WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/MDG/3 
15 September 2008 
 (08-4261) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   French 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement  
on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
MADAGASCAR 
   The following notification, dated 12 August 2008,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the Republic of Madagascar. 
 
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  Outline of system
 
 
1. Since 1992, there have been no restrictions on imports of goods a nd products entering 
Madagascar, with the exception of prohibited goods  and those requiring prior authorization from the 
relevant technical ministries. 
 Imported goods and products  require neither prior authorization nor import permits. 
 
 The import system applied by Madagascar is called the Liberalized Import System (SILI).  It 
is administered by banks and the Central Bank.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 2. The Liberalized Import System applies to a ll imports of non-prohibited goods financed from 
funds made available to the Central Bank of Mada gascar.  Such imports, which are those requiring 
foreign exchange transfers, are exempt from  licensing and from payment of the fixed duty. 
3. The Liberalized Import System applies to all pr oducts regardless of or igin and provenance. 
4. The system in force in Madag ascar aims to simplify procedures and facilitate trade.  The 
import statistics card (FSI), the document required to be used for clearing goods through customs, was 
abolished in May 2007. 
5. Legislative provisions in force: 
- Order No. 189/88 of 14 January 1988 on the Liberalized Import System; 
- Decree No. 92-424 of 3 April 1992 regu lating goods imports and exports; 
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/MDG/3 
Page 2  
 
  - Decree No. 2008-181, amending and supplementing Decree No. 92-424 of 
3 April 1992 regulating go ods imports and exports. 
Procedures
 
 
6.-8. The Liberalized Import System applies to  all imports, including those requiring prior 
authorization. 
 The Liberalized Import System has brought an end to the quota system. 
 
 Products requiring prior authorization: 
  In order to ensure law and order, protect consumers and safeguard public health and the 
environment, certain imports are subject to par ticular regulations and require prior or special 
authorization.  
 These regulations concern the following areas: 
  - Radiation protection; 
 
 - animal imports;  
 - veterinary pharmaceutical products; 
  - precious stones; 
 
 - arms and ammunition; 
 
 - explosive substances;  
 - psychotropic substances; 
  - ozone depleting substances; 
 
 - tobacco products.  
 With regard to the import of products subject to  prior or special authorization, the importer is 
required to liaise with the relevant technical ministry in order to complete the necessary 
administrative formalities. 
 
 Technical ministries generally issue prior authorizations upon presentation of the requisite supporting documents and after a technical inspection of the products. 
 
 Prior authorization is granted within 72 hours at most.  
 Imports of ammunition, implemen ts of war and explosives are subject to quantity restrictions 
and strict controls since they are classified  as a danger to human safety and State security. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. The Administration and any resident econom ic operator inscribed in the Trade and 
Companies Register with no criminal precedents vis-à-vis  the tax authorities are eligible for importer 
status.  G/LIC/N/3/MDG/3 
 Page 3 
 
 
   Any operator other than the Administrati on must open a commercial account with the 
domiciliary bank of its choice.  
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 10. The pro forma or final invoice, together with  the Cargo Tracker Note (BSC) and possibly the 
prior authorizations from the technical ministries concerned, must be submitted to the bank for 
demociliation. 
 The importer must ensure that the product designations correspond to the goods. 
 11. No information has been provided. 
12. No information has been provided. 
 13. No information has been provided. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14.-17. No information has been provided. 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18. Since April 2007, Madagascar has put an end to  the preshipment verification or inspection 
procedure, which has been replaced by the use of a Cargo Tracker Note for the monitoring of imports. 
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