WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/AFG/10 
8 November 2011 
 (11-5687) 
Working Party on the Accession of 
the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF AFGHANISTAN  
 
Questionnaire on Import Licensing Procedures 
 
 The following submission, dated 31 October 2011, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.   
__________WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 2  
 
 A. Import Licence for Armoured Vehicles  
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: 
According to Procedure of Import and Use of Armo ured Vehicles for Military and Security Purposes 
issued by the Ministry of Interior under the author ity provided by the Decree of the President No. 1971 
"On Security Implementation Measur es in Order to Prevent Terroris t Attacks" issued on 10 March 2010, 
all imports of armoured vehicles require import licence to  be obtained from Mini stry of Interior.   
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
Licensing requirements apply to  goods under HS 8703 - only with respect to armoured vehicles.  
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
The system applies to goods origina ting in and coming from all countries.  
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: 
There is no overall quota established for imports of ar moured vehicles into Af ghanistan.  Ho wever, each 
company is eligible to own only one armoured vehicl e.  It is possible to obtain permit for additional 
vehicles with the approval of the Minister of Interior Affairs.  
Purpose of the licence is to conduct background ch eck of importing persons for security purposes.  
The Commission on Armoured Vehicles  and Arms under the Ministry of  Interior Affairs (MOI) reviews 
the need for the applicant to have armoured vehicl e based on the nature of its activities and risks 
involved.   
Currently there are no alternative methods since only the MOI can conduc t background checks related to 
criminal and terrorist activities.  Moreover, these checks require confidentiality of information. 
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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 3 
 
 
 Answer: 
Decree of the President No. 2110 of 9 Novemb er 2006 established the Commission on Armoured 
Vehicles and Arms. 
Licensing is maintained under a Procedure of Impor t and Use of Armoured Ve hicles for Military and 
Security Purposes issued by the Ministry of Interior of 15 March 2011.   Designation of products to be 
subjected to licensing is not left for administrative discretion. 
Presidential decision is required to abolish the system and no legislative approval from the Afghan 
Parliament is needed. 
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request? 
 (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. 
 (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: 
 (a) Licenses are issued for particular vehicles indicating their vehicle identification 
numbers.  Therefore, applications for lice nce can be submitted in advance after goods 
are shipped from departure point in exporti ng country.  Applications can also be 
submitted after goods arrive at  the port (customs clearanc e facility).  There are no 
shorter time limits es tablished for obtaining licenses  for goods arriving at the port 
without a licence. 
 (b) No statutory time limits are establishe d for processing applications for licenses.  
In practice, the Security Committee under the MOI reviews all applications within 20 days on average.   
 (c) There are no limitations as to the period of  the year during which application for licence 
and/or importati on may be made. 
 (d) Applications for licence shall be submitted:  
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) - for foreign embassies and international 
organizations; and 
 - Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) - for commer cial entities.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 4  
 
  MOFA and MOCI issue a letter supporting the application by explaining the nature of the 
applicant's activities and forward it to the MOI.    
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: 
Application for licence can be refuse d if the Commission decides that base d on the nature of activities of 
the applicant and potential risks involved, it is not es sential for the applicant to maintain an armoured 
vehicle.  Applicants may own no more than one armoured vehicle, unless special permit is obtained 
from MOI.  The reasons for any refusal are given to th e applicant in writing.  Refusal for issuance of a 
licence can be appealed to commercial courts under Civil Procedure Code. 
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses:  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: 
Only legal entities holding business licence from Mi nistry of Commerce and Industry are eligible to 
apply for licenses.  
VI. 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: 
Applications should be submitted through MFA, MO CI or AISA.  There ar e no special application 
forms established.  Applications are submitted in free form and shall contain information regarding:  
 - Name of the applicant and its business re gistration information (passport data for 
natural persons); 
 - Information on the activities of the applicant; and  - Model and type of the vehicle, chas sis and engine number and body colour. 
The following documents shall be attached to the application: 
 - Copy of bill of lading, or air-bill; and 
- Copy of the receipt of payment for the vehicle purchase.   WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 5 
 
 
 2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Upon actual importation, licence sh all be presented to customs author ities for clearance procedures.  
Upon completion of import clearance procedures, vehicles are released  from customs fa cilities after 
presenting a licence for operating the armoured vehicle.  
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
No fee charged for issuance of import licence for armoured vehicles.  
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. 
Answer: 
There are no deposit or advance payment requirements associated with the issue of  licenses. 
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
There are no time limits established for validity of lice nses.  Licenses contain references to each vehicle 
identification number and, therefore, valid until these particular vehicles are imported.  
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-utilizatio n of a licence or a portion of a licence.  
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Licenses are 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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 6  
 
 Answer: 
There are no conditions attached to the issue of a licence.  Importers  may not, however, sell imported 
vehicles to persons who are not author ised to use of armoured vehicles.  
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
Armoured vehicle operating licence from the MOI is required for release of the vehicle from customs 
clearance facility after customs clea rance procedures have been comple ted.  MOI issues this licence 
after insurance has been obtained for the vehicle.   
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Licence is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.    WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 7 
 
 
 B. Import Permit for Endangered Species  
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: 
Afghanistan acceded to the Conven tion on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora (CITES) on 30 October 1985.  Imports of endangered species described below require 
obtaining permit from National Environment Protecti on Agency (NEPA).  Completion of the customs 
clearance procedures is conditioned upon presenting permit of the NEPA.  Permits are issued after 
reviewing the received applications with a required documents attached.  Permits are granted in a form 
of approval visa put on application.  
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
Imports of endangered species listed under the Appendices II and III of the C onvention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), whether they are traded 
as life specimens, furs coats or dried herbs, require permit to be obtained from National 
Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA).  Imports of endangered species listed in Appendix I of 
CITES, which includes all species thre atened with extinction which are or may be affected by trade, is 
prohibited.  
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Permit system applies to goods origin ating in and coming from all countries.  
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 system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  Its purpose is to protect wild flora 
and fauna from the danger of extinction.  
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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 8  
 
 Answer: 
This permit is statutorily require d under the Environmental Law of Afgha nistan and CITES.   Therefore, 
the executive branch of the government without legisl ative approval cannot abolish it.  Designation of 
products to be subjected to perm it is not subject to administra tive discretion - Environmental Law 
specifically refers to the list of endangered species under the Appendices II and III of the Convention 
on International Trade in Endangered Speci es of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?  (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. 
 (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: 
(a) Applications for permit shall be submitted be fore importation.  There is no requirement as to 
how far in advance applica tions shall be submitted.  
(b) There is no special expedited procedure for issuance of permits.  In practice, permits are issued 
within one day.  
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for permit or 
importation may be made.  
(d) NEPA is the sole administrative organ for issuing permits.  Quar antine or Veterinary 
Departments of Ministry of Agriculture, Irriga tion and Livestock are involved in quarantine 
control approval upon importation.   
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: 
Applications for permits can be rejected in following cases:  
 - Absence of export permit or re-export certificate for goods under Appendix II; and  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
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  - Absence of a certificate of origin and, where the import is from a State, which has 
included that species in Appendix III, an export permit. 
The reasons for refusal are explained to the applicant in writing. Any person may within 30 days of the granting or refusal of a permit, appeal the decision to the 
Director-General of the National Environmental Pr otection Agency.  The Agency shall review the 
appeal application and thereafter make an appropria te decision. Should the appellant wish to appeal 
the Director-General's final decision, the matte r shall be referred to the relevant court.  
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
Answer: 
All persons holding business licence obtained from Mi nistry of Commerce and Industry are eligible to 
apply for permit. 
VI. 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: 
Applications are submitted in free format and shall contain the following information: 
 - Name of the applicant;  
 - Full address and contact information;   - Country of origin and country export of goods; and 
 - Description and quantity of  products being imported  
The following documents shall be attached to the application:   - Copy of Business licence from the Ministry of Commer ce and Industry;  
 - For import of any specimen of a species included in Appendix II - either an export 
permit or a re-export certificate; 
 - For import of any specimen of a species included in Appendix III, except in 
circumstances referred to below, the prior presentation of a certificate of origin and, 
where the import is from a State which has in cluded that species in Appendix III, - an 
export permit. 
 - In the case of re-export, a certificate granted by the Management Authority of the 
State of re-export that the specimen was pr ocessed in that State or is being re-
exported shall be accepted by the State of import as evidence that the provisions of 
the CITES Convention have been complied with in respect of the specimen 
concerned. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 10  
 
