WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
27 April 2009 
 
 (09-2002) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   Spanish 
  
 
REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON 
IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement  
on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
   The following communication, dated 24 April 2009,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Dominican Republic. 
 
_______________ 
 
  The Permanent Mission of the Dominican Re public is pleased to attach herewith the 
notification containing its replies to the Ques tionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures, pursuant to 
Article 7.3 of the WTO Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. 
                                                     
 
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
Page 2  
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
I.
 MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (S EA) …………………………………………............. 3  
II. MINISTRY OF THE ARMED FORCES  (SEFA) ………………………………………... 6  
III. DEPARTMENT OF DRUGS AND PHARMACIES OF THE MINISTRY OF 
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE (SESPAS) ……………………………… 9  
IV. DOMINICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTITUTE (INDOTEL) …….……..….. 12  
  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
 Page 3 
 
 
  I. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SEA) 
1. Tariff quotas for agricultural products 
Outline of system  
 
1. The procedure for importing agricultural products is administered by the Ministry of 
Agriculture. 
 
An import authorization is required, for which a sanitary or phytosanitary clearance certificate 
and, in the case of seeds, a clearance certificate from the Seeds Department, must be obtained in advance. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2.-5. The established import procedure is applied fo r statistical purposes and to administer import 
levels for all agricultural products, whether fresh or processed, originating in and/or consigned from 
any country. 
  Decree No. 505-99 establishes the Regulations gove rning imports of the products covered by 
the technical rectification of the Dominican Republic's WTO Schedule XXIII of tariff concessions (garlic under item 0703.20, onions under item 0703.10, rice under item 1006, beans under items 0713.31, 0713.32 and 0713.33, sugar under item 1701, chicken meat under items 0207.10, 0207.21 
and 0207.41, powdered milk under item 0402.10, and maize (corn) under item 1005);  a Commission 
for Agricultural Imports
2 and an annual timetable are also es tablished and the Executive Branch is 
empowered to abolish the established procedure.  
Procedures
 
 
6. For products under restriction as to the quan tity or value of imports (whether applicable 
globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally): 
  I. The timetable establishing the quotas and dates in respect of the importation of 
products under the technical rectifica tion is published annually in a national 
newspaper and on the Ministry of Agriculture website.
3 
   The established procedure applies to all imports, whether effected by traditional 
importers or by private or public institutions. 
 
 II. The quotas for products under the technical  rectification are determined on an annual 
basis.  The authorized volume co rresponds to the requested volume. 
  III. Import authorizations are granted to inter ested parties regardless of whether they are 
producers of like goods.  With regard to powdered milk from the European Union, authorizations are granted to importers in possession of export licence certificates 
issued by the European Union. 
   Unused allocations are not added to quotas for the following year.  
                                                     
 
2 See Decree No. 603-06 on th e expansion of this Commission. 
3 See www.agricultura.gob.do . G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
Page 4  
 
    The names of importers are made know n to governments and export promotion 
bodies of other countries upon request, unless the information is confidential. 
  IV. There are prescribed time-limits.  
 V. Applications for import authorizations are processed in two to three days. 
  VI. Import authorizations are valid for forty-five (45) days.   VII. Import authorization applications are considered by a single administrative body;  
importers do not therefore have  to approach any other body.  
  VIII. The demand for import authorizations can  be fully satisfied, except in the case of 
powdered milk from the European Union. 
 
  Authorizations are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
   Traditional imports made in previous year s are taken into account in determining the 
quantity to be allocated to each applican t.  Smaller quotas are allocated to new 
importers. 
 
 IX. Import authorizations are issued automatically. 
  X. The importer submits to the administrative body (the Ministry of Agriculture) the 
authorization received from the exporting country (export licence certificate issued by the European Union) to import the product (in the case of powdered milk). 
 
 XI. Enterprises established in agro-export free zones are licensed to import certain 
products subject to their being exported. 
 7. (a) Import authorization applications must be made prior to importation.  However, in 
practice, applications are made once goods ha ve arrived in the country.  Importers of 
products subject to tariff quotas under the est ablished annual timetable are required to 
submit applications two (2) months be fore the expected date of import. 
  (b) Import authorizations are valid for fort y-five (45) days.  If importation cannot be 
effected within that period, a new authorization is required. 
 
