RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
29 August 2008 
 
 (08-4049) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Yemen Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF YEMEN 
 
Information on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
Addendum  
  
 The following submission, dated 24 June 2008, is  being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Republic of Yemen. 
 
 
_______________ WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
Page 2  
 
  Animal Resources
 
I. OUTLINE OF SYSTEMS 
1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, 
reply to the following questions as relevant, pl acing all of the material with respect to a 
given system in sequence together, and us ing cross references as appropriate when 
elements which have already been descri bed are also present in another system. 
Answer:  
The system consists of simple proc edures administered in a fair manner to grant import permit according 
to the  Animal Resources Regulation a nd Protection Law No. 17 of 2004 and its implementing regulation 
issued by the Cabinet Decree No. 1 of 2006.  
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer:
 
Animal and animal products, bi rds, poultry, and animal hea lth and production appliances. 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer:  
All the countries with which Yemen has political and trade relationships. 
3. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quanti ty or value of imports, and if not, what are 
its purposes?  Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which?  Why have they not been adopted? 
Answer:
 
The objective of the permit is not to restrict quantity or value of imports.  The objective is to: - Protect animal health, including birds, from di seases that might be brought in through imports; 
- Protect public health; and - No alternative methods have been considered. 
4. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is 
maintained.  Is the licensing statutorily required?   Does the legislation leave designation of 
products to be subjected to licensing to admini strative discretion?  Is it possible for the 
Government (or the executive branch) to abol ish the system without legislative approval? 
Answer:
 
All the products mentioned under II:1 are subject to permit according to the Animal Resources 
Regulation and Protection Law No. 17 of 2004 and its regulation issued by th e Cabinet Decree No. 1 
of 2006.   WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
 Page 3 
 
 
  It is not possible for the executive branch to abolish the system without legislative approval. 
III. PROCEDURES 
1. For products under restriction as to the qua ntity or value of import s (whether applicable 
globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally): 
(a) Is information published, and where, concerni ng allocation of quotas and formalities of 
filing applications for licenses?  If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible 
importers?  Of Governments and Export Prom otion Bodies of exporting countries and 
their trade representatives?  Is the overall amount published?  The amount allocated to 
goods from each country?  The maximum amount allocated to each importer? 
(b) How is the size of the quotas determined:  on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis?  
Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licenses are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?  In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? 
(c) Are licenses allotted for ce rtain goods partly or only to do mestic producers of like goods?  
What steps are taken to ensure that licenses allocated are actually used for imports?  Are 
unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period?  Are the names of importers to whom licenses have been allocated made known to Governments and Export Promotion Bodies of exporting countries upon request?  If  not, for what reason?  (Indicate products 
to which replies relate.) 
(d) From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the 
period of time allowed for the submis sion of applications for licenses? 
(e) What are the minimum and maximum length s of time for processing applications? 
(f) How much time remains, at a minimum, betw een the granting of licenses and the date of 
opening of the period of importation? 
(g) Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ?  Or must 
the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?  If so, which?  
Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ? 
(h) If the demand for licenses cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to 
applicants made?  First come, first served?  Past performance?  Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per appl icant and, if so, on what ba sis is it determined?  What 
provision is made for new importers?  Are a pplications examined simultaneously or on 
receipt? 
(i) In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are 
issued by exporting countries, are import licenses also required?  If so, are licenses issued automatically? 
(j) In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the 
importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the 
understanding between the two countries? WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
Page 4  
 
  (k) Are there products for which licenses are issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market? 
Answer:
 
There is no restriction as to the qua ntity or value of imports of produc ts mentioned under II:1, as such 
questions (a) through (k) are not applicable. 
2. Where there is no quantitative limit on im portation of a product or on imports from a 
particular country: 
(a) How far in advance of importation must ap plication for a licence be made?  Can licenses 
be obtained within a shorter time-limit or fo r goods arriving at the port without a licence 
(for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
Answer:  
The import permit should be obtaine d 15 days prior to the date of importation.  Permits cannot be 
obtained for goods arriving at the port without a permit (for example, owing to inadvertency). 
(b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request? 
Answer:  
Actual practice shows that a permit  may be granted in three days provided that all requirements and 
legal procedures are fulfilled. 
(c) Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence 
and/or importation may be made?  If so, explain. 
Answer:  
There are no limitations as to the period of the year  during which application for permit and importation 
may be made. 
(d) Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ?  Or must 
the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?  If so, which?  
Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ? 
Answer:  
Yes, only one administrative organ, wh ich is the General Department for ِAnimal Resources at the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation . 
3. Under what circumstances m ay an application for a licence be refused other than failure 
to meet the ordinary criteria?  Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant?  Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to 
what Bodies and under what procedures? 
Answer:
 
