RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
26 May 2009 
 (09-2519) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Seychelles Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF SEYCHELLES 
 
Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime:  Updated Version  
 
 
 In a communication circulated in document WT/ACC/SYC/1 on 31 May 1995, the Government of the Republic of Seychelles applie d for accession under Article XII of the Agreement 
Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO).  
 The General Council established a Working Pa rty (WT/GC/M/5) on 11 July 1995 with the 
following terms of reference:  "To examine the ap plication of the Government of the Republic of 
Seychelles to accede to the World Trade Organization under Article XII, and to submit to the General 
Council recommendations which may include  a draft Protocol of Accession." 
  In accordance with the established procedures,  the Secretariat is circulating the attached 
updated Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime received from the Government of the Republic 
of Seychelles.  This document updates th e Memorandum circulated in August 1996 
(WT/ACC/SYC/3).  WTO Members wishing to subm it questions on the Memorandum are invited to 
do so by 15 July 2009 for transmission to the Seychellois authorities.  
_______________ 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page i 
 
 
  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... .1 
II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE ......................................2  
1. Economy ........................................................................................................................ ............2  
(a) General description............................................................................................................ .......2  
(b) Current economic situation..................................................................................................... .2 
2. Economic Policies.............................................................................................................. ........3  
(a)  Main directions of the on going economic policies..................................................................3  
(b) Monetary and fiscal policies................................................................................................... ..8 
(c) Foreign exchange and payments system ...............................................................................11  
(d) Foreign and domestic investment policies ............................................................................13  
(e) Competition policies........................................................................................................... .....19  
3.  Foreign trade in goods and services ......................................................................................19  
4. Domestic trade in services including va lue and composition of foreign direct 
investment..................................................................................................................... ...........21  
5. Direction on financial movements related to nationals working abroad, 
remittances,  etc............................................................................................................... .........22  
6. Information on growth in tr ade in goods and services ........................................................22  
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES AFFECTING 
FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS AND TRADE IN SERVICES .........................................25  
1. Powers of executive, legislative and judicial branches of government...............................25  
2. Government entities responsible for maki ng and implementing policies affecting 
foreign trade .................................................................................................................. ..........26  
3. Division of authority between cent ral and sub-central governments.................................26  
4. Any legislative programmes or plans to change the regulatory regime.............................27  
5. Laws and Legal Acts............................................................................................................ ...27 
6. Description of judicial, arbitral or administ rative tribunals or procedures, if any..........27  
IV.  POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS ...................................................................28  
1. Import Regulation.............................................................................................................. .....28  
(a) Registration requirements for engaging in importing.........................................................28  
(b) Characteristics of national tariff ...........................................................................................28  
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions.............................................................................................29  
(d) Other duties and charges, specifying any charges for services rendered ..........................29  
(e) Quantitative import restrictions, includi ng prohibitions, quotas and licensing 
systems ........................................................................................................................ .............30  
(f) Import licensing procedures ..................................................................................................30  
(g) Other border  measures.......................................................................................................... .31 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page ii  
 
  (h)
 Customs valuation.............................................................................................................. .....31  
(i) Other customs formalities ...................................................................................................... 31 
(j) Pre-shipment inspection ........................................................................................................ .31 
(k) Application of internal taxes on imports...............................................................................32  
(l) Rules of origin ................................................................................................................ .........32  
(m,n,o)  Anti-dumping, countervailing duty and safeguard regimes ...............................................32  
2. Export Regulation.............................................................................................................. .....32  
(a) Registration requirements for engaging in exporting..........................................................32  
(b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types of dut ies, duty rates, weighted averages of 
rates.......................................................................................................................... ................32  
(c) Quantitative export restrictions, includi ng prohibitions, quotas and licensing 
system......................................................................................................................... ..............32  
(d) Export licensing procedures...................................................................................................3 2 
(e) Other me asures ................................................................................................................. ......33  
(f) Export financing, subsidy and promotion policies...............................................................33  
(g) Export performan ce requirements........................................................................................33  
(h) Import duty drawback schemes ............................................................................................33  
3. Internal policies affecting foreign trade in goods.................................................................33  
(a) Industrial policy .............................................................................................................. ........33  
(b) Technical regulations and standards ....................................................................................34  
(c) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures...................................................................................35  
(d) Trade-related investment measures ......................................................................................38  
(e) State-trading practices........................................................................................................ ....39  
(f, g) Free zones and free economic zones ......................................................................................41  
(h) Trade-related environmental policies ...................................................................................41  
(i) Mixing regulations ............................................................................................................. .....42  
(j) Government-mandated counter-trade and barter...............................................................42  
(k) Trade agreements leading to country specific quotas allocation........................................42  
(l) Government procur ement practices......................................................................................42  
(m) Regulation of trade in transit................................................................................................. 43 
4. Policies affecting foreign trade in agricultural products.....................................................44  
(a) Imports........................................................................................................................ .............44  
(b) Exports........................................................................................................................ .............44  
(c) Export prohibitions and restrictions.....................................................................................44  
(d) Export credits, export credit guarantees or insurance programmes .................................44  
(e) Internal policies.............................................................................................................. .........44   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page iii 
 
 
  5. Policies affecting foreign trade in other sectors ...................................................................48  
(a) Textiles regime ................................................................................................................ ........48  
(b) Policies affecting foreign trad e in other major sectors........................................................49  
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY REGIME.......................................51  
1. General........................................................................................................................ .............51  
(a) Intellectual property policy................................................................................................... .51 
(b) Responsible agencies for policy formulation and implementation .....................................51  
(c) Membership of international intellectua l property conventions and of regional 
or bilatera l agreements........................................................................................................ ...52 
(d)  Application of national and m.f.n. treatment to foreign nationals .....................................52  
(e)  Fees and taxes................................................................................................................. .........52  
2. Substantive standards of protection, including procedures for the acquisition 
and maintenance of intellectual property rights ..................................................................52  
(a) Copyright and related rights..................................................................................................5 2 
(b) Trademarks, including  service marks...................................................................................52  
(e) Patents........................................................................................................................ ..............53  
(f)  Plants variety protection ...................................................................................................... ..53 
(g)  Layout designs of integrated circuits ....................................................................................53  
(h)  Requirements on undisclosed information, including trade secrets and test data............53  
3.     Measures to control abuse of intellectual property rights...................................................53  
4. Enforcement .................................................................................................................... ........54  
5.   Laws, decrees, regulations and other legal acts relating to the above................................54  
6. Statistical data on applications for and grants of intellectual property rights..................54  
VI. TRADE-RELATED SE RVICES REGIME .........................................................................55  
1. General........................................................................................................................ .............55  
2. Policies affecting Trade in Services .......................................................................................61  
(a) Government departments, agencies, professional associations or other bodies 
with authority or a role relevant to  the conduct of services activities................................61  
(b) Judicial, arbitral or administrative tr ibunals or procedures providing for the 
review of, or remedies in relation to, admi nistrative decisions affecting trade in 
services ....................................................................................................................... ..............61  
(c) Provisions, including those in internat ional agreements, concerning qualification 
requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing and/or 
registration requirements for the supply of services ...........................................................61  
(d) Provisions governing the existence and operation of monopolies or exclusive 
service s uppliers .............................................................................................................. ........62  
(e) Provisions relating to safeguard measures as they apply to trade in services ...................62  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page iv  
 
  (f, g)
 Provisions relating to international transfers and payments for current 
transactions of services; Provisions relatin g to capital transactions affecting the 
supply of services ............................................................................................................. .......62  
(h) Provisions governing the procurement by  governmental agencies of services..................62  
4. Market Access and National Treatment ...............................................................................62  
(a) Limitations on the numb er of service suppliers ...................................................................62  
(b) Limitations on the total value of service transactions or assets..........................................63  
(c) Limitations on the total number of servi ce operations or on the total quantity of 
service output ................................................................................................................. .........63  
(d) Limitations on the total number of natural persons that may be employed in a 
particular service sector ...................................................................................................... ...63 
(e) Restrictions on, or requirements of specifi c types of legal entity through which a 
service may be  supplied........................................................................................................ ..63 
(f) Limitations on the participation of foreign capital ..............................................................63  
4. Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment ........................................................................................63  
VII.  INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRAD E AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS 
WITH THIRD COUNTRIES ................................................................................................63  
1. Bilateral or plurilateral agreements relati ng to foreign trade in goods and trade 
in services.................................................................................................................... .............63  
2. Economic integration, customs union  and free-trade area agreements.............................64  
3. Labour markets integration agreements ..............................................................................64  
4. Multilateral economic cooperation, memb ership in the multilateral economic 
organizations, trade-related programmes of other multilateral organizations.................64  
ANNEX 1 ........................................................................................................................ ......................65  
ANNEX 2 ........................................................................................................................ ......................76  
ANNEX 3 ........................................................................................................................ ......................80  
ANNEX 4 ........................................................................................................................ ......................83  
ANNEX 5 ........................................................................................................................ ......................91  
ANNEX 6 ........................................................................................................................ ....................110  
ANNEX 7 ........................................................................................................................ ....................112  
 
 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 1 
 
 
  I. INTRODUCTION 
 The Republic of Seychelles is located in the w estern Indian Ocean and c onsists of 116 islands 
of which 41 are granitic and 75 are coralline.  The country has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 
1.3 million square kilometres.  Victoria is the po litical and commercial capital of the country, located 
at latitude 4o 38' South and longitude 55o 27' East.  It is located on the island of Mahe which is 27 km 
long and 11 km wide and the highest point is 905 m above sea level.  Two other islands of major 
importance are Praslin and La Digue which ar e located 33.6 km and 48 km away from Mahe 
respectively.   
 Seychelles shares common borders with Madag ascar and Mauritius.  The closest point from 
Seychelles to a major continental land mass is the coast of Mombasa (Kenya) which is 1,800 km away 
from the main island of Mahe.   
 The population of Seychelles stood at 85,307 in 2007 and the population growth is 
2.1 per cent per annum.  Ninety per cent of the c ountry's population live on the island of Mahe.  The 
population is a diverse mix of ethnicities and races,  descended from Africa, Asia and Europe and the 
culture is derived from these three continents.  It should be noted that there is no indigenous local 
population.  Descended from the original French set tlers, their African slaves and British sailors and 
traders, the Seychellois mixture has been also en riched by traders from India and China as well as 
Arabs, all intermingling to produce a multi-faceted and almost unparalleled society.  The common language is Creole, the outcome of early French in fluence and administration.  Nevertheless, today, 
Creole, French and English are the national lang uages of Seychelles as a consequence of successive 
French and British administration of the c ountry until its independence in 1976.   
 The Constitution of Seychelles is the supreme law of the land.  The President is the Head of 
State, Head of the Government and Commander-in- Chief of the Defence of Seychelles.  Executive 
power is vested in the President and it is exercise d in accordance with the Constitution of Seychelles.  
The President is advised by a Cabinet of Ministers.  The legislative power is exercised by the National 
Assembly which is comprised of 26 elected members and eight proportionally elected members.  
Judicial power is exercised by independent courts  which consist of the Court of Appeal, Supreme 
Court, and other subordinate courts in accordance with  the Constitution.  The Court of Appeal is the 
highest Court of the land.   
 Seychelles has a very narrow economic base dominated by the tourism and fisheries sectors, 
accounting for 21 per cent and 20 per cent of GDP, respectively.  Other sectors worth mentioning are: manufacturing, which accounts for 10 per cent; and agriculture, which accounts for 2.3 per cent of 
GDP.  In addition, since 1995 the offshore sector  has grown considerably and currently accounts for 
5 per cent of GDP.  The dominant role of two sectors in the country's economic activity makes it extremely vulnerable to shocks in those sectors. Recognizing this, the government initiated a National 
Development Strategy - Strategy 2017 to br oaden and diversify th e economic base.   
 Seychelles accounts for approximately 0.01 per cent of world merchandise trade.  Using 2007 
data, the major export products were: Fish and Fishery products (94 per cent); miscellaneous 
manufactured products (5 per cent) and various agri cultural products (1 per cent); while the major 
imports were: Machinery and Equipment (26 per cen t); Mineral Fuels (24 per cent); Food and Live 
Animals (21 per cent); Manufactured Goods and Mi scellaneous Manufactured Articles (20 per cent) 
and Chemicals (4 per cent).  Major export partners ar e:  EU; China; India. Major import partners are: 
Saudi Arabia (24 per cent); Germany (10 per cent); Singapore (9 per cent); France (8 per cent); Spain 
(7 per cent); South Africa (6 per cent); Unite d Arab Emirates (5 per cent); United Kingdom 
(5 per cent); Italy (4 per cent); Mauritius (3 per cent ); while India, Japan and Malaysia all accounted 
for 2 per cent each. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 2  
 
  II. ECONOMY, ECONOMIC POLICIES AND FOREIGN TRADE 
1. Economy (a) General description 
 Despite a relatively narrow economic base dominated by the Tourism and Fisheries sectors, 
Seychelles has been an upper-middle income econom y as classified by the United Nations.  With a 
GDP per capita of US$7,600 (PPP) in 2007, Seyc helles was ranked 50th on the 2007 United Nations 
Human Development Index.  
  Up until 2000, most of the economic growth of Seychelles was led by the public sector, 
comprising primarily building of infrastructure and provision of social welfare programmes. 
However, in the context of structural reforms in itiated in the late 1990s, the tendency has been for a 
reduction in the role of the State and increased part icipation of the private sector in the development 
of the economy. 
 The Tourism and Fisheries sectors have traditionally dominated the economy of Seychelles, 
accounting for 41 per cent of GDP between them. In its efforts to diversify the economy, the 
Government has successfully set up and run the offsho re financial sector to become the third pillar of 
the economy.  The offshore financial sector presently  contributes less than 5 per cent of the GDP of 
Seychelles.  In addition, Seychelles remains very su sceptible to external shocks given its small size 
and remoteness.   
 Consistent with the external demands of an  increasingly globalizing world economy and the 
vision of government for greater private sector i nvolvement in economic activities, Government has 
been actively privatizing many previously State-ow ned interests, thereby scaling back its direct 
involvement in production and assuming a greater role as facilitator of economic development. 
Consequently, as of October 2008, the private se ctor and public sector employed 56 per cent and 
44 per cent of the national workforce, respectively.   This contrasts with December 2002 when the 
share of Public sector employment was 48 per cent.  Further reductions in the share of employment of 
the public sector, are anticipated in 2009. 
 The Government of Seychelles is actively seek ing to broaden the c ountry's economic base 
and the financial sector is one area identified for potential growth.  As such, the setting up of the 
Seychelles International Trade Zone (SITZ) in 1995 was one initiative aimed at encouraging growth 
in this area and early results are encouraging.  Le gislations have also been put in place to actively 
encourage investments by foreign banks.  Currently, there are four internati onal banks operating in the 
country: Barclays, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Ha bib Bank and Bank of Baroda.  The Seychelles 
International Mercantile Credit Banking Corpora tion (SIMBC) trading under the name "Nouvobanq" 
is a joint venture between the Seychelles Governme nt and the Standard Ch artered Bank African PLC. 
All of these banks offer a range of services. 
 The country's economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks.  Not only does it depend 
on tourism, but it imports close to 90 per cent of consumables, primary and secondary inputs which 
have been affected directly by the price of oil.  Any decline in tourism quickly translates into a fall in 
GDP, a decline in foreign exchange receipts, and budgetary difficulties.  Furthermore, recent changes 
in the financial and environmental climate are having adverse effects on the fisheries sector.  
(b) Current economic situation 
 Seychelles has been subjected to sustained bala nce of payments deficits and high levels of 
public debt over the last five years.  The balance of payments reached a defi cit of Seychelles rupees  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 3 
 
 
  (SR) 1.8197 billion in 2007, while the public debt  to GDP ratio was 146 per cent.  Additionally, 
expansionary fiscal and monetary policies recently  implemented had been incompatible with the 
maintenance of a crawling pegged ex change rate regime for several years. A system of complex 
exchange controls and restrictions was progressi vely introduced and fore ign exchange shortages 
ensued.  The parallel foreign exchange market fl ourished as it offered at least twice the nominal 
amount of Seychelles Rupees offered by commercial banks, per United States Dollar.  Consequently, 
the tendency was for Seychellois to invest in and hoa rd foreign exchange as a store of value, at the 
expense of investments in the domestic economy.  This resulted in sluggish economic growth and a 
deterioration in the competitiveness of exports as the real effective exchange rate became exceedingly 
overvalued. 
 Moreover, the fuel and food price shoc ks and the global economic slowdown have 
exacerbated existing vulnerabilities.  These include: 
− Disruption of manufacturing output and less buoya nt tourism growth due to foreign exchange 
shortages are expected to lead to a sharp decline in real GD P growth in 2008 to 3.1 per cent 
from an average of about 7.5 per cent over the period 2005-07. 
− Sharp increase in inflation, up to 37.5 per cen t (year-on-year) at end-August 2008, compared 
to 5.2 per cent in August 2007, and virtually zero in 2005-06, due in part to the 2006-07 nominal depreciation of the Seychelles Rupee. 
− Projection of a widening of the external current  account deficit in 2008, from 23 per cent of 
GDP in 2007 to almost 29 per cent, due to lowe r growth in tourism receipts, the petroleum 
and food price shock and higher co sts of transportation services.  
 Faced with these constraints, on 19 Sept ember 2008 the Government of Seychelles 
approached the IMF for Article IV consu ltations and a standby arrangement.    
2. Economic Policies 
(a)  Main directions of the ongoing economic policies 
(i) New economic policies
 
 With the assistance of the IMF, Seychelles is undertaking fundamental economic reforms.  
The policies envisaged are aimed at restoring in ternal and external stability as well as resolving 
macro-economic imbalances and place public debt on a sustainable path. 
 The key elements of the reform programme include: 
− Achieve full convertibility of the Seychelles R upee and introduce a floating exchange rate 
regime.  The removal of all exchange restricti ons and introduction of a market-based float of 
the Seychelles Rupee will play a key role in the improvement of external competitiveness and 
reduction in macroec onomic imbalances; 
− Using fiscal instruments such as expenditure rest raint, revenue enhancement, strengthening of 
public financial management, and public sect or reform to address the macroeconomic 
imbalances and underpin competitiveness gains and put public debt on a sustainable path.  
Government is currently engaged in negotiati ons with bilateral and multilateral donors in an 
effort to acquire debt relief in an attemp t to place it on a more sustainable footing; 
− Reform monetary policy to focus on liquidity ma nagement with market-based instruments.  
A floating exchange rate regime places incr eased emphasis on monetary policy to achieve 
price stability.  At the same time, maintaining financial system stability in the aftermath of the 
reforms will require enha nced bank supervision; WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 4  
 
  − Reduce the role of the state in the economy a nd improve the business environment.  Steps to 
boost private sector investment and growth include privatization, the strengthening of monitoring and oversight of public entities; a nd enhancing transparency and governance. 
 With full implementation of the programme in 2009, the following results are expected: 
− The global downturn and tight macroeconomic polic ies will lead to a contraction of GDP in 
2009, by about 9.5 per cent, mainly due to falling tourism receipts.  A recovery is projected to 
emerge thereafter with average real GDP grow th of about 2 to 3 per cent from 2011, under the 
impulse of rising foreign investment in tourism following the lifting of exchange restrictions 
and other bottlenecks; 
− The Seychelles Rupee depreciation following the floa t is expected to lead in the short-run to 
higher inflation, which would peak in the second quarter of 2009 and gradually decline to 
22 per cent at end-2009.  The real effective exchange rate (REER) would depreciate on 
average in 2009, followed by a small appreciation; 
− Together with a temporary decline in FDI-related imports, the Seychelles Rupee depreciation 
is projected to significantly improve the non-interest current account deficit in 2009 to 16.4 per cent, from 26.6 per cent in 2008.  The non-interest current account deficit should widen moderately over the medium term, as ri sing tourism earnings are offset by higher 
tourism- and FDI- related im ports and greater profit and dividend repatriation. The 
programme envisages relatively rapid accumulation of official foreign reserves; 
− Domestic debt would be expected to decline th rough a combination of fiscal restraint and the 
impact of negative real rates in 2008, especia lly on long term securities with fixed coupons.  
For external debt, a restructuring plan is curre ntly being negotiated with partners and will 
provide for the overall debt to be more sustainable in the long-term. 
 Seychelles' trade policy is orientating toward s regional integration with the Common Market 
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).  The Government of Seychelles firmly believes that 
regional integration will provide  the economic sectors of the country with more scope for 
development in terms of acquiring an increased ma rket for the exports of goods and services.    
(ii) Pricing policy
 
 Prices of local goods and services are determined  freely by the market forces. However, for a 
select group of essential food items (listed in Annex 5), prices are subject to price control by the 
government.  This measure has been put into pl ace to ensure price stability on essential food items 
consumed by all persons in Seyche lles, in particular to safeguard rural livelihoods and improve food 
security.  Control for these prices is achieved through a maximum retail mark-up of 30 percent on the import value of goods as declared at the port of en try.  The Price Control Unit periodically monitors 
the prices of these items and traders found in vi olation are subject to applicable penalties. 
 It is also worth noting that Seychelles is a ve ry small, vulnerable, open and remote economy. 
These factors combined, can strongly militate against competitive behaviour in markets, as a few importers of most products can effectively charge  prices significantly more than marginal cost.  
Additionally, with escalating food prices on the world market, therefore some degree of price control 
is needed on essential food items to ensure that su ch items are affordable to those in the lowest 
income groups.   
 The price control measures imposed by the Govern ment are solely for goods.  It is not the 
intention of Government to extend these measures to the services sector.   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 5 
 
 
  (iii) Economic development plans  
 In March 2007, the Government of Seychell es launched Strategy 2017, which is a broad-
based ten-year strategy aiming to double the nominal income per capita and a reduction of public debt 
from 146 per cent to 60 per cent by the year 2017.  In order to achieve this, it is the Government's 
policy to create economic conditions conducive to increased wealth generation by private businesses 
and individuals. The Government proposes to accomp lish this by curtailing its role as an economic 
actor and to focus instead on operating as an economic facilitator, allowing Seychellois and 
international business to benefit from an incr easingly business-friendly economic environment, 
streamlined regulatory structure and capable human resource base. 
 In recognition of Seychelles' comparative ec onomic advantage in the sectors of tourism and 
industrial fisheries, Government policy will conti nue to focus on these tw o economic activities which 
have, since the 1970's provided the bulk of the country's foreign currency inflows. 
 Complementarily, Seychelles' emerging financia l services sector will be developed, both as a 
support to the fisheries and tourism industri es and as a powerful additional economic motor. 
(iv)  Regional developments plans  
 The Government of Seychelles has recognised the need for regional integration as part of the 
country's development objectives.  Regionally a ligning itself with the Indian Ocean Commission 
(IOC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African 
Development Community (SADC), Seychelles has bene fited from technical assistance in many areas 
of trade and development.  Moreover, such regi onal groupings provide Seyc helles' with a potential 
market of 500 million people for its goods and ser vices and vice-versa the region provides the country 
potential sources for imports.  The section below summarises the Seychelles' participation in the regional groupings. 
- Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
 
 The IOC was created in 1984 following the signing of the Victoria Accord by the Union of 
Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Re union (France).  The IOC is recognised as a sub-
regional grouping which promotes intra-regional c ooperation amongst its member states taking into 
account their insular nature, small and vulnerable economies, and the protection of their fragile 
natural environment.  
 Seychelles is benefiting from a number of project s funded by the organisation.  These projects 
include surveillance and control of illegal fishi ng, regional tourism cooperation, coastal erosion 
control projects and AIDS prevention projects.  Th ese projects are funded by the IOC and by external 
donor funding agencies. 
 Given that the IOC has been associated mostly with development and cultural support 
programmes, there has been an attempt to incr ease political and diplomatic cooperation amongst its 
member States.  The creation of the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles (CMMS) group to negotiate trade agreements taking into considerati on the specific nature of their economies such as the 
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with th e European Commission.  The idea of the CMMS 
group becoming a permanent grouping is still bei ng discussed and the ideas are still evolving.   
- Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
 
 COMESA began its operation in December 1994 to replace the Preferential Trade Area 
(PTA) for Eastern and Southern Africa.  The Organisation is governed by the COMESA Treaty.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 6  
 
  Seychelles joined in June 1993 when it was s till known as the PTA.  Currently, COMESA has 19 
member States and is only a Free Trade Area (FTA), a Customs Union is currently being set up for a possible launch in December this year. 
 Seychelles is a member of the COMESA FTA.  In signing the FTA the Government 
anticipates that the country would benefit from a wi der, harmonised and more competitive market,   
greater market access and food security and a greater investment in infrastructure. 
 Seychelles has benefited immensely with technical and financial assistance in the area of 
capacity building.  The Organisa tion in conjunction with UNCTAD h as assisted the country in setting 
up the ASYCUDA++ programme for the Customs Division and is in the process of evaluating further 
requests from Seychelles on trade-related projects.  Th e COMESA Secretariat is also in the process of 
coordinating the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA ) negotiations with the European Commission. 
- Southern African Development Community (SADC) 
 
 Like some members of COMESA, Seychelles is also a member of SADC.  Seychelles joined 
the organisation in September 1997.  However, due to human and financ ial constraints, the 
Government decided to withdraw its membership fr om the organisation.  In 2006, the Government 
felt that that the time was right to re-join SADC  and it initiated the process in that same year.  
Seychelles was re-admitted to  SADC in August 2008. 
 The Organisation has broad objectives which include; to promote and defend peace, security 
and stability.  Additionally, through regional integra tion it aims to achieve sustainable development, 
economic growth and eradication of poverty in order to enhance the standard and quality of life of the 
people of the Southern African region. SADC aims to be a fully fledged customs union by 2010. 
- Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)  
 Seychelles signed the Cotonou Partnership Ag reement (CPA) in 2000 together with 77 
African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries with  the member States of the EU.  The Agreement 
provided an extension of the four Lomé Conven tions which importantly provided non-reciprocal 
preferential market access to the EC fo r goods originating from these countries.  
 Members of the World Trade Organisation (W TO) outside the ACP region have challenged 
the non-reciprocal preferential market access through the Organisation's Dispute Settlement 
mechanism that was granted by the Lomé IV Convention in 1993 and won their challenge.  
Consequently the EU requested for a WTO waiver (exemption) so as to provide trade preferences to 
the ACP countries until 2000 and this was granted.   
 This waiver was extended in 2001 at the Doha Ministerial Meeting.  It was to last until the 
31 December 2007.   Seychelles signed an interim ag reement with the EC to prevent trade disruption 
until it finalises the EPA negotiations next year.   
 Seychelles' position on the negotiations is that  the EPA will be solely a trade in goods and 
development agreement. Once the Government unders tands the full implications other areas of the 
EPA will be considered and will be negotiated. 
(v) Sectoral priorities  
 Since the early 1990s, the Government has ta ken steps to increase the involvement of the 
private sector in the development of the country.  The first company to be privatised was the 
stevedoring company called the Union Lighterage Company (ULC).  Other companies then soon  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 7 
 
 
  followed suit and subsequently different sectors we re soon liberalised such as education, health, 
insurance and telecommunications.  Sectoral prio rities for the Government of Seychelles are the 
following: 
 (i) Tourism Sector  
 The tourism sector has in the past and is still one of the main pillars of the Seychelles' 
economy.  One of the main indicators of growth of the sector is tourism arrivals.  Visitor arrivals in 
2003 were recorded at 122,000, in comparison to 161,273 recorded in 2007, corresponding to an increase of 37 per cent.  Arrivals from Europe account for over 80 per cent of the total number of 
arrivals.  The leading markets are France, Italy, Germany and UK and Eire.  The preferred mode of 
travel was by air, accounting for 98.3 per cent of all modes.       
 The sector has over the years played an important role in the economy.  Employment, foreign 
exchange earnings, construction, banking and commerce to a larg e extent are dependent on the 
tourism industry.  The tourism-related activiti es represent 21 per cent of Gross Domestic Product 
(GDP).  
 The Seychelles' economy continues to rely h eavily on tourism as a foreign exchange earner 
and accounts for about 21 per cent of GDP (2007).  The industry also provides employment for about 
16 per cent of the total labour force and also stimulates activities in a number of other related sectors such as diving and other marine based activities, en tertainment, horticulture and the production and 
sale of local handicrafts.  Conscious of the fact that tourism is a vital industry, Government has 
enacted incentive-related legislations with the aim of increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in 
that sector. 
 The incentives-related legislation includes the Tourism Incentives Act (TIA) of 2003 and to 
further facilitate the investments and the Seychell es Investment Code of 2005 enacted following the 
creation of the Seychelles Investment Bureau.  The TIA includes concessions on Trades Tax and GST (Goods and Services Tax) concessions, Social Security concessions, Gainful Occupation Permit 
(GOP) concessions, fuel concessions, Accelerated Depreciation and Market and Promotion. 
 (ii)     Fisheries Sector
  
 With a territory of 1.3 million square kilometres,  a significantly large percentage of it is ocean 
with a rich source of marine life.  It is only natura l that the fisheries sector is another pillar of the 
economy.  The long-term policy of the Government of Seychelles for the fishing industry is the promotion of sustainable and responsible fisheries development and optimization of the benefits from 
this sector for present and future generations. 
 Industrial fishing in Seychelles, notably tuna fishing, is a significant economic activity.  In 
2000, industrial fishing surpassed tourism as the mo st important foreign exchange earner.  The 
majority earnings from this sector are derived from the export of canned tuna and licensing fees paid 
by foreign trawlers fishing in Seychelles' territori al waters. In 1995, the Government sold 60 per cent 
of its shares of the tuna canning factory to Heinz F oods Inc., the company then  sold its stake to MW 
Brands.  In 2007, canned tuna accounted for 90 per cent of the country's total exports. 
 To increase investments in this area, the Fisheries (Incentives) Act (FIA) of 2005 was 
enacted.  The Act provided for local as well as forei gn investors with the fo llowing incentives; Trades 
Tax and GST (Goods and Services Tax) concessi ons, Social Security concessions, Gainful 
Occupation Permit (GOP) concessions, Fuel concessions , Accelerated Depreciation, and Market and 
Promotion. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 8  
 
   The fisheries sector is being managed by the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).  The 
Authority was created in August 1984 by the Seychell es Fishing Authority (Establishment) Act, at a 
time of intense development in the sector.  The SFA's  operations are guided by a Board of Directors, 
appointed by the President of the Republic of Seychelles.  
- Financial Services Sector
 
 The financial services sector is the newly emerging sector which the Government of 
Seychelles is actively seeking to develop.  Seyche lles' modern banking facilities are offered through 
international banks including Barclays Bank PLC, Nouvobanq (affilia ted to Standard Chartered 
Bank), Mauritius Commercial Bank, Bank of Baroda  and Habib Bank. All major credit cards are 
represented through the currently  established commercial banks. 
 The Government's vision is to see Seychelles con tinue to grow as an o ffshore financial centre. 
The efficiency and knowledge of the offshore sect or, broad array of products and services and 
commitment to continue innovation which is intende d to make Seychelles the premier choice in the 
offshore world.   A Stock Exchange is currently be ing set up to further facilitate the growth of the 
financial services sector. 
 The major constraint currently being faced by  the financial services sector is the limited 
bandwidth.  However, the Government is activel y seeking to connect the country to the undersea 
cable. 
 The Government of Seychelles is also awar e of other potential sectors which could be 
developed.  These include the agricultural sector to improve self sufficiency in certain crops, the 
construction industry and the IT sector.  It has put in place the Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) to 
act as a one-stop shop for investors.  
(b) Monetary and fiscal policies 
(i) Monetary policy   
 As part of the economic reform programme adopted by the Government in November 2008, 
monetary management in Seychelles will for the time being be based on a monetary targeting 
framework. In this framework, the final target - price stability - is to be achieved by influencing 
changes in broad money supply (or total liquidity in the economy).  Because the monetary authorities 
can only control money suppl y indirectly, reserve money - which is  more directly controllable by the 
Central Bank - has been chosen as the operating targ et of monetary policy. Money supply is linked to 
reserve money through the money multiplier and th e Central Bank will aim to control money supply 
by changing reserve money.  As a consequence of  the monetary targeting system, monetary price 
variables, such as interest rates and exchange rate s, will in principle be free to fluctuate and be 
determined by market forces.  However, the Cent ral Bank is responsible for monitoring closely these 
variables and intervening as necessary to avoid disruptive fluctuations. 
 The redesign of the monetary policy framework is a result of the decision to move from a 
fixed to a floating exchange rate regime. In theory , by fixing the nominal exchange rate, the Central 
Bank establishes an "automatic" mechanism to cont rol the expansion in money supply and thereby 
overall inflation. With a floating exchange rate re gime, there is a need to adopt another so-called 
"nominal anchor". The most important function of a country's monetary policy will continue to be 
control of the money supply, particularly as the fl oating of the exchange rate will result in higher 
inflation.  The move to a flexible exchange rate regime, therefore, has shifted the burden of managing 
liquidity from intervention in the foreign excha nge market to other market-based monetary policy 
instruments.   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 9 
 
 
   In formulating monetary policy, the Cent ral Bank will analyze the connection between 
monetary and real economic variables and assess the time  lags of the effects.  The changes in overall 
money supply are a primary causal factor affecting pr ice stability.  In general, three definitions of 
monetary aggregates will be used in analyzing moneta ry developments in the Seychelles.  The first is 
"reserve money" consisting of cu rrency issued by the Central Ba nk and commercial banks' deposits 
with the Central Bank. This is also called base money or high-powered m oney, as commercial banks 
can create deposits based on reserve money which are components of a broader definition of money 
supply, through their process of creating credits and deposits.  The second is "narrow money" (M1), 
defined as the sum of currency held by the public  and demand deposits held by the public with 
commercial banks.  The third is "broad money" (M 3) defined as the sum of currency held by the 
public and all deposits held by the public with co mmercial banks. Studies have shown that the most 
appropriate monetary variable to analyze the re lationship between the mone y supply and the general 
price level in Seychelles is the broad money supply. 
 The monetary targeting framework is ope rated through a monetary programme.  The 
monetary programme is prepared by the Central Bank in close cooperation with the Ministry of 
Finance, taking into account economic factors such as the expected fiscal and balance of payments 
developments, economic growth, desi red levels of growth in credit and inflation. Based on these 
factors, the monetary programme sets out the desi red path for monetary growth and determines the 
path of quarterly reserve money targets necessary to  achieve this monetary growth. The Central Bank 
will primarily rely on its market operati ons to achieve the quarterly targets. 
 In order to meet quarterly targets, however, decisions on the use of instruments have to be 
taken on a weekly and daily basis.  To guide the interventions for managing bank liquidity, the 
Central Bank will maintain a Liquidity Monitoring Framework which identifies the factors 
influencing bank liquidity.  This framework is used to  make forecasts on future liquidity flows, taking 
into account foreign exchange transactions, gover nment transactions, changes in currency in 
circulation and other transactions  which impact on bank liquidity. 
 In the day-to-day operations for implementing monetary policy, a strong focus is placed on 
managing banks' excess reserves.  These are define d as banks deposits with the Central Bank in 
excess of statutory required reserves and banks' ow n requirements.  Influencing the direction of 
excess reserves in the banking system will help to  achieve a predictable pattern for liquidity 
management and, in particular, avoid a heavy relia nce on interventions at the end of each quarter to 
meet the reserve money targets.  Through the wa y the short-term operations are conducted, the 
Central Bank will provide incentives to a more activ e liquidity management by banks and contribute 
to market development. 
 A long-term objective for monetary policy impl ementation is to strengthen the influence of 
interest rates on economic developments. As interb ank and money markets develop, the Central Bank 
will place more emphasis on steering short-term in terest rates.  An operational framework for 
implementing short-term monetary policy with a focu s on influencing market interest rates would not 
replace the current operational framework, centred on the reserve money programme.  The quarterly 
reserve money targets will continue to be the interm ediate operating target while the level of interest 
rates in the money market will influence banks' be haviours and monetary development in the short-
term consistent with the reserve money path.  The overall effectiveness of monetary policy will 
increase when interest rates over a wide spectrum of the yield curv e can be allowed to respond to 
changing monetary impulses.  This objective has to  be viewed as a long-term desirable development 
which must pass through various stages of market deve lopment.  Experience shows that as part of this 
process banks will focus more on their liquidity management, which normally will contribute to the 
development of the interbank market and to a more competitive environment in the banking sector. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 10  
 