 (c) There are no time-limits for the submis sion of import authorization applications. 
  (d) Import authorization applications are c onsidered by a single administrative body;  
importers do not therefore have to approach any other body. 
 
8. Import authorizations are hardly ever refused , usually only when fraud or negligence is 
suspected in connection with an application.   The reasons for any refusal or delay in th e application process are made known to the 
applicant.  There is no specific legal procedure in th is instance, but the interested party may appeal to 
the competent authority. 
  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
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  Eligibility of importers to apply for licences  
 
9. (a) In the case of powdered milk from the European Union, the procedure for a person, 
firm or institution to obtain an import au thorization is regulated by the European 
Union, which allocates licences to its exporters .  Only persons, firms and institutions 
with a European exporter's licence are eligib le to apply for an import authorization. 
  (b) Any person, firm or institution is elig ible to apply for an import authorization. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for licence applications
 
 
10. Written applications for import authorizations  must give the name or business name, physical 
and electronic addresses and telephone and fax c ontact numbers of the importer, as well as a 
description and the quantity, US dolla r value and provenance of the goods. 
 
 Applicants must attach a san itary or phytosanitary clearance certificate (obtainable from the 
same administrative body) and a copy of the invoice or pro-forma invoice.  A clearance certificate 
from the Seeds Department must also be a ttached to applications to import seeds. 
 11. The import authorization, clearance certificate(s) and commercial invoice.  
12. An administrative charge is payable for clearance certificates and import authorizations. 
 13. No deposit or advance paymen t is required for an import authorization to be issued. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The import authorization is valid for forty-five  (45) days;  upon expiry of that period, a new 
authorization may be issued under the same procedure.  15. There are no penalties for the non-utilization of an import authorization or a portion thereof. 
 
16. Import authorizations are not transferable. 
 17. There are no other conditions attached to the issue of an import authorization. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. Imports are not subject to any other administrative procedures.  19. The Government is not involved in proce dures for obtaining foreign exchange.  Importers 
must pay the total value of the goods with their ow n foreign exchange or by bank transaction, and a 
licence is not required as a condition for obtaining foreign exchange.  Foreign exchange is freely 
available from commercial banks and on the informal market. 
 G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
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  II. MINISTRY OF THE ARMED FORCES (SEFA) 
Outline of system
 
 
1. Pursuant to Law No. 36 on Trade in and the Carrying and Possession of Weapons, 
Law No. 262 on Explosives and Other Similar Chem icals, and their implementing regulations, the 
Dominican Republic maintains a licensing and permit system to control the importation of and trade 
in firearms, ammunition, explosives and chemicals.   The Ministry of the Armed Forces, through a 
specialized department, is responsible for admini stering controls on imports of such products. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. (a) Automatic licences are issued to armouries and to firms authorized to import 
explosives and chemicals. 
  (b) Non-automatic licences are intended fo r persons applying to import explosives and 
are issued within a period of thirty (30) working days. 
 3. To all countries which manufacture these artic les, except those which are not permitted by 
legislation to export or market such products.  4. No, the aim of the import licensing system is to prevent licences from being issued to persons 
who, by status or category, are legally pr ohibited from possessing or marketing firearms. 
  The system also seeks to lay down import requi rements to ensure that such items (rifles, 
machine guns, ammunition, explosives and other sim ilar materials) are for use by official bodies 
exclusively for the purpose of state security, as we ll as to maintain internal control over imported 
goods. 
 5. - Laws Nos. 138 and 36 on Trade in  and the Carrying and Possession of Weapons; 
  - Law No. 262 on Explosives and Chemicals;  
 - Law No. 873, Organic Law of the Armed Forces. 
  The import licence application procedure is ma ndatory for weapons and explosives.  Current 
legislation stipulates which items are subject to the import licensing regime.  
 The designation of the products to be imported is established by law. 
  Pursuant to Article 55.8 of the Constitu tion of the Dominican Republic, Law No. 138 
amending Law No. 36 (Article 3), and Law No. 262 on Explosives, the Executive Branch has the authority to abolish the system without legislative approval.  Procedures
 
 
6. Consult the websites of the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, 
www.serex.gov.do ;  the Ministry of the Interior and Police, www.seip.gob.do ;  and the Ministry of the 
Armed Forces, www.fuerzasarmadas.mil.do . 
 
