WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/LIC/N/3/ZAF/5 
1 October 2012 
 (12-5267) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures 
 
SOUTH AFRICA 
  
 The following notification, dated 27 Septem ber 2012, has been received from the Permanent 
Mission of South Africa. 
 
_______________ 
 
Outline of system 
 1. South Africa has one licensing system. This  system makes provision for the granting of 
permits to meet reasonable requirements of merc hant and manufacturers. Licences are issued upon 
written application by proposed importers. The International Trade Administration Commission of SA, Directorate: Import and Export Control is the issuing authority.  Purposes and coverage of licensing 
 2. Goods subject to import control and for whic h licences are granted are listed in Government 
Gazette No 35007 dated 10 February 2012. 
 3. Licences are valid for the importation of goods from any country, the choice of the country of 
supply being left entirely to the importing party. 
 
4. Licensing is not intended to restrict the quan tity or value of goods imported. The purpose is to 
comply with international agreements, hea lth, environmental and safety requirements. 
 5. Import control is applied pursuant to powers conferred on the Minister Economic 
Development by Section 6 of the International Trad e Administration Act, 2002 ( Act 71 of 2002). The 
licensing is not statutorily required, i.e. the legisl ation is permissive, not mandatory. The legislation 
leaves the designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion. It is possible for the Government to abolish th e system without legislative approval. 
 
Procedures 
 
6. I. The licensing regulations are published in th e Government Gazette and in certain instances 
supplemented with policy documents. Info rmation is available on the web site. 
 II Not applicable in South Africa. 
                                                      
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/ZAF/5 
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  III. Import licences are available to all merchant s and manufacturers.  No steps are taken to 
ensure the utilization of import permits.  Quotas do not apply in South Africa.  Particulars of 
import licences granted are not publicized as inform ation of this nature can only be disclosed 
with the consent of the permit holder. 
 
IV. Not applicable. 
 V. The length and time for processing applications is dependent on the nature and extent of the 
application.  In general applications are dealt with immediately upon receipt. 
 
VI. Licences are valid for clearance for a 12 month period from the date of issue. 
 VII. Applications for import licences are consid ered by the International Trade Administration 
Commission of SA:  Import and Export Control.  In the case of some goods, applications are also considered by the Departments of Health a nd Environment Affairs.  In certain instances, 
the obligation is on the prospective im porter to approach these Departments. 
 VIII. With the exception of licensing in respect  of goods controlled in terms of the Montreal 
Protocol, the 1998 Convention against chemic als used in illegal drug manufacturing, the 
Basel Convention, for health, security or envi ronmental reasons, licences are issued without 
applying quantitative restrictions. 
 
IX. There are no bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements in place.  X. Imports are not allowed on the basis of export performance only.  
XI. No. 
 7.(a) Applications must be made prior to the shipment of goods.  (b) Yes.  
(c) No. 
 (d) See reply 6.VII.  8. No application for import licensing meeting the criteria is refused. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for a licence 
 9.   All persons, firms and institutions who comply with the requirements are eligible to apply for  
licences.  
Documentational and other requireme nts for application for a licence 
 
10.  Importers are required to co mplete application forms, which are, together with explanatory 
notes, available on the website.  The follo wing general information is required: 
 
- name and business address of applicant; 
- quantity and description of goods to be importe d as well as the custom tariff heading and the 
value of goods to be imported; 
- customs code number of the importer; - indication whether the goods to be imported are new or used;  G/LIC/N/3/ZAF/5 
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  - port of entry; 
- country of origin; - Units to be imported. - copy of tax clearance certificate.  
11.  Normal customs documents and, where app licable, an import permit is required upon actual 
importation.  12. There are no deposits or advance payments associated with the issue of licences.  
13. There are no licensing or administrative charges. 
 Conditions of licensing  
 14. A licence is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. The validity of the licence is not   
extended. 
 15. There is no penalty for non-use of a licence or portion of a licence.  16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  
17. Conditions may be attached to the issue of  a licence for instance in cases where imported  
goods must comply with provisions  of international agreements. 
 Other procedural requirements 
 
18. There are no other administrative procedures required prior to the importation. 
 19. Foreign exchange has never been refused by  the banking authority provided that an import 
licence is produced or evidence is furnished that an import licence is not necessary.   
  
 
 
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 G/LIC/N/3/ZAF/5 
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  ANNEX 
 
Import and export control:  Goods subject to import control measures 
 
Description Tariff head ing Purpose of control 
Used goods, waste and scrap Various H ealth, environmental reasons and in 
terms of the Basel Convention 
Fish, fresh or frozen, 
crustaceans and molluscs 03.02 to 03.08 Environmental reasons 
Mineral fuels, mineral oils and 
products of their distillation 27.07-27.15 Strategic reasons 
Radioactive chemical elements 
and radioactive isotopes 28.44, 28.45 Health and environmental reasons 
Chemicals applicable in the use 
of drug manufacturing 2806.10, 2807.00, 2841.61, 
2902.30, 2909.11, 2914.11, 2914.12, 2914.31, 2915.24, 
2916.34, 2922.43, 2924.23, 
2932.91, 2932.92, 2932.93, 2932.94, 2933.32, 2939.41, 
2939.42, 2939.49, 2939.61, 
2939.62, 2939.63 1998 Convention agai nst chemicals used 
in illegal drug manufacturing 
New pneumatic tyres 40.11, 40.12 Monitoring for quality specification 
Cobalt, cadmium antimony, manganese diromium, 
geranium, vanadium, gallium, 
hafnium, indium, rhenium and 
thallium 81.05, 81.07, 81.10, 81.12 Health and environmental reasons 
Revolvers and pistols, other 
firearms, parts, ammunition and parts 9302 - 9306 Security reasons 
Gambling machines 9504.30 Quality specifications and public interest 
Ozone-depleting substances 2903.19.10, 2903.39,2903.7, 
2903.71, 2903.72, 2903.74, 
2903.75, 2903.76, 2903.77, 2903.05, 2903.77.10, 
2903.77.15, 2903.77.20, 
2903.77.25, 2903.77.30, 2903.77.35, 2903.77.40, 
2903.77.45, 3903.77.50, 
2903.77.55, 2903.77.60, 2903.77.65, 2903.77.70, 
2903.77.90, 2903.79, 
2903.79.10, 2903.79.20, 2903.79.30, 2903.79.40, 
2903.79.90, 3808.91.10, 
3808.92.30, 3808.93.81, 3808.94.85, 3808.99.10, 
3813.00.17, 3813.00.19, 
3813.00.21, 3813.00.23, 
3814.00.10, 3814.00.20, 
3814.00.30, 3824.71, 3824.72, 3824.73, 3824.74, 3824.75, 
3824.76, 3824.77, 3824.78, 
3824.79  Montreal Protocol 
 
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