RESTRICTED  
  
WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1  
 
20 July 2015  
(15-3725)  Page: 1/8  
Working Party on the Accession of Liberia  Original: English  
 
  
ACCESSION OF LIBERIA 
QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
Revision 
 The following submission, dated 20 July 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
Government of the Republic of Liberia. 
 
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  WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS 
1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to 
each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as 
appropriate when elements which have alre ady been described are also present in 
another system. 
Answer:  
The Liberia Revenue Code of 2000, as Amended in 2011, by the Consolidated Tax Amendments to 
the Revenue Code (Title 36 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised), and the Administrative Notices MCI/No.008/05/2013/IMPORT and MCI/No.006/06/2012/EXPORT govern trade in Liberia.   
The products listed in the Administrative Notices are goods that require sanitary/phytosanitary 
control, or security control (handguns, explosiv es, etc.). Hence, these goods are subject to a 
non-automatic licence regime.  For all other products, the licence is automatic.  
However, there are licensing procedures at variou s public ministries and agencies.  The following 
public entities have certification/permit process in place for import and export: the Environmental 
Protection Agency (refrigerants, toxic waste, ch emicals, etc.), Ministry of Agriculture (SPS 
certificate for food exported out of Liberia, etc.), Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation 
(petroleum products, etc.), Forestry Developmen t Authority (logs, etc.), Ministry of Defence 
(military items), Ministry of Lands, Mines and Ener gy (scrap, diamond, etc.), and the Ministry of 
Justice (explosives, etc.).  Their procedures have to be exhausted before import/export is approved.   
The non-automatic licenses are for products covered in the Administrative Notices mentioned 
above and controlled by the relevant sector ministry or agency.  Liberia requires technical assistance to identify the various regimes operated by different ministries and properly categorize 
them.    
The Government, with assistance from the International Senior Lawyers Project, has drafted a 
Foreign Trade Law which, when finalized, would provide the legal framework for Liberia's licensing 
regime.  
PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 2. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what pr oducts, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
There are two licensing systems in Republic of Liberia: 
 For imports/exports subject to automatic licence; 
 For imports/exports subject to non-automatic licence. 
The products are mentioned in Administrative Notices MCI/No.008/05/2013/IMPORT and 
MCI/No.006/06/2012/EXPORT containing a list of products that are covered by and/or are 
processed through a non-automatic licensing regime.  
3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries? Answer: 
Goods originating from all countries are treated the same in the system. WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, 
what are its purposes?  Have alternativ e methods of accomplishing the purposes 
been considered and if so which?  Why have they not been adopted? 
Answer: 
The licensing is not intended to restrict the quanti ty or value of imports.  The licensing regime is 
intended to cover products that require TBT, SP S, food, or security (handguns, explosives, etc.) 
concerns.   
5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is 
maintained.  Is the licensi ng statutorily required?  Does the legislation leave 
designation of products to be subjected to  licensing to administrative discretion?  
Is it possible for the government (or th e executive branch) to  abolish the system 
without legislative approval? 
Answer: 
The Liberia Revenue Code of 2000, as Amended in 2011, by the Consolidated Tax Amendments to 
the Revenue Code (Title 36 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised),  and the Administrative Notices 
MCI/No.008/05/2013/IMPORT and MCI/No.006/06/2 012/EXPORT govern trade in Liberia.  
Additionally, the legal authority that allows the listed entities to require additional import/export 
permits can be found in the legislations creating these entities.  The provisions are as below: 
o Environmental Protection Agency – Section 43 (Environmental Protection 
Standards, Guidelines and Procedures) of An Act Creating the Environment Protection Agency of the Republic of Liberia; 
o Liberia Petroleum Refining Corporation - An Act Adopting the New Petroleum Law 
of The Republic of Liberia - Chapter VIII, Section 8.3; 
o Forestry Development Authority - Liberia forestry reform law – Section 13.1 a,b 
and c; 13.7; 13.8; and Section 18.7; 
o Ministry of Defence - National Defence Act - Chapter 11. Firearms Traffic Act 180. 
§ 242. Importation of firearms subject to permit; 
o Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy - Mineral and Mining Act – Chapter 15 and 
Chapter 16 Section 16.2; 
o The Ministry of Justice only needs to be  informed when explosives are entering 
Liberia via land borders. 
 