7. (a) The Arms and Explosives Division of  the Ministry of the Armed Forces is 
responsible for examining applications. 
  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
 Page 7 
 
 
   (b) Export licences are issued to armouries within a maximum period of five (5) days of 
receipt of the application. 
  (c) Import licences for explosives are issued within a maximum of thirty (30) days.  
(d) The Ministry of the Armed Forces examin es the applications and then forwards them 
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for visa and other international procedures and to the Directorate of National Strategic Intelligence of the Armed Forces for security and control procedures. 
 
 (e) There is no difficulty as regards issuing import licences since there are a number of 
firms in the Dominican Republic whic h import small-calibre weapons and 
ammunition and several others which import explosives.  The Ministry of the Armed Forces examines, controls and monitors such imports and the Ministry of the Interior 
and Police, through the Directorate of Na tional Strategic Intelligence, monitors the 
operations and trade of these firms. 
  (f) Import licences are issued on the basis of consumer needs on a first-come, 
first-served basis under the conditions set  out in the administrative provisions. 
 8. There are no additional procedures.  Reasons for refusal are notified to the applicant in 
writing.  There is no right of appeal against a decision to refuse a licence. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licences
 
 
9. All persons, firms and institutions auth orized under the corresponding legislation. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for licence applications  
 
10. Applications must include the following information:   (a) Applicant's names and family names, ci vil status, nationality, operating certificate, 
identity and electoral cards, registered office and domicile; 
  (b) quantity, make and other characteristics of the explosives;   (c) intended use of the explosives and place wh ere they will be stored and used;  and, 
 
 (d) description of commercial activity.  11. The following documents are required upon actual importation:   (a) Approved import licence application; 
 
 (b) certificate of origin;  and,   (c) pro-forma invoice.  
12. The administrative charges for importation are governed by Customs regulations alone. 
 13. The applicant must pay the internal tax-relate d administrative charges in order to be able to 
use the licence;  no further payments are required by  the Ministry of Defence to grant, monitor or 
refuse authorization. G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
Page 8  
 
   
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The import licence is valid for one year.  It can be renewed upon request on the date of expiry;  the firm requests due aut horization for each order or quota. 
 
15. No penalty is imposed for non-utilization of a licence;  there is, however, a renewal 
obligation.  16. Import licences are not transferable. 
 
17. (a) The issue of a licence is not subject to any other conditions;  the licence itself sets 
forth the terms and conditions for importation of the quotas. 
  (b) The issue of a licence is not subject to any other conditions. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. There are no other procedural requirements prior to importation.  19. Authorized firms pay the exporting company for the imports using online banking, in 
accordance with international banking regulations and local legislation. 
  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
 Page 9 
 
 
  III. DEPARTMENT OF DRUGS AND PHARMACIES OF THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC 
HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE (SESPAS) 
Outline of system  
 
1. The importation of pharmaceuticals, cosm etics, personal hygiene products and domestic 
hygiene products into the Dominican Republic is regulated by the General Law on Health and by 
Regulation No. 246-06 on Medicines.  Pharmaceuti cals classified as prescription psychotropic 
substances or subject to Law No. 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances, whether finished 
products or raw materials, are also covered by this legislation.  
 The body which regulates the entry of such goods into the Dominican Republic is the 
Department of Drugs and Pharmacies of the Ministry  of Public Health and Social Welfare (SESPAS).  
Importers of controlled medicines, semi-finished products, raw materials, solvents and precursor 
chemicals for pharmaceutical manufacture and distri bution must apply for an import permit from the 
Department of Drugs and Pharmacies of the Ministry  of Public Health and Social Welfare.  This 
procedure is coordinated with the Narcotics Control Division (DNCD). 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Sanitary recognition for Customs purposes:  the established import procedure applies to 
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal hygiene produ cts, domestic hygiene products and all products 
subject to Regulation No. 246-06 on Medicines. 
 3. The established procedure applies to products  originating in and/or consigned from any 
country.  
4. The procedure is applied for sanitary contro l purposes.  There is no restriction on either 
quantities or values.  5. The import procedure for pharmaceuticals is set  forth in Regulation No. 246-06 on Medicines 
and Law No. 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances.  
 All pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal hy giene products and domestic hygiene products, 
whether finished products, semi-finished products or  raw materials, are subj ect to the established 
procedure.   This procedure applies to all products s ubject to Regulation No. 246-06 on Medicines. 
 