 2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Permit shall be submitted to customs authorities upon actual importation.  
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
No fees are charged for issuance of permits.   
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of permits.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
Period of validity for permits is 6 months.  If a peri od of validity is expired before actual importation, 
importers can submit a letter to a Management Committee for CITES under NEPA requesting for an 
extension of the term of validity of a permit .  A permit can be extended up to one year.  
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 established for the non-u tilization of a permit or a portion of a permit. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Permits are 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: 
No other conditions are attached to the issuance of a permit.    WT/ACC/AFG/10 
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 VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
Upon importation goods are subject to veterinary and plant quarantine controls.  Physical inspection 
procedures are conduc ted if necessary. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the ba nking authorities for goods to  be imported.  Permit 
is not required as a condition to  obtaining foreign exchange. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 12  
 
 C. Import Approval for Movies 
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: 
Only movies recorded in 35 mm positive films are allowed for projection in cinema theatres of 
Afghanistan.  Imports of movies fo r projection in cinemas are subject to import licence.  Applicants who 
are granted import licence sha ll sign contract with Afghan F ilm Department indicating:  
 - Total number of movies allocated to be imported; 
 - Number of movies by each country of production; and  - Obligation to observe Afghan moral a nd cultural norms, and quality requirements. 
Upon actual importation, completion of the customs clearance procedures is conditioned upon 
presenting approval letter from the Ministry of Info rmation and Culture (MOIC).  Approvals are issued 
after reviewing the received applica tions and contents of the movies.  
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
Imports of movies in 35 mm positive film for motions  picture projection are subject to import approval.  
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Approval system applies to goods originating in an d coming from all countries, except Israeli made 
movies, which are proh ibited for imports.  
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: 
Cinema owners shall apply for annual licence indi cating number of movies they wish to import.  
Applicants shall indicate also a number of movies  divided by each country of production.  Technical 
Evaluation Board at the Afghan Film Department re views the application and will decide on the total 
quantity of movies as well as number of movi es divided by each country of production.    WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 13 
 
 
 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: 
Licensing system is maintained under the "Regula tion on Import and Show of Films and Monitoring 
of Cinema" with amendments made through Presi dential Decree dated 8 November 1988.  It is 
possible for the executive branch of the government to abolish the system without approval of the 
Parliament.  
III. PROCEDURES 
2. 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, concerning allocation of quotas and 
formalities of filing applications for lice nses?  If not, how is it brought to the 
attention of possible importers?  Of g overnments and export promotion bodies of 
exporting countries and their trade representatives?  Is the overall amount published?  The amount allocated to good s from each country?  The maximum 
amount allocated to each importer? 
 (b) How is the size of the quotas determin ed:  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 a pply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or 
quarterly basis? 
 (c) Are licenses allo tted for certain goods partly or on ly to domestic 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 openin g of quotas, as indica ted in I above, what 
is the period of time allowed for the su bmission of applications for licenses? 
 (e) What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing 
applications? 
 (f) How much time remains, at a minimum, between 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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 14  
 
  (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 alloca ted per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it 
determined?  What provision is made for new importers?  Are applications 
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? 
 (k) Are there products for which licenses a re issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market? 
Answer: 
(a) Information concerning allocati on of quotas is not published.  "Regulation on Import and Show 
of Films and Monitoring of Cinema" with Amendments through Presidential Decree dated 
8 November 1988, containing information on formalities of f iling applications for licenses was 
published.  
 There is no overall amount of quot a established for imports to Af ghanistan.  Quotas are based 
on the request of the applicant and determined on the basis of need per each cinema theatre.  
Applicant indicates its wishes with respect to the amount of movies from each country. 
Technical Board of Afghan Film Department makes a decision with respect to amount of 
movies from each country.  Technical Board ma y decrease or increase  amount of movies from 
each country. The maximum amount allocated to  each importer determ ined on a case-by-case 
basis and depends on the request of the applic ant and number of cinemas theatres it owns. 
(b) Quotas are allocated on an a nnual basis per each applicant.  Quotas shall be used during the 
calendar year.  Applications can be made anyt ime during the year for importation to be made 
during the current year.  In such cases amounts of quotas will be determined  taking into account 
remaining time till the end of the current year.  Amount of movies from each country is based 
on the request of the applicant.  However, Te chnical Board may change the requested numbers 
based on its perception of Afghan viewer's interest.  Licence gran ted indicates only the number 
of movies that are allowed for imports from each country of production without specifying the 
names of movies.  
(c) Licenses are not allotted only for domestic producers of movies.  Unused allocations are not 
added to quotas for a succeeding period.  Afgha n Film Department can provide the names of 
importers to whom licenses have been allocate d to governments and export promotion bodies of 
exporting countries upon request.   
(d) Applications are made any time before the be ginning of the calendar year.  Applications can 
also be made anytime during the year for impo rtation to be made during the current year.   
(e) Processing of applica tions usually take between one and two weeks.   
(f) Applications for licence can be made anytime during the year for the next year.  For licence 
issued for the next calendar year opening period w ould be first day of the calendar year.  For the  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 15 
 
 
 licenses issued during the year for importations during the current year period of importation 
can start immediately upon obtaining the licence. 
(g) Applications first shall be submitted to Mini stry of Culture and Information, which places a 
visa/signature on the application approving it fo r processing.  Then applicant shall approach 
Afghan Film Department for proces sing and obtaining a licence.   
(h) There is no overall quota for im portation of movies into Afghanistan.  In other words, there is 
no total amount of imports that shall be distri buted among the interested  applicants.  Maximum 
amount to be allocated per applicant is made based on number of cinema theatres it owns.  
New importers are treated the same way as previous applicants.  Each application is examined upon receipt. 
(i) Afghanistan does not have bila teral quotas or export restra int arrangements where export 
permits are issued by exporting countries. 
(j) Imports of movies are not allowed on the basis of export permits only. 
(k) Licenses are not issued on a condition that movies should be exported and not sold in the 
domestic market. 
3. Under what circumstances m ay an application for a licence be refused other than failure 
to meet the ordinary criteria?  Are the reas ons 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: 
Applications for licence are not usually rejected.  However, number of movies, including allocation by 
countries of producti on can be revised. 
Upon actual importation, movies can be rejected fo r approval on the grounds of lack of compliance 
with Afghan moral and cultural values.  Afghan Film  Department may also cut certain scenes from 
the movies. 
The reasons for refusal are explained to the applicant in writing.   Applicants can appeal refusal to issue 
licenses to an Appeals Review Board of the MOIC.   Decisions of the Appeals Board can be appealed to 
commercial courts of Afghanistan.  
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
Answer: 
All persons holding business licence obtained from Ministry of Commerce an d Industry or investment 
licence from Afghan Investment Support Agency  are eligible to apply for permit.   
VI. 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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 16  
 
 Answer: 
Applications are submitted in free format and shall contain the following information: 
 - Name of the applicant;  
 - Full address and contact information; and  - Number of movies requested for import ation broken down by country of production. 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Upon actual importation customs aut horities issue a letter to the MOIC requesting confirmation of the 
compliance of the actual movies being imported to th e conditions of the licence.   Licence holder shall 
present the letter to gether with invoice to Afghan Film De partment.  Evaluatio n Board reviews each 
movie for its compliance with the Afghan moral a nd cultural norms.  Review time depends on number 
of movies subject to review.  No more than two or  three movies are reviewed  per day.  If approved, 
Afghan Film Department issues an approval letter and applicant submits it to relevant customs office for completion of the clearance procedures.  
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
Review of the application for allo cation of quotas is conducted free of  charge.  For the review process 
upon actual importation of Pakistan i, Indian and USA movies AF 2,500 (US$50) and for movies from 
other countries the fee is AF 1,500 (US$30), is char ged per each movies to be paid to Afghan Film 
Department.  Additional AF 500 (US $10) per movie is charged for services of the Evaluation Board.  
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of licence or confirmation 
letter.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
Licence is valid for calendar year only.  New licence shall be obtained for the following year. 
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 established for the non-u tilization of a licence or a portion of a licence.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 17 
 
 
 3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Licenses are 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: 
No other conditions are attached to the issue of a licence.   
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apar t from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by the ba nking authorities for goods to  be imported.  Permit 
is not required as a condition to  obtaining foreign exchange. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 18  
 
