G/LIC/N/3/URY/14  
22 July 2020 
(20-5031) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Import Licensing   
 
  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE  7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT ON  
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (2020)  
URUGUAY  
The following communication, dated 17 July 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Uruguay . There have been no changes to the import licensing regime  in Uruguay 
since the last notification . Notifications remain the same as the one contained in 
G/LIC/N/3/URY/13.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Outline of Systems  
AUTOMATIC LICENSING IN URUGUAY  
1. Licences for certain textile tariff headings listed in the Annex to Decree No. 394/00.  
 
National Directorate of Industry (DNI) automatic import licensing regime for statistical purposes 
(in effect since February  2001).  
 
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 1517.90.90.00) . Decree No. 275/001.  
 
The importation of oils classified under the above MCN headings (1507.90.11.00, 1507.90.19.00, 
1512.19.11.00, 1512.1 9.19.00, 1515.29.10.00, 1515.29.90.00, 1515.90.00.19, 1515.90.00.99, 
1517.90.10.00, 1517.90.90.00) requires, as a precondition, the filing of an import application with 
the DNI of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), which will forward it im mediately 
to the Trade Policy Advisory Office at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance.  
 
The DNI and the Trade Policy Advisory Office will approve such applications when received in 
appropriate and complete form.  
 
Licences for all headings for footwear a nd parts thereof (Chapter 64) . Decree No. 251/005.  
 
The importation of products listed in Chapter 64 of the MCN 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.  
 
 
1 The questionnaire may be found in the annex to document G/LIC/3.  G/LIC/N/3/URY/14  
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  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 . 
 
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 imported are to be used for the 
purposes indicated in Decree No. 290/008.  
 
Licences for the importation of acetic acid . Decree No. 75/009 ( MCN 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 th e 
requirement that a prior import licence be issued by the DNI : 
 
− 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 only be granted if the application has been duly 
completed and it has been prove n, 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 
21 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 t o the presentation of a  sworn statement  by the importing firm  
with the data requested under the Ordinance and a  sworn statement  from the technical manager 
of the factory of origin declaring that they do not use the monomer BPA in the production of baby 
feeding bottles . 
 
Licenc es for the importation of go ods controlled by the Ministry of National Defence , granted by 
the Material and Arms Service . Decree No. 91/993, L aw 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 chemical 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 prohibition  on imports of used vehicles, 
provided that a c ertificate 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. 17.887. 
 
Licenc es for the importation of cannabis seeds, cannabis plants  and finished or semi -finished 
cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research . Decree No. 46/015, 
Law No. 19.172.  
 
Persons interested in importing or exporting cannabis 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 for the relevant import/export 
authorization, under  the provisions of existing legislation.  
 
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing  
2. Licences for certain  textile  tariff headings listed in the Annex to Decree No. 394/00.  
 
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).  G/LIC/N/3/URY/14  
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  Licences for all headings for footwear and parts thereof (Chapter 64).  
 
Acetic acid  (MCN 2915.21.00.10 ; 2915.21.00.90).  
 
Baby f eeding bottle s (MCN 3924.10.00).  
 
Licenc es for the  importa tion of controlled go ods by the Ministry of National Defence : arms 
material , dangerous chemical substance s, explosives, firearms and related material s 
(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, 9303.30.00, 9303.90.00, 9304.00.00, 9305.10.00, 9305.20.00, 9305.91.00, 
9305.99.00, 9306.21.00, 9306.30.00, 93 06.90.00).  
 
Exemption s 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 a mendment to the Harmonized Commodity Description and C oding 
System ; sports or classic vehicles over 20 years of age  used exclusive ly for exhibition or 
competition  purposes  in accordance with the  regulations  set by  the Ministry of Industry, Energy 
and Mining for th ese purposes , and special vehicles for the transport of persons on sports  grounds . 
 
Licenc es for the importation 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. Licences for a group of textile headings for trade with third countries . 
 