 Regulation No. 246-06 on Medicines was est ablished pursuant to Decree No. 246-06 and can 
therefore be repealed by the Ex ecutive Branch by means of another decree;  however, the 
responsibility of SESPAS for import control is provi ded for in the General Law on Health No. 42-01 
and any amendment thereto or the abrogation thereo f must be brought before the National Congress. 
 Procedures
 
 
6. n/a.  7. (a) Import authorization applications must be made prior to importation.  However, in 
practice, applications are made on ce goods have arrived in the country. 
   Applications are processed in two to three working days of receipt.  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
Page 10  
 
    A licence may only be obtained within a shorter time-limit s hould the product(s) 
become necessary in the event of the decl aration of a state of national emergency. 
  (b) No.  
 (c) There are no limitations as regards the periods for submitting import authorization 
applications. 
  (d) Invoices or pro-forma invoices attached to import licence applications must be 
approved by the associations of pharmaceutical importers before being submitted to 
the Health Authority. 
 8. Import authorization applications which fail to meet processing requirements will be rejected. 
  If an application is rejected, the importer con cerned is notified within two to three working 
days and informed of the reasons therefor. 
  There is no specific legal procedure in this inst ance, but the interested party may appeal to the 
competent authority.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licences
 
 
9. Only natural and legal persons authorized  by the SESPAS may import pharmaceuticals. 
  To this end, on the date of import they are requi red to be entered in the Sanitary register of 
manufacturing and distribution establishments as an authorized importer-distributor.  Only juridical 
persons legally authorized to trade in phar maceuticals are eligible for registration. 
  No charge has been establish ed for the assessment of import applications and the service is 
therefore free of charge.   The Department of Drugs and Pharmacies keeps a Register of authorized importers, which is 
a public document. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for licence applications
 
 
10. (a) In order to obtain a licence for pharmace uticals, cosmetics, personal hygiene products 
or domestic hygiene products, interested parties must supply the following: 
 
- Invoice or import pro-forma invoice, stamped by the importing firm and 
endorsed by the Association of Representatives, Agents and Producers of Pharmaceutical Products (ARAPF) in the case of finished products, or by the 
Dominican Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (INFADOMI) in the 
case of raw materials for manufacturing; 
 
- name, form of presentation and concentration of the product, quantity to be 
imported, manufacturer's name, product' s country of origin, valid sanitary 
registration number for the product in the Dominican Republic, and names of 
ports of loading and discharge. 
  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
 Page 11 
 
 
   (b) With regard to medicines, semi-finish ed products, raw materials, solvents and 
precursor chemicals subject to Law No. 50-88, the importer is also required to submit: 
 
- A written application containing:  importer details, name, form of 
presentation, concentration and qualitative/quantitative formula of the 
product, quantity to be imported, manuf acturer's name, product's country of 
origin, sanitary registration number for the product in the Dominican Republic, number of the importe r's drug permit, names of ports of 
loading and discharge, and importer' s national tax registration number. 
 
- Exporter details:  name, full address,  telephone and fax numbers and e-mail 
address. 
 
- Copy of a valid drug permit (obtained from the same administrative body). 
 
11. The following documents are required upon actual importation:  
- Valid sanitary registration certificate for the products; 
 
- valid sanitary registration certificate for the importing establishment; 
 
- in respect of controlled substances, a valid drug import permit. 
 12. No administrative charge is payable for import authorizations.  
13. No deposit or advance paymen t is required for an import authorization to be issued. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. Import authorizations are valid for forty-five (45) days;  upon e xpiry of that period, a new one 
may be issued under the same procedure. 
 