 D. Import Authorization for Narcotics 
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: 
Import control system for narcotics is based on the Counter Narcotics Law of 17 December 2005, which 
reflects provisions of re levant United Nations c onventions on drugs:   
 - Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961;  
 - Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971; and  
 - United Nations Convention against Illicit Tr affic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic 
Substances of 1988. 
Imports are allowed for medical, industrial production and scientific re search purposes only.  Ministries 
and agencies can compile information based on applications from interested importers and determine the 
need for importation, necessary  quantities and submit it for appr oval to Afghan Drug Regulatory 
Committee (DRC).  In practice, the following three ministries usually issue requests for quotas: 
 - Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) determ ines list of medicines and required quantities 
for import based on previous year import and consumption data, and submits it to 
Drug Regulatory Commi ttee (DRC);   
 - Technical assessment of needs for imports fo r scientific and resear ch purposes based on 
applications from interested importers is conducted by the Ministry of Higher 
Education (MoHE) and su bmitted to DRC; and 
 - Technical assessment of import needs for chemical substances used for industrial 
production purposes based on appl ications is conducted by the Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry (MoCI) and submitted to DRC.   
DRC reviews requests from the mini stries and if approved, submits final list to the International 
Narcotics Control Board (INCB). 
If no objection/comments received from INCB, DRC jointly with line ministries, determine the 
quarterly breakdown of the allocated annual quotas.  Quarterly Quota Form issued by DRC serves as a 
licence to import. 
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
The following items listed in Table 1 below ar e prohibited for imports into Afghanistan:  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 19 
 
 
 Table 1:  Prohibited Drug of Abuse with No Medical Use 
No. Drugs No. Drugs 
1 (+)-LYSERGIDE 56 Hydroxypethidine 
2 2C-B 57 Ketobemidone 
3 3-methylfentanyl 58 Levomoramide 
4 3-methylthiofentanyl 59 Levophenacylmorphane 
5 4-MTA 60 MDE, N-ethyl MDA 
6 Acetorphine 61 MDMA 
7 Acetyl-alpha-methylfentanyl 62 Mecloqualone 
8 Acetyldihydrocodeine 63 Mescaline 
9 Acetylmethadol 64 Methaqualone 
10 Allylprodine 65 Methcathinone 
11 Alphameprodine 66 Methyl-4 aminorex 
12 Alphamethadol 67 Methyldesorphine 
13 Alpha-methylfentanyl 68 Methyldihydromorphine 
14 Alpha-methylthiofentanyl 69 MMDA 
15 Aminorex 70 Morpheridine 
16 Benzethidine 71 Morphine methobromide  
17 Benzylmorphine 72 MPPP 
18 Betacetylmethadol 73 Myrophine 
19 Bêta-hydroxyfentanyl 74 N-hydroxy MDA 
20 Bêta-hydroxy-methylfentanyl 75 Nicocodine 
21 Betameprodine 76 Nicomorphine 
22 Betamethadol 77 Noracymethadol 
23 Betaprodine 78 Norlevorphanol 
24 Brolamfetamine 79 Normethadone 
25 Butyrate de dioxaphetyl 80 Normorphine 
26 Cannabis 81 Norpipanone 
27 Cathinone 82 Para-fluorofentanyl 
28 Clonitazene 83 Parahexyl 
29 Concentrate of poppy straw 84 PEPAP 
30 Desomorphine 85 Phenadoxone 
31 DET 86 Phenampromide 
32 Dextromoramide 87 Phenomorphane 
33 Diampromide 88 Phenoperidine 
34 Diethylthiambutene 89 Pholcodine 
35 Difenoxine 90 Piritramide 
36 Dimenoxadol 91 PMA 
37 Dimepheptanol 92 Poppy seeds 
38 Dimethylthiambutene 93 Poppy straw 
39 Dipipanone 94 Proheptazine 
40 DMA 95 Properidine 
41 DMHP 96 Propiram 
42 DMT 97 Psilocine, psilotsin 
43 DOET 98 Psilocybine 
44 Drotebanol 99 Racemoramide 
45 Ethylmethylthiambutene 100 Rolicyclidine 
46 Eticyclidine 101 STP, DOM 
47 Etilamfetamine 102 Tenamfetamine 
48 Etonitazene 1 03 Tenocyclidine 
49 Etorphine 104 Tetrahydrocannabinol 
50 Etoxeridine 105 Thebacone 
51 Etryptamine 106 Thiofentanyl 
52 Fenetylline 107 Tilidine WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 20  
 
 No. Drugs No. Drugs 
53 Furethidine 108 TMA 
54 Heroin 109 Trimeperidine 
55 Hydromorphinol     
 
Import authorizations are required for the list of products indicated in Tables 2 to 4 below:   
Table 2:  Strictly Controlled Plants  and Substances with a Medical Use 
No. Plants and Substances No. Plants and Substances 
1 Alfentanil 30 Metamfetamine 
2 Alphaprodine 31 Metazocine 
3 Amfetamine 32 Methadone 
4 Amobarbital 33 Methadone intermediate 
5 Aniledirine 34 Methylphenidate 
6 Bezitramide 35 Metopon 
7 Coca, (leaf) 36 Moramide, intermediaire du 
8 Cocaïne 37 Morphine 
9 Codeine 38 Nicodicodine 
10 Codoxime 39 Norcodeine 
11 Delta-9-tetrahydro cannabinol  40 N-oxymorphine 
12 Dexamfetamine 41 Opium 
13 Dextropropoxyphene 42 Oxycodone 
14 Dihydrocodeine 43 Oxymorphone 
15 Dihydromorphine 44 Pethidine 
16 Diphenoxylate 45 Pethidine, intermediate A 
17 Dronabinol 46 Pethidine, intermediate B 
18 Ecgonine 47 Pethidine, intermediate C 
19 Ethylmorphine 48 Phenazocine 
20 Fentanyl 49 Phencyclidine 
21 Glutethimide 50 Phenmetrazine 
22 Hydrocodone 51 Piminodine 
23 Hydromorphone 52 Racemate de metamfetamine 
24 Isomethadone 53 Racemethorphane 
25 Levamfetamine 54 Racemorphane 
26 Levomethamphetamine 55 Remifentanil 
27 Levomethorphane1 56 Secobarbital 
28 Levorphanol 57 Sufentanil 
29 Thebaïne 58 Zipeprol 
 
Table 3:  Controlled Plants and Substances with a Medical Use 
No. Plants and Substances No. Plants and Substances 
1 Acetyldihydrocodeine 39 Loflazepate Ethyl 
2 Allobarbital 40 Loprazolam 
3 Alprazolam 41 Lorazepam 
4 Amfepramone 42 Lormetazepam 
5 Barbital 43 Mazindol 
6 Benzfetamine 44 Medazepam 
7 Bromazepam 45 Mefenorex 
8 Brotizolam 46 Meprobamate 
9 Buprenorphine 47 Mesocarbe 
10 Butalbital 48 Methylpheno-barbital 
11 Butobarbital 49 Methyprylone 
12 Camazepam 50 Midazolam  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 21 
 
 
 No. Plants and Substances No. Plants and Substances 
13 Cathine 51 Nicocodine 
14 Chlordiazepoxide 52 Nicodicodine 
15 Clobazam 53 Nimetazepam 
16 Clonazepam 54 Nitrazepam 
17 Clorazepate 55 Norcodeine 
18 Clotiazepam 56 Nordazepam 
19 Cloxazolam 57 Oxazepam 
20 Codeine 58 Oxazolam 
21 Cyclobarbital 59 Pemoline 
22 Delorazepam 60 Pentazocine 
23 Diazepam 61 Pentobarbital 
24 Dihydrocodeine 62 Phendimetrazine 
25 Estazolam 63 Phenobarbital 
26 Ethchlorvynol 64 Phentermine 
27 Ethinamate 65 Pholcodine 
28 Ethylmorphine 66 Pinazepam 
29 Fencamfamine 67 Pipradrol 
30 Fenproporex 68 Prazepam 
31 Fludiazepam 69 Pyrovalerone 
32 Flunitrazepam 70 Secbutabarbital 
33 Flurazepam 71 Temazepam 
34 GHB 72 Tetrazepam 
35 Halazepam 73 Triazolam 
36 Haloxazolam 74 Vinylbital 
37 Ketazolam 75 Zolpidem 
38 Lefetamine     
 
Table 4 :  Substances Frequently Used in the Manufacture of Narcotic  Drugs and Psychotropic 
Substances (Chemical Precursors) 
No. Drugs No. Drugs 
1 Acid N-acetylanthranilic 13 Pseudoephedrine 
2 Acid lysergic 14 Safrole 
3 Anhydride acetic 15 Acetone 
4 Ephedrine 16 Acid anthranilic 
5 Ergometrine 17 Acid chlorhydric 
6 Ergotamine 18 Acid phenylacetic 
7 Isosafrole 19 Acid sulfuric 
8 Methylenedioxy 20 Methylethylcetone 
9 Norephedrine 21 Piperidine 
10 Potassium Permanganate 22 Toluene 
11 Phenyl-1 propanone-2 23 Ethyl ether 
12 Piperonal     
 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Permit system applies to goods origin ating in and coming from all countries.  
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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 22  
 