  (ii) Fiscal policy
 
 The Government has traditionally concentrated  spending on infrastructure, social welfare 
(free healthcare, free primary and secondary educati on and social security benefits) and budgetary 
support for certain state trading enterprises (STEs).  It should be noted that Government acts as a guarantor for any local or foreign loans negotiate d by these STEs.  With the current global situation 
and the recently negotiated IMF standby arrangement and the implementation of the programme that 
is associated with the arrangement, the Government  anticipates that it would have to implement a 
tighter fiscal policy than in previous years.  It is worthwhile mentioning that the Government is also in 
the process of renegotiating its external debt with  both bilateral and multilateral donors with the aim 
of creating a sustainable debt stock. 
 Since 2003, the Government has undertaken majo r economic reforms to address fiscal deficit 
and excessive domestic liquidity.  The Macro-Econom ic Reform Programme (MERP) was initiated in 
that same year to address these problems.  The ME RP saw the introduction of the Goods and Services 
Tax (GST) Act, which introduced a GST ranging be tween 7 per cent and 15 per cent depending on the 
goods (domestically produced and imported), purchased  and the services rendered.  The MERP also 
saw the reduction of tariffs on a number of impor ted goods and that generated increased outcome 
through customs revenue.  In 2003, the Government  also began cutting the subsidies to parastatals 
completely or reducing them.  Certain fees such as immigration fees, landing/cargo handling fees, transhipment charges and airline passenger fees were  increased.  Income for the Government was also 
generated through the sale of assets, mostly land an d housing stock.  Taking into account that the 
MERP was introduced in mid-2003, the actual out come of the year indicated a surplus of 
SR 270.366 million or 7 per cent of GDP. 
 The positive fiscal outcome which started in 20 03 continued in 2004.  The budget estimates 
for the year 2004 was projected a surplus of SR 593.373 million or 15 per cent of the estimated GDP.  
However, the actual outcome for 2004 indicated a surplus of SR 102.284 million representing 3 per cent of the estimated GDP.  This was due to the various concessions in the form of fiscal 
incentives given to the tourism sector in a bid to  reinvigorate it, reductions in tariff revenues and 
social security contributions.  There were also  unforeseen expenditures by various ministries and 
other government agencies in net lending and capital and current outlays .  Debt servicing also resulted 
in reduction in government' revenue and surplus.   
 In 2005, the Government removed an import permit requirement for all imports excluding 
those listed in Annex 4 and the exclusive rights for Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB) to import a 
category of 'essential' commodities.  The aim was and is still to move away from direct controls to 
regulation of trade, production and pricing.  The surplus generated for that year was 9 per cent of 
estimated GDP and equivalent to SR 352.038 million.  This was mainly due to rent of land, buildings 
and leasing of government assets. 
 For 2006, the debt repayment and the sharp ri se in the cost of living preoccupied the 
Government.  Budgetary pressure was as a result of civil service reorganisation and salary increases 
coupled with a SR 60 million subven tion to the PUC to assist the comp any with the sharp increase in 
fuel prices and SR 1.253 billion in repayment of debt to various creditors.  However, for that year the 
Government did manage to gene rate a surplus of 5 per cent. 
 At the end of 2007, the Government recorded a surplus of 1 per cent down from a projected 
surplus of 7 per cent of GDP.  The shortfall in the projected surplus was as a result of depreciation of 
the local currency, increased expenditure by governme nt agencies, subvention to the PUC to maintain 
electricity and water charges and clearing of de bts.  Total collection from goods and service tax 
collected from petroleum products was 19 per cent a bove original budgeted figures.  An increase of 
14 per cent in revenue was recorded in Busin ess Tax, which includes mainly Companies and  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Withholding tax.  There was also an increase of 15  per cent in other indirect taxes which includes 
Road Tax and Other Licenses and Telecommunication Licenses. 
 For the year 2008, the Government projected a surplus of 5 per cent of GDP but recorded a 
deficit of 3 per cent as a consequence of a cha nge in monetary policy by the Central Bank of 
Seychelles.  As of 1 November 2008, the local curren cy is in free float against all currencies of the 
world.  Implementation of this new moneta ry policy has resulted in the local currency 
(Seychelles Rupee) being significantly depreciated against foreign currencies.  The Seychelles Rupee 
has now stabilised against foreign currencies.  Re ducing the debt burden is the biggest challenge for 
the Government.  Currently, the country is undergoi ng fundamental change in its fiscal and monetary 
policies and these policies will be affected  by the changes in the global economy. 
 For 2009, Government will be maintaining a tight fiscal stance.  Measures to further 
strengthen revenue collection, contro l public expenditure and raise the efficiency and transparency of 
public finance will be undertaken.  Primary fiscal  surpluses of 6.2 per cent of GDP on average are 
targeted in 2009-10.  This will be achieved throu gh expenditure restraint, the full year effect of 
eliminating subsidies in late 2008 and a reduction of  the Government's wage bill in real terms from 
8.7 per cent of GDP in 2008 to 6.9 per cent in 2010, as part of its civil service restructuring plan.  In 
addition a revenue shortfall of 3.5 per cent of GDP is expected from the t ourism earnings however it 
is expected that this shortfall will be partly compensated for by higher negotiated receipts from the 
fishing sector (2.8 per cent of GDP).   
(c) Foreign exchange and payments system 
(i) Acquiring foreign currency  
 Commercial banks and authorised dealers are th e only authorised sellers of foreign exchange 
authorized by law in Seychelles.  These entities are allowed to transact foreign exchange freely 
without any control on price or amount that can be transacted.  
 They are under no obligation to allocate any amount of their foreign exchange to the Central 
Bank or Government of Seychelles.     
(ii) Foreign exchange transactions  
 As of the 1 November 2008, the currency of Seychelles; the Seychelles Rupee is free floated 
against all foreign currencies.  The exchange rate s are set by the commercial banks and authorised 
dealers based on market forces.   
 The Central Bank charges a 5 per cent commi ssion on the sale of all foreign exchange notes 
and purchases foreign exchange at the prevailing commercial rate without any commission charged. 
There are no taxes or subsidies on purchases or sales of foreign exchange.  There are no arrangements 
for forward cover against exchange rate risk in  the banking sector.  Occasionally, the Central Bank 
conducts foreign exchange auctions for commercial banks and authorised dealers and does not charge 
any commission on transaction.     
(iii) Administration of control  
 There is no form of administrative allocation of foreign exchange.  Any person or business 
can purchase foreign exchange fro m commercial banks and authorised  dealers to undertake foreign 
exchange payments.   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 12  
 
  (iv) Imports and import payments
 
 For import payments, there are no legal restrictions in place to hinder the transaction.  
Importers except individuals, who are importing go ods for private consumption, require an import 
licence which is issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA).  The issuance of these licences 
is made according to the criteria which are set forth in Annex 3.   
 Import permit restrictions a pply only to goods which are restricted, as listed in Annex 4.  
There is no monopoly on imports and all goods are subject to a customs duty (referred to as Trades 
Tax) and a Goods and Services Tax (GST).  It should be noted however, that the GST is not applied 
on the following items, regardless of their country of origin; rice, cooking oil, milk, sugar, potatoes, 
flour, salt, onions, ginger, garlic, baby milk, margarine, lentils and a list of items in Annex 7 which 
includes mostly items used for medicinal purpo ses.  These items are considered basic food and 
medical items and are exempted from GST, so as to  protect the society's most vulnerable against 
rising costs. 
(v) Payment for invisibles  
 There are no legal restrictions and limits on payments for invisibles.  Individuals and 
businesses can approach commercial banks and author ised dealers to obtain their required foreign 
exchange; although it is subject to availability.   
(vi) Exports and export proceeds  
 There are no restrictions on exports except on ende mic plant and animal life.  With regards, to 
export proceeds, they can be repatriated however; th ey are subject to a 1.5 per cent tax.      
(vii)  Proceeds from invisibles  
 Proceeds from invisibles can be disposed of  freely in the local market through licensed 
commercial banks and authorised dealers.  Repatria tion of the proceeds can be done, however they are 
subject to a 1.5 per cent tax.   
(viii) Capital  
 For foreign companies operating in Seyche lles, dividend remittances, transfers of 
management fees, royalties and transfers of proceeds from the sale of assets are permitted and subject 
to a withholding tax of 15 per cent.   In addition,  payments for loan principal and interest can be 
remitted through banks.   
 Investment outside Seychelles by perman ent residents and by companies and other 
organizations operating in Seychelles is not subject  to any limitation. Foreign investment (whether 
portfolio, direct investment, additional investments in  existing entities in the form of loans or equity 
capital) is freely permitted, provided that such i nvestment does not involve alienation of land.   
 All companies operating in Seychelles can raise capital from any commercial bank in the 
country.  All fees and charges are set by the bank s themselves.  In cases where foreign and local 
companies intend to have foreign exchange accounts to facilitate their businesses even further, they 
are free to do so. 
(ix) Gold  
 Residents may freely purchase, hold, and sell gold in any form.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 13 
 
 
  (x) Relations with the International Monetary Fund  
 Seychelles is a member of the IMF.  Seychell es has requested an Article IV consultation and a 
Standby Arrangement.  The country is current ly undertaking an IMF reform programme. 
(d) Foreign and domestic investment policies 
 To increase foreign and domestic investments in the country, the Government of Seychelles 
has periodically updated its investment policies an d concessions available to investors.  The tax 
structure has been amended so as to simplify tax regi me of the country and certa in tax thresholds have 
either been reduced or eliminated.  For instance th e Business tax threshold has been raised to a level 
where, if a business profit is between SR 0 to SR 250,000 the business is not liable to pay any 
business tax, however if the amount of business prof it is above SR 250,000 it will be liable to pay 
40 per cent business tax on the excess of the SR 250,000 of the business profit.  There has also been a 
revision downwards on the rate of employer's contri butions on employees' salaries for Social Security 
Contributions.  In Seychelles there is no business tax on profits from rental of residential properties, 
however a GST of 15 per cent of the gross rental is  planned to be introduced from 1 January 2009.    
 The Investment Code of 2005 was enacted to pr ovide a legal guarantee to all investors.  The 
Code details where areas are restricted to local i nvestors only, strategic areas where local and foreign 
partnerships can be formed and any areas of invest ment not mentioned in the Code are open to local 
and foreign investors.  There are also certain Ac ts which cover fiscal incentives for certain areas of 
investment and which regulate the industries.  It is to be noted that a comprehensive exercise to 
reform the whole investment regime is currently be ing undertaken.  This exercise is expected to be 
concluded by mid-2009. 
 The Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB) was cr eated to facilitate investors by acting as a one-
stop shop for them.  There also exists other agenci es which facilitate and regul ate areas of investment 
such as the Policy and Strategy Division in the Mi nistry of Finance, Seychelles Tourism Board, 
Seychelles International Business Authority, Seyche lles Licensing Authority and the Small Enterprise 
Promotion Agency. 
- The Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)  
 The Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) was established on 1 September 1984 to deal with 
all types and aspects of licensing.  It is a regulatory body established under the Licenses Act 
(Cap 113) to grant, renew, refuse, suspend and re voke licenses where there ha s been a breach of the 
licenses regulations and conditions.  It also has the po wer to attach or vary conditions of the licence. 
 It took over the responsibilities of granting or  refusing of licenses that were scattered from 
several Government Ministries and Departments. It is the sole body with the power to issue licenses 
following approvals from relevant government agenci es which are entrusted with legislations which 
govern their economic sectors. The creation of a central body has greatly improved the level of 
coordination and streamlined the system of processing of licenses and administration and enabled the public and investors to deal with one organization concerning licensing matters.  The Authority is also 
a facilitator and thus plays an important role in provi ding applicants or any interested persons with the 
necessary guidelines on how to obtain the required licenses and process their licence applications as early as possible with a view of informing them of the outcome without delay. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 14  
 
  - The Seychelles Investment Bureau (SIB)
 
 The SIB acts as an investment facilitator, pr oviding the services of a one-stop shop for local 
and foreign investments.  The procedures work as follows: 
 The prospective investor needs to get an approval from the Government of Seychelles by 
submitting a business plan/project memorandum for th e proposed project/business to the Seychelles 
Investment Bureau (SIB).  The Bureau assesses the project based on set criteria specified in the 
Investment Code Act (2005) and othe r trade-related legislation and re gulations relating to the nature 
of the project. The decision is communicated by way of a formal letter to the prospective investor(s) 
within 30 days from the date of receipt of the proposal.  
 Upon receipt of approval by the Bureau, the pros pective investor needs to register its business 
with the Office of Registrar. 
 Where the investment involves construction the prospective investor(s) need(s) to apply for a 
construction permit from the Planning Authority.  Depending on the location of the construction, for 
example in close proximity to marshes, coastlin es and river banks, an Environmental Impact 
Assessment (EIA) will have to be conduct ed by the Department of Environment. 
 If the prospective investor's business consis ts of activities such as food or chemical 
processing, that can put the life of the public and its employees at risk, an Occupational Safety and Health inspection needs to be carried out. The prosp ective investor needs to contact the Department of 
Health, Ministry of Health and Social Development for details. 
 In order for a business to be operational, all pr ospective investors need to apply for a licence 
from the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA).  
 Within seven days of the commencement of op erations, all businesses need to be registered 
with the Social Security Fund, Ministry of Finance. 
 Individuals intending to carry out the followi ng economic activities are not required to submit 
a project memorandum to SIB: 
Activities Procedures 
Commercial and residential development of 
up to 5 apartments If investment cost is less than SR10 million plans to be 
submitted directly to Planning Authority. 
Individual workshops (e.g. carpentry, 
mechanic) If investment cost is less than SR 10 million plans to be 
submitted directly to Planning Authority.  
Pharmacies The approval of the Health Commission should be sought prior 
to issuing of a licence by SLA 
Massage parlour/centre complementary 
health care The approval of the Health Commission should be sought prior 
to issuing of a licence by SLA 
Professional services Seychellois applies directly to SLA 
 
Non-Seychellois have to submit a small brief to SIB for 
consideration based on an economic needs test. 
Import retail/wholesale Apply directly for a licence at SLA 
Mobile snacks Apply directly for a licence at SLA after Land Transport 
Division's approval for the location and clearance from 
relevant agency 
Tourist guide Apply directly for th e licence at SLA. Certificate of 
qualification from STB is required prior to issuing of a licence by SLA.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Activities Procedures 
Replacement and additiona l boat of up to 5 
boats for hire crafts Apply directly for licence at SLA after clearance from STB 
and Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) 
Take Away Outlet Apply directly to SL A after receiving approval from Health, 
Fire Dept, (Planning Authority if necessary). 
 
- Seychelles International Business Authority (SIBA)  
 In 1995, the Seychelles National Assembly appr oved three pieces of legislation conducive to 
the offshore financial services industry. These laws : the International Business Companies Act, 
International Trusts Act and the Seychelles Intern ational Business Authority Act, provide a launching 
pad for international business.  
 Seychelles is today a known and respected jurisdiction in the global financial services market. 
Over the last ten years, the Seychelles offshore financial services industry has experienced a 
significant growth in know-how, business volumes a nd international profile. A central factor in 
Seychelles' rise as an international financial centre has been its strategy of striking an effective 
balance between sound regulatory practice and the ma rketplace.  Seychelles' northern Indian Ocean 
location (GMT+4) has also proved a significant adva ntage in servicing the European, Asian, Middle 
Eastern and African markets. The tax-exempt Seychelles International Business Company (IBC) has 
enjoyed substantial success, as shown by surging re gistrations over the last five years – 7,097 new 
incorporations in 2005, 8,238 new incorporations  in 2006 and 10,295 new incorporations in 2007 
(making it now one of the most popular IBC registration jurisdiction in the world). Seychelles is also steadily developing more value-added areas of offs hore business, including CSLs (Company Special 
Licence: Seychelles tax resident companies, wh ich may access Seychelles double taxation avoidance 
agreements), International Trusts, limited partnerships, securities and mutual funds.  
- Active and Attractive Offshore Structures
 
 - International Business Companies (IBC)  
 An IBC is a limited company that underta kes business activities licensed by the Seychelles 
International Business Authority (SIBA). These comp anies are, however, exempt from all forms of 
taxation and have been licensed with the exclusiv e aim of conducting international business outside of 
Seychelles. IBCs are commonly used for: 
− holding companies; 
− asset protection; 
− international consultancy companies; and 
− companies involved in international trade. 
 Subject to the limit set by its objects, an IBC can generally do anything that a corporate body 
can do.  However, the IBC Act specifically prohi bits it from conducting business as a bank, insurer, 
re-insurer or trustee (all three types of offshore businesses are regulated by special legislation) and, except as specifically permitted by law, from co nducting any business in Seychelles or owning or 
leasing immovable property in Seychelles.  It is an attractive financial structure that can be converted 
to other resident companies such as CSLs.  
 - International Trusts
 
 Trusts set up under the International Trust Ac t, 1994, provide an effective and legitimate 
means of protecting one's assets. Various types of  trusts may be set up such as: charitable and 
revocable or irrevocable discretionary tr usts. Some features of the trust include: WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 16  
 
  − Accumulation of income is unrestricted. 
− The settlor may choose the law of the trust. 
− There are no requirements to name the settlors or the beneficiaries, except if the beneficiaries 
are Seychellois citizens. 
− The trust may own assets worldwide (except in Seychelles). 
− It may hold shares and maintain bank accounts in Seychelles. 
- Companies Special Licence 
 
 The Companies (Special Licenses) Act, 2003, allows companies to take advantage of the 
Seychelles network of double taxation avoidance tr eaties as it is incorporated under the Companies 
Act, 1972, and considered a tax resident under the Seychelles laws.  The special provisions afforded 
under the Act provide it with a measure of confid entiality as well as a low tax status, calculated at 
1.5 per cent of gross income. The CSL meets all the cr iteria of a modern legislation, mainly in relation 
to disclosure requirements; however, information disclosed in relation to these requirements is not accessible by the public. International busin ess activities, which are licensable, include: 
− Investment Management and Advice 
− Offshore Insurance 
− Reinsurance 
− An investment company 
− A holding company 
− A marketing company 
− A company holding intellectual property 
− A headquarters company 
− A human resources company 
− A franchise company 
− Activities under the International Trade Zone Act 
− Any other international business activity  approved by the Authority (SIBA) 
- Protected Cell Companies
 
 Protected Cell Companies (PCC) are incorporat ed under the Companies Act, 1972, and allow 
companies with specified activities to separate into identifiable cells without having to assume a 
separate legal entity.  Cells within a PCC are protect ed against liabilities incurre d by cells of the same 
company, and which are therefore attractive for a number of business activities. Qualified activities 
include offshore insurance and mutual funds businesses, and other collective investments. 
 - Limited Partnerships  
 Limited Partnerships are registered under the Limited Partnership Act, 2003, and are subject 
to the Seychelles Commercial Code. It provides fo r a general partner who must be a Seychelles 
resident or corporate body and one or more limited partners. Limited partnerships are commonly used 
for joint ventures. 
- International Trade Zone (ITZ)  
 Under the Act, an International Trade Zone (I TZ) is treated as if it is not actually based in 
Seychelles. A person operating within an ITZ is exempt from several laws including:  All laws 
relating to Business Tax, Trades Tax, Social Security, Licenses and Employment, among others.  Any 
person, whether local or foreign, can apply to set up an operation in an International Trade Zone. All 
businesses established under the SITZ enjoy the following privileges:  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 17 
 
 
  − Zero Taxes; 
− Licence fee fixed for period of licence; 
− Ability to import foreign labour; 
− Residency for owners and operators; 
− Concessions guaranteed by law; and 
− An Effective Balance. 
 Seychelles has managed to maximise its app eal and effectiveness as an offshore financial 
services jurisdiction by striking an effective balance between sound re gulatory practice and a 
conducive market for business. With Seychelles' fi nancial industry gathering momentum, it is now 
well placed to serve the intern ational community of nations. 
- Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (SENPA)  
 The Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (S EnPA) was created in August 2004 to help 
promote and develop small enterprises, crafts and cottage industries in Seychelles.  The businesses 
which would be eligible for assistance by this agen cy would need to fulfil the following criteria: the 
total annual sales revenue of the business should not exceed SR 800,000/- and the business should not 
employ more than five persons.  In addition, only firms performing activities in the following sectors 
will be considered as small enterprises:  art, cr aft, small scale industrial manufacturing, agro-
processing, basic equipment repair and maintenan ce, laundry activities, food processing, textile, fibre 
work, woodwork, book- keeping, electricals and electronics repairs, and computer services.  
 While SEnPA does not provide any financial assistance to these businesses, it creates a 
platform whereby these businesses can be assisted by  banks and other financ ial institutions that 
provide concessionary loans to small businesses or en trepreneurs.  It also provides services to these 
businesses such as:  training courses at all levels in  entrepreneurship skills, management of quality 
and standard, and technical and computer skills.    
- Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS)  
 For certain projects the Bank requires that the investors seek recommendation from their 
respective Ministry/Authority.  Recommendations are required from:  
− Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) for fisheries project.  
− Ministry of Environment and Marine Resources for agricultural project (Form to be obtained 
from DBS).  
− Seychelles Tourism Board for all tourism related projects.  
− Ministry of Industry for industrial projects.  
 The minimum loan amount is SR 25,000 and the maximum SR 6,000,000 to any one project.  
A loan of more than SR 6.0 million can be granted subject to the approval of the Principal Secretary 
of the Ministry of Finance and Trade. 
 The bank charges a fixed interest rate of 9.5 per cent per annum, on all loans, irrespective of 
the sector the project falls within.  Interest is  payable during disbursement following the first 
disbursement of the loan.  Interest is capitalized  during grace period/moratorium.  The penal interest 
rate is presently 17 per cent per annum on accumulated arrears. 
 The minimum personal contribution requested by the Bank is 25 per cent of total project cost 
irrespective of sector/project, but the Bank is at  liberty to request for higher percentage of 
contribution.  The minimum of 25 per cent is normally acceptable in line with the following:  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 18  
 
  − An increased value in security being offered w ith security cover in excess of 1.5 times the 
loan amount; 
− Promoter's good repayment history with the bank; 
− Promoter's good experience in the activity of the project; and 
− The bank's absolute confidence in the project. 
 The land value of where the project is being implemented can be considered as part of the 
personal contribution up to only 1/3 of  its value.  The land must be a freehold property. No value will 
be attached to a leasehold property. 
 Expenses incurred by promoter relating to the pr oject prior to the loan approval can be taken 
as personal contribution as long as the time lag does not exceed one year.  These must be evaluated by 
an independent qualified person accepted by th e bank, should receipts not be available. 
 The loan repayment duration should, as a ru le, not exceed ten years excluding the grace 
period. However for projects above SR 250,000/-, repayment period can be negotiable for up to a 
maximum of 15 years.  The grace period as a rule should not exceed one year as maximum but again 
for projects above SR 250,000/- grace period is negotiable up to a maximum of 24 months.  Each project repayment duration is assessed on a case by case basis.  The factors that are used as guidelines in deciding the duration of repayment and grace period are: 
− Repayment capacity of the project. 
− Economic life expectancy of the assets involved in the project e.g. vehicles:  repayment over 
four to five years and one to three months grace. 
− New Hotels:  15 years and two year grace. 
 Assets financed by the bank are always taken as the principal security of the loan either by 
way of pledge, mortgage, floating charge with their comprehensive insurance assigned to DBS.  Bank 
guarantee can also be taken as security .  In the case of loan given to  individuals additional securities 
can be in the form of salaried individual sta nding as guarantor and reducin g term life assurance. 
Whereas for companies additional securities include Directors/shareholders personal guarantee.  The 
security cover should not be less than 1.5 times the loan amount. 
 Working capital can be considered as a compone nt of the project cost for an initial/new 
project. The amount should not exceed 20 per cent of the project cost. 
 DBS charges a processing fee which is non-refundab le at the rate of 1 per cent of the loan 
amount. The ceiling is SR 20,000. 
 All clients are required to make their own c ontributions towards payment for registration and 
preparation of legal documents such as mortgages, floating charges, pledges, etc. 
 In addition expenses incurred by the Bank for services rendered for legal counsel, court fees 
and lawyers' fees in connection with recovery of ou tstanding debts needs to be  refunded by the client. 
 The Bank also charges a fee for each of the following transactions: 
− Inter bank transfer:  SR 100. 
− Rescheduling of Loans:  0.5 per cent of the loan amount. 
− Transfer of Liabilities:  1 per cent of the loan amount. 
− Capitalization of Interest:  0.5 per cent of loan amount.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 19 
 
 
  − Extension of grace period:  SR 300 for loans amounting to SR 250,000 - SR 50,000, 
SR 50,000 and below the fee is SR 100 and if the loan is less than SR 500 there is no fee 
applicable. 
− Renewal of loan - 1 per cent of loan amount. 
− Documents preparation; no fee applied. 
− Early loan repayment - 1 month interest pa yable on the loan amount in addition to the 
repayment. 
 It is a policy of the Bank that upon issuing a loan to a client any insurance taken on the 
property/asset is assigned to the Bank. Types of  insurances assigned to the Bank include, Vehicle 
Insurance, Marine Hull and Engine Insurance, Boat  and Engine Insurance, Equipment and Household 
Insurance, and Mortgage Protection Insurance. 
(e) Competition policies 
 In recent years, the Government of Seyche lles has been gradually shifting its economic 
ideology to free market policies.   Whereas the 1996 version of the MOFTR stated that a monopoly on 
certain essential commodities was controlled by the Seychelles Marketing Board (SMB), this is no 
longer the case.  Currently, there is no monopoly on imports by any business entity in Seychelles.  The SMB has been incorporated into a company called the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) with 
the Government of Seychelles retaining 100 per cent of  the shares.  Its divisions are being gradually 
sold to private businesses or individuals (lo cal as well as foreign) through a tender process 
administered by the Ministry of Finance and Trad e.  Government still has exclusive control over the 
wholesale and retail operations of STC.    
 So far seven out of the 12 divisions have been  sold through a tendering process.  The rest of 
the divisions excluding the wholesale and retail divisi ons are in the process of being tendered.  In 
respect of its retail and wholesale operations the company competes like any other private business 
and is not subject to any particular  preferential legislation.  It remains the Government's objective to 
remove itself from the economy and concentrate its efforts on regulating and facilitating investments 
into the country.  With this in mind Government intends to privatise these two divisions once all other 
divisions and assets of the SMB have been sold to the private businesses or individuals in a 
transparent tendering process.  
 A Fair Competition Act is currently being fi nalised and will be presented to the National 
Assembly (Legislature) in the second quarter of the year.    
 The Act prescribes the roles of a Commission a nd the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as well 
as the general institutional duties of the organisa tion.  The Commission as the final decision-making 
body of the organisation will be  empowered by the Fair Competition Act and the Consumer 
Protection Acts.  The Fair Competition Act will ensu re that business entities are not hindered by anti-
competitive conducts by other players in their respectiv e markets and thus the benefits that are derived 
from effective competition are sustained.  Whereas , the Consumer Protection Act will monitor the 
activities of businesses so as to ensure that they  do not partake in unfa ir trading practices. 
3.  Foreign trade in goods and services 
 Seychelles is a net importer, 90 per cent of wh at is consumed has to  be imported whilst the 
export base is considerably smaller.  In 2007 the merchandise trade deficit stood at 
SR 3,293.0 million.   In that year, imports we re dominated by machinery and transport which 
amounted to SR 1,460.4 million and mineral fu els which amounted to SR 1,439.0 million, 
representing 25.5 per cent and 25.1 per cent of total im ports respectively.  In addition, food and live WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 20  
 
  animals accounted for 20.1 per cent of total imports corresponding to a total value of 
SR 1,154.1 million.   
 As in previous years merchandise imports had risen steadily reaching a record high of 
SR 5,728.4 million in 2007, or a 38 per cent increase in imports in  2007 compared to 2006.  Total 
merchandise exports increased to SR 1,346.5 m illion in 2007, representing a 13 per cent per cent 
increase from 2006.  As in previous years canned t una was the most important component, accounting 
for 91.4 per cent and amounting to SR 1,231 million. 
 With respect to Services, for the year 2007, the balance under 'transpor tation' which showed a 
surplus of SR 182 million in 2006, registered net in flows of only SR 4.7 million.  This reflected the 
weak performance of all three of that account's ma in subcategories: namely 'passenger', 'freight' and 
'other transportation services'. 
 The balance under 'passenger' which nets out the value of ticket sales to non-residents who 
travelled on the national carrier against payments to  foreign airlines in respect of residents amounted 
to SR 388 million, showing a reduction of 5.9 per cent compared to 2006. This outcome therefore indicates a decline in the net export of passenger services in 2007 compared to 2006. 
 With regards to 'freight', this remained in deficit despite a growth of 13 per cent in gross 
earnings under this heading. The increase on th e debit side was recorded at SR 137 million 
(26 per cent) associated with the marked increase in imports. 
- Structure of trade
 
 During the period 2003-2004 the government undertook a massive macro economic reform 
programme (MERP) which saw a significant downw ard revision in the rate of customs duties 
primarily on raw materials and capital goods in a bid to boost the manufacturing and construction 
sector.  This significantly influenced import demand,  and as shown in (Table 2 - value of imports) 
over the last five year period 2003 to 2007, imports increased from SR 2,230.6 million to SR 5,728.4 million.  This represents more than  150 per cent increase in the value of imports. 
 Over the period 2003-7, machinery and trans port has remained the most important imported 
item with a total value of SR 1,568.3 million bei ng imported in 2007 representing 27 per cent of total 
imports, compared to only SR 362.7 million in  2003 representing 16 per cent of total imports. 
 The second most significant import category was 'mineral fuel' of which a value of 
SR 1,439 million was recorded representing a share of 25 per cent of total imports in 2007 compared 
to SR 358.2 million in 2003 representing a share of  16 per cent of total imports.  The high import 
value in 2007 is associated w ith higher international prices as a result of strong demand from 
emerging markets, such as China and India, amid st supply concerns in the main markets and the 
marked depreciation of the US dollar, oil prices (esp ecially in US dollar terms) reached record levels 
and also growth in domestic consumption as reported by SEPEC. 
 The third most Imports was 'food, and live anim als', which represented total import value of 
SR 1,234.1 million in 2007 compared to SR 606 million in 2003.  Such an increase was partly 
influenced by the more liberalised trade regime  as well as the increase in demand in the tourism 
sector. 
 Import under the category 'manufactured goods and miscellaneous manufactured articles', the 
bulk of which represented demand in the construction industry associated with the implementation of FDI and housing projects, accounted for SR 1,041.3 million in 2007 representing a 18 per cent of total 
imports.   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 21 
 
 
   The value of items classified under 'chemicals' which entered the country in 2007 was 
estimated at SR 285.8 million, compared to SR 161 million in 2003.  
 In general, there was an incr ease in the value of imports for all the categories of commodities 
imported, from 2003 to 2007. 
- Merchandise export  
 Over the last five years 2003-07, exports fro m Seychelles have originated mainly from the 
fisheries sector followed by a marked contrac tion in export of agricultural products which 
traditionally were an important source of foreign earnings.  
 In 2007, the range of commodities exported from Seychelles remained limited in scope. 
The total value of exports stood at SR 1,347.5 million,  compared to SR 1,141.7 million in 2003.  The 
main commodity exported was canned tuna with a value of SR 1,231 million was exported compared 
to SR 1,023.1 million exported in 2003.  
 It must be noted that that the fisheries indus tries suffered some set back over the five year 
period as indicated by the decline in export figures in (Table 5 - Domestic exports) for most commodities except for canned tuna and fish meals export. The decline was due to adverse weather 
conditions (El Niño) which resulted in a marked reduc tion in industrial catch level. As for fresh and 
frozen fish the decline was due to undesirable weather conditions and disruptions caused by 
replacement of capital equipment resulting in a drop in production activities. 
- Trade by geographic areas and dynamics of trade
 
 Over the period 2003-2007 Seychelles major trad ing partners has been mainly the European 
nations, comprising of France (8.5 per cent), Ital y (6.7 per cent), Spain (8.3 per cent) and UK 
(5.8 per cent), followed by other non European count ries like Saudi Arabia (23.1 per cent), Singapore 
(8.4 per cent) and the UAE (3.5 per cent) most of Seychelles imports has originated from those countries (Table 7).  The bracketed figures indicates  the average per cent of imports originated from 
those counties over the five year period.  
 With regards to export, UK has been Seychelles largest export market over the last five years, 
with an average of 32.6 per cent of total export d estined to its market.  France has been the second 
most important export market with an average of 28.8 per cent of total export.  Italy is third with an 
average of 12.8 per cent of total export to its mark et.  Export to those countries consisted mostly of 
canned tuna for which those countries provided the needed niche market.  
 Over the last few years the importance of other trading partners has increased steadily for 
instance other countries such as Netherlands, Ge rmany, South Africa and Sri Lanka has shown 
interest to buy our products however thei r export market is still relatively small. 
4. Domestic trade in services including value and composition of foreign direct investment 
 Services in 2006 accounted for 81.7 per cent of Seychelles GDP, Government services 
accounted for SR 562 million or approximately 13 .2 per cent of the GDP.  Commercial services 
contributed approximately 68.5 per cent of Seychell es GDP, the major sub-sector contributions to the 
GDP were:  wholesale and retail trade includi ng restaurants and hotels SR 929.6 millions, 
SR 801.2 million for transport, storage and commun ication, Finance and other services contributed 
SR 540.7 million, while Electricity a nd water contributed SR 107 million. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 22  
 
   Foreign direct investment in services is prim arily in the area of tourism. Foreign direct 
investment which is mainly development in tourism sector picked up momentum during the year 2007.  This was such that the inflows, according to the projects submitted to Seychelles Investment 
Bureau, grew by around 66 per cent to an estimat ed value of US$242 million.  This included a 
diversified set of high-end world-class projects.    
5. Direction on financial movements related to  nationals working abroad, remittances, etc. 
 According the Central Bank records, in 2002 personal remittances to residents amounted to 
SR 10 million, whereas outward personal remittances amounted to SR 8 million.  The positive trend continued in 2003, as personal remittances to resident s increased to SR 27 million corresponding to an 
increase of SR 17 million over the previous year.  In that year outward personal remittances also 
registered an increase of SR 5 million over the previous year. 
 From 2004 to 2007 inward personal remittances increased from SR 38 million to 
SR 73 million corresponding to an increase of 52 per cen t.   For the same period the outward personal 
remittances increased from SR 14 million to SR 69  million corresponding to a four-fold increase.  
This significant increase has been due to increased dependency on fo reign labour in the construction 
industry, particularly in the constr uction of tourism establishments.   
6. Information on growth in  trade in goods and services 
 Following the government's adoption of a more liberalised trade regime in mid-2004 which 
saw a downward revision in the rate of applicab le tax on imports, some policy-induced boost was 
given to the goods account, more specifically on th e debit side. Such a development continued to 
influence import demand, and thus external tran sactions in goods during 2007, although some other 
factors were also at play. 
 As predicted, the 2007 balance under the goods account showed a deficit. At 
SR 2,857 million, this was a significant increase of 78 per cent compared to 2006 and was primarily driven by a widened trade deficit and to a lesser extent the net outflow under "repairs on goods".  
With regards to the former, a strong growth in imports relating to an increase in demand across all 
sectors of the economy – associated with a rejuvenation of economic sectors which contributed most to the outcome.  In addition to the higher demand,  the price increases in imported items such as food 
and fuel on the international markets raised the value of the country's import bill. 
 In recent years, exports from Seychelles have originated mainly from the fisheries sector.  
This followed a marked contraction in export of agricultural products which traditionally were an 
important source of foreign earnings. In 2007, th e range of commodities exported from Seychelles 
remained limited. 
 The total value of exports (f.o.b.) stood at SR 1,347 million, representing a growth of 
11 per cent compared to the previous year. Consiste nt with the current trend, the main commodity 
exported was canned tuna which at SR 1,231 million recorded a growth of 19.4 per cent and 
accounted for around 91 per cent of total export earnings.  As such, the Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT) 
cannery remains Seychelles' largest single tuna ma nufacturing and exporting entity.  However, the 
fisheries industry in general experienced some set-b ack in 2007. This was related to adverse weather 
conditions (El Niño) which resulted in a marked reduction in industrial catch level.  Compared to the 
previous year, a decline was also recorded in the value of exports of 'fresh and frozen fish', from 
SR 14 million to SR 13 million and 'frozen prawns' from SR 22 million to SR 13 million.  The latter 
was due to undesirable weather conditions and disruptions caused by replacement of capital 
equipment resulting in a drop in production activity.  However, exports of other processed fish, which 
dropped to SR 3.1 million in 2006, picked up to reach SR 6.5 million.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 23 
 
 
   With regards to export earnings from the tr aditional agricultural product, namely cinnamon 
bark, these fell from SR 0.8 million to SR 0.5 million,  showing a reduction in the contribution of the 
agricultural sector to the country's export earnings.  In foreign exchange terms, with the exception of 
'other processed fish', the value of exports was at a lower level in 2007 compared to 2006.  In 
aggregate, the decline was from US$220 million to US$201 million. 
 The importance of the services sector in the Seyc helles' economy is best illustrated by its vital 
contribution to GDP. The main service industry is  tourism which constitutes the primary source of 
foreign exchange and private sector employment in th e country.  In the external sector, transactions in 
the services account are directly linked to the perfo rmance of the tourism sector, in particular the 
foreign exchange inflows that are generated by the sector and its associated activities.  
 In a year during which visitor arrivals peak ed 161,273, some 15 per cent above 2006 level, 
foreign exchange inflows from tourism and related activities similarly reached a new record estimated 
at SR 1,901 million.  In addition, for the year 2007, the balance under 't ransportation' showed a 
surplus of SR 182 million in 2006, registered net in flows of only SR 4.7 million.  Such a development 
reflected the performance under all three of the account's main subcategories, namely 'passenger', 
'freight' and 'other transportation services'. 
 Other areas of services which have shown significant growth in recent years include; 
construction, financial and business services.  As of 2007, these services were worth 
SR 614.7 million.  An increase in value of SR  167.1 million corresponding to an expansion of 
37 per cent from 2006 and 48 per cent from 2005.  
Table 1  
Gross Domestic Product 
Current prices Constant prices 
Year Amount  
(million SR) Growth rate 
(%) Amount  
(million SR) Growth rate 
(%) 
2003 3,811.3 -5.9 N/A N/A 
2004 4,620.9 4.7 4,588.7 -2.8 
2005 4,860.7 5.2 4,931.6 7.5 
2006 5,341.5 9.9 5,341.5 8.3 
2007 6,113.2 14.4 5,729.6 7.3 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table 2  
Merchandise Trade Balance 
(Million Seychelles Rupees (SR)) 
Year Exports (f.o.b.) Imports (c.i.f.) Trade Balance 
2003 1,141.7 2,230.6 -1,088.9 
2004 1,095.1 2,731.8 -1,636.7 
2005 1,164.7 3,712.2 -2,547.5 
2006 1,185.7 4,180.5 -2,995.5 
2007 1,346.5 5,728.4 -4,381.9 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 24  
 
