WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/LSO/1 
6 June 2008 
 
 (08-2670) 
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  
 
LESOTHO 
  
 The following communication, dated 1 May 2008, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Lesotho. 
 
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Outline of Systems
 
 
Import Permit  
 1. The importer lodges an application through the pr ovided system in Ministry of Trade and 
Industry Cooperatives and Marketing (MTICM) – One Stop Shop; the system they apply already has an application whereby the importer fills in the re quired information. After the completion of the 
form, the importer clicks the save button, and auto matically the application reflects in Imports & 
exports officers desk through the system. After recei ving the application, the officer searches the send 
job, checks it against the required standards, if th e information is authentic, the officer approves the 
application and print the permit licence. 
Rebate Permit
 
 
In order for the importer to obtain the rebate permit, she/he has to be the holder of the 
manufacturing licence obtained from MTICM. With the manufacturing licence, the importer registers with LRA with the aim of inform ing the LRA that the products to be manufactured will be exported 
so that the importer will be exempted from certain duties. 
Purpose and Coverage of Licensing
 
 
2. Import Permit: Footwear & Textiles, Agricultura l products & motor Industr y.  Rebate Permit: 
Raw material for footwear & Textiles. 
3. The system applies to goods originating from countries that do not fall within SADC and 
SACU countries. E.g. Taiwan, China, Germany, Britain, etc. 
 
                                                      
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/LSO/1 
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  4. No, the purpose of the permits is to regulate the imports & exports that are not of any harm to 
the society. 
5. The permits are maintained under the Export and Import Control Act, 1984 (Amended 1996).  
It is not possible for the Ministry to abolish the system without legislative approval but improvements 
of the system are possible.  
Procedures
 
 
6. (I)-(IV)  
(V) Applications are processed in the minimum time of two hours, and maximum time of a day. 
(VII As far as the permit is granted the importer can import the goods at anytime. 
(VII) The Ministry approves applications, and recommendation for VISA while Lesotho Revenue 
Authority officials approval the VISA. 
(VIII) Permits are granted to the importer based on the required standards and applications are 
examined on receipt. 
(XI) Yes 
 
7. There are no quantitative restrictions in Leso tho except on Agricultural products which are 
imported from the neighbouring South A frica especial fresh vegetables.  
8. Permits are not granted only on the basis that the applicant did not meet requirements 
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence  
 
9. No information provided.  
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence  
 
10. Electronic application form2, Invoice, Affidavit, additional information, Traders/ 
manufacturing license, certified copies of passports, cl earing instructions, bill of landing or airway 
bill. 
11. Import permit and rebate permit. 
12. No 
13. No 
Conditions of Licensing  
 
14. 12 months for both permits.  No it cannot be extended. 
15. No 
16. No 
17. No other products. 
                                                      
2 Available for consulta tion in the WTO Secretariat (Marke t Access Division) (English only).  G/LIC/N/3/LSO/1 
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  Other Procedural Requirements  
18. Yes for agricultural, products which must me et some TBT and SPS requirements set by the 
Ministry of Agriculture. 
19. No information provided.  
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