 Answer: 
The licensing system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of licit imports.  The system is 
intended to prevent illici t use of narcotics and chemicals used in  illicit production of drugs.  International 
system of control is based on estimates of narcotic drugs and a voluntary assessment system for psychotropic substances and monitoring of licit activiti es involving drugs through a statistical returns 
system, and achieving, inter alia , a balance between supply and demand. 
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: 
The legal basis for import controls is the Law "On Counter-Narcotics" dated 17 December 2005 and 
published in Official Gazette  No. 875.  Four attach ments to the Law specify the list of substances to 
be controlled.  The classifications of the regulated substances can be amended, in particular by new 
inclusions, deletions, or transfers from one Table to another, by the DRC, taking into account any 
amendments or additions made by the Un ited Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. 
It is not possible for the executive branch of the government to abolish the system without approval of 
the Parliament.  
The following legal documents issued by DRC relate to import procedures:    
- Procedure for Issuing of Import Permits for Drugs, Preparations and Precursors and 
their Combinations for Legal Users, 2008; 
- Procedure for Regulating and Cont rol of Precursors, 24 June 2009; 
- Guidelines for Stocking and Maintenance of  Drugs, Preparations and Precursors, 
5 June 2005. 
III. PROCEDURES 
2. 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, concerning allocation of quotas and 
formalities of filing applications for lice nses?  If not, how is it brought to the 
attention of possible importers?  Of g overnments and export promotion bodies of 
exporting countries and their trade representatives?  Is the overall amount 
published?  The amount allocated to good s 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 a pply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or 
quarterly basis? 
 (c) Are licenses allott ed for certain goods partly or only  to domestic producers of like 
goods?  What steps are taken to ensure that  licenses allocated are actually used for  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 23 
 
 
 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 indicate d in I above, what 
is the period of time allowed for the su bmission of applications for licenses? 
 (e) What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing 
applications? 
 (f) How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licenses and the 
date of opening of the period of importation?  
 (g) Is consideration of licence applications ef fected 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 alloca ted per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it 
determined?  What provision is made for new importers?  Are applications 
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? 
 (k) Are there products for which licenses a re issued on condition that goods should be 
exported and not sold in the domestic market? 
Answer: 
(a) Information concerning allocation of quotas is restricted and not published.  Interested persons 
can obtain information concerning formalities for obtaining quotas from DRC.  Governments of 
exporting countries can request in formation concerning overall amount of quotas and maximum 
amount allocated to each importer through INCB.   
(b) Quotas are determined on a yearly basis.  MoPH determines amount  of quotas based on 
statistical data for previous y ear imports and consumption.  Other line ministries determine 
quotas based on applications from interested im porters.  Upon allocation of quota importer shall 
indicate a quarter within which he plans to import.    Importers can apply for extension of licence 
for the following quarter.  However, permits ca nnot be extended beyond the current year for 
which the quota was allocated.  
(c) Licenses are allotted for certain goods partly.  If quotas were not used for actual imports without 
a reasonable justification, DRC may refuse a llocation of quotas for the next period.   WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 24  
 
 Unused allocations of quotas are not added to quotas for succeeding period.   Names of 
importers to whom quotas have been alloca ted are made known to INCB, upon request.   
(d) Applications for licenses can be submitted immediately after comple tion of procedures of 
notification to INCB by DRC.   
(e) MoPH reviews requests for a llocation of quotas within 30 days . Other line ministries, process 
applications for allocation of quotas within 30 to  45 days and then submit requested amount of 
quotas to DRC.  DRC reviews a nd submits overall amount of quota s to INCB before the end of 
the month of July each year. 
(f) Procedures of INCB review of Afghanistan's quotas are completed by the end of July, and 
opening date for imports is 1 January.  Therefore,  importers can apply for licenses starting from 
the month of August.  
(g) Allocations of import quotas are submitted to MoPH, MoHE, MoCI and other line ministries 
and subject to final approval by DRC.  
(h) DRC reviews requested quotas on the basis of  past performance, projected demand, and 
reputation of the applicant.  Appl icants have a right to attend th e review meeting of DRC and to 
provide explanations and justifications for its a pplication.  There is no maximum amount to be 
allocated per applicant.  However, DRC usually practices a rule that di fference of allocated 
quotas between applicants shall no t be more than 10 per cent of the overall amount of quota.  
(i) According to INCB procedures, exporting count ries issue export perm its based on allocated 
import quotas.  
(j) INCB maintains international control system, including information a bout allocated quotas.  
Exports from foreign country are allowed only on th e basis of import permits issued by DRC.  
Once the consignment has entered the national terr itory or when the period stipulated in the 
import authorization has expired, the DRC sends  the export authorization to the Government 
of the exporting country, with an endorsement specifying the quantity of each regulated drug actually imported. 
(k) There are no products for which licenses are issued on condition that goods should be exported 
and not sold in the domestic market. 
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: 
The DRC may authorize an importation of a substance listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4 only if they are 
intended for use to meet legitimat e medical, scientific, and industrial needs.  If the requested amounts 
are not justified on the basis of past performance or actual needs, line ministries or DRC may decrease 
requested amounts.    
The reasons for refusal are explained to the applicant.   Applicants have a right of appeal to commercial 
courts in the event of refusal to issue a quota or permit.    WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 25 
 
 
 IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
Answer: 
All persons holding business licence obtained from Mi nistry of Commerce and Industry are eligible to 
apply for import quotas for narcotics and precursors for scientif ic research and industrial production 
purposes.    
To be eligible to apply for quotas to import for medi cal purposes, applicants must also hold a licence to 
engage in importing of medicines.  This activity  licence is valid for 1 year and renewable.   
VI. 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: 
An application for import quota allocation of substan ces listed on Tables 2, 3, or 4 can be provided in 
free format letter and shall indicate the following: 
 - The name and address of  the importer or exporter; 
 - The names and addresses of  any consignee, if known; 
 - The international non-proprietary name of each substance or, failing this, the name of 
the substance in the tables of the international conventions; 
 - The pharmaceutical form and characteristics of each substance and, in the case of a 
preparation, its trade name; 
 - The quantity of each substance and preparation involved in the operation; 
 - The period during which the operation is to take place; and  - Explanation of the need and purpose of importation.  
The following documents shall be attached to application:  - Business License issued by MoCI; 
 - Licence for the right to engage in impor ting of medicines (with respect to imports for 
medical purposes). 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Upon actual importation of drugs a nd preparations under the quotas a llocated by the MoPH, importers 
shall obtain pro-forma from the latter and submit it to customs authorities along with the Quarterly 
Quota Form.   
For other drugs, preparations and precursors that  require import permit, importers shall present to 
Customs authorities the Quarterly Quota Form.   
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 26  
 
 Answer: 
For review of request for quota allocation no f ees are charged by line ministries or by DRC. 
MoPH charges 0.075 per cent of value of import consignment for issuance of copy of pro-forma upon 
importation.  
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associ ated with the issue of licence or permit.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
The import permit shall specify whether the import is to be effected in a single consignment or may 
be effected in more than one consignment, and shall establish the time in which the import of all 
consignments must be effected.  Such times are es tablished based on the request of the applicant, but 
shall not be longer than the period of validity of an activity licence giving a right for engaging in importing.   
According to INCB control system , export permits issued by exporting countries are valid for three 
months.  Therefore, in order to provide sufficient time for importers, import permits issued by DRC are 
valid for six months from the date of issue.  Peri od of importation is a calend ar year with quarterly 
breakdowns. 
2. Is there any penalty for the non-utilizatio n of a licence or a po rtion of a licence? 
Answer: 
If quotas were not used for actual imports without a reasonable justification, DRC 
(MoPH/MoHE/MoCI) may refuse allocati on of quotas for the next period. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Quotas can be transferred between importers with the approval from th e line ministry and DRC.  Quotas 
allocated through MoPH can only be transferred to other importers who hold licence for engaging in 
importing of medicines.  
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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 27 
 
 
 Answer: 
Import of the regulated drugs listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4 shall be conducted through those customs 
offices determined by the DRC.  
Traders are obliged to keep records of sales and st ocks and report them regular ly to the Ministry of 
Counter Narcotics.  Any person, private enterp rise, or state enterprise holding, for professional 
purposes, any plants, substances and pr eparations listed in Tables 2, 3, and 4 is required to keep them 
under regulations established by the Committee so as to prevent theft or any other form of diversion.  
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apar t from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation.  
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Permit is not re quired as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 28  
 