  Table 3
 
Current Account Balance 
(Million SR) 
Year Trade Balance Non-Trade Ba lance Current Account Balance 
2003 1,141.7 2,230.6 -50.6 
2004 1,095.1 2,731.8 -331.8 
2005 1,164.7 3,712.2 -957.4 
2006 1,185.7 4,180.5 -738.3 
2007 1,346.5 5,728.4 -1,819.7 
Source:  Central Bank and National Statistics Bureau 
Table 4  
Foreign Exchange Rates 
Year Dollar (average) SR (average) 
2003 5.40 7.57 
2004 5.50 8.14 
2005 5.50 8.13 
2006 5.52 8.09 
2007 6.71 10.28 
2008 9.44 14.72 
Source:  Central Bank of Seychelles 
Table 5  
Exports by Main Categories 
(Million Seychelles Rupees (SR)) 
2005 2006 2007 Category Value Share Value Share Value Share 
Canned Tuna 969.6 83.2% 1,031.4 84.9% 1,231.2 91.4% 
Other exports 136.4 11.7% 119.7 9.85% 80.4 5.97% 
Crustaceans 31.8 2.73% 46.1 3.79% 15.4 1.14% 
Frozen and fish 16.5 1.4% 14.5 1.19% 12.9 0.96% 
Other Processed fish 10.2 0.86% 3.1 0.26% 6.5 0.48% 
Cinnamon bark 0.5 0.04% 0.8 0.07% 0.5 0.04% 
Total 1,165.1 100% 1,215.5 100% 1,346.9 100% 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table 6  
Imports by Main Categories 
(Million Seychelles Rupees (SR)) 
2005 2006 2007 Category Value Share Value Share Value Share 
Machinery and Equipment 1,045.2 27.2% 814.5 19.3% 1,509.1 26.1% 
Mineral Fuels  872.4 22.7% 1,113.8 26.4% 1,439.0 24.9% 
Food and Live animals 808.8 21.0% 1,004.6 23.8% 1,227.1 21.2% 
Manufactured  goods and Misc. 
Manufactured Articles 661.0 17.2% 944.8 22.4% 1,166.2 20.2% 
Chemicals 238.4 6.2% 191.8 4.55% 253.2 4.38% 
Other commodities 174.4 4.53% 86.3 2.05% 108.5 1.88% 
Beverages and Tobacco 45.9 1. 19% 60.4 1.43 % 76.5 1.32% 
Total 3,846.0 100% 4,216.2 100% 5,779.6 100% 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 25 
 
 
  Table 7  
Imports by Main Sources 2007 
(in Thousand SR) 
Trading Partner Value Share 
Saudi Arabia 1,418,894 24.80% 
Germany 545,068 9.50% 
Singapore 486,441 8.50% 
France 445,165 7.80% 
Spain 378,320 6.60% 
South Africa 337,853 5.90% 
U.A.E. 282,187 4.90% 
United Kingdom 261,987 4.60% 
Italy 216,443 3.80% 
Mauritius 166,084 2.90% 
India 123,453 2.20% 
Japan 112,695 2.00% 
Malaysia 111,891 2.00% 
Australia 100,303 1.80% 
China 76,954 1.30% 
Thailand 73,892 1.30% 
United States of America 69,144 1.20% 
Belgium 60,619 1.10% 
Finland 45,245 0.80% 
Netherlands 44,939 0.80% 
Indonesia 39,978 0.70% 
Kenya 35,402 0.60% 
New Zealand 29,988 0.50% 
Brazil 14,864 0.30% 
Denmark 14,434 0.30% 
Hong Kong 14,849 0.30% 
Ireland 17,247 0.30% 
Sweden 14,473 0.30% 
Republic of Korea 8,606 0.20% 
Sri Lanka 10,124 0.20% 
Switzerland 14,222 0.20% 
Chinese Taipei 13,975 0.20% 
Canada 6,072 0.10% 
Pakistan 3,591 0.10% 
Reunion 3,035 0.10% 
Swaziland 7,274 0.10% 
Austria 1,164 0.00% 
Bahrain 845 0.00% 
CIS 147 0.00% 
Israel 2,007 0.00% 
Madagascar 2,412 0.00% 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
 
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES AFFECTING 
FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS AND TRADE IN SERVICES 
1. Powers of executive, legislative and judicial branches of government 
 The Constitution of the Republic of Se ychelles was approved by a referendum on 
18 June 1993 and it came into force on that day.  The Seychelles archipelago which consists of 116 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 26  
 
  islands and a territory of 1.3 million sq. km is a multiparty democracy in which sovereign power is 
vested in the people of Seychelles.  The Constitutio n of Seychelles prescribes the State's structure and 
responsibilities.  The State's structure consists of  three branches; the Executive, Legislative and 
Judicial. 
 Article 50 of the Constitution of Seychelles, pr ovides for a President, who shall be Head of 
State, Head of Government (Executive) and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.  The 
Executive Authority of the Republic of Seychelles is v ested in the President and shall be exercised in 
accordance with the Constitution.  Subject to the Constitution, the Pr esident may exercise authority 
either directly or through persons holding office in  the service of the Republic.  The President presides 
over a Cabinet; which is responsible for advising th e President with respect to the policy of the 
Government and with respect to such other matters as may be referred to it by the President.  The 
President is elected directly by the citizens of Seyche lles for a term lasting; five years.  The President 
can serve for only three terms.   
 The Constitution (Article 77) provides for the establishment of the National Assembly.  The 
legislative power of Seychelles is vested in the National Assembly and is exercised subject to and in 
accordance with the Constitution.  Th e legislative power of the National Assembly is exercised by 
passing bills passed by the house and assented to, or  deemed to have been assented to by the 
President.  The National Assembly consists of 25 di rectly elected members, which is equal to the 
number of electoral areas and nine members elected on the basis of proportional representation.  Like 
the President, the National Assembly is elected every five years. 
 The judicial power of Seychelles is estab lished by the Constitution under Article 119 vested 
in the Judiciary which consists of the; Court of Appeal of Seychelles, Supreme Court of Seychelles 
and such other subordinate courts or tribunals established pursuant to Article 137 of the Constitution.  
The Judiciary is an independent body subject only to the Constitution of Seychelles.  It should be 
noted that the Seychelles Court of Appeal is the highest court of the land. 
 Seychelles' trade policy is mainly regulated by the Trades Tax Act, 1992 and Trades Tax 
Regulations. Please note that the Trades Tax Regulati ons booklet is edited as and when required to 
incorporate all new amendments and measures re lating to customs tariffs.  The government bodies 
participating in drafting, approving and formula ting domestic and foreign trade, import and export 
policies, are the Ministry of Finance and Trade th rough Trade and Policy and Strategy Divisions and 
the Customs Division (as part of the Revenue Commission) which are responsible for import and export formalities, the Department of Legal Affa irs, the Cabinet (Executive) and the National 
Assembly (Legislature).   
2. Government entities responsible for making and implementing policies affecting foreign 
trade 
 The Ministry of Finance and Trade has the sole responsibility for formulating and 
implementing the government trade and economic po licies. Department of Natural Resources is 
responsible for formulating agricultural policy and the Department of Industry is responsible for 
formulating industrial policy.  All these policies are formulated in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and Trade.  An independent Central Ba nk supervises the banking system and manages the 
money supply.   
3. Division of authority between central and sub-central governments 
 The only government in Seychelles is the cen tral government.  There are no sub-central 
governments.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 27 
 
 
  4. Any legislative programmes or plans to change the regulatory regime 
 A structural tax reform programme which w ould include amending legislations relating to 
Trades Tax (Customs Duties), Goods and Servi ces Tax (GST), Business Tax (Corporate Tax) and 
Social Security Contributions.  Details of the re forms would be communicated to the Working Party 
in the last quarter of this year. 
 It is also foreseen that there will be amen dments to the legislation governing intellectual 
property in an effort to update the country's intellectual regime. 
5. Laws and Legal Acts 
 Relevant Laws and Legal Acts  are referred to in Annex 2. 
6. Description of judicial, arbitral or admi nistrative tribunals or procedures, if any 
- Seychelles Court of Appeal  
 The Constitution, Article 120(1) provides for a Court of Appeal which shall have the 
jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from a j udgment, direction, decision, declaration, decree, 
writ or order of the Supreme Court and such other appellate jurisdiction as may be conferred upon the 
Court of Appeal by the Constitution and by or unde r an Act.  The Constitution provides for a right of 
appeal to the Court of Appeal from a judgment, dire ction, decision, declaration, decree, writ or order 
of the Supreme Court.  Subject to the Constitution and any other law, the authority, jurisdiction and 
power of the Court of Appeal may be exercised as provided in the Rules of the Court of Appeal. 
- Supreme Court  
 The Constitution, Article 125, establishes a Supr eme Court, which shall, in addition to the 
jurisdiction and powers conferre d by the Constitution, have:  
− Original jurisdiction in matters relating to th e application, contravention, enforcement or 
interpretation of the Constitution;  
− Original jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters;  
− Supervisory jurisdiction over subordinate courts , tribunals and adjudicating authority and, in 
this connection, have power to issue injunctions, directions, orders or writs including writs or 
order in the nature of habeas corpus, certiora ri, mandamus, prohibition and quo warrant as 
may be appropriate for the purpose of enforcing or securing the enforcement of its supervisory jurisdiction; and  
− Such other original, appellate and other jurisd iction as may be conferred on it by or under an 
Act.  
 The Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice,  the Puisne Judges, subject to clause (5), the 
Master of the Supreme Court. 
- Magistrate's Court
 
 The jurisdiction of the Magistrate's Court is applied throughout Seychell es, with sittings held 
in Victoria daily and Anse Royale and Praslin one week per month and La Digue once a month. 
Magistrates exercise jurisdiction in suits for goods seized in execution of judgment of the Magistrates 
Court or of the Supreme Court, provided the valu e of such goods does not exceed SR 25,000. They 
also try traffic offences.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 28  
 
   In Original Jurisdiction, Magistrates hear and determine Civil suits in which the amount 
claimed or the value of the subject matter does not  exceed SR 25,000; this includes actions relating to 
cancellation of lease and recovery of possession of immovable property from tenant or occupier.  
 Under Criminal Jurisdiction, Magistrates try offences under the Penal Code specified in the 
third schedule thereto.  
IV.  POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS 1. Import Regulation (a) Registration requirements for engaging in importing 
 Importers require a business licence like other businesses.   
(b) Characteristics of national tariff 
 The Trades Tax Act, 1992 and the Trades Tax Regulations accompanying the Act, regulates 
procedures for the application of the Trades Tax im ports, that is, the Seychelles customs tariff and 
constitutes the fundamental basis of the customs pr ocedures, rules on customs regime and formalities. 
The Seychelles' tariff structure is based on a sy stem of applied rates.  Consequently, any 
modifications to applied rates may be made by the Minister of Finance and Trade in accordance with 
the Trades Tax Act, 1992.  
 The Government of Seychelles is of the view th at the liberalisation of trade is necessary for 
the development of the country.  It has in the past  autonomously liberalised trade in goods and certain 
services which it felt were necessary for realising ec onomic growth.  This liberalisation effort has 
been complemented with reduction in import licence fees, removal of import permit requirements except for goods restricted or prohibited for reasons of protecting health and the environment.  The 
intent is to encourage private sector growth wh ich will drive the economy forward and create wealth 
in the process.   
 Since 1 January 1994, the Harmonized System (H S) was introduced in Seychelles.  Hence the 
Seychelles customs tariff uses the HS numerical coding system to the first four digits to produce the 
dutiable national tariff heading.  The first and second digits indicating the Chapter number and the 
third and fourth digits the numerical order in which the heading appears within Chapter.  The fifth and 
sixth digits indicate the sub-heading level.  A dditions and extensions at the national level are 
represented by a split in the tariff item at the sevent h and/or eight digits.  Consequently, all goods to 
be cleared for consumption must be identified by an eight-digit numerical code. 
 Presently, the Tax is based on c.i.f. value.  It is administered in the same way as normal 
customs duties, with verification of invoice valua tions, the requirement to pay tax before goods are 
removed from the port, airport, and the provision of bonding.   
 Rate of tax are primarily " ad valorem ", specific duty being imposed on alcoholic and non-
alcoholic beverages and some petroleum products.  Additional levies, in specific form, are currently 
being imposed for environmental reasons on pre -formed bottles of plastic, empty PET bottles.  
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beve rages including water containe d in PET bottles and some other 
bottles of plastic also attract a levy.  Cigarettes, television satellite dishes and motor vehicles are also 
subjected to a levy. 
 As of 15 December 2008, customs tariff on imports into Seychelles range from zero per cent 
to 225 per cent, with an average of 8 per cent.  Majority of the high tariffs are concentrated on  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 29 
 
 
  restricted and prohibited items as per Annex 4.  As  stated earlier these products are listed in the Annex 
because they are regulated by international agreemen ts such as CITES and the Montreal Protocol.  In 
addition items with high tariffs are items which the Government considers to be revenue sensitive.  
The customs tariff comprises 21 sections. 98 chapters (first two digits); 1,011. HS headings (first four 
digits); 1,697 sub-headings (first six digits);  and 5087 tariff headings (eight digits).   
 Regarding the levels of MFN tariff appli cable to goods as of 15 December 2008, can be 
summed up as follows: 
− Tariff headings "free of duties":  4,552; 
− Tariff headings with ad valorem  duties:  5,246; and 
− Tariff headings with specific duties:  43. 
 The current weighted average at the 6 digit level is 8 per cent.  
(c) Tariff quotas, tariff exemptions 
 There are no tariff quotas.  Generally speaking, special tariff exempti ons for development purposes is laid down in 
certain commercial and investment laws, Tec hnical Cooperation Agreements signed by the 
Government and an Internal Policy System by whic h, on application to the Ministry of Finance, 
certain imports may be exempt from customs duties or subject to reduced rates.    The main imports benefiting special tariff treatment are the following: 
− Imports for agricultural and marine resources investment, industrial and manufacturing 
investment, professional services investment, small scale industries investment and tourism development investment under the Tourism Incentives Act of 2003 and Agriculture and 
Fisheries Incentives Act of 2005; 
− Imports under Technical Aid or Assistance programme approved by the Government; 
− Imports under any agreement made between the Seychelles Government and any other 
Government, body, organisation or  persons or by virtue of the provisions of Articles 50 and 
62 of the Vienna Convention on  Consular Relations of 1968; 
− Goods imported by the President for his personal use or for official purpose in his capacity as 
President; 
− Goods imported specifically for the construction, repair, decoration or furnishing of churches 
or presbyteries, and articles imported by re ligious organisations recognised under national 
laws for use in the course of divine worship; 
− Goods re-imported after exporta tion for repair or processing or  personal use, and personal 
effects and travel souvenirs of tourists; 
− Goods imported in the national interest; 
− Imports under the International Trade Zone Act, 1995 by the operators to be consumed within  
the International Trade Zones administered by the Seychelles International Business 
Authority (SIBA); 
− All other imports under Part XV of the Trades Tax Regulations. 
(d) Other duties and charges, specify ing any charges for services rendered 
 Fees charged by Customs are for the services rende red.  A list of the different charges have 
been submitted to the Secretariat. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 30  
 
  (e) Quantitative import restrictions, including  prohibitions, quotas and licensing systems 
 All goods which are prohibited and those which re quire permits are listed in Annex 4 of this 
document. 
 Any person who wishes to apply for an im port licence can do so with the Seychelles 
Licensing Authority (SLA).  Licenses are not gran ted for the importation of prohibited goods.  In 
addition the licensed importer would be required to ob tain an import permit issued by the Ministry of 
Finance for restricted goods.   
(f) Import licensing procedures  
 The trade policy of Seychelles allows importe rs to import from anywhere in the world.  
However the importation of certain goods are rest ricted through import permits or are wholly 
prohibited by the Trades Tax Act (1992), both lists can  be found in Annex 4.  According to the Trade 
Tax Act (Import Regulations, 2005) , 'prohibited goods' means goods the importation of which is for 
the time being prohibited by law and 'restricted  goods' means goods which are permitted to be 
imported by any person with the prior approval given under the regulations or any other law. 
 In Seychelles the prohibited goods as listed in Annex 4 are prohibited by law for the 
following reasons; national security, environmental pr otection, public morals, health and safety or 
because the goods in question are banned by relevant  international conventions or protocols such as 
the Convention on International Tr ade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Montreal Protocol 
(more precisely Article 4).  
 The restricted goods on the other hand as listed in Annex 4 require import permits issued by 
the Ministry of Finance and Trade.  There are various reasons why these products require import 
permits similarly to prohibited goods they incl ude health and safety, environment and national 
security.  There are various legislation which requi re that these goods acquire the necessary approval 
prior to importation, they include; Plant Protec tion Act (1996), Animal (Diseases and Import) Act 
(1981) and Food Act (1990).  If a ll the documentation requested are presented and are satisfactory to 
the requirement of various agencies as listed in An nex 4, the import permits are granted within 24 
hours of submission of the import permit to the Ministry of Finance and Trade. 
 The imports of goods other than those listed in  Annex 4, do not require an import permit or 
licence if the goods are intended for private consump tion.  However, if the importations of all goods 
are intended for direct retail or wholesale trade th en the activity is subject to an import licence 
requirement (Annex 3).  This licence is granted by the Seychelles Licensing Authority.  This granting 
of an import licence is not intended to be discr iminatory in nature; it is only intended for 
administrative reasons, such as for corporate tax evaluation and payment of social security benefits.  
The import licence procedure is as follows: 
− An applicant for import licence must provide th e Licensing Authority with a Certificate of 
Occupancy obtainable from the Planning Authorit y if premises to be used for importing, 
wholesaling and retailing is newly constructed; and 
− If premises which has not received Planning Authority's approval is to be used, the applicant 
must provide the Licensing Authority with a copy of his Change of Use Certificate obtainable 
from the Planning Authority. 
 If all the documents requested are submitted to the SLA, the licence is usually granted within 
seven working days.    WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 31 
 
 
  (g) Other border measures 
 Seychelles does not maintain any other border measures other than the ones mentioned in the 
above sections. 
(h) Customs valuation   
 The customs valuation method used by Customs is the Brussels Definition of Value.  
According to Regulation 83 of the Trades Tax Regul ations, 1996, "for the purpose of assessing the tax 
on goods imported into Seychelles, the importer of th e goods shall submit to the comptroller in such 
form as may be provided by the comptroller a true a nd accurate statement of the c.i.f. value of goods".  
That statement shall be accompanied, as stipulated under Regulation 186, by the original commercial 
invoice, bill of lading, bill of parcels, policy of insurance, bank payments, packing list, letters and 
other documents showing the value of the goods at  the place at which they were purchased together 
with freight, insurance and other charges on the goods.   Where it appears to a custom officer that the 
goods are not valued according to their true value at the time and place of importation, the comptroller may require the importer to declare on oath before whom the true value of the goods according to the 
best of the belief of such importer and to advi se any documentary evidence he may possess in support 
thereof. 
 However, where it appears to the comptroller that goods imported into Seychelles have been 
declared at a value below or above their true value at the time and place of importation, he shall assess 
the value of the goods. 
 In case of dispute, the goods in question sha ll be examined by a panel of two competent 
persons one of whom shall be appointed by the comp troller and the other by the importer.  Those two 
persons shall select an umpire and then declare on an oath before the comptrolle r what is the value of 
the goods in question at the time and place of import ation.  However, in case of those two persons 
shall not agree, the umpire shall have the final word.  Also, if the importer fails to appoint a 
competent person to value such goods when required to do so, the declaration of the person appointed 
by the comptroller shall be final. 
 Please note that this procedure shall not apply if the comptroller is of the opinion that any 
evasion of the provisions of the Trades Tax Re gulations has been committed or attempted. 
 For the purposes of the levy and assessment of tax, the comptroller may, having regard to 
rates determined by the Central Bank Seychelles Revenue Commission based on average commercial banks' rates for buying and selling foreign currencies. 
 Currently, a new Customs Management Ac t is being drafted and it will adopt the 
WTO/GATT valuation system. 
(i) Other customs formalities 
 Seychelles is member of the World Custom s Organization (WCO), its Customs formalities 
are based on principles of the Kyoto Convention. 
(j) Pre-shipment inspection 
 The Government of Seychelles does not employ  the services of any pre-shipment inspection 
companies and does not intend to do so in the future. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 32  
 
  (k) Application of internal taxes on imports 
 All imported goods are subjected to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12 per cent except 
for imported goods listed in Annex 7. 
(l) Rules of origin 
 Being a member of the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA) and signatory to the Cotonou 
Partnership Agreement (CPA), the COMESA and the Cotonou Rules of Origin  are currently being 
applied. 
(m,n,o) Anti-dumping, countervai ling duty and safeguard regimes 
 Regarding anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures, there are no specific 
provisions under the Trades Tax Act (1992) deali ng with these issues.  However, if Seychelles 
introduces statutory provisions regulating anti-dumpi ng, countervailing and safeguard measures, they 
shall be beyond doubt based on the corresponding  Multilateral Agreements of the World Trade 
Organisation.  Capacity building will be required in the Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance and 
Trade and Customs Division as part of the Reve nue Commission before such measures can be 
implemented. 
2. Export Regulation (a) Registration requirements for engaging in exporting 
 Since 2001, Regulation 167 specifies that export permits are required for all exports except 
for passengers' baggage.  In accordance to the Pl ant Protection Act, 1996, the Plant Protection 
Services Section shall issue a phytosanitary certifi cate in respect of plant materials beneficial 
organism, soil or an associated pack aging for export.  Also, in order to control the quality of fish or 
fisheries products designed to export, a phytosanita ry certificate issued by the Fish Inspection and 
Quality Control Unit (FIQCU) is necessary befo re exporting any fish and fisheries products. 
 Certificate of origin are issued by the Dir ector General of Customs for products meeting the 
EPA Interim Agreement Rules of Origin criteri a for the goods exportable from the Republic of 
Seychelles to the European Union.  Similarly, a COM ESA Rules of Origin Certificate is issued by the 
Director General of Customs for goods exportable from the Republic to the COMESA member States. 
 (b) Customs tariff nomenclature, types of duti es, duty rates, weighted averages of rates  
 Please note that there is no export tax in Seyc helles and at this point in time there is no 
intention by the Government of Seychelles to impose such a tax.   
 (c) Quantitative export restrictions, includi ng prohibitions, quotas and licensing system 
 There are no export restrictions, prohibitions, except for the goods listed in Annex 4. 
(d) Export licensing procedures 
 Seychelles does not require an export licence,  however, exporters are required to obtain a 
export permit from the Ministry of Finance.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 33 
 
 
  (e) Other measures 
 There are no minimum export prices, voluntary export restrictions and orderly marketing 
arrangements. 
(f) Export financing, subsidy and promotion policies 
 There are no export financing measures.  However, under the Agriculture and Farmers' 
Incentives Act (2005) provides for subsidies and promotion. 
(g) Export performance requirements  
 There are no export performance requirement policies. 
(h) Import duty drawback schemes 
 According to the Trades Tax Regulations (199 7) governs the import duty drawback scheme 
for Seychelles.  The scheme is only for goods fo r re-exportation.  The goods need to meet the 
following conditions: 
− The goods are re-exported in their original packaging without having been used; 
− The goods are identified to the satisfaction of the Comptroller; 
− There is no change in the ownership of the goods; 
− The re-export is made of within one year from the time of importation; 
− The Trades Tax paid on the goods was not less than SR 1,000; 
− The claim for drawback is est ablished at the time of the re-export and payment is demanded 
within three months from the date of entry for shipment; 
− The goods are of greater value for home use than the amount of drawback claimed. 
3. Internal policies affecting foreign trade in goods 
(a) Industrial policy 
 The Industrial Policy (2008) aims at providi ng a policy framework of an institutional, 
administrative and financial nature for the Seychelles'  industrial sector, at the same time bearing in 
mind that the sector provides a significant amount of employment and econom ic benefits to the 
country. 
 In this policy, the industrial sector is defi ned as those economic sectors that create optimized 
value added and exportable produces:  e.g. manufactu ring and construction.  In  the Seychelles context 
this sector of industry generally uses the output of the primary sector and manufactures finished goods 
or products to a point where they are suitable for use by other businesses, for export, or sale to 
domestic consumers. 
 For such businesses to be covered under this policy: 
− incorporated or registered under the Companies Act; 
− licensed by the Seychelles Licensing Authority; 
− owned and controlled by those persons holding th e majority shares or controlling interests in 
the business; and 
− satisfies at least two of the following conditions: 
(i)  employs not less than ten persons; WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 34  
 
   (ii)  has a gross annual revenue of over SR 2.5 million; and 
 (iii)  has total business assets of more than SR 1 million. 
 The policy intends to raise production capacities, innovation capabilities, quality of products 
and encouraging competitive prices of products, Seyc helles would reap benefits by means of exports. 
Our focus should be on innovation, value a ddition as well as quality and standards. 
 This sector comprises of almost 99.8 per cent micro, small and medium enterprises, of which 
99 per cent are producing for import substitution, a nd this policy shall encourage such firms to 
expand, diversify their products, increase thei r production capacity where deemed appropriate, 
accelerate the transfer of appropriate technology, enc ourage research and development at firms' level, 
increase the possibility of retaining increased fo reign exchange whilst exporting, provide assistance 
with regards to research, de velopment and innovation in re lation to product developments, 
development of quality and affordable working prem ises and above all, be more market and export 
oriented. 
(b) Technical regulations and standards 
 All technical regulations and standards are gove rned by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards 
Act (1987) and they are administered by the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS).  SBS is an 
executive arm of the Ministry of National Development and it is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister. It is headed by a Chief Executive Officer in whom the executive 
responsibilities for the discharge of the functions of the Bureau are vested.  The core activities of SBS 
are standardization, quality assuranc e, metrology and testing.   
 The functions of SBS as laid out in the SBS Act of 1987, SBS (Amendment) Act 1995, SBS 
(Amendment) Act 1997, Weights and Measures Act/R egulations, SBS Standard Mark Regulations 
and SBS (National Quality System Certification Scheme).  The functions of SBS are as follows: 
− To develop, declare and promote Seychelles Standards for products, processes and practices 
that are needed for use in all sectors of the economy and also for the protection of the environment;  
− To develop capabilities and maintain facilities fo r the provision of inspection and testing 
services for determining conformance to st andards and regulatory requirements;  
− To provide for the use of the SBS Mark;  
− To maintain national physical standards which are necessary to provide traceability in 
measurement;  
− To provide scientific and industrial metrolog y services for the calibration of instruments to 
ensure accuracy in measurement;  
− To provide legal metrology services for the insp ection, verification and approval of weighing 
and measuring instruments that ar e used in trade and commerce;  
− To provide system certification services;  
− To prepare, implement and execute programme s in the areas of industry, science and 
technology;  
− To maintain a national information centre in matte rs of standardization, industry, science and 
technology; and 
− To maintain a system for approval and coordi nation of scientific research carried out in 
Seychelles.  
 In December 1996, the SBS attained certifi cation status to ISO 9002 quality management 
system which helped to put the organisation on the forefront of quality in the Seychelles.  This certification status was changed to ISO 9001:2000 in  October 2002 when the standard was revised.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 35 
 
 
   The Government of Seychelles is aware that SBS is in need of further of funding and 
technical assistance to raise its standards further.  The Government is in the process of seeking this 
technical assistance from various international and regional agencies and countries. 
(c) Sanitary and phytosanitary measures 
- Sanitary Measures  
 Legal basis for application of SPS Measures (ani mal and veterinary public health) lies in the 
Animal (Diseases and Imports) Act 1981 and Export  of Fishery Products Act 1996.  The Animal 
(Diseases and Imports) Act requires revision and up dating to improve its consistency with WTO SPS 
Measures; so far technical assist ance has not been forthcoming.  Whilst the Export of Fishery 
Products Act is currently being update d to be in equivalence with the import regulations of our trading 
partners, the EU amongst others. Se ychelles will need assistance and a transition period in order to be 
able to implement the obligations of the WTO SPS Agreement. 
 Seychelles is not a member of OIE yet (observer status) but the country is a member of Codex 
Alimentarius (CAC) and the Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) through consultation with 
different stakeholders has adopted and is applying Codex standards. 
 Seychelles has a very good animal health status.  In order to maintain this status, animals and 
animal products by law (Trades Tax Act 1992) are classified as restricted goods requiring veterinary import permit prior to import.  Meat and meat produc ts are inspected at the ports of entry and live 
animals must undergo quarantine procedures.  
 Veterinary Services of Seychelles is the Competent Authority for the importation and 
exportation of terrestrial animals and animal products  in the Seychelles.  In general when agreeing 
health conditions for the importation of animals a nd animals products, the following actions are taken 
into consideration: 
− Risk assessment based on acceptable scientific methods as appropriate; 
− Compliance to existing international standards and guidelines (harmonization); 
− The recognition of different measures that achieve  the same level of protection (equivalence); 
− Clarify the status of origin of the product or live animal; 
− Application of measures which are not discriminatory; and 
− Imported animal products are subjected to the sa me controls as locally produced meat and 
meat products. 
 The export of fish and fishery products from the Seychelles is regulated by specific 
regulations which are currently under review.  Esta blishments or vessels must be approved, they are 
subjected to periodic inspection/audits and in cas es of non compliance the authorization to export can 
be revoked. The Competent Authority is the Fish  Inspection and Quality Control Unit (FIQCU) in 
charge of the official control and certification of  products for export.  It falls under the Seychelles 
Fishing Authority (SFA).  
 The Animal (Diseases and Imports) Act makes provisions for the following: 
− The control of animal diseases (including notifiable diseases), animal diseases transmissible 
to humans; 
− The control of the importation of animals and animal products; 
− The import and quarantine of live animals; 
− The control of import and use of vaccines, vete rinary drugs, diagnostics and biological agents; WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 36  
 
   The Export of Fishery Products Act regulates th e exportation of fish and fishery products 
from the Seychelles and it caters for the following: 
− Approval/registration and deregi stration of fishing vessels and fish processing establishments; 
− General hygiene conditions of export establishments (factory and vessels); 
− Inspections and audits of  approved establishments; 
− Sampling and testing prior to issuance of health certificates; 
− Corrective actions to be taken in cases of non compliance; and 
− Ensuring that procedures, including systems for approval of the use of additives or for 
establishing tolerances for contaminants in farm ed fish and feedstuffs to be used in 
aquaculture. 
Table 8:  Action Plan
 
Action Time frame 
Revision of Animal (Diseases and Imports) Act 
1981[ADIA] in order to be in consistent with WTO 
SPS regime [2009 – 2011] DNR 2007-2011 Agriculture Strategy 
mentions the need to revise the ADIA but so far 
nothing has been done 
Active membership in OIE Aiming to join the organisation by 2010 
Updating of Export of Fishery Products Act [EFPA] 2008 – 2011 – CA will be getting assistance from 
the EU under the SFP Project. Regulation for general hygiene and aquaculture have been drafted. 
Aquaculture feed and veterinary residue still 
pending. 
Revision of Food Act [FA] Updating th e relevant section of the Food Act. 
International accreditation (ISO 17025) of SBS 
laboratory  No later than December 2009  (EU Regulation) work 
is ongoing through assistance from COMESA 
 
- Phytosanitary Measures  
 In the Seychelles, the Plant Protection Servi ces is the Section responsible for taking any 
measure related to phytosanitary.  This Section fa lls under the Ministry responsible for agriculture.  
 The principle role of the Section is to prev ent the introduction and control of exotic pests, 
plant pests and diseases. 
 The core activities of the Section operate on two main levels: 
− Pest and disease control services, which provide  technical support and consultancy to the 
farming community and the general public; and 
− Phytosanitary and Quality control, which aims at preventing the entry of exotic pests and 
diseases into the country and to implement th e phytosanitary measures for importation and 
exportation of plants and plant products. 
 The main responsibilities of the Section involve: 
− Facilitate international trade of plants and pl ant products while preventing the introduction of 
regulated/quarantine pests of plants and plant products and to promote appropriate measures 
for their control; 
− Preserve our plant resources, (Convention on Biological Diversity); and 
− Provide technical support and advisory services.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 37 
 
 
   The Plant Protection Services Section is recognized as the National Plant Protection 
Organization (NPPO) of Seychelles under the Inte rnational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). 
 The section is the official services provider established by the government to discharge the 
functions specified by the Internati onal Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). 
 Seychelles was a contracting party to the IPPC in 1996 and adopted the revised text in 2004. 
 The responsibilities discharged by the Section are in line with some major international 
agreements as follows: 
− International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC); 
− Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); and 
− Cartagena Protocol (CP). 
 The Plant Quarantine System in Seychelles is  regulated under the Plant Protection Act, 1996, 
and new amendments are in process of being adopted. 
  The phytosanitary control which is implemen ted by the Plant Protection Section is derived 
from the Plant Protection Act 1996, which is currently  under review.  The new Bill awaits enactment 
by the National Assembly.  This new text has been  drafted to include the provisions of the WTO SPS 
Agreement in terms of harmonisation, transparency and technical competence. 
 The Act makes provision for preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests and 
diseases; better protecting the agricultural and forestry resources and ecological environment of 
Seychelles; regulating the importation of beneficial  organisms; regulating the export of plants and 
plant products; and for connected purposes. 
 Legal responsibilities of the Plant Protecti on Services Section allow the authority and 
authorized officers to perform the following activities: 
− Enter premises, conveyances, and other places where imported commodities and other 
regulated articles may be present; 
− To determine import conditions based upon the pr ocess of risk analysis in accordance with 
international guidelines; 
− To control and eradicate those pests which have entered the country and which pose an 
economic threat; 
− Inspect or test  samples of imported commodities or other regulated articles; 
− Detain imported consignmen ts or other regulated articles for non compliance; 
− Refuse entry of consignments that do no t meet import phytosanitary conditions; 
− To control the certification of the export of pl ants and plant products in conformity with 
international standards to meet the phytosanita ry requirements of trading partners; and 
− Take legal actions for non-compliance.  
 A plant import permit is issued for a fee and a fee is also charged for the provision of 
phytosanitary certificate of which it should only be obtained only from Plant Protection Services 
Section prior to importation or export. 
 The plant quarantine inspection proce dures adopted so far are as follows: 
− Determine entry status and special c onditions of entry of the consignment; WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 38  
 
  − Collect and read permits and certificates held by the importer or accompanying the 
consignment. Ensure that documents are valid; 
− Follow the instructions and special cond itions that are specified on the permit; 
− Verify the consignment and determine its condition; 
− Select a sample from the consignment; 
− Inspect the sample or whole consignment fo r evidence of all types of plant pests and 
contaminants; and 
− Based on inspection, take regulatory action (eve n when phytosanitary documents are present). 
 In line with the plant protection legislation, illegal importations of pl ants and plant products 
which are not declared at point of entry and other products which are not in accordance with 
regulations are liable to confiscation and destruction. 
 Duties performed mainly involves routine inspection, verification of phytosanitary 
documents, treatments and grading of imported and expor ted plants and plant products at port, airport 
and post office. The quarantine operational activities also involve attending all incomings flights and 
shipping vessels. 
 The major activities of the Plant Protection Sec tion in terms of transparency in Seychelles 
involve: 
− To attend to all clients to provi de phytosanitary advisory services and to facilitate trade of 
plants and plant products; 
− Provide effective and efficient regulatory services for ensuring the importation of quality 
plants and plant products; 
− Promote plant health measures for plant resources, which include both cultivated plants and 
plants in the in the Natural Environment; 
− To conduct stakeholder's workshops on interna tional standards for Phytosanitary Measures, 
Pest Risk Analysis, Pest Management and Control Practices; and 
− To work in close collaboration with other st akeholders in relation to Pest Problems and 
Phytosanitary Measures. 
 The plant quarantine system of the plant pr otection services section in Seychelles is also 
equipped with a plant health laboratory facility one  of the main technical support provided by the 
section to undertake the basic plant pest diagnos tic work in connection with pest surveillance, 
interception, trials and experimentation. 
 The Section also forms part of a Nationa l Invasive Species Committee with the aim of 
coordinating actions on issues which regarding threat to biodiversity of Seychelles. 
(d) Trade-related investment measures 
 Seychelles provides incentives for investment in  several sectors, including: the Fisheries 
sector under the Fisheries Incentives Act; the Tour ism Sector under the Tourism Incentives Act; 
Investments in the International Trade Zone under the Seychelles International Trade Zone Act; and 
Fiscal Incentives under the Investment Code. However,  in all of these areas incentives are provided on 
a non-discriminatory basis with respect to investments originating from different countries. 
 Based on its 1996 submission of the Memo randum on Foreign Trade Regime, during the 
Working Party Meeting in 1997, Seychelles was asked whether the restrictions in place on the foreign 
exchange regime at the time poten tially violated the Annex of the TRIMS Agreement.  It should be 
noted that the country has liberalized its foreign exchange regime from 1 November 2008 and as such  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 39 
 
 
  the issue of restriction of access to foreign exch ange to an amount related to foreign exchange 
inflows, does not arise. 
 Moreover, there are no attempts at restricti ng the purchases or use of imported products of a 
firm in any way to the value or volume of products  that it exports.  Firms are free to import any 
quantity of product to be used in their manufacturi ng activities and to export any quantity in a similar 
manner. Decisions on the quantities are entirely up to the firm based on its internal planning and 
production processes, including demand and supply fo r the product line in which it is involved. 
(e) State-trading practices 
- Seychelles Trading Company (STC)  
 The Seychelles Trading Company (STC) was created to replace the Seychelles Marketing 
Board (SMB) which was created in 1985 so as to ensure the stable supply of essential commodities 
and at one point in time it had exclusive right s to import these commod ities.  These commodities 
included; sugar, rice, milk, oil, margarine, vegetables and meat.   
 The SMB had other divisions which were involve d in competing with other businesses in the 
economy.  The divisions were the Coetivy Prawn Farm, Agro-Industry, a wholesale and retail 
division, Tea Factory, Animal Feed factory, soap  and candle factory, Hydroponics farm, Duty Free 
shop, Meat processing, wholesale and retail division,  abattoir facility, orchid nursery and it had an 
offshore associate business called Distafric which opera ted in the Seychelles International Trade Zone 
(SITZ) was involved in the distribution of EPSON printers and systems.   
 As of 1 March 2008, the SMB was incorporated and called the Seychelles Trading Company 
(STC).  The Company was created so as to facilitate the winding up and sale of SMB's assets and 
divisions.  At this point in time Government has 100 per cent shareholding in STC; however the 
company does not have any monopoly for the supply of any good or service nor does it have any preferential credit facility with the Government of Seychelles.  The company operates within the legal commercial framework of the country.  So far the STC has managed to sell off through public tender 
the following divisions; Coetivy Prawn Farm, Agro Industries, Meat processing, wholesale and retail 
division, orchid nursery, soap and candle factory,  Meat processing, wholesale and retail division, 
Hydroponics farm and the Distafric has been dissolv ed.  With the other businesses, the STC is in the 
process of restructuring them and making them viable entities and will eventually sell them to private individuals or companies within the next two years.        
- Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEPEC)
 
 The Seychelles Petroleum Company (SEPEC) was created around 20 years ago and has 
exclusive rights to import and redistribute petr oleum products including Liquefied Petroleum Gas 
(LPG).  Its aim is to ensure an adequate and relia ble supply of the petroleum products into Seychelles.  
The company is also in the process of supplying petroleum products intern ationally having acquired 
five tankers and increased storage capacity.  Th e company is distributing agent for the TOTAL 
Company for the Indian Ocean region. 
- Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC)  
 Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC ) is a parastatal organisation constituted in 
1977 for the provision of road passenger transport serv ices in the principal island of Mahé and outer 
island of Praslin. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 40  
 
   The Company operates a network of 41 routes cat ering to both the general public and student 
populations.  Apart from the operation of the schedul ed stage carriage services SPTC also undertakes 
the transport of hotel staff from and to their r esidences which is a round the clock exercise.  In 
addition SPTC handles a fleet of luxury and semi-luxur y coaches to meet the demands of the tourist 
niche market and the indigenous population demand for special occasions like picnics, educational 
trips, parties and funerals.  However, the comp any has only a monopoly for the transportation of 
passengers on primary routes. 
- Public Utilities Corporation (PUC)
 
 The Public Utilities Corporation (PUC) was create d on 1 January 1986, with the merger of the 
Seychelles Water Authority and the Seychelles Elect ricity Corporation Ltd and was set up under the 
Public Utilities Corporation Act 1985. The Act stipul ates that PUC not only provide but also ensure 
continued supply of electricity, potable water and sew erage services to the population of Seychelles.   
 The principal activities of the Corporation are: 
− the generation and distribution of electricity; 
− the storage, treatment and distribution of potable water; and 
− the collection, treatment disposal of sewerage. 
 The above activities are undertaken by the Elect ricity and the Water a nd Sewerage divisions 
and supported by the Finance and Administration Division. 
- Electricity Division  
 The Division is made up of two main se ctions - Generation and Distribution and 
Transmission. 
 The Generation Section is responsible for th e safe and continuous production of electricity 
from four generating stations. The stations, which are all managed by the section consist of diesel-
based generators and are situated on the islands of Mahé and Praslin. 
 The Electricity Distribution and Transmission Section is responsible for distribution and 
transmission of electricity within the Republic of Seychelles.  The section manages an integrated 
33kV/11kV distribution network on the island of Mahé  and 11 kV network on the island of Praslin 
and La Digue. In addition, it provides an inspectorat e service to the public in order to ensure that a 
high standard of electrical wiring is  maintained in all installations. 
- Water and Sewerage Division  
 The Division has as one of its main goals to provide a reliable supply of potable water.  It 
consists of the following sections:  Supply, Di stribution, Planning, Electro-Mechanical and 
Laboratory: 
 The Supply Section manages the two main raw water reservoirs of Rochon and La Gogue as 
well as the four main treatment works that s upply NE Mahé, eighteen small works, 60 service 
reservoirs and 42 pumping stations.  The Section also carries out minor maintenance works on the Corporation establishments. 
 The Distribution Section provides a 24-hour breakdown service and maintains a distribution 
network consisting of some 250km of pipeline of different sizes including a section of submarine 
pipeline supplying the Inner Islands of Cerf and Ste.   Anne.  The Section is also responsible for  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 41 
 
 
  operating and maintaining all treatment works on Praslin and La Digue. Reduction of unaccounted-
for-water continues to be accorded a high priority. 
 To provide increased coverage, the Planning Section carries out design and construction of 
new pipelines and projects to improve reliability of  supply. New works are implemented either by 
using direct labour or through civil contracts. 
 The Electro-Mechanical Secti on maintains the Corporation fleet, undertakes electrical works 
on water and sewerage projects and maintains the water and sewage pump stations. 
 Monitoring the quality of the water that is supp lied to the consumers is considered to be of 
great importance.  The Laboratory Section collects samples from the treatment works and performs the necessary analysis to ensure compliance to the Health Regulation for potable water quality. The 
Section also liaises with the Ministry of Health and the Division of Environment on environmental 
health issues related to water qualit y and sewage effluent standards. 
 The Sewerage Section is responsible for pr oviding the Island of Seychelles with sewerage 
services. It is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of all sewage treatment works, pump 
stations and collection systems. 
- Air Seychelles Ltd.
 
