G/LIC/N/3/MUS/4  
 
26 September 2014  
(14-5407)  Page: 1/3  
Committee on Import Licensing  Original: English  
 
   
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURE1 
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 7.3 OF THE AGREEMENT 
 ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES 
MAURITIUS  
 
The following notification, dated 8 September 2014, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Mauritius.  
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Outline of system 
1.  Control of import is regulated by the Consum er Protection (Control of Imports) Regulations 
1999 (Government Notice No. 135 of 1999) establishing a list of goods subject to import permit 
(controlled goods) (Appendix I
2, First Schedule) and a list of prohibited goods (Appendix II2, 
Second Schedule).  Control of imports is administered by the Trade Division of the Ministry of 
Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection. 
 Purpose and coverage of licensing 
2.  The items appearing on the list of controlled goods are subject to non-automatic import permit. 
 
3.  The system applies to controlled goods originating in and coming from all countries.  
4.  Non-automatic import permit is for the purpose of administering restrictions maintained 
pursuant to requests from different sectors such as Health, Agriculture and Environment. 
 
5.  Control of imports is a statutory requirement.   The Consumer Protection (Control of Imports) 
Regulations is made under section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act.  The Government cannot abolish the system without legislative approval.  
Procedures 
6.  Products under quota restriction is quantity wise and applicable globally (Appendix III
2). 
 
I. Information relating to quotas and formalities of filing applications for import permit is 
communicated to importers by way of press Communique and Notices posted at the Trade Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerc e and Consumer Protection. The total quantity 
is allocated equally among the number of compliant applications received. Importers can 
import the quantity allocated from any country. 
 II. Quotas are determined on an annual basis. 
 
                                               
1 See document G/LIC/3. 
2 Available in English only (Market Access Division). G/LIC/N/3/MUS/4 
 
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  III. Permits are issued to importers who submit  duly filled applications. Importers are not 
required to surrender unused amounts. Unused allocations are not added to quotas for the following year. 
 
IV. There is a time-limit of one month for the submission of allocations. 
 V. Applications for permits for items under  quota are processed within 10 to 15 days. 
 
VI. Import permits granted are valid for one year and importation can be effected within the 
validity of period of the permit.  
 
VII. Permits are issued only to importers who have filed their applications within the period 
specified in the Press Communique. Applicants ha ve to contact only the Trade Division of the 
Ministry, responsible for the administration of the quota. 
 
VIII. The applications received are considered at the end of the prescribed period. The total 
quantity of 1050 metric tons yearly is allo cated equally among the applicants who have 
submitted correct applications within the prescribed time. 
 IX. There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements.  
X. Exports permits from exporting countries are not required. 
 XI. No permit is needed for the importation of goods under quota by a free-port operator. 
 
7.  Where there is no quantitative limit on th e importation of a product or on imports from a 
particular country: 
 
(a) Application for an import permit can be made at any time prior to importation of goods. 
Permits can be obtained within 48 hours. The issue of an import permit with retrospective effect is subject to conditions as stipulated in the Consumer Protection (control of imports) 
Regulations 1999. 
 (b) Under certain circumstances, a permit can be granted immediately on request. 
 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for permits 
and/or importation may be made. 
 
(d) An importer has to approach only one administrative organ in connection with an 
application.  
 
8.  The reasons for any refusal are given to th e applicant on the unapproved application. The 
importer has the right to enquire further on the rejection of his application.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for a permit 
9.  All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for permits. Any person wishing to 
import for the first time has to submit photocopy of their appropriate trade licence and VAT 
Registration number of registration. No registration  fee is required. There is no published list of 
authorized importers but are made available on request.  Documentational and other requirements for applications for permits 
10.  A sample application (Appendix IV
2) form is available for reference at the Trade Division of the 
Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection. As from July 2002 applications for import permit are submitted electronically throug h the TradeNet phase 5 System. An importer is 
required to submit the following documents with the application as the case may be: 
 - Certificate of authorization from other Controlling Agencies; 
- Photocopies of identity card, birth certificate, certificate of incorporation and trade licence; 
- Proforma invoice; - Documents pertaining to the goods, e.g. regi stration document of a second-hand vehicle. G/LIC/N/3/MUS/4 
 
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  11.  Upon actual importation, an importer is required to submit one copy of the invoice and a copy 
of the related bill of lading/airway bill.   12.  There is no permit fee or administrative charge. 
 
13.  There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of permits.  
Conditions of licensing 
14.  A permit is valid for a maximum period of one year from the date of issue. The validity cannot 
be extended if the applicant so requests.  
15.  There is no penalty for the non-utilization or a permit or a part of it. 
 16.  Permits are not transferable between importers.  
 
17.  There are conditions attached to the issue of permits according to the product to be imported (List of such products are at Appendix V
2). 
 
Other procedural requirements 
18.  There are no other administrative procedures apart from import permits required prior to 
importation. However, an import permit does not relieve the importer from complying with other 
regulations such as health, pharmaceutical and phytosanitary. 
 19.  Foreign exchange is automatically provided  by the banking authorities for goods to be 
imported. 
 
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