The Revenue Code is enacted into Law; but the Administrative Notices can be abolished. Hence, 
the Ministry sought technical assistance to draft a Foreign Trade Law. The Foreign Trade Law has 
been drafted and will be submitted to the National Legislature for enactment so that the system is 
permanent.  
Yes, licensing is statutorily required. No, the legislation does not leave designation of products to be 
subjected to licensing to administrative discretion. Excluding the Administrative Notices 
MCI/No.008/05/2013/IMPORT and MCI/No.006/06/2012 /EXPORT, the Government cannot abolish 
the system without legislative approval.  The Government has a Draft Foreign Trade Law that will be submitted to the National Legislature for enactment so that the system is permanent.  
 
PROCEDURES 6. For products under restriction as to th e quantity or value of imports (whether 
applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established 
bilaterally or unilaterally): 
I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and 
formalities of filing applications for licenses?  If not, how is it brought to the 
attention of possible importers?  Of governments and export promotion WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives?  Is the 
overall amount published?  The amount allocated to goods from each country?  The maximum amount allocated to each importer?  How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement? 
Answer: 
In Liberia, there are no products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether 
applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or 
unilaterally). 
II. How is the size of the quotas determ ined:  on a yearly, six-monthly or 
quarterly basis?  Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a 
yearly basis but licenses are issued for imports on a six-monthly or 
quarterly basis?  In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for 
fresh licence on a six-mont hly or quarterly basis? 
Answer: 
Liberia's licensing regime imposes no quotas.   
III. Are licenses allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers 
of like goods?  What steps are taken to ensure that licenses allocated are 
actually used for imports?  Are unus ed allocations added to quotas for a 
succeeding period?  Are the names of importers to whom licenses have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request?  If  not, for what reason?  (Indicate 
products to which replies relate. 
Answer: 
No, under the licensing regime of Liberia, there are no quotas.  
IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, 
what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licenses? 
Answer: 
This does not apply to Liberia, as its licensing regime imposes no quotas.  
V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing 
applications? 
Answer: 
Liberia's licensing system imposes no quotas henc e no applications are required.  However, the 
non-automatic licenses are processed within 48 hours.  
VI. How much time remains, at a minimum,  between the granting of licenses 
and the date of opening of the period of importation? 
Answer: 
A licence is valid for six months.  There is no quota system is in place.  
VII.   Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative 
organ?  Or must the application be pass ed on to other organs for visa, note 
or approval?  If so, which?  Does the importer have to approach more than 
one administrative organ? WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  Answer: 
There is no quota system is in place.  
VIII.  If the demand for licenses cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the 
allocation to applicants made?  First come, first served?  Past performance?  
Is there a maximum amount to be allo cated per applicant and, if so, on 
what basis is it determined?  What provision is made for new importers?  Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt? 
Answer: 
Liberia does not have a quota system and at such, the Government does not allocate licenses to 
applications on any basis.  
IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where 
export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licenses also 
required?  If so, are licens es issued automatically? 
Answer: 
Liberia's licensing system does not have quotas or any restraint arrangements. 
X. In cases where imports are allowed on  the basis of export permits only, 
how is the importing country informed of the effect give n by the exporting 
countries to the understanding between the two countries? 
Answer: 
Not applicable.  Liberia's import and export operations are completely liberalized. 
XI. Are there products for which licenses are issued on condition that goods 
should be exported and not sold in the domestic market? 
Answer: 
No, this question does not apply to the import/export regime in Liberia.  
7. Where there is no quantita tive limit on importation of a product or on imports from 
a particular country: 
(a) How far in advance of impo rtation must application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at 
the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
Answer: 
Licence can be obtained at any moment.  Th e system is quite liberalized and open.  
If the product is subject to the automatic licence re gime, the licence is issued automatically.  If the 
product is subject to a non-automatic licence regi me, the procedures require that the licence be 
processed within of 48 hours.  Goods can arrive at the port without a license.  The Customs 
Authority will conduct a destination inspection based on the declaration made by the consignee.  
(b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request? 
Answer: 
Yes, if the product is not subject to a non-automatic licence.  WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  (c) Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which 
application for licence and/or importat ion may be made?  If so, explain. 
Answer: 
There is no limitation. 
(d) Is consideration of licence applications  effected by a single administrative 
organ?  Or must the application be pa ssed on to other organs for visa, note 
or approval?  If so, which?  Does the importer have to approach more than 
one administrative organ? 
Answer: 
 In general, the importer secures the license from a single administrative organ. However, for 
the case that the importer must meet SPS and TBT measures, then, the importer has to secure 
the approval from the required ministry/agency (s ee Response to Question 1), and later fill in 
the IPD form to complete the importation requirement with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.   
8. Under what circumstances an application for a licence may be refused other than 
failure to meet the ordinary criteria?  Ar e the reasons for any refusal given to the 
applicant?  Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a 
licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures? 
Answer: 
If an application does not conform to, for exampl e, the SPS measures, the Ministry of Agriculture 
would notify the applicant. The rejection is based on the MoA SPS checklist, which has been shared 
with the WTO Secretariat.  
Applicants have a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a license.  In addition to tariff, 
fees and taxes, other trade issues, including suspension and revocation of licenses are protested 
and/or appealed to both administrative and judi cial procedures. Thus, according to Chapter 6, 
Section 6.2 of Title 17 of the Liberian Code of La ws Revised ("Judiciary La w"), the Tax Court will 
hear complaints about trade issues other than tariffs, fees, or taxes  as they are provided for in the 
Revenue Code of 2000, as Amended in 2011.   
Protest and appeals are not limited to Board of Tax Appeal (BOTA) and the Tax Court but also to 
any competent court of justice including the Commercial Court, other civil law courts and the Supreme Court.  Chapter 1, Section 1.8 of Title 7 Liberian Code of Laws Revised ("Commercial 
Code") stipulates the functions of Commercial Court, inter alia , hearing other issues relating to 
transactions in the sale of goods. 
 
ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTER S TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses?  (a) Under restrictive licensing systems? 
 (b) Under non-restrictive systems? 
 If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in 
importation?  What persons or firms are eligible?  Is there a registration fee?  Is there a published list of  authorized importers? WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  Answer: 
Yes, all persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licenses, regardless of the types of 
licenses (restrictive and non-restrictive).  
 
DOCUMENTATION AND OTHER REQUIREMEN TS FOR APPLICAT ION FOR LICENCE 
10. What information is required in applications?  Submit a sample form.  What 
documents is the importer required to supply with the application? 
Answer: 
To process a licence, an importer needs the following: (a) full import data on commercial invoice, 
(b) Import Permit Declaration, (c) Letter/permit  from Sector Ministry/Agency, if required.  
A sample of the Import Permit Declaration has been transmitted to the WTO Secretariat.  
11. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
The following documents are required for actual importation: (a) invoices, (b) bill of lading, 
(c) certificate of origin, (d) business registration certificate, (e) certificate of quality. 
12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?  If so, what is the amount of 
the fee or charge? 
Answer: 
No, there is no licensing fee or administrative charge.  
13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of 
licenses?  If so, state the am ount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of 
retention and the purpose of the requirement. 
Answer: 
No, there is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licenses. 
CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
14. What is the period of validity of a licence?  Can the validity of a licence be 
extended?  How? 
Answer: 
The validity of a license is for six months.   
15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilizatio n of a licence or a portion of a licence? 
Answer: 
No. 16. Are licenses transferable between impo rters?  If so, are any limitations or 
conditions attached to such transfer? WT/ACC/LBR/11/Rev.1 
 
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  Answer: 
No, licenses are not transferable between importers.  
17.  Are any other conditions atta ched to the issue of a licence? 
(a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? 
(b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction? 
Answer: 
(a) No. 
(b) No.  
 Other Procedural Requirements  
18. Are there any other administrative proc edures, apart from import licensing and 
similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
No.  
19. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to 
be imported?  Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?  Is foreign exchange always available to cover licenses issued?  What formalities 
must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange? 
Answer: 
Yes, the foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be 
imported. No licence is required as a condition to obtain foreign exchange.  
Foreign exchange can be obtained from the open market.  The financial sector is liberalized.  
The importer presents his/her commercial docume nts, including the customs declaration, and 
authorizes the bank to make payment for the trade transactions.  
 
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