Licences for the importation of oils, irrespective of origin.  
 
Licences for all headings for footwear and parts thereof (Chapter 64), irrespective of origin . 
 
Licences for the importation of acetic acid, irrespective of origin.  
 
Exemptions from the prohibition on imports of  diesel motors and kits , irrespective of origin.  
 
Licenc es for the importation of baby feeding bottles , irrespective of origin.  
 
Licenc es to import goo ds controlled by the Ministry of National Defence, granted b y the 
Material  and Arms Service , irrespective of origin.  
 
Exemptions from the prohibition on import s of used vehicles , irrespective of origin.  
 
Licenc es for the importation of cannabis seeds, cannabis plants and finished or semi -finished 
cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research , irrespective of 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 securit y reasons  (goods controlled 
by the Ministry of National Defence).  
 
5. The licensing procedure is  mandatory in all the cases cited. Existing l egisla tion sets out  the 
products that are subject to this process  in all cases , except  for the "Exemptions from the 
prohibition on imports of  used vehicles" category of licence s brought in by a L aw. The other 
licences mentioned were introduced by Executive Decrees.  
 G/LIC/N/3/URY/14  
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  Proced ures 
6. 
 
I.-IV. There are no quotas for or restrictions on the import ation 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 hours . 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 f or oils, footwear , automotive 
products  and textiles is ten working days.  
 
The maximum length of time for the processing of licences for acetic acid is ten working 
days subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in the legislation.  
 
The maximum l ength of time for processing licences to import diesel engines and "kits" is 
15 working days ( count ing from the day after the application is filed ). Where the advice of 
another Ministry is required, this period will be extended by an additional ten days 
(Decree  No. 290/008).  
 
VI. Upon approval of the licence, the single customs document (DUA) may be registered 
immediately.  
 
VII. In the case of licences  for oils, footwear , textiles , exemptions from the prohibition on 
import s of used vehicles  and acetic acid , applications are filed with the DNI.  
 
In the case of licence s to import baby feeding bottles, applications are  filed with  the 
Department of Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Household Hygiene Products at the Ministry of 
Public Health.  
 
Applications for the importation of goods controlled by the Ministry of National Defence  are 
filed with the Material and Arms Service.  
 
Application s for licence s to import  cannabis seeds, cannabis plants  and finished or 
semi-finished cannabis products for medicinal purposes or for scientific research are filed 
with the Divisi on of Controlled Substances at the Ministry of Public Health.  
 
All applications are to be filed electronically through the Single Window for Foreign Trade 
(VUCE).  
 
VIII.-XI. These questions  do not apply as they relate to licences and do not i mply an import 
restriction for quota administration purposes . 
7. 
 
(a-d) All licence applications are processed and dealt with  in chronological order.  
 
There is no provision for the urgent processing of licence applications.  
 
Textiles, footwear and oils : applications for licences are submitted to the National 
Directorate of Industry  at the M inistry of Industry, Energy and Mining for processing . In 
addition to the approval of the National Directorate of Industry , the approval  of the 
Trade  Policy Advisory Unit at the Ministry of the Economy and Finance is also required . 
The importer deals with only one  body.  
 
8. Not applicable.  
 G/LIC/N/3/URY/14  
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  Eligibility of Impor ters to Apply for Licence  
9. The importer or body authorized to engage in importation is entitled to apply for a licence upon 
registration . 
 
Documentation al and Other Requirements for Application  for Licence  
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.  
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 d ays. A new licence application must 
be submitted  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.  
Note: List of acronyms used in this document:  
 
MIEM - Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining  
DNI - National Directorate of Industry  
MEF - Ministry of the Economy and Finance  
APC - Trade Policy Advisory Unit  
DNA - National Customs Direc torate  
DUA - Single Customs Document  
DGI - Directorate -General of Taxation  
BPS - Social Insurance Bank  
UR - Adjustable Unit  
INE - National Statistical Institute  
 
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