 E. Import Permit for Ozone Depleting Substances  
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: 
In 2004 Afghanistan has acceded to:  
 - Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (22 September 1988);  
 - The Montreal Protocol on Substances that  Deplete the Ozone Layer (1 January 1989);  
  - London Amendment (10 August 1992);  
  - Copenhagen Amendment (14 June 1994);    - Montreal Amendment (10 November 1999); and    - Beijing Amendment (25 February 2002). 
Under the Montreal Protocol each Party shall establish and implement a system for licensing the 
import and export of new, used, recycled and reclai med controlled substances listed in the relevant 
annexes to the Protocol.  In order to implement it s international obligations Afghanistan has introduced 
registration and import permit procedure for ozone depleting substances.  For the production, import and export of the ozone layer de pleting substances, import permit of Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry (MoCI) and registration in National Enviro nment Protection Agency (NEPA) is required.  
Importers shall first register with the NEPA a nd then apply for permit for each import shipment.  
Registration is valid for one year  and shall be renewed annually. 
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
The following substances, containing ozone-deple ting substances, are not allowed for production, 
import and export: 
 1. (Hallons-1211-1301-2402); 
 2. CFC of Air conditions;  3. CFC gas in the compressors of the old fridges and air conditions; and  4. Compressors having CFCs gases. 
This prohibition excludes any controlled substance or mixture, which is in a manufactured product 
other than a container used for the transp ortation or storage of that substance. 
Imports of Halogenated Derivatives of hydrocarbons listed below following goods are subject to import 
permit from the (NEPA) of Afghanistan until 2013.  After that date these substances will also be 
prohibited for imports into Afghanistan.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 29 
 
 
  
No. Formula Trade Name Chemical Name Group 
Conditional 
1 122  - HCFC  122  -R  Trichlorodifluoroethane 6 
2 123  - HCFC  123  -R  Dichlorotrifluoroethane 6 
3 123  - HCFC  a 123  -R  Dichlorotrifluoroethane 6 
4 124  - HCFC  11  -R  chlorotrifluoroethane 6 
5  a 124- HCFC  11  -R  chlorotrifluoroethane 6 
6 131  - HCFC  131  -R  Trichlorofluoroethane 6 
7 132  - HCFC  132  -R  Dichlorodifluoroethane 6 
8 13  3 - HCFC  133  -R  chlorotrifluoroethane 6 
9 141  - HCFC  141  -R  Dichlorofluoroethane 6 
10 b 141  - HCFC  11  -R  Dichlorofluoroethane 6 
11 142  - HCFC  124  -R  chlorodifluroethane 6 
12 b 142  - HCFC  11  -R  chlorodifluroethane 6 
13 151  - HCFC  151  -R  chlorofluoroethane 6 
14 221  - HCFC  122  -R  Hexachlorofluoropropane 6 
15 222  - HCFC  222  -R  Pentachlorodifluropropane 6 
16 223  - HCFC  223  -R  Tetrachlorotrifluropropane 6 
17 224  - HCFC  224  -R  Trichlorotetrafluropropane 6 
18 225  - HCFC  225  -R  Dichloropentaf luropropane  6 
19 ca 225  - HCFC  225  -R  Dichloropentafluropropane 6 
20 cb 225  - HCFC  cb 225  -R  Dichloropentafluropropane 6 
21 226  - HCFC  226  -R  Chlorohexafluropropane 6 
22 231  - HCFC  231  -R  Pentachlorofluropropane 6 
23 232  - HCFC  232  -R  Tetrachlorodifluropropane 6 
24 233  - HCFC  233  -R  Trichlorotrifluropropane 6 
25 234  - HCFC  234  -R  propaneDichlorotetrafluro 6 
26 235  - HCFC  235  -R  propaneChloropentafluro 6 
27 241  - HCFC  241  -R  Tetrachlorofluropropane 6 
28 242  - HCFC  242  -R  Trichlorodifluropropane 6 
29 243  - HCFC  243  -R  Dichlorotrif luropropane  6 
30 244  - HCFC  244  -R  Chlorotetrafluropropane 6 
31 251  - HCFC  251  -R  Trichlorofluropropane 6 
32 252  - HCFC  252  -R  Dichlorodifluropropane 6 
33 253  - HCFC  253  -R  Chlorotrifluropropane 6 
34 261  - HCFC  261  -R  Dichlorofluropropane 6 
35 262  - HCFC  262  -R C h l o r o difluropropane  6 
36 271  - HCFC  271  -R  Chlorofluropropane 6 
37 21  b2 -BFC   Dibromofluromethane 7 
38 b1 22  - HBFC   Bromodifluromethane 7 
39   Bromofluromethane 7 
40   Tetrabromofluromethane 7 
41   Tribromodifluroethane 7 
42 b2 123 - HBFC   Dibromotrifluroethan e 7  
43 b1 123 - HBFC   Bromotetrafluroethane 7 
44   Tribromofluroethane 7 
45   Dibromodifluroethane 7 
46   bromotrifluroethane 7 
47   Dibromofluroethane 7 
48 b1 124 - HBFC   Bromodifluroethane 7 
49 b1 124 - HBFC   Bromofluroethane 7 
50   Hexabromofluropropa ne  7 
51   Pentabromodifluropropane 7 WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 30  
 
 No. Formula Trade Name Chemical Name Group 
52   Tetrabromofluropropane 7 
53   Tribromotetrafluropropane 7 
54   Dibromopentafluropropane 7 
55   Bromohexfluropropane 7 
56   Pentabromofluropropane 7 
57   Tetrabromodifluropropane 7 
58   Tribromotrifluropropa ne  7 
59   Dibromotetrafluropropane 7 
60   Bromopentafluropropane 7 
61   Tetrabromofluropropane 7 
62   Tribromodifluropropane 7 
63   Dibromotrifluropropane 7 
64   Bromotetrafluropropane 7 
65   Tribromofluropropane 7 
66   Dibromodifluropropane 7 
67   Bromotrifluropropane 7 
68   Dibromofluropropane 7 
69   Bromodifluropropane 7 
70   Bromofluropropane 7 
71 Methyl Bromide Me Br CH3Br 7 
 
No. Formula Trade Name Chemical Name Group 
Allowed Items 
1 a 134  - HFC  a 134 -R  1,1,1,2 - ethaneTetrafluro   - 
 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Imports of controlled substances is only permitted be tween Parties to the Montreal Protocol, which 
have reported data and dem onstrated their compliance with all relevant provisions of the Protocol.   
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 system is intended to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control 
equitably total emissions of substances that deplete it, with the ultimate objective of their elimination 
on the basis of developments in scientific knowle dge, taking into account technical and economic 
considerations and bearing in mi nd the developmental needs of Afghanistan.  Currently NEPA is 
monitoring the quantities of production,  import and export of ozone deple ting substances.  There is no 
quantitative restrictions are applied until 2013, wh en reductions shall commence.  To implement 
reduction commitments, specific quotas will be intr oduced with an aim to decrease imports by 
10 per cent each year.     
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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 31 
 
 
 Answer: 
In addition to Vienna Convention, Montreal Protocol  and amendments thereof, Cabinet of Ministers has 
adopted a Regulation "On Contro lling Materials Destructive to  the Ozone Layer" dated on 
6 August 2006 published in Official Gazette No. 894.  
The licensing system is maintained under intern ational obligations ratified by Afghanistan, and, 
therefore, executive branch of the Government cannot abolish the system without legislative approval.   
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?  (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. 
 (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: 
(a) Registration form shall be su bmitted prior to importation.  
 Applications for permit shall be submitted upon ar rival of goods at the customs clearance ports.  
(b) There is no special expedited procedure for issuance of permit s.  Usually permits are issued 
within 3 to 5 working days.  
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for permit or 
importation may be made.  
(d) MoCI will issue the permit of the production,  import and export of the ozone layer depleting 
substances after the approval of the Department of Ozone of NEPA. 
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: 
The issuing agency (NEPA) can refuse to issue the new permit for three years for registered 
applicants if they did not follow their obligations. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 32  
 
