G/LIC/N/3/CIV/3  
20 November 2013  
(13-6382)  Page: 1/3  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: French  
 
  REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT 
ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES1 
CÔTE D'IVOIRE 
The following communication, dated 21 October 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Côte d'Ivoire. 
 
_______________ 
  
Outline of systems 
 
1. By way of derogation from the principle of import and export freedom, certain legislative 
and regulatory texts (Law No. 91-999 of 27 December 1991 and Decree No. 93-313 
of 11 March 1993) have established legal regimes for economic reasons and for reasons relating to public morals, order or safety and the protec tion of human, animal and plant life and health. 
The legal regime for imports comprises three distinct regimes: 
- the free import regime; 
- the approval regime; and - the restriction regime. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 
2. Pursuant to Article 4.1 of Decree No. 93-313 of 11 March 1993, the restriction 
regime concerns: 
- products the import of which is subject to quantitative restrictions; and 
- products the import of which is prohibited. 
 The products concerned are those listed in Annex B to the above-mentioned Decree. Since these products have been subject to progressive annual liberalization, the regime now applies only 
to printed cotton fabrics and petroleum products similar to those produced by the 
Ivorian Refinery Company (SIR). 
3. The regime applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries. 
4. The restriction (import licensing) regime does not involve the restriction of the quantity 
or value of imports. The import licence is an import document that applies to the above-mentioned products when their f.o.b. value is CFAF 25,000 or more and is required for the customs clearance 
of these goods. Where the f.o.b. value of the g oods is CFAF 500,000 or more, an inspection order 
is also required. 
                                               
1 The Questionnaire is annexed to document G/LIC/3. G/LIC/N/3/CIV/3 
- 2 - 
  5. The following legislative and regulatory provisions form the legal basis for the 
licensing regime: 
- Law No. 91-999 of 27 December 1991 on competition; 
 
- Decree No. 93-313 of 11 March 1993 implementing Law No. 91-999 of 27 December 1991 
on competition in connection with the conditions under which foreign goods from any source or origin may enter Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the conditions under which goods may be 
exported or re-exported to foreign countries; and 
 - Order No. 38 of 12 March 1993 implementing Decree No. 93-313 of 11 March 1993.  
Procedures 
 
6. Since the adoption of Law No. 91-999 of 27 December 1991 on competition 
and its implementing decree, there have not been any quotas for the two types of product (textile 
and petroleum products) subject to import licens ing. Operators are only required to submit 
an import licence application to the Foreign Trade Directorate for its consideration if the 
f.o.b. import value is CFAF 25,000 or more. 
7. There is no quantitative limit for importation under a licence. An application for an import 
licence must be made each time an operator wishes to import a product subject to licensing and when it has already received the pro forma invoice for its order from the supplier. 
Import licences may be obtained in 24 hours from  the Foreign Trade Directorate. They are issued 
by only one directorate. 
8. The ordinary criteria for import licence applications are as follows: 
- an import licence application addressed to the Director in charge of foreign trade regulation; 
- the pro forma invoice for the goods; - a valid importer/exporter code; and 
- a copy of the applicant's identity document. 
 If the applicant fails to provide all these documents, the application will be rejected. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence 
 
9. Any person, firm or institution is eligible to apply for an import licence, where required, 
if, and only if, it has an up-to-date importer code. 
Importer status is subject to the operator being granted a registration number known 
as an import/export code. 
Any importer (person, firm or institution) is eligible to register for an import/export code. 
Import/export codes may be obtained by any legal or natural person with a tax account number 
wishing to import or export. 
The import/export code makes it possible to maintain an up-to-date list of importers. It should be noted that import/export codes are valid for a renewable one-year period. 
Documentational and other requirements for application for licence 
 
10. Importers are required to submit the foll owing documents with their applications: 
- the pro forma invoice for the goods; 
- a valid importer/exporter code; and - a copy of their identity document. 
 G/LIC/N/3/CIV/3 
- 3 - 
  11. Upon actual importation, the following are required: 
- an import/export code or, where appropriate, an occasional import code; 
- an import licence for goods or merchandise the import of which is subject to the restriction 
regime; and 
- an Import Information Form (FRI) for goods or merchandise the import of which is free 
or subject to the approval regime. 
 
12. A licensing fee of CFAF 50,000 applies. 
13. The issue of a licence is conditional upon an advance non-refundable payment 
of CFAF 50,000. 
Conditions of licensing 
 
14. Import licences are valid for six months from the date of signature. Their validity can 
be extended only once, as from the fifth month, for an additional six-month period. 
15. If a licence or a portion of a licence is not used within the above-mentioned time-frame, 
it will no longer be valid. 
16. Import licences are non-transferable. 
17. Import licences are required for goods or merchandise the import of which is subject to the 
restriction regime. This regime does not seek to restrict the quantity or value of imports. 
Other procedural requirements 
 
18. In addition to licensing and related formalities,  a number of other administrative procedures 
are required prior to importation. 
19. N/A. 
 
__________