 Air Seychelles Ltd. was created in 1978 as a domestic airline and it is 100 per cent owned by 
the Government of Seychelles.  It does not depe nd on funding from the Government's annual budget.  
Till today the company has exclusive rights to pr ovide air passenger transport services on inter-island 
routes within Seychelles.   
 In 1983, the Airline expanded its operations to cat er for international routes.  It does not have 
any monopoly rights on any international route from the Seychelles or vice-versa.  However, the 
company does have exclusive rights to handle inte rnational air cargo clearing and forwarding and 
passenger handling services at the Seychelles Internati onal Airport.  It is to be noted that the 
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) is entr usted to manage all airports or airstrips in 
Seychelles. 
(f, g) Free zones and free economic zones 
 The Seychelles International Trade Zone Ac t of 1995 provides for the establishment of 
international trade zones and to regulate the operatio ns and to provide for matters which are related to 
both issues.  Under this Act, the Minister of Finance can by notice in the Official Gazette declare any area of land within the territory of the country as an International Trade Zone.  The notice will also 
define the boundaries of the area, as well as which entity will manage the area.  So far a number of 
areas have been declared as International Trade Z ones which aim to combine the benefits of a free 
port and export processing zone.   
 The distance from major markets does not allow products originating from Seychelles to be 
very competitive.  These international zones provide  for lower costs to businesses and in turn they 
provide employment and other human resource benef its but most importantly an improvement in the 
trade balance of the country.  
(h) Trade-related environmental policies  
 Seychelles is regarded as having a strong hist ory of conservation and environment protection 
activities, which has been heightened over the last 15 years through the development and WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 42  
 
  implementation of environment management plans.  The country is Party to a number of international 
conventions.  In spite of its small size, Seychelles has been participating in the various negotiations 
under these conventions such as the Convention on Bio-Diversity (CBD), the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNF CCC), the Montreal Protocol and the Stockholm 
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)  and the Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species (CITES). 
 Local legislation incorporates these conventi ons.  For instance, the Trades Tax Act (1992) 
Amendment 2005, provides for a Prohibited list (A nnex 4) which lists the products which are 
prohibited imports.  Majority of the pr oducts listed are species listed under CITES. 
 The prohibited list also includes products which are banned under the Montreal Protocol, 
which prohibits the trade of Chlorofluorocarbon (C FCs) products.  The importation of waste and 
waste products are also controlled because of Seyc helles' signature to the Basel Convention on the 
Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.  The Plant Protection 
Act (1996) provides for legal measures to control the movement of diseases, insects and pests of 
economic importance, these include plant and plant products, edible fruits a nd vegetables, growing 
media and compost.   
(i) Mixing regulations 
 There are no mixing regulations currently enfor ced under any national legislation.      
(j) Government-mandated counter-trade and barter  
 There are no government-mandate d counter-trade and barter. 
(k) Trade agreements leading to co untry specific quotas allocation 
 There are no trade agreements leading to country-specific quotas allocation. 
(l) Government procurement practices 
 The Government's procurement practices until recently was based on the Financial 
Regulations which was then partia lly amended by the Ministry of Finance Circular No. 14 of 2004.  
The Circular provided for new and improved pro cedures that government agencies which included 
budget-dependant parastatals needed to follow in or der to acquire goods and services.  There was also 
the establishment of the National Tender Boar d (NTB) in 2004 to oversee the Government's 
procurement process for goods and services whic h equal to or above SR 500,000.   
 Following technical assistance from the World Bank and the Common Market for Eastern and 
Southern Africa (COMESA) secretariat, the Governme nt has been able to institute its procurement 
practice in a legal framework.  The recently enacted  Public Procurement Act (2008) establishes clear 
parameters within which government procurement wi ll take place.  The whole intention of the Act is 
to regulate and control practices relating to public pr ocurement in order to promote integrity, fairness 
and public confidence in the procurement process.  
 The Act incorporates the NTB and specifies its composition.  It also provides for a 
Procurement Oversight Unit under the Ministry of Finance primarily to oversee the policy making in 
this area.  Provision has also been made for th e setting up of Procurement Committees to deal with 
procurement for individual Ministries or for a gr oup of Ministries.  The rules regulating committees 
are to be established by Regulation upon the advice of the Procurement Policy Unit.  The Act also  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 43 
 
 
  makes provision for a Review Panel to hear compla ints by bidders and suppliers who have been 
aggrieved during the procurement process.  
 The Act also permits the exclusion of certain procurements in the event of; a state secret 
would be disclosed; the purchase of weapons a nd ammunitions; purchasing by the Central Bank; 
contracting for scientific research; acquisition, deve lopment, production or co-production of the State 
Owned Broadcasting Organisation; amongst others. 
 The thresholds are as follows: 
Table 9 (a):  Procurement of Goods  
Thresholds Approval Proced ures Procurement Methods 
Less than SR 150,000 Approved internally by procuring unit 
within the procuring entity  Must obtain at least 3 quotations 
 
Between SR 150,000 and 
SR 500,000 Approved by Procurement Committee 
within the procuring entity Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior approval of Policy Unit 
Above SR 500,000 Approved by National Tender Board Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior 
approval of Procurement Policy unit/National Tender Board 
 
Table 9 (b):  Civil Works  
Thresholds Approval Proced ures Procurement Methods 
Less than SR 150,000 Approved internally by procuring unit 
within the procuring entity  Must obtain at least 3 quotations 
 
Between  SR 150,000 – 
750,000  Approved by Procurement Committee 
within the procuring entity Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior approval of Policy Unit 
Above SR 750,000 Approved by National Tender Board Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior approval of Procurement Policy 
unit/National Tender Board 
 
Table 9 (c):  Consultancy  
Thresholds Approval Proced ures Procurement Methods 
Less than SR 50,000 Approved internally by procuring unit 
within the procuring entity  Must obtain at least 3 quotations 
 
Between SR 50,000 and SR 500,000 Approved by Procurement Committee 
within the procuring entity Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior 
approval of Policy Unit 
Above SR 500,000 Approved by National Tender Board Open advertising however may use 
other methods subject to prior approval of Procurement Policy 
unit/National Tender Board 
 
(m) Regulation of trade in transit 
 Goods in transit except for goods whose importation is prohibited or restricted they are 
authorized in accordance with international cust oms practices, that is, under the surveillance of WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 44  
 
  customs officers given that there are no specifi c provisions in the Trades Tax Regulations, dealing 
with this issue.  Those goods  are exempted from any taxes. 
4. Policies affecting foreign trade in agricultural products 
(a) Imports 
 Customs tariff and sanitary and phytosanitary measures mentioned above are the only types of 
border protection maintained. 
(b) Exports 
 Figures for agricultural exports have been listed in table 5 (Merchandise Exports). 
(c) Export prohibitions and restrictions 
 In agriculture there are no export prohibitions  and restrictions except for the agricultural 
products listed in Annex 4. 
(d) Export credits, export credit guarantees or insurance programmes 
 There are no export credits and export credit guarantees.  A draft bill on a Crop Insurance 
Scheme has been proposed. Farmers, through the contribution of a premium, would benefit from 
insurance schemes in the event of losses through natural disasters.  The scheme would provide the 
farming community with a sense of security and prom ote stability and development of agriculture.  
 During the course of February 2009, FAO has assisted Seychelles with the conduct of a 
feasibility study which will further investigate th e basis for setting up an insurance scheme.  The 
results of the study should be available the end of the third quarter of 2009. 
(e) Internal policies 
- Background
 
 Out of the 455,000 hectares of total land area of the Seychelles, 6,000 hectares have been 
estimated as potential agricultural land.  However, only 600 hectares are under arable agriculture with 
about 200 hectares under intensive cultivation.  Farm size is between 0.5-2 hectares.  
 It has been estimated that of the total 6,00 0 hectares of potential agricultural land, 3,000 
hectares are of the Seychelles' red earth which is  an acidic, feralitic soil.  One thousand and three 
hundred hectares are of the alkaline,  coralline sandy soil.  Both typ es of soils are deficient in both 
macro and micro elements which are essential for optimum plant growth and development.  
 As far back as 1909, the soils in Seychelles we re described as having very low organic matter 
content, low water retention capacity and generally infe rtile.  It was clearly stated that the nature of 
the soil is such that they could not sustain crop cultivation on a long term without the addition of 
fertilisers.  
 Land is a limited resource in the face of many  competing ends. Probabl y two thirds of the 
available land resources are mountainous and are unsuitable for agricultural activities.  
Seventy-five per cent of the total cultivated land is found on the coast averaging about 2m above 
mean sea level.  The remaining 25 per cent cons ist of cultivated land with slopes in excess of 
15 per cent.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 45 
 
 
   The topography coupled with heavy rainfall and high ambient temperature throughout the 
year is the main reasons why the soils of Seychell es have a low fertility status. Most of the nutrients 
are washed down the slope or leached down the soil profile during heavy rainfall. 
 To achieve the desired level of crop produc tion (a minimum of 80 per cent of the total 
national consumption of fruits and vegetables), an additional 150 hect ares would have to be engaged 
and cultivated intensively. However land is a limited resource. The area would come from a 
combination of currently under-valorised agricu ltural land resources and newly identified land.   
 A national inventory of agricultural land and land with agricultural potential would be 
conducted with a view that it would eventually be bound into an agricultural land bank to be protected 
by legislation to avoid encroachment form other development sectors.  
 State land would be leased out to potential food producing entrepreneurs who would be bound 
by a lease agreement while the food producing en trepreneurs operating on  private land would 
conform to agreements of the land owners. 
 Therefore agricultural plots would be identified along with suitable private sector interests to 
undertake arable crop production. 
- Arable agricultural production  
 The national agricultural production for vegeta bles and fruits ranged between 50 per cent and 
60 per cent, using 2002/2003 as a base year.  While th e agricultural sector's importance to contribute 
to GDP remained small (2.8 per cent), the agricultu ral sector employs an estimated 3,800 people.  By 
the end of 2005 the national agricultural production st atistics had not changed much.  The retail value 
for crop products was estimated at SR 65 million for the year 2006. 
- Registered farmers  
 The 520 farmers registered with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) 
in 2006 were farming on both private and State land.   The registered farmers benefited from a range 
of services and concessions offered by government. Some 6,714 households were involved in some 
form of small-scale agricultural practices such as backyard farming.  
- Bilateral and multilateral assisted projects  
 The implementation of a large number of bilateral and multilateral assisted projects addressed 
various issues related to agricultural infrastructure as  well as specific technological gaps that limited 
national arable agricultural production.  About  US$22.22 million were spent between 1990-2005 to 
address such issues as well as to  enhance facilities such as farm access roads, the construction of 
reservoirs, the laying of pipes for the distribution of irrigation water, the provision of infrastructure for 
agricultural inputs storage and distribution, infrastructure on agricultural research centres, training of 
personnel and human capacity development as well as th e provision of low interest agricultural credit.  
 By far the largest and the most significant of these projects was the African Development 
Bank's Integrated Agricultural Development Project (IADP), executed between 1996-2005, at a total 
cost of SR 41 million, which accounted for 40 per cent of the total investment in agriculture for that 
decade, with 17 per cent of the total cost financed  by the Seychelles' Government.  The European 
Union (EU) sponsored a total of €1.1 million for the melon fly eradication project and €189,000 for 
the "Programme Regional de Protection des Veget eaux" (PRPV).  There were other foreign funded 
projects through the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 46  
 
  African Development Community (SADC) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United 
Nations (FAO). 
 Bilateral cooperation agreemen ts provided opportunities for the training of technical and 
support personnel along with food pro ducing entrepreneurs/private sector interests in specific domains 
of agricultural production. Israel, Kenya, Egypt, Ch ina, Cuba and Mauritius were the leading partners 
which made training offers in various aspects of ar able agricultural producti on. Leading international 
agricultural centres of excellence su ch as the International Institute  for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), 
the International Network for the Improvement of  Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), and the Asian 
Vegetable Research and Development Centre (AVR DC) provided much solicited new tropical root 
crop, vegetable and fruit genetic resources.  
 In 2005, training workshops and field exercise s were carried out under the European Union's 
sponsored "Programme Regional de Protection des Vegeteaux" (PRPV).  The programme also 
facilitated the formulation of Standard Operati ng Procedures (SOP) for field trials which were 
relevant to the execution of the said programme. 
 Regional intergovernmental organisations and regional economic groupings such as the 
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development 
Community (SADC) supported national efforts in addressing very specific capacity building issues.  
 The Food and Agriculture Organisation of th e United Nations (FAO) implemented about 18 
projects at a cost of about US$2.22 million over the period 1990-2000 and these addressed specific institutional and technological gaps.   
 Overall, the investment in the sector betw een 1990- 2005 facilitated a ne w generation of food 
producing entrepreneurs/private sector interests to  launch into the sector, and along with those that 
were already established helped to  achieve the indicated national arable agricultural production.   
- Capital
 
 It is often necessary for new farmers and also  some existing ones to require initial funding to 
start new projects or carry out farm improvements. With the high cost of infrastructure and labour 
most farmers seek assistance for loans. The Devel opment Bank of Seychelles (DBS) assists farmers 
with feasible projects. Over the past ten years ove r SR 13 million has been disbursed to farmers for 
agricultural development at an interest rate of 9 per cent.  Farmers invest mostly on farm improvements, irrigation systems, and constr uction of shade house, livestock rearing pens, 
procurements of equipment and machineries and wo rking capital. On most vegetable farms a farmer, 
will employ at least one farm worker and may take on one casual worker.  
 Loans from the commercial banks are accessible to farmers.  
- Institutional support
 
 The National Assembly (legislature) has p assed the Seychelles Agri culture Agency Act 
(2009).    The Agency holds the mandate for four directorates: 
− Agricultural Land and Project Management  
− Crop and Livestock Development Support;  
− Crop and Livestock Health Services; and 
− Corporate Services. 
 The Agency is governed by a Board and its functions are:   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 47 
 
 
  − Enhance national food security without comp romising human health and the environment; 
− Ensure the enforcement of establishe d agricultural regulatory mechanisms; 
− Facilitate the agricultural sector by providing technical services; 
− Facilitate formal and informal training of food-producing entrepreneurs and technical 
personnel; 
− Facilitate the maximization of local production of  broiler poultry meat, table eggs and pork as 
well as valorise other livestock types inclusive of small ruminants; 
− Facilitate the maximization of local production of  arable crops which are required for local 
consumption and in which there are comparative advantages; 
− Encourage the exploitation of spices, floricultu re, essential oils, and of traditional plantation 
crops for export as value-added products and raw materials; 
− Promote the production of organic crops; 
− Promote small scale agro-processing; 
− Assist with the stocking of adequate amounts of quality agricultural inputs and supplies to 
meet the requirements of agricultural activities;  
− Assist in the formulation of national agricultu ral policies and in the implementation of the 
policies;  
− Engage in meetings, seminars and discussions, w ith regards to agriculture, both nationally and 
internationally, on behalf  of  the Republic or otherwise; and 
− Perform such other functions as the Minister may from time to time by order prescribe. 
 Whilst the Seychelles Agriculture Agency has its  main role as a service provided, the Natural 
Resources Department is now much smaller in size  and only assumes the of facilitator.  It focuses on 
formulating, coordinating, monitoring and evalua ting the implementation of relevant policies and 
regulatory instruments. It will hold three impor t Sections:  Policy Planning and Development, 
Research Project and Information and Agricultu ral Land Allocation.  There will exist dynamic 
consultation between the Agency and the Department. 
 The Agriculture and Fisheries Incentives Act, 2005 provides incentives to registered farmers, 
farming entities (companies), agricultural processors and agricultural exporters. In line with the said 
act, a registered farmer does not have to pay bus iness tax. Farming entities (companies), agricultural 
processors and agricultural exporters do not pa y business tax if earnings are between SR 0 – 
250,000.00 but above SR 250,000.00 there is a tax of 15 per cent.  
- Proposed arable crop development plan for the period 2007-2011  
 For the next five years (2007-2011) Government  will remain a facilitato r to the agricultural 
sector. In this regard, it would maintain a number of operational service sections and evaluation farms 
within the ministry with portfolio  responsibilities for agriculture with  a view to provide the necessary 
services and to generate technological information for use by the food producing entrepreneurs.  This 
will provide an enabling environment to enhance na tional crop production with a view to enhance the 
national food security.  The guiding document will be  the Food Security Strategy (FSS) 2008-2011, 
which uses the Agricultural Development Strategy  2007-2011 as a platform for action.  The FSS 
2008-2011 focuses on five major domains of actions or  leverage points as follows:  agricultural land, 
agricultural infrastructure, agricultural requisites,  agricultural policy and institutional support, and 
human resource development and training. 
- National requirements of fruit and vegetables  
 Statistics available on land engaged in nati onal agricultural production would suggest that 
only about 200 hectares of land are under intensiv e arable cropping although a total of 600 hectares 
are under some form of cultivation.  To achieve a target of at least 80 per cent of the national WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 48  
 
  requirements of fruit and vegetables (in which there are comparative advantages) by the year 2011, a 
total of 350 hectares i.e. an additional 150 hectares of land would have to be intensively cultivated.  
This is based on a projected increase in f ood demand through consumpt ion of the indigenous 
population which is expected to grow at 1.6 per cen t per year; a forecast of the National Statistics 
Bureau (NSB).  The Seychelles Population Projections 1996-2019, a 1997 publication projects a local 
population of 94,500 at the end of 2013.  Furthermor e, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport in 1997 
projected a tourism growth rate of 7.1 per cent at a decreasing rate of growth of 0.3 per cent per year 
for the next decade.  
- Intensive and sustainable crop production
 
 Sustainable agricultural production would fo rm the corner stone of all agricultural 
undertakings.  In broad terms, agricultural produc tion would exploit proven technology packages for 
intensive production with due regard for the human health and the environment. 
 To ensure sustainability in crop producti on, new improved technology such as the use of 
controlled environment technology packages whic h incorporate efficien t water and fertilizer 
application techniques and selected improved crop va rieties will be exploited.  To concurrently 
conserve the local biodiversity and the crop genetic  resources, there will be further promotion of 
environmentally friendly cultural practices such as Integrated Pest Management, (IPM), (Integrated 
Crop Management, (ICM), and edible landscape, en suring that there is minimal land degradation 
through the use of the limited land resources.      
 Proposed crop development plan for the next five years: 
− Identify small research projects, on-farm research  activities, to encourage the participation of 
farmers; 
− Identify projects to support and promote resear ch activities in the domain of environmental 
friendly practices such as Integrated Pest Ma nagement (IPM), Integrated Crop Management 
(ICM) and organic farming; 
− Facilitate the working environment of the pe rsonnel and equip the functional sections with 
tools and equipment to upgrade performance; 
− Promote improved crop varieties and support sound and friendly cultural practices; 
− Improve water management and i rrigation systems so as to limit the negative effect of the 
more frequent droughts as a result of climate change; 
− Prepare an efficient and effective programme of fe rtiliser use in order to prevent deficiency in 
plants hence leading to optimal yield. This will also help in controlling environmental 
pollution caused by the excessive use of fertiliser;   
− Encourage the production of organic crops and floriculture products along with the 
exploitation of spices, essential oils and trad itional plantation crops through the production of 
value- added products for export to niche markets; 
− Identify agricultural plots along with suitable pr ivate sector interests to undertake arable crop 
production; and 
− Organise workshops and seminars for the fa rming community and support staff in the 
collection of farm data, pesticides and fertili ser application and environmental impact.  
5. Policies affecting foreign trade in other sectors 
(a) Textiles regime 
 There are no policies affecting this sector directly.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 49 
 
 
  (b) Policies affecting foreign trade in other major sectors 
- Fisheries policy  
 The ultimate role of the government will be to ensure responsible and sustainable 
development of the fishing indus try and provide the necessary in frastructure and facilities. The 
government will on the other hand maintain its role as a facilitator in encouraging investment in the 
sector and promoting trade. 
 The overall responsibility for the fisheries sector and its devel opment will remain with the 
Ministry having the portfolio for fisheries, the Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources 
through the Seychelles Fishing Authority. 
 The Seychelles Fishing Authority, being the Government's executive arm for fisheries and 
marine resources matters will conti nue to discharge its responsibiliti es and functions as defined by the 
Seychelles Fishing Authority (Establishment) Act, 1984. 
 The Ministry responsible for fisheries will ha ve to work in close collaboration with other 
ministries and government departments in an effort  to better the bureaucratic and decision making 
process as well as improve service delivery. 
- Overall Policy Objectives  
 The long-term policy of the Government of  Seychelles for the fishing industry is the 
promotion of sustainable and responsible fisheries development and optimisation of the benefits from 
this sector for the present and future generations. 
 This policy focuses principally on the promoti on of sustainable management and responsible 
fishing practices, to provide food, employment, in come, foreign exchange earnings, and the effective 
protection of the marine eco-system.  It is also the government's desire to promote gender equality and 
to address any potential inequalities in the con tinued development of the fishing industry. 
 To promote conservation and management of  marine resources in order to ensure the 
sustainability and long-term viability of the indus try marine resources conservation and management 
will continue to be a top priority for the Gove rnment.  The State will endeavour to utilise the 
appropriate management tools to ensure the long-term  sustainability of the resource.  Where the best 
scientific evidence is unavailable, a precautiona ry approach to management will be adopted. 
 The fisheries sector will continue to be deve loped to generate employment opportunities for 
the maximum number of Seychellois, either directly  or indirectly. The Government will also ensure 
that the livelihood of fishermen and those invo lved in supporting activities are maintained or 
enhanced. 
 The Government will ensure that the maximum amount of foreign exchange is earned through 
the export of fish and fish products. Emphasis is put  on improving both quality and health standards. 
Export of canned tuna and other processed  products will be further enhanced. 
 The Government will continue to negotiate  access agreements with foreign countries or 
fishing companies, and ensure that the facilities and services in Port Victoria are developed and 
utilised to the maximum. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 50  
 
   The Government also aims to create conditio ns that will increase the contribution of the 
fisheries sector to the national wealth by in creasing production and valu e addition to fisheries 
products. 
 The creation of ancillary industries and services to provide inputs to the fishing industry and 
the contribution of the fishery sector to other sector s of the economy such as manufacturing, tourism, 
agriculture will lead to a more integrated Seychell es economy.  The Government will ensure that full 
advantage is taken of all the potential linkages and multiplier effects for further diversification of the 
economy.  Co-operation with other Ministries, de partments and other agencies will be amplified. 
 Steps will be taken to ensure that self-sufficien cy in fish is maintained and that the domestic 
market is at all times adequately supplied. The nutritional importance of fish consumption will be 
further emphasized whilst adhering to local and international food safety standards. 
 Yearly, a number of fishing boats and fisher men go missing or are lost at sea for various 
reasons, such as the lack of financial resources to  purchase modern safety equipment.  Government 
will continue to assist boat owners in acquiring safet y equipment at affordable prices and intensify its 
efforts to further educate fishermen on the importa nce of safety at sea as well as provide necessary 
navigational aids such as leading lights to ensure safe navigation. 
 Industrial tuna fishing in the Western Indian Ocean has grown significantly over the past 
decade. This has resulted in Port Victoria becomi ng an important base for the industrial fishing fleet 
and has established Port Victoria as the main tuna landing/transhipment port in the region. 
 To maintain this position the Government will c ontinue to invest in port infrastructure and 
other facilities and also ensure that the services provi ded are efficient and cost effective.  Emphasis 
will be placed on services and facilities aimed at en couraging more long liners to frequent Port 
Victoria. 
- Current Trends
 
 Between 2003 and 2007, fish and fish products exports acc ounted for about 93 per cent of 
merchandise trade export.  Fishing and fisher ies related activities, (processing export services), 
accounts for between 15 per cent to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.  In 2003, the most 
important markets for Seychelles fish and fish products were United Kingdom, France, Italy, and 
Germany.  Regarding tuna landing and tranship ment in Port Victoria, it decreased from 359,379 
Metric Tonnes in 2003 (88 per cent of total catch) to 221,752 in 2007 (95 per cent of total catch).   
 In 2004 a total of 445 licenses were issued to 316 individual fishing vessels. This figures had 
decreased to 219 licenses issued to 190 individual vessels in 2007.  Total amount of licence fees, 
(including EU financial compensation), during th e same period increased from SR 38.81 million to 
SR 50.58 million after reaching a maximum of SR 71.95 million in 2005. 
 Following relatively high production in 2005, output from the semi-industrial fishery declined 
by almost 25 per cent in 2006 but regained momentum in 2007 with an increase in output of 
13 per cent.  Canned tuna, which accounted for 89 per cent of total domestic production of fish and 
fish products, remained the dominant commodity produced.  Total production fell from a high of 
40,606 metric tons in 2005 to 31,569 metric tons  in 2007. During 2007, the 11 Seychelles registered 
purse seiners managed a total catch of 49,938 MT, a decrease of almost 43 per cent on the 87,534 
metric tons caught in 2005.  Artisanal production increased a slight 9 per cent in 2007 to reach 
4,189 metric tons of which over 90 per cent is consumed locally.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 51 
 
 
   The trends in the domestic output of fish and fish products over the last 20 years, reveals the 
high correlation between total output and the production of canned tuna. Slight fluctuations in overall 
production have been observed over the past coupl e of years.  Artisanal and semi-industrial 
production varies between 4,000 and 5,000 MT, whilst production of dried shark fins, sea cucumbers, 
smoked fish and prawns remain relatively insignificant  in total output, in contrast to their economic 
importance. 
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME 1. General (a) Intellectual property policy 
 The Republic of Seychelles respects intellectua l property rights, and regards laws and other 
measures to protect them as an important aspects of  long term economic development, Efficient and 
effective protection of Intellectual Property Rights is  vital for the development in terms of promoting 
foreign investment, the transfer and disseminati on of technology, and protecting the local businesses 
and artists as well as facilitating the integration of Seychelles' economy into the regional and global 
economies.  
 As per the Cabinet's Decision (C98 M11) of 15  July 1998, Seychelles applied to join WIPO 
and became a full member on 16 March 2000.   In add ition, the country became a contracting party to 
the Paris Convention for the Protection of Indust rial Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty 
(PCT) on 7 November 2002.   
 The current legislations which affect intellectual property are the Copyrights Act of 1984, the 
Trade Marks Decree of 1978 and the Patents Act of  1901.  Government acknowledges that there are 
weaknesses in the intellectual property regime in Se ychelles.  The principal weakness has been due to 
the lack of human resource capacity and constraints in th is area.  It is also cognisant of the fact that it 
will have to be party to the WTO TRIPS Agre ement without any transition period accorded upon 
accession.  
 Currently, WIPO is reviewing the legislati ons which affect the intellectual regime in 
Seychelles.  Given that Seychelles is in the accessi on process, the Government has requested that it is 
placed in the "fast track mode" within WIPO's In tellectual Property Development Plan (IPDP) that it 
provides to member States.  The legislative revi ew is just the beginning of comprehensive needs 
assessment exercise that the Organisation will be undertaking later this year.  
(b) Responsible agencies for policy formulation and implementation  
 Ministry of Finance and Trade in conjunction with the Office of the Registrar General is 
responsible for formulating and implementing policy in  relation to trade marks in goods and services, 
and patents.  The Ministry of Community Developmen t, Youth, Sports and Culture is responsible for 
registering copyrights associated with literary work s, musical works, artistic works, performances of 
literary or musical works, films, sound recordings and broadcasts.   
 The IP development plan which is still very much in its inception includes the setting up of an 
IP office to enable the registration of patents, tr ademarks and copyrights.  A joint task force is 
expected to be formed between th e Police, Customs and the IP Office to provide for more effective 
enforcement.  However, current IP assets need to  be audited and human resources development is 
required in this field.   WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 52  
 
  (c) Membership of international intellectua l property conventions and of regional or 
bilateral agreements 
 Seychelles has been a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) since 
16 March 2000.  The country is a signatory to th e Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial 
Property and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Seychelles is also a member of the African 
Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). 
(d)  Application of national and m. f.n. treatment to foreign nationals 
 Seychelles accords to all foreign nationals tr eatment no less favourable than that accorded to 
its own nationals with regard to  the protection of intellectual property.  Any advantage, favour, 
privilege or immunity granted by Seychelles to the nationals of one country shall be accorded 
unconditionally to the nationals of other countries.  All legislations that will be enacted will not 
discriminate between nationals and foreigners in keeping with WTO principles of MFN and National 
Treatment. 
(e)  Fees and taxes  
 The fees are listed in Annex 6.  There are no taxes currently being applied. 
2. Substantive standards of protection, incl uding procedures for the acquisition and 
maintenance of intellectual property rights 
(a) Copyright and related rights 
 According to Section 3 of the Copyright Act (Chapter 51), copyright is the protection of an 
eligible work by an exclusive right conferred on the author or another person to control for a period of 
25 years from first publication or from when event took place (Section 8 and 9) in Seychelles or 
another place all or any part of the copying,  reproduction, communication to the public or 
broadcasting of the Work.  
 The Works which are eligible for copyright are literary works, musical works, artistic works, 
performance of literary or musical works, films, s ound recordings and broadcasts.  Part (vi) of the 
Copyright Act also states that a person who, at a ti me when copyright subsists in a work, makes for 
sale or hire, or sells or lets for hire, or imports into Seychelles, otherwise that for his private and 
domestic use, an article which he knows to be an in fringing copy of the work, is guilty of an offence. 
The owner of copyright in a work may apply to the Registrar of Copyrights for registration of the copyright.  Where the Registrar of Copyrights is satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the 
copyright in the work he shall register him in the Copyright Register as the registered owner of that 
registered copyright. 
 Where copyright subsists in a work, only the regi stered owner is deemed to be the owner of a 
registered copyright.  However, where a person clai ms that he and not the registered owner is the 
owner of a registered copyright, he may apply to th e Supreme Court to be registered as owner in the 
Copyright Register in place of the then registered owner. 
(b) Trademarks, including service marks 
 Trademarks, whether in relation to goods or services, are governed by the Trade Marks 
Decree 1977 (Chapter 239). Any person claiming to be the proprietor of a trademark used or proposed 
to be used by him or her, who is desirous of registering it must apply in writing to the Registrar of Trade Marks for registration of that mark.  The Re gistrar may refuse the application, or may accept it  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 53 
 
 
  absolutely or subject to amendments, modifications , conditions or limitations and the Registrar must 
state in writing the grounds of his decision and the materials used by him in making that decision.  
Please note that the latter is subject to appeal to the Court and the latter shall hear the applicant and 
the Registrar, and shall make an order determining whether the application is to be accepted or not.  
When an application for registration of a trademar k has been accepted, the Registrar shall published 
the application as accepted in the Official Gazette before registration and any person may give notice 
to the Registrar of opposition to the registration.  Please note that any applicants for registration of a trademark must normally act through patents agents licensed under the Act. 
 The registration of a trademark is for a peri od of seven years and may be renewed for 14 
years with possible extension from time to time.  It  gives the proprietor of that mark the exclusive 
right to use it in relation to any goods or services.  That exclusive right is deemed to be infringed by a 
person who, not being proprietor of the trade mark  or registered user thereof using by way of 
permitted use, uses a mark identical with it or so n early resembling it as to be in relation to any goods 
or services in respect of which that trade mark is  registered.  There are other offences under Section 
50 and 51 of the Act.  The proprietor of a tr ademark has the power to assign his trade mark. 
(e) Patents 
 Under the Patents Act (Chapter 156), the Registra r of Patents is responsible for registration of 
patents.  According to Section 4 of that Act, an y person whether a citizen of Seychelles or not, can 
make an application for a patent.  The Registrar of Pate nts, if he thinks fit, refer any application to an 
examiner, who shall ascertain whether the nature of the invention has been fa irly described and the 
application and drawings have been prepared accordi ng to that Act.  Under Section 51 of the Act, the 
Registrar of Patent is also required to register UK Patent. 
 The right to an invention is confirmed by a pa tent which certifies the proprietorship, priority 
and exclusive right of the patentee to use his inventi on.  By Law, patents for inventions are valid for 
14 years from the date of application was received by the Registrar of Patents.  However, the President of the Republic may, on petition made by a patentee at least six months before the time 
limited for the expiration of the patent, extend his pate nt for a further term of seven years or fourteen 
years in exceptional cases. 
(f)  Plants variety protection 
 The Patents Act of 1901 which is still in force has no provisions dealing with the protection of 
plant varieties and geographical indications.   
(g)  Layout designs of integrated circuits 
     No protection is currently provided. 
(h)  Requirements on undisclosed informatio n, including trade secrets and test data 
     No protection is currently provided. 
3.     Measures to control abuse of intellectual property rights 
 There is no specific legislation on other categor ies of intellectual property rights. Regarding 
control of potential abuse of intellectual prope rty rights, under the Patents Act any Government 
Department and any person authorized in writing by a Government department may make, use, 
exercise and vend any patented invention for the servi ces of the Republic.  Any use of the invention in 
that case, shall be made upon such terms as may be  agreed upon either before or after the use, WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 54  
 
  between the President of the Republic and the pate ntee.  Apart from that case, there is no legal 
mechanism permitting the granting of compulsory licences  if the owner of the patent is considered to 
exploit the patent insufficiently or not all. 
4. Enforcement  
 The Copyright Act, the Trade Marks Decree a nd the Patents Act contain provisions which lay 
down the procedures and measures dealing with in fringement of intellectual property rights. For 
instance, according to Section 22 of Part VI of the Copyright Act (Chapter 51), a person who for the 
purposes of trade or business has in his possession any infringing copy of a work in which subsists 
copyright is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine of SR 1, 000 for each infringing copy and to 
imprisonment for one year. 
 According to the First Schedule to the Tr ade Marks Decree, a person who, not being 
proprietor of a trademark or a registered user th ereof using by way of permitted use, uses a mark 
identical with it or so nearly resembling it as to be likely to deceive or cause confusion, in the course 
of business, in relation to any goods or services in re spect of which it is registered, shall be deemed to 
infringe the exclusive right of the proprietor of that trademark. 
 Under the Seychelles Civil Code which is modelled on the Napoleonic Civil Code, it is 
beyond doubt that the violation of the exclusive rights of the proprietors of a copyright, Trade Mark or 
patent entails inevitably the civil liability of th e offenders and involves both compensation for the 
damages suffered by the proprietor and the immediate prohibition of the illegal usage of those rights. 
In other words, any infringement of intellectual pr operty rights in Seychelles may result in a Supreme 
Court injunction to cease the infringement and in compensation for damages. 
5.   Laws, decrees, regulations and other legal acts relating to the above 
 The main Acts governing the intellectual pr operty rights is the Copyrights Act of 1984, 
Trademarks Decree of 1977 and the Patents Act of  1901.  There are no other Laws, Decrees or 
Regulations which govern intellectual property in Seychelles. 
6. Statistical data on applications for and grants of intellectual property rights 
 To date, a total of 8168 Trademarks have been  registered.  In 2007 alone, the total number of 
new applications was 429, registration 421 and renewals  and others 667.  A total of 18 Patents and 5 
PCT were also registered during that period. 
Table 10:  Trademark Statistics
 
