WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/MWI/2 
3 October 2006 
 (06-4727) 
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  
 
MALAWI 
  
 The following notification, dated 25 Septem ber 2006, has been received from the Permanent 
Mission of Malawi. 
 
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Outline of the system
 
 1. The import licensing system is regulated by the Control of Goods (Import and Export) Act.  
The licensing system is administered by the Mi nistry of Industry, Trade and Private Sector 
Development.  
Purpose and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. The following products are subj ect to automatic import licensing: 
 - Eggs of poultry; -   Live poultry; -   Compound products containing flour, meal r esidues and other preparations of any kind 
suitable for use as animal foodstuffs; 
- Meat;  - Kitchen and table salt. - Portland ordinary cement; - Cane sugar; 
- Steri Milk; 
- Wheat  The following products are subject to non-automatic licensing:  
- Clothing and uniforms, designed for military, naval, air force or police use; 
- Radioactive substances; - Mist nets for the capture of wild birds; - Wild animals, wild trophies and wild animal products; - Live fish; - Dieldrin;  and 
                                                     
 
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/MWI/2 
Page 2  
 
  - Aldrin. 
 3. The system apply to goods originating from all countries.  4. There are no quantitative restrictions on either system.  The objective of the licensing is 
outlined below: 
 
Product(s) Objective of licensing 
- Eggs of poultry; 
- Live poultry; - Compound products containing flour, meal 
residues and other preparations of any kind 
for use as animal food-stuffs; 
- Meat and meat products;  and - Kitchen and table salt. Public health 
- Portland ordinary cement; 
- Cane sugar; - Steri Milk; - Wheat Protection of infant industry 
Military uniforms Security 
- Radioactive substances; 
- Mist nets for the capture of wild birds; - Wild animals, wild trophies; 
- Live fish; 
- Dieldrin;  and - Aldrin Environmental protection 
 
 5. The licensing system is a statutory requireme nt for reasons of public health, security and 
environment.  
Procedures
 
 
6. Malawi does not maintain a quota system on imports.  7.(a) Upon fulfilment of other statutory requirements, licences are issued on the spot;  
(b) As 7 above; 
 (c) Licences can be applied for throughout the year;  (d) The importer has to approach one administrative organ.  
8. An applicant is informed of reasons fo r refusal, and he has the right to appeal. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for a licence
 
 
9. Persons, firms and institutions that fulfil the statutory requirements pertaining to the 
importation of a specific product can import. 
  G/LIC/N/3/MWI/2 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Documentational and other requireme nts for application for a licence  
 
10. The documents vary depending on the type of  product.  However, the following information 
must be provided by the importer:  
- Name of applicant; 
- Product to be imported; - Specifications of product;  and - Pro forma invoice.  
11. The import licence serves as an authority allowing an importer to import.  Where an import 
licence gives conditions pertaining to health, an ap propriate health certificate is also needed upon 
importation.  12. There is no administrative fee upon the issuing of a licence. 
 
13. There is no requirement for any deposit or a dvance payment associated with the issuing of a 
licence.  
Conditions of licensing
 
 14. An import licence is valid for three m onths and the validity can be extended. 
 15. There is no penalty for non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.  16. Licences are not transferable. 
 
17. Where applicable, other administrative proce dures may entail health certificates in the case of 
food products and the management of the products  in the case where there are environmental 
concerns.  
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. Other than import licensing, Malawi does not maintain other administrative procedures upon importation.  19. The foreign exchange regime is liberalized such that no licence is required as a condition to 
obtain foreign exchange. 
 
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