Defence).  
 
5. The licensing procedure is mandatory in all the cases cited. Existing legislation sets out the 
products that are subject to this process in all cases, except for the "Exemptions f rom the prohibition 
on imports of used vehicles" category of licences brought in by a law. The other licences mentioned 
were introduced by executive decrees.  
 
Procedures  
 
6.I.-IV. There are no quotas for or restrictions on the importation of goods subject to a licensing 
obligation.  
 
V. The minimum length of time for the processing of licences for oils, footwear, acetic acid and 
products for the automotive industry is 48 ho urs. For textiles, applications are approved 
immediately (provided that they are submitted in appropriate and complete form and are 
administratively feasible).  
 
The maximum length of time for the processing of licences for oils, footwear, automotive 
produ cts and textiles is ten working days.  
 
The maximum length of time for the processing of licences for acetic acid is 10 working days 
subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in the legislation.  
 
The maximum length of time for processing licen ces to import diesel engines and kits is 
15 working days (as from the day following that when the application is filed). Where the 
advice of another ministry is required, this period will be extended by an additional 10 days 
(Decree No. 290/008).  
 
VI.  Upon approval of the licence, the single customs document (DUA) may be registered 
immediately.  
 
VII.  All applications are to be filed electronically through the Single Window for Foreign Trade 
(VUCE), which manages each one with the competent body. The imp orter deals with only one 
body.  
 
In the case of licences for oils, footwear, textiles, exemptions from the prohibition on imports 
of used vehicles and acetic acid, applications are filed with the DNI of the MIEM.  
 
In the case of licences to import baby fee ding bottles, applications are filed with the 
Department of Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Household Hygiene Products at the MSP.  
 
Applications for the importation of goods controlled by the MDN are filed with the Material and 
Arms Service.  
Applications for li cences to import cannabis seeds, cannabis plants and finished or 
semi-finished cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research are filed with 
the Division of Controlled Substances at the MSP.  
 
VIII.-XI. These questions do not apply as they relate to licences and do not imply an import 
restriction for quota administration purposes.  
 G/LIC/N/ 3/URY/16  
 
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  7.(a-d) All licence applications are dealt with in chronological order. There is no provision for the 
urgent processing of licence applications.  
 
8. Not applicable.  
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licences  
 
9. The importer or body authorized to en gage in importation is entitled to apply for a licence upon 
registration.  
 
Documentation and other requirements for licence applications  
 
10. Presentation of a commercial invoice will be requested in all cases.  
 
11. The documents normally needed for the issue of the single customs document (DUA) are required 
in all cases.  
 
12. The National Directorate of Industry charges UR 0.2 per licence . The adjustable unit (UR) is an 
adjustable amount based on the average wage index and calculated by the National Statistical 
Institute (INE).  
 
13. This is not the case in Uruguay.  
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14. The licences referred to are valid for 60 days, except for those relating to the importation of 
cannabis seeds, cannabis plants and finished or semi -finished cannabis products for medicinal 
purposes or for scientific research, which remain valid for 120 days. A new licence application must 
be subm itted for longer periods.  
 
15. There is no penalty for the partial utilization or non -utilization of a licence.  
 
16. Licences are not transferable.  
 
17. There are no other conditions.  
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18.-19. Possession of a licence is not a prerequisite for obtaining foreign exchange. Foreign exchange 
is freely available in Uruguay, and there are no restrictions on the transfer of capital or profits to or 
from foreign countries.  
 
 
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