Year Applications Filed Registrations Granted 
2000 11 11 
2001 4 4 
2002 10 10 
2003 9 9 
2004 4 4 
2005 1 1 
2006 5 5 
2007 19 19 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 55 
 
 
  Table 11:  PCT Statistics  
Year Applications Filed Registrations Granted 
2005 4 4 
2006 5 5 
2007 7 5 
 
Table 12:  Copyright Statistics  
Year Music Records Publications Document s Films Drawing Architecture Miscellaneous 
2000 6 0 47 0 0 1 0 35 
2001 2 0 13 1 0 0 1 16 
2002 3 0 14 3 0 1 0 18 
2003 3 0 4 16 0 0 0 8 
2004 6 0 8 0 0 1 0 13 
2005 5 0 21 2 0 0 0 26 
2006 41 0 3 9 0 1 0 31 
2007 45 1 34 5 0 0 0 11 
 
VI. TRADE-RELATED SERVICES REGIME 
1. General  In Seychelles, the services sector accounts for 81 .7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product, 
this figure includes the private and public sectors.  It  has also been Government policy to reorient the 
economy by moving away from the traditional sectors of  artisanal fisheries and agriculture.  With a 
warm tropical climate, the sun, sea and sand, touris m-related activities have provided the largest share 
of the services growth in the economy.   
 Revenue generated from tourism and its re lated activities represents approximately 
22 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) at current market prices, and this sector is 
considered as the main pillar of Seychelles economy. Growth impulses came from tourism, 
construction, telecommunications and other services all of which can be linked with the 
transformation of the hotel sectors and improved air access to Seychelles archipelago. 
 The economic performance in 2007, clearly demonstrated both the opportunities and 
challenges that Seychelles faced as a small island st ate in economic transition.  Whilst the prospects 
for medium-term growth were visibly strong, the country's susceptibility to external shocks was 
prominently exposed. 
 Since mid-2004, when Government embarked on a macroeconomic reform program within 
the framework of greater economic liberalization, the country's economic performance resurged quite 
remarkably with real growth switching from a nega tive to positive trend.  With regards to policy, 
greater autonomy was given to the Central Bank of Seychelles and moreover the fiscal authorities extended the scope and range of instruments available for more effective macroeconomic 
management. 
 Increasing flexibility in economic management h as enhanced the authority's ability to detect, 
assess and respond to economic events. This w as coupled with progress in macroeconomic 
consolidations, which has led to greater business c onfidence, resulting in strong investment inflows 
into the Seychelles economy not only from foreign investors, but also increasingly, from local 
investors. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 56  
 
  (a) Financial services
 
 (i) Banking and financial system  
 Banking business, whether domestic or non-domes tic is regulated by the Financial Act 2004. 
The whole of the Financial Services Sector are regulat ed by the following laws:  Financial Institutions 
Act 2004, Anti-Money Laundering 2006, Data Protect ion Act, Mutual and Hedge Fund Act 2007 and 
Central Bank Act 2004. In addition to Central Bank of Seychelles, there are seven Commercial Banks 
(Bank of Baroda, Barclays Bank, Developmen t Bank of Seychelles, Habib Bank, Mauritius 
Commercial Bank, Nouvobanq, Seychelles Savings Bank and Seychelles Credit Union) of which 4 
are branches of foreign banks (Barclays, MCB, Baroda and Habib Bank), th ere is one Development 
Bank (DBS) and a number of  non-banking institutions. 
 A wide range of financial services such as current accounts, savi ngs accounts, loans, 
transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currenc y account etc are available in the banking system. 
The procedures and conditions to establish a comme rcial bank or a mercha nt bank or any other 
financial institutions are laid down in the Financial Institutions Regulations. 
 Seychelles has a two-tier banking system by separating the Central and Commercial bank 
functions and roles.  The Commercial Banks be it domestic banking or non-domestic banking 
business, are regulated and supervised by the Centra l Bank of Seychelles.  According to the Central 
Bank of Seychelles Act 2004, the CBS is responsible  for the formulation and implementation of the 
Seychelles' Monetary and Exchange Rate policie s.  The Central Bank of Seychelles is the only 
administrative body responsible for receiving applic ations for banking licence, whether domestic or 
offshore, and issuing the corresponding licence. 
 (ii) Insurance and related services  
 The Seychelles insurance industry is governed  by the Insurance Act of 2008, any company 
seeking to provide life, accident and health insuran ce, needs to be licensed under the Insurance Act. 
As the Financial Institutions Act 2004, regulati ng domestic and non-domestic banking business, the 
Insurance Act regulates domestic and non-domestic insurance business.  Cu rrently the insurance 
sector accounts for 4 per cent of GDP. 
 A division in Central Bank of Seychelles regulates the insurance services sector; it appraises, 
processes, licenses and supervises the insurance bus inesses in Seychelles.  They recently amended 
Insurance Act 2008 with the aim of providing the necessary synergy for expansion and protection of 
policy holders and public as this industry grows.  
 Apart from the small size of the domestic insurance market there are no restrictions on 
establishing a foreign insurance or reinsurance company.  At present there are two insurance 
companies operating on the domestic market a nd these two insurance companies are SACOS and 
H.SAVY Insurance.  Additionally, there are two of fshore insurers, one offshor e captive, nine brokers 
and 47 agents.   
 Insurance brokers and agents are regulated by the same Act.  It is not required to be a 
Seychelles citizen to obtain a licence as an insurance broker or as an insurance agent. 
 (iii) Securities market  
 The legal base for establishment of a securities ma rket is laid down in the Securities Industry 
Act 2007.  Currently, a securities market does not exist in  Seychelles.  If it were to begin its operation, 
the Central Bank would have the power to grant licen ses, permits or authorities with revocation rights  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 57 
 
 
  upon licence holders failing to comply to laws and conditions governing their respective activity with 
equal appeal avenue to the Supreme Court. 
 Anglorand (a South African company) has subm itted an application to set up and run a stock 
exchange.  The forms, guidelines and FAQs have already been prepared by the Central Bank.  
 Current efforts to setting up the stock exchange  are being constrained by the high costs of 
services such as telecoms, courier and banking servi ces.  In addition, the country's current IT 
infrastructure cannot support the Stock Exchange  Market Automated Trading System (SEMATS) 
which is a requirement for the setting up of a stock exchange.   
(b) Communication services  
 The communication services is regulated by the Broadcasting and Telecommunication Act of 
2000 (amended in 2008) along with the Post Office  Act and Regulations which is currently being 
reviewed and will be amended in due course. 
 The telecommunication services sector is very much liberalized.  There has been competition 
between Cable and Wireless, Airtel and Intel Visi on.  There are currently, 23,221 landline telephone 
subscribers and the Government is looking for so lutions to make telecommunication services more 
accessible to the wider population.  
 Telecommunication services offered include national and international telephone services, 
including GSM service, Telefax, telex, telegram, ca rd phone, leased circuits both analogue and digital 
are being provided by three private telephone compan ies, Cable and Wireless (Seychelles) Ltd, Airtel 
and Intelvision.  Until 1992 Cable and Wireless had the exclusive rights for providing these services.  
It is to be noted that this sector is very mu ch liberalized. This sector is highly competitive.  
 With regards to internet services, there are three internet service providers (ISPs); Atlas 
(Seychelles) Ltd, Kokonet and Intel Vision.  All the operators have their own international gateway.  
Seychelles depends entirely on expensive satellite ba ndwidth for the connection to the International 
Internet connectivity; the issue of latency and cost  of bandwidth are two major concerns for ISPs. 
Table 13:  Telecom Statistics (Year 2008)  
 Total 
Population 84,600 
Households 24,280 
Telephone   
Fixed Lines 23,221 
Mobile 85,320 
Prepaid 65,622 
Post Paid 19,698 
Residential Fixed Lines 14,559 
Public Payphones 206 
Internet Access  
Dial Up 2,236 
Broadband 3,815 
Subscribers 6,051 
Penetration 7.15 
Total Bandwidth Downlink 44.5 Mbps 
Total Bandwidth Uplink 16.5 Mbps 
Licensed Internet Access (Active) 18 
 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 58  
 
   Audiovisual services are regulated by the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act 2000 
(amended in 2008).  The Seychelles Broadcasting Corpor ation is responsible for the public radio and 
television services activity. Given the strategic location of Seychelles at the heart of the Indian Ocean 
region, there are two foreign radio stations which are operating from Seychelles; the British 
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Radio France In ternational (RFI).  Both channels are being 
broadcasted via Frequency Modulation (FM).  Th e Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has 
two stations which broadcast through Amplitude M odulation (AM) and Freque ncy Modulation (FM).   
(c) Professional services
 
 (i) Legal services  
 Legal services in Seychelles are regulated  under the Legal Practitioners Act (1994).  
According to the Act, only Seychelles nationals and pe rsons inscribed on the list of attorneys at law of 
the Republic of Seychelles are allowed to practice th e profession in the country.  Foreign attorneys at 
law can provide legal services in Seychelles but only with the authorization from the Chief Justice.  
 If a person has successfully completed his or  her law studies either in Mauritius, United 
Kingdom and France, the person shall only be require d to pass the final examination and spend two 
years of pupillage in a law firm before being ad mitted to the Seychelles Bar Association.  If a 
Seychelles national has studied law in countries ot her than those mentioned above, the person shall 
pass a preliminary examination, a final examination and spend two years of pupillage in a law firm 
before being admitted in the Seychelles Bar Association.   
 Any legal practitioner shall have a licence issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority 
before engaging in legal practice. 
(ii) Medical and veterinary services  
 Medical practitioners have to be approved by the medical board before obtaining a licence. 
Medical and Dental activities are regulated by the following laws:  Seychelles Investment Code Act, Genetic Act; Medical Practitioners  and Dentists Act; Nurses a nd Midwives Council Act; Health 
Professionals Act; Public Health Act; Hospita ls and Dispensaries Act; Licenses Act 1991 and 
complementary health care services Act. 
 For Veterinary Services, Government has a long term vision to gradually move towards 
providing the service to farms and allow for private sector to provide the services to pets. In addition 
Government is encouraging for parallel services to be provided in the sector. However, Government is 
currently subsidizing the services being provided. 
 Veterinary Services are regulated by the fo llowing laws: Seychelles Qualifications Act, 
Animal Diseases and Import Act, Pharmacy Act, Animal Control of Experiments Act, Control of 
Dogs Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. 
(iii) Architectural, engineering and related services
 
 This particular sector is regulated by the fo llowing laws: Seychelles Qualifications Authority 
Act 2005 and the Planning Act.  The Licensing laws and Gainful Occupation permit are some of the 
other laws which are linked to this sector. 
 If a foreign civil engineer wishes to set up a pr ivate practice in Seychelles, he or she must 
form partnership with a Seychellois.  Since this area is considered as restricted, a memorandum will 
have to be submitted to the rele vant authority for any projects whose total capital exceeds US$30,000.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 59 
 
 
  Furthermore, Seychellois nationals must have 50 pe r cent or more shares in the venture.  Any small 
business will be limited to a maximum of five employees, owner included. 
(iv)      Management consulting and re lated services and accounting and auditing services  
 The laws which regulate the accounting and a uditing services are: Seychelles Qualification 
Authority Act 2005, Legal Practitioners Act and Licensing Act.  A licence must be issued by the 
Seychelles Licensing Authority in order for the business to be able to operate and the applicant must 
possess a degree or diploma in management, accounti ng or auditing from a reputed institution.  At 
present there is no local association of accountants or auditors. 
(d) Construction and related services  
 Like other business services, construction and related services are licence-able activity, the 
providers of these services must obtain a licence  from the Licensing Authority, such licences are 
given on a project basis. The construction services are regulated by Town and Country Planning Act 
and apart from this Act there are other laws which ha ve to be respected such as: Seychelles Bureau of 
Standards Act, Trades Tax Act, Invest ment Code and Tourism Incentive Act. 
 In this sector there are both market access and National Treatment restrictions with respect to 
establishment of commercial presence in construc tion services. Building of class 3 and lower are 
restricted to Seychellois investors only; Grade 1 and 2 licences for general construction does not 
include electrical and plumbing services, these two services are to be subcontracted:  with 15 per cent margin of preference given to Seychellois. 
(e) Tourism and related services
 
 Since early 1970s tourism has played a signifi cant role in Seychelles development process. 
Today, it is considered as the principal foreign exchange earner for the country. Direct revenue 
generated from tourism is approxima tely 22 per cent of the country's GDP at current market prices. 
As the mainstay of many island economies, the to urism industry in Seychelles is responsible for 
60 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. 
 Seychelles Tourism Board is responsible for all tourism-related activities, which includes 
policy formulation, marketing and promotional activ ities, establishment and mo nitoring of standards 
of tourism products and services and the manage ment of the Seychelles Tourism Academy. 
 However, Seychelles Licensing Authority is responsible for licensing and controlling any 
class of tourist establishments, tourism guides, travel  agents, tour operators etc.  Under the Licences 
Act (chapter 113), the licence to operate or provide any tourism activity and related services is issued 
by that Authority after consultations with the Seyc helles Tourism Board, Ministry of Finance and the 
Town and Country Planning Authority. 
 Foreign investment in the tourism sector is welcomed, especially in those areas which require 
heavy capital investment or where local expertise is not available.  In line with the Government 
programme of economic liberalization and diversifi cation, most tourism-related enterprises owned by 
the Seychelles Government have been privatized.  Today most of these enterprises are foreign owned. 
 However, ownership and investment in small hotels of not more than 20 rooms are reserved 
for Seychelles nationals. Similarly, majority owne rship in the tour operators must be held by 
Seychelles nationals. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 60  
 
   The policy and strategy for the tourism sector over the past years has been to encourage and 
facilitate the private sector to play a more important  role in this vital industry. Along this line, 
Government enacted the Tourism Incentives Act to pr ovide incentives to all tourism operators with a 
view of encouraging tourism businesses to develop,  improve and upgrade their products and services. 
 Furthermore, Government aims to create an  enabling environment for optimum development 
by simplifying the licensing and work permit proced ures for foreign nationals, liberalizing reasonable 
entry into the tourism sector and streamlining the approval process for projects. 
 A one-stop shop for all investment, the Seyc helles Investment Bur eau, was established 
precisely to simplify approval of all investment in  Seychelles. The creation of the one-stop shop also 
culminated in the enactment of the Investment Code of Seychelles, which outlines all areas of 
investment available in the country for foreign as well as local investors. 
(f) Transport services
 
 (i) Land transport services  
 The Land Transport Division of the Minist ry of Environment, Natural Resources and 
Transport with the collaboration of Seychelles Li censing Authority is responsible for planning, 
developing, implementing and managi ng public and private transport in Seychelles. Land Transport is 
regulated under the Road Act and the Road Transport Act. 
 The Land Transport Division, of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and 
Transport is in fact responsible for regulating the number of vehicles, their usage, and roadworthiness 
standards to ensure road safety, with the collabora tion of the Traffic Section of the Department of 
Internal Affairs and they also help Ministry of  Environment, Natural Resources and Transport to 
control vehicular pollution. 
 With regards to public transport service, Seyc helles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) is 
the sole company currently providing such a ser vice on the main island of Mahe.  SPTC does not 
receive any subsidies from the Government because it operates on a cost-recovery basis.  Another 
company Praslin Transport Corporation (PTC) ope rates public transport on Praslin.  SPTC has 
40 per cent shares in PTC, whilst the rest of the sh ares are owned by the Praslin Development Fund 
(PDF); which is a quasi-government agency.  The Government is in the process of formulating laws 
and regulations with a view of liber alising public transport.  The pr ocess is still in its inception stage. 
(ii) Maritime transport services  
 The Seychelles merchant shipping industry is  regulated by the Merchant Shipping Act of 
1992 (amended in 2001). 
 The maritime transport services are regulated by the Investment Code Act 2005, Maritime 
Zone Act (amended in 2002) and the Mercha nt Shipping Act 1992 (amended in 2001).   
 The Port and Marine Services Division of th e Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources 
and Transport is responsible fo r supervising and controlling all matters to which the Merchant 
Shipping relates to. 
 Companies operating in this sector will also ha ve to comply to the Trades Tax Act, GST Act, 
Business Tax Act, Licenses Act and Port Authority regulations.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 61 
 
 
  (iii) Air transport services  
 The main legislation regulating air transport services in Seychelles are the Civil Aviation Act 
(2005) and the Carriage by Air (overseas territori es) Order 1976 and different sets of Government 
policies for air transport services made under the Ac t.  These legislations are administered by 
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority.  As for fore ign companies wishing to establish itself in air 
transport services, these foreign companies will have to comply with Companies Act.   
 Bilateral air services agreements have to be  signed between the Republic of Seychelles and 
the home countries of these international air carriers be fore any international flights can be scheduled.  
2. Policies affecting Trade in Services 
(a) Government departments, agencies, prof essional associations or other bodies with 
authority or a role relevant to the conduct of services activities 
 Generally, the Ministry of Finance and Trade formulates policies which are relevant to the 
trade in services.  Although, other Ministries and Depa rtments are also consulted with respect to their 
sectors.   
 The relevant departments which are concer ned with trade in services are: Seychelles 
Investment Bureau (SIB), Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA), Attorney General's Office, 
Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), Department of I mmigration, Central Bank of Seychelles (CBS),  
The Land Transport Division, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Department of Information, Communications and Technology (DICT), Ministry of Education, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA). 
 Relevant professional agencies and associations play a role:  Bar Association, Bankers' 
Association, Nurses and Midwives Association, Retailers Association, Agriculture Agency and 
Association of Contractors.  
(b) Judicial, arbitral or administrative tribuna ls or procedures providing for the review of, 
or remedies in relation to, administrative  decisions affecting trade in services 
 Section III of this document describes the powers of the judicial branch.  Seychelles does not 
have established procedures providing for the review  of, or remedies in relation to, administrative 
decisions affecting trade in services.  National a nd foreign companies are able to use the normal 
judicial process. 
(c) Provisions, including those in intern ational agreements, concerning qualification 
requirements and procedures, technical sta ndards and licensing and/or registration 
requirements for the supply of services 
 A number of Acts set professional and trade standards for the supply of services and they 
include:  Licenses Act; Legal Practioners Act; Nu rses and Midwives Act; Pharmacy Act; Education 
Act; Private Educational Institution Regulation 2 005; Seychelles Institute of Management Act;  
Hospital and Dispensaries Act; Nurses and Midwives Act; Legal Practitioners Act; and Complementary Health Care Services Act. 
 Potential service suppliers need to follow pr ocedures as laid out in Section II (d) of this 
document.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 62  
 
  (d) Provisions governing the existence and opera tion of monopolies or exclusive service 
suppliers 
 In services, in respect to electricity and water distribution, the Public Utilities Company is the 
sole entity that is allowed by legislation to provid e these services.  As for public transportation, the 
Seychelles Public Transport Company (SPTC) has the exclusive rights to provide the service on 
primary routes.   
 Air Seychelles has the exclusive right to handl e international and domestic air passengers and 
cargo at the Seychelles International Airport as well as coverage of domestic (i nter-island) aeroplane 
routes.   
(e) Provisions relating to safeguard measures as they apply to trade in services 
 No provisions exist for the application of safeguard measures trade in services. 
(f, g) Provisions relating to international tran sfers and payments for current transactions of 
services; Provisions relating to capital tr ansactions affecting the supply of services 
 There are no legal restrictions and limits on in ternational transfers and payments for current 
transactions of services.  Individuals and businesses can approach commercial banks and authorised 
dealers to obtain their required foreign exchange. 
 There are also no restrictions on capital imports and exports in and out of Seychelles by 
foreign investors.   
(h) Provisions governing the procurement by governmental agencies of services 
 The practices used for government procurem ent of services are similar to those used for 
procurement of goods. 
 There are no consumer subsidies for certain  essential services such as city transport, 
electricity, housing provision, medical services and educational services.  The Government operates 
these services on a cost recovery basis.   
 Provisions concerning any form of aid, grant,  domestic subsidy, tax incentive or promotion 
scheme affecting trade in services. 
 The Tourism Incentives Act 2003, provides for operators in the tourism industry to benefit 
from tax incentives.  This Act is only piece of legi slation which provides for a tax incentive scheme to 
the services sector.  There are no other aid, gran t domestic subsidy programmes offered to service 
operators. 
4. Market Access and National Treatment 
(a) Limitations on the number of service suppliers 
 There are no limitations on the number of service suppliers in Seychelles. The only limitation 
concerns the services reserved for Government Authorities in the area of electricity and water distribution and public transport on primary routes.   There are restrictions on investment areas 
reserved for Seychelles' nationals, according to the Investment Code Act (2005).     WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 63 
 
 
  (b) Limitations on the total value of service transactions or assets 
 There are no limitations on the total value of service transaction or assets, except in 
investment areas specified by the Investment Code Act (2005), in which the foreign partners are not allowed to hold more than 49 per cent of  the total assets of the joint-venture. 
(c) Limitations on the total number of service operations or on the total quantity of service 
output 
 There are no limitations on the total number of service operations or on the total quantity of 
service output. 
(d) Limitations on the total number of natural persons that may be employed in a 
particular service sector 
 No foreigner can work unless he possesses a Ga inful Occupational Permit (GOP) issued by 
the Department of Internal Affairs. Foreigne rs must also meet the following conditions:  
− Employers must beforehand have a GOP and or a valid licence to work in Seychelles;  
− Foreigners must have lega lly entered Seychelles;  
− Foreigners must have a valid passport;  
− Foreigners must pass a medical test as dete rmined by the Ministry of Health; and 
− The GOP is valid for one year and may be extended for a period not exceeding two years.   
(e) Restrictions on, or requirements of specifi c types of legal entity through which a service 
may be supplied 
 Services may be supplied through existing le gal entities: sole proprietorship, general 
partnership, public institution, lim ited partnership, private company limited, single member private 
company limited, public company limited, state enterprise and joint venture. 
(f) Limitations on the participation of foreign capital 
 There are no limitations on the participation of foreign capital in the services sectors except 
for the participation in the sectors referred to as "Reser ved" and "Strategic" areas of investment in the 
Investment Code Act (2005). 
4. Most-Favoured-Nation Treatment 
 The Government of Seychelles makes no dis tinction among the services and service suppliers 
from various countries and provides to all countri es a services regime which is not less favourable 
than that supplied to the services and service suppliers  of any other foreign country.  So far Seychelles 
has not identified any legislation which is inconsistent with the MFN treatment. 
VII.  INSTITUTIONAL BASE FOR TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH 
THIRD COUNTRIES 
1. Bilateral or plurilateral agreements relating to foreign trade in goods and trade in 
services 
 Seychelles is a signatory of the Cotonou Pa rtnership Agreement (CPA) which accorded an 
extension to the preferential market access to the EU  market by the Lome Conventions to all African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States.  In 2002 th e EC started negotiating the Economic Partnership WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 64  
 
  Agreements (EPAs) with the ACP States, with a view  to making the trade part of the CPA compatible 
with the WTO framework.  Seychell es is currently negotiating the EPA  with the EU in the Eastern 
and Southern Africa (ESA)  configuration.   
 In addition to the CPA, Seychelles has also  signed a number of bilateral agreements on 
economic, technical and cultural c ooperation.  These agreements are signed and in force with the 
following countries and organisations; China, C uba, European Commission (EC), Mauritius, Oman, 
World Bank, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tan zania and United Arab Emirates (UAE). 
 In addition the country has a network of D ouble Taxation Agreements (DTAs), which is not 
covered under the WTO legal framework.    
2. Economic integration, customs union and free-trade area agreements 
 Seychelles has a fairly long history of being part of regionally integrated bodies such as the 
Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and in the Southern African Development Community (S ADC).  Seychelles is a member of the COMESA 
Free Trade Area (FTA).     
 Being geographically isolated, it is essentia l for Seychelles to strive towards economic 
integration with its neighbours a nd regional partners.  The government  also considers that there are 
many gains from regional integration, which incl ude trade gains, increased returns and competition 
and investment.  Although there are also challeng es that the country faces wh en joining the regional 
groupings.  They mostly include overlapping memb ership issues, institutional issues and policy 
design issues as well as increased competition to the domestic industries.  
3. Labour markets integration agreements 
 Seychelles has not concluded any la bour market integration agreements. 
4. Multilateral economic cooperation, me mbership in the multilateral economic 
organizations, trade-related programmes of other multilateral organizations 
 Since the late of 1970's Seychelles has been a member of the International Monetary Fund, 
the Work Bank, the International Finance Corporati on, the International Centre for the Settlement of 
Dispute on Investments.  Seychelles is since 1992 a member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee 
Agency.  At the regional level is a member of the African Union (AU), the African Development 
bank, the African Reinsurance Corporati on and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). 
 Seychelles is a member of the United Nations a nd almost all its satellite organisations such as 
UNDP, UNCTAD, WHO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNIDO, and has received technical assistance from these organisations.  Seychelles has also signed sev eral international conventions such as the UN 
convention on open sea, convention of the World Meteorological Organization, convention on the 
prohibition of the Development Production and stoc k-piling of Bacteriological, Biological and Toxin 
weapons and on their destruction, the Collision conve ntion, the Load Line convention and the Safety 
convention relating to maritime transport, the Vie nna convention against Illic it Traffic in Narcotic 
Drugs and Psychotropic substances etc.  Please note also that Seychelles participates in the 
International Labour Organisation, the World Me teorological Organization, the Union Postale 
Universelle, the International Civil Av iation organisation, the Commonwealth.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 65 
 
 
  ANNEX 1 
Macroeconomic Indicators:  2004 – 2007/8  
 Foreign and domestic trade statistical record s are kept by the National Statistics Bureau 
(NSB).  The NSB is an autonomous department of the Government, created under the National 
Statistics Bureau Act (2005).  The Bureau is also responsible for keeping all the statistical records 
concerning Seychelles. 
Table A1:  GDP Statistics  
 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
GDP (in constant prices, 2006 
=100) (SR million) 4,831.2 5,149.1 5,628. 3 6,171.8 6,117.5 
GDP at current market prices 4,695.7 5,043.2 5,628. 3 6,877.0 8,755.7 
GDP per capita (in SR) 56,935 60,870 66,529 80,875 100,691 
Manufacturing value added (in 
constant prices, 2006 = 100) 443.4 494.5 510.7 527.1 463.8 
Agriculture, forestry and fishing 
value added (in constant prices, 
2006 = 100) 162.9 172.1 163.8 164.7 172.9 
Consumer prices 
average price level of current year 
over average price le vel of previous 
year 107.5/103.5 108.5/107.5 108.1/ 108.5 99.7/108.1* 141.0/102.9 
Change from December of previous 
year to December of current year 
(per cent change of current level over level year ago) 107.4/106.7 106.7/107.4 108.4/ 106.7 113.8/97.5 185.9/113.8 
Average Seychelles Rupee/US $ rate 5.50 5.50 5.52 6.71 9.44 
Exports (All countries US $m) 199.5 211.8 220.2 201.0 231.7 
Imports (Min. US $m) (F.O .B) 503.5 699.3 763.8 862.6 963.9 
*Data up to June 2007 due to  the current base year changing from 2001 to July 2007=100 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table A2:  Budget 2008-2009  
Budget 2008 Actual 2008 Budget 2009 Description SR'000 SR'000 SR'000 
Total revenue and grants 2,491,281 2,706,595 3,131,384 
 Total revenue  2,476,181 2,666,158 3,111,384 
 Tax 2,139,084 2,324,567 2,751,915 
  Social Security Tax 314,374 322,900 465,000 
  Trade tax 360,000 430,639 598,000 
  GST 920,000 916,485 1,093,000 
   Business tax 359,100 487,836 401,000 
  Other Tax 185,610 166,707 194,915 
 Non-tax 337,097 341,591 359,469 
 Fee and charges 90,899 118,902 93,370 
 Dividends from parastatals 112,000 125,413 130,000 
 Other non-tax 134,198 97,276 136,099 
 Grants (linked with the BoP) 15,100 40,437 20,000 
Expenditure and net lending 2,458,653 1,050,591 869,776 
 Current expenditure 2,148,703 625,591 569,543 
  Wages and salaries 678,589 641,013 185,163 
 Goods and services 410,242 -456,240 123,599 
        Interest due 433,251 236,739 18,000 
            External 215,204 236,739 0 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 66  
 
  Budget 2008 Actual 2008 Budget 2009 Description SR'000 SR'000 SR'000 
            Domestic 218,047 0 18,000 
 Transfers 620,236 179,273 242,781 
  Social program of Central Government 121,260 -180,927 -117,719 
Transfers to public sector  from Central Government 194,571 2,700 3,000 
 Benefits and approved programs  of SSF 304,405 357,500 357,500 
 Benefits of the PF 0 0 0 
 Other 6,384 24,806 0 
 Capital expenditure  309,950 324,200 300,233 
 Net lending  0 100,800 0 
Primary Balance accrual basis 465,880 1, 892,743 2, 279,608 
 In % of GDP 7.5% 24.6% 29.1% 
Overall balance, accrual basis  32,628 1,656, 004 2,26 1,608 
 In % of GDP 0.5 21.5 28.9 
Change in arrears    
  External interest 0.0 236,739 -325,516 
 Domestic Budget 0.0 -6,106 -5,000 
Overall balance, Cash basis  246,928 1,821,881 2,458,351 
 In % of GDP 4.0 23.7 31.4 
Financing  -268,200 -1,399,327 -454,358 
 Foreign Financing (cash basis, net)    
 Foreign financing (accrual basis, net)    
 Disbursements 250,600 0 0 
 Scheduled amortization -224,900 -184,750 319,203 
Change in arrears    
       Domestic financing, net -508,200 -1,380,454 -970,304 
 Bank financing    
  CBS    
  Commercial Banks    
 Non-banking Financing    
  Non-bank and household sectors    
  Social Security Fund    
      Cash balance movements 0 0 0 
      Privatization, lease and sales of assets   214,300 165,877 196,743 
Nominal GDP (in millions of SR) 6,200,400 7,692,500 7,823,200 
Source:  Ministry of Finance  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 67 
 
 
  Table A3:  Employment in Different Sectors 2004-2008  
Sectors 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
Agriculture & Forestry 611 695 719 642 601 
Fishing 433 440 470 404 167 
Mining and Quarrying 18 18 15 18 18 
Manufacturing 4,213 4,324 4,465 4,455 4,354 
Electricity and Water 1,052 1,068 1,089 1,087 963 
Construction 2,123 2,668 3,702 4,255 6,458 
Trade 2,482 2,591 2,756 2,851 2,855 
Hotel and Restaurant 4,543 4,923 5,222 5,728 6,220 
Transport, Storage and 
Communication 3,094 3,269 3,366 3,917 4,345 
Financial Intermediation 633 677 731 781 898 
Real Estate, Renting and Business 
Activities 1,413 1,472 1,639 1,897 2,153 
Public Administration 5,705 5,795 5,995 6,095 5,966 
Education 2,609 2,600 2,591 2,643 2,701 
Health and Social Work 1,716 1,624 1,643 1,705 1,688 
Other Community, Social and 
Personal Services 2,134 2,377 3,223 3,094 3,182 
Total Employed 32,779 34,545 37,626 39,572 41,342 
Public Sector 15,835 15,950 16,848 17214 16,537 
Private Sector 16,944 18,595 20,778 22,358 24,805 
Unemployment Rate 3.5% 3.6% 2.6% 1.9% - 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table A4:  Balance of Payments in Million of Seychelles Rupees (SR) - 2002 - 2008  
 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
CURRENT ACCOUNT -554.9 -50.6 -331.8 -957.4 -738.3 -1,809.5 -4,292.7 
Goods, net -785.6 -481.4 -853.5 -1,646.2 -1,602.2 -2,858.0 -5,191.9 
Receipts (of which) 1,297. 1 1,546.9 1,656.0 1, 930.0 2,31 9.2 2,647. 1 4,653.4 
Merchandise exports (f.o.b.) 992.2 1,180.3 1,097.3 1,165.1 1,215.5 13,46.95 8,835.4 
Goods procured in Ports 300.7 362.2 554.7 760.5 1,098.8 1,294.6 2,457.9 
Payments (of which) 2,082.7 2,028.3 2,509.6 3,576.2 3,921.4 5,505.1 9,845.3 
Merchandise Imports (f.o.b) 2,017.6 1,957.3 2,374.7 3,434.6 3,644.3 5,139.2 8,835.4 
Goods procured in Ports 58 63.7 108.1 110.5 229.7 266.4 825.9 
Services, net 528.9 594.9 609.2 737.5 862.0 1,176.7 1,173.5 
Receipts (of which) 1,716. 8 1,784.4 1,796.3 2, 028.2 2,37 7.3 3,257. 0 4,662.0 
Transportation 178.7 222.5 133.3 140.9 182.3 44.6 189.3 
Travel (of which) 900.5 924.2 944.4 1,056.5 1,257.4 1,907.8 2,093.9 
Tourism income through 
banks 893.9 918.1 938.3 1,050.5 1,251.7 1,901.2 2,437.8 
Government services 49.9 73.9 100.1 101.1 71.3 133.8 160.4 
Payments (of which) 40.2 41.6 26.2 18.9 48.8 24.2 47.4 
Income -372.6 -233.3 -185.3 -220.4 -242.2 -482.2 -1,041.6 
Receipts 40.8 64.8 51.9 53.9 56.7 64.1 104.2 
Payments -413.3 -298 -237.2 -274.3 -297.7 535.0 41.6 
Transfers, net 74.4 49.6 99.5 171.8 242.6 221.2 767.3 
Private, net 1.6 -7.3 23.9 43.6 115.6 155.3 240.7 
Official, net 72.8 56.9 75.6 128.2 127.0 65.9 526.6 
CAPITAL AND 
FINANCIAL ACCOUNT        
Direct investment 213.6 271.5 167.3 431.4 759.4 1,520.5 3,110.0 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 68  
 
   2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
Abroad 47.9 44.0 41.8 41.0 44.2 58.1 140.1 
In Seychelles (of which) 261.5 315.5 209.1 472.3 803.6 1,662.8 3,250.1 
Equity capital 205.8 181.7 176.0 410.5 705.1 1,528.7 2,989.8 
Other investment 502.1 -438.5 -334.9 280.5 479.8 365.1 -2,188.6 
Assets 58.0 79.9 67.2 52.7 48.1 413.5 -0.6 
Liabilities (of which) 560.9 -358.4 -267.3 333.6 528.5 778.6 11.1 
Official loan drawings        
Official loan payments        
Net errors and omissions -55.3 -25.2 3.7 -2.9 9.2 10.3 84.9 
OVERALL BALANCE 133.0 -202.7 -490.2 -84.1 583.0 189.6 -3,233.2 
Financing of overall balance -133.0 202.7 490.2 84.1 -583.0 -189.6 3,233.2 
Reserve assets -141.7 -16.9 181.3 -120.9 -344.6 330.7 -884.6 
Arrears 8.6 219.5 308.8 204.9 -238.4 -520.4 4117.8 
Memorandum items:        
Current account (percentage 
of GDP) -14.5 -1.3 -8.6 -19.7 -13.8 -29.8 -48.1 
Merchandise imports, c.i.f. 2,294.9 2,230.6 2,769.3 3,846.0 4,216.2 5,779.6 9,099.2 
 
Table A5:  Foreign Exchange Reserves  
 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
Foreign exchange reserves (Seychelles Rupees) 369.2 187.8 308.7 653.3 322.6 1,207.1 
Foreign exchange reserves (in weeks of c.i.f. 
imports) 8.6 3.5 4.2 8.1 2.9 11.8 
 
Table A6:  Summary of External Trade - 1992-2007  
 Imports 
(c.i.f) Domestic Exports 
(f.o.b) Re-exports 
(f.o.b) Balance of 
Trade 
1992 980,867 93,160 152,501 -735,206 
1993 1,234,858 78,776 186,246 -969,836 
1994 1,042,366 114,293 141,382 -786,691 
1995 1,109,205 113,889 139,615 -855,700 
1996 1,881,876 205,006 488,419 -1,188,450 
1997 1,711,135 349,151 220,079 -1,141,905 
1998 2,015,519 473,787 169,879 -1,371,853 
1999 2,317,043 581,328 193,796 -1,541,919 
2000 1,949,851 706,271 402,205 -841,375 
2001 2,776,067 892,411 370,785 -1,512,871 
2002 2,294,924 957,475 291,563 -1,045,886 
2003 2,230,648 1,141,677 342,040 -746,931 
2004 2,731,782 1,095,080 504,842 -1,131,860 
2005 3,712,202 1,164,683 703,910 -1,843,609 
2006 4,150,340 1,187,824 912,736 -2,049,780 
2007 5,728,359 1,346,527 1,088,735 -3,293,098 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Notes: (1)  Balance of Trade is Domestic exports plus re-exports minus imports; 
 (2)  All imports, exports and re-export figures are in Seychelles Rupees (SR);  (3)  Provisional until Re-export figures are confirmed.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 69 
 