 The reasons for refusal are explained to the applicant in writing. 
Any person may, within thirty (30) days of the gran ting or refusal of a permit, appeal the decision to 
the Director-General of the National Environmental Protection Agency.  The Director-General of the 
National Environmental Protection Agency shall review  the appeal application and thereafter make an 
appropriate decision.  Should the appellant wish to appeal the Director-Gener al's final decision, the 
matter shall be referred to the relevant court.  
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: Answer: 
All persons holding business licence obtained from Ministry of Commerce an d Industry or investment 
licence obtained from AISA are eligible to apply for registration and permit.   
VI. 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: 
Application for the registration for the production,  import and export of the ozone layer depleting 
substances will be provided according to the form  provided in Annex 1 to this document.   
For import of goods applicant shall fill the form (sample form is provide d in Annex 2 to this 
document) attached and submit to the office of Ozone.  The following information is required in 
applications: 
1. Name of the importer; 
2. Address of the company; 
3. Telephone, fax, and e-mail address; 4. Registration number of the importer; 5. Name and quantity of the ozone layer depleting substances being imported into the 
country; 
6. Exporting country; 
7. Proposed date of import of products; and 
8. Proposed ports of import of products. 
The following documents shall be attached to the application:  
 - Investment licence issued by Afghan Investment Support Agency, 
 - Business licence issued by Mini stry of Commerce and Industries, and 
 - Invoices (with specification of th e import substances -packing list). 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Permit shall be submitted to cu stoms authorities upon importation.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 33 
 
 
 3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
No fees are charged for annual registration and fo r issuance of import perm its for ozone depleting 
substances.  
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of permits.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
Import registration is valid for one year and can be extended on a yearly basis.  Import permit is valid 
for particular shipment. 
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 established for the non-utili zation of a permit or a portion of a permit.   
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Permits are 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: 
In order to monitor the projected quantities of the ozone depleting subs tances, NEPA requires 
information about planned investments and increase of the yearly budgets for the production, import 
and export of the ozone de pleting substances.   
The permit holders of the production, import and e xport of the ozone deple ting substances have the 
obligation to submit the detailed report of its sal es to the Ozone Department of NEPA and MoCI. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 34  
 
 VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apar t from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Permit is not re quired as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 35 
 
 
 F. Import Permit for Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment, Cosmetics, and Pharmacy 
Tools 
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: 
Imports of medicines and medical equipment are allowed only if they are registered in the Legal 
Medicines List.  Companies wishing to export medicine s to Afghanistan shall apply to the Ministry of 
Public Health (MoPH) to be included in the List of Legal Medicines.  
A person wishing to import medicines and medical equipment shall request a licence for engaging in 
such activities.  This licence is valid for one y ear and costs approximately US$800 for Afghans and 
US$5,000 for foreign applicants.  The licence can be  renewed annually at no cost.  If the licence was 
not utilized during the year, appli cant shall re-apply for new license.  
If the medicine in question is registered in the Li censed Drugs List, and provided that applicant holds 
a licence for engaging in trading of medicines and me dical equipment, it can apply for import permit.  
After reviewing the application for permit, Afgha n Pharmacy Department issues a letter- permit for 
import. 
Import of medicines and medical equipment, which ar e not in the legal medicine list, can be allowed 
in special cases by proposal of Pharmacy Affairs Department and approval of  National Medicine and 
Food Board.  
Currently, import permit procedures for cosmetics is under development.  Therefore, so far the 
requirement for import permits for co smetics is not being applied.  
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
The following goods are covered by the permit system:  
HS Codes Product Description 
30.02 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 biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultu res of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and 
similar products. 
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 
 - Other 
3002.9010 --- Saxitoxin 
3002.9020 --- Ricin 
3002.9090 --- Other  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 36  
 
 HS Codes Product Description 
30.03 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 
3003.9000 - Other 
30.04 Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 30.02, 30.05 or 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 packings for retail sale. 
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 or  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 
3004.9000 - Other 
30.05 Wadding, gauze, bandages and similar articl es (for example, dressi ngs, adhesive plasters, 
poultices), impregnated or coated with pharmaceutica l substances or put up in forms or packings 
for retail sale for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary purposes. 
3005.1000 - Adhesive dressings and other articles having an adhesive layer 
3005.9000 - Other 
30.06 Pharmaceutical goods specified in Note 4 to this Chapter. 
3006.1000 - Sterile surgical catgut, similar sterile suture materials (including sterile absorbable surgical or 
dental yarns) and sterile tissue adhesives for surgical wound closure; sterile laminaria and 
sterile laminaria tents; sterile ab sorbable surgical or dental haemostatics; sterile surgical or 
dental adhesion barriers, wherther or not absorbable 
3006.2000 - Blood-grouping reagents 
3006.3000 - Opacifying preparations for X-ray exam inations; diagnostic reagents designed to be 
administered to the patient 
3006.4000 - Dental cements and other dental  fillings; bone reconstruction cements 
3006.5000 - First-aid boxes and kits 
3006.6000 - Chemical contraceptive pr eparations based on hormones, on other products of heading 29.37 
or on spermicides 
3006.7000 - Gel preparations designed to be used in huma n 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 
33.01 Essential oils (terpeneless or not), includi ng concretes and absolutes; resinoids; extracted 
oleoresins; concentrates of essential oils in fats , in fixed oils, in waxes or the like, obtained by 
enfleurage or maceration; terpenic by-products of the deterpenation of essential oils; aqueous 
distillates and aqueous solutions of essential oils. 
 - Essential oils of citrus fruit : 
3301.1200 -- Of orange 
3301.1300 -- Of lemon  
3301.1900 -- Other   WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 37 
 
 
 HS Codes Product Description 
 - Essential oils other than those of citrus fruit :  
3301.2400 -- Of peppermint ( Mentha piperita ) 
3301.2500 -- Of other mints 
3301.2900 -- Other 
3301.3000 - Resinoids 
3301.9000 - Other 
33.04 Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than 
medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan prep arations; manicure or pedicure preparations. 
3304.1000 - Lip make-up preparations 
3304.2000 - Eye make-up preparations 
3304.3000 - Manicure or pedicure preparations 
 - Other : 
3304.9100 -- Powders, whether or not compressed 
3304.9900 -- Other 
33.05 Preparations for use on the hair. 
3305.1000 - Shampoos 
3305.2000 - Preparations for permanent waving or straightening 
3305.3000 - Hair lacquers 
3305.9000 - Other 
 Preparations for oral or dental hygiene, includi ng denture fixative pastes and powders; yarn used 
to clean between the teeth (dental floss), in individual retail packages. 
3306.1000 - Dentifrices 
3306.2000 - Yarn used to clean between the teeth (dental floss) 
3306.9000 - Other 
33.07 Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave prepar ations, personal deodorants, bath preparations, 
depilatories and other perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations, not elsewhere specified or 
included; prepared room deodorisers, whether or not perfumed or having disinfectant properties. 
3307.1000 - Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations 
3307.2000 - Personal deodorants and antiperspirants 
3307.3000 - Perfumed bath salts a nd other bath preparations 
 - Preparations for perfuming or deodorizing rooms, including odoriferous preparations used 
during religious rites : 
3307.4100 -- "Agarbatti" and other odoriferous preparations which operate by burning 
3307.4900 -- Other 
3307.9000 - Other 
90.22 Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of al pha, beta or gamma radiations, whether or not for 
medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, in cluding radiography or radi otherapy apparatus, X-
ray tubes and other X-ray generato rs, high tension generators, contro l panels and desks, screens, 
examination or treatment tables, chairs and the like. 
 - Apparatus based on the use of X-rays, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary 
uses, including radiography or  radiotherapy apparatus : 
9022.1200 -- Computed tomography apparatus 
9022.1300 -- Other, for dental uses 
9022.1400 -- Other, for medical, surgical or veterinary uses 
9022.1900 -- For other uses 
 - Apparatus based on the use of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, whether or not for medical, 
surgical, dental or veterinary uses, includi ng radiography or radi otherapy apparatus : 
9022.2100 -- For medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses 
9022.2900 -- For other uses 
9022.3000 - X-ray tubes 
9022.9000 - Other, including parts and accessories 
 WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 38  
 
 2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Permit system applies to goods origin ating in and coming from all countries.  
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 system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  Its purpose is to protect human 
life and health.    
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: 
Permit system is maintained under the Law "On Medicine", dated 04 November 2008, published in the 
Official Gazette No. 960, and the Law "On Public  Health" dated 17 January 2007, published in the 
Official Gazette No. 916.  Therefore, it is not possible for the executive branch of the government to abolish system without legislative ap proval.  Ministry of Public Health  is responsible for establishing a 
specific list of products s ubject to import permits.  
To implement the Law "On Medicine" provisions  regarding to producti on and import of legal 
medicine and medical equipment, Regulation No. 39 "On Production and Import of Medicines and 
Pharmaceuticals" was approved by Council of Ministers on 19 February 2007.  
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit for goods arriving at the port 
without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?  (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. 
 (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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 39 
 