An application for a permit cannot be refused for a ny reason other than failure to meet the ordinary 
criteria .  WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses:  (a) under restrictive licensing systems? 
 (b) under non-restrictive systems? 
 If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in 
importation?  What persons or firms are elig ible?  Is there a registration fee?  Is there a 
published list of authorized importers? 
Answer:
 
All companies and individuals, who fulfil the legal requirements to involve in  import activities, are 
equally eligible to apply for perm it.  These requirements include, inter alia , obtaining a commercial 
register, registration at the concerned authority and obtaining a  prior licence to practice business. 
V. DOCUMENTATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION FOR 
LICENCE 
1. What information is required in applicatio ns?  Submit a sample form.  What documents is 
the importer required to supply with the application? 
Answer:  
A sample application form is attached wh ich includes all requ ested information.  
The application is to be enclosed with a pro-forma invoice that includes the name of the importer, the 
name of the producing company, country of origin, data of the recorded imported product like name, 
price, and quantity. 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer:  
Prior import permit, official veteri nary health certificat e from the country of origin provided it is not 
older than 45 days for products and 10 days for live animals, birds a nd hatch eggs, a certificate of origin, 
and quality conformity certificate in the country of origin. 
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer:  
The import permit fee is YRls 1,000. A fee of YRls 10,000 in addition to the costs of field experiments and lab tests, for the registration of 
animal health and production appliances, when such a product is new and to be used for the first time in 
the country . 
4. Is there any deposit or advance payment requi rement associated with the issue of licenses?  
If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is  refundable, the period of retention and the 
purpose of the requirement. WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
Page 6  
 
  Answer:
 
There is no deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of the permit. 
VI. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer:  
21 days from the date of issue and for one shipment only. 
2. Is there any penalty for the non-utilizatio n of a licence or a po rtion of a licence? 
Answer:  
There is no penalty for the non-utiliza tion of a permit or a portion of it. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer:  
The permit is not transferable between importers. 
4. Are any other conditions attach ed to the issue of a licence: 
 (a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? 
 (b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction? 
Answer:  
There are no other conditions att ached to the issue of a permit . 
VII. OTHER PROCEDU RAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer:  
Notifying the concerned inspector at the point of entr y prior to the arrival of the animal consignment by 
one week at least. 
2. Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking author ities for goods to be 
imported?  Is a licence required as a condition  to obtaining foreign exchange?  Is foreign 
exchange always available to cover licenses issu ed?  What formalities must be fulfilled for 
obtaining the foreign exchange? 
Answer:  
There are no restrictions or controls on foreign exchange.  WT/ACC/YEM/20/Add.1 
 Page 7 
 
 
  Republic of Yemen 
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation 
Directorate General of Animal Resources 
No: ….............. Date: …........... 
Form for Importing Live Animals and Birds and their Products (to be filled by the applicant)
 
- Name of the importer (3 names):…………………………………………….. 
- Name of the exporter (3names): …………………………………………….. - Importer Address: ……………………………………………........................ - Exporter Address: ……………………………………………........................ 
- Phone No/P.O. Box No: 
- Country of Origin ……………………………………………........................ - Trade Register Number: ………...................................................................... - Type of shipment:…………………….No (.........)  Quantity( .........................)  
- Transport Means: ……………………………………………........................ 
- Arrival port/entry point: …………………………………………….............. 
- Date of Arrival: ……………………………………………........................... 
I am the signatory, hereby, acknowledge and testif y that the information provided here above is 
correct and bear any responsibility for any violation thereof. 
I also commit to notify the competent authorities and quarantine authorities to which the shipment 
will arrive about the arrival time in writing in  not less than a week before the arrival. 
I also bear all responsibility of paying fines and no t to object against the procedures decided by the 
competent authority in case of violation or breach if any of the import obligations and commitments 
that have been seen. 
Date: ........../........../200... Name (3 names):……………............................. 
Signature:………… …………............................ 
 
__________