 
  Table A7:  Domestic Exports (f.o.b) in Million Seychelles Rupees (SR) - 2003 – 2008  
Years 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 
Total 1,141.6 1,097.3 1,165.1 1,215.52 1,346.95 2,187.7 
Canned tuna 1,023.1 923.2 969.6 1,031.4 1,231.2 2,038.7 
Crustaceans 41.2 42.7 31.8 46.1 15.4 23.0 
Frozen and Fresh Fish 27.9 13.1 16.5 14.5 12.9 29.0 
Other Processed Fish 27.1 8.3 10.2 3.1 6.5 9.3 
Cinnamon Bark 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.7 
Other exports 21.2 109.4 136.4 119.7 80.4 87.1 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table A8:  Domestic Exports by Main  Countries of Destination - 2003 – 2007  
 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
TOTAL 1,141.7 100% 1,095.1 100% 1, 164.7 100% 1,185.70 100% 1,346.50 100% 
UK 447.9 39.20% 454.9 41.50% 4.6 0.40% 498.3 42% 539.8 40.10% 
France 365.3 31.90% 310.4 28.30% 268. 8 23.10% 313.1 26% 467.3 34.70% 
Italy 167.6 14.70% 97.9 8.90% 144.3 12.40% 214.1 18% 135.03 10% 
Germany 86.1 7.54% 82.9 7.60% 118.6 10.20% 45.4 4% 43.3 3.30% 
Netherlands 13 1.14% 17 1.60% 33.6 2.90% 37.8 3% 14.8 1.10% 
Sri Lanka 3 0.26% 6 0.55% 0 0% 14.2 1% 9.1 0.70% 
Philippines 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 5.1 0.40% 
Australia 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 4.5 0.30% 
USA 9.8 0.86% 0.3 0.03% 40. 6 3.50% 8.2 1% 3.6 0.30% 
South Africa 3.1 0.27% 3.9 0.36%  7.8 0.70% 1.4 0% 0.6 0.04% 
Japan 6 0.53% 4.9 0.45% 7 0.60% 6.8 1% 0.42 0.03% 
Canada 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0.11 0% 
Switzerland 0 0% 0 0% 528.9 45.50% 0 0% 0 0% 
 
Table A9:  Value of Imports (in SR million) by SITC Section - 2003 – 2007  
Section Description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
 Total of all imports 2,230.60 2,731.80 3,172.20 4,180.6 5,728.4 
0 Food and live animals 606 665.7 720.7 908.2 1,234.10 
1 Beverages and 
tobacco 31.5 34.9 44.8 60.3 79.2 
2 Crude materials 
inedible 39.1 25.1 43.6 71.2  
3 Mineral fuel 
lubricants and related 
materials 358.2 718 872.4 1,113.80 1,1439.00 
4 Animal and vegetable 
oils and fats 56.6 68.2 83.2 96.2  
5 Chemicals 161.1 137 168.2 191.1 285.8 
6 Manufactured goods 396.4 447.7 535.4 621.3 1,041.30 
7 Machinery and 
transport equipment 362.7 410 980.9 796.9 1,568.30 
8 Miscellaneous 
manufactured articles 217.4 226.6 265.3 319.8  
9 Commodities not 
elsewhere specified 2.2 5.8 1.7 1.8 80.7 
Source:  National Statistic Bureau 
Note:  Standard International Trade Classification (Rev.2)  
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 70 Table A10:  Value of Imports (c.i.f) by Origin - 2003 – 2007  
Years 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
Total 2,230,648 100.00% 2,731,782 100.00% 3,712,202 100.00% 4,150,340 100.00% 5,728,359 100.00% 
Saudi Arabia 350,227 15.70% 709,001 25.90% 853,784 23.00% 1,104,831 26.62% 1,418,894 24.77% 
Germany 21,530 1.00% 21,315 0.80% 529,104 14.25% 24,658 0.59% 545,068 9.52% 
Singapore 176,187 7.90% 196,589 7.20% 283,722 7.64% 446,598 10.76% 486,441 8.49% 
France 232,760 10.40% 268,750 9.80% 240,940 6.49% 332,929 8.02% 445,165 7.77% 
Spain 233,088 10.40% 249,894 9.10% 288,586 7.77% 334,673 8.06% 378320 6.60% 
South Africa 281,995 12.60% 246,996 9.00% 228,939 6.17% 305,777 7.37% 337,853 5.90% 
UAE 43,372 1.90% 59,316 2.20% 139,932 3.77% 188,574 4.54% 282,187 4.93% 
UK 172,708 7.70% 170,311 6.20% 188,394 5.08% 219,033 5.28% 261,987 4.57% 
Italy 237,007 10.60% 208,546 7.60% 231,717 6.24% 227,512 5.48% 216,443 3.78% 
Mauritius 59,202 2.70% 116,322 4.30% 99,476 2.68% 90,397 2.18% 166,084 2.90% 
India 49,392 2.20% 71,847 2.60% 75,608 2.04% 87,666 2.11% 123,453 2.16% 
Japan 29,991 1.30% 28,706 1.10% 30,220 0.81% 56,134 1.35% 112,695 1.97% 
Malaysia 21,762 1.00% 34,317 1.30% 65,680 1.77% 64,300 1.55% 111,891 1.95% 
Australia 32,750 1.50% 26,273 1.00% 24,099 0.65% 32,596 0.79% 100,303 1.75% 
China 16,990 0.80% 22,065 0.80% 37,895 1.02% 62,031 1.50% 76,954 1.34% 
Thailand 30,860 1.40% 23,028 0.80% 29,246 0.79% 53,632 1.29% 73,892 1.29% 
USA 25,391 1.10% 45,906 1.70% 69,447 1.87% 53,392 1.29% 69,144 1.21% 
Belgium 22,475 1.00% 22,622 0.80% 43,657 1.18% 27,650 0.67% 60,619 1.06% 
Total 2,230,648 100.00% 2,731,782 100.00% 3,712,202 100.00% 4,150,340 100.00% 5,728,359 100.00% 
Finland 3,119 0.10% 3,508 0.10% 3,747 0.10% 26,267 0.63% 45,245 0.79% 
Netherlands 31,300 1.40% 40,198 1.50% 28,987 0.78% 40,439 0.97% 44,939 0.79% 
Indonesia 19,537 0.90% 12,749 0.50% 28,197 0.76% 51,032 1.23% 39,978 0.70% 
Kenya 25,686 1.20% 24,835 0.90% 25,692 0.69% 25,083 0.60% 35,402 0.62% 
New Zealand 10,920 0.50% 9,021 0.30% 7,669 0.21% 14,131 0.34% 29,988 0.52% 
Ireland 6,275 0.30% 7,514 0.30% 14,464 0.39% 11,443 0.28% 17,247 0.30% 
Brazil 2,948 0.10% 1,117 0.00% 5,372 0.15% 10,707 0.26% 14,864 0.26% 
Hong Kong, 
China 9,850 0.40% 14,097 0.50% 6,833 0.18% 12,310 0.30% 14,849 0.26% 
Denmark 24,173 1.10% 16,551 0.60% 17,761 0.48% 18,618 0.45% 14,434 0.25% 
Sweden 1,169 0.10% 2,247 0.10% 2,609 0.07% 42,382 1.02% 14,473 0.25% 
Switzerland 17,935 0.80% 20,989 0.80% 10,258 0.28% 12,048 0.29% 14,222 0.25% 
Chinese 
Taipei 10,015 0.40% 6,829 0.30% 12,449 0.34% 9,798 0.24% 13,975 0.24% 
Sri Lanka 1,692 0.10% 1,687 0.10% 5,591 0.15% 16,809 0.41% 10,124 0.18%  
   WT/ACC/SYC/9
 Page 71Years 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
Korea (S) 2,417 0.10% 9,807 0.40% 11,717 0.32% 16,613 0.40% 8,606 0.15% 
Swaziland 0 0.00% 1,672 0.10% 1,136 0.03% 2,948 0.07% 7,274 0.13% 
Canada 6,283 0.30% 1,835 0.10% 6,970 0.19% 6,398 0.15% 6,072 0.11% 
Pakistan 1,581 0.10% 1,360 0.00% 2,070 0.06% 2,424 0.06% 3,591 0.06% 
Reunion 3,486 0.20% 1,086 0.05 2,602 0.07% 4,533 0.11% 3,035 0.05% 
Israel 1,449 0.10% 1,242 0.00% 1,018 0.03% 3,908 0.09% 2,007 0.04% 
Madagascar 741 0.00% 813 0.00% 587 0.02% 749 0.02% 2412 0.04% 
Austria 376 0.00% 1,750 0.10% 232 0.01% 1,972 0.05% 1,164 0.02% 
Others 8,935 0.40% 21,296 0.80% 54,979 1.48% 105,827 2.55% 115,759 2.02% 
 
 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 72  
 
  Table A11:  Value of Imports (c.i.f) (in SR ) by HS Section and Division - 2004 – 2008
 
Years HS Section and Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 
 TOTAL 3,248,901 3,712,202 4,180,527 5,728,359 4,217,406 
0 
  Live animal products, live trees and plants, 
Vegetable products and fruits 2,543,981 560,753 708,512 928,097 682,223 
01 Live animals 330 34 23 10 295 
02 Meat and edible meat offal 172,015 29,046 50,376 70,777 40,657 
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic 
invertebrates 1,914,111 427,872 526,341 681,240 530,836 
04 
  Dairy produce; birds eggs; natural honey; edible 
products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included 230,110 51,956 68,657 82,320 59,961 
05 Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified 
or included 1,563 264 387 712 296 
06 
  Live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the 
like; cut flower and ornamental foliage 638 160 136 226 158 
07 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 119,945 29,095 34,823 47,373 27,366 
08 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus  fruits or melons 77,592 15,703 20,892 34,102 15,812 
09 Coffee, tea, mate and spices 27,678 6,624 6,877 11,335 6,842 
1 
  Cereals, milling products, Animal or vegetable fats 
and oils, preparations of meat fish and pastry cooks products 704,920 198,701 245,837 247,236 169,409 
10 Cereals 172,641 33,282 43,817 52,531 66,280 
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; 
insulin; wheat gluten 64,335 15,663 17,007 26,875 16,134 
12 
  Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous 
grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal 
plants; straw and fodder 17,593 3,822 6,264 6,469 4,107 
13 Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and 
extracts 918 211 185 292 439 
14 
  Vegetable plaiting materials; Vegetable products 
not elsewhere specified or included 964 590 795 158 8 
15 
  Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage 
products; prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes 239,611 86,863 99,692 80,035 46,617 
16 
  Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, 
molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates 35,438 9,554 13,206 11,266 7,796 
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery 56,638 15,545 21,175 20,178 11,187 
18 Cocoa and cocoa preparations 20,113 3,595 9,135 7,871 1,998 
19 Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastry 
cooks' products 96,669 29,576 34,560 41,561 14,843 
2 
  
  Preparation of Vegetables, Beverages, Spirits, 
Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substances, 
mineral products organic and inorganic chemicals 
or components 3,622,800 1,018,446 1,295 ,800 1,653,303 1,447,331 
20 Preparations of vegetables , fruits nuts or other parts 
of plants. 66,878 34,993 37,677 36,940 17,369 
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations. 33,216 9,752 16,300 18,027 7,622 
22 Beverages, spirits and vine gar. 170,941 40,273 56,420 74,034 68,084 
23 Residues and waste from the food industries; 
prepared animal fodder. 8,158 4,707 3,161 4,014 1,752 
24 Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. 11,011 5,467 4,953 5,160 3,030 
25 Salts; sulphur; earth and stone; plastering materials, 
lime and cement. 107,815 22,411 35,450 44,408 43,019 
26 Ores, slag and ash. 69 2 627 59 10 
27 
  Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their 
distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes. 3,156,017 872,441 1,114, 755 1,438,983 1,287,269 
28 
  Inorganic chemicals; organic compounds of 
precious metals, of rare-earth metals, of radioactive elements or of isotopes. 17,362 7,745 7,291 8,049 5,305 
29 Organic chemicals. 51,332 20,655 19,167 23,629 13,871 
3 
  Products of the chemical or allied industries  N.E.S, 
Plastics and articles thereof 544,401 175,763 214,587 285,148 133,240 
30 Pharmaceutical products. 55,516 17,982 12,094 29,136 9,669  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 73 
 
 
  Years HS Section and Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 
31 Fertilisers. 3,843 875 1,322 1,994 804 
32 
  
  Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their 
derivatives; dyes; pigments and other colouring 
matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks. 47,013 14,063 23,349 24,663 13,594 
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or 
toilet preparations. 85,086 30,091 42,077 45,753 19,544 
34 
  
  Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing 
preparations, lubricating preparations, articles, 
modelling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental 
preparations with a basis of plaster. 87,553 27,734 35,121 45,705 20,810 
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; 
enzymes. 10,733 3,140 4,214 6,099 2,042 
36 
  Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; 
pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible reparations. 5,661 1,048 2,393 2,711 1,346 
37 Photographic or cinematographic goods. 3,955 2,311 2,568 1,999 797 
38 Miscellaneous chemical products. 43,808 14,025 14,230 21,147 11,652 
39 Plastics and articles thereo f. 201,234 64,493 77,220 105,942 52,983 
4 Rubber and articles thereof, hides, skins, leather 
and furskins and articles thereof, wood and articles thereof, manufactured straw, paper and paper base and articles thereof  784,177 186,881 237,937 297,552 205,441 
40 Rubber and articles thereo f. 128,871 31,132 35,820 50,705 29,034 
41 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and 
leather. 124 18 80 20 7 
42 
  
  Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel 
goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of 
animal gut (other than silk-worm gut). 1,491 3,624 5,479 7,878 2,433 
43 Furskins and artificial fur, manufactures thereof. 2 0 1 0 0 
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood char coal. 356,359 62,418 104,750 114,932 117,996 
45 Cork and articles of cork 1,744 328 155 1,549 36 
46 
  Manufactures of straw, of  esparto or of other 
plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork. 8,447 518 5,622 1,837 368 
47 
  Pulp of wood or of other fibrous celluloisic 
material; waste and scrap of paper or paperboard. 72 8 18 29 24 
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of 
paper or of paper board. 228,103 75,531 70,138 89,232 46,755 
49 
    Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other 
products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans. 58,963 
  13,303 
  15,874 
  31,371 
  8,787 
  
5 Textiles and textile articles 70,813 16,671 25,070 28,574 10,863 
50 Silk 479 131 240 175 30 
51 Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and 
woven fabric 273 96 126 3 143 
52 Cotton 12,838 3,317 3,974 6,186 1,693 
53 Other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn woven 
fabrics of paper yarn. 443 116 39 112 277 
54 Man-made filaments. 1,896 716 334 1,059 147 
55 Man-made staple fibres 12,786 3,125 5,540 4,555 865 
56 
  Wadding felt and non-wovens; special yarn; twine, 
cordage, rope and cable and articles thereof. 23,350 4,654 7,568 9,785 4,992 
57 Carpets and other textile floor coverings. 11,321 1,936 4,691 3,927 1,543 
58 
  Special woven fabrics; tuft ed textile fabrics; lace; 
tapestries; trimmings; embroidery. 3,762 717 897 1,654 477 
59 
  Impregnated, coated, cove red or laminated textile 
fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use. 3,665 1,863 1,661 1,117 697 
6 
  
  Knitted or crocheted, articles of apparel, 
miscellaneous manufactured articles of stone, 
plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 340,274 78,721 105,446 147,283 68,326 
60 Knitted or crocheted fabrics. 815 32 195 445 108 
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted 
or crocheted. 49,854 11,730 16,303 22,437 7,704 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 74  
 
  Years HS Section and Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not 
knitted or crocheted. 39,782 8,068 13,165 16,336 7,325 
63 
  Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing 
and worn textile articles; rags. 51,989 14,744 14,990 20,024 12,241 
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles. 53,333 11,890 16,215 22,444 8,828 
65 Headgear and parts thereof. 4,499 1,215 1,129 2,179 888 
66 
  Umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, seat-
sticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof. 276 1,341 2,181 2,389 1,065 
67 
  Prepared feathers and down and articles made of 
feathers or of down; artificial flowers; articles of human hair. 73 335 342 781 146 
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or 
similar materials. 36,634 6,785 13,298 15,651 6,275 
69 Ceramic products. 103,019 22,580 27,629 44,596 23,745 
7 
  Glass and glassware, pearls, precious or 
semiprecious stones, metals and articles thereof, base metals and articles thereof 922,697 259,334 289,379 358,306 233,931 
70 Glass and glassware.  63,606 14,921 18,847 22,789 17,052 
71 
  
  Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-
precious stones, precious metals, metals clad with 
precious metals and articles thereof; Imitation jewellery; coin. 1,414 5,723 11,382 10,121 9,943 
72 Iron and steel. 360,455 101,459 81,646 149,731 99,301 
73 Articles of iron or steel. 397,464 113,669 149,279 141,700 73,722 
74 Copper and articles thereof 28,161 7,071 7,684 11,249 7,739 
75 Nickel and articles thereof. 281 158 59 126 89 
76 Aluminium and articles ther eof. 68,643 16,140 19,581 21,176 25,754 
77 (Reserved for possible future use in the Harmonized 
System).           
78 Lead and articles thereof. 213 129 60 96 52 
79 Zinc and articles thereof. 2,460 64 842 1,318 279 
8 
  Tin other base metals and articles thereof, cutlery, 
Machinery and mechanical appliances 248,074 1,054,639 874,16 2 1,587,028 1,157,549 
80 Tin and articles thereof 2,898 221 1,425 962 481 
81 Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof. 154 59 133 11 0 
82 
  Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks of 
base metals; parts thereof of base metal. 47,450 11,248 15,640 17,727 10,961 
83 Miscellaneous articles of base  metal. 197,572 66,904 65,933 76,570 30,908 
84 
  Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and 
mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 61,443 206,647 232,891 354,495 202,661 
85 
  
  Electrical machinery and equipment and parts 
thereof, sound recorders and reproducers, television 
image and sound recorder and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. 81,544 156,348 225,879 262,904 162,368 
86 
    
  Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and 
parts thereof, railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereo f, mechanical (including 
electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of 
all kinds 70 341 326 423 460 
87 
  Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-
stock, and parts and accessories thereof. 52,784 98,923 179,130 244,315 112,208 
88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof. 72,109 19,174 24,580 22,018 22,501 
89 Ships, boats and floating structur es. 1,359,554 494,774 128,225 607,603 615,000 
9 Commodities and other transactions not classified 
elsewhere 121,764 162,295 183,796 195,833 109,093 
90 
    Optical, photographic, cine matographic, measuring, 
checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments 
and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. 20,298 98,488 88,065 74,896 48,527 
91 Clocks and watches and parts and accessories 
thereof. 5,004 1,331 1,834 1,922 956 
92 Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such 
articles. 1,379 226 501 310 520 
93 Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories 
thereof 1,934 159 200 821 864  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 75 
 
 
  Years HS Section and Division 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008* 
94 
      Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, 
cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates 
and the like; prefabricated buildings. 18,165 43,265 69,739 84,913 45,784 
95 Toys, games and sports requisited; parts and 
accessories thereof. 45,464 11,036 13,222 21,211 7,434 
96 Miscellaneous manufactured ar ticles. 25,220 7,009 8,605 10,390 4,038 
97 Works of art, collectors' pi eces and antiques. 2,421 544 497 987 674 
98 (Reserved for special use by Contraction Parties)           
99 
  Miscellaneous importations (including 93 arms, 
ammunitions; parts and accessories thereof) 1,879 238 1,134 385 295 
*Up to second quarter 2008 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Table A12:  Value of Re-Exports by Commodity - 2003 – 2007  
(SR million) 
Description 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
TOTAL 342 504.8 703.9 912.7 1,088.7 
To:       
Ships and aircraft 1  -  -  - 903.6 1,080.5 
Petroleum products 2 294.4 479.2 680.4 889.8 1,050.4 
Food, beverages, tobacco and chemicals 7.8 8.5 9.7 11.7 25.7 
Other items    2.1 4.4 
Other re-export 39.9 21 13.8 9.2 8.2 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau 
Notes: 1. These items are imported into bond  and re exported to international carriers 
 2. Partially estimated 
Table A13:  Re-Exports - 2003 - 2007  
(SR million) 
 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 
Total 342 504.8 703.9 912.7 1,088.70 
To ships and aircrafts - - - 903.6 1,080.50 
Petrol products 294.4 479.2 680.4 889.8 1,050.40 
Food and beverages, tobacco and 
chemicals 7.8 8.5 9.7 11.7 25.7 
Others  -  -  - 2.1 4.4 
Other re exports 39.9 21 13.8 9.2 8.2 
Source:  National Statistics Bureau WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 76  
 
  ANNEX 2 
List of Laws and Regulations
 
− Agriculture and Fisheries Incentive Act; 
− Animal (Control of Experiment) Act; 
− Animal (Diseases and Imports) Act; 
− Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2006; 
− Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act; 
− Bills of Exchange Act; 
− Broadcasting and Telecommunications Act; 
− Business Tax Act as amended in 1994; 
− Carriage by Air (Overseas Territories) Order, 1967;  
− Carriage by Air Acts (Application of Provisions) ; 
− Carriage of Goods by Sea Act; 
− Central Bank of Seychelles Act, 2004; 
− Civil Aviation Act, 1949 (Overseas Territories) Order, 1969 (2005); 
− Civil Code of Seychelles Act; 
− Commercial Code Act; 
− Companies Ordinance 1972; 
− Companies (Special Licenses); 
− Consumer Protection Act; 
− Control of Dogs Act; 
− Control of Slaughtering of Cattle Act; 
− Control of Supplies and Services Act; 
− Co-operatives Act; 
− Copyright Act; 
− Courts Act; 
− Court Fees (Supreme Court) and Costs Act; 
− Criminal Procedure Code; 
− Development Bank of Seychelles Decree; 
− Development Loans Act; 
− Education Act; 
− Electronic Transport Act; 
− Employment Act, 1995; 
− Employment Regulations; 
− Entertainments Tax Act; 
− Environment Protection Act; 
− Essential Services and Property Protection Act; 
− Exchange Control Act; 
− Financial Institutions Act; 
− Financial Institutions (Amendment) Act, 2008; 
− Financial Institutions (Bureau de Change) Regulations, 2008; 
− Financial Institutions (Domestic Banking Business) Regulations, 1996; 
− Financial Institutions (Non-Domestic Banking Business) Regulations, 1996; 
− Firearms and Ammunition Act; 
− Fisheries Act; 
− Fisheries Regulations; 
− Food Act; 
− General Information on Immigration Laws;  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 77 
 
 
  − Goods and Services Tax Act; 
− Goods and Services Tax Regulations; 
− Harbour Act; 
− Health Professionals Bill; 
− Hospitals and Dispensaries Act; 
− Immigration (Amendment) Act, 2000; 
− Immigration Decree; 
− Insurance Act 2008;  
− Insurance (Domestic Insuran ce Business) Regulations, 1996; 
− Insurance (Non-Domestic Insuran ce Business) Regulations, 1996; 
− International Business Companies Act, 1994; 
− International Business Companies (Amendment of Schedule) Regulations, 2007; 
− International Corporate Service Providers Act, 2003; 
− International Monetary Fund (Membership of Seychelles) Act; 
− International Trade Zone Act, 1995; 
− International Trade Zone (Amendment) Regulations, 2004; 
− International Trade Zone (Amendme nt of Schedule) Regulations, 1997; 
− International Trade Zone (Condition of Employment); 
− International Trade Zone (Employment) Regulations, 1997; 
− International Trade Zone Regulation 1995; 
− International Trusts Act, 1994; 
− Interpretation and General Provisions Act; 
− Investment Code; 
− Lands Acquisition Act; 
− Legal Practitioners Act;  
− Licences Act; 
− Licences (Amendment) Act; 
− Licences Regulation; 
− Licences (Accommodation, Catering and Entertainment) Regulations, 1987; 
− Licences (Broadcasting and Telecommunications) Regulations, 1988; 
− Licences (Health Services) Regulations, 1996; 
− Licences (Services) Regulations, 1987; 
− Licences (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Regulations; 
− Licences (Trades) Regulations, 1987; 
− Limited Partnerships Act, 2003; 
− Maritimes Zones Act; 
− Maritimes Zones Act (Subsidiary); 
− Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act; 
− Merchant Shipping Act; 
− Misuse of Drugs Act; 
− The Mutual Hedge and Hedge Fund Act, 2008; 
− National Statistics Bureau Act; 
− Non-Resident Bodies Corporate Decree; 
− Nurses and Midwives Act; 
− Parastatal Corporations Act; 
− Patents Act; 
− Pharmacy Act; 
− Pig Protection Act (Control); 
− Pesticides Control Act; WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 78  
 
  − Plants Pests Act ; 
− Plant Protection Act; 
− Post Office Act; 
− Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act; 
− Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2004; 
− Protected Cell Companies Act, 2003; 
− Protected Cell Companies (Amendment) Act, 2004; 
− Protected Cell Companies (Fees) Regulations, 2004; 
− Protection of Local Agriculture Produce Act; 
− Public Health Act; 
− Public Procurement; 
− Public Utilities Corporation Act; 
− Quarantine Act; 
− Registration of Business Names Act; 
− Road Act; 
− Road Transport Act; 
− Roles and Responsibilities; 
− Securities Act, 2007; 
− Securities (Advertisement) Regulations 2008; 
− Securities (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2008; 
− Securities (Financial Statements) Regulations, 2008; 
− Securities (Forms and Fees) Regulations, 2008; 
− Securities (Prospectus) Regulations, 2008; 
− Securities (Takeovers) Regulations, 2008; 
− Security Industry Act, 1995; 
− Security on Movables Act; 
− Seychelles Agricultural Agency Bill; 
− Seychelles Archives Act; 
− Seychelles Bureau of Standards Act and SI 38; 
− Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority Act 2005;  
− Seychelles Code of Civil Procedure; 
− Seychelles Companies (Special Licenses) Act, 2003; 
−
 Seychelles Fishing Authority (Establishment) Act, 1984; 
− Seychelles International Business Authority Act 1994; 
− Seychelles Institute of Management Bill; 
− Seychelles International Business Authority (Amendment) Act, 2005; 
− Seychelles Lands Transport Agency Bill; 
− Seychelles National Investment Corporation Decree; 
− Seychelles Petroleum  (Taxation) Act 2008; 
− Seychelles Public Transport Corporation Decree; 
− Seychelles Qualifications Authority Act 2006; 
− Seychelles Tourism Board Act 2005; 
− Seychelles Tourism Board Act December 2008; 
− Social Security Act; 
− Stamp Duty Act ; 
− Taxation (Professional Charging) Act; 
− Telecoms BTA; 
− Terrorism Act; 
− Town and Country Planning Act ;  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 79 
 
 
  − Trade Marks Decree; 
− Trades Tax Act; 
− Trades Tax (Regulations) 1994 as amended; 
− Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act; and 
− Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act (Subsidiary). WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 80  
 
  ANNEX 3 
Information on Import Licensing Procedures
 
I. Introduction 
 Generally speaking, the Seychelles trade policy allows the importation in Seychelles of all 
foreign goods from all countries all over the world.  However, contrary to imports by individuals and 
organisations for personal use, all imports for dir ect retail or wholesale trade are subject to import 
licence which is processed and issued by the Seyche lles Licensing Authority (SLA) in accordance with 
the Licences (Trades) Regulations of 1987 made under the Licences Act of 1986. 
 In practice, this type of licence is semi-a utomatic because the essential requirements are the 
following: 
− If premises to be used for importing, wholesa ling and retailing is newly constructed, an 
applicant for import licence must provide the SLA with a "Certificate of Occupancy" issued by 
the Planning Authority established under the Town and Country Planning Act; and 
− If premises which has not received the Planning  Authority's approval is to be used for 
importing, wholesaling and retailing for the first ti me, the applicant must provide the SLA with 
a copy of his "Change of Use Certificate" issued by the Planning Authority. 
II. Objectives and Scope of the Import Licence 
 The holder of an import licence can trade in a ll or any of the following categories of goods 
applied for, approved and included in the licence issued: 
1. Food, beverages (non-alcoholic) 
1a Flour, sugar and rice* 
1b Meat and edible meat offal, fresh, frozen or chilled * 1c Edible fruits and vegetables (fresh only)* 
1d Alcohol* 
1e Household items  1f Furniture 1g Confectioneries 
2. Building materials and hard wares. 
 2a Blasting explosives* 
3. Mineral fuels and oils. 4. Medical and Pharmaceutical Products* 5. Cosmetics.  
5a Art, Souvenir and Gift Items 
5b. Baby products and Toys 
5c. Books and stationery  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 81 
 
 
  6. Agricultural Products (Excluding 1a) 
6a Plants and plants pr oducts including timber* 
6b Growing Media including compos* 6c Animal and animal by-products not treated * 6d Dangerous Chemicals including pesticides* 
6e Pyrotechnic products* 
7. Textiles and Garments. 8. Machinery, Equipment and Spare Parts.  8a Vehicles, including aircraft, sea vessels, car bodies and half cut vehicles* 9. Household Electrical Appliances and Equipment 
10. Electronic Equipment. 
11. Office Machinery and Equipment. 12. Computers. 13. Telecommunications Apparatus. 
13a Satellite dishes*  
14. Raw Materials for further processing. 
14a Glass windows and glass doors* 
15 Tobacco products* 
15a Cigarettes* 
Note: - All categories of goods marked with  an asterisk require an Import Permit for 
importation.  
 - The importation and sale of motor vehicles is not covered under category 8 but under 
the Motor Vehicle Dealer's Licence   
 Applicant should state clearly what they wish to trade in and specifically categorised their 
requirements in accordance with numbers 1 to 15a above. 
 Goods to be imported and sold must be newly manufactured or made.  No used or second-hand 
goods are to be imported or sold unless specified in the licences. 
 In addition to the import licence, an import permit  issued by the Ministry of Finance and Trade 
under the Trades Tax Regulations of 1994 may be required for certain types of goods, as may be 
prescribed by that Ministry.  Strict ly speaking, the primary and sole obj ective of that import permit is to 
control the imports of restricted and prohibited goods.  Furthermore, imports and medicaments, 
materials for medical use are also s ubject to the authorization of the Ministry responsible for Health.  In 
the same vein, imports and exports of plant material , beneficial organism, soil packaging are subject to 
the authorization of the Plant Authority appointed under the Plant Protection Act of 1996 by the Ministry responsible for Agriculture. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 82  
 
   Please note that the establishment and the mainte nance of the import licensing system are for 
revenue purposes and are not intended to r estrict the quantity or value of imports. 
III. Procedures and Eligibility of Impo rters to Apply for an Import Licence 
 As mentioned earlier, the application for an import licence shall be submitted to the Seychelles 
Licensing Authority (SLA), and if all necessary documen ts are submitted to the Authority, a decision is 
normally taken within seven days of the date  at which the application has been lodged. 
 In practice, an import licence cannot be granted immediately on request.  However, an applicant 
may obtain an import licence after goods are shippe d from abroad.  The SLA can refuse to issue a 
licence if the applicant does not meet the ordinary requirements such as existence of safe and adequate 
premises, or Certificate of Occupancy of the Planning  Authority.  In any case, the SLA shall inform the 
applicant that it has refused to grant an import licence,  giving the reasons for that refusal.  However, the 
applicant has the right to challenge the SLA's decisi on before the Minister of Finance within 15 days 
from the date that decision has been made. 
IV. Documentation for Application for an Import Licence and Conditions of Licensing 
 In general, an applicant for an import licence mu st fill an application form and the latter must 
include information such as name of applicant and a ddress, certificate of incorporation or registration 
for companies, term of validity of the licence, cust oms office which will clear the imports if any, and 
finally, name, function and signature of th e responsible officer of the applicant. 
 In principle, all import licences are valid for a period of one year or three years from the date of 
issue unless earlier revoked by the SLA, and are not transferable between importers.  In addition to a processing fee of SR 50, the licence fee is of SR 1, 000 for one year and SR 2,500 for three years. 
 As mentioned earlier, apart from import licen ce, an importer, whether mere individual or 
professional trader, must comply with other procedural requirements imposed under the Technical Standards regulations and Sanitary and Phytosan itary regulations for imported goods.  Please note 
further that there is no foreign exchange control in  Seychelles and consequently import licence is not a 
precondition for having access to foreign exchange.  Al so, no deposit or advance payment is associated 
with the issuance of import licence.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 83 
 
 
  ANNEX 4 
Restricted and Prohibited Goods  
 The following are consider ed to be Prohibited Goods: 
Product Name Description 
Arms and Ammunition 
 Whole of chapter 93 excluding 9307.0000 
 
Military weapons, Artillery weapons e.g. Guns, howitzers, mortars. 
Rocket launchers, flame-throwers, grenade launches, torpedo tubes and 
similar projectors. 
 
Revolvers and Pistols 
 
Other firearms and similar devices wh ich operates by the firing of an 
explosive charge (e.g. sporting shotguns and rifles, muzzle-loading 
firearms, very pistols and revolver's designed to project only signal flares, 
pistols and revolvers for firing blank ammunition, captive bolt humane 
killers, line throwing guns).  Muzzle-loading firearms, Combination 
shotgun-rifles. 
  
Spring, air or gas guns and pistols, truncheons 
  
Parts and accessories of headings 93.01 to 93.04 
  
Bombs, grenades, torpedo, mines, mi ssiles and similar munitions of war 
and parts thereof; cartridges and other ammunition and projectiles and 
parts thereof, including shot and cartridge wads. 
Species listed under the Convention on International Trade 
in Endangered Species (CITES) 
 HS 0507.1000 and 0508.0000:  Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and 
whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hoovers, nails, claws and beaks, un-
worked or simply prepared but not cut to shape; powder and waste of 
these products 
  
HS 9601.1000 and 9601.9000:  Worked ivory, bone, tortoise-shell, horn, 
antlers, coral, mother-of-pearl and other animal carving material and 
articles of these materials (including articles obtained by moulding). 
Any other species listed under the CITES Convention documentation 
which prohibits trade in endangered species. 
Radioactive Substances 
 HS 2844.1000 to 2844.5000 
 
Apparatus, appliances and instruments incorporating radioactive units, or 
units containing radioactive material. X-ray machines or any other 
machine or apparatus capable of providing radioactivity radio isotopes, 
luminous inks and paint, radioactive waste, any radioactive material or 
article contaminated or affected by eith er or both of the following, that is 
to say – (i) absorption, admixture or adhesion of radio-active material or 
radioactive waste; and (ii) the emission of neutrons or ionizing radiations, 
so as to become radioactive or to possess radioactivity. 
 