 
 Answer: 
(a) Application for import perm its is submitted any time befo re the importation, including upon 
arriving at the port without a licence.  Same processing times are applied in all cases.  
(b) There is no procedure for granting permits imme diately on request.  Process of obtaining permit 
for import of medicines registered in the Legal Medicines list takes up to 3 days.  
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which appl ication for permits or 
importation may be made.  
(d) The following is the description of th e process of obtaining the import permit: 
 - The trader who plans to import the medicine s submits an application letter addressed to 
the Minister of Health stating the need for licence to import specific medicines into the 
country, along with its Business Licence. 
 - Minister of Public Health reviews the lett er and issues a letter approving the application 
for processing. 
 - Applicant delivers the Minister's letter to the Pharmacy Affairs Directorate.  Directorate 
checks if the applicant is in the register  of the licensed pharmaceutical trading and 
producing companies.  If the company is registered with th e Pharmacy Affairs 
Directorate, the copy of the pro forma is processed.   
 - The pro forma is then referred to the Experts Board of the General Directorate of 
Pharmacy Affairs review and approval. 
3. Under what circumstances m ay an application for a licence be refused other than failure 
to meet the ordinary criteria?  Are the reas ons 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: 
Applications for permits can be rejected in following cases:  
 - Medicines and medical equipment are not in the legal medicines list; and 
 - Applicant is not licensed to trade in medicines and medical equipment. 
The reasons for refusal are given to the applicant in writing.  Applicants do have a right of appeal to 
commercial courts in the event of refusal to issue a permit under Civil Procedure Code. 
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses?  If not, is there a 
system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?  What 
persons or firms are eligible?  Is there a regi stration fee?  Is there a published list of 
authorized importers? 
Answer: 
All persons who hold (i) business licence from Mini stry of Commerce and Industry or investment 
licence from Afghan Investment Support Agency; and, (ii) a licence fo r engaging in import of 
medicines, are eligible for obtaining import permits.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 40  
 
 VI. 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: 
Applications are submitted in free format and shall contain the following information: 
 - Name of the applicant; and 
 - Full address and c ontact information. 
A copy of pro forma containing the following informati on shall be submitted along with the application: 
 - Name of selling company, ge neric and home country address; 
 - Name of buyer; 
 - Description of medicines;  - Quantity and prices;  - Expiry date for medicines and medical equipment:  - Types of payment; 
 - Types of packing; and 
 - Duration validity of the pro forma. 
Trader's Business licence from the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, or investment licence from 
Afghan Investment Support Agency, shall be submitted along with the application. 
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
After the medicines and medical equipment have b een delivered to customs clearance facilities:  
 - Customs authorities inform  the Pharmacy Affairs Directorate via letter about the 
arrival of the medicines at customs; 
 - An expert panel or a professional representative of this Directorate already assigned 
to the Customs House takes samples of medicines.   
 - The representative takes the samples to th e Pharmacy Affairs Directorate Laboratory 
Department for testing; and 
 - When the quality of the medicines is confir med, the Directorate issues the trader with 
an import permit letter for the medicines as well as places stamp and visa on the import invoice, allowing them to be taken from the Customs House. 
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
Upon obtaining a permit for import, a commission fee for issuing of Pro Forma Statement of 
0.075 times the total cost of imported medicines is charged.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 41 
 
 
 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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of permits.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
There is no term of validity indicated at the pro-forma (permit).  Permits are valid for conducting a 
particular shipment.   
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 established for the non-u tilization of a permit or a portion of a permit. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Import permits are 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: 
Although it is not a condition specifically attached to  the issue of permits, sales prices of medicines 
are subject to approval from Pharmacy Affaires Directorate.   
Importers and the Pharmacy Enterprise is obliged to  provide medicines which is restricted to special 
and rare cases and has vital value, according to  specific quota prepared by Pharmacy Affairs 
Department.  Importers of medicine  are required, according to this provision, to import the amount of 
medicine specified by Pharmacy Affairs Department during one year after the date of specification.  In case they fail, their right to impor t shall be suspended for one year.  
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 42  
 
 Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apar t from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Import permit is not required as a c ondition to obtaining foreign exchange.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 43 
 
 
 G. Import and Sales Licence for  Telecommunication Equipment  
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 following persons have a right to im port telecom equipment to Afghanistan: 
 - Holders of licence for mo bile phone services (only types of equipment needed for 
providing mobile phone services according to their licence); 
 - Holder of licence for internet service provider (only types of equipment needed for 
providing internet service a ccording to their licence): 
 - Holder of Licence for Teleco m Technology Solution Provider; and 
 - Importer and Seller Licence holder.  
These licenses are issued by Afghan Telecom Regulatory Agency (ATRA).  
Upon arrival of goods at customs ports, customs aut horities inform ATRA of the arrival of goods.  
ATRA representative visits the port for physical in spection and confirms the right to import through 
applying his stamp and signature on customs documents.  
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
Imports of all telecom equipment require import licence from ATRA. 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Licencing system applies to goods origina ting in and coming from all countries.   
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 system is not intended to restrict the quantity or  value of imports.  Its purpose is to control telecom 
equipment that could be used in providing unauthoris ed telecom services.  Given the economic, social, 
security conditions in the country, as well as leve l of development of ATRA, this method of control 
currently represents more efficient way of cont rolling provision of unauthorised services.    WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 44  
 
 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: 
The import licence is established based on the Law "For Regulating Tele communication Services" 
(published in the Official Gazette No. 878).  Theref ore, the executive branch of the government cannot 
abolish it without legislativ e approval.  Designation of products fo r imports of which holding a licence 
obtained from ATRA is established by ATRA.  
In addition, ATRA has adopted Import Procedures of Telecommunications Equipment's for Telecom 
and Internet Companies dated 8 June 2007. 
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request?  (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. 
 (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: 
(a) Applications for Solution Provider Licenses can be submitted any time before importation of 
goods. There are no shorter time-lim its established for obtaining li censes for goods arriving at 
the port without a licence.  
(b) ATRA approval or disapproval of their formal response is sent to the applicant within five 
official days.  There is no special expedited procedure for issuance of licenses or permits. 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and 
permit or importa tion may be made.  
(d) Applications for importer and seller licence shall be submitted to Ministry of Communication 
and Information Technology (MoCIT).  After a pplications are stamped and signed by MOCIT, 
they are reviewed by the ATRA.  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 45 
 
 
 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: 
Initial applications for an importer and seller licence ar e not refused other than in case of failure to meet 
the ordinary criteria.  However, requests for rene wal of licenses can be rejected on the grounds of 
repeated violation of previous licence terms.  
Reasons for partial or total rejection of the pro posed equipment are provided to the applicant in 
writing.  Under the Law "On Regulation of Teleco mmunication Services", any person aggrieved by a 
decision of the ATRA may appeal to the Commi ssion for Settling Financial Disputes established 
under the Da Afghanistan Bank Law and request for pro ceedings.  An appeal must be registered with 
the Commission for Settling Financial Disputes and a co py must be sent to the ATRA within thirty 
days from the date that the decision is made. 
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: 
Answer: 
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible  to apply for importer and seller licenses.  
VI. 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: 
Applications are submitted in free format and shall contain the following information: 
 - Name of the applicant;  
 - Full address and contact information; and 
 - Description of the equipment and quantities.  
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
Upon arrival of goods Customs authorities issue a letter  to notify ATRA.  ATRA sends its representative 
to Customs.  To issue a conformation letter ATRA representative conducts physical inspection of the 
telecom equipment being imported.  The following docu ment shall be provided to  ATRA representative: 
 - Full list of import equipment's (Delivery Notes); 
 - Documents of Freight forwarders (Way Bill); and  - Invoice of the selling company and import equipment's takes place into the country. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 46  
 
 3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
Importer and Seller licence issuance fee is US$11,110 payable at first application.  In addition, an 
administration fee of US$11,110 is charged.  For re newal of the licence only an administrative fee is 
charged.  
Any other importers, who does not hold an Importer a nd Seller License shall pay the following fees for 
import permit upon arrival of the goods dependi ng on the invoice price of the shipment:  
Cost of the shipment Amount of the Fee 
US$1 to US$10,000 US$40 
US$10,001 to US$100,000 US$100 
US$100,001 to US$1,000,000 US$300 
Above US$1,000,000 US$500 
 