15. There are no penalties for the non-utilization of an import authorization or a portion thereof. 
 16. Import authorizations are not transferable. 
 
17. (a) and (b) There are no other conditions attach ed to the issue of an import authorization. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. Imports are not subject to any other administrative procedures.  
19. The Government is not involved in proce dures for obtaining foreign exchange.  Importers 
must pay the total value of the goods with their ow n foreign exchange or by bank transaction, and a 
licence is not required as a condition for obtaining foreign exchange.  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
Page 12  
 
  IV. DOMINICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTITUTE (INDOTEL) 
Outline of system
 
 
1. The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (INDOTEL) does not issue import licences.  However, pursuant to Resolution No. 029-01, I NDOTEL established a procedure for regulating the 
entry into the Dominican Republic of telecommun ications terminals, systems and equipment in 
conjunction with the Directorate-General of Customs.   Under this procedure, any interested party wishing to import teleco mmunications equipment 
into the Dominican Republic is required to apply to  INDOTEL for a clearance certificate, attaching a 
description of the equipment in question. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. The INDOTEL Resolution applies to any pers on importing terminals, equipment and systems 
which use the radio spectrum into the Dominican Republic. 
 3. The system applies to all countries.  4. It is not intended to restrict quantities, ra ther to monitor and control the entry into the 
Dominican Republic of telecommunications equipm ent and systems which use the radio spectrum. 
 
5. The legal basis is Resolution No. 29-01 of 20 April 2001, adopted by the INDOTEL Board of 
Directors.  
Procedures
 
 
6.I Quota allocation is not applicable;  importer s bring into the country the amount of equipment 
that they consider necessary, INDOTEL merely ensu res compliance with the procedure established in 
Resolution No. 29-01.  6.II-XI  n/a. 
 
7. (a) Importers are required to apply to  INDOTEL for clearance prior to importation. 
  (b) Yes, subject to verification of the equipment by INDOTEL.  
 (c) There are no limitations as regards a pplication periods;  importers may submit an 
application whenever they wish to import equipment. 
  (d) INDOTEL has sole responsibility for the verification of equipment.  8. Equipment which can not be approved in th e Dominican Republic will be refused an import 
clearance certificate, pursuant to Article 62 et seq  of the General Law on Telecommunications 
No. 153-98.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licences
 
 9. All persons, within the framework provided for in Resolution No. 29-01, which constitutes 
the only restriction.   n/a.  G/LIC/N/3/DOM/3 
 Page 13 
 
 
   
Documentational and other require ments for licence applications  
 
10. Any interested party wishing to import telecommunications equipment into the Dominican Republic is required to submit a prior a pplication to the Executive Director of INDOTEL.  
The application must contain the following information: 
  (i) Business name, domicile or registered office, national tax registration number, 
telephone number, fax number and e-mail addr ess of the applicant, as well as the 
name, domicile, and identity and electoral cards of the applicant's legal 
representative; 
  (ii) copy of the official document, perm it or agreement granting the concession, the 
operating licence and/or the entry in the special register corresponding to the service designated to use the terminal, equipment or system which is to be imported, or 
which has already been imported if the app lication is made subsequent to the entry 
into the country of the goods in question and while the equipment is in the storage 
facilities or warehouses or in the custody, direct or delegated, of the Directorate-General of Customs; 
  (iii) description of the equipment to be  imported (model, series, type-approval 
certification, transmitter power, etc.) and any other further information required by 
INDOTEL; 
  (iv) specific details of the location of the equipment (warehouse, port, airport, etc.). 
 
11. The clearance certificate must be presented to the Directorate-General of Customs at the time 
of importation.  12. Free of charge.  13. No. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. Clearance certificates are applicable to the equipment specified by the importer and requiring 
customs clearance and have no specified period of validity. 
 
15. No.  16. No.  17.(a) n/a. 
 
(b) No. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18. No. 
 19. n/a.  
__________