These goods shall be handled, transpor ted, packed, prot ected, stored or 
disposed of in accordance with any sp ecified conditions or restrictions 
imposed by the (Comptroller) after consultation with the Medical Officer 
of Health and the Commissioner of Police. 
Controlled Drugs 
 "Controlled drugs" means all drugs as define under the "Misuse of the 
Drugs Act(Cap 133)" WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 84  
 
  Product Name Description 
Toxic Chemicals 
 Chemicals and Pesticides containing Organochlorine banned under the 
Stockholm Convention, including Aldrin, Toxaphene, Dichloro diphenyl 
trichloro ethane (DDT), Chlo rdane, Dieldrin, Endrine, 
Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Heptachlor, Mirex, Polychlorinated biphenyl 
(PCB), including asbestos of HS 2524.0000 and Articles of Asbestos of 
HS 6811.1000 to 6811.9000 and fabricated asbestos fibres of HS 
6812.5000 to 6812.7000 and 6812.9090. 
Offensive weapons  Tear Gas, stun guns, mace, loaded  sticks, whips, bows and arrows, 
knuckle dusters, cutlasses, daggers, double edged knives and other 
similar lethal weapons. 
Counterfeit Currencies 
 (As define under the penal code chapter 36, (cap 26 and 158) 
Meaning any coins and/or bank and currency notes not genuine but 
resembling or apparently intended to resemble or pass for genuine coins 
and/or bank and currency notes; and includes genuine coin and/or bank 
and currency notes prepared or altered so as to pass for coin and/or bank 
and currency notes of a higher denomination. 
Pornographic or indecent 
material(s) 
 Includes all indecent or obscene prints, printings, books, cards, 
lithographic, and/or other engravings or any other indecent or obscene 
articles. 
Textiles and Garments  Jungle coloured, camouflaged or combat designed tissue, cotton or silk or 
any other fabrics and clothes including trousers, shirts, jackets, t-shirts, 
raincoats, blouses, skirts , blazers, gowns, tent s, ghillie suits, and any 
other clothing of a camouflage design. (S.I. 37 of  2006) 
Bodies for motor vehicles 
 Bodies (Including Cabs), for motor vehicles of heading 87.03  
Motor cars and other motor vehicles pr incipally designed for the transport 
of person (other than those of heading 87.02), including station wagons 
and racing cars. 
Left hand Drive vehicles All vehicles with th e steering wheel located on the left hand side. 
Waste and/or waste product Waste and waste products of any kind. 
Warship Warships of HS 8906.1000 
Imitation/Replica of Firearms, 
Ammunitions and Guns 
(S.I. 41 of 2006) 
 Anything which has the physical appearance of being an exact replica of 
a firearm or ammunition, or a replica gun or toy ammunition which is so 
realistically design so as to make it indistinguishable from a firearm or 
ammunition.  
Furskins, hides and skins of animals 
 HS 4101.2000 to 4106.9200 and HS 4301.1000 to 4304.0000 
Raw hides and skins of other animals (other than furskins). Raw furskins 
(including heads, tails paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for 
furriers use), other than raw hides and skins of headings 41.01, 41.02 and 
41.03 
All Palm plants All palm plants covered under the Palm Plant (Protection) Act S.I. 17 of 
2007  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 85 
 
 
  The following goods shall be imported onl y under and in accordance with the permission 
granted by the appropriate authority mentioned above the list of goods: 
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources  
 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Plant and plant products 601.1000 to 604.9900 Live trees and other plants; roots and the like; cut 
flowers and ornamental foliage (including seedling 
vegetables, dry flowers) of kind commonly supplied 
by nursery gardeners or florist for planting or for 
ornamental use. 
0101.1010 to 0106.9000 Live animals; animal products, 
0407.0010 to 0407.0090 Birds egg in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked for 
consumption, 
0408.1100 to 0408.9900 Birds egg not in shell and egg yokes other than 
dried, 
0410.0000 Edible products of animal origin, 
0501.0000 Human hair, un-worked, whether or not washed or 
scoured; waste of human hair. 
0502.1000 to 0504.0000 Pigs, hogs or boars bristles and hair, badger hair and 
other brush making hair, waste of such bristles or 
hair.  Horse hair and horse waste whether or not out 
as layer with or without supporting materials. Gut 
bladders and stomach of an imals (other than fish) 
whole and pieces thereof, fresh, chilled, frozen, 
salted in brine, dried or smoked. 
0505.1000 Skins and other parts of birds, with their feathers or 
down, feathers and parts of feathers (whether or not 
with trimmed edges) and down, not further worked 
than cleaned, disinfected or  treated for preservation, 
powder and waste of feathers or parts of feathers. 
0506.1000 to 0506.9000 Bones and horn-cores un-worked, defatted, simply 
prepared (but not cut to sh ape), treated with acid or 
degalatinised; powder and waste of these products. 
Coral and similar materials, un-worked or simply 
prepared but not otherwise worked; shell of 
molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-
bone, un-worked or simply prepared but not cut in 
shape, powder an d waste thereof. 
Natural sponges of animal origin. 
Ambergris, castroreum, civet and musk; cantharides, 
bile, whether or not dried; glands and other animals 
products used in the preparation of pharmaceutical 
products, fresh, chilled, frozen or otherwise 
provisionally preserved. Animals and animal by-products not treated 
0508.0000 to 0511.9990 
Animal products not el sewhere specified or 
included; dead animals of chapter 1 or 3, unfit for 
human consumption. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 86  
 
 Product Name HS Code Description 
Meat and edible meat 
offal, fresh, frozen or 
chilled 0201.1000 
to 
0209.0000 Meat and meat products of bovine animals, fresh or 
chilled, meat of swine fresh or chilled, meat of 
sheep and goats fresh or chilled, meat of horses, 
asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, 
horses, asses, mules or hinnie, fresh, chilled or 
frozen, other meat and edib le meat of the poultry of 
heading no.01.05 fresh, chilled or frozen and pig fat 
free of lean meat and poultry fat not rendered or 
otherwise extracted, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted in 
brine, dried or smoked. 
Fish and crustaceans, mollusc and other 
aquatic invertebrates, 
fresh, frozen or chilled 
 0301.1000 
to 
0304.9000 
0306.1100 
to 
0307.9990 Fish live, fresh or chilled and Fish products. 
Crustaceans, Molluscs whethe r in shell or not, live, 
fresh, chilled, frozen, dried,  salted in brine, cooked 
by steaming or by boiling in water.  Flour meals and 
pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than 
crustaceans fit for human consumption. 
Edible fruits 0801.1111 to 0801.3220 
0802.1110 to 0802.9090 
0803.0000 
0804.1010 to 0804.3000 
0805.9000 
0806.1000 
0807.1100 to 0810.9090 Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons. 
 
Edible vegetables 0701.1000 to 0709.9000 
0714.1000 to 0714.9090 Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers 
(Excluding chapter 07.10 to 07.13). 
Fertilizers (Growing media and compost) 
 3101.0000 to 3105.9000 Animal or vegetable fertilizers, whether or not 
mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers 
produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of 
animal or vegetable products. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers, nitrogenous. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers, phosphatic. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers, potassic. 
Mineral or chemical fertilizers containing two or 
three of the fertilizing elements nitrogen, 
phosphorous and potassium; other fertilizers; goods 
of this chapter in tablets or similar forms or in 
packages of a gross wei ght not exceeding 10 kg. 
PRIMARY FORMS 
Plastic and other articles 
of plastics 
SI 39 of 2008 
(Act 9 of 1994) 
Environment Protection 
(Prohibition of Plastic 
Carrier bags) 
Regulations, 2008  
3921.1100 to 3921.9000 
3923.2110 to 3923.2990  
Cellular; of polymers of styrene, of polymers of 
vinyl chloride, of polyurethanes; of regenerated 
cellulose and of other plastics 
Sacks and bags (including cones) of polymers of 
ethylene; polybags of the type used in primary 
industries and of other plastics. 
Plastic carrier bags made of plastic film below 30 
microns thickness   
Wood treated and 
untreated 4401.1000 
4401.2100 to 4401.2200 
4403.1000 to 4403.2000 
4403.4100 to 4403.9900 
4401.1000 to 4401.2000 
4407.1000 
4407.2400 to 4407.9900 Fuel wood 
Wood in chips or particles 
Other, of tropical wood specified in subheading note 
1 of chapter 44. 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 87 
 
 
 Product Name HS Code Description 
Brooms consisting of 
twigs or other 
vegetables materials 
bound together, with or 
without handles 9603.1010 
9603.1020 Brooms and brushes of coconut fibre 
Brooms and brushes of other vegetables material 
(except coconut fibres) 
 
 
Ministry of Finance  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Mineral fuels, mineral 
oils and products of 
their distillation 2710.1100 – 2711.2900 Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous 
minerals, other than crude; preparation not 
elsewhere specified or included, containing by 
weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oil 
obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being 
the basic constituents of th e preparations.  Petroleum 
gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. 
Alcoholic beverages 2203.1000 - 2208.9090 Beverages and spirits 
Tobacco 2401.1000 - 2403. 9900 Tobacco and manufactur es tobacco substitutes. 
 
Land Transport Division  
Product Name HS Code Description 
 8407.3100 to 8407.9000 Trailers and semi-trailers 
 8408.2000 Trailers and semi-trailers 
 8408.9000 
 Others 
Reciprocating piston engines of kind used for the 
propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87. 
Of cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc; exceeding 
50cc but not exceeding250 cc; exceeding 250cc but 
not exceeding1,000cc; exceeding 1,000cc and other 
engines.   
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston 
engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines) of a kind 
used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87 
Other Engines diesel or semi-diesel 
Vehicle and 
Chassis/Bodies 8426.1100 to 8427.9000 Derricks; cranes, including cable cranes; mobile 
lifting frames, straddle car riers and works trucks 
fitted with a crane. Fork-lift trucks; other works 
trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment. 
Spark-ignition reciprocating piston 
engine of kind used for 
the propulsion of 
vehicles of chapter 87. 
Compression-ignition 
internal combustion 
piston engine (diesel or 
semi diesel engines) of 
kind used for the 
propulsion of vehicles 
of chapter 87. 8429.1100 to 8430.6900 
8701.1000 to 8705.9000 
8706.0000 
 Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, 
levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, 
shovel loaders, tamping machines and road rollers. 
Other moving, grading, levelling, scraping, 
excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or 
boring machinery, for earth, minerals or ores; pile-
drivers and pile-extractors; snow-ploughs and snow 
blowers. 
 8708.9910 
 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock 
and parts and accessories thereof  
 8708.9930 
 Chassis fitted with engines, for the motor vehicle of 
heading Nos. 87.01 to 87.05. WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 88  
 
 Product Name HS Code Description 
 8711.1000 to 8711.9000 Bodies – Nose cuts, front cuts, rear cuts and quarter 
panels of vehicles of headings no.87.02 to 87.04. 
 8716.1000 to 8716.4000 Chassis with no engine and others. 
  8716.8090 
 Motor cycle (including mopeds) and cycles fitted 
with auxiliary motor, with or without side-cars; side 
cars. 
 
Internal Affairs, Commissioner of Police  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Pyrotechnic products 
and Blasting explosives 3601.0000 to 3604.9090 
3606.1000 to 3606.9000 Explosives; pyrotechnic products; pyrophoric alloys; 
certain combustible preparations (excluding 
matches). 
Sword, cutlasses, 
bayonets and similar 
arms 9307.0000 Swords, cutlasses, ba yonets, lances, similar arms, 
parts thereof, scabbards, and sheaths thereof. 
 
Ministry of Health and Social Development  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Pharmaceutical and 
Veterinary products 3001.1000 to 3006.4000 
3006.6000 Pharmaceutical products (e xample gland and organs, 
human blood; animal blood) 
Dangerous Chemicals 
and Precursor 
Chemicals 
 2801.2000 
2802.0000 to 2843.9000 
2845.1000 to 2851.0000 
2901.1000 to 2942.0000 
3808.1000 to 3808.3000 
3808.9000 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic 
compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals 
or radioactive elements or of isotopes. 
Miscellaneous chemical products  
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, 
anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, 
disinfectants and similar products, put up in the 
forms or  packing for retail sale or as preparations or 
articles (for example, sulp hur-treated bands, wicks 
and candles, and fly-papers) 
Gaseous or volatile fumigants including Aluminium 
phosphide, Chloropicrin, 1,2-Dibromoethane  
1,3-Dichloropropene, Ethylene dichloride Ethylene 
oxide, Formaldehyde, Hydrogen cyanide, 
Magnesium phosphide, Methyl bromide, Phosphine, 
Sulphuryl fluoride 
 
Department of Information and Technology  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Radio communication 
equipment, including 
 8525.1090 
8526.1000 
8527.4000 Satellite dishes (person/co mmercial) - receive only; 
VSAT (very small aperture terminal) - transmit and 
receive; Walkie Talkie/Lan d Mobile (hand held or 
fixed); Satellite mobile equipment - IRIDIUM, 
GLOBALSTAR, THURAYA, INMARSAT etc.; 
Amateur Radio; Fixed Broadband Wireless Access, 
except for the following Eu ropean standards from 
the European Technical Standards Institute (ETSI): 
2.4 GHz* 
EN 300 – 328 
Maximum EIRP 100mW or 20 dBm 
5.7 GHz* 
EN 300 – 440  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 89 
 
 
 Product Name HS Code Description 
Maximum EIRP 25mW or 14 dBm 
* No external antennas permitted. 
Police radar detector; Aeronautical radios (hand held 
and fixed); Radio broadcasting (transmission) 
equipment (AM, FM, TV etc); Equipment for fixed 
services; Citizen Band (CB) radios. 
 
Seychelles Bureau of Standard  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Glass windows and 
glass doors 7016.9000  
Insulated wires and 
Cables 
(Should be in line with 
British Standard 604 as 
define by Seychelles 
Bureau of Standard) 8544.1100 to 8544.2000 
8544.4100 to 8544.6000 
 Winding wire of copper and of other materials 
Co-axial cable and other co -axial electric conductors 
Other electric conductor, for a voltage not exceeding 
80V 
Other electric conductor, for a voltage exceeding 
80V but not exceeding 1,000V. 
Other electric conductor , for voltage exceeding 
1,000V. 
 
Ministry of National Development  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Prefabricated Building 
 9406.0000 
 Also known as "industrialized buildings".  
These building can be designed for a variety of uses, 
such as: 
 
Housing, worksite, accommodation, offices, 
schools, shops, sheds, garages and greenhouses,  and 
are presented in the form of: 
- Complete building, fully assemble ready for use 
- Complete buildings, unassembled 
- Incomplete building, whether or not assembled, 
having the essential character of prefabricated 
buildings. 
Buildings presented un-assembled may consist of 
the following: 
- (walls, trusses) or cut to size (beams, joists, in 
particular) or in an indeterminate or random 
lengths for cutting on the site (sills, insulation, 
etc.)  
 
Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority  
Product Name HS Code Description 
Aircrafts 8801.1000 - 8802.5000 Balloons and dirigibles; gliders, hang gliders and 
other non-powered aircraft. 
Other aircraft (for example,  helicopters, aeroplanes); 
spacecraft (including satellite); and spacecraft 
launch vehicles 
 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 90  
 
 Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority
 
Product Name HS Code Description 
Ships and Vessels 
 8901.1000 
8901.3000 
8901.9000 
8903.1000 to 8903.9200 
8903.9990 Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels 
principally designed for the transport of persons; 
ferry boat of all kind. 
 
Refrigerated vessels, other than those of subheading 
8901.20 
Other vessels for the transportation of goods and 
other vessels for the transportation of both persons 
and goods. 
 
Yachts and other vessels or pleasure or sports; 
rowing boats and canoes  
(These include Inflatable, sailboats with or without 
auxiliary motor, motorboats, other than outboard 
motor-boats but exclude Kayak) 
Other boats and vessels not elsewhere specified. 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 91 
 
 
 ANNEX 5 
Chapters of Items Subject to Price Control  
Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 Meat of bovine animals, fresh or chilled. 
0201.1000 - Carcasses and half carcasses 
0201.2000 - Other cuts with bone in 02.01 
0201.3000 - Boneless 
 Meat of bovine animals, frozen. 
0202.1000 - Carcasses and half carcasses 
0202.2000 - Other cuts with bone in 02.02 
0202.3000 - Boneless 
 Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
 - Fresh or chilled: 
0203.1100 - - Carcasses and half - carcasses 
0203.1200 - - Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in 
0203.1900 - - Other                                   
 - Frozen: 
0203.2100 - - Carcasses and half carcasses 
0203.2200 - - Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in 02.03 
0203.2900 - - Other 
 Meat of sheep or goats fresh, chilled or frozen. 
0204.1000 - Carcasses and half - carcasses of lamb, fresh or chilled 
 - Other meat of sheep, fresh or chilled: 
0204.2100 - - Carcasses and half - carcasses 
0204.2200 - - Other cuts with bone in 
0204.2300 - - Boneless 
0204.3000 - Carcasses and half  carcasses of lamb, frozen 
 - Other meat of sheep, frozen: 
0204.4100 - - Carcasses and half - carcasses 
0204.4200 - - Other cuts with bone in 
0204.4300 - - Boneless 02.04 
0204.5000 - Meat of goats 
02.05 0205.0000 Meat of horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled, or frozen 
 Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, assess, mules or 
hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
0206.1000 - Of bovine animals, fresh or chilled 
 - Of bovine animals, frozen: 
0206.2100 - - Tongues 
0206.2200 - - Livers 
0206.2900 - - Other 
0206.3000 - Of swine, fresh or chilled 
 - Of swine, frozen: 
0206.4100 - - Livers 
0206.4900 - - Other 
0206.8000 - Other, fresh or chilled 02.06 
0206.9000 - Other, frozen 
 Meat and edible offal, of the poultry of heading No.01.05, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
- Of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 
0207.1100 - - No t cut in pieces, fresh or chilled 
0207.1200 - - Not cu t in pieces, frozen 
0207.1300 - - Cuts and offal, fresh or chilled 
0207.1400 - - Cuts and offal, frozen - Of Turkeys: 02.07 
0207.2400 - - No t cut in pieces, fresh or chilled WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 92  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
0207.2500 - - Not cu t in pieces, frozen 
0207.2600 - - Cuts and offal, fresh or chilled 
0207.2700 - - Cuts and offal, frozen - Of ducks, geese or guinea fowls: 
0207.3200 - - No t cut in pieces, fresh or chilled 
0207.3300 - - Not cu t in pieces, frozen 
0207.3400 - - Fatty livers, fresh or chilled 
0207.3500 - - Other, fresh or chilled  
0207.3600 - - Other, frozen 
 Other meat and edible meat offal, fresh, chilled or frozen. 
0208.1000 - Of rabbits or hares 
0208.2000 - Frog's legs 
0208.3000 - Of primates 
0208.4000 - Of whales, dolphins and porpoises (mammals of  the order Cetacea) of manatees 
and dugongs (mammals of the order Sirenia) 
0208.5000 - Of reptiles (including snakes and turtles) 02.08 
0208.9000 - Other 
02.09 0209.0000 Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat not rendered or otherwise extracted, fresh, 
chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked. 
 Meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and 
meals of meat or meat offal. 
 - Meat of swine: 
0210.1100 - - Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in 
0210.1200 - - Bellies (streaky) and cuts thereof 
0210.1900 - - Other  
0210.2000 - Meat of bovine animals 
 - Other, including edible flours and meals of meat and meat offal: 
0210.9100 - - Of primates 
0210.9200 - - Of whales, dolphins and po rpoises (mammals of the order Cetacea); 
     of manatees and dugongs (mammals of the order Sirenia) 
0210.9300 - - Of reptiles (including snakes and turtles) 02.10 
0210.9900 - - Other 
 Live fish. 
0301.1000 - Ornamental fish 
 - Other live fish: 
0301.9100 - - Trout (Salmo trutta, oncorhynchus mykiss, oncorhynchus clarki, oncorhynchus 
aguabonita, oncorhynchus gilae, oncorhynchus apache and oncorhynchus 
chrysogaster) 
0301.9200 - - Eels (Anguilla spp.) 
0301.9300 - -  Carp 03.01 
0301.9900 - - Other 
 Fish, fresh or chilled, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 03.04. 
 - Salmonidae, excluding livers and roes: 
0302.1100 - -Trout (Salmo trutta, oncorhynchus mykiss, oncorhynchus clarki, oncorhynchus  
    aguabonita, oncorhynchus gilae, oncorhynchus apache and    
    oncorhynchus chrysogaster) 
0302.1200 - - Pacific salmon, (Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha,  
Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus    Kisutch, 
Oncorhynchus masou Oncorhynchus rhodurus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) 
0302.1900 - - Other  
 - Flat fish, (Pleuronectidae, Bothidae, Cynoglossidae, Soleidae, Scophthalmidae 
and Citharidae), excl uding livers and roes: 
0302.2100 - - Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, 
Hippoglossus stenolepis) 03.02 
0302.2200 - - Plaice (P leuronectes platessa)  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 93 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
0302.2300 - - Sole (Solea spp.) 
0302.2900 - - Other 
 - Tunas (of the genus Thunnus), shipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (Euthynnus 
(Katsuwonus) pelamis),excluding livers and roes: 
0302.3100 - - Albacore or long finned tunas (Thunnus alalunga) 
0302.3200 - - Ye llowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares) 
0302.3300 - - Skipjack or striped bellied bonito 
0302.3400 - - Bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus) 
0302.3500 - - Bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus) 
0302.3600 - - Southern blue fin tunas (Thunnus maccoyii) 
0302.3900 - - Other 
0302.4000 -  Herrings,  (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii) excluding livers and roes 
0302.5000 -  Cod, (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus), excluding livers and 
roes 
 -  Other fish, excluding livers and roes: 
0302.6100 - - Sardines, (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella,  
     (sardinella spp) brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus) 
0302.6200 - - Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 
0302.6300 - - Coalfish (Pollachius Virens) 
0302.6400 - - Mackerel (Scomber scombrus, scomber australasicus, Scomber 'japonicus) 
0302.6500 - - Dogfish and other sharks 
0302.6600 - - Eels (Anguilla spp.) 
0302.6900 - - Other  
0302.7000 - Livers and roes 
 Fish, frozen, excluding fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 03.04. 
 -  Pacific salmon, (Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha,  Oncorhynchus 
keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus    Kisutch, Oncorhynchus masou 
and excluding livers and roes 
0303.1100 - - Soceye salmon (red salmon) (Oncorhynchus nerka) 
0303.1900 - - Other 
 - Other salmonidae, excluding livers and roes: 
0303.2100 - - Trout (Salmo trutta, oncorhynchus mykiss, oncorhynchus clarki, oncorhynchus 
aguabonita, oncorhynchus gilae, oncorhynchus apache and oncorhynchus chrysogaster) 
0303.2200 - - Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) 
0303.2900 - - Other  
 - Flat fish,  (pleuronectidae, Bothidae, cynoglossidae, Soleidae,   Scophthalmidae 
and citharidae exclud ing livers and roes: 
0303.3100 - - Halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, Hippoglossus hippoglossossus, 
Hippoglossus stenolepis 
0303.3200 - - Plaice (P leuronectes platessa) 
0303.3300 - - Sole (Solea spp.) 
0303.3900 - - Other  
 - Tunas (of the genus Thunnus), skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito (Euthynnus 
(Katsuwonus) pelamis), excluding livers and roes: 
0303.4100 - - Albacore or longfinned tunas (Thunnus alalunga) 
0303.4200 - - Ye llowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares) 
0303.4300 - - Skipjack or striped bellied bonito 
0303.4400 - - Bigeye tunas (Thunnus obesus) 
0303.4500 - - Bluefin tunas (Thunnus thynnus) 
0303.4600 - - Southern blue fin tunas (Thunnus maccoyii) 
0303.4900 - - Other  
0303.5000 - Herrings, (Clupea harengus, clupea pallasii) excluding livers and roes 03.03 
0303.6000 - Cod, (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, Gadus macrocephalus),excluding livers and 
roes             WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 94  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
  - Other fish, excluding livers and roes: 
0303.7100 - - Sardines, (Sardina pilchardus, Sardinops spp.), sardinella (Sardinella spp.), 
brisling or sprats (Sprattus sprattus) 
0303.7200 - - Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) 
0303.7300 - - Coalfish (Pollachius Virens) 
0303.7400 - - Mackerel (Scomber scombrus, Scomber australasicus, Scomber japonicus) 
0303.7500 - - Dogfish and other sharks 
0303.7600 - - Eels (Anguilla spp.) 
0303.7700 - - Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, Dicentrarchus punctatus) 
0303.7800 - - Hake (Merluccius spp.; Urophycis spp.) 
0303.7900 - - Other  
0303.8000 - Livers and roes 
 Fish fillets and other fish meat (whether or not minced), fresh, chilled or frozen. 
0304.1000 - Fresh or chilled 
0304.2000 - Frozen fillets 03.04 
0304.9000 - Other 
 Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before or during 
the smoking process; flours, meals and pellets of fish fit for human consumption. 
0305.1000 - Flours meals and pellets of fish, fit for human consumption 
0305.2000 - Livers and roes of fish, dried, smoked, salted or in brine 
0305.3000 - Fish fillets, dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked   
 - Smoked fish, including fillets: 
0305.4100 - -  Pacific salmon, (Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha,  
Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus    Kisutch, Oncorhynchus masou and Oncorhynchus rhodrus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) 
and Danube salmon (hucho hucho) 
0305.4200 - - Herrings (Clupeaharengus, clupea pallasii) 
0305.4900 - - Other  
 - Dried fish, whether or not salted but not smoked: 
0305.5100 - - Cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, gadus macrocephalus) 
0305.5900 - - Other  
 - Fish, salted but not dried or smoked and fish in brine: 
0305.6100 - - Herrings (Clupea harengus, clupea pallasii) 
0305.6200 - - Cod (Gadus morhua, Gadus ogac, gadus macrocephalus) 
0305.6300 - - Anchovies (Engraulis spp.) 03.05 
0305.6900 - - Other 
 Crustaceans, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in 
brine; crustaceans, in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water, whether or 
not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; flours, meals and pellets of 
crustaceans, fit for human consumption. 
 - Frozen: 
0306.1100 - - Rock lobster and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.) 
0306.1200 - - Lobsters (Homarus spp.) 
 - - Shrimps and Prawns: 
0306.1310 - - - Shrimps 
0306.1320 - - - Prawns 
0306.1400 - - Crabs 
0306.1900 - - Other, including flours, meals and pellets  of crustaceans, fit for human 
sonsumption 
 - Not frozen: 
0306.2100 - - Rock lobster and other sea crawfish (Palinurus spp., Panulirus spp., Jasus spp.) 
0306.2200 - - Lobsters (Homarus spp.) 
 - - Shrimps and Prawns: 
0306.2310 - - - Shrimps 03.06 
0306.2320 - - - Prawns  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 95 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
0306.2400 - - Crabs  
0306.2900 - - Other, including flours, meals and pellets  of crustaceans, fit for human 
consumption 
 Molluscs, whether in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in 
brine; aquatic invertebrates other than  crustaceans and molluscs, live, fresh, 
chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brin e; flours, meals and pellets of aquatic 
invertebrates other than crust aceans, fit for human consumption 
0307.1000 - Oysters 
 - Scallops, including queen scallops, of the genera Pecten, Chlamys or 
Placopecten: 
0307.2100 - - Live, fresh or chilled 
 - - Other: 
0307.2910 - - - Frozen 
0307.2990 - - - Other 
  - Mussels (Mytilus spp. Perna spp.): 
0307.3100 - - Live, fresh or chilled 
 - - Other: 
0307.3910 - - - Frozen 
0307.3990 - - - Other 
  - Cuttle fish (sepia officinalis, Rossia macrosoma, Sepiola spp.) and squid 
(Ommastrephes spp., Loligo spp., Nototodarus spp., sepioteuthis spp.): 
0307.4100 - - Live, fresh or chilled 
 - - Other: 
0307.4910 - - - Frozen  
0307.4990 - - - Other 
 - Octopus (Octopus spp.): 
0307.5100 - - Live, fresh or chilled 
 - - Other: 
0307.5910 - - - Frozen 
0307.5990 - - - Other 
0307.6000 - Snails, other than sea snails               
 - Other including flours, meals and pellets of aquatic invertebrates other than 
crustaceans, fit for human consumption: 
0307.9100 - - Live, fresh or chilled 
 - - Other: 
0307.9910 - - - Sea Cucumber 03.07 
0307.9990 - - - Other 
 Milk and cream, not concentrated nor containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter. - Of a fat content, by weight, not exceeding 1% 
- - - Reconstituted (e.g. UHT) 
0401.1011 - - - - In immediate bottles made of PET or plastics 
0401.1012 - - - - In immediate bottles made of other materials 
- - - Other 
0401.1091 - - - - In immediate bottles made of PET or plastics 
0401.1099 - - - - In immediate bottles made of other materials 
- Of a fat content, by weight, exceeding 1% but not exceeding 6% 
- - - Reconstituted (e.g.  UHT) 
0401.2011 - - - - In immediate bottles made of PET or plastics 
0401.2012 
 - - - - In immediate bottles made of other materials 
- - - Other   
0401.2091 - - - - In immediate bottles made of PET or plastics 
0401.2099 
 - - - - In immediate bottles made of other materials 
- Of a fat content, by weight exceeding 6% 04.01 
0401.3010 - - - Reconstituted (e.g. UHT) WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 96  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
0401.3020 - - - Fresh  (whipping cream)  
0401.3090 - - - Other  
 Milk and cream, concentrated or co ntaining added sugar or other sweetening 
matter. 
0402.1000 - In powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content, by weight,  not 
exceeding 1.5%  
- In powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content, by weight,  exceeding 1.5%: 
0402.2100 - - Not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter  
- - Other: 
0402.2910 - - - Full cream powder  
0402.2990 - - - Other 
- Other: - - Not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter: 
0402.9110 - - -  Baby milk formulae, in any form  
0402.9120 - - - Milk imported for further processing, in any form 04.02 
0402.9900 - - Other 
 Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, y ogurt, kephir and other fermented or 
acidified milk and cream, whether or not co ncentrated or containing added sugar or 
other sweetening matter or flavoured or containing added fruit or cocoa. 
0403.1000 - Yogurt 04.03 
0403.9000 - Other 
 Whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening 
matter; products consisting of natural milk constituents, whether or not containing 
added sugar or other sweetening matter, not elsewhere specified or included. 
0404.1000 - Whey and modified whey, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar 
or other sweetening matter 04.04 
0404.9000 - Other (e.g. U.H.T. whipping cream) 
 Butter and other fats and oils derived from milk; dairy spreads. 
0405.1000 - Butter 
0405.2000 - Dairy spreads 
 
0405.9010 - Other: 
- - - Ghee 04.05 
0405.9090 - - - Other 
 Cheese and curd. 
0406.1000 - Fresh (unripened or uncurd) cheese, including whey cheese, and curd 
0406.2000 - Grated or powdered cheese, of all kinds 
0406.3000 - Processed cheese not grated or powdered 
0406.4000 - Blue-veined cheese 
 - Other cheese: 
0406.9010 - - - Edam, Gouda or Cheddar 
0406.9090 - - - Other 04.06 
0406.1000 - Fresh (unripened or uncurd) cheese, including whey cheese, and curd 
 Birds' eggs, in shell, fresh, preserved or cooked. 
0407.0010 Eggs for hatching 04.07 
0407.0090 Other 
 Birds' eggs, not in shell and egg yolks, fresh, dried, cooked by steaming or by 
boiling in water, moulded, frozen or otherwise preserved, whether or not 
containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. 
 - Egg yolks: 
0408.1100 - - Dried 
0408.1900 - - Other  
 - Other: 
0408.9100 - - Dried 04.08 
0408.9900 - - Other  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 97 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
04.09 0409.0000 Natural honey 
04.10 0410.0000 Edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included. 
 Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.), fresh or chilled. 
 - Lettuce: 
0705.1100 - - Cabbage Lettuce (head lettuce) 
0705.1900 - - Other 
 - Chicory: 
0705.2100 - - Witloof chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) 07.05 
0705.2900 - - Other 
07.07 0707.0000 Cucumbers, and gherkins, fresh or chilled. 
 Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled 
0708.1000 - Peas (pisum sativum) 
0708.2000 - Beans (Vigna spp., phaseolus spp.) 07.08 
0708.9000 - Other leguminous vegetables 
 Other vegetables, fresh or chilled. 
0709.1000 - Globe artichokes 
0709.2000 - Asparagus 
0709.3000 - Aubergines (egg-plants) 
0709.4000 - Celery other than celeriac 
 - Mushrooms and truffles: 
0709.5100 - - Mushrooms of the genus Agaricus 
0709.5200 - - Truffles 
0709.5900 - - Other 
 - Fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus pimenta: 
0709.6011 - - - - Of the genius Capsicum 
0709.6012 - - - - Long red/green chilli 
0709.6019 - - - - Medium white chilli 
0709.6099 - - - - Other  
 - Spinach, New Zealand spinach an d orache spinach (garden spinach) 
0709.7010 - - - Chouchoutte 
0709.7090 - - - Other 07.09 
0709.9000 - Other 
 Vegetables (uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water), frozen. 
0710.1000 - Potatoes  
 - Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled: 
0710.2100 - - Peas (Pisum sativum) 
0710.2200 - - Beans (Vignaspp., Phaseolus spp.) 
0710.2900 - - Other 
0710.3000 - Spinach, New Zealand spinach  and orache spinach (garden spinach) 
0710.4000 - Sweet corn 
0710.8000 - Other vegetables 07.10 
0710.9000 - Mixtures of vegetables 
 Vegetables provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, 
in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for 
immediate consumption. 
0711.2000 - Olives 
0711.3000 - Capers 
0711.4000 - Cucumbers and gherkins 
 - Mushrooms and truffles: 
0711.5100 - - Mushrooms of the genus Agaricus 
0711.5900 - - Other 07.11 
0711.9000 - Other vegetables; mixtures of vegetables 
 Dried vegetables, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder, but not further prepared. 07.12 
0712.2000 - Onions WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 98  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 - Mushrooms, wood ears (Auricularia  spp), jelly fungi (Tremella spp.)  
   truffles: 
0712.3100 - - Mushrooms of the genus Agaricus 
0712.3200 - - Wood ears (Auricularia spp.) 
0712.3300 - - Jelly fungi (Tremella spp.) 
0712.3900 - - Other  
0712.9000 - Other vegetables; mixture of vegetables 
 Dried leguminous vegetables, shelled,  whether or not skinned or split. 
0713.1000 - Peas (Pisum sativum) 
0713.2000 - Chickpeas (garbanzos) 
 - Beans (Vigna spp. , phaseolus spp.): 
0713.3100 - - Beans of the species Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper or Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek 
0713.3200 - - Small red (Adzuki) Beans (Phaseolus or Vigna angularis) 
0713.3300 - - Kidney beans, including white pea beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris 
0713.3900 - - Other 
0713.4000 - Lentils 
0713.5000 - Broad beans (Vicia faba var. major) and horse beans (Vicia faba var. equina faba 
var minor) 07.13 
0713.9000 - Other 
 Manioc, arrowroot, salep, Jerusalem artic hokes, sweet potatoes and similar roots 
and tubers with high starch or inulin cont ent, fresh,chilled,frozen or dried, whether 
or not sliced or in the form of pellets; sago pith. 
0714.1000 - Manioc (cassava) 
0714.2000 - Sweet potatoes 
 - Other: 
0714.9010 - - - Cocoyam 07.14 
0714.9090 - - - Other 
 Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or 
peeled. 
 - Coconuts: 
 - - Desiccated 
 - - - Coco de mer kernel: 
0801.1111 - - - - Fresh 
0801.1112 - - - - Dried 
 - - - Coconut: 
0801.1191 - - - - Fresh 
0801.1192 - - - - Dried 
 - - Other: 
 - - - Coco de mer kernel: 
0801.1911 - - - - Fresh 
0801.1912 - - - - Dried 
 - - - Coconut: 
0801.1991 - - - - Fresh 
0801.1992 - - - - Dried 
 - Brazil nuts: 
 - - In shell: 
0801.2110 - - - Fresh 
0801.2120 - - - Dried 
 - - Shelled: 
0801.2210 - - - Fresh 
0801.2220 - - - Dried 
 - Cashew nuts: 08.01 
 - - In shell: 
0801.3110 - - - Fresh  
0801.3190 - - - Dried  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 99 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 - - Shelled: 
0801.3210 - - - Fresh  
0801.3290 - - - Dried 
 Other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled. 
 - Almonds: 
 - - In shell: 
0802.1110 - - - Fresh 
0802.1120 - - - Dried 
 - - Shelled: 
0802.1210 - - - Fresh 
0802.1220 - - - Dried 
 - Hazelnuts or filberts (Corylus spp.): 
 - - In shell: 
0802.2110 - - - Fresh 
0802.2120 - - - Dried 
 - - Shelled: 
0802.2210 - - - Fresh 
0802.2220 - - - Dried 
 - Walnuts: 
 - - In shell: 
0802.3110 - - - Fresh 
0802.3190 - - - Dried 
 - - Shelled: 
0802.3210 - - - Fresh 
0802.3290 - - - Dried 
 - Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) 
0802.4010 - - - Fresh 
0802.4090 - - - Dried 
 - Pistachios 
0802.5010 - - - Fresh 
0802.5090 - - - Dried 
 - Other 
0802.9010 - - - Fresh 08.02 
0802.9090 - - - Dried 
08.03 0803.0000 Bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried. 
 Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or 
dried. 
 - Dates: 
0804.1010 - - - Fresh 
0804.1020 - - - Dried 
 - Figs: 
0804.2010 - - - Fresh 
0804.2020 - - - Dried 
0804.3000 - Pineapples 
0804.4000 - Avocados 
 - Guavas and mangoes and mangosteens: 
0804.5010 - - - Mangoes 08.04 
0804.5090 - - - Other 
 Citrus fruit, fresh or dried. 
0805.1000 - Oranges  08.05 
0805.2000 - Mandarins (including tangerines and satsumas);  clementines, wilkings and 
similar citrus hybrids WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 100  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
0805.4000 - Grapefruit 
0805.5000 - Lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum) and Limes (Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus 
latifolia)  
0805.9000 - Other 
 Grapes, fresh or dried. 
0806.1000 - Fresh 08.06 
0806.2000 - Dried 
 Melons (including watermelons) and pawpaws (papayas), fresh. 
 - Melons (including watermelons): 
0807.1100 - - Watermelons 
 - - Other: 
0807.1910 - - - Cantaloupe 
0807.1990 - - - Other 08.07 
0807.2000 - Pawpaws (papayas) 
 Apples, pears and quinces, fresh. 
0808.1000 - Apples 08.08 
0808.2000 - Pears and quinces 
 Apricots, cherries, peaches (including  nectarines), plums and sloes, fresh. 
0809.1000 - Apricots 
0809.2000 - Cherries 
0809.3000 - Peaches, including nectarines 08.09 
0809.4000 - Plums and sloes 
 Other fruit, fresh. 
0810.1000 - Strawberries 
0810.2000 - Raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, and loganberries 
0810.3000 - Black, white or red currents and gooseberries 
0810.4000 - Cranberries, bilberries, and other fruits of the genus Vaccinium 
0810.5000 - Kiwi fruit 
0810.6000 - Durians 
 - Other: 
0810.9010 - - - Starfruit 08.10 
0810.9090 - - - Other 
 Fruit and nuts, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen, 
whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. 
0811.1000 - Strawberries 
0811.2000 - Raspberries, blackberries, mulberri es, loganberries, black, white or red currants 
and gooseberries 08.11 
0811.9000 - Other 
 Fruit and nuts provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in 
brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions) ,but unsuitable in that 
state for immediate consumption. 
0812.1000 - Cherries 
 - Other: 
0812.9010 - - - Strawberries 08.12 
0812.9090 - - - Other 
 Fruit, dried, other than that of headings Nos.08.01 to 08.06; mixtures of nuts or 
dried fruits of this chapter. 
0813.1000 - Apricots 
0813.2000 - Prunes 
0813.3000 - Apples 
0813.4000 - Other fruit 08.13 
0813.5000 - Mixtures of nuts and dried fruits of this chapter 
08.14 0814.0000 Peel of citrus fruit or melons (including watermelons), fresh, frozen, dried or 
provisionally preserved in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 101 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 Coffee, whether or not ro asted or decaffeinated; coffe e husks and skins; coffee 
substitutes containing coffee in any proportion. 
 - Coffee, not roasted: 
0901.1100 - - No t decaffeinated 
0901.1200 - - Decaffeinated                                
 - Coffee, roasted: 
0901.2100 - - No t decaffeinated 
0901.2200 - - Decaffeinated 
 - Other 
0901.9010 - - - Coffee husks and skins 09.01 
0901.9090 - - - Other 
 Tea, whether or not flavoured. 
0902.1000 - Green tea (not fermented) in immedi ate packings of a content not exceeding 3 kg 
0902.2000 - Other green tea (not fermented) 
0902.3000 - Black tea (fermented) and partly fermented tea, in immediate packings of a 
content not exceeding 3kg 09.02 
0902.4000 - Other black tea (fermented) and other partly fermented tea 
09.03 0903.0000 Maté. 
 Pepper of genus Piper; dried or crushed or ground crushed or ground fruits of the 
genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta. 
 - Pepper: 
0904.1100 - - Neither crushed or ground 
0904.1200 - - crushed or ground 
 - Fruits of the genus Capsicum or of the genus Pimenta, dried or crushed or 
ground: 
0904.2010 - - - Paprika 09.04 
0904.2090 - - - Other 
09.05 0905.0000 Vanilla. 
 Cinnamon and cinnamon-tree flowers. 
0906.1000 - Neither crushed nor ground 09.06 
0906.2000 - Crushed or ground 
09.07 0907.0000 Cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems). 
 Nutmeg, mace and cardamoms. 
0908.1000 - Nutmeg 
0908.2000 - Mace 09.08 
0908.3000 - Cardamoms 
 Seeds of anise, badian, fennel, coriande r, cumin, caraway or juniper berries. 
0909.1000 - Seeds of anise and badian 
0909.2000 - Seeds of coriander 
0909.3000 - Seeds of cumin 
0909.4000 - Seeds of caraway 09.09 
0909.5000 - Seeds of fennel; or juniper berries 
 Wheat and meslin. 
1001.1000 - Durum wheat 10.01 
1001.9000 - Other 
10.02 1002.0000 Rye. 
10.03 1003.0000 Barley. 
10.04 1004.0000 Oats. 
 Maize (corn). 
1005.1000 - Seed 10.05 
1005.9000 - Other 
 Rice. 
1006.1000 - Rice in the husk (paddy or rough) 
1006.2000 - Husked (brown) rice 10.06 
 - Semi-milled or wholly milld ric,  whether or not polished or glazed: WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 102  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
1006.3010 - - - Long grain rice  
1006.3020 - - - Basmati rice 
1006.3090 - - - Other  
1006.4000 - Broken rice 
10.07 1007.0000 Grain sorghum. 
 Buckwheat, millet and canary seed; other cereals. 
1008.1000 - Buckwheat 
1008.2000 - Millet 
1008.3000 - Canary seed 
1008.9000 - Other cereals 
  Starch content 
Wheat and rye 45% 
Barley 45% 
Oats 45% 
Maize (corn) and grain sorghum 45% 
Rice 45% 10.08 
 