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of permits.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
Solution provider licence is valid for one year an d renewable.  Confirmati on visa is applied for 
particular shipment.  
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 established for the non-utilization of a licence. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Licenses are 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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 47 
 
 
 Answer: 
No other conditions are attached to the issue of a permit.  
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apar t from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Permit is not re quired as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange. WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 48  
 
 H. Import Permit for Veterinary Equipment and Medicines 
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: 
Imports of animal medicines and veterinary equipment are subject to approval by  Veterinary authorities 
upon importation.  Completion of the customs cl earance procedures is conditioned upon presenting 
permit of the Afghan Veterinary  Department.  Permits are issued  after reviewing the received 
applications with a required documents attached.  P hysical inspection, sampling and testing procedures 
are conducted if necessary.  Permit for imports of ve terinary equipment are issued automatically.    
II. PURPOSES AND COVERAGE OF LICENSING 
1. Identify each licensing system maintain ed and state what products, appropriately 
grouped, are covered. 
Answer: 
The following goods are covered by the permit system:  
No. Product description HS Codes 
1 Veterinary equipment 902221 
2 Animal medicines 300230, 300510, 300590, 300670 
3 Vaccines 300210, 300220 
4 Sperms 300660 
 
2. The system applies to goods originatin g in and coming from which countries? 
Answer: 
Permit system applies to goods origin ating in and coming from all countries.  
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 system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  Its purpose is to protect animal 
life and health.    
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?  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 49 
 
 
 Answer: 
Permit system is maintained under the Veterinary Services Law of 17 November 17 1999.  Please note 
that Veterinary Department is in the process of developing a draft Law "On Animal Health and 
Veterinary Services" and draft Regulation "On Imports of Medicines and An imal Vaccines".  
III. PROCEDURES 
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 mu st application for a licence be made?  
Can licenses be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the 
port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)? 
 (b) Can a licence be granted immediately on request? 
 (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. 
 (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: 
(a) Application for vaccines with a sample is required to be submitted in advance before shipping 
goods.  It is possible to apply for licence after goods arrive to the custom s clearance facilities.  
Same processing times are applied in both cases.  
 Applications for animal medicines can be subm itted in advance or after goods arrive at the 
customs clearance facilities. Same proces sing times are applied in both cases.  
 Applications for Veterinary equipment can be submitted after arrival of goods to customs 
clearance facilities.   
(b) There is no procedure for gran ting permits immediately on request.   Applications for vaccines 
are reviewed and depending on the type of vaccine testing procedures it can take on average 
15 days.  Applications for animal medicines and veterinary equipment take one week on average.  No time limits are established formally. 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of the year during which appl ication for permits or 
importation may be made.  
(d) Veterinary Department is solely responsible for issuance  of import permits.  No other 
administrative organ is involved in the process. 
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? WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 50  
 
 Answer: 
Applications for permits can be rejected in following cases:  
 - Non-compliance with the e xpiry date requirement;   
 - Damaged packaging that can cause danger to health;    - Absence of veterinary certificate for certain vaccines; 
 - Violation of special tr ansportation requirement such  as use of refrigerators 
(if applicable); and 
 - Only OIE approved companies are permitted for vaccines.   
The reasons for refusal are explained to the applicant.  Applicants have a right of appeal to commercial 
courts in the event of refusal to issue a permit.  
IV. ELIGIBILITY OF IMPORTS TO APPLY FOR LICENCE 
1. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licenses: Answer: 
All persons who have business licence  from Ministry of Commerce and I ndustry are eligible to apply for 
permit.  Company should employ  at least one specialist in the field of veterinary.  Applicants shall sign a 
standard Statement of Conditions  containing commitments that:  
 - Medicines and other necessary materials rela ted to veterinary being imported shall be 
produced by reputable and well-known companies; 
 - Packaging should be done by production company;  - Expiry date should not be le ss than 2 years from production; 
 - In case of imported medicine s and other veterinary material s are found to be dangerous 
for health, or packaged in other country then the country of production, applicant 
company may lose the right for importation of such goods in the future; 
 - Applicant cannot re-export imported items;  - Importer shall indicate  areas of storage and dist ribution within Afghanistan; 
 - If management of veterinary service so decides, it can send up to three of its 
representatives to visit a pr oduction company for inspections purposes.  Costs in case 
shall be covered by the importer; and 
 - Process of storage and distribution of vacc ines and other medicines shall be monitored 
by a representative of vete rinary service.     
Statements of Conditions are valid fo r one year and renewable.  Statem ents are provided free of charge. 
VI. 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: 
Applications are submitted in free format and shall contain the following information: 
 - Name of the applicant;  
 - Full address and contact information;   WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 51 
 
 
  - Country of origin and country export of goods; and 
 - Description and quantity of  products being imported   
The following documents shall be attached to the application:   - Signed Statement of Conditions; 
 - Medical analysis certificate for medicines; 
 - OIE certificate for vaccines; and 
 - Copy of Business licence.  
Samples of medicines and vaccines shall also  be submitted along with the application.  
2. What documents are required upon actual importation? 
Answer: 
- When the veterinary medicines are imported, the importer requests permission from the 
General Directorate of Animal Husbandry and An imal Health to take the medicines from the 
Customs House; 
- General Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health gives the importer an order to 
deliver to the Department of Prophylaxis and Treatment to obtain samples of the imported 
medicines in order to check their quality; and 
- If the tests performed by the Department of Prophylaxis and Treatment confirm that the 
imported medicines are of good quality, then the General Animal Husbandry and Animal 
Health Directorate issues an official letter fo r the applicant/importer to take to the MoF and 
the Customs House to instruct them to let the importer remove the medicine from the Customs House. 
3. Is there any licensing fee or administrative char ge?  If so, what is th e amount of the fee or 
charge? 
Answer: 
Currently no fees are charged for issuance of import permits for veterinary e quipment and medicines.  
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. 
Answer: 
No deposit or advance payment requirement is associated with the issue of licenses.   
VII. CONDITIONS OF LICENSING 
1. What is the period of validity of a licen ce?  Can the validity of a licence be extended?  
How? 
Answer: 
The permit is valid for one year and must be re newed annually, but only the stamp of the Animal 
Husbandry and Animal Health Directorate is needed  for renewal, which takes one to two hours.   WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 52  
 
 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 established for the non-u tilization of a permit or a portion of a permit. 
3. Are licenses transferable between importers?   If so, are any limitations or conditions 
attached to such transfer? 
Answer: 
Veterinary permits are 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: 
No conditions are attached to the issue of a permit.   
VIII. OTHER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS 
1. Are there any other administ rative procedures, ap art from import licensing and similar 
administrative procedures, required prior to importation? 
Answer: 
There are no other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing a nd similar administrative 
procedures, required prior to importation. 
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: 
Foreign exchange is automatically provided by th e banking authorities for goods to be imported.  
Veterinary Permit is not required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange. 
 
  WT/ACC/AFG/10 
 Page 53 
 
 
 ANNEX 1 
 
Registration Form  
 
 
 
Form (1):  Registration form for the import of Ozone layer depleting substances  
1. Name of the Importer: 
2. Address of the Company: 
3. Telephone, Fax and Email: 
4. Main Practice: Production, Import and Export: 
5. Limits of Production, Import and Export of the above items during the last three years: 
6. Shortage; 
7. Not accused for usage of civil and comme rcial rights by the Authorized Court; 
8. To have business licence; 
9. Name and quantity of the Ozone layer deple ting substances which are imported during the 
last three years 
 
 
S.No Name of the Ozone layer 
depleting substances First Year (Kg) Second Ye ar (Kg) Third Year (Kg) 
1     
2     
3     
 
  Registration of the storage houses for th e Ozone layer depleting substances: 
 
 
 Stamp and Signature: 
 
 
 WT/ACC/AFG/10 
Page 54  
 
  
ANNEX 2  
 
Import Permit Application form 
  
 Form (2)  Application form for the import of ozone layer depleting substances 
 
1. Name of the importer: 
2. Address of the company: 
3. Telephone, fax, and e-mail address: 
4. Registration number of the importer: 
5. Name and quantity of the ozone layer depleti ng substances being imported into the country: 
 
 
6. Exporting country; 
7. Proposed date of import of products; and 
8. Proposed ports of import of products. 
 
 
   Please, attach the documents related to  the goods with this application. 
 
 
Stamp and Signature:    
 
__________  
 S.No Name of the Ozone layer 
depleting substances Quantity (Ton) 
or Kg Kind or production of the 
country Type Coding System 
(HS) 
1      
2