Buckwheat 45% 
 Wheat or meslin flour. 
1101.0010 - - - Plain 11.01 
1101.0090 - - - Improved or enriched (e.g. self raising flour) 
 Cereal flours other than of wheat or meslin. 
1102.1000 - Rye flour 
1102.2000 - Maize (corn) flour 
1102.3000 - Rice flour 11.02 
1102.9000 - Other  
 Cereal groats, meal and pellets. 
 - Groats and meal: 
1103.1100 - - Of wheat 
1103.1300 - - Of maize (corn) 
 - - Of other cereals: 
1103.1910 - - - of rice 
1103.1920 - - - Of oats 
1103.1990 - - - Other 11.03 
1103.2000 - Pellets 
 Cereal grains otherwise worked (for example, hulled, rolled, flaked,  pearled, 
sliced or kibbled), except rice  of heading No. 10.06; germ  of cereals, whole, rolled, 
flaked or ground. 
 - Rolled or flaked grains: 
1104.1200 - - Of oats  
1104.1900 - - Of other cereals  
 - Other worked grains (for example hulled, pearled, sliced or kibbled): 
1104.2200 - - Of oats 
1104.2300 - - Of maize (corn) 
1104.2900 - - Of other cereals 11.04 
1104.3000 - Germs of cereals, wh ole, rolled, flaked or ground 
 Flour, meal powder, flakes, granules and pellets of potatoes. 
1105.1000 - Flour and meal and powder 11.05 
1105.2000 - Flakes, granules and pellets 
 Flour, meal and powder of the dried leguminous vegetables of heading  07.13, of 
sago or of roots or tubers of heading 07.14 of the products of Chapter 8. 
1106.1000 - Of dried leguminous vegetables of head 07.13 
1106.2000 - Of sago, roots or tubers of heading 07.14 11.06 
1106.3000 - Of the products of Chapter 8  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 103 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 Malt, whether or not roasted. 
1107.1000 - Not roasted 11.07 
1107.2000 - Roasted 
 Starches; inulin. 
 - Starches: 
1108.1100 - - Wheat starch 
1108.1200 - - Maize (corn) starch 
1108.1300 - - Potato starch 
1108.1400 - - Manioc (cassava) starch 
1108.1900 - - Other starches 11.08 
1108.2000 - Inulin 
11.09 1109.0000 Wheat gluten, whether or not dried. 
15.01 1501.0000 Pig fat (including Lard) and poultry fat, other than that of heading 02.09 or 15.03.  
15.02 1502.0000 Fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats, other than those of heading 15.03. 
15.03 1503.0000 Lard stearin, lard oil, oleostearin, oleo-oil and tallow oil, not emulsified or mixed 
or otherwise prepared. 
 Fats and oils and their fractions, of fish or marine mammals, whether or not 
refined, but not chemically modified. 
1504.1000 - Fish-liver oils and their fractions 
1504.2000 - Fats and oils and their fractions, of fish, other than 15.04 
1504.3000 - Fats and oils and their fractions of marine mammals  
15.05 1505.0000 Wool grease and fatty substances derived there from (including lanolin). 
15.06 1506.0000 Other animal fats and oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not 
chemically modified. 
 Soya-bean oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically 
modified. 
1507.1000 - Crude oil, whether or not degummed 15.07 
1507.9000 - Other 
 Ground-nut oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically 
modified. 
1508.1000 - Crude oil 15.08 
1508.9000 - Other 
 Olive oil and its fractions whether or not refined but not chemically modified. 
1509.1000 - Virgin 15.09 
1509.9000 - Other 
15.10 1510.0000 Other oils and their fractions, obtained solely from  olives, whether or not refined, 
but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or 
fractions of heading 15.09. 
 Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified. 
1511.1000 - Crude oil 15.11 
1511.9000 - Other 
 Sunflower-seed, safflower or cotton-seed  oil fractions thereof, whether or not 
refined, but not chemically modified. 
 - Sunflower-seed or safflower oil and their fractions thereof: 
1512.1100 - - Crude oil 
1512.1900 - - Other 
 - Cotton-seed oil and its fractions: 
1512.2100 - - Crude oil, whether or not gossypol has been removed 15.12 
1512.2900 - - Other 
 Coconut, (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions thereof, whether or 
not refined, but not chemically modified. 
 - Coconut (copra) oil and its fractions: 
1513.1100 - - Crude oil 
1513.1900 - - Other  15.13 
 - Palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions thereof: WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 104  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
1513.2100 - - Crude oil 
1513.2900 - - Other   
1513.1900 - - Other  
 Rape, colza or mustard oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not 
chemically modified. 
 - Low erucic acid rape or colza oil and its fractions: 
1514.1100 - - Crude oil 
1514.1900 - - Other  
 - Other: 
1514.9100 - - Crude oil 15.14 
1514.9900 - - Other  
 Other fixed vegetable fats and oils (including jojoba oil) and their fractions, 
whether or not refined but not chemically modified. 
 - Linseed oil and its fractions: 
1515.1100 - - Crude oil 
1515.1900 - - Other  
 - Maize (corn) oil and its fractions: 
1515.2100 - - Crude oil 
1515.2900 - - Other  
1515.3000 - Castor oil and its fractions 
1515.4000 - Tung oil and its fractions 
1515.5000 - Sesame oil and its fractions 15.15 
1515.9000 - Other 
 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly 
hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined but not further prepared. 
1516.1000 - Animal fats and oils and their fractions 15.16 
1516.2000 - Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions 
 Margarine; edible mixtures or prerations of animal or vegetable fats or oils or of 
fractions of different fats or oils of this chapter, other than edib le fats or oils or 
their fractions of heading  15.16. 
1517.1000 - Margarine, excluding liquid margarine 15.17 
1517.9000 - Other 
15.18 1518.0000 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, boiled, oxidised, dehydrated, 
sulphurised, blown, polymerised by heat in vacuum or in inert gas or otherwise 
chemically modified, excluding those of heading 15.16; inedible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetables fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or 
oils of this Chapter, not elsewhere specified or included. 
15.20 1520.0000 Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes. 
 Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerid es), beeswax, other insect waxes and 
spermaceti, whether or not refined or coloured: 
1521.1000 - Vegetable waxes 15.21 
1521.9000 - Other 
15.22 1522.0000 Degras; residues resulting from the treatment of fatty substances or animal or 
vegetable waxes. 
16.01 1601.0000 Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal or blood; food preparations 
based on these products. 
 Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood. 
 - Homogenised preparations: 
1602.1010 - - - Specifically prepared for infants 
1602.1090 - - - Other  
1602.2000 - Of liver of any animal                      
 - Of poultry of heading  01.05: 
1602.3100 - - Of turkeys 16.02 
1602.3200 - - Of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 105 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
- - Other  1602.3900 
- Of swine: 
1602.4100 - - Hams and cuts thereof 
1602.4200 - - Shoulders and cuts thereof 
1602.4900 - - Other, including mixtures 
 - Of bovine animals:  
1602.5010 - - - Corned beef 
1602.5090 - - - Other  
1602.9000 - Other, including preparations of blood of any animal 
16.03 1603.0000 Extracts and jui ces of meat, fish or crustacea ns, molluscs or other aquatic 
invertebrates. 
 Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and ca viar substitutes prepared from fish eggs. 
 - Fish, whole or in pieces, but not minced: 
1604.1100 - - Salmon 
1604.1200 - - Herrings 
1604.1300 - - Sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats 
1604.1400 - - Tunas, skipjack and bonito (Sarda spp.) 
1604.1500 - - Mackerel 
1604.1600 - - Anchovies 
1604.1900 - - Other 
1604.2000 - Other prepared or preserved fish 16.04 
1604.3000 - Caviar and caviar substitutes 
 Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic in vertebrates, prepared or preserved: 
1605.1000 - Crab 
 - Shrimps and prawns: 
1605.2010 - - - Shrimps 
1605.2020 - - - Prawns 
1605.3000 - Lobster 
1605.4000 - Other crustaceans 
 - Other: 16.05 
1605.9010 - - - Dietetic food 
 Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form. 
 - Raw sugar not containing added flavouring or colouring matter: 
1701.1100 - - Cane sugar 
1701.1200 - - Beet sugar 
  - Other: 
 - - Containing added flavouring or colouring matter: 
1701.9110 - - - Icing, castor or other confectioners sugar 
1701.9190 - - - Other 17.01 
1701.9900 - - Other 
 Other sugars, including chemically pure lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose, in 
solid form; sugar syrups not containing added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel. 
 - Lactose and lactose syrup: 
1702.1100 - - Containing by weight 99% or more lactose, expressed as anhydrous lactose , 
calculated on the dry matter 
1702.1900 - - Other 
1702.2000 - Maple sugar and syrup 
1702.3000 - Glucose and glucose syrup, not containing fructose or containing in the dry state 
less than 20% of weight of fructose 
1702.4000 - Glucose and glucose syrup, containing in the dry state at least 20% but less than 
50% by weight of fructose excluding invert sugar 
1702.5000 - Chemically pure fructose 17.02 
1702.6000 - Other fructose and fructose syrup, containing in the dry state more than 50% by 
weight of fructose excluding invert sugar WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 106  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 1702.9000 - Other, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containig in 
the dry state 50% by weight of fructose 
 Molasses resulting from the extraction or refining of sugar. 
1703.1000 - Cane molasses 17.03 
1703.9000 - Other 
 Sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa. 
1704.1000 - Chewing gum, whether or not sugar coated 
 - Other: 
1704.9010 - - - White chocolate 17.04 
1704.9090 - - - Other 
18.01 1801.0000 Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted. 
18.02 1802.0000 Cocoa shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste. 
 Cocoa paste, whether or not defatted. 18.03 
1803.1000 - Not defatted 
18.04 1804.0000 Cocoa butter, fat and oil. 
18.05 1805.0000 Cocoa powder, not containing added sugar or other  sweetening matter. 
 Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa. 
1806.1000 - Cocoa powder, containing added sugar or other sweetening   matter 
1806.2000 - Other preparations in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, 
paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, of 
a content exceeding 2 kg 
  - Other, in blocks, slabs or bars: 
1806.3100 - - Filled 
1806.3200 - - Not filled 
 - Other: 
1806.9010 - - - I ce cream powder 18.06 
1806.9090 - - - Other 
 Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats,meal, starch or malt extract, not 
containing cocoa or containing less than 40% by weight of cocoa calculated on a 
totally defatted basis, not elsewhere specified or included; food preparations of goods of headings 04.01 to 04.04, not containing cocoa or containing less than 5% 
by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, not elsewhere specified or 
included. 
1901.1000 - Preparations for infant use, put up for retail sale 
1901.2000 - Mixes and doughs for the preparation of bakers' wares of heading 19.05 
 - Other: 
1901.9010 - - - Ice cream Powder 19.01 
1901.9090 - - - Other  
 Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat or other substances) or 
otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaro ni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, 
cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared: 
 - Uncooked pasta, not stuffed or otherwise prepared: 
1902.1100 - - Containing eggs 
1902.1900 - - Other 
1902.2000 - Stuffed pasta, whether or not cooked or otherwise prepared 
 - Other pasta: 
1902.3010 - - - Noodles 
1902.3090 - - - Other 19.02 
1902.4000 -  Couscous 
19.03 1903.0000 Tapioca and substitutes therefore prepared from starch, in the form of flakes, 
grains, pearls, siftings or in similar forms. 
19.04  Prepared foods obtained by the swellin g or roasting of cereals or cereal products 
(for example, corn flakes); cereals, other than maize (corn), in grain form, or in the 
form of flakes or other worked grains (except flour, groats and meal, pre-cooked, or otherwise prepared, not else where specified or included.  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 107 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
1904.1000 - Prepared foods obtained by the swe lling or roasting of cer eals or cereal products  
1904.2000 - Prepared foods obtained from unroasted cereal flaes or from mixtures of 
unroasted cereal flakes and roasted creal flakes or swelled cereals  
1904.3000 - Bulger wheat  
1904.9000 - Other 
 Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers' wares, whether or not containing 
cocoa; communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical 
use, sealing wafers, rice paper and similar products. 
1905.1000 - Crispbread 
1905.2000 - Gingerbread and the like 
 - Sweet biscuits; waffles and wafers: 
1905.3100 - - Sweet biscuits 
1905.3200 - - Waffles and wafers 
1905.4000 - Rusks, toasted bread and similar toasted products 
 - Other 
1905.9010 - - - Bread 
1905.9020 - - - Bread crumbs 
1905.9030 - - - Cakes 
1905.9040 - - - Mixture snacks 
1905.9050 - - - Crisp Savory food products  
1905.9060 - - - Rice paper 19.05 
1905.9090 - - - Other 
 Vegetables, fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, prepared or preserved by 
vinegar or acetic acid. 
2001.1000 - Cucumbers and gherkins 
 - Other 
2001.9010 - - - Onions 20.01 
2001.9020 - - - Other 
 Tomatoes prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid. 
2002.1000  Tomatoes, whole or in pieces  
 - Other 
2002.9010 - - - Tomato paste 20.02 
2002.9090 - - - Other 
 Mushrooms and truffles, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic 
acid. 
2003.1000 - Mushrooms of a genus Agaricus 
2003.2000 - Truffles 20.03 
2003.9000 - Other 
 Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, 
frozen, other than products of heading 20.06 
2004.1000 - Potatoes 20.04 
2004.9000 - Other vegetables and mixtures of vegetables 
 Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, 
not frozen, other than products of heading 20.06. 
 - Homogenised vegetables: 
2005.1010 - - - Homogenised preparation, specifically for infants 
2005.1090 - - - Other, including dietetic preparations 
2005.2000 - Potatoes 
2005.4000 - Peas  
 - Beans (Vigna spp., Phaseolus spp.): 
 - - Beans, shelled 
2005.5110 - - - Baked beans in a tomato sauce 
2005.5190 - - - Other  
2005.5900 - - Other 20.05 
2005.6000 - Asparagus WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 108  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
2005.7000 - Olives 
2005.8000 - Sweet corn  
2005.9000 - Other vegetables and mixtures of vegetables 
20.06 2006.0000  Vegetables, fruit, nuts, fruit-peel and other parts of plants, preserved by sugar 
(drained, glacé or crystallised). 
 Jams, fruit jellies, marmalades, fruit or nut purée and fruit or nut pastes, obtained 
by cooking,  whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. 
2007.1000 - Homogenised preparations 
 - Other, (including dietetic preparations) 
2007.9100 - - Citrus fruit 20.07 
2007.9900 - - Other 
 Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, otherwise prepared or preserved, 
whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit, not elsewhere specified or included. 
 - Nuts, ground-nuts and other seeds whether or not mixed together: 
 - - Ground nuts 
2008.1110 - - - Peanut 
2008.1190 - - - Other 
2008.1900 - - Other,  including mixtures 
2008.2000 - Pineapples 
2008.3000 - Citrus fruit 
2008.4000 - Pears 
2008.5000 - Apricots 
2008.6000 - Cherries 
2008.7000 - Peaches, including nectarines 
2008.8000 - Strawberries 
 - Other, including mixtures other than those of subheading 2008.19: 
2008.9100 - - Palm hearts 
2008.9200 - - Mixtures 20.08 
2008.9900 - - Other 
 Fruit juices (including grape must) and vegetable juices, unfermented and not 
containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter. 
 - Orange juice: 
2009.1100 - - Frozen 
2009.1200 - - Not frozen, of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.1900 - - Other 
 - Grapefruit juice: 
2009.2100 - - Of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.2900 - - Other 
 - Juice or any other single citrus fruit: 
 - - Of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.3110 - - - Concen trated lemon juice 
2009.3190 - - - Other 
 - - Other: 
2009.3910 - - -  Juices especially for infa nts (fortris, purity, Heinz, gurber etc..) 
2009.3990 - - - Other 
 - Pineapple juice: 
2009.4100 - - Of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.4900 - - Other 
2009.5000 - Tomato juice 
 - Grape juice (including grape must): 
2009.6100 - - Of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.6900 - - Other 20.09 
 - Apple juice  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 109 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
2009.7100 - - Of a brix value not exceeding 20 
2009.7900 - - Other 
 - Juice of any other single fruit or vegetable  
2009.8010 - - - Black currant juice 
2009.8090 - - - Other  
2009.9000 - Mixtures of juices 
 Extracts, essences and concentrates, of co ffee, tea or maté and preparations with a 
basis of these products or with a basis of  coffee, tea or maté; roasted chicory and 
other roasted coffee substitutes, and extract s, essences and concentrates thereof. 
 - Extracts, essences and concentrates, of coffee, and  preparations with a basis of 
these extracts, essences or concentr ates or with a basis of coffee: 
2101.1100 - - Extracts, es sences and concentrates 
2101.1200 - - Preparations with a basis of extracts,  essences or concentrates or with a basis of 
coffee 
2101.2000 - Extracts, essences and concentrates, of tea or maté, and preparations with a basis 
of these extracts, essences or concentr ates or with a basis of tea or maté 21.01 
2101.3000 - Roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes, and ex tracts, essences and 
concentrates thereof 
 Yeasts (active or inactive); other single-cell micro-organisms, dead (but not 
including vaccines of heading  30 .02); prepared baking powders. 
2102.1000 - Active yeasts 
2102.2000 - Inactive yeasts; other single cell micro-organisms, dead 21.02 
2102.3000 - Prepared baking powders 
 Sauces and preparations therefor; mixed condiments and mixed seasonings; 
mustard flour and meal and prepared mustard. 
2103.1000 - Soya sauce 
2103.2000 - Tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces 
2103.3000 - Mustard flour and meal and prepared mustard 
 - Other:  
2103.9010 - - - Chilli sauce 21.03 
2103.9090 - - - Other   
 Soups and broths and preparations therefore; homogenised composite food 
preparations. 
 - Soups and broths and preparations therefore: 
2104.1010 - - - Homogenised composite food preparations, for infant use 
2104.1090 - - - Other   21.04 
2104.2000 - Homogenised composite food preparations  
21.05 2105.0000 Ice cream and other edible ice, whether or not containing cocoa. 
 Food preparations not else where specified or included. 
2106.1000 - Protein concentrates and textured protein substances 
 - Other: 
2106.9010 - - - Concentrates for manufacture of beverages and food preparations 
2106.9020 - - - I ce cream powder 
2106.9030 - - - Herbal infusions  
2106.9040 - - - Soya milk 
2106.9050 - - - Coconut milk 
2106.9060 - - - Blackcu rrant concentrate  21.06 
2106.9090 - - - Other 
 
 
 
 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 110  
 
 ANNEX 6 
Patents Fees
 
 Fees to be paid in respect of the several matters hereunder specified. 
Patents Cost in Seychelles Rupees 
For every application for a patent  accompanied by accompanied by a 
provisional specification only. 300 
Examiner's Fee on reference of application with provisional 
specification not exceeding 400 
For every application for pate nt accompanied by a complete 
specification 500 
On filling complete specification after provisional Specification 500 
Examiner's fee on reference of comp lete specification, not exceeding 400 
On extending the time for leaving complete specification 150 
On extending the time for acceptan ce of complete specification 150 
On every patent before the expiration of 4 years from its date 1,000 
And Further before the expiration of 7 years 2,000 
Or in lieu of the fees of SR 1,000 and SR 2,000 the following annual 
fees before the expiration of the fourth year from date of the patent 
"   "    "    Fifth  "  "  " 
"   "    "    Sixth  "  "  " 
"   "    "    Seventh "  "  " 
"   "    "    Eight    "  "  " 
"   "    "    Ninth   "  "  " 
"   "    "    Tenth   "  "  " 
"   "    "    Eleventh "  "  " 
"   "    "    Twelfth "  "  " 
"   "    "    Thirteenth "  "  "  
300 
300 
300 
300 
400 
400 
500 
500 
500 
500 
On filling every amended or substituted specification. 150 
On notice of opposition to grant of patent 300 
On every summons to witness 150 
On hearing of every opposed application 150 
On extension of patent 300 
On filling every disclaimer or memorandum of alteration. 150 
For every office copy (including the seal) per folio of 72 words 150 
On filling every certificate voiding a patent 150 
On deposits of any assignment deed, licence or other document 
affecting proprietorship of patent 150 
On delivering triplicate patent after loss etc. 150 
On every search, including inspection 50 
Annual fees for licence to patent agent 150 
Certified copies of extracts seal at per folio 50 
For every matter or thing not above provided for 50 
For a certificate of registration of a patent granted or issued in the 
United Kingdom 50 
  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 111 
 
 
 Trademark Fees  
Matter or Proceeding Amount in Seychelles 
Rupees Corresponding 
Form 
1.  On application not othe rwise charged to register a 
trade mark for a specificatio n of goods or services 
included in one class.  300 T.M. No.2 
1.(a)  On application to regi ster a series of trademarks 
under section 19(2) of the decree for a 
specification of goods or se rvices included in one 
class  300 T.M. No.2 
1.(b) On application to register a defensive trade mark 
for a specification of goods or services included in 
one class    400 T.M. No. 31 
1.(c) On application to register a certification trade 
mark under section 35 of the Decree for a 
specification of goods or se rvices included in one 
class  400 T.M. No.5 
1.(d)  On application made at the same time under 
section 35 of the decree to register one 
certification trade mark for specifications of goods 
or services not all included in one class 400 T.M. No.5 
In respect of every class 
Total fee in no case to excee d SR 2,100 for any number 
of classes.  100 T.M. No.5 
2.  On a request to the re gistrar to state grounds of 
decision relating to an ap plication to register a 
trade mark and materials used. 250 T.M. No.4 
3.  On notice of opposition before the registrar under 
section 16 of the Decree  for each application 
opposed, by an opponent  by proprietor 
respectively; or on the hearing of an opposition 
under section 33 or 34 of the Decree, by proprietor 
and by opponent respectively 300 T.M. No.6 
3. (a) On lodging a counter-  statement in answer to a 
notice of opposition under section 16 of the decree 
for each application under any of the sections 24, 
25, 30 and 31 of the decr ee, by the proprietor in 
respect of each trade mark ; or in  answer to a 
notice of opposition under section 33 or 34 of the 
decree, for each appli cation or conversion 
opposed, by the proprietor  250 T.M. No.7 
3. (b) On the hearing of each opposition under  section 
16 of the decree, by ap plicant and by opponent 
respectively; or on the h earing of an application 
under any of the sections 24, 25, 30, and 31 of the 
decree, by applicant and 300 T.M. No.8 
3. (c) On notice of opposition before the Registrar under 
to the Decree, for each application opposed by the 
opponent (Certification of Trade Mark). 300 T.M. No.35 
3.(d) On lodging a counter-statement in answer to a 
notice of opposition before the registrar for each 
application opposed, by the applicant                     
(Certification Trade Mark)  250 T.M. No.36 
3.(e) On the Hearing of each opposition before the 
registrar by applicant and by opponent 
respectively (Certification Trade Mark) 300 T.M. No.37 WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 112  
 
 ANNEX 7 
Additional Items Exempted from the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
 
Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 Live poultry, that is to say, fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, ducks, geese, 
turkeys and guinea fowls. 
 - weighing not more than 185g: 01.05 
0105.1100 - - Fowls of the species Gallus domesticus 
 Seeds, fruit and spores, of a kind used for sowing. 
1209.9100 - - Vegetable seeds 12.09 
1209.9900 - - Other 
23.08 2308.0000 Vegetable materials and vegetable waste, vegetable  residues and by-products, 
whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not 
elsewhere specified or included 
 Preparations of a kind used in animal feeding. 
2309.1000 - Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale 
 - Other 
 - - - Mixed feeds or mixed feed ingredients 
2309.9011 - - - - Poultry feeds, prepared 
2309.9012 - - - - Dairy cattle feed, prepared 
2309.9013 - - - - Other cattle feed, prepared 
2309.9014 - - - - Swine feed, prepared 
2309.9015  - - - - Other livestock feed, prepared 
2309.9019 - - - - Other 
2916.3400 - - Phenylacetic acid, and its salts 
2916.3500 - - Esters of phenylacetic acid 23.09 
2916.3900 - - Other 
 Carboxylic acids with additional oxygen function and their anhydrides halides, 
peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated 
derivatives 
 - Carboxylic acids with phenol function but without other oxygen function, their 
anhydrides, halides, peroxides, proxyacids and their derivatives: 29.18 
2918.2100 - - Salicyclic acid and its salts 
 Carboxyimide-function compounds (including saccharin and its salts) and imine-
function compounds. 
 - Imides and their derivatives; salts thereof: 29.25 
2925.1100  Saccharin and its salts 
 Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only 
 - Compounds containing an unfused pyrazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) 
in the structure: 
2933.1100 - - Phenazone (antipyrin) and its derivatives 
2933.1900 - - Other 
 - Compounds containing an unfused imidazole ring (whether or not hydrogenated) 
in the structure: 
2933.2100 - - Hydantoin and its derivatives 
2933.2900 - - Other 
 - Compounds containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) 
in the structure: 
2933.3100 - - Pyridine and its salts 
2933.3200 - - Piperridine and its salts 
2933.3300 - - Alfentanil (INN), anileridine (INN), bezitramide (I NN), bromazepam (INN), 
difenoxin (INN), diphenoxylate (INN), dipipanone (INN), fentanyl (INN), 
Ketobemidone (INN), methylphenidate (INN), pentazocine (INN), pethidine 
(INN), pethidine (INN) intermedia 29.33 
2933.3900 - - Other  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 113 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 - Compounds containing in the structure a quinoline or isoquinoline ring-system 
(whether or not hydrogenated) not further fused: 
2933.4100 - - Levorphanol (INN) and its salts 
2933.4900 - - Other 
 - Compounds containing a pyrimidine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) or 
piperazine ring in the structure: 
 - Compounds containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydrogenated) 
in the structure: 
2933.5200 - - Malonylurea  (barbituric acid) and its salts 
2933.5300 - - Allobarbital (INN), amorbarbita l (INN), barbital (INN ), butalbital (INN), 
butobarbital (INN), cyclobarbital (INN), me thlyphenobarbital (INN), pentobarbital 
(INN), phenobarbital (INN), secbutabar bital (INN), secobarbital (INN) and 
vinylbital (INN); sal 
2933.5400 - - Other derivatives of malonlurea (barbituric acid); salts thereof 
2933.5500 - - Loprazolam (INN), mecloqualone (INN), methaqualone (INN) and Zipeprol 
(INN); salts thereof 
2933.5900 - - Other 
 - Compounds containing an unfused triazine ring (whether or not hydronated) in 
the structure: 
2933.6100 - - Melamine 
2933.6900 - - Other 
 - Lactams: 
2933.7100 - - 6-Hexanelactam (epsilon-caprolactum) 
2933.7200 - - Clob azam (INN) and methyprylon (INN) 
2933.7900 - - Other lactams 
2933.9100 - - Alprazolam (INN), camazepam (INN), chlodiazepoxide (INN), clonazepam 
(INN), clozepate, delorazpam (INN), diazepam (INN), estazolam (INN), ethyl 
loflazepate (INN), fludiazepam (INN), fl unitrazepam (INN), flurazepam (INN), 
halzepam (INN), lorazepam (INN 
2933.9900 - - Other 
 Provitamins and vitamins natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural 
concentrates), derivatives thereof used pr imarily as vitamins, and intermixtures of 
the foregoing, whether or  not in any solvent. 
2936.1000 - Provitamins, unmixed 
2936.2100 - - Vitamins A and their derivatives 
2936.2200 - - Vitamin B1 and its derivatives 
2936.2300 - - Vitamin B2 and its derivatives 
2936.2400 - - D- or DL-Pantothenic acid (Vitamins B3, B5) and its derivatives 
2936.2500 - - Vitamin B6 and its derivatives 
2936.2800 - - Vitamin E and its derivatives  
2936.9000 - Other, including natural concentrates 
 Hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, natural or reproduced 
by synthesis; derivatives and structural analogues thereof, including chain 
modified polypeptides, used primarily as hormones. 
 - Polypeptide hormones, protein hormones and glycoprotein hormones, their 
derivatives and structural analogues: 
2937.1100 - Somatotropin, its derivatives and structural analogues 
2937.1200 - Insulin and its salts 
2937.1900 - - Other 
 - Steroidal hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues: 
2937.2100 - - Cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone (dehydrocortisone) and prednisolone 
(dehydrohydrocortisone) 
2937.2200 - - Halogenated derivatives of corticosteriodal hormones 
2937.2300 - - Oestrogens and progestogens 29.37 
2937.2900 - - Other WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 114  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 - Catecholamine hormones,  their derivatives and structural analogues: 
2937.3100 - - Epinephrine 
2937.3900 - - Other 
2937.4000 - Amino-acid derivatives 
2937.5000 - Prostaglandins, thromboxanes and le ukotrienes, their derivatives and structural 
analogues  
2937.9000 - Other 
 Glycosides, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, esters and 
other derivatives. 
2938.1000 - Rutoside (rutin) and its derivatives 29.38 
2938.9000 - Other 
 Vegetable alkaloids, natural or reproduced by synthesis, and their salts, ethers, 
esters and other derivatives. 
 - Alkaloids of opium and their derivatives; salts thereof: 
2939.1100 - - Concentrates of poppy straw; buprenorphine (INN), codein, dihydrocodiene 
(INN),ethlymorphine, etorphine (INN), heroin, hydrocodone (INN), 
hydromorphone (INN), morphine nicomorohine (INN), oxycodone (INN), 
oxymorphone (INN), pholcodine (INN), thebacon  
2939.1900 - - Other 
 - Alkaloids of cinchona and their derivatives; salts thereof: 
 - - Quinine and its salts: 
2939.2110 - - - Quinine and quinine sulphate 
2939.2190 - - - Other 
2939.2900 - - Other 
2939.3000 - Caffein and its salts 
 - Ephedrines and their salts: 
2939.4100 - - Ephedrine and its salts 
2939.4200 - - Pseudoephedrine (INN) and its salts 
2939.4300 - - Cathine (INN) and its salts 
2939.4900 - - Other 
2939.5100 - - fenetylline (INN) and its salts 
2939.5900 - - Other 
 - Alkaloids of rye ergot and their derivatives; salts thereof: 
2939.6100 - - Ergometrine (INN) and its salts 
2939.6200 - - Ergotamine (INN) and its salts 
2939.6300 - - Lysergic acid and its salts 
2939.6900 - - Other 
 - Other 
2939.9100 - - Cocaine, ecqonine, levometamfet amine, metamfetamine (INN), metamfetamine 
racemate; salts, esters and other derivatives thereof 29.39 
2939.9900 - - Other 
29.40 2940.0000 Sugars, chemically pure, other than sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose; 
sugar ethers and sugar esters, sugar acetal s and their salts, other than products of 
heading 29.37, 29.38 or 29.39 
 Antibiotics 
  - Penicillins and their derivatives with a penicillanic acid structure; salts thereof 
2941.1010 - - - Amoxillin and its salts 
2941.1020 - - - Ampicillin (INN), metampicillin (INN), Pivampicillin (INN) and their salts 
2941.1090 - - - other 
 - Streptomycins and their derivatives, salts thereof: 
2941.2010 - - - Dihydrostreptomycin, its salts, esters and hydrates 
2941.2090 - - - Other 
2941.3000 - Tetracyclines and their derivatives; salts thereof 
2941.4000 - Chloraphenicol and its derivatives; salts thereof 29.41 
2941.5000 - Erythromycin and its derivatives; salts thereof  WT/ACC/SYC/9 
 Page 115 
 
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 2941.9000 - Other 
 Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic 
uses; antisera and other blood fractions; and modified immunological products, 
whether or not obtained by means of biotechnol ogical processes; vaccines, toxins, 
cultures of mic 
3002.1000 - Antisera and other blood fractions and modified immunological products, 
whether or not obtained by means of biotechnological processes  
3002.2000 - Vaccines for human medicine 
3002.3000 - Vaccines for veterinary medicine 30.02 
3002.9000 - Other 
 Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 30.02, 30.05 or 30.06) consisting of two 
or more constituents which have been mixed together for therapeutic or 
prophylactic uses, not put up in measured doses or in forms or packings for retail 
sale. 
3003.1000 - Containing penicillins or derivatives thereof, with a penicillanic acid structure, or 
streptomycins or their derivatives 
3003.2000 - Containing other antibiotics 
 - Containing hormones or other products of heading  29.37 but not containing 
antibiotics: 
3003.3100 - - Containing insulin 
3003.3900 - - Other 
3003.4000 - Containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones or other 
products of heading 29.37 or antibiotics 30.03 
3003.9000 - Other 
 Medicaments (excluding goods of heading  30.02, 30.05, 30.06) consisting of 
mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in 
measured doses (including those in the form of transdermal administration 
systems) or in forms or packing 
3004.1000 - Containing penicillins or  derivatives  thereof, with a penicillanic acid structure, 
or streptomycins or their derivatives 
3004.2000 - Containing other antibiotics  
 - Containing hormones or other products of heading  29.37 but not containing 
antibiotics: 
3004.3100 - - Containing insulin 
3004.3200 - - Containing  corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues 
3004.3900 - - Other 
3004.4000 - Containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones, other 
products of heading 29.37 or antibiotics 
3004.5000 - Other medicaments containing vitamins or other products of heading  29.36 
 - Other 
3004.9010 - - - Fleur D'orange, L'eau de calme 
3004.9020 - - - Gripe Water 
3004.9030 - - - Camphor containing menthol, camphor and other ingredients 
3004.9090 - - - Other 
3004.3200 - - Containing  corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues 
3004.3900 - - Other 
3004.4000 - Containing alkaloids or derivatives thereof but not containing hormones, other 
products of heading 29.37 or antibiotics 
3004.5000 - Other medicaments containing vitamins or other products of heading  29.36 
 - Other 
3004.9010 - - - Fleur D'orange, L'eau de calme 
3004.9020 - - - Gripe Water 
3004.9030 - - - Camphor containing menthol, camphor and other ingredients 
3004.9090 - - - Other 30.04 
3004.3200 - - Containing  corticosteroid hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues WT/ACC/SYC/9 
Page 116  
 
 Heading Tariff Item Description of goods 
 3004.3900 - - Other 
 Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articles (for example dressings, adhesive 
plasters, poultices), impregnated or coated  with pharmaceutical substances or put 
up in forms or packings for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary 
purposes. 
 - Adhesive dressings and other articles having an adhesive layer 
3005.1010 - - - Medicated plaster 
3005.1090 - - - Other 30.05 
3005.9000 - Other 
 Pharmaceutical goods specified in note 4 to this chapter. 
3006.1000 - Sterile surgical catgut , similar sterile suture materi als and sterile tissue adhesives 
for surgical wound closure; sterile lamina ria and sterile laminaria tents; sterile 
absorbable surgical or  dental haemostatics 
3006.2000 - Blood grouping reagents 
3006.3000 - Opacifying preparations for X-ray examinations; diagnostic reagents designed to 
be administered to the patient 
3006.4000 - Dental cements and other fillings; bone reconstruction cements 
3006.5000 - First-aid boxes and kits 
3006.6000 - Chemical co ntraceptive preparations based on hormones, on other products of 
heading 29.37 or on spermicides 
3006.7000 - Gel preparations designed to be used in human or veterinary medicine as a 
lubricant for parts of the body for surgical operations or physical examinations or 
as a coupling agent between the body and medical instruments 
 - Waste pharmaceuticals 
3006.8010 - - - Expi red pharmaceuticals 30.06 
3006.8090 - - - Other 
 Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and 
plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up in the forms or 
packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles (for example, sulphur -treated 
band 
3808.1000 - Insecticides 
3808.2000 - Fungicides 
3808.3000 - Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators 
3808.4000 - Disinfectants 38.08 
3808.9000 - Other 
 Hygienic or pharmaceutical articles (incl uding teats), of vul canised rubber other 
than hard rubber, with or without fittings of hard rubber. 
4014.1000 - Sheat h contraceptives 40.14 
4014.9000 